Over the years,Gilmore Girlshas sparked many debates overwhich of Rory’s boyfriends was the best— and although I’ll always say Jess, there’s one theory that would have made me more open to Rory and Logan’s romance. Logan is Rory’s last major love interest inGilmore Girls,andgiven his role inA Year in the Life, arguably the most important. A product of the wealth and privilege that make up Emily and Richard’s world, Logan is somewhat controversial as a character. While some viewers appreciate his growth, others think he’s spoiled and selfish.
The bigger problem with Logan is how Rory acts when they begin dating, as their relationship coincides with some of her lowest points in the show. While Rory engages in questionable behavior with Dean and Jess, she never loses sight of herself the same way she does with Logan. It’s clear that Rory’s relationship with him is meant to mirror Lorelai’s connection with Christopher to some extent. But Logan and Rory’s romance just isn’t compelling to me, and I think it would’ve been easier to buy with a different foundation.
One Gilmore Girls Theory Suggests Logan’s Story Was Meant For Tristan
OneGilmore Girlstheory posits that Logan’s storywas actually intended for Tristan, and it’s pretty convincing. Tristan butts heads with Rory throughoutGilmore Girlsseason 1, showcasing many of the qualities that Logan embodies later on. Like Logan, Tristan comes from wealth and privilege, and he acts entitled and obnoxious during his scenes at Chilton. However, Tristan briefly shows redeeming qualities as the series continues. Andthere are suggestions that he’s interested in Rory, which could have led to something morebetween the pair if he’d remained on the show.
Sadly,Chad Michael Murray’s departure fromGilmore Girlsmeans Tristan’s feelings for Rory and possible redemption aren’t explored in more depth. ButLogan’s narrative gives viewers an idea of where Tristan’s could have gone. After all, the two characters have more than just their backgrounds in common. They also push back against the pressure hoisted upon them in similar ways, and these moments of vulnerability allow Rory to see them differently.
Even withGilmore Girlsslowly unraveling Logan’s true character, however, it’s hard to get in his corner — much less root for his romance with Rory. From his rude and often mean-spirited behavior to his unfaithfulness, Logan doesn’t make it easy. Andit’s difficult to see why Rory likes him, even as she falls deeper into her grandparents' world. Sure, she exhibits some of the same behavior, but he’s not her usual type. And the groundwork laid for their romance is iffy, though it could have been better with Tristan’s backstory.
Rory & Logan’s Romance Would Have Been Much Better With Tristan’s Backstory
The Foundation Would Have Been More Believable
While Rory and Logan can be engaging at times — and there’s no denying that Matt Czuchry does an excellent job with Logan’s character —I think I would have been sold on their relationship more easily if ithadhappened between Rory and Tristaninstead. One of my biggest issues with Rory and Logan is that it seems like Rory develops feelings for him out of the blue, despite behavior that is initially a major turn-off for her. Prior toGilmore Girlsseason 5, Rory gives little indication she’d go for someone like Logan, and she’s initially frustrated by him.
The series doesn’t do the best job of showing why Rory overcomes that frustration, allowing her to fall for Logan. It’s clearly a part of her college storyline, which sees her temporarily embracing her grandparents' lifestyle. ButGilmore Girlsdoesn’t do enough to build that bond, nor does it spend enough time on her initial contempt. This makes it even more surprising that she stays with Logan, even after coming to her senses about Yale, too.
The pair having history from Rory’s Chilton days would make this romance more believable, as it would have more of a foundation.
The pair having history from Rory’s Chilton days would make this romance more believable, as it would have a better foundation. If Tristan and Rory reconnected in college, with Tristan perhaps growing up a bit, it’s understandable that Rory would be intrigued. And if this narrative was meant to happen during their high school days, it would make more sense for Rory to be infatuated and more easily influenced. But as it stands, her bond with Logan is dubious. It’s why I never got on board with theirGilmore Girlsromance, despite liking Logan well enough individually.
