One of the longest-running storylines in Gilmore Girls is the relationship between Rory, Lorelai, Richard, and Emily. Lorelai's relationship with her parents is entirely different from Rory's relationship with her grandparents. In Richard and Emily's eyes, Rory was the daughter Lorelai never was. But that doesn't mean Rory's relationship with her grandparents was perfect.
As great of a granddaughter as Rory was, she wasn't an angel. She was never completely honest with her grandparents because she knew they'd never approve of her real thoughts. As Rory matured, she started retaliating against her grandparents, proving that she wasn't the granddaughter they thought she was.
Great Granddaughter: She Carried On The Yale Legacy
Once Emily and Richard realized how brilliant Rory was, they had Yale on the mind. As a Yale graduate himself, Richard was hoping Rory would choose Yale over Harvard to carry on the Gilmore name.
And she did. Knowing someone in the family was carrying on the Gilmore name at Yale was one of Emily and Richard's happiest scenes.
A Disappointment: The End Of The Gilmore & Huntzberger Empire
The Gilmores were incredibly excited when they found out Rory was dating a Huntzberger. With Logan attending Yale and hailing from a prominent family, the Gilmores couldn't have chosen a better person for Rory if they handpicked him themselves.
For Logan and Rory fans, one of the best episodes to watch was when he proposed to her. However, she turned him down when she wasn't ready, to the chagrin of her grandparents.
Great Granddaughter: She Made Emily Proud At The DAR
One of the most underrated scenes in Gilmore Girls is the DAR event that Rory threw on behalf of her grandmother. The event was such a success that she had to turn people away for not having enough room.
Everyone in attendance had a fantastic time and complimented Emily and Richard for having such a fantastic granddaughter. In that moment, Rory made them proud.
A Disappointment: She Was Ungrateful For Her Grandparents' Help
It didn't matter how good of a student Rory was at Yale, when she was having a hard time, she had to leave. She moved in with her grandparents while taking some time off from Yale and was embraced with privilege and comfort.
She got to live in a newly renovated pool house for free, was given a job while also doing community service for a crime, and had a chef, maid, and beyond. The second Rory grew tired of Emily and Richard, she left without as much as a "thanks."
Great Granddaughter: Rory Checked On Emily Frequently In The Reboot
In Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Richard had passed away and Emily was learning to navigate life without her lifelong partner. Before she was ready to move on, she took the time to sulk and wallow.
Luckily for her, Rory was there to help. Rory kept checking up on her grandmother to make sure she was doing okay during such a traumatic time. Their relationship was one of the ways the reboot improved from the original series. The two seemed to have a more open and honest relationship than they did when Rory was younger.
A Disappointment: The Stolen Yacht & Getting Jailed
Rory stealing a yacht and getting arrested is an action that keeps Gilmore Girls fans up at night. It was something that was so beyond Rory that it seemed uncharacteristic of her.
Richard and Emily were beyond embarrassed and distraught at the news of their granddaughter's illegal affairs. And when she wanted to take time off from Yale left the Gilmores in a dark hole. For once their perfect little granddaughter was not so perfect.
Great Granddaughter: She Always Knew The Perfect Gift For Her Grandparents
There are countless arguments that Lorelai and her parents get into because of miscommunication. Lorelai knows that her parents don't know her as well as they, at times, think they do. But at the same time, Lorelai doesn't know as much about her parents as she thinks she does either. Rory, on the other hand, does.
In 'That'll Do Pig,' Rory proved how well she knew her grandfather by getting him the ultimate gift for his birthday. While Lorelai bought three thoughtless gifts, Rory gave him something personal, a vinyl record of Chuck Berry Live at the Fillmore.
A Disappointment: Rory Should Have Let Them Know About Christopher Paying For Yale
There were numerous reasons why Christopher and Lorelai divorced and should have never gotten married in the first place. For starters, Christopher was a rather absent father and only took time to get to know her when he wanted Lorelai's attention.
Christopher finally stepped up to the plate when he was able to pay for Rory's education. This, however, met that Richard and Emily no longer had to pay for it. Instead of letting the Gilmores know that they didn't need to pay for Yale anymore, Rory simply never told them. She waited until their check was sent back to them and for Lorelai's explanation instead of being an adult and telling them what happened. The Gilmores were incredibly disrespected when they found out.
Great Granddaughter: She Follows Through With Friday Night Dinners
Part of the deal between the Gilmores and Lorelai and Rory was that they would pay for Yale as long as Lorelai and Rory came to their house every Friday night for dinner.
Rory took her duties seriously and showed up every Friday night throughout high school and college. Even if Lorelai wasn't going or if she was swamped at school, Rory showed up like clockwork, which her grandparents appreciated.
A Disappointment: She Left Without A Word — Just Like Lorelai
One of the most questionable life choices of Lorelai's was leaving her parents' home without having a conversation about it. She left a note and ran away with baby Rory in the night.
Likewise, Rory followed suit when she was tired of living with Emily and Richard. She decided it was time to go back to her mom and Yale and left without as much as a word. Just as Emily and Richard were when Lorelai ran away, they were blindsided when Rory left.