by Stacey A. Smith

Created on: June 22, 2010   Last Updated: June 24, 2010

Gilmore Girls is a delightful television drama that ran the course of seven seasons from 200-2007. The show focused on the lives of a single mother, her daughter and the ups and downs that life held for them.

The show was very character-driven, ranging from those characters deep-set in tradition to the wacky towns folk that inhabit Stars Hollow, the backdrop of the series.

Lorelai Gilmore – Beautiful and quirky, she got pregnant at age sixteen. She choose to leave her over-bearing parents and their traditional lifestyle to raise her daughter on her own. A good mother, she provided a stable, yet untraditional home to raise Rory, her daughter. The result being one of the closest mother-daughter relationships on television.

Rory Gilmore - Brilliant and savvy, she grew up having goals and dreams that she planned on achieving. With no father figure to grow up with, that lack of a male relationship to lead her down the path of unlucky love. As she grew into her teens, Lorelai and Rory merged into a good relationship mixed with friendship and mothering. Those lines sometimes blurred but for most of the series, Rory counts on Lorelai to always be there for her. At times, Rory can seem to act more of an adult than Lorelai but all in all, the dynamic works.

Richard & Emily Gilmore - Lorelai's parents only ever wanted the best for her, but were misguided at their attempts. Very traditional, they only became a part of Rory's life when they lent Lorelai money to fund Rory's school education at a prestigious private school. They tend to be manipulative but their heart is always in the right place.

Sookie St James - Lorelai's best friend and business partner is as quirky as they come. A masterful chef, she is clumsy and forgetful. She was there all through Rory's younger years to help Lorelai and really earned the title best friend. She marries the produce guy Jackson and goes on to raise a successful family of her own, setting a good example for a positive family life.

Lane Kim - Rory's best friend and resident rocker, Lane was raised super-strict in a Korean Catholic household. Her mother, Ms Kim softened as the years worn on but there were several early years of Lane hiding her passion for music from her. Lorelai and Rory were there to help whenever they could and Lane always looked up to Lorelai as a surrogate mom. She marries the lead guitarist in the band and goes on to raise twin boys.

The men of Rory & Loralai - Their relationships start and end with Luke Danes, local diner owner. A part of their daily lives, he is always there for Loralai when she needs him. But it isn't until several seasons in that they realize their feelings and begin a successful relationship, things do not last due to Christopher, Rory's father. He has always been at the back of Lorelai's mind as the man she always turns back to. After finally marrying, they both realize that it was never meant to be. As the series ends, it is hinted that Luke was always the one for Lorelai and that they might finally get things right. Luke is Uncle to bad boy in town, Jess. He arrives in town just in time to break up Rory and her first love, Dean. Dean was a gentle, perfect first boyfriend to Rory. Years after turning to Jess, she realizes how she took advantage of Dean's love for her and turns back to him, although he is married. Alas, timing is wrong, even though they are right for each other and Dean breaks it off with Rory, intimidated by her college life. Rory moves on to rich boy, Logan. They have a tumulus relationship at best and the series ends with Rory single and ready to move on with her life.

Gilmore Girls has a wide variety of characters that offer amusement to this well written show.

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