Gilmore Girls: Why Christopher Was Always the Perfect Guy for Lorelai
When it comes to ‘Ship Wars and Gilmore Girls, it’s a debate that usually revolves solely around Rory Gilmore, and her “Big Three”; Dean, Jess, and Logan.
While Rory’s true love is a debate that has been argued for over a decade, with no end in sight, there’s another love triangle that existed on the long-running WB/CW hit that doesn’t garner nearly the same level of passionate argument.
Rory’s mother, Lorelai, also found herself torn between two lovers. I’m not talking about Max, because really there was no point, even though the (ten) thousand yellow daisies was a lovely proposal. I’m not mentioning Alex, or even Jason.
Lorelai’s love life was a constant battle between just two men; Luke Danes, diner owner turned fiancé, and Christopher Hayden, lifelong sweetheart, and Rory’s father.
I want to start by making it clear that I adore Luke Danes. He was often the moral compass of Stars Hollow, the only person who wasn’t just a little wacky in a town full of eccentric citizens. Luke was a family man, full of honor, and always willing to reluctantly play a role in the town’s odd events.
However, when it comes down to identifying the perfect mate for the queen of Stars Hollow, I don’t think that it was Luke.
Lorelai was a strong woman, full of energy fueled by coffee, and fast-talking like her life depended on it. She had been raised in a world of privilege, and while she often desperately pushed that life of entitlement away she, throughout the series, referred to it as, “my world.”
Luke didn’t fit into that world. He was never a match for the elder Gilmores, unable to connect to them and their stories. They would always look down on him, and while that’s a flaw on their part, it would always lead to a huge level of discomfort and strain on a relationship between Luke and Lorelai.
Christopher, on the other hand, completely understood Lorelai’s “world,” having grown up in that same privilege and entitlement and managed to escape it as a pretty good guy.
He would always be able to comfortably talk business with Richard, and compliment Emily on her drapery. Christopher had been a fixture of the Gilmore household for a great deal of his life, and understood the complicated relationship between Lorelai and her parents.
Understanding Lorelai’s “World”: Luke-0. Christopher- 1.
Pop culture was Lorelai’s lifeblood. She was never without a Duran-Duran reference, or an opinion on the Barefoot Contessa’s latest menu. She had a passion for old movies, musicals, and quality television.
Luke had no interest in pop culture, the way that Lorelai did, and he made condescending remarks to her about that trait a number of times throughout the series. While he deserves credit for making a list of CD’s to buy after they start dating, it doesn’t forgive the disdain he’s always shown toward her entertainment choices.
Christopher is famous for his eclectic mix of music, the famous CD collection. Chris and Lorelai often reminisce about concerts they went to as teenagers, and Christopher arranged that amazing drive-in movie date for Lorelai, a date that was tailor made to everything Lorelai loved, and something that Christopher could enjoy with her without making a snarky remark.
Understanding Lorelai’s Love of Pop Culture: Luke- 0. Christopher- 1.
Lorelai was a passionate arguer. She never held back how she felt about anything, and she made sure that her opinions were understood.
Luke had a tendency to hold his emotions in and keep secrets, and that ultimately would be the demise between he and Lorelai. While she shared thoughts and feeling with him on a more than regular basis, Luke often held back emotionally. Yes, Lorelai kept that one meeting with Christopher a secret from Luke, but beyond that, she was always quite upfront with him.
Luke waited TWO MONTHS to tell Lorelai about his daughter, April. TWO MONTHS.
Even then, I have to wonder, had Lorelai not run into her at the diner that day, when would Luke have told her? After finding out about April, Luke strategically asked Lorelai to keep her distance from the girl, something that has never sat well with me.
Luke and Lorelai had some passionate arguments, but they were always made more severe because of Luke’s inability to be honest with Lorelai from the get-go.
Christopher did a lot of things wrong in his younger years while Lorelai was off raising Rory, I won’t make excuses for him. However, he never struggled with talking to Lorelai.
