Note: This post contains spoilers for the plot of Gilmore Girls and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, so read at your own risk!
By the end of season 4, Jess had returned to Stars Hollow two times- once to pick up his car and once to attend his mom’s wedding. He had tried to patch things up with Rory and even asked her to go away with him, but the two did not end up back together. Jess did not show up once during season 5 of the series, but did you really think he was gone for good? The answer, of course, is no.
Here are the best Rory and Jess episodes throughout the “later years” of their relationship, including those from season 6 and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
The Best of Rory and Jess' Later Years:
"Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ringing Out"
(Season 6, Episode 8)
Guess who’s back? It’s Jess. He comes back just in time to talk some sense into Rory, who is taking a break from Yale and living at her grandparents’ house while working at the DAR. Jess, meanwhile, has been working at a publishing house and wrote his first novel, which shocks and delights Rory.
This episode includes one of Rory and Jess’ most memorable moments. “Why did you drop out of Yale?” Jess asks, frustrated by the version of Rory he sees in front of him. This whole scene between the two shows how well Jess still knows Rory as he pushes her to reconsider her recent decisions about her education and career.
"The Real Paul Anka"
(Season 6, Episode 18)
Rory is feeling hurt by Logan’s cheating, so she gets some distance from him by attending an open house at Jess’ publishing house. There the two share a kiss, but Rory quickly admits that she still loves Logan. Jess doesn’t appreciate being caught in the middle of Rory’s relationship but says she can use the kiss as payback if she wants. This is the last time we see Jess in the original 7 seasons of the show.
"Summer"
(A Year in the Life, Episode 3)
But, don’t worry he’s back for the revival!
In the “Summer” episode of A Year in the Life, Jess rolls into town to help Luke save Liz and TJ from a vegetable cult. He also checks in with Rory at the Stars Hollow Gazette and inspires her to begin writing her life story. Again, Jess helps Rory get her life back on track, much like the conversation where he inspired her to go back to Yale. More than a decade later, he still knows her pretty well!
"Fall"
(A Year in the Life, Episode 4)
Jess is back again during the “Fall” episode, helping Luke out with some personal problems at the diner and unplugging his WIFI (like Luke, he’s not a fan of too much tech in the diner).
In his very last scene, he’s at the Gilmore residence helping with wedding stuff, and Rory excitedly tells him that she’s writing her book (just like he said she should). Luke notices the moment between them, but Jess insists it’s nothing. His last gaze at Rory through the window says otherwise though…
And that completes the story of Rory and Jess!
The two went through a lot of ups and downs throughout the show, and they didn’t really get a clean-cut ending in the revival. It seems like Jess still has feelings for Rory, and she ends the revