If you've seen even one episode of Gilmore Girls, you may not think of Emily Gilmore as a warm as fuzzy woman. She comes off harsh and a bit demanding at times but that is part of what makes her who she is. Her tendency to be fierce, direct and demanding is also part of how she expresses her love. She may not always handle things in the best way but her actions are always done in love and because it's what she thinks is best for those she cares for. Every once in a while she got it right. Here are four of her most touching moments throughout the original Gilmore Girls series.
1. When she comforts Rory after a disastrous dinner with Jess.
During the third season after much anticipation, Rory finally begins dating Jess. During their relationship, Emily hounds Rory enough to get Jess invited for dinner so the two can meet. Of course, in typical season three Jess format, nothing goes smoothly. He shows up late with a black eye. He and Rory bicker at the dinner table and he ends up leaving early without so much as a goodbye to Mrs. Gilmore. Instead of lecturing Rory on her new beau's behavior, Emily simply brushes it off and comforts her granddaughter with food and fun conversation. (Though she does eventually tear into Lorelai about it but that's a story for another listicle.) Her ability to put her own annoyance aside to comfort her granddaughter is just one of the many times you see how deep Emily's love for Rory runs.
2. When she defends Rory to the Huntzbergers.
Though Rory came from a good family, she still wasn't good enough for Logan's parents and they made that abundantly clear upon meeting her. When Rory goes to dinner at the Huntzberger's, they openly discuss how she isn't the type of girl Logan needs to marry. Lorelai is the first to learn about this and tries to tell Richard and Emily just how awful they were. Unfortunately it takes them a while to finally believe her. But when they do, believe me, the reaction is priceless. Emily waltzes over to the table where Shira Huntzberger, Logan's mom, is seated and discretely tears her down with a smile on her face the entire time. This scene not only showed how much of a badass Emily Gilmore is, it was also yet another example of how far she would go in the name of her love of Rory.
3. When she buys Lorelai a house.
Late in season 6, Emily and Richard begin scaring the life out of Lorelai by looking in Stars Hollow for a home. Lorelei does everything in her power to stop her parents from buying in her town, making up all sorts of awful lies about the town to discourage them. Later, after Emily has corrective surgery on her eyes, Lorelai ends up driving her all around town for her errands. Their last stop is a meeting with Emily's realtor where Emily shows Lorelai the home she has chosen. She then goes on to tell Lorelai that the house is to be a wedding gift for her and Luke. Then she explains to Lorelai why she chose the house. She chose a home close enough to the town's border that she could legally change the address so she would technically live in Stars Hollow. She choose a home with enough rooms that she and Luke would be able to have space if they wanted more children. She also picked a place with enough land that Lorelai could have horses if she wanted. The entire scene is so sweet and heartwarming but also heartbreaking because in this scene Lorelai finally says aloud when she had been thinking: that she and Luke may not actually get married. However, the thought that Emily put into this house search just shows how deep her love for her daughter is and adds some warmth to their relationship.
4. When she demands that she go first.
You know I couldn't finish this list off without mentioning this heartwarming scene. After a serious scare with Richard having a heart attack, Emily seems to have it all under control. She is making sure her husband is taken care of. However, when they are finally alone she beings to unravel a bit as Richard begins to talk about what would need to be done in the event that he dies. She doesn't take this conversation very well and tells him that he is not allowed to die for a long time and demands that in regards to the timing of their deaths, she must be allowed to go first. This scene was already emotional but if you add the passing of Edward Herrmann it will definitely bring a tear to your eye. Her love and devotion to her husband is clear as day. As is his love for her.
When you think of Emily Gilmore, your first thought may not be of a warm and fuzzy woman but sweet moments like these are sprinkled throughout the series to remind us that behind that fierce woman is a woman full of love for those in her life.
