From Rory Gilmore's very first day at Chilton Academy, Paris Geller is a formidable enemy. She has the funniest, most brutal insults of all the characters on Gilmore Girls and is equipped with enough quick-wit and clever comebacks to keep even Lorelai on her toes. With her tireless Type A personality, she is the perfect academic opponent for Rory, and she later becomes a life-long friend.
Paris remains fundamentally the same over the course of the series—short-tempered, impatient, and opinionated—but she does soften as she gets older. Her friendship with Rory allows audiences to see a kind and fiercely loyal side to her that few have the privilege to enjoy.
Whenever She Interacts With Emily and Richard Gilmore
Paris is abrasive and unpleasant to almost everyone, finding herself frustrated with the majority of her high school and college peers. Even in the face of much more powerful adults, Paris is essentially unphased and unwilling to change her behavior for anyone.
From her first interaction with Rory's grandparents, however, Paris is polite, respectful, and even enthralled. Perhaps it's the extent to which they value education, dedicate themselves to success, or command a room, but Paris loves Emily in Richard Gilmore. From her exchanging of pleasantries with Richard in "Ted Koppel's Big Night Out" to her hugging Emily in "Written In The Stars," Paris is always effortlessly sweet around the older Gilmores.
When She Lies To Dean To Cover For Rory
By season two, Paris is no longer the irredeemable bully she once was. While still irritable and unfair to Rory in many ways, audiences can see that Paris is more sensitive than she initially lets on.
The friendship between the two high schoolers is irrevocably strengthened in the episode "There's The Rub"in which Paris sticks up for Rory unprompted. When Dean finds out that Jess has been at Rory's house, Paris quickly fabricates a lie to quell his anger. Paris is often selfish, but, in this instance, she is even willing to embarrass herself for Rory's benefit.
When She Throws A Wake For Asher Fleming
As any fan would know, Paris shows her affections in unusual ways. She might appear cold and uncaring, but her actions are often a good indication of how she really feels.
When her much older lover Asher Fleming passes away in "Written In The Stars," Paris discusses the event with what might seem like relative indifference. However, her decision to throw Asher a wake proves that her adoration of him was by no means fabricated. Paris goes to great lengths to celebrate his life in a way that sufficiently honors the respected professor.
When She Asks Her Nanny To Take Care Of Doyle
In the episode "But I'm A Gilmore," Paris discovers that Doyle has been living in her dorm room for an entire weekend while she was away. He is quite obviously sick with a cold and complains about it shamelessly, seeking out Paris for help. At this point, Paris is extremely angry with Doyle, and prior episodes have established that she isn't terribly sympathetic to sick people at the best of times. It is therefore expected that she would simply kick her casual boyfriend out and force him to fend for himself.
Paris surprises fans in this episode by coming through for Doyle. While she doesn't take care of him herself, she brings her beloved Nanny in to heal him, which is a sure sign of affection in Paris' world.
When She Attacks Logan On Rory's Behalf
Bizarrely, some of Paris' sweetest moments occur when she's being characteristically mean. Paris is a steadfast defender of the people she cares about and has no qualms against standing up to somebody who has hurt her friends.
In the episode "I'm Ok, You're Ok," Rory admits that Logan cheated on her with several of his sister's bridesmaids. Paris is immediately supportive, welcoming Rory back to her apartment despite their previous fight. When Logan arrives to explain himself, she immediately steps into the line of fire and showers him with all the insults and criticisms that Rory doesn't have the capacity to say. She essentially does everything in her power to support and protect her friend.
When She Finds Out What's Wrong With Logan
Logan and Paris obviously have a rocky relationship, with neither of them being particularly fond of the other. Despite this, Paris is perfectly amiable around Logan, for the most part, overlooking his flaws for the sake of Rory's happiness.
In the episode "Super Cool Party People," Logan ends up in the hospital after suffering a serious accident. When a distraught Rory relays this information to Paris, she complains that nobody in the hospital will explain the severity of Logan's injuries. Paris immediately snaps into action, making the necessary calls and demanding details from hospital staff. This scene shows how determined Paris is to help Rory whenever possible regardless of her own opinion of Logan.
When She Makes Postgraduate Plans For Rory
By season seven, Rory is very aware of Paris' anal organizational skills and infallible preparedness. These are traits that, while extreme, have helped Paris to achieve all of her academic and career goals. As she and Rory near their college graduation, Paris utilizes her talents for constructing schedules and thorough To-Do lists to create a career plan for Rory.
While her research into jobs, internships, and grad schools isn't strictly necessary or requested by her roommate, it is nevertheless a sweet gesture. It proves that Paris no longer views Rory as competition, but rather rallies for her success just as she rallies for her own.
When She Confronts Lucy In Rory's Defense
In "To Whom It May Concern," Rory is struggling with guilt over an incident that transpired between herself and Lucy. After it is revealed that Marty and Rory lied about their previous friendship, Lucy refuses to speak with Rory, even after she slips an apologetic letter under the door of her dorm room. Upon hearing about this, Paris confronts Lucy and demands to know whether she has forgiven Rory for her mistake.
In Paris' impromptu rant, she gushes over Rory's kind nature and irreplaceable friendship. Paris' words seem all the more sincere in her enraged state and leave a significant impression upon Rory.
When She Thanks Rory and Doyle
Paris' dreams come true in the episode "It's Just Like Riding A Bike" when she gets a letter of offer from one of the best graduate schools in the country. Completely elated, Paris is understandably pleased with herself and is ixated on her achievement. After the initial shock, however, she is overwhelmed with gratitude for both Rory and Doyle.
Usually guarded and business-like, Paris is completely sincere when she thanks her closest friend and boyfriend for their support. While she becomes considerably less sweet after her acceptance into Harvard, Pennsylvania and a fleet of other idyllic institutions, her initial response is one of her best moments in the series.
When She Considers Doyle In Her Career Plans
In "It's Just Like Riding A Bike," the extent to which Paris truly cares for Doyle is revealed. From season one, Paris is adamant that her academic and professional careers are her priority. These values are challenged when she faces the prospect of attending Grad School.
After breaking up with Doyle, Paris tearfully admits to Rory that she only ended the relationship to save her career. She explains that, despite her intentions, she can't bring herself to make a choice about her future without considering Doyle. Although Paris often comes across as robotic and detached, this revelation shows how sweet she is at her core.