There are Gilmore Girls, including Lorelai and Sookie, Rory and Lane, Babette and Miss Patty, etc. However, one of the most unexpected, yet satisfying, friendships on the show is the bond between Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) and Paris Geller (Liza Weil).
Rory and Paris start out as enemies. They’re rivals at Chilton Preparatory School, mostly due to Paris’s competitive desire to be the best student. However, as the show progresses, the two bond in more ways than one. They rely on each other and they ultimately prove they’re best friends. Review Rory and Paris’s friendship over the show’s seven seasons, including their best and worst moments.
Enemies: When Rory Arrives At Chilton
From the first day Rory arrives at Chilton, Paris already hates her. Because Rory is a transfer student from Stars Hollow High School, Paris knows she must be special. She must be smart, so she’s a threat. According to Paris, she rules Chilton, and she must be the best student at the school.
On Rory’s first day at Chilton, she bumps into Paris and ruins her elaborate class project—giving Paris another reason to hate her. Later, in “The Deer Hunters,” Paris intimidates Rory about an intense exam on William Shakespeare. When Rory is late to school, she finally breaks down in class and releases her frustrations on Paris, asking why she has to be “the biggest jerk in the entire world.” Rory quickly learned that it was best to avoid Paris at all costs.
Best Friends: When Paris Defends Rory During The Marty Situation
Most fans agree that the seventh season is the weakest season of Gilmore Girls. There are former friend, Marty (Wayne Wilcox). Rory’s shocked when Marty acts like he never met her, and he asks her to lie to Lucy.
Once Lucy learns the truth, she’s furious with Rory. Paris finally defends Rory, telling Lucy that Rory is a great person. She adds, “Anyone should feel lucky to call her a friend. I know I do.” Paris doesn’t address their friendship very often on the show, so it’s nice to see her defend Rory’s character. She knew Rory would never be able to focus on anything else while knowing someone hated her.
Enemies: When Paris Tells The School About Lorelai And Max
During the first season of Gilmore Girls, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) dates Rory’s English teacher, Max Medina (Scott Cohen). Their relationship is a secret from everyone at Chilton, but the cat is finally let out of the bag in “Paris is Burning.”
Parents are invited to visit Chilton during the school day to attend classes with their children. While there, Lorelai kisses Max, and Paris spies on them. She doesn’t hesitate to tell the entire school about this—embarrassing Rory. Paris didn’t care about causing any pain for Rory or her mother, but she didn’t think about the damages she caused for Max, her favorite teacher.
Best Friends: Rory Comforting Paris After Asher Fleming Dies
Starting with the fourth season, Rory and Paris odd relationship that fans didn’t , but it was a serious relationship for Paris. Despite the significant age difference (she was in her early twenties and he was in his sixties), the two seemed to care for each other.
In the season five episode “Written in the Stars,” Paris announces that Asher died from a heart attack during the summer break. She’s heartbroken and Rory comforts her friend. She helps her plan Asher’s wake, letting Paris know that she can depend on her as she mourns.
Enemies: Fighting About Tristan
Before Chad Michael Murray starred on One Tree Hill, he played Chilton’s bad boy, Tristan Dugray. He is immediately attracted to Rory, but she doesn't reciprocate the feelings. This is disappointing because Rory is different than his past girlfriends. She would have made him work harder and stay out of trouble.
In the season one episode “The Third Lorelai,” Rory suggests for Tristan to go on a date with Paris, who has always had a crush on him. Rory and Paris bond as she helps her prepare for the date. It seems the two might become friends, but then Paris finds out it was Rory’s idea in the first place. It was a sympathy date, and she’s once again furious with Rory.
Best Friends: Bonding Over Their Break-Ups
As the show progresses, Rory and Paris find more and more things in common. Their friendship strengthens and they even live together while they’re studying at Yale University. At this point, they’re best friends.
During the show’s sixth season, Rory and Paris both experience tumultuous relationships. Rory’s boyfriend, Doyle McMaster (Danny Strong). In “I’m OK, You’re OK,” Rory and Paris decide they need a break from the men, and they spend time together. They order Chinese food and have a girls’ night. Paris says, “No men. Just lots and lots of Chinese food.” The friends deserved a stress-free night together.
Enemies: The Francie Situation
Paris might be an intimidating student at Chilton, but she isn’t like Francie Jarvis (Emily Bergl). The president of Chilton’s secret sorority, The Puffs, Francie is the typical high school “mean girl.” During the show’s third season, Paris and Rory team up as President and Vice President of Chilton’s student body government. Paris knows she can rely on Rory, and she even confides to her about her serious relationship with a Princeton University student, Jamie (Brandon Barash).
As senior body president, Francie is disappointed with Paris’s leadership skills and she engages in private conversations with Rory. In “I Solemnly Swear,” Francie ultimately stabs Rory in the back by revealing the secret meetings to Paris. She understandably feels betrayed, especially because Rory mistakenly told Francie about Jamie. Paris says, “I can’t believe I ever considered you my best friend.” They’re back to being enemies and fans were unsure of which character to root for in this argument.
Best Friends: When Paris Doesn’t Get Into Harvard
Just like Rory, Paris has always dreamed about attending Harvard University. She has worked diligently her entire life to go to Harvard. In the season three episode “The Big One,” Paris is shocked to find out that she wasn’t accepted to the Ivy League school.
Earlier in the episode, Paris tells Rory that she slept with Jamie for the first time. She trusts Rory with this private information. Once she learns she was rejected from Harvard, Paris has the biggest meltdown of the century—live on C-SPAN. Rory comforts her and reassures her that she will still receive an incredible education at another university. While Paris is upset, knowing Rory cares about her makes a difference.
Enemies: When Rory Replaces Paris As Editor Of The Yale Daily News
In the season six episode “Friday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” the newspaper staff at the Yale Daily News is quitting left and right under Paris’s leadership. She’s a tyrant and the newspaper is quickly failing. For the first time in the newspaper’s history, the staff will miss a printing deadline.
Rory can’t bear for this to happen. She steps in and works around the clock to get everything done. With Logan’s help, they meet their deadline and Rory saves the newspaper. When the staff elects Rory to replace Paris as Editor-in-Chief, Paris is blindsided. Even though Rory did the right thing, Paris only acknowledges the betrayal. She kicks Rory out of her apartment, and they don’t speak to each other for a few episodes.
Best Friends: Anytime Paris Asks For Advice
Even though Paris views Rory as her main competition, she asks her for advice on numerous occasions. Paris is clueless about dating, social interactions, family situations, etc. While she sometimes feels betrayed by Rory, Paris knows Rory is always there for her. They’re friends, and no one can deny this.
Throughout the ups and downs of the show, Rory and Paris are best friends. They make each other better. As they graduate from Chilton, they comment about how they really “hated” each other, clearly substituting “hate” for “love.” Then, when they graduate from Yale, they acknowledge that they will probably be friends for “a very long time.” For Rory, once Paris Geller is in her life, she’s in her life for good.