They made their feelings known to one another, a sign of their close lifelong bond. They had many arguments over the course of the series, and each one dripped of sexual tension and valid points. Their passion went hand in hand with shouting matches. Christopher included Lorelai in his decisions with his second daughter, Gigi, and relied heavily on her opinions, valuing her experience.
Sharing Feelings and Children with Lorelai: Luke- 0. Christopher- 1.
Above all else, Rory was the most important thing in Lorelai’s life. Nothing could match the bond they had with one another, and all boyfriends aside, the Gilmore girls were each others’ truest loves.
Both Luke and Christopher love Rory deeply. The backstory of Luke buying monogrammed towels for Rory and making her a coffee cake for her birthday is completely sweet. Luke even says that he cares more about Rory than he does himself (Season 2 Episode 19, “Teach Me Tonight”). Luke’s insistence that Rory would not quit Yale is a lovely pseudo-dad moment.
Chris also loves his daughter deeply. While he wasn’t always with her, they always had a great relationship, and spoke regularly.
After getting his life together, Christopher wanted nothing more than to give Rory everything that he could never give her growing up, dropping everything to be with her when the occasions arose, such as being there for her coming-out, and rushing to her side after her car accident.
Loving Rory: Luke- 1. Christopher- 1.
There’s something to be said about the things you can’t compare between Luke and Christopher with regard to Chris and Lorelai’s relationship throughout the series as a thread.
When Lorelai is planning to marry Max, and Emily shares her story about the night before her wedding, which causes every woman to call their beloved, it’s Christopher who Lorelai calls.
When Lorelai is graduating from business school, a momentous occasion that means a great deal to her, Luke is absent. Chris however, calls Lorelai to congratulate her, sending her a lovely gift basket of things that they can share a laugh over, and compliments her success in both school and in what she’s accomplished personally.
Chris is there to be Lorelai’s date at Sookie’s wedding and also at Lane’s wedding. Chris and Lorelai share that beautiful dance to “The Way You Look Tonight,” and he charms Lorelai. When Lorelai is nervous about Rory spending time with Sherry, and uses her fake “Leonard” identity, Chris GETS it. Chris just understands Lorelai in a way that Luke never did or would.
Chris always seems to be the man that Lorelai goes back to, time and time again. Even after calling off her wedding to Luke, Christopher is the man she seeks immediate comfort with. Conversely, Chris always returns to Lorelai. She was always his, “One the Got Away.”
Christopher is also the man that the elusive Gilmore DOES marry. (Yes, I have just as many issues about their marriage as you, and that’s a WHOLE other topic. They did it wrong, but they did it.)
Those are my arguments as to why I’m totally a Team Christopher. I know that it’s a minority opinion. I expect to get a lot of hate comments when I say it. In this argument though, it’s really important to consider who Lorelai is, and who would ultimately help her to live the happiest life.
Opposites attract, sure. But a lifelong bond will always be hard to break.
—
Go ahead, Team Lukes. I won’t argue with you. ‘Shipping is different for everyone. These are just my humble opinions. I‘ve always felt that Christopher deserves a little love in a sea of Team Lukes.
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Christine Laskodi
Christine is guilty of watching Hart of Dixie more times than the average human will in their lifetime. She's the host of Long Live the Hart: A Hart of Dixie Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!) as well as co-host on The Shipping Room, a podcast devoted to television's greatest relationships. You can find some of her older television reviews at TV Fanatic and IGN. Christine eagerly anticipates every cheesy holiday movie that networks can throw at her, and current favorite shows include The Good Place, The Resident, Shark Tank, and All Rise.
55 comments
Excellent article, thank you! This sums up my feelings. I adore Luke, but I like him and Lorelai as best friends: romantically they were a bit off. Chris, however, really gets her.
