Emily Gilmore of the matriarch of the Gilmore family and one of the most intimidating forces in Gilmore Girls. She's powerful, well-connected, and takes life seriously. Her role as a mother didn't pan out the way she had hoped with Lorelai, but she had a second chance at nurturing a young lady when her granddaughter Rory came around.
Due to her controversial parenting style and how she treats those she finds beneath her, Emily isn't always a kind woman. She's done some horrible things to those she loves, and even worse things to those she's not close with.
Best: She Treated Rory Like Her Own Daughter
As a single mother, Lorelai was lucky that Emily was always there for Rory. Emily could have cut Lorelai off after she ran away with Rory when she was a teenager, but she didn't. She hung back and waited for when Lorelai needed her.
By the time Rory was in high school, Emily's bond with Lorelai and Rory grew due to their mandatory Friday night dinners. Emily longed for those weekly dinners and viewed Rory as one of her own. As Rory aged, the two had a closer relationship than Emily and Lorelai had.
Worst: She Supported Rory's Break
When Rory wanted to take time off from school, Lorelai had a meeting with Emily and Richard. The couple made a promise to Lorelai to support her decision as Rory's mother to keep Rory in school. But, the second Rory showed up to Emily and Richard's front door in tears, their promise to Lorelai went out the window.
The Gilmores went behind her back and agreed to support Rory and let her stay with them in their home. By supporting Rory's need to quit school, they encouraged a lazy side of Rory that they later didn't like.
Best: She Was Proud Of Lorelai's Independence
In "I'm a Kayak, Hear Me Roar," Richard is healing from his heart attack, and Emily is taking care of everything Richard usually did. The only problem is that she didn't know how to use Richard's computer or any of the tax verbiage that was needed for their accountant. Lorelai stepped up to the plate and showed Emily how to use the computer and what all the forms meant.
It was a sweet moment between the two. It reminded Emily how independent her daughter was. Lorelai never depended on a man and always took care of everything herself. It was a proud moment for her to see her daughter so self-sufficient.
Worst: She Praised Christopher
The only man in Lorelai's life that Emily and Richard were fond of was Christopher. He came from a well-known, successful family and was Rory's dad. The Gilmores always felt like Lorelai and Christopher should have gotten married for the sake of their daughter.
Even when Lorelai had her moments where she despised Christopher, Emily praised him. She thought Rory looked like him, she said that Rory was brilliant because Christopher was the same way, and she thought Christopher was a standup guy. Does Emily forget that Christopher abandoned Lorelai and Rory and didn't offer and financial help while Rory was growing up?
Best: She Got Out Of Connecticut
*Spoiler Alert!* In the Gilmore Girls reboot, A Year in the Life, Richard passed away and left Emily a mess. She had lost her identity. She was married to Richard for 50 years and was known as Richard Gilmore's wife. Who was she without him?
Emily eventually bought a house in Nantucket and sold her home in Hartford. In doing this, she found herself and a sense of freedom. It was a fresh start and the smartest thing she could have done for her mind.
Worst: How She Treated Her Maids
It was an ongoing gag that Emily Gilmore could never keep a maid for longer than a week. They were always doing something that bothered her. Instead of training them or letting a few mistakes slide, Emily fired them on the spot and hired someone else. She once fired a maid for setting a fourth place at the dinner table, even though it was her mistake. She was cruel and unfair.
Best: She Gave Up Caring About Trix
The best thing Emily did for her mind was giving up on caring what Trix thought of her. She never got along with Richard's mother, even though she did everything in her power to make Trix feel comfortable.
Trix wanted Richard to marry Pennilyn Lott and never approved of Emily. Emily caught on to this and gave up caring so much. The best moment was when Emily found the letter Trix wrote to Richard, begging him not to marry Emily. It was at that moment that Emily let go.
Worst: Her Actions On Her Vow Renewal
When Richard and Emily were planning their vow renewal, Emily realized how close Lorelai and Luke were. The only problem was that she didn't want Lorelai and Luke to get serious; she wanted Lorelai and Christopher to end up together.
Emily showed up at Christopher's unannounced to invite him to the renewal and to warn him about Lorelai and Luke. She told him that if he wanted a chance with Lorelai, he was running out of time. Christopher ended up going to the renewal, got too drunk, and acted like a fool. He broke up Lorelai and Luke, and it was all thanks to Emily.
Best: She Always Provided Lorelai With Financial Backing
Emily wasn't always able to give Lorelai love and affection, but she was able to offer her money. Lorelai didn't ask for much after she moved out of her family's grasp, but, when it came to Rory's education, she knew her parents would have wanted to help. Thanks to Emily's love of Rory, she and Richard paid for Rory's high school and college tuition. They also bought her a car and offered to help with home repairs when Lorelai needed it.
Worst: She Never Accepted Lorelai's Future
Emily and Richard had a hard time raising Lorelai because she was independent and loathed everything they stood for. They practically lost Lorelai when she ran away from their home with a one-year-old Rory.
However, everything turned out well for Lorelai. She became a successful business owner, a homeowner, and a wonderful mother. Instead of focusing on the amazing life Lorelai created for herself, Emily always brought up her mistakes and the times she messed up.