If any TV character doesn't understand boundaries, it has to be Emily Gilmore on Gilmore Girls. Lorelai's mom and Rory's grandmother struggles with the fact that Lorelai lives her life differently from her, and Emily is often judgemental of everyone she comes into contact with.

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While fans love that Emily cares deeply about Rory and helps her out, as Rory couldn't attend Chilton without Richard and Emily's financial support, it's true that Emily doesn't always know where the line is. Whether dealing with Rory or Lorelai, Emily has proven time and time again that she's going to do whatever she wants.

Emily Shows Up At Chilton On Rory's First Day

Lorelai, Emily, Rory, and Headmaster Charleston talking at Chilton in Gilmore Girls

The season 1 episode "The Lorelais' First Day At Chilton" is both fun and nerve-wracking to watch, with Rory setting off on her new academic journey and Lorelai wearing the worst possible outfit. Rory and Lorelai are shocked to see Emily in Headmaster Charleston's office.

While Emily claims that she wants to wish Rory luck and see her off, this feels like controlling behavior, and it seems like she could simply call later on and ask how Rory's first day went. Viewers definitely think that Emily is acting too intensely here.

Emily Hosts A 16th Birthday Party For Rory

Rory sad at her 16th birthday party on Gilmore Girls

The fact that Rory yells at Emily that her birthday party is too much and not something that she wanted is a huge deal, as fans know that Rory is fairly calm and quiet during her high school years.

When Emily throws this gathering and invites Rory's Chilton classmates, she oversteps her boundaries and it's too bad that she makes the decision for Rory instead of inquiring if she would even be interested in this type of party. This is a great example of Emily thinking that she knows what's best for someone. Fans know that Emily loves Rory, but this wasn't the best idea.

Emily Redecorates Lorelai's Old Room For Rory

Rory and Emily sitting on the couch watching TV on Gilmore Girls

If Emily wanted to give Rory a redecorating budget for her room at home, Lorelai would likely object, but it would still make more sense than changing Lorelai's old room so Rory can stay there sometimes.

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Emily says that she wants Rory to feel comfortable, but Rory wouldn't be bothered by sleeping in Lorelai's bedroom even if it always looked exactly the same as it always did. This feels like something that matters more to Emily than to Rory, and it's another time when Emily forges ahead with her own ideas.

Emily Shames Lorelai For Her Parenting

Lorelai and Emily fighting in the kitchen on Gilmore Girls

Season 1's "Rory's Dance" is one of the greatest Rory and Dean Gilmore Girls episodes. The most unforgettable scene is when Lorelai and Emily realize that Rory is late from coming home from the dance with her boyfriend Dean.

When Emily tells Lorelai that Rory will get pregnant just like her, she has majorly overstepped her boundaries. It makes sense that Emily would be worried, but she should be focused on making sure that Rory is safe and okay, not making judgement calls about Rory's future and Lorelai's parenting.

Emily Encourages Rory To Go To Yale

Emily, Lorelai, Rory, and Richard at Yale on Gilmore Girls

It's true that Yale is just as good a school as Harvard, but fans know that Rory has thought super highly of Harvard since she was very young. It's a surprise when Rory changes her mind and sets her sights on Yale.

Emily and Richard lobby hard for Rory to attend Yale, and their approach does feel fairly intense and heavy-handed. It would make more sense for Emily to hold back and tell Rory that this is a big decision that she needs to make on her own, and fans are a bit shocked that Emily gets so involved.

Emily Tells Lorelai She Should Date Christopher

Christopher and Lorelai talking at Sookie's wedding on Gilmore Girls

Lorelai and Christopher's divorce is predictable but from Emily's POV, the two are perfect together and never should have broken up in high school.

In the season 2 episode "It Should've Been Lorelai," Emily is saddened to learn that Christopher has fallen in love with Sherry. Emily has dreamed of Lorelai and Christopher finding their way back to each other. While Emily has a right to wish for this, she oversteps and is too heavy-handed in discussing this with Lorelai. Emily should respect that Chris and Lorelai made the decision that felt right for them and if they're going to get back together, it has to be something that they come to on their own.

Emily Invites Rory To Stay In The Guest House

Emily and Rory dressed up on Gilmore Girls

One of the most frustrating Gilmore Girls moments is when Rory steals a yacht and then takes time off from college, and fans still wonder about this life choice. This situation becomes even more complicated when Emily and Richard let Rory know that it's totally fine if she stays in their guest house.

RELATED: 10 Problems Gilmore Girls Fans Have With Rory, According To Reddit

It makes sense that Lorelai wishes that her mom would support her own desire for Rory to go back to school and try to make the situation right. Emily becomes heavily invested in Rory's life and it seems strange that she wouldn't listen to Lorelai, who is really upset.

Emily Wants To Upgrade Lorelai's Internet Access

Lorelai and Emily shopping on Gilmore Girls

In season 1, Emily is shocked and offended that Rory and Lorelai have slow Internet, which definitely feels dated now. Lorelai says no and jokes about wanting to make a sandwich and be useful and productive with this extra time.

This is a perfect example of Emily wanting to be nice and supportive but actually doing the opposite. Lorelai already feels guilty for needing financial help with Rory's Chilton tuition and she wants to be able to handle the rest of her expenses on her own, which is only logical and reasonable. Emily could understand her daughter a bit more here.

Emily Wants Luke To Franchise His Diner

Luke, Rory, Lorelai, and Emily at Friday Night Dinner on Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls fans love Luke's diner and if there was a group of them all over, it wouldn't feel quite as cozy and special. Unfortunately, Emily wants Luke to turn it into a franchise and even in A Year In The Life, she brings up how this was Richard's desire as well.

While Emily thinks that she's being helpful and she cares about Lorelai and Luke's future success, it's too bad that she often talks about what Luke should do with his diner. This is a boundary that she shouldn't cross as she should be proud of what Luke has done.

Emily Shares Bad Personal News During Lorelai's Opening Weekend

Emily and Richard smiling in their house on Gilmore Girls

The season 4 finale "Raincoats and Recipes" is a thrilling one for Lorelai and Sookie as they're finally opening the Dragonfly Inn. But instead of letting her daughter go through with this trial weekend for friends and family without any major drama, Emily says that she and Richard are having marital problems.

It would make more sense for Emily to wait until the weekend is over to share this sad news, as this distracts and upsets Lorelai. It seems like the absolute worst time and while Emily is having a hard time, she could have thought a bit more carefully about when to talk about it.

 

NEXT: 10 Questions Fans Still Have About The Characters In Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life