There’s plenty of things to like about the hit early 2000s show Gilmore Girls: the quirky characters, quick-witted banter, and picturesque New England setting to name a few. However, there are things to dislike about it too. Before I begin, let me preface this by saying that I am a big fan of the show. I’ve seen every season, Netflix revival included. I love cozy Stars Hollow and preppy Chilton and scholarly Yale, as well as the people we meet at each locale. But my enjoyment of the show does not exempt it from valid critique. So, without further ado, here are five of the worst side stories to ever grace GG.
Number 1: Paris and Professor Fleming’s “relationship.”
This plotline completely and utterly disgusts me. Paris Geller, friend of Rory and academic weapon, is 18 years old when her 62-year-old Yale English professor, Asher Fleming, turns his attention her way. This is an obviously predatory situation, but other than Rory’s initial–and somewhat brief–discomfort at the pairing, their affair is played up for laughs and used to remind the audience that Paris is “weird.” It’s as if because Paris is such a strong character, she couldn’t possibly be the vulnerable party in this scenario.
Asher uses his position of power as a professor to impress young college girls and manipulate them into dating him. While his interest in Paris may be genuine, the immense age gap and power gap (professor vs. student, older man vs. very young woman) are too disturbing to ignore.
The only good thing Paris got out of her “relationship” with Asher was his printing press after he died. That’s literally it.
Number 2: Jackson lying to Sookie about getting a vasectomy.
First off, I want to acknowledge that Sookie scheduling a vasectomy for Jackson without informing him was not okay. She should have talked to her husband about it rather than surprising him with it at the hospital. She also legally cannot force him to get one; at the end of the day, it’s his choice what he does with his body.
However, Jackson should have told Sookie that he did not go through with the vasectomy immediately afterwards. Lying to your wife about a major surgery and making her think that you can no longer get her pregnant is an awful thing to do.
Also, I find it bizarre that abortion was not even mentioned after Sookie accidentally gets pregnant. She is miserable at the prospect of being pregnant again and having another child, and yet everyone–even her best friend, Lorelei–insists that having this baby will be a good thing. No one ever mentions the possibility of terminating the pregnancy, and no one really supports or validates Sookie’s feelings. Perhaps this is just a side effect of being a show in the early aughts, but nevertheless, it was disappointing.
And I understand that Sookie’s actress, Melissa McCarthy, was pregnant at the time, but there are many other ways a show can work with a cast member’s pregnancy. This storyline was not it.
Number 3: Rory and Dean hooking up while he’s married.
This is probably one of the most well-known and thoroughly-hated scenes of Gilmore Girls. Not only is this a key moment in what many consider to be Rory’s ultimate downfall, but it also highlights the uglier, darker side of her. We catch plenty of glimpses of Rory’s selfish attitude prior to this episode, but nothing to this extent. When Lorelei condemns her daughter’s actions, Rory literally argues that it’s her right to have sex with Dean because he was her boyfriend first. This self-centered thinking just goes to show us as viewers that even though Rory is touted as Stars Hollow’s golden girl, she’s not nearly as mature as people think she is.
Of course, Dean is even more culpable. He led Rory to believe that he was totally done with his wife, Lindsay, and that they were on the same page when they were, in fact, not. Rory and Dean both deserve to be held accountable for their actions. Lindsay was truly trying to make her marriage work, while Dean avoided her instead of confronting their problems.
Number 4: Jess sexually assaulting Rory.
Jess is quite possibly the most popular character Rory ever dated. While I personally am more of a Logan girl myself, I can understand Jess’s appeal. He’s the bad boy with depth, the too-cool-for-school guy who also loves to read. Even though I myself wasn’t charmed by him (mainly due to his lack of communication skills and uncanny ability to dip out of people’s lives with no warning), I get why Rory fell for him.
However, an inexcusable action of his that people seem to sweep under the rug is the time that he sexually assaulted Rory at a party. Jess goes upstairs into a bedroom, and Rory follows. They talk a bit, and start making out, but soon, Jess reaches towards her crotch. Rory says, “Jess, wait… Jess, wait…Jess!” and jumps away from him, off of the bed. While fans debate over whether or not this “counts” as sexual assault, I think it’s pretty clear that Jess crossed a line.
This alone is bad enough, but in addition to the action itself, Jess then tries to blame the assault on Rory, telling her, “I did not invite you up here. You came up here on your own!” While I’m glad that Jess eventually grows up and matures, I think it’s important to recognize when a character–even a beloved character–messes up.
Number 5: Rory cheating on Paul.
I know many don’t even count the revival as part of the Gilmore Girls series (I try to block it out as best as I can), but I think this moment hammers home the fact that despite being ten years older, Rory remains selfish and seriously lacking in compassion for others.
The show makes Paul out to be a joke–we’re supposed to roll our eyes at him and chuckle at how oblivious he is. How he can’t even see that Rory isn’t interested in him, how he remembers all of these conversations with Lorelai and Luke and Rory while none of them can even remember his name.
And yet, these Paul jokes only made me sympathize with him more. He has done literally nothing wrong, unless we count being “boring” in Rory’s eyes and being not-Logan-Huntzberger as a moral failing. From what we see of him, he appears to be a kind, thoughtful person who really likes Rory.
But overall, despite my loathing towards these plotlines, I still really do love Gilmore Girls. These characters may not be perfect, but they’re real. Life has terrible moments, people make awful mistakes, and hearts get broken. GG manages to balance the drama of real life with the humor and magic that also lies in daily life. And if I’m ever out on the road feeling lonely, I know this show will be there for me, warts and all.