Yes. You summed it all up in that one sentence! 🙂
Couldn’t agree with you more, I also felt Christopher was the better match for Lorelei. He understands her more – she stated so many times. I was quite upset with the show ending her up with Luke. Although Luke is a great honorable men, Chris is a better fit for Lorelei.
i know its really late but i agree with you – luke is always yelling and grumpy. chris is witty.
she is alwasy apologizing to luke. with chris its equal or more
chris’ growth was probably stunted then bec of the young parent and the fact that lorelie was forceful and DIDNT want to marry so he got thrown off and took him time to get his life together but thats a human thing.
it happens in this world
she may denounce her world but she likes it – she never tells chris not to spend money onher even though she
knows it came from the type of world she claims to dislike
she never tells rory to find her own apartment when logan moves to london but when logan lived with her for a bit she gripes.
i think she didnt marry max bec he pointed her selfishness out to her.
Completely agree. Team Christopher all the way. He gets her in a way no one else can. Hes her first love and the one she always goes back to. I never liked her with Luke. I think hes a great guy, just not for her, for her he dampens everything bright and amazing about her. Thanks for the article, it was fantastic!!!
Agree. Just watched the series for the first time now in 2022, and watching it as a binge, it is so evident Christopher and Lorelei were meant to be, each others best friends and partners, and the foreshadowing was evident. Out of nowhere as soon as April is gone (what a dumb storyline) Luke is back. Christopher would’ve done anything for Lorelei.
UNPOPULAR OPINION TIME: I actually think Jason would have been PERFECT for her, if she didn’t already have feelings for Luke while they dated. I know his story did not end well, but other than the backstabbing part (which was just the way to get him out of the picture) he was in her world, completely able to keep up with all her quips and wit, and he made her feel special.
I liked Digger! I actually felt bad for him, in the end. They just kind of sent him to the bathroom, and we never saw him again. I agree with you that he was a great counterpart for Lorelai. I wish we had seen him for a little longer, and more integrated into her life.
I admit that you have some clear and valid points and I understand your opinions and i’m not hating or anything but not gonna lie I’m team Luke because I always felt like in the earlier seasons, there was a little something there; Emily always thought they had feelings for each other, and Luke always hinted that Lorelai was the right person for him, and Lorelai chose Stars Hollow as part of his world, and Luke refuses to leave Stars Hollow; and he felt safe with her and I honestly couldn’t picture Luke with anyone else; and Luke was always just afraid of messing things up with Lorelai and he fought for her and he runs the diner that Lorelai goes to every. single. day. And to be fair he does serve the best coffee accordingly to Lorelai. Nice article though; I feel like being team christopher is a valid opinion.
I could NOT agree more! I’m totally Team Christopher!
I am Team Christopher! (so happy not to be alone). I just do not like how Luke treated Lorelai once April was in the picture. Plus she married Christopher and she was the reason that it did not workout. Lorelai should have taken her Mother’s advice. I agree if Luke and Lorelai are not married after 8 years then why are they still together?
I agree 100%… No chemistry with Luke. He said was always such a downer. Love love love Chrisropher and their relationship!!!
I agree, I thought I was alone in this. I think Luke is better suited as a friend. I’m looking forward to the four netflix mini movies, but I’m also dreading to see Lorelai end up with Luke, I just don’t think they are meant to be together.
Team Christopher all the way!!!
But still, in my opinion, the ending for their relationship felt… right. Think of it – it would have been very off for them to have the “happy ever after” ending! And the main reason is the same that kept them together all this time – Rory. He wasn’t there for them when she was growing up and he never forgave himself. And it seems like never did Lorelei.
They still were totally meant together and because of this to me, their relationship feels so sad and beautiful and special. They were meant together but the timing was wrong and they always knew it. And as much as I wanted them to end up together I totally agree with the ending, it feels very realistic.
I really don’t like Luke and Lorelai together, though. It should have stopped the first time they broke up. I mean it is fun and all, to have a crush on the guy you see every day, everybody in the town “ships” you, and it doesn’t really matter if you have nothing at all in common. You can flirt whatever you want, you can even go on a few dates, but that’s it. I can’t even imagine their day to day conversations. You can’t live your life of constant quarrels and disagreements.
