If there's a Gilmore Girls character who isn't afraid of sharing their strong opinions, it's going to be Emily Gilmore. Whether talking to her husband Richard, her daughter Lorelai, or her granddaughter Rory, she can't help but explain how they could live their lives better.
Fans definitely have mixed feelings about the advice that Emily doles out on a regular basis. Sometimes, she's totally right, as she's perceptive and understands her family better than they think that she does. Other times, however, Emily is way off base and her advice only insults people and makes them feel that she just doesn't get them.
Best: Wanting To Give Lorelai High Speed Internet
Fans love watching Rory at Chilton and in season 1, Emily does a lot for her granddaughter, taking an interest in this fancy new school and wanting Rory to have a range of uniform options. Emily also wants to pay for an upgrade to Lorelai's slow internet.
While Emily's trying to be helpful, Lorelai doesn't want high-speed Internet, joking about being able to dance and make a sandwich with her poor connection. Even though Lorelai doesn't take her up on the offer, this is still one of Emily's best pieces of advice. It makes more sense for Rory to be able to do online research quickly.
Worst: Telling Lorelai And Rory To Choose What They Want From Her House
In a hilarious yet morbid scene, Emily lets her family know that they should put a post-it note on any objects or pieces of furniture that they want to take when she passes away.
Emily thinks this is perfectly logical and reasonable, saying, "You should have what you like." Rory and Lorelai are understandably freaked out by this and don't think that it's the right approach. This is a great example of a time when Emily feels strongly about a subject but other people don't see things her way.
Best: Emily's Concern Over Rory's Diet
In the season 1 episode "Love And War And Snow," Rory stays at her grandparents' house because of bad weather, and Emily is upset that her chef won't be there to prepare a real meal. Emily says, "This is a serious problem. These Friday dinners are the only proper food that child eats all week."
While Rory shrugs this concern off, Emily does have a fair and valid point. Fans often wonder about all the candy and junk food that Rory and Lorelai consume and how they don't seem to eat salad or vegetables.
Worst: Worrying Rory Won't Get Into College
Emily lets stress get the best of her in season 3, telling Lorelai that there's so much competition from celebrities attending Harvard that Rory might not get an acceptance letter after all.
Rory debates Yale and Harvard on Gilmore Girls, and fans know that she's happy going to Yale, but at this point in the show, no one can imagine Rory making a different choice. Emily is still in the wrong, though, as Rory has amazing grades, some extra-curriculars, and a good transcript. There's no reason to worry so much.
Best: Telling Luke He And Lorelai Are Being Silly
Emily is able to see the sparks between Luke Danes and Lorelai, mentioning several times in season 1 that they like each other. She even believes that they're already dating when she sees him at Rory's birthday party.
In one funny scene, Emily tells Luke that he and Lorelai should be in a relationship, telling him, "You're idiots, the both of you." Emily is spot on here, realizing how much these characters care about each other, and she and fans agree that they take too long to start dating.
Worst: Believing Luke Should Franchise His Diner
Emily's approach to Luke and Lorelai's love story can definitely be confusing. In some ways, she knows that they love each other and wants her daughter to be happy. But other times, Emily is cold and mean-spirited, making Luke feel horrible about himself.
When Emily says that Luke should franchise his diner, she and Richard are thinking from a business POV, but they're not taking into account Luke's feelings. This is some terrible advice from Emily as she's ignoring how much Luke loves living and working in Stars Hollow.
Best: Suggesting Friday Night Dinners So Everyone Can Keep In Touch
Although there are some bad Friday Night Dinners on Gilmore Girls, fans enjoy these scenes as sometimes the characters make quirky comments or get into dramatic arguments. Emily is often in fine form during these evenings, whether explaining the menu or updating Rory and Lorelai on her life.
Emily's idea that her daughter and granddaughter should come over every week is a smart, inspired one. In a way, she's always giving her family the advice that they should stay in contact and keep checking in with each other. She knows that without these evenings, they might rarely talk.
Worst: Wondering Why Rory Is Nervous About Her School Dance
The season 1 episode "Rory's Dance" allows Rory and Dean Forester to have a magical, romantic date, but before Rory decides to go, she tells Emily that she's not interested. Right away, Emily tells Lorelai, "If she doesn't want to go it must be because of something you said."
Throughout the whole scene, Emily is essentially giving the advice that Rory should want to attend a dance and that Lorelai shouldn't convince her otherwise. This is a moment when many viewers wish that Emily wouldn't get involved, as she should let Rory make her own choices.
Best: Telling Logan's Mom To Support Rory And Logan's Relationship
Many viewers think that Logan and Rory are meant to be, but unfortunately, his family doesn't think that Rory is good enough for the family name.
In season 6, Emily tells off Shira Huntzberger, letting her know that she should support Rory and Logan. She says, "Those kids are staying together for as long as they like. You won't stop them." This is some of the smartest advice that Emily has ever given because she's speaking the truth in a clear, calm way. The best thing that Shira and Mitchum can do is accept that Logan and Rory are in love and stay out of their relationship.
Worst: Wanting Lorelai And Christopher To Get Married In High School
Both the Haydens and the Gilmores are understandably shocked when Lorelai learns that she's pregnant while still in high school. Lorelai and Christopher's parents go down the wrong path, however, when they want their kids to get married.
If Lorelai listened to her mom's advice, she would be in bad shape, and it's tough to imagine her and Christopher lasting beyond graduation. Viewers feel that Lorelai's life turns out the way that it's supposed to, and that's something that Emily can't understand.