Alexis Bledel always shares interesting stories when interviewed about her Gilmore Girls character Rory Gilmore. When appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Bledel said that she didn't like some outfits: "I was really annoyed when they put me in, like, a silly costume for a town event. That was humiliating," according to Looper.com.
While some of Rory's Gilmore Girls fashion seems dated today, there's a lot that does feel relevant about the show. Rory is a sweet, good student shooting for an Ivy League acceptance letter and navigating a tough new school. While fans don't always agree with what Rory does, especially as she messes up while attending Yale, she has a good heart. But even though fans can root for Rory on many occasions, there are a lot of things about Rory Gilmore on Gilmore Girls that don't hold up today.
Updated on August 26, 2022 by Aya Tsintziras: While Gilmore Girls will always be a funny and heartwarming show to watch over and over again, it's hard not to view the series within the lens of 2022 and realize that many jokes, quotes, and storylines don't add up. Rory is a fan favorite character, but some of her words and actions seem to have aged badly.
Rory's Reliance On Lorelai
The show's beating heart is the relationship that these two characters have. Other TV and movie mothers and daughters just don't feel the same or have as much fun together.
But even though Rory and Lorelai's connection is wonderful, when fans look back on the show, it does seem like Rory relies on her mom a little too much at times. When Rory starts at Chilton, she could definitely go inside on her own, and when she goes to Yale, she should let her mom go home and start this chapter by herself.
Rory's Tendency To Insult People's Physical Appearances
Rory's fat shaming doesn't hold up today, either, and it's one of the worst mistakes Rory makes at Yale. When she writes a review of a performance in the season 4 episode "Die, Jerk," she insults the ballerina's weight. And in the "Summer" episode of A Year In The Life, she and Lorelai spend time by the pool and make fun of a man because of his size.
Rory should know that she's being awful and insulting and that there's no excuse for these comments, and yet she always seems to have this judgmental attitude.
Rory Doesn't Feel Badly About Her Privilege
Rory is able to attend Chilton and Yale thanks to the money that her grandparents have, and when Christopher can pay for some of her college tuition, it's another example of how lucky she is.
Many fans feel that Rory is super privileged and that she doesn't really seem to wrestle with this. When she begins seeing Logan Huntzberger, she shrugs off her mom's worry about his rich family, and in the Netflix revival, she flies back and forth from London to Stars Hollow, and it's unclear how she can pay for that since she isn't working much.
Rory's Comment To Lorelai About Sleeping With The Principal
While Rory has plenty of emotional Gilmore Girls quotes, she also makes some strange comments to Lorelai at the beginning of the show that haven't aged well.
When Lorelai's in a good mood thanks to Rory's Chilton acceptance letter, Rory asks "did you do something slutty?" And when Lorelai tells Rory the great news, Rory responds, "How did this happen? You didn't... with the principal, did you?" It doesn't seem like a child should ask their parent if they slept with their high school principal, even if it's meant to be a joke. Rory sounds pretty serious, though, and it's an odd moment.
Rory Agrees To Join The Puffs
Rory keeps to herself at Chilton and Headmaster Charleston doesn't love this. But Rory agrees to join a secret society called The Puffs, a storyline that has aged poorly because it doesn't make sense that Rory would be interested.
In the season 2 episode "Like Mother, Like Daughter," The Puffs want Rory and Paris Geller to join, making them sneak into the school in the middle of the night. Everyone gets in trouble and that's the end of it, but it's still confusing and doesn't ring true that Rory would want to be part of this. If the show aired today, it seems likely that Rory would say that a secret society isn't for her.
Rory Is Too Involved In Lorelai's Love Life
It's true that Lorelai and Rory share a lot and this is the basis of their close relationship. But sometimes, it seems like Rory is too involved in Lorelai's love life, or she feels too comfortable saying something that might be inappropriate.
When Lorelai tells Rory that she saw Max again in the season 3 episode "The Big One," Lorelai says that maybe she wasn't really that mean to him after all. Rory replies, "Oh no, you treated him like crap." It feels awkward that Rory would say this to her mom, as it's a bit harsh and judgmental.
Rory Dressing Up Like Donna Reed
Rory does some nice things on Gilmore Girls and she's often a people pleaser, but it's not the best decision when she dresses up like Donna Reed and makes Dean dinner in season 1.
Rory likes being strong and independent, and she doesn't have to go to all of this trouble. Dean should be more of a feminist in this episode and Rory should stick to her beliefs instead of trying to make him happy.
Rory Isn't Faithful To Her Partners
When viewers look back on Rory's romances with Dean and Jess, it's tough not to wonder why she thinks that being faithful and loyal isn't important.
Rory kisses Jess without breaking up with Dean first and fans are still baffled and upset that she sleeps with Dean when he's married to Lindsay. Rory might commit to people, and it seems like she loves her partners, but she doesn't seem to mind making these decisions, which is really strange.
Rory Tells Logan She Has A Crush
Dating Logan changes Rory for the worse in some ways, and their relationship ebbs and flows throughout several seasons. There's one season 7 storyline that feels like it stands out, and not in a good way.
In the season 7 episode "Farewell, My Pet," Rory lets Logan know that she likes the teaching assistant who is filling in for Richard. While Logan doesn't mind and they talk through it, it seems a little odd that Rory would tell Logan that she likes someone else and he would be so cool with it.
Rory Doesn't Have Much Of A Career In The Revival
For many Gilmore Girls fans, the worst part of A Year In The Life is seeing what has happened to Rory's big career dreams and ambitions.
Instead of being a busy freelance writer or holding a magazine or newspaper staff position, or even a full-time job related to writing, journalism, and communications, Rory isn't sure what's going to happen. She doesn't have many freelance assignments and is free to take over The Stars Hollow Gazette when she should be working already. This part of Rory's character has definitely aged badly.
Rory Insults Another Student At Asher's Book Signing
Fans have pointed out that Rory and Lorelai insult people's weight on a regular basis, and it's always jarring to hear this. Rory accompanies Paris Geller to Asher Fleming's book signing, and Rory comments on another student who is there and calls her "the redhead with the fat thighs."
It's confusing that Rory would make this comment, since she seems like the first person to tell others to be kind, compassionate, and polite and not gossip about other people.
Rory Makes An Offensive Comment When Thinking About Extra-Curriculars
In season 2, Rory needs extracurriculars to get into Harvard, and she volunteers alongside Paris, which is dramatic since they're not friends just yet. Rory tells Dean that she needs to find a kid with special needs so she can teach them to play softball.
This is a terrible, offensive thing to say, and given how kind and compassionate Rory usually is, it's odd that she wouldn't see how mean this is.