Being late to the Gilmore Girls party, as I watched it for the first time when it hit Netflix a while back, and I have to talk about something. Forget Jess vs. Dean vs. Logan (team Logan all the way), what about Luke vs. Christopher? I’m positive that the Luke vs. Christopher debate is one that has occurred multiple times before. In fact, I’ll bet if you scoured the depth of the internet you’d find countless debates spread across LiveJournal or MySpace blogs from fans who actually watched the show while it was on air… But, with the recent announcement that Gilmore Girls will be revived by Netflix for four lovely 90-minute episodes to wrap up what was kind of left hanging previously, I’ve had the time to do some thinking.
I’ll also admit going forward that this isn’t the first time a television show has caused me a kind of existential crisis, and it probably wont be the last, but I’m not even ashamed. Like any other art form, it’s supposed to make you think, isn’t it?
Luke vs. Chrisopher
It only takes a few episodes of Gilmore Girls, long before Luke kisses Lorelei that first night at the Dragonfly, to know that Luke and Lorelei are fated. Even watching through the years and various other women (Rachel, Nicole, etc.) or the guys that Lorelei finds out are all wrong (Max, Jason, Peyton, etc.); you spend a good amount of time watching the tension between the two and longing for the moment that they finally come together. Come together they do-in a typical Gilmore Girls style chaotic way that leads to Lorelei being happier than she’s ever been, and subsequently experiencing the biggest heartbreak she’s ever experienced. Twice.
I mean, I was a Luke supporter from day one. Heartbreak or no, I had no doubt that Luke was it-a sentiment that Lorelei seems to share. I mean, he built her an ice-skating rink just to make sure she didn’t stop finding joy in Winter.
But all the while there’s this guy, Christopher, who’s the father of her daughter and who’s been in her life-and even though you love Luke (or at least I did) from the start, you watch how Christopher is with her and you wonder what it would have been like if they ended up together. Then they do, and it feels all wrong because it’s Luke, it’s supposed to be Luke! Oh but Christopher loves her… She just doesn’t love him back the same because Luke has her heart.
I hadn’t ever even thought twice about who she was meant to be with, like I said-I was team Luke all the way and had no idea that there was even a debate about it. Then, I somehow ended up in a conversation with a friend of mine who told me she didn’t like Gilmore Girls at all, and she went off on a rant about how Lorelei should have chosen Christopher and stayed with him, etc. I looked at her like she was nuts-no, it’s Luke. Lorelei is meant to be with Luke; so I brushed off her ramblings as that of a crazy person and went about my business.
But then I decided to watch Gilmore Girls again to prepare for the new season. I’ve been putting it on in the evenings when I need to relax or fall asleep to something comforting. Somehow, my friend’s words have wriggled their way into my brain because I’m watching the whole thing again and thinking-was I wrong? Was Christopher actually the better choice? Should Lorelai have chosen the man who inevitably became the more stable choice?
I think this realization came to me when I was listening to the show, and Christopher tells Lorelei that his ex wants his daughter to go to Paris, and she’s surprised that he told her because she had just come out of this messy situation with Luke where he hid his newly-found daughter from her for two or more months. Something that happened in exactly the next episode after he had made Lorelei swear they’d have no secrets between them. When she states her surprise to Christopher, he says “Isn’t this the way these grown-up relationships are supposed to work?”
Let’s face it, he may have started out as the flaky dad on the motorcycle, but by the time they get together Chris really has his life in order. He has a good job, an apartment, he’s doing the single dad thing and including Lorelai in the decision making, and nearly everything he does with Lorelei is grown up and incredibly mature. Unfortunately, Luke’s life is a mess, and he keeps mucking it up even worse.
Even after writing what I wrote above and re-reading it, in my heart-it’s still Luke. Luke is without a doubt the love of Lorelai’s life-and my heart would not have been happy with the show had they ended it with her and Christopher.
But What Does That Say About Me?
