Spoiler alert: Rory Gilmore is the epitome of a spoiled only child.
Since Gilmore Girls first aired on TV in the early 2000s, I’ve watched the series about 30 times. It’s not an exaggeration, I’ve REALLY seen it so many times. So, without exaggeration, it’s my favorite series ever, just like yours could be. And as fans, let’s talk frankly about the elephant in the china shop… Rory Gilmore.
She was my role model, a ✨ shining protagonist ✨ in a sea of poorly written teenage female characters. Rory was smart, down to earth, and loved school. They wanted to identify with that.
Over time (and pretty much starting with Yale), though, Rory has become quite obnoxious. And the more I rewatch the series, the more I want to shout about it. And after these 21 points, you probably do too…
1. When Rory is willing to give up her future for a guy who once said goodbye to her.
Rory was only 15 in the first episode, but in that moment I could slap myself every time. Someone who is so focused on their academic performance. He definitely he wants to go to Harvard. YOU HAVE A BRAIN! Does anyone like that want to skip the possibility of a private school for a boy? And Dean didn’t even have a motorcycle back then!
2. After she disappears without a word due to an argument with Lorelai.
I still resent Rory for it. I’m not a mother, but we’re all probably feeling for Lorelai at this point. Imagine your child just disappeared without a trace! Even though Rory “only” drives to her grandparents, he doesn’t even call the house when he’s there. Emily has to deal with it. Rory knows exactly how much that would hurt her mother.
3. She’s always a bad friend to Lane.
Lane is a really good friend and a fantastic listener. You should hold on to someone like that, very strong. What not to do? Always talking about yourself, ignoring other people’s problems and being Rory Gilmore in general.
4. But especially when Lane is a cheerleader, and Rory condemns her for it.
Your best friend is invited to cheerleading. How about “congratulations”? Or at least a “I don’t understand what you like, but tell me”???!!
5. How she treats Dean when she really likes Jess.
I’m still more in FC Bayern than in Team Dean. However, I’m kind of on his side when Rory ignores him at every opportunity in Season 3. It gets really ugly when your friend is only used to make a third person jealous.
6. And how Rory uses Jess to get revenge on Logan.
I’m not trying to be overly protective of either Dean or Jess. The two have had their moments alone. However, this whole “I will make someone else jealous” or “I will get revenge on my boyfriend with you” thing gets on my nerves. Break up if you can’t forgive Logan. Don’t go to a friend who is still in love with you and give him false hope!
7. When she pushes Marty to spend time with her, even though he’s clearly uncomfortable.
Marty’s whole thing is giving me a bit of a headache. Of course, just because a good friend likes you doesn’t mean you have to start dating them. But Marty distanced himself from Rory because of this and was VERY clear. Despite this, he urges him to become a super friend again and ignores his feelings for him.
8. When he thought it was perfectly normal to steal someone else’s yacht.
I think we all agree on this. Logan’s insider “I can do anything” attitude really rubbed off on her.
9. When she dropped out of Yale because a man told her she “didn’t have it.”
EVERY TIME I want to shake Rory and yell at her for it. She is lucky to have such great support as her mother. And grandparents paying for one of the best universities in the world. She worked incredibly hard for this herself. But hey, what the heck? After all, ONE guy said she doesn’t have what it takes to be a reporter. So obviously he won’t.
10. And when he turns his grandparents against his mother.
Lorelai rarely seeks help from her parents: she takes her daughter’s school fees. And she wants support to keep Rory at Yale. You know, so her future doesn’t get flushed down the toilet. At first, Richard and Emily agree, until Rory shows up crying. What would grandparents say “get lost”? Yeah, I think that was pretty gross for an adult Rory. Who knows exactly which side the two would be on.
11. When he tells Emily about his termite problem, despite Lorelai’s objection.
Yes, he meant well… But it’s Lorelai’s responsibility and she wanted to work it out her way.
12. How Rory thinks she’s a total underdog despite living in Logan’s posh apartment and her dirty rich dad paying for Yale.
Until high school, Rory was really a loser. Her mother built her a life (almost) without external help and the two lived in very bad conditions. But things have changed a lot with Richard and Emily in their lives: Rory goes to an expensive private school, then to Yale and lives as a student without financial worries. He’s sorry, but Logan’s right: they even have a damn building named after him!
13. Basically every damn time he refuses his privilege.
Privilege can be understood in many different ways, of course, but Rory definitely hasn’t had a tough life. As she puts it so beautifully, “I’m a Gilmore, my ancestors were on the Mayflower.” Sure, she works hard. But sometimes he acts as if he has to overcome the worst social injustices. And don’t even get me started on how she compares to Martin Luther King.
14. How condescending he is towards Lindsay.
There is nothing feminist about getting angry over a woman who would rather be a housewife than pursue a career. Because that’s totally fine, and secondly, it’s none of your business! Rory sure likes to meddle in her ex-boyfriend’s marriage, which obviously ends badly…
15. And obviously defending her relationship with Dean.
We all make mistakes, especially when you’re young and hormonal. If so, you rightfully feel bad, and do it better next time. Rory doesn’t see it that way. When she has sex with her married ex, Dean, he blames his wife and claims it as hers. After all, she was “first and foremost his friend.” In the A new year the game with ex boyfriend Logan repeats itself.
16. His behavior towards Lorelai in “A New Year”.
First of all, Rory moves back in with her mom without asking if she and Luke are okay with it. And then she also wants to write a book about Lorelai’s life, even if she doesn’t give a damn about her opinion of her. Your mother’s life is not just about you!
17. How he treats Paul.
Rory doesn’t treat any of her friends as badly as Paul. In fact, he forgets his existence at every turn and obviously cheats on him with Logan all the time on the side. Paolo is nice, courteous and understanding. And he’s definitely more than a running gag.
18. His job interview, which can only be described as unprofessional.
We’re not salty at all because Rory thinks he’s too good for SandeeSays, which reminds us a lot of BuzzFeed. At all. This makes it all the more embarrassing when you’re totally unprepared for an interview and only ask for the job you know nothing about.
19. In general, how unprofessional Rory acts as an adult.
Falls asleep during an interview. I say no more.
20. Her carbon footprint, which is greater than Taylor Swift’s.
Rory flies from London to Hartford and back every other day. As if he commutes to work with the Regio … only that it crosses the entire Atlantic.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to fictional characters: Taylor Swift & Co.’s private flights are so bad for our climate.
21. And finally, she thinks she’s too good for a Wookiee. The Wookiee is too good for them!
Sorry, but why is their one night stand a low point just because she was with a guy in a Wookiee suit? Obviously she has good taste in movies and a fun hobby. Where is the problem?
How do you feel about Rory? Let me know in the comments or on our Facebook pages BuzzFeed Germany or BuzzFeed DE Trends.
And if it’s been a little too long since your last rewatch, find out why Emily is simply the best in Gilmore Girls season 1.