Really am now thinking Digger would be a good husband for Lorelai. He is not as romantic and unreachable Prince Charming as Christopher, but he still is a better fit for Lorelei than Luke. He “gets” her, but he is also very much like her. This to me looks like the most real-life relationship of all.
Team Christopher all the way. Luke doesn’t fit and never did plus he kept April secret and was a complete ass. I’m late to GG and knowing the outcome I quit watching after she and Christopher got married. To me they ended up together and lived happily ever after having more kids. That’s it. I won’t watch beyond that cause I don’t want the scenes of their marriage ruined by images of what really happened.
I just watched this series and can’t even finish it after Christopher and Lorelai broke up. The show should have given them more time and they should have been end game. Luke was a good guy, but boring and grumpy. Christopher was just so perfect for her, plus I loved the way Emily said Christopher’s name.
I’ve always been team Christopher! Luke was a great friend but that’s it. Chris was always ready to marry Lorelai… She never wanted to do it because according to her he had some growing up to do but in all honesty, so did she… I agree with this article 100% !!!!!
I am totally Team Christopher! I always was. I agree with all you said.
And I remember about the trip’s weekend that Lorelai and Luke did with Rory and Logan. So clear that Luke was so unconfortable with everything. He’s so countrified. Lorelai will never be able to have a long relationship with him. They are too diferent. Too bad that Lorelai doesn’t want Cristopher how he wants her.
PS: I really would like to know why Luke never takes off his cap! I hate this!!! hehe
Completely agree! I love Christopher for her.
Team Christopher forever!
This is late, but I don’t care, haha 🙂
I totally agree with everything you said! I’m team Christopher too. My biggest beef with season 7 is the fact that the writers totally butchered Chris’s character for the sake of the (frankly bad) plot. I don’t blame Chris or Lorelai or Luke for what went down in season 7; I blame the writers. Sure, Chris makes dumb decisions (episode 100, anybody?), but his actions during the marriage/divorce went beyond that; the writers made him act totally out of character. So in my brain when I’m thinking about Chris vs. Luke, I kind of cut out a lot of season 7.
I also agree. Luke was just not enough to make Lorelai happy for the rest of her life. She read books and watched movies and loved music. And Luke, just seemed to have zero interests in anything other than his lame diner. Too real. Luke was too bland for Lorelai’s colorful world. She’s the sort of person who seeks adventure and fun, and he’s the sort who avoids adventure and doesn’t even know what fun means. He had the baseball cap because it’s his character trait…boring, also his hairline was receding. I just thought Lorelai and Christopher knew how to go around tough problems and resolve things between one another. Luke had a short temper and anti social tendencies, which I know they used to make him seem tough and macho but honestly, I always thought he had a psychopathic look to him. You donmt like the town’s traditions, then move away!!!!!! Rant over.
I totally get everything that this article is saying. I do agree on some points but not all. Luke and Lorelai are like Jay and Gloria from Modern Family. They complement each other. Lorelai is all color and sparkles and Luke is grey and blue. But when you put them together, without Luke, Lorelai would just dream endlessly and be up in her world of fantasy and movie references whilst Luke, without Lorelai, would never get off the ground, would never dream or do anything. Lorelai was always the one pushing for change, while Luke just wanted her and did anything she wanted because for him, the important part was her happiness. Lorelai was the one who wanted to paint the Diner and the one who proposed and the one who said no to the Twickham house and Luke let the Twickham house go because her happiness was more important.
I think Christopher prioritized his own happiness. He wanted to be with Lorelai because it would make him happy, he never thought about how unhappy Lorelai would be or whether she was over Luke. He didnt ask her to marry him, he demanded it. Because they were single at the same time. Well, yeah, but she had just been engaged and he had been single for a long time. He never wondered if Lorelai was happy with Luke, he just knew that Emily said he was a better choice and he believed it and so tried to break them up.