All of this overthinking regarding these fictional characters isn’t just because I’m obsessed with the show, but rather I think it comes back to an internal debate I’ve had with myself for years. Am I incapable of choosing the stable guy? Do I always have to go for the “bad boy with a heart of gold who’s life is a complete and utter mess“? Do I still have that savior complex I told myself I shucked years ago?
I mean look at my dating history… Even the nice guys I date are often too damaged to be anything real with me. Look how long I have tried with Yoshi, over and over again-he has such a good heart but he’s just not ready for anything, and wont be for a very long time. No matter how much you want someone, if they’re too broken or your timing just doesn’t match up no matter what you do, you have to let them go and move on eventually. There’s only so much you can try for so long, especially if you’re the only one fighting for it. They have their own demons to battle, and sometimes you just have to let go and let them do it without you, or you’ll be trampled under the weight of it all.
I guess the first step in fixing a problem is recognizing it right? Or maybe I’m just seriously overthinking the love life of fictional characters to distract myself from the fact that mine sucks. Here’s to some healthy relationships in my future.
Anyway, I’m still all for Luke, I can’t help it. I can back it up a little bit with the fact that I just can’t forgive Christopher for not showing up when Lorelai’s father was in the hospital, or the fact that he disappeared instead of facing the problem when they had a fight over him accusing her of wanting to be with Luke instead. I hope the new series brings some good stability to Luke and Lorelai, and that it bring us viewers some closure. I’m SO excited for it.
What do you think?
Luke or Christopher?
I’m Luke all the way! Christopher may have his financial life together but he is far from “together” in an adult sense. As far as Luke is concerned, he got dumped with all of these huge life things and handled it poorly. Even the most stable and functional adult can react that way in a similar circumstance. 🙂 (Also, I think your choice in guys might say more about your readiness to “settle down” than theirs. You are probably subconsciously choosing them to prevent finding that “it” guy because you aren’t ready right now, for whatever reason. I wouldn’t let it stress you too much.)
I’m Luke all the way! Christopher may have his financial life together but he is far from “together” in an adult sense. As far as Luke is concerned, he got dumped with all of these huge life things and handled it poorly. Even the most stable and functional adult can react that way in a similar circumstance. 🙂 (Also, I think your choice in guys might say more about your readiness to “settle down” than theirs. You are probably subconsciously choosing them to prevent finding that “it” guy because you aren’t ready right now, for whatever reason. I wouldn’t let it stress you too much.)
Yeah, it bugged me that he just ran off and didn’t respond to any of her texts like a baby.
I just keep trying to settle down with all the wrong guys, but even when I think a guy is different he ends up not being that different. UGH.
I was with you, watching fairly recently on Netflix and I was 100% team Luke. Still am, though I definitely get the argument. But love doesn’t need to be about stability all the time.
Yeah, i guess that’s true.
I watched from day one and I am team Luke all the way girl – cgaarder12
I love Luke!
Ugh – I am totally team Luke. I just HATED that he hid his daughter from her and messed things up so badly. Aside from that – Luke was always there for her and it was perfect. Sigh.
Yeah, exactly.
I’m a Luke fan for sure!
Me too, in spite of it all. lol
I’m rewatching all the seasons on Netflix right now and I just love the chemistry between Luke ad Lorelai. I think they were fated to be together and Lorelai and Christopher were fated to just never be able to work out.
(I also thought the whole thing with Luke’s daughter April was a really stupid storyline.)
Yes, I hate that storyline so much too. It’s such a good show.
Just the fact that I have to think about this dilemma again is awesome. I was so sorry to see Gilmore Girls go.
It is such a good show!
See, while I’m a huge Luke fan, I don’t really think she was ever head over heels for him. Even before they officially dated, she had LOTS of chances to be with Luke and totally blew him off. I always felt like she connected better with Christopher. She messed up relationships with both Luke AND Max because she wanted to be with him!!
