Welcome to our blog Girl Talk! with Arista Brozovich and Sam Poyner. In this blog we will be discussing some of our favorite complex female characters that are seen in film and television. We want to provide an outlet toward understanding these characters for their quirks and flaws, as opposed to dismissing them for their unconventionality. We believe that there isn’t enough recognition for complicated women in film/tv in comparison to men, so we feel it is important to shine a light on some characters we have grown to love, despite the choices they have made, whether we agree with them or not, because complex characters can’t exist without their own imperfections.
This week we will be focusing on the character, Lorelai Gilmore. This post is written by Sam Poyner. This post will contain spoilers of Gilmore Girls.
Lorelai Gilmore is the quick-witted and spunky mother to her daughter, Lorelai “Rory” Gilmore. The two live in the close-knit fictional town Stars Hollow, Connecticut, among their best friends and chosen family.
Early into the series, we learn that Lorelai is the daughter to Emily and Richard Gilmore, who raised her in a strict home to uphold their upper class image. Their parenting style led to an immense fallout, as Lorelai felt suffocated by their standards of high class and eliteness, though she leans into the benefits of this wealth in dire times, which makes for a conflicting relationship to her parents and their money. Moreover, this friction carried on as Lorelai was shamed upon her parents finding out she was pregnant at the age of sixteen, and unwilling to marry the child’s father, Christopher Hayden, as she knew they weren’t meant to be.
Driven by her strength and resilience, Lorelai fought for a healthier home life, leaving her childhood in Hartford, Connecticut, to raise Rory on her own, and work alongside her best friend Sookie St. James, as co-owners of the Dragonfly Inn–a local bed and breakfast. The audience can seek great inspiration from the pair, as they are respectable and adaptable as business partners and owners, while also being realistic characters, as we see occasional disagreements within their friendship and lifestyles. Moments like these are where Lorelai’s authenticity shines, as she often struggles with confrontation, especially with those she loves. Since she had to grow up at a young age, at times, she will take on a child-like approach to discomfort, where we see avoidance, the silent treatment, an occasional tantrum, or simply, pouting. Considering the show is essentially a dramedy, this usually plays out with a layer of humor, but with deeper analysis, this childish behavior can reflect poorly, especially when there is tension between herself and Rory, seeing as their bond is stronger than blood, as they’re also best friends. That being said, Lorelai’s charm and sincerity often comes through, and proves that she means well, despite any mishaps, as she is human and navigating her career, love life, and motherhood under chaotic circumstances most commonly.
Now…Luke and Lorelai. The pair has undeniable chemistry from the get go, and as the series progresses, the longest slowburn ever, as they continue to miss each other while they both enter and exit different relationships. Watching this will make you want to rip your hair out from frustration, due to their playful banter and unique bond, but in the finale of season four, they finally give in to their mutual feelings for each other, and shift into season five as a couple.
Their relationship has its flaws, with Lorelai struggling to communicate her upset over Luke’s apprehension in finally getting married; whereas Luke struggles to balance unexpected fatherhood and his engagement to Lorelai, as he discovers that an ex-girlfriend from his past hadn’t told him that she was raising his unknown child. So, we see the pair at odd ends, as Lorelai oversteps in trying to help Luke raise his newfound daughter, April, given her knowledge and experience with Rory. Although she had the best intentions, Lorelai’s people pleasing tendencies backfire and Luke’s difficulty with communicating brings their relationship to a temporary close. However, in moments like this, we see Lorelai’s independence and courage shine through, as she doubles down on her needs and expectations, thus repairing her bond with Luke, as they find each other again, and eventually, get married!!!
The series Gilmore Girls is available on streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and Apple TV for your viewing pleasure!
Thank you for reading Girl Talk! We’ll see you for our next complex female character! 
Sami Poyner – Poetry Editor & Blogger: Sami is a junior at Lewis University majoring in English with a concentration in Writing. While studying at Lewis, she hopes to expand her creative and professional writing skills. When she isn’t at school, she works part time at her local Menards. She also enjoys painting, listening to Harry Styles, and watching movies and tv. Some of her favorites to watch are That 70’s Show, Good Will Hunting, and Spider-Man: Far From Home.