Gilmore Girls: Lorelai is actually a damsel in distress, here’s why

Gilmore Girls has long been a fan favorite pick when it comes to binge watching a show. It has given us some memorable mother-daughter moments, and even made us wish for such a relationship ourselves!

If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, you probably think of Lorelai Gilmore as the ultimate independent woman. Well, she is a witty and caffeine-powered woman who seems to be completely in control of her own life.

But what if we told you she might actually be a damsel in distress? Read on to know more!

Disclaimer: This piece contains the author's personal views. Reader's discretion is advised.

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Gilmore Girls: Lorelai, the queen of independence, or is she?

Lorelai’s whole identity is built around her independence. She ran away from her parents' house. They were wealthy and she could have benefited from all that, but she didn't like the fact that they had a say in every aspect of her life. She saw them as controlling parents.

So she ran away and built a life for herself as a teen mom. She raised Rory from scratch. She worked her way up from a maid to running an inn and somehow raised the most overachieving kid in the history of TV. That's clearly an exaggeration but you get the point.

The thing is, despite all her success, Lorelai had a deeply ingrained need for support. She just didn't want to admit it. She needed someone emotionally and/or even romantically. She had a way of falling into situations where she needed saving.

Now let’s talk about Emily and Richard Gilmore. Lorelai spends years trying to prove she doesn’t need them. Yet time and again she finds herself going back to her ever-so-refined parents. The Friday night dinners? A condition of taking money for Rory’s education. Even though she absolutely hated their control, she couldn't cut them off totally.

Emily especially had a way of making Lorelai feel like a rebellious teenager. She sort of brought out that in her. It seems like Lorelai wanted her approval deep down. It’s a classic case of someone who fights against authority but also craves validation from the very people she’s running from.

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Girlmore Girls: Lorelai's never-ending struggle with romance

Lorelai’s love life in Gilmore Girls is another area where her damsel in distress side is pretty evident. She’s a romantic but she’s also terrified of commitment. Her relationships with Max Medina, Christopher, and even Luke show a pattern. She falls hard and then she self-sabotages.

Despite all her confidence, Lorelai has moments where she admits she’s struggling. When Rory moves out in Season 6 of Gilmore Girls, Lorelai is completely lost. For someone so self-sufficient, she falls apart shockingly fast.

And let’s not forget her dream of opening the Dragonfly Inn. Without Sookie’s talent in the kitchen and Michel’s dedication, she wouldn’t have been able to make it happen. So even in her most significant accomplishments, she wasn’t really doing it alone.

So is Lorelai a damsel in distress? In some ways, yes. She often finds herself needing emotional, financial, or romantic rescue. But that's not a bad thing.

Lorelai Gilmore of Gilmore Girls is proof that even strong, independent women have moments of vulnerability. And that’s okay. Because real strength isn’t about never needing help, it’s about knowing when to accept it.

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