Romance Rewind
Who Did Rory End Up With on ‘Gilmore Girls’? How the Revival Left Her Love Story
Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) was first introduced to the universe of Gilmore Girls as a fresh-faced 15-year-old yearning to go to Harvard. With unparalleled wit and brains, she was set for a bright future. Her entire hometown of Stars Hollow adored her, as did mom Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), grandparents Emily (Kelly Bishop) and Richard Gilmore (Edward Herrmann), and just about everyone she encountered.
As Rory navigated life at Chilton and Yale University, followed by post-college life, she met and fell in love with three men who would become the center of fan debate for decades. Team Dean, Team Jess, and Team Logan fandoms emerged from all corners of the world.
When Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life premiered, the questions about Rory’s love life remained. Did she make a choice by the end? Scroll down for a refresh on Rory’s romance journey.
Who does Rory end up with on Gilmore Girls?
Sitting in the Stars Hollow town square gazebo with her mother, Lorelai, Rory was left in a similar position as her mother years ago: pregnant and scared about the journey ahead.
However, there was one key difference. Lorelai was merely a teen, while Rory was already in her 30s when she learned she was expecting her first baby.
Yet, by the end of the revival, Rory was very much alone. Switching off between her nice-but-boring boyfriend Paul (Jack Carpenter) and her affair with old beau Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry), both relationships ended up imploding.
It became clear quickly that Rory never truly cared about Paul. She often forgot about her so-called long-term partner. Lorelai and Luke Danes (Scott Patterson) were also in the same predicament and could never even remember the name of the poor guy.
Meanwhile, Logan was in a whole different situation. He was engaged to a woman named Odette, and Rory was the other woman. Why didn’t they get back together instead of hurting other people in the process? That’s Logan and Rory for you. Their affair didn’t last, so Rory didn’t ultimately end up with anyone by the end of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which echoed where she left off at the end of Gilmore Girls years before.
Who is the father of Rory’s baby?
Paul can be easily ruled out. Their breakup appeared to be too long ago in A Year in the Life to possibly make him the father. Logan is, of course, another contender. But, he’s not the only one. Remember her one-night stand with the Wookie? Yes, there was the guy clad in Star Wars gear.
However, according to the set’s costume designer, Valerie Campbell, there’s only one “obvious” answer: Logan. First talking about it in a TikTok, Campbell revealed to TODAY, “It’s funny how many fan theories people have had as to who it could have been. For me, there was never a question as to the paternity.” Her reasoning? It all boils down to timing.
The Wookie and Rory had a brief night together in the spring, so by the time fall arrived, she would “definitely be showing.” Campbell continued, “We were never told that Rory’s character was pregnant. The moment I heard the final four words, there was only one choice.”
Czuchry revealed he’s been let in on Rory’s paternity secret, thanks to series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and executive producer Dan Palladino. “They told me who the father of the baby was, and they said, ‘Yeah, you can tell whoever you want.’ And I never have,” he told Us Weekly.
Do Rory and Logan end up together?
Saeed Adyani / Netflix / Everett Collection
Having a somewhat secretive relationship, Rory and Logan didn’t appear to be that concerned about who saw them together, as long as it wasn’t their significant others.
Their clandestine meetings showcased that their feelings toward each other were still very potent. Yet, Rory lost her shot at him when she declined his proposal in the original finale of Gilmore Girls.
With one last heartbreaking meeting between the two (former?) lovers, the duo ended their affair. But, with an heir on the horizon, they might find their way back together. Although, there would still one minor detail to consider: Logan’s fiancée.
Do Rory and Jess end up together?
WB / Carol Kaelson / Warner Bros. / Everett Collection
Following in the footsteps of his Uncle Luke when it comes to the Gilmore women, fans of the show have continued to rally for Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia) to make a reappearance in Rory’s life romantically.
A brief interaction between the two at the Stars Hollow Gazette convinced the audience that the once-upon-a-time lovers could still be endgame. Jess proved that he’ll always be in Rory’s corner no matter what after helping her through an existential crisis.
Jess was the one who pushed Rory to write about something she knew and cared about: her relationship with her mom. And so the Gilmore Girls novel begins.
With longing eyes, Jess all but admitted that he never got over Rory. Could he still be Rory’s ultimate soulmate? Possibly! If only A Year in the Life Season 2 would become a reality…
What happened to Dean?
Neil Jacobs / Netflix / Everett Collection
Rory’s first boyfriend was smitten by the youngest Gilmore girl. Following her around like a lost puppy and immediately expecting an “I love you,” Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki) was never going to last as a romantic contender for Rory.
The “pop” drinking, small-town hunk cheated on his first wife Lindsay (Arielle Kebbel) with Rory, yet ultimately realized that they were never meant to be. Going through a rough patch as he entered his twenties as a freshly divorced man, Dean’s life turned around for the better when we saw him again in the revival as a 30-something.
Not seeing him until the final episode, “Fall,” Rory bumped into Dean at Doose’s Market. Startled to see her, Dean quickly eased up. In a proper way to say goodbye to his character, fans learned that he lived in Scranton with a wife, three kids, and another one on the way.
Who do you think Rory should have ended up with? Do you think Logan is the father of Rory’s baby? Do you want A Year in the Life Season 2? Let us know in the comments below.