Hmmm, maybe! But then she messed it up with Christ because she loves Luke… So who knows.
See, while I’m a huge Luke fan, I don’t really think she was ever head over heels for him. Even before they officially dated, she had LOTS of chances to be with Luke and totally blew him off. I always felt like she connected better with Christopher. She messed up relationships with both Luke AND Max because she wanted to be with him!!
I have never seen this show, so I have to admit that I was a little lost. I am glad you like the show, though 🙂
It’s such a great show, you should totally check it out.
I’m re-watching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time and agree with everything you say! I’m actually at the part where Luke finds out about his daughter… and him hiding it from Lorelei really bothers me, especially since they’d just had the talk about no secrets. I do want them to be together, and hopefully they’ll get it right this time!
Right? That part makes me so angry! It was right after he made her promise and then he pulls that. Grrr!
I’m team Luke for sure. I was so heartbroken when they broke up, even though the ending was already spoiled for me. Christopher had his chance MANY times and he never stepped up. I know Luke wasn’t honest with Lorelei, and that’s a big no-no, but he’s only human and him finding out he had a daughter was a BIG deal.
Yeah, that’s true too. That would kind of rock your world.
I really need to watch this show! I started the 1st episode a few months ago and then never picked it back up! I am way out of the loop here!
You should! It’s soooo good. I’m way too invested haha.
Team Luke 5EVER! Actually, I like Luke enough, but I really just did not like Christopher. Their whole relationship was messy and confusing, and I never connected as a view.
-Warren, Blog to Taste
Yes! Luke is wonderful. 🙂 Christopher is quite a bit flighty I think.
I watched almost from the beginning – I’m totally team Luke.
Luke definitely has the majority vote around here.
hum… I love “bad boys” too but I’m team Luke since the beginning, sorry but he is the ONE for her! 🙂
So excited to see how they lifes are going, I’m a huge fan of Gilmore Girls. Actually (in my opinion) there isn’t a discussion about who is with Lorelay (It should be Luke, yes or yes! haha) but with Rory? She left the village and I loved Jess as he was so “bad-good boy” and they made a lovely couple… I’m excited to see if she is with him or someonelse!
I don’t know how I arrived to your blog, surfing by internet…but I love it! here you have a new follower… definitely! 🙂
looking foward to read your new posts!
xx from Barcelona!
hum… I love “bad boys” too but I’m team Luke since the beginning, sorry but he is the ONE for her! 🙂
So excited to see how they lifes are going, I’m a huge fan of Gilmore Girls. Actually (in my opinion) there isn’t a discussion about who is with Lorelay (It should be Luke, yes or yes! haha) but with Rory? She left the village and I loved Jess as he was so “bad-good boy” and they made a lovely couple… I’m excited to see if she is with him or someonelse!
I don’t know how I arrived to your blog, surfing by internet…but I love it! here you have a new follower… definitely! 🙂
looking foward to read your new posts!
xx from Barcelona!
Aw thank you! Welcome! So excited to make a new friend from a far off place, especially one that has such good taste! 😉
I have never seen the Gilmore Girls show. I might be lost if I start watchng now lol.
I have never seen the Gilmore Girls show. I might be lost if I start watchng now lol.
Nah, it’s all on Netflix so you could totally start right from the beginning (which I recommend).
I haven’t watched Gilmore Girls in forever but I was always #TeamLuke!! LOL!!
He’s just so fine, and a man who cooks? Swoon!
I haven’t watched Gilmore Girls in forever but I was always #TeamLuke!! LOL!!
It was such a great series while it was on air. Looking forward to the new season to start! Team Luke all the way. Christopher was always flaking out or getting cold feet!
Yes, that’s a good point!
Yes, that’s a good point!
Team Luke, all the way!
Yeah, in spite of all this-I still am too! Haha
Yeah, in spite of all this-I still am too! Haha
My Daughter and i are going to start watching Gilmore Girls this weekend. It looks like a great show. Me missed out on it when it was on the air.