They do come from the same world but I would argue that being basically the same person does not qualify you to spend your lives together. Christopher did a lot of things to make Lorelai happy but never where it counted. Luke wasnt in April‘s life because he didnt know about her, but the minute he found out he got involved. Christopher knew about Rory for sixteen years and wasnt a fixed presence. Some would argue that Christopher was a kid and Luke an adult but even Liz said that Luke was a serious monogamist growing up. Those are character traits.
Anyyyyway, I do think Christopher deserves a bit of compassion. He wasnt a bad guy. He was selfish and impulsive (just like Lorelai) but he doesnt have a Luke to ground him. I do hope he isnt single in the revival and maybe he is with a girl a bit like Luke :P.
I love this. Beautifully said.
OMG totally Team Christopher and I loved this article, you articulated everything I feel so well.
I’ve always loved Christopher too!! I completely agree with everything you said! I had a hard time watching the 4 episodes because lorelai’s life seemed so depressing with luke. In my mind, her and Chris are happily married 🙂
Yeah I totally wanted Chris and Lorelai to end up together, I mean Lorelai always somehow ended up running back to Christopher. It’s so annoying how they made it seem like Lorelai didn’t have true feelings for Christopher in season 7 when in reality Lorelai would drop everything to be with Chris in the other seasons… Rory even got in a fight with her dad because she felt whenever he was around Lorelai would loose herself… doesn’t that mean something? Obviously Lorelai always had those feelings for Christopher and to make it seem like they didn’t have that chemistry in season 7 is dumb. Lorelai knew Luke for so long yet they didn’t start having true feelings for each other till later on… come on.. she didn’t even notice him in the first seasons … I personally think they should have just been really good friends I like luke but he doesn’t seem like a good fit for Lorelai … ok I’m done with my long rant
Team Christopher! haha
Team Christopher!!!
Team Christopher too. Luke and Lorelei – friends only…
Luke is an incredibly boring character! He has zero interests, no social skills and he’s balding… charming lol. And on top of that he didn’t treat the girl of his dreams right. Think about it – he broke up with Lorelai because he got insecure in Christopher’s presence, he didn’t tell her about his daughter, he didn’t want to have a kid with her nor to marry her… all is just beyond dumb. Lorelai is so great and entertaining and it’s a pity that her romantic life is a pathetic disaster due to stupidity of the show’s creators. She absolutely should have been together with Chris – the handsome, witty and loving guy who always wanted to marry her and the way the screenwriters made him act when they were married is completely unrealistic and illogical, as well as when he told Lorelai that Emily think they should be together. He knows better! He knows that would turn Lorelai away from him. That’s so not him! Would have been so much more interesting to watch Chris’s character grow, mature and fix his mistakes throughout the show instead of watching a bland diner guy do all sorts of moronic things and still end up together with a gorgeous woman. This just wouldn’t happen in real life. Anyway, the romantic aspect of the show is quite disappointing. As well as Rory’s character by the way, but that’s a totally different rant. Go Team Christopher!
Totally agree; even year later 😀
Super late comment here, but happy to find out I’m not alone, haha. Even after watching the reunion I feel like Luke and Lorelei don’t really belong together, but that’s a totally different discussion. Luke even entertaining the idea of surrogacy, oh puh-leeze!
I SO agree! I think on some level, Lorelai is more attracted to Luke because he has nothing to do w/ her world of privileges. She connects w/ him because he’s a simple, hard working guy who earned everything he’s got, unlike Chris. That being said, I find truth in Dean’s (bitter) comment about Luke and him not being quite enough. Even though Luke’s basically the bigger person, I find Chris much more charming and interesting as a whole. Lor doesn’t feel as safe w/ Chris as she does w/ Luke and that’s understandable, but that’s about it. She even tried to turn Luke into a more sophisticated man that wears different clothes, reads different books… He gave up on her two times because he realised he doesn’t belong in her world and I personally think that is the case.
