**spoilers throughout!**
September means the beginning of autumn, and autumn means one thing: rewatching Gilmore Girls, the cosiest show in the history of television.
I've made frequent references to Rory Gilmore throughout this blog, the most notable being when I did the Rory Gilmore Book Challenge a whole year ago (and my Gosh, has time flown since then). I suppose I'll have to make it a yearly tradition to publish a post regarding Gilmore Girls in the first week of September. For those who haven't read the article, I briefly touch on Rory's characterisation in the series before I breakdown her reading list. On the surface, Rory 'fails'; in the A Year In The Life reboot, viewers realise that not only is Rory nowhere near where she proposed she'd be career-wise but that she doesn't hold the moral principles Lorelai taught her. She and Logan have an affair throughout the reboot and Rory not only fails to acknowledge the emotional damage this could do to Logan's partner but completely neglects her own relationship. Granted, she swallows down the bitter pill that Mitchum's assumptions about her were correct, and that she's not built for the journalism world, and decides to embark on a more believable career path: writing a book.
Adultery and moral compasses aside, Rory is still searching for her journalism breakthrough in the reboot. In the second episode of the original series, she states that she wants to study journalism at Harvard and become either the next Barbara Walters or Christiane Amanpour. As it happens, neither of these things come true; Rory opts to study at Yale, which despite its academic merits, is the catalyst for the character's downward spiral. She goes into journalism but is nowhere near the level of her heroes; she fails to secure a job at The New York Times towards the end of the series. Prior to this ordeal, Rory worked as an intern with Mitchum, Logan's father. He tells her she doesn't have what it takes to be a journalist and that she lacks the forward thinking and proactiveness to ask questions and seek a good story. Instead of taking the criticism on board and using it as a means of motivation, Rory falls apart - she falls out with her mother, moves in with her grandparents and temporarily drops out of Yale.
There are several theories as to why, exactly, Rory didn't flourish as a journalist. In her defence, she became a journalist only months before the industry tanked as a result of technological advances. Rory was always old-fashioned in her methods and believed her love for reading would carry her; she never demonstrated the quick-thinking skills needed to survive the constant changes in journalism. Mitchum's criticism however partially refers to this - he tells Rory she'd make a great assistant, complimenting her obedience and reserved nature.
Mitchum, maybe unintentionally, throws Rory off the pedestal she has been sitting on. Some viewers argue that his comments were unprofessional and far too harsh, and this can be supported with how Rory dealt with criticism during her beginning term at Chiltern. She worked hard to improve her grades, not letting the setbacks define her. However, her obstacles at school were never specific to her dream career path. Rory is known and loved by all the townsfolk of Stars Hollow who whisper in between themselves regarding how much of a delight Lorelai's daughter is. She grows up with nothing but excessive amounts of love, so much so that we as viewers can't name another child Rory's age that lives in Stars Hollow. Whilst Lorelai's finances are constantly up for debate, there is never a time where Rory doesn't receive what she needs. Lorelai even tells her this after Rory tells her grandmother the family needs another loan.
I find Rory's reliance on academic validation extremely relatable. She is ashamed and embarrassed to not achieve the best grades within the class, expecting no less from herself, and goes from falling behind at Chiltern at the start of the series to then becoming valedictorian. The transition is enough to tell viewers that Rory has put the hours in.
Rory is an excellent candidate for the 'gifted kid burnout', having been constantly praised as a child for their achievements. She heartbreakingly peaked in high school and represents very accurately what every gifted child goes through. Upon entering the real world, gifted children come to the gut-wrenching realisation that there's always going to be someone smarter than them who wants the same thing. There are occasions where they're only going to be 'average' at something, which is fine, if you haven't been told how extraordinary you are your entire life. When Rory joins the DAR and stands on the stage in her robes to a cheering crowd, you can see the understanding and disappointment dawn on Richard Gilmore's face. His granddaughter, whom he believed had so much promise, is resigning to a life of domesticity. Rory relies on praise, even if she's following the easiest method possible to receive it.
Richard and Emily contribute to Rory's inability to handle criticism with their attempts to erase her mistakes throughout the series with their wealth and prestige. They assure Rory they'll clear her of any charges regarding her stealing a yacht and are angered with the services when their finances don't save her.
Having also grown up a bookworm who used academic validation as their primary motivation, I find elements of Rory's story relatable. I understand the pressure on her shoulders that comes with performing well at school and being adored by everyone you meet. I was fortunate in that my parents were extremely critical of everything I did growing up and still are: all of my decisions are scrutinised and evaluated. There are so many benefits to having overbearing parents: I know how to treat people with respect and kindness and I work extremely hard to meet my goals because of them. Rory, whilst a hard worker, is very out of touch. She is granted opportunities through wealthy connections and never has to worry about finances to support her. Aside from the odd shift at Lorelai's inn, she never has or needs a proper job. She doesn't acknowledge her privileges and crumbles when things don't work out for her.
I'm grateful the series lacks the fairytale ending it alludes to. Whilst I find Rory's later decision-making inexcusable, she demonstrates what every gifted child goes through. The academic burnout is followed up by the gut-wrenching realisation that, when against the real world, you're not particularly special; being valedictorian means next to nothing the day after you graduate. Journalism isn't a feasible career path for the majority of people who enter the field.
If we ever get another sequel, I'd be interested in seeing if Rory ever made it as a writer. The profession suits her much better.
Hi everyone! I hope you're well.
I've been up and down the country again for the last few weeks. Last weekend I was in Liverpool and before that, Lewes. And before THAT, Hackney in London.
I'm home now for a few weeks though! And back to watching Gilmore Girls.
Lots of love,
Karisma
xxx