There are some parts about Rory Gilmore’s arc on Gilmore Girls that haven’t aged very well. She makes some strange decisions and says some harsh comments, and it seems like a lot of things about this character would be different if the show aired now. But Rory is still a relatable and charming character who fans can connect with, no matter how many times they’ve seen each episode.
From Rory’s biggest hobby to some of the hard times that she faces, there are many parts of Rory’s Gilmore Girls story that feel just as powerful and meaningful now as they did back in the early 2000s.
10 Rory’s Love Of Reading
Rory reads many books on Gilmore Girls and right away, viewers know that Rory doesn’t go anywhere without at least one book and two is definitely preferable. While some fans wonder why Rory doesn’t consider any school other than Harvard when she’s a teenager, one thing is for sure: her love of reading still holds up today.
Many fans see themselves in Rory and enjoy getting caught up in an entertaining story just as much as she does. It’s also impressive that she is so widely read at such a young age.
9 Rory’s Struggles During Her First Heartbreak
When Dean breaks up with Rory in season 1, she’s totally stunned. She was just getting used to being in a relationship and now she has to figure out how to be single again and it doesn’t feel great.
The fact that Rory has such a hard time dealing with heartbreak is another aspect of her character that has aged well. The season 1 episode “The Break-Up, Part 2” is definitely one of the most well-crafted depictions of high school heartbreak out there. Rory runs errands so she doesn’t have to feel anything and realizes that it’s okay to be sad.
8 Rory’s Bond With Her Grandparents
While fans question why Emily and Richard are so hard on Lorelai throughout much of the show, it’s easy to see Rory’s connection to them as heartwarming.
No matter how viewers feel about Lorelai’s relationship with her parents, Rory enjoys spending time with her grandparents, and this is a sweet relationship that isn’t often shown on TV. It still works well today.
7 Rory’s Independence
Rory learns lessons as a Chilton student and while it’s true that she could make more friends at her new school, it’s also cool that she is okay being by herself.
Rory’s independence makes her strong and is something that she should celebrate. She’s fine sitting at lunch and reading and she doesn’t mind if someone thinks that’s strange. Being comfortable with spending time alone is a great and necessary life skill.
6 Rory’s Feelings For Jess
It’s true that Rory shouldn’t flirt with Jess and kiss him when she’s dating Dean. That’s definitely a part of her character that has aged poorly.
But Rory is confused about the fact that she loves two people at the same time and her feelings are totally valid. She thought that she connected with Dean and that she would be with him for a long time, but her connection to Jess is surprising and feels a lot more real and natural.
5 Rory’s Competitive Streak At Chilton
Even though Chilton is a harsh place, there are many private high schools that are just as academically demanding, and it feels super realistic. Rory’s tendency to compete with the other students is something else that still rings true.
While Rory isn’t as competitive as Paris, she still wants to get top marks and she can’t help but want to be chosen for any special events, from the Bicentennial to giving the sought-after valedictorian speech.
4 Rory’s Shy Personality
Rory’s nice deeds on Gilmore Girls are plenty, and while she messes up like any other young adult, she’s ultimately a sweet and shy person who doesn’t love being the center of attention.
This aspect of Rory’s personality has aged really well. Usually, when a TV show has a shy character, they’re presented on the dorky side and they might be shown as socially awkward. Rory breaks that mold because she might not be the most talkative when she’s around people who she doesn’t know, but she loves school, dates, and has a social life.
3 Rory’s Disappointment Over Her Dad
The story of a child who wishes that their parent was around more will always feel classic, and Christopher’s disappearing act on Gilmore Girls allows the show to explore how having an absent dad affects Rory.
While it’s tough to watch Rory grow up with Christopher being around much, this part of the show still feels realistic and if the show aired now, it would still feel like a genuine plotline.
2 Rory’s Journalism Dreams
While Rory isn’t a perfect reporter and she has a terrible time in the Netflix revival A Year In The Life, the fact that she dreams of being a journalist does still work today.
This is still a fascinating, exciting, and viable career, and it makes sense that Rory wants to pursue it. Rory cares deeply about writing, reading, learning, and talking to interesting people, and for much of the show, she has a strong work ethic.
1 Rory’s Return To Stars Hollow
While many Gilmore Girls fans are sad to see that Rory doesn’t have much of a career in A Year In The Life, it’s definitely nice that she returns to Stars Hollow.
The fact that Rory still feels positive about where she comes from is not only moving but it’s also something that many can relate to. Even though Rory should be doing a lot more to make a living and move her career forward, it makes sense that she would want to come home and see what happens next.
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