Rory Gilmore and Paris Geller
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rory and Paris | |
|---|---|
 Liza Weil and Alexis Bledel as Paris and Rory | |
| Duration | 2000–2007, 2016 |
| Introduced by | Amy Sherman-Palladino |
Rory Gilmore and Paris Geller are fictional characters from the dramatic television series Gilmore Girls and its spin-off series, A Year in the Life. Rory is portrayed by Alexis Bledel and Paris is played by Liza Weil. Introduced as academic rivals in high school, the two gradually grow closer as the series progresses.
Paris and Rory have received recognition from multiple media outlets, including TV Guide, Cosmopolitan, and Fox News. Many writers have praised the development of their friendship, with others expressing interest in a romantic bond between the characters.
While attending Chilton Preparatory High School, the mild-mannered Rory Gilmore meets a driven student named Paris Geller, who views Rory as her competition in academic and extracurricular activities. Shortly after they become acquainted, Paris taunts a confused Rory with a recital of William Shakespeare's Sonnet 116.[1] When she suspects that Paris is sabotaging her every move, Rory publicly berates Paris before being led away. Eventually, the two have more pleasant exchanges when they unexpectedly encounter one another around school and at a party. They later attend a music concert with friends, where Paris shows signs of a gentler side.[2][3]
When Paris becomes Rory's superior on the school newspaper, she assigns Rory several tedious projects in an unsuccessful effort to make her quit. This marks a turning point in their relationship, as Paris begins to respect Rory's resilience.[4] She also wins the position of Student Body President with Rory as her running mate. After Paris begins helping her with personal matters, Rory invites Paris to spend a night at her home, and the two acknowledge their developing friendship.[5]
They later spend a summer as roommates during an internship program.[6] When Paris learns that her application to Harvard University has been rejected, Rory is the first person to comfort her.[3] Upon graduating from high school, Rory is elected valedictorian over Paris, and the girls hug before parting ways. They then become roommates at Yale University, supporting one another through a number of issues. During their first spring break, the two kiss while bored in a club. This development garnered immediate interest from viewers and the media.[7][8] Rory later feels that they cannot pursue a romantic relationship, however, because Paris is too "high-maintenance" for her.[1] When Rory drops out of school, Paris grows upset and spends a great deal of time with Rory's mother, Lorelai, labeling Rory her best friend.[9] They eventually graduate together, and Rory declares that they will always be a part of each other's lives.[9] In the spin-off miniseries Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which takes place nearly 10 years later, they are shown to be still close to one another.[10]