Oh you should! It’s so fun!
Oh you should! It’s so fun!
Team Luke all the way too! I cannot even believe there’s a question about this. It has to be Luke.
Yeah I love Luke too, but he did some messed up things there after making her promise not to do just that.
Yeah I love Luke too, but he did some messed up things there after making her promise not to do just that.
Wow, I haven’t seen this show in ages! It’s great when you can find a great addiction and stick with it!
So true. It’s such a good show.
So true. It’s such a good show.
I have to start on this from the very beginning but I can’t help it I’ve watched several ep. lately. Woohoo for Team Luke!
I LOVE Gilmore Girls. I am team Luke all the way. He is a kind, loving and just over all good man. He loves Lorelai so much and you see it in every episode. Christopher and Lorelai have history, but we all just have to be honest. Christopher just can’t compete with Luke.
I’m not really sure who to vote for lol. I have never seen this show before but it sounds fun.
I love , love , love Gilmore Girls and have watched it at least 4 times now. I am so excited for the revamp and patiently awaiting.
Team Luke all the way! If the writers hadn’t changed in the final season I’m sure it would have gone this way.
So, I’m a HUGE Gilmore Girls fan. I watch the entire series every winter when I make holiday cookies, so I totally get re-watching the series to prepare for the new episodes! I’m also fully in the Luke camp. For me, it all boils down to how Christopher repeatedly abandoned Loreli and Rory – first when Rory was a baby. Then when he got his girlfriend pregnant. Then when he didn’t show up at the hospital. I also feel like Christopher is selfish. It’s always about how he feels. But, I do have to say that I’m definitely not in the Logan camp. Rory belongs with Jess!! (Logan and Jess will both be back for the new series, so hopefully they’ll be closure about it 🙂
So, I’m a HUGE Gilmore Girls fan. I watch the entire series every winter when I make holiday cookies, so I totally get re-watching the series to prepare for the new episodes! I’m also fully in the Luke camp. For me, it all boils down to how Christopher repeatedly abandoned Loreli and Rory – first when Rory was a baby. Then when he got his girlfriend pregnant. Then when he didn’t show up at the hospital. I also feel like Christopher is selfish. It’s always about how he feels. But, I do have to say that I’m definitely not in the Logan camp. Rory belongs with Jess!! (Logan and Jess will both be back for the new series, so hopefully they’ll be closure about it 🙂
I used to watch it long ago but now I don’t have time to so thanks for filling me in. 😉
I used to watch it long ago but now I don’t have time to so thanks for filling me in. 😉
I also watched once it came to netflix and I honestly had the same debate. At one time I was even convinced it was ALL CHRIS she was supposed to be with, while my husband was all Luke. I can see both sides, but there was something about the love that Luke had for her that made me swoon.
I also watched once it came to netflix and I honestly had the same debate. At one time I was even convinced it was ALL CHRIS she was supposed to be with, while my husband was all Luke. I can see both sides, but there was something about the love that Luke had for her that made me swoon.
Hehehehehe I don’t know how it’s possible, but I have never watched this show! People love it though so I’m totally the one missing out!
Hehehehehe I don’t know how it’s possible, but I have never watched this show! People love it though so I’m totally the one missing out!
My mom LOVES this show but I haven’t even seen 1 episode of it. I need to check it out on Netflix tonight, you have me totally intrigued. I am having a whirlwind of a “love life” and I think I could possibly relate to these characters.
I am in the middle of rewatching Gilmore Girls too! I always wonder how it would’ve been if she ended up with Christopher as well…
I have officially added Gilmore Girls to my list on Netflix!
I’m all Luke too. haha TV shows would be incredibly boring, if the girl always went for the stable, nice guy. I need to watch it again. I’m really excited for the new season. 🙂
I remember watching this but was not able to continue following the series. I will definitely start to watch it again, time to rearrange my daily routine.