1. Lorelai Gilmore

Lorelai Gilmore is one of the most charming, sarcastic and realistic characters in any television series. From getting pregnant at 16 and leaving home to running her own inn, Lorelai is wildly independent, and knows what she wants out of life and her career, but what man she wants is a different story. She hates handouts and craves proving herself to her parents, which usually ends with her shutting down their many proposals to help her, unless it comes to her daughter Rory’s future. Lorelai’s massive, sometimes selfish, heart leaves you often frustrated, but sympathetic.

2. Luke Danes 

Luke Danes is as loyal as they come. Even while running the only diner in town and dealing with local oddballs, his temper falls short sometimes, but his continuous soft spot for Lorelai never wavers. While he sports a tough exterior, he turns into a big softie for the ones he loves, especially the Gilmore girls and his flighty sister. He handles most issues thrown at him with good-hearted intentions and continues to be the backbone of Stars Hollow. One can’t help but root for Luke throughout the entire show, and nobody deserves a happy ending more than him. 

3. Emily Gilmore 

Emily Gilmore is an opinionated queen with class to last a lifetime. She wants nothing but the best for herself and her family and is blunt enough to say so. Emily has a complicated relationship with her daughter Lorelai, and people often paint her as the villain, but not today. Emily does anything and everything for her family and she doesn’t get enough recognition for that. While she can come off as harsh, everything she does comes from good intentions and love, and man, can that woman throw an elegant party or what?

4. Rory Gilmore 

Rory has all the wit in the world and saved none for the rest of us. Intelligent and a scholar at heart, Rory works hard to make her dream of attending an Ivy League school a reality. She’s always shown herself respect and holds people to a higher standard than most, and she holds her cards close to her chest. She has a love for literature and writing and eventually pursues a journalism career, which I, a journalism major, adore. Everyone who cares for Rory has debated the ageless question: Logan, Jess or Dean? There is a correct answer.

5. Paris Geller

Paris is almost too ambitious, rarely taking time to do anything fun for herself, only doing things to benefit her future. Paris has her entire life planned out and can be a little intense, but only because she has a good head on her shoulders. Her complexity and sharp edges soften over time as she grows closer to Rory. From enemies to close companions, Paris learns to open up and be vulnerable, which is something everyone may struggle with from time to time. Paris knows what she wants and does everything in her power to achieve it.