Just like Rory slowly gets to know her grandparents, fans of Gilmore Girls are intimidated by Emily (Kelly Bishop) and Richard (Edward Herrmann), and then learn more about their love story. Lorelai's parents have been together for decades, and, while they might seem stiff and formal, that's just part of their charm.
Fans are surprised whenever Emily and Lorelai like each other, but, even though they have had trouble with their daughter, Emily and Richard are the picture of perfection as a couple. Or are they? While they definitely enjoy each other's company, they do have some cracks in their foundation.
Perfect: They Truly Love Each Other, And Emily Still Speaks Fondly Of Their Wedding
Emily and Richard truly love each other, and there are so many signs, from their easy banter to their wedding day.
Emily actually opens up to Lorelai, which is surprising, and tells her that she was just so excited to marry Richard. She was really nervous right before the wedding took place and even wore her wedding dress in the days leading up to it. Lorelai knows in her gut that she doesn't feel that way about Scott Cohen's character Max Medina, whom she's supposed to marry.
Flaw: They Take A Break, Which Doesn't Make Much Sense
Richard and Emily start fighting, and that results in them taking a break from each other in season five. It's not really a logical separation, and, thankfully, they do get back together. This is a big flaw in their relationship, though, because wouldn't they be able to work out their problems and talk things through rather than just giving up? They both act really immaturely during this time period, as well.
Perfect: They're There For Each Other When It Counts
Richard has two bad incidents involving his heart, and, each time, Emily is there by his side in the hospital, demanding that she be allowed to die first or making sure that he's okay.
Richard and Emily are perfect together because they're there for each other when it really matters. They know that love means being there through good and bad times, and they take that really seriously. They might love having a big fancy house and going on lavish vacations, but being with each other is what matters.
Flaw: Their Relationship Is Too Old-Fashioned
It's definitely true that Emily and Richard got married at a time when society was all about stricter gender roles, but they don't do anything to make their relationship more modern as time goes on.
Their relationship is very old-fashioned, as Richard has always been the one who works, and Emily volunteers and is in charge of the household. While this works for a while, the fact that they have some trouble proves that it's not healthy or sustainable. They should make things more equal between them, as this would bring them more joy and help them understand each other.
Perfect: They're In A Happy Routine
One reason why this Gilmore Girls couple seems perfect is the happy routine that they've gotten into over the years. Emily and Richard often talk about their European vacations and how, like clockwork, they like going in the fall.
In one funny scene, Lorelai says, "you know, mom, I heard a rumor Europe's still there in the spring," and Emily replies, "we know that it's there in the spring, but we never go in the spring because we always go in the fall." Every couple has their own version of this, whether it's Friday night pizza and a movie or a similar vacation spot.
Flaw: They Care Too Much About What Others Think
Emily and Richard have a lot of money, and this affords them a more comfortable lifestyle than the other characters on the show.
This can get them into trouble, though, as they care too much about what other people think of them and how they're living. They both get too competitive about "keeping up with the Joneses," and they want to seem more wealthy and fabulous than the people in their social circle. This is a major flaw with their love story, as it's better to focus on inner happiness and peace than material things.
Perfect: They Renew Their Vows
In the season five episode "Wedding Bell Blues," Emily and Richard renew their vows, proving their devotion to each other once again.
Not everyone is a fan of vow renewals, but many people believe that they're a beautiful example of committing once again, and, in this case, that's exactly what it proved. Emily faces many sad moments, but this is one of the times on Gilmore Girls when she's truly the happiest. She's practically glowing in all of the scenes at the party.
Flaw: Emily Accuses Richard Of Having An Affair
In the season four episode "Ted Koppel's Big Night Out," Emily is upset that Richard talks to his ex Pennilyn (Linda Gehringer) while they're at Yale.
Emily accuses Richard of having an affair with her for a long time and bases that on the fact that they were engaged when she met Richard. If things were so solid between them, why would she even suggest this in the first place, let alone truly believe it?
Perfect: Emily Is At A Total And Complete Loss Without Him
The Gilmore Girls Netflix revival is full of heartwarming quotes, and Emily is having a terrible time adjusting to life without Richard.
The fact that she's at a total loss for how to act without her beloved husband is a huge sign that they were truly meant to be. They had created a life together, and she could never even imagine being without him. Emily slowly finds her way by the end of the four episodes, but it definitely takes her a lot of time and effort to figure things out, as she was just so happy with her husband.
Flaw: They Can't Keep Their Family Together
Lorelai enjoys bugging her mom, and she has years and years of pain to work through when it comes to her parents.
While Emily and Richard have a lovely relationship in some ways, they do fail in the sense that they can't keep their family together. They get really upset when learning that their teenage daughter is pregnant, and, while they could meet that news with love and compassion, they find it shameful. While the girls do come over for Friday Night dinners, that's part of their deal, and it's not a natural invitation. This is a pain point in their love story, that's for sure.