If any Gilmore Girls character was going to succeed, it was always going to Paris Geller. She was nervous about Rory Gilmore's place at Chilton from the start as she wanted to be the only smart student, and while they did become friends, Paris always needed to come out on top. She would never settle for failure or the number two spot (and in her eyes, they were the same thing).
Some of the most compelling Gilmore Girls episodes told stories about Paris and Rory, and in the Netflix revival A Year In The Life, fans got to catch up with Paris and see where her life and ambition had taken her. While a younger Paris would have been happy with some of her choices, she would have been angry and upset about some other facets of her present-day reality.
Hate: Didn't Seem Any Closer With Her Family
Paris didn't get along with parents and never seemed to have any relatives who cared about her. When she met Rory, she not only gained a good friend but a mother figure, too, as she loved having Lorelai in her life. Over the years, Lorelai did her best to talk to Paris when she needed help.
Season one Paris would hate that in the revival, she wasn't any closer to her parents, as she still didn't seem to have much of a relationship with them. There were no happy scenes of a big family getting together or references to how her mom helped her on her own journey to motherhood.
Proud: Had Built Up An Incredible Friendship With Rory
In many instances, Rory and Paris were too competitive with each other. Most of the time, though, they were good friends who knew their flaws and positive qualities and were glad to be in each other's lives.
Season one Paris wasn't sure about Rory at first, but as they became friendlier, she would be so glad and comforted to know that years in the future, they would be close pals. They built an amazing friendship that lasted through their time at Yale and after, and it was moving to see that they had stayed in touch. That isn't the case with everyone as real-life can definitely get in the way.
Hate: Getting A Divorce From Doyle
Paris met Doyle at Yale and while their relationship started out in a silly and chaotic way, they were great together as they were both quirky and offbeat.
In the revival, fans found out that while Paris and Doyle had gotten married, they were sadly splitting up. Season one Paris would really hate learning this, as she was insecure and worried that no one would ever love her, since she was used to being so isolated from other people. Paris made some big steps when she fell for Jamie in high school and then she was able to commit to Doyle, but unfortunately, they had trouble making it work.
Proud: Chilton Asked Her To Come Back
In the revival episode "Spring," Rory and Paris went back to Chilton to talk to some students. While Rory's talk was wonderful, Paris scared everyone, which was hilarious.
Some big moments took place at Chilton and it was emotional for fans to visit this prestigious school once again. Paris would have been happy and proud to learn that Headmaster Charleston would invite her to come back as he considered her one of his most successful students. Even though she made students feel afraid, that was just her harsh personality, and she was still someone others could look up to.
Hate: Still Seemed Lonely And Searching For Something
While Rory always thought Paris was intelligent, ambitious, and strong, she also knew that Paris had pain from her parents' divorce and never having a real family.
In the revival episode "Spring," Paris still seemed lonely and like she was searching for something that she couldn't get. She confessed to Rory that while she had a briefcase with her, it didn't have anything in it, and she wanted people to think that she was smart, capable, and worthy of respect. Season one Paris would have been bummed out to learn that even years in the future, she still didn't feel completely settled.
Proud: Opened Her Own Fertility Clinic
Paris always worked hard and it was no wonder that she was able to open her own fertility clinic. Fans knew she would do something incredible and were curious to see where life took her.
A young Paris would have been thrilled to see into the future and realize that she would achieve her dreams. She never doubted it for a second, but she still must have had some self-doubt, as ambitious people sometimes struggle with perfectionism and worry.
Hate: Never Ended Up With Tristan
When Rory and Paris went back to Chilton, they saw Tristan, the object of Paris's affection back in high school.
While it would seem like Paris would take this in her stride, as she had accomplished so much in the years since she got really upset. She went into the school's bathroom, full of rage, saying that she loved Tristan and proving that she had never stopped thinking about him. Rory was definitely startled by this outburst, and season one Paris would have hated that after so many years of crushing on Tristan, they still never ended up together.
Proud: Passed The Bar And Could Offer Legal Advice
While fans found the last season of Gilmore Girls difficult to like, it did one thing right: showing how prepared Paris was for her future.
Paris was on a mission to make sure that she succeeded and she had a game plan for what grad schools to apply to. Season one Paris expected to go to an Ivy League college and also get a Master's degree somewhere, and she would have been proud that she grew up, went to law school, passed the bar, and could give legal advice as part of her fertility clinic. This was exactly where she wanted to be.
Hate: Found Doyle Pretentious And Seemed Bothered By His Success
When fans first met Paris, she was the star Chilton student who didn't have a personal life. She studied more than she needed to because she didn't have much of a family life and couldn't relate to her friends Louise and Madeline.
Paris wouldn't like that when she got older, fell in love with Doyle, and got married, she would become upset with the path his life had taken. She found him pretentious as he had become a screenwriter who was doing really well. Paris would have hated that she was annoyed by his success, as she always liked to focus on how she was the most successful person around.
Proud: Was The Mother Of Two Children
Paris would have loved to have a relationship with her mom like Rory and Lorelai's. Unfortunately, it didn't happen and she was raised by cold and rich parents.
Paris would be proud that she was the mother of two children, as she might have wondered how her own family would look since she had such a hard time growing up. It was great to see that she and Doyle had started a family, and fans are hopeful that they might not get divorced after all.