Centering around a charming, quirky town in Connecticut, “Gilmore Girls” encompasses defining 2000s traits and brings to life many lovable characters as viewers watch Rory Gilmore grow up. Many viewers express misguided disappointment with Rory’s character development.
By overtly casting judgment on Rory Gilmore, many viewers discredit her character development and consistently hate on her during the later seasons of “Gilmore Girls”.
“Gilmore Girls” delivered comfort to many viewers through the development of the show’s main character, Rory Gilmore. Fans watched Rory throughout her teen years and into early adulthood as she battled school pressures, family drama and teen romance.
However, many viewers express disappointment for Rory’s character within the last three seasons. This “downward spiral”, as some will say, begins when Rory decides to attend Yale over Havard, seen as a betrayal to her mother.
Her mom, Lorelai Gilmore, comes from a prominent family. But after becoming pregnant with Rory at 16, she runs away to start a new life away from her parents.
Raising Rory as a single mother, Lorelai teaches her independence, witt and pushes her education. This solidifies a smart, well rounded character for Rory, which many viewers thoroughly enjoy and envy.
Rory is the ideal student and girl-next-door.
She loves to read, has a sharp sense of humor, lives in a cozy town, has a best friend-like relationship with her mother, encapsulates the trendy 2000s, and experiences desired teen romances.
In her high school valedictorian speech, Rory demonstrates her love for Lorelai and their connection.
“As [Lorelai] guided me through these incredible 18 years, I don’t know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be was her. Thank you, Mom: you are my guidepost for everything,” Rory said.
Rory always wanted to be just like Lorelai, but Lorelai’s greatest fear was Rory becoming like her.
Many justify their disappointment by claiming that Rory would never behave the way she did in the later seasons based on this established character seen in the beginning of the series.
After enrolling at Yale instead of her dream-school Harvard, many dedicated viewers are let down yet again with confusion and disappointment after Rory begins dating Logan Huntzberger: a rich, cocky, sophomore at Yale.
While some find his blonde-boy charm and sense of impulsiveness attractive, many are left to question why Rory would ever choose someone who seems to be her opposite, especially after just dating Jess.

Jess Mariano fits the mean-to-everyone-but-only-nice-to-her trope. While Jess tends to be closed off and sarcastic to most people, he holds an unusual affection for Rory.
Jess, like Rory, has a strong appreciation for literature and music, shares Rory’s intelligence and wit and overall cares about Rory’s wellbeing.
However, while it’s easy for viewers to cast off Logan as not good enough for Rory, and while that may true, Rory’s perspective may offer an explanation:
At Yale, Rory must become more independent and therefore less dependent on Lorelai/the comfort of her home. Free from the judgment of Lorelai, her family, friends, etc. at Yale, she may feel more prompted to make certain decisions that she wouldn’t make in Stars Hollow.
In regards to Logan, the biggest criticism of their relationship is that it is seen as a catalyst for the downfall of her school career.
Logan comes from a very prominent family, as his father is a significant figure in the newspaper publishing industry. The Huntzberger family always look down on Rory and Logan’s relationship because Rory’s family has a lower socioeconomic status than them.
It’s observed in earlier instances that Rory reacts irrational when met with criticism or uncertainty.
At the end of season four, Rory sleeps with her ex-boyfriend Dean Forester, who is married to another woman.
Many viewers attribute this moment to the onset of Rory’s “downfall”.
However, there’s more to the story…