At first reading this I was ready to protest but further reading it I see the points you came up with make so much sense and it’s so well written and now I’m questioning everything
Late to the party but after rewatching the show (I had been a fan until Jess came on but that’s another topic) I’m all about Christopher. I like Luke’s character but don’t think him and Lorelai had any romantic chemistry. I loved their earlier banter and would have liked them as friends. Did not like the way part of last season was written. Much felt like out of character for Lorelai. In my mind Lorelai and Christopher stay married and they live happily ever after. The End.
Agree. Was wondering if anyone else felt the same way. Unlike most people though I don’t even find Luke’s character likeable and not for something as superficial as a hair line. I feel like he mostly behaves like a spoilsport and isn’t gracious enough to engage in any sort of fun; I didn’t really see him and Lorelai enjoy any activity together. I also feel he behaves pretty abominably with Lorelai insisting that she keep no secrets and then proceeds to do just that. I can’t imagine what life with a person like him would be like especially for someone like Lorelai. He does present the stability of a rock but if it’s just that, it can’t be fun to spend one’s life with a rock.
I agree with some points and think it’s a valid opinion to think Christopher is right for Lorelai but, I honestly have the popular opinion of being Team Luke because of many reasons. First of all because he makes her the coffee at the diner she goes to everyday, and that I felt like they always had a slight bit of chemistry, and Luke seemed sad to not be with Lorelai, and Luke felt like Lorelai was right for him and everyone always felt like there was something going on with them; like the town, Emily, and even Rachel. And as I see it; he was scared to mess things up, and didn’t come right out and say things, but he showed it, and fought for her when he needed to; and lorelai loves the town of Stars Hollow. And although Lorelai has always gone to Christopher in times of need; Lorelai had admitted that she didn’t really love anyone before Luke; and they ended up together in the end to be fair; but I still seriously am questioning all my opinions because of this article and feel like i’m wrong about things.
I cannot agree more with you. My heart broke everytime Chris and Lorelai separated. Luke and Lorelai just never clicked for me.
Yes yes yes! Chris will forever be her soulmate! I was so upset how the new writers messed up their relationship but even Any had said that the new writers messed everything up to the point of bo return so I think Chris and Lorelai could’ve been together had Amy still been the writer when it ended. He totally got her. I always felt like she was just compromising too much being with Luke. He didn’t deserve her, not as much as Chris did. I think Amy was the writer when he didn’t tell her about April. That to me is unforgivable.
Sorry I’m late on this…I just started watching Gilmore Girls. Although Christopher is good for her, I think we all know that the person who’s “good for us” isn’t the one we fall for, for various reasons–ESPECIALLY if they fit well into a world we never felt like we fit in. Although I think Luke is the right person for Lorelai…the writers screwed it up in Season 6. The way he behaved on that beach trip was just UNACCEPTABLE. He was a surly, grouchy jerk…and the way he cut Lorelai out of his life once his daughter came around was not the “Luke” we all liked earlier on. The Luke who showed up in Season 7, Episode 1, ready to finally marry her, was not the Luke from Seasons 1-5. I think Lorelai belongs with Luke, but not the Luke she was engaged to. I get that it’s boring to see two people happy with no obstacles, but you can put obstacles in there without making a character who was once likable completely unlikable. And her sleeping with Christopher was just ridiculous. I think the writers messed up somewhere around Season 6, then eventually found their way back around. Eventually.
I just started watching Gilmore Girls only a few months ago. There is no doubt in my mind that Chris and Lorelai belong together. The chemistry between them is so palpable, and they do channel that chemistry in such a wonderful and loving way. The week of sookie’s wedding, ( rehearsal dinner and wedding)
Chris and Lorelai have never looked so happy, even her Mom Emily talking to her daughter that same afternoon was radiantly smiling, I had never seen such a sweet moment between these two.
