With the one year anniversary of the Netflix debut of “Gilmore Girls” coming up, it has become much easier to fall back in love with that small town in Connecticut. As someone who grew up watching the show, it’s interesting to see how my views on the different love-interests have changed. There have been many suitors over the seasons for Rory, Lorelai, Lane and Paris, from terrible to terrific. Although it might be controversial for all those “Gilmore Girls” fans out there, we’ve attempted to rank our top 13 guys on the show.
Here is our (completely unbiased) definitive list of the worthy love interests, ranked from worst to best. BEWARE– spoilers ahead:
13. Digger
(http://gilmoregirlspopculturereferences.tumblr.com/post/42507570843)
HE IS THE ACTUAL WORST. We can’t even write our full opinion on him because we hate him so much. His nickname is “Digger.” Anyone who has that as a nickname cannot be a good guy. He’s a jerk, and the only reason that Lorelai dated him was to make Emily mad. We can’t even watch these episodes without being frustrated at his presence.
12. Tristin
(http://stars-hollow.tumblr.com/page/5)
He calls Rory “Mary” as an insult and then keeps it going as though it’s a cute nickname. No, Tristin, it’s not. He is self-entitled and doesn’t care about hurting other people’s feelings (ex. going on a date with Paris just to try to get Rory to see him as a nice guy). And when he starts to show Rory his soft side, it’s too late. Goodbye Tristin.
11. Christopher
He is only around when Lorelai is happy and is never there to support Rory when she needs a father. He even teamed up with Emily to try to break up Luke and Lorelai. He had a second chance at being a father when Sherry became pregnant but deserted the Gilmore girls again.
10. Dean
The first boyfriend that Rory ever had. He did have some really sweet moments throughout the show, but he also cheated on his wife, Lindsey, to sleep with Rory. Dean was too small-minded for Rory (the Donna Reid show, anyone?) and didn’t let her grow as a person.
9. Marty
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/surviving-college/how-gilmore-girls-prepared-me_b_5360338.html)
Oh naked guy, you had so much potential! While he and Rory were very like-minded and could’ve been sweet together, he sadly became a jerk after Rory didn’t return his feelings. It’s hard to take rejection, but Marty goes about it the wrong way when he comes back in season six. Pretending not to recognize her because you haven’t told your girlfriend of your past history? Not a good move, naked guy.
8. Zach
(http://www.projectwedding.com)
Zach is truly a sweetheart. His marriage to Lane is insanely sweet, and they both genuinely love each other. Throughout the seasons, Zach grows from being just one of the guys in the band to Lane’s soulmate. Their progression from friend to couple takes its time, but it’s worth the wait. Zach is one of the better guys on the show for sure.
7. Max
(http://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/signs-youre-addicted-to-coffee?sub=2975094_2945121#.ufpLqAVvMY)
The first love interest on the show for Lorelai, Max, definitely had his shining moments. Proposing with a thousand yellow daisies makes him one of the more memorable guys, but he also was dull and never truly challenged Lorelai. Their relationship progressed too quickly for it to really mean anything.
6. Doyle
(http://skrepo4kacrazy.tumblr.com/post/13258821565)
If anyone can put up with Paris in a relationship, they deserve a medal. They brought out the best in each other, and Doyle learned to lighten up and take a joke while spending time with Rory and Paris. One of our favorite moments is when he and Rory are drinking their heartache away as friends supporting each other. He’s an all around good guy.
5. Jackson
(http://xlipsxofxlaughterx.blogspot.com/2010/12/okay-so-it-is-coming-to-end-of-year-and.html)
Jackson is one of the most perfect guys on this show. His relationship with Sookie is the sweetest, and they are (debatably) the most realistic couple on the entire show. They go through their ups and downs (wanting four in four- still terrifying to this day), but are there for each other no matter what, even if one of them is sleeping with the zucchinis.
4. Logan
(http://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/rory-should-have-said-yes-to-logan#.ayjBwadGvX)
Logan Huntzberger is the little rich boy who never grew up until he met Rory. Rory brings out the best in Logan, and while their relationship isn’t our favorite, we do appreciate it. They are both well suited for each other and Logan does allow Rory to grow into the person she wants to be. They are both matched intellectually, and he even bought her a Birkin bag! That shows real commitment there. The only thing we can’t let go about him is that he walked away after Rory turned down the proposal. They just weren’t at the right place at the right time, and he lost a lot of our respect in that instant.
3. Luke
(http://alegriasmuse.tumblr.com/?og=1)
The man who runs the diner and is rarely seen without a backwards baseball cap on is the best suitor out of all of Lorelai’s love interests. He has always had feelings for Lorelai, gives her coffee when she really doesn’t need it and builds a chuppah for her to marry another man! He doesn’t seem like a sentimentalist but truly is when he reveals that he has saved the horoscope she gave him the first day they met. He goes above and beyond. And yes, he’s not perfect, but neither is she. Ugh, we love Luke Danes.
2. Dave
Dave is pretty much the most perfect guy ever. He works around Mrs. Kim to see Lane and even stays up all night to read the Bible to understand what Mrs. Kim’s quote means so he can take Lane to prom. Dave is so sweet and cute, and his only fault is that he had to go join The O.C. (although actor Seth Cohen is also one of the most perfect guys ever.)
1. Jess
(http://sshortblnd.tumblr.com/page/39)
Our number one pick is Jess! You might be saying: “No! He’s an immature bad boy who is no good for Rory!” Well you’re wrong. Jess has the best character growth due to Rory. Yes he was too immature when they dated, and he didn’t tell Rory that he was leaving. However, Jess just wasn’t ready at that moment. Later, he writes a book, which he couldn’t have done without Rory. He’s the first guy to keep up with her literary references, and Amy Sherman—Palladino has said they would have ended up together at the end. Rory helped him grow up and in return he helped her let loose, even if they crashed the car. As a couple they work, and he is what Rory needs in her life.