Gilmore Girls: 5 Times Emily Was Right (& 5 Times Lorelai Was)
As soon as fans begin watching Gilmore Girls, it becomes clear that Emily and Lorelai have a very different relationship from Rory and Lorelai. While Lorelai and her daughter share it all, from their coffee obsession to the goings-on of their daily lives, Lorelai and Emily can't seem to talk without fighting. It also becomes clear over time that they have missed out on many years of each other's lives.
Fans sympathize with both Lorelai and Emily as they understand where each of them is coming from since they each feel so many pent-up emotions. But there are moments on Gilmore Girls when it's easier to be on Emily's side, just like there are times when Lorelai is totally justified.
10 Emily: Lorelai Cuts Off Contact When She Becomes A Mom
The pilot of Gilmore Girls may not be perfect, but it's a great introduction to a fun, relatable mother and daughter who live in a cozy small town. The first episode of this beloved series also lets fans know that Lorelai and Emily have a difficult and stilted relationship, as Lorelai gives birth to her baby girl in high school and leaves home.
Emily is devastated and confused about why her daughter would abandon her and Richard, and it's hard not to take Emily's side here. If Lorelai would phone her parents once a week, she could still keep some distance, but this communication would mean so much to them. It's no wonder that Emily is heartbroken.
9 Lorelai: Doesn't Want To Marry Christopher In High School
When Lorelai announces that she's pregnant, the Gilmores and the Haydens spring into action, believing that marriage is the only proper way to handle this so-called problem. Lorelai and Christopher's parents don't seem to care how their kids actually feel about this.
Lorelai can tell that this isn't the right path for her, and she is totally right to not want other people deciding whom she marries and when. She knows that if she and Christopher tied the knot, they would likely just get divorced within a few years, and it wouldn't be healthy for anyone.
8 Emily: Lorelai Keeps Emily In The Dark About Marrying Max
The start of season 2 is really thrilling for Lorelai, as she's engaged to Max and seems excited about the next chapter of her life. But when Lorelai doesn't tell Emily that she's getting married, Emily is once again upset and confused with the way that her daughter treats her.
Emily's hurt feelings make sense, as it's only natural for her to expect her daughter to share such happy news. While Lorelai is worried about her mom telling her not to go through with the wedding, that doesn't seem like a valid reason to keep Emily in the dark. Emily just wants Lorelai to be content, and she would likely think that Max is a good choice.
7 Lorelai: Nervous To Ask Her Parents For Money
Rory learns lessons at Chilton and this school gets her one step closer to going to an Ivy League college. In the first episode of the show, Lorelai realizes that she can't afford Rory's tuition and that asking her parents to loan the money is the only viable option.
Lorelai is scared and nervous, though, and she wishes that she could find another way. Fans understand how she feels as she rarely goes to Emily and Richard's house and since they don't chat regularly, bringing up such a sensitive subject is even more difficult. When Lorelai is able to ask her parents this tough question, it's a huge step in her life and proves that she's becoming stronger and more mature.
6 Emily: The Friday Night Dinners Are Necessary
Gilmore Girls fans love the deal that Lorelai, Emily, and Richard make: if they cover Rory's tuition for Chilton, Lorelai and Rory will come over for dinner each Friday night. Of course, Lorelai isn't a big fan of this plan, and she hates being beholden to her parents.
This is a great idea of Emily's, though, and viewers like that she has found a smart way of keeping in regular contact with her daughter and granddaughter. If it was up to Lorelai, she would basically never see her mom and dad, and that's not fair to them or to Rory. It's nice to see the Gilmores keeping in touch, even if they do have drama and tension.
5 Lorelai: Feels Emily Is Too Judgmental Of Luke
It's only natural that Lorelai hopes that her parents will approve of Luke since she loves him so much and has chosen him to be her life partner. While Emily suggests that Lorelai and Luke should date early on, since she thinks they're already in a relationship in season 1, she isn't generally all that supportive.
Lorelai thinks that Emily should judge Luke less and try to get to know him, and it's impossible not to agree with her. When he attends any Friday Night Dinners, Emily isn't very nice or polite, and she often brings up that Richard wants Luke to franchise his diner. Of course Lorelai feels hurt that her mom doesn't understand her or Luke.
4 Emily: Hates That Lorelai Doesn't Tell Her When She Breaks Her Leg
There are many Gilmore Girls episodes about Emily and Lorelai, and the season 1 episode "Rory's Birthday Parties" features a heartbreaking scene between the two characters. After seeing a photo of Lorelai, Emily finds out that Lorelai broke her leg during a yoga class once, and Lorelai didn't share this with her.
While Lorelai likes to keep her life private and separate from her parents, it's only logical that Emily would want to know about the ups and downs of her daughter's life. It doesn't make much sense for Lorelai to keep an injury secret, and if Lorelai wants to mend their relationship, this isn't the best way to go.
3 Lorelai: Doesn't Want Emily Making Decisions For Rory
There are many times when Emily gets ahead of herself and wants to buy Rory several uniform options, sign up the Gilmores for high-speed internet, and even design a room for Rory in her house.
Lorelai resists Emily at very turn, and while Emily thinks Lorelai is being unfair and overly sensitive, her behavior makes total sense. Lorelai doesn't want Emily making decisions for Rory and she wants to maintain her parenting style and influence in Rory's life. Things come to a head at the end of season 5 when Rory steals a boat and Emily lets Rory live in her pool house. Lorelai is right to think that Emily shouldn't get so involved.
2 Emily: Lorelai Could Say More At Richard's Funeral
When watching the Netflix revival A Year In The Life, fans not only grieve Richard's death, but they also can't help but be confused about a major storyline. Emily asks everyone to share a sweet memory about Richard and Lorelai says nothing. While Emily and Lorelai get along in some scenes, this is a time when they have a massive fight.
Emily is mad at Lorelai and can't comprehend why she can't think of a fond memory, and fans know that Emily is right to wonder. As is often the case with these characters, they get mad and can't communicate properly, and Lorelai should understand that her mom thinks that she doesn't care about Richard at all.
1 Lorelai: Defends Rory After The School Dance Drama
When Rory doesn't return home after her Chilton dance, Emily jumps to the worst conclusion that she can think of, telling Lorelai that Rory will become pregnant with Dean's baby. Emily thinks that the Gilmore cycle will continue and Lorelai explains that most likely isn't going to happen.
Fans can take Lorelai's side during this argument as Emily is being way too harsh, and there isn't a real reason for her mind to go down this road. Since Rory has never missed curfew or even had a very active social life, it would make more sense for Emily to say that something innocuous happened to cause Rory's lateness.