So, for me, when they get married on season 7, which was the right thing to do, they will live happily ever after. I see them having more children,
working to repair her relationship with her parents, and at the end of the day it is her world.
So yes, I am on TEAM CHRISTOPHER……
Team Chris all the way! He has always been the perfect match for Loralei in my eyes. The attraction that Lorelai and Luke had with one another seemed nothing more than physical. They just have way different personalities, interests and love languages. I just don’t ship them as a couple. So again, team Chris for so many reasons!
I SO AGREEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!
Team Christopher forever !
I really thought I was alone at first lol 😂
Team Luke all the way! Can’t you guys see that Lorelai has never loved anyone more than Luke? For example when Nicole came Lorelai was always so jealous about her and Luke but never realized why. He is the one that she loves for real, not just a teenage romance! Team LUKE!
I soooo agree with this article.
Initially I was team Luke and thought Chris was immature for Lorelai and not dependent and Luke was someone she depends on for a lot of things. I changed my mind when Luke just turned on Lorelai during the vow renewal. I mean just because Chris was spouting all these nonsense he walks away and not fight for Lorelai after waiting for her for 8 years?! Didn’t he know during those 8 yrs he’s been pining that the family will be part of the package? I get when he got the initial shock and all that and want to think about it first but the fact he didn’t have the guts to fight for her and just become a grump that takes it out to his customers was just annoying. It took Emily going to the diner and telling hom she wont interfere for him to have the balls to try again? Yeah I wasn’t pro-Luke anymore. Then add in what he did to Lorelai once April came to the picture and how he again doesnt have the guts to ask Lorelai to give him time with April but just pushed Lorelai on the side and made sure she’s excluded really nailed it for me that he’s not really the right one for Lorelai. They’re problem was: communication. Next would be Luke’s self righteousness. Don’t get me wrong, Luke is not a bad character at all but just the combination of how he preaches things he cant follow and not communicating his feelings well, makes me not a Luke-Lorelai fan anymore.
With Christopher, I love that his character grew up during the show from being the irresponsible motorcycle-riding guy who cant buy the encyclopedia dad to the volvo riding guy having a stable job and was able to handle being a single dad. He was a progressive character. I also love how at the start he’s dependent on Lorelai emotionally and understand why Lorelai said that he’s not ready to take them on. During S7, you can see that Chris is dependable now and Lorelai do depend on him that time and he was even patient enough to take things slow for her. That’s why I hate how things developed during that time and the how the storyline got screwed but it makes sense in some ways especially in how they develop in the flow of the storyline. Chris didn’t have a shot at all.
In all honesty, even if Lorelai didn’t end up with Chris, I still prefer he didnt end up with Luke. I wish a new character would’ve just emerged that’s perfect for her. With the back and forth with both guys, maybe ending up with someone without any history with her may make her life happier 🙂
This comment is 5 years late but I really do agree with this article overall. I’ve never been able to get into Luke/Lorelai despite all the arguments I’ve read in their favour, and after the last couple of rewatches I figured out why: Luke is kind of a miserable person.
Luke is rude, grumpy, and negative about most things in life, and while that works well within the context of this crazy little town, when it comes to his relationship with Lorelai it’s a major drag. For example, the Valentine’s day episode in season 6: he finds a way to complain about literally everything about their little trip to Martha’s Vineyard despite Lorelai clearly wanting to enjoy herself (who wouldn’t?) with him. It took Logan cooking him some great lobster to get him to stop being a stick in the mud. As you pointed out in the article, he looks down on all her pop culture hobbies and can never contribute. Lorelai summed him up quite accurately (even though she was partly joking) when she said “I can vouch for this man. He’s basically a hermit, and happy to be one. All he likes is fishing and watching baseball, he’s got a reel and a TV, so he’s all set. So when he says he wants nothing, I know he means it, because when I think of Luke Danes, I think nothing.” THIS is what Lorelai signs up for?
