Without a doubt, Gilmore Girls might be the most quotable TV show of all time. Seriously! There are so many sitcoms, like Friends and Seinfeld, whose quotes have become part of our everyday language. But it's Gilmore Girls that has the endless supply of quotes that make us laugh out loud, feel seen, and bring tears to our eyes. These quotes still live in our heads rent-free.
The great thing about Gilmore Girls quote is that it's not just one character who's delivering all of the iconic lines. While Lorelai probably has some of the best quotes, every single character has a chance to shine with something quippy or poignant. No matter how deep into the extensive ensemble they are, the writers never missed the chance for their characters to say something memorable.
Obviously, Rory's another character who received some of the best writing, in spite of what some fans say online. Rory has been criticized over the years, especially after the revival, for being selfish and privileged, but if she were perfect, she wouldn't be an interesting character. Throughout the series, Rory has said some of the best quotes that stick with us to this day.
"I can't believe we get to sit around and talk about books and get graded."
Rory Gilmore's definitely the person in class who reminds the teacher that they forgot to collect the homework assignment. She loves school, she loves learning, and she loves reading. Being a student was truly exhilarating for her, and to be able to be one at a higher level at Yale was an immense joy to her. Rory uttered this quote at her disbelief that her college classes involved talking about books in a group setting. Forever our academic book worm who's always down to nerd out!
"Remind me to tell you about the time my mother wore a shirt with a rhinestone penis on it and my grandma had her car towed."
This might be one of the more obscure Rory Gilmore quotes, but it's one that makes me laugh every time I hear it. When Logan brings Rory to meet his family for dinner at the Huntzberger estate, disaster later ensues. However, before they enter the house, Rory was in good spirits and reminiscing on past conflicts between Emily and Lorelai. She sure paints a picture with this hilarious quote, and it's so funny that I'm still mad this isn't a scene that we can actually watch in the show.
"As much as I wish we'd met when I was older and more mature, I know that if I hadn't had you with me when I did then I wouldn't be the person I am today."
As a devout Gilmore Girls fan, I don't often like to give Dean credit for being a good boyfriend to Rory because he was... how to put this kindly... very annoying and jealous. But Rory has a sweet and tender moment with her first love in A Year in the Life when they run into each other at Doose's, the setting of their first kiss. Rory gets closure with Dean and informs him about her book. She summarizes their relationship with this quote that will for sure bring tears to your eyes when you remember season 1.
"Who cares if I'm pretty if I fail my finals?"
There's no doubt that this quote is probably one that's used against Rory as evidence that she's narcissistic, entitled, or whatever else people want her to be. Honestly, it's just funny! She values getting good grades and performing well as a student over her looks, which should probably be commended. But this quote is also the punchline to a joke started by Lorelai. I love this kind of dialogue in Gilmore Girls. It's the writing that should remind people that the show is a comedy above all else.
"As she guided me through these incredible 18 years, I don't know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be was her."
If I could, I would have included the entirety of Rory's valedictorian speech. Hands down, that's one of the best Rory scenes in the whole series, and every time I watch it, I'm right there with Lorelai, Luke, Sookie, and Jackson trying not to blubber. Rory took time on stage to honor her mother and the impact she had on her. Just reading this quote makes me cry! Even though they would later have an awful fight, Lorelai and Rory's bond is indestructible. They are one, and this quote perfeclty sums it up.
"I love you, you idiot!"
Television shows back in the day, especially those centered on or involving teenagers, would always build up to that moment where they say "I love you." But dropping those three words was never easy. Whoever's receiving the "I love you" would never react the way you expect. For Dean, Rory didn't react how he wanted. By the end of the first season, Rory hits him with one of TV's most unforgettable love declarations of all time. Only a Gilmore girl can get away with tacking "idiot" onto an "I love you."