There are many couples on Gilmore Girls but for several fans, Luke Danes and Lorelai Gilmore are the ultimate pair. Their first meeting is perfectly romantic, as Lorelai comes into the diner wanting coffee, and she writes up a fake horoscope that Luke always keeps.
Luke and Lorelai help each other out regularly, and while fans can see that the beloved couple shares many things in common, they have some key differences that prove that opposites attract. Sometimes, however, the fact that they're very different people causes tension in their relationship.
Similar: They Don't Like Asking For Help... But Help Everyone Else
Lorelai and Luke have something big in common: while they hate looking like they need help, they enjoy being there for everyone in their lives.
While viewers can find flaws in each character, they're both caring and kind-hearted, and they're the first to assist someone in Stars Hollow who needs a hand. Luke gives Kirk advice and enjoys playing a big role in Rory's young life, and Lorelai treats her fellow townspeople like family members. But fans also notice that Lorelai and Luke hesitate to ask for assistance themselves, as they want to be seen as strong and self-sufficient, which makes them look even more vulnerable.
Different: Lorelai Is Friendlier And More Outgoing Than Luke
While Luke and Lorelai do have a lot in common, Lorelai has a more optimistic, friendly, and outgoing personality than her biggest love interest.
Lorelai can make small talk with anyone, no matter how she feels about them, but Luke becomes noticeably agitated when he has to chat with strangers. People say that opposites attract and that is true here, as Lorelai finds Luke's grumpiness charming, as do many Gilmore Girls fans, and Luke enjoys that Lorelai pushes him out of his comfort zone.
Similar: They Feel Like They Don't Fit In
Luke and Lorelai are both loveable outsiders and it's no wonder that they find each other and fall deeply in love.
There are many episodes about Emily and Lorelai's relationship and they all point to how Lorelai doesn't think that her mom really understands her. While Luke has lived in Stars Hollow all of his life, he's a bit of a loner before he starts dating Lorelai, and while Lorelai enjoys her small-town life, she didn't like growing up in a wealthy and prestigious family. It's heartwarming to see these two characters share this important thing in common.
Different: Their Parenting Styles Clash
No matter how well Luke and Lorelai get along, they're very different when it comes to parenting.
While Lorelai and Rory are famous for being more like best friends than mother and daughter, Luke has a heavy hand when becoming a parental figure for his nephew Jess. Lorelai tries to talk to Luke about helping Jess become less cynical, angry, and rebellious, but Luke always shuts her down. Fans praise Lorelai for her strength as a mother and it's clear that while Luke loves Jess, he's at a loss for how to deal with him for a long time. These two definitely can't see eye-to-eye on this topic, and it does cause tension in their relationship as they argue a lot, which is tough to watch.
Similar: They're Both Afraid Of Commitment
Luke and Lorelai love each other so much, and the majority of Gilmore Girls fans believe in their relationship. But when it comes right down to it, they both seem scared to truly commit to each other.
Luke and Lorelai keep delaying their wedding day, and it's confusing that they don't get married until the last few moments of A Year In The Life. Viewers wish that they had forgotten all their obstacles and drama and gotten married before the original series ended, and while it's great that they finally do get married, it does feel like they both make many excuses for waiting. This isn't a good thing to have in common as it causes them a lot of pain and heartache.
Different: Lorelai Likes Getting Involved With Town Events More Than Luke
It's interesting to compare the way that Luke and Lorelai approach town events, and as fans know and love, Stars Hollow has a lot of them. Every season offers up the chance for festivals, celebrations, and fun.
While Luke would rather stay at his diner and away from the crowds, Lorelai jumps right into town events. She volunteers often, sometimes with Rory and sometimes alone, and she prides herself on being a huge part of the place she calls home. The contrast between Luke and Lorelai's personalities is one reason why fans ship them so much.
Similar: They Both Work In The Hospitality/Restaurant Industry
Luke and Lorelai also share a similar career: they both work in a similar industry. While Luke owns his famous diner, Lorelai runs the Dragonfly Inn.
The fact that they both work in hospitality/restaurants does help them understand each other, as Luke gives Lorelai some advice about going for her dreams in season 2, and it's one of the first times that viewers notice his love for her. It also allows Luke to help Sookie when she's on bed rest, and while Luke and Lorelai do fight once they start dating officially, they never seem to fight about their work schedules. It's great that they understand how hard the other person works.
Different: Lorelai Cares More About Travel Than Luke
Luke and Lorelai also differ when it comes to their travel preferences.
Lorelai likes getting the opportunity to travel, and she and Rory go to Europe the summer after she graduates from Chilton and is preparing for Yale. Luke, on the other hand, is a homebody who likes staying in his town, and he never shares a desire to see the world or even fly to a nearby city for a long weekend. Fans see the couple dealing with some problems in the revival, and part of that seems to be that their life together has become too comfortable, allowing them to be complacent about not getting married or talking about having a child.
Similar: They Both Stand Up For Themselves
These beloved characters have something else in common: they're willing to stand up for themselves, what they think is right, and what they want out of life.
Fans are divided about April but her presence on the series allows Luke to defend himself and his desire to be an involved parent, as he asks for partial custody. Fans hear many passionate speeches from Lorelai over the seasons, as she often defends herself to her mom, and even though Lorelai knows she will probably never have her parents' approval, she continues going after her dreams and living her Stars Hollow Life.
Different: Lorelai Loves Pop Culture, Luke Doesn't Get It
Lorelai and Luke feel the complete opposite about the world of pop culture.
While Lorelai loves movie nights and keeping up with celebrities, Luke doesn't really know who anyone is and he tries his best to keep up with her references. A Year In The Life does a great job exploring this dynamic even more, as Lorelai has many cheesy Lifetime movies on her PVR and Luke supports her obsession even though he thinks the titles are pretty silly. In this case, the popular couple can work through their differences, as it doesn't affect them negatively.