Luke also made Lorelai feel pretty terrible about herself throughout season 6. Not only did he lie to her about April, but by keeping Lorelai hidden away from April as if she was a problem made Lorelai feel like crap–and worse, she felt like to be a good fiancée, she had to keep her mouth shut about it and just be supportive. Lorelai felt like she had to change who she was to be there for him. And this is contrasted in season 7 when Lorelai has an issue with Christopher’s decision about Gigi, and she realizes she’s making herself meek and quiet again but for no reason, because it’s Chris and not Luke; so she speaks out, they have a fight about it, and then Chris realizes Lorelai has a point.
And that leads me into why Christopher works well with Lorelai. They have *fun* together, constantly. They light up around each other. He gets her jokes, she gets his. He’s the only one that can keep up with Rory and Lorelai as if he’s one of them (compared to Luke who usually just stared at them as if they were insane before making some grumpy comment like “burgers coming right up”). They also fundamentally understand each other (having one foot in high society, and one foot out; their drama with their parents; and of course, the Rory of it all). Basically, Chris is on Lorelai’s level.
Yes, overall Luke is a more reliable person than Chris. Luke was there for her when Richard was in the hospital while Chris was notably absent. But that’s something Chris can work on; Luke needs an entirely new personality.
Finally someone that gets me! I thought I was the only one in Team Chris 🙂 they were so much better together, Luke was a good man but Chris was a better fit for her AND way more handsome if I may add 🙂
I was and will always be team Christopher. They had fantastic chemistry and never missed a beat with one another. They new each other like they new their own selves. They were never boring, and they just fit in every way. I was never convinced that Lorelai and Luke were anything more than good friends. They were so mismatched, and when they finally got together Luke was a jerk to her in a lot of ways. Christopher has his issues, but he straightened out and I loved when he and Lorelai finally got married. Of course by then the narrative was that Lorelai would always be in love with Luke even though we had seen she had been in love with Christopher virtually all her life.
Totally agree! I rewatched the show for the fifth time recently, just to suddenly realized that the dialogue which Lorelai said to Christopher when they separated, was totally the same words she said about Max! “I want to want you.” What the hell was that?! It felt so flash-back when I heard Lorelai said that. I wish I have never realized how awkward it was and I could still be a happy team Luke.
Super late entry, but I just rewatched Gilmore Girls and I couldn’t agree more. Love Christopher, I wish they would have stayed together. AYITL shows Lorelai still not married to Luke. Chris always made more sensed!
I am completely baffled about how could anyone root for that weak, spineless weasel of a human being aka Christopher. The only thing he has going for him is l that he’s entertaining, otherwise as a person he’s literally horrible. Horrible boyfriend, horrible father, really bad husband. The only thing Luke has really done wrong was April, and that was so forced by the writers that it’s completely out of character for him. Still thr main point of this comment is that Christopher is a cancerous snake.
Team Christopher! Even in 2023!
I couldn’t agree more, thank you for the great post!
I would choose Christopher as well. They had so much chemistry and I could really feel that they loved and cared about each other. He definitely has made mistakes not being there while Rory was growing up. When Lorelai rejects his original proposal it’s because she’s afraid that he only proposed because she is pregnant. He should have let het now that without a doubt he wants her and even if she wasn’t pregnant he would want to marry her. He should have stuck around to prove that to her and they could have gotten married at least after they graduated. I also believe that their marriage didn’t last because when they finally did get married it was after they had broken up. People can’t just rush to get married regardless of how long they know each other. After a break up they have to date again for a while before they tie the knot. They should have dated properly. Then he should propose after they have been dating for a while. Then she can accept whole heartedly, without any doubt in her mind. They can plan a real wedding with friends and relatives. No one should have been left out, especially not Rory.
I am so glad I found this article! Well written and I couldn’t agree more! What I love about these comments is other people felt the way I did….I thought I was SO alone! I have watched this show more times than a human being should and I always come back to the same conclusion….Christopher was the one!
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