Everyone is friends in the snowglobe world of Stars Hollow, the fictional Connecticut town that the Gilmore Girls call home. The gold standard of best-friend relationships? Why mother and daughter, Lorelai and Rory.
Like in any small town where everyone knows everyone, and everybody, at some point, interacts with each other, you have to be able to see the good in all. Each denizen of the hamlet has something to offer by way of being a pal. Whatever your needs, here's whose door to knock on.
Logan Huntzberger
Fun-loving in a reckless kind of way, Logan (Matt Czuchry) lives as though life has no consequences because there are none when you're the son of a newspaper magnate who can get you out of trouble with one phone call and a large check. The Huntzberger heir is the guy you text (hopefully not that often) when you want to relax for a couple of hours.
By the end of your night with Logan, you'll have ridden in a hot air balloon, danced wildly at a hot club, or kayaked over a waterfall. Even if it was for a couple of hours, Logan could provide a welcoming distraction.
Dean Forester
A knock-around pal who's your go-to for a pick-up game of hoops, just to take a walk, or talk about "stuff," your pal Dean (Jared Padalecki) is good-natured, easy-going, and has no snobbery in him at all. Even though you know he's always got your back, he's the guy who brings out the protector in you.
You want to be there for your naive friend as a shoulder for him to lean on, and as the voice of reason to at least try and talk him out of cheating on his wife with Rory. A benefit of hanging with Dean is that you look more mature and sophisticated than you are.
Jess Mariano
You want to be friends with Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) in the hopes that an ounce of his effortless cool will rub off on you. You better be as well-read as he is because Luke's nephew doesn't suffer fools gladly. You know underneath that "Who cares?" shell is the heart of a sensitive artist. He's afraid to show that side to the world because he refuses to be laughed at. Rory saw that side because she proved she believed in him and earned his trust.
You need to do the same if you want your friendship to be more than superficial with a side of smart-aleck pranks.
Paris Geller
This won't be your most relaxing friendship but it'll keep you on your toes. Paris (Liza Weil) is smart, competitive, a striver--and if you want to hang out with her you have to keep up, or she'll leave you in the dust.
Be prepared to deal with jealousy if you pull out in front of her personally, academically or professionally. But she'll come around as she did with Rory. Paris is another guarded person with whom Rory broke through because of her genuine concern and kindness. Once you get into Paris' well-protected heart, you'll have a friend for life.
Lane Kim
One of the satisfying things about being pals with Lane (Keiko Agena) is watching her find her voice with her mother, as she throws herself into her music.
But the fun part of being her friend is saying "I'm with the band," when you go see her rock out at a club and finding a new appreciation for music. No matter what, Lane remains down to earth and humble strengthening your friendship even more.
Emily Gilmore
Sometimes if you want to move up in the world you need a more mature, sophisticated friend/mentor to show you the ropes. How to dress for a dinner party, how to throw one, how to address those who work for you, etc., there's an art to that and there's no one like Emily (Kelly Bishop) to school you in how uppercrust is done.
You can fill a void to her life too, as outside of Rory and Lorelai, her ladies-who-lunch friends don't really seem to be to nice; always one-upping each other. You could be that person with whom the senior Gilmore can let down her well-coiffed hair.
Sookie St. James
She's fun, she's "good people," and she can cook. Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) has been BFFs with Lorelai forever (not to mention business partners) so that slot is filled, but her heart is so big and she's so popular that there's room for you too to get friendly.
Others will notice the change in you after you've hung around with the chef for a while. You'll be more relaxed from laughing so much as Sookie is so upbeat, and because she's shared her recipes with you and shown you the way around a kitchen, suddenly loved ones will want to eat what you whip up.
Luke Danes
There's something comforting about a friend like Luke (Scott Patterson). Like Stars Hollow, he's traditional, predictable, and will just always be there. He doesn't want a big life, hence he turned down Richard Gilmore's offer to turn the diner into a franchise. Luke is home, personified.
A friend like him will give you the flannel shirt off his back, build you a chuppah for your backyard wedding, (as well as an ice rink), and always have a cuppa Joe ready when you walk in the diner. This friendship's a keeper.
Rory Gilmore
It's hard to be good and pure all the time, but at least you can say you're friends with someone who is. Rory (Alexis Bledel) is the friend your mom is glad you hang out with. Truth be told, when you're with her, you walk the straight and narrow a little more closely.
Watching your friends rebel against her image of perfection can be both a relief and disappointment. Realizing she's human (her affair with Dean, hauty attitude while job searching, and unplanned pregnancy) takes the pressure off of you to live up to an impossible standard, but it doesn't stop you from seeing that she does have a heart of gold underneath it all.
Lorelai Gilmore
She was badass before the phrase was even coined. Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is the friend you've longed-admired because she inspires you to live life on your own terms regardless of who approves. She's also you're role model when it comes to getting what you want, even if it means engaging in some pride-swallowing and compromise, a la mending fences with Emily and Richard to get the tuition money so Rory could attend Chilton.
Being friends with Lorelai is a constant reminder that if you follow your heart and your own path, things will work out for you.