Like many TV shows,Gilmore Girlsis a character-driven drama, and this means that romance and the best couples in the series take center stage. While there are someharsh realities of watchingGilmore Girlstoday, the messy relationships and shocking twists when it comes to love have lost none of their potency. The main characters, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel), have some of the most intense and emotional romances, breakups, and marriages of the series, which follow the trajectory of their arcs as people.
However, this isn’t to say thatGilmore Girlsforgets about its supporting characters and doesn’t give them plenty of drama of their own in the romance department. There are someGilmore Girlsepisodes I always skip, butthe installments that focus on these couples are eternally fun to revisit.Even when it’s hard to watch the characters make big mistakes in these relationships and stir up more problems for themselves, it’s impossible to look away from the story. ThoughGilmore Girlsis about family and finding yourself, it never shies away from love.
10Lorelai & Christopher
Rory’s Parents Aren’t Perfect, But They Have Great Chemistry
Christopher is one of the most controversial figures inGilmore Girls. While he and Lorelai make an unfortunate couple in many ways,they’re also highly entertaining to watch onscreen and have real chemistry.Though he’s not the love of her life, Lorelai genuinely cares for Christopher and is attracted to him and the life they could’ve had. Of all her additional love interests besides Luke, Christopher is the only other person who makes some sense to be with Lorelai.
Though Max, Jason, and even the short-lived Alex were all nicer and likely more wise options than Christopher,it’s obvious from the start that she feels lukewarm at best towards all of them.While part of this is because she was always meant to be with Luke, this makes her connection with Christopher more poignant as well. Christopher isn’t a great character, but he does love Lorelai, and they have some fun together, like when he visits in season 1. It’s clear that he does love her from how quickly he wants to cement their relationship in season 7.
9Sookie & Jackson
This Consistent Pair Was A Model Couple Until Season 7
When we first meet Sookie and Jackson, they’re quirky and charming, matching each other’s interests and eccentricities perfectly. As Lorelai’s best friend, it makes sense that Sookie would have more luck in love earlier on in the series to be a foil to Lorelai’s failed relationships. It made perfect sense that she would end up with Jackson, and their sweet courtship and gentle love for each other were a welcome addition to every episode. However,Gilmore Girlsruined a piece of their relationship forever in season 7.
Jackson and Sookie’s season 7 storylinepermanently altered their relationship for me. This was incredibly upsetting, as Jackson and Sookie are one of the best couples up to this point, weathering hardships and maintaining a stable example of a relationship. However, this is ruined by the lie about the vasectomy. In many ways,this plot point came out of nowhere and is better forgottenwhen it comes toGilmore Girlsas a whole. It destroys the trust and equality that made us initially root for Sookie and Jackson.
8Babette & Morey
Though They’re Secondary Characters, Babette And Morey Are A Standout Couple
It’s easy to point to Lorelai and Rory’s major relationships as the most significant on the show. However,it’s really supporting characters like Babette and Morey that makeGilmore Girlsgreat.As a pair, they help flesh out the world of the story, bringing the offbeat Stars Hollow to life and demonstrating that the quirky world the Gilmores live in is full of real people and relationships. Throughout every season ofGilmore Girls, Babette and Morey are a constant reminder of love and consistency, always supporting each other onscreen.
Lorelai and Babette have a brief conversation where Babette opens up about worrying she would never find someone to love her before she met Morey.
From the couple’s devotion to their cat to the way Morey clearly takes pleasure in Babette’s over-the-top interactions with the neighbors, it’s important for every show to have a relationship like theirs. In season 1, Lorelai and Babette have a brief conversation where Babette opens up about worrying she would never find someone to love her before she met Morey. It’s a touching moment and one that shouldn’t be overlooked when revisiting the many couples ofGilmore Girls.
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7Rory & Dean
Rory’s First Love Will Always Have A Special Place In Our Hearts
In season 1, it’s easy to root for Dean and Rory, as their nervous steps toward first love are nostalgic and sweet. Though some of Dean’s later issues are foreshadowed in season 1, he’s a good boyfriend for the most part. Things start to deteriorate when Jess comes on the scene, and Dean gets so jealous that it gets difficult to feel bad for him. Dean’s actions make it easy to dislike him, butRory makes plenty of missteps and feeds into the jealousy by not being honestabout who she wants in seasons 2 and 3.
Rory and Dean’s relationship timelinetakes a turn for the worse at the end of season 4 when Rory makes one of the worst mistakes of the show by sleeping with Dean while he’s still married. The second attempt at their romance is when things really get bad for both characters, as it’s clear they’re regressing to something comfortable because they both feel lost in their adult lives.When they part ways for the last time, it’s a reliefand gives Rory the ability to embrace the new version of herself that she’s been afraid of.
6Paris & Doyle
Paris Isn’t Always Lucky In Love, But Doyle Appreciates Her For Who She Is
One of the funniest and most compelling characters inGilmore Girls, Paris, has a larger-than-life personality that sometimes gets her into trouble. Throughout the early seasons, Paris compares herself to Rory and seeks out new experiences through her relationships with Jamie and Asher, butit’s only Doyle who truly feels like her equal.While she quickly outgrew Jamie and then moved on to Asher, hoping to skip to a later part of life, Doyle meets her where she’s at and enjoys seeing her shine.
They’re both a little strange and an acquired taste, but when Paris and Doyle love someone, they won’t give up on the relationship and are fiercely loyal. This plays out in their friendships as well, as Paris stands by Rory even when she isn’t at her best. Though Rory is quick to make fun of Paris and Doyle, they make each other happy, andit’s nice to see Paris with someone who doesn’t want to tone her down.He enjoys watching her be Paris, and that’s what she deserves.
5Rory & Logan
Rory’s College Years See Her Try Out A New Type Of Relationship
Logan and Rory’s courtship might have been the most exciting part of their relationship, but when Logan officially commits to her, it turns out he can be a solid boyfriend. Audiences frequently compare Logan to Christopher, but he’s really the most like Lorelai, as he chafes against the expectations of his parents because he wants to forge his own path. His impulsive nature mellows a bit while he’s with Rory, but when he takes her to new places and on adventures,he helps open Rory’s eyes to all the possibilities the world holds for her.
It’s impossible to forget that Logan cheats on Rory in season 6, even if he thought they had broken up because of a miscommunication. While Rory eventually forgives him, their relationship gets back on track, and Logan proves himself to be faithful and fully in love even when they’re long-distance. However, his proposal at the end of the series shows that he misunderstands what Rory needs during this period of her life. This isn’t helped by the fact thattheir entire dynamic inA Year in the Lifeis a mess.
4Lane & Dave
Dave Was Lane’s Only Love Interest To Truly Understand Her
Reading the entire Bible in one night is reason enough to rankDave as one of the best boyfriends onGilmore Girls, and this title is certainly helped by the boyish charm Adam Brody brings to the role. Lane’s biggest issue inGilmore Girlsis balancing what she wants with the responsibility she feels to be the daughter her mother wants.Dave goes out of his way to accept and be part of every aspect of her lifeand proves how much he cares through grand gestures and little moments of comfort and sweetness, all of which Lane deserves.
Conversely, Dave pushes Lane to be a better musician.
Lane’s ultimate arc inGilmore Girlsis one of the least satisfying, as it squanders all the potential and momentum her character had been building since season 1. While Zack isn’t a bad guy or a terrible partner, he holds Lane back, and their relationship is indicative of all the problems Lane faces in the later seasons. Conversely, Dave pushes Lane to be a better musician. He encourages her to strike out on her own while understanding her desire to remain close to her mother and preserve their relationship.
3Rory & Jess
The Undeniable Pull Between Rory And Jess Make Them Iconic
Fulfilling the role of the prototypical bad boy when he’s introduced in season 2,Jess tumbles into Rory’s life and changes things forever.Though she spends the better part of seasons 2 and 3 pretending it isn’t happening, Rory falls fast and hard for Jess, a boy who represents the parts of herself she’s always been afraid to let out. It’s a classic coming-of-age romance, and maybe it was always doomed to fail, but the pair leave lasting marks on each other that shape them into adulthood.
There’s little question that the teenage Jess drops the ball when it comes to his relationship with Rory, letting his past wounds color the way he treats her. However, when we see him again in season 6 and later inA Year in the Life, Jess’s growth crystallizes his belief in Rory and allows him to recognize how grateful he is that she helped push him. The fact that Jess isn’t consistent or steady andthat he excites her is exactly what Rory likes about him.
2Richard & Emily
The Gilmores Aren’t Perfect Parents, But They’re Perfect For Each Other
When we first meet Emily and Richard, they’re the withholding and imperfect parents who have caused so much distress to Lorelai, and it’s easy to dislike them. However,Gilmore Girlsexcels in making every character relatable and interesting, and it doesn’t take long for the viewer to come around to Richard and Emily. Seeing them as funny and compelling characters also opens the door for us to realize what a perfect match the pair is. Though their values are a little old-fashioned, they love and respect each other,making them true partners until the end.
When Richard and Emily go through a rough patch in seasons 4 and 5, it’s painful for the audience, as their love story has been a consistent anchor for the series. However,it’s also very realistic that the characters would have a period of misalignmentand confusion as they grow older and reflect on their lives. This makes it even sweeter when they return to each other, renewing their vows in “Wedding Bell Blues,” with all the pomp that one would expect from a Gilmore wedding.
1Luke & Lorelai
This Couple Was Endgame Ever Since The Pilot Episode
While it’s true that Lauren Graham could have chemistry with almost anyone,the sparks that fly whenever Lorelai and Luke are onscreen together are undeniable.Following the adolescent dramas of Rory’s relationships is fun. However, the slow burn of the romance between Luke and Lorelai is a large part of what keeps us invested inGilmore Girlsso many years later. Their friends-to-lovers arc has enough build-up to make the moment of their first kiss in the season 4 finale feel like an enormous relief and the start of something beautiful.
Of course, Lorelai and Luke alike have no trouble sabotaging their relationship, and external forces come between them over the years. Despite this, it’s clear they never stop loving each other, even when they’re apart. It makes for Rory’s arc that she would end up alone by the end of the original series, focusing on herself and her career. This makes it even more poignant that Lorelai’s arc concludes with her accepting love into her life and committing to be with Luke in the series finale ofGilmore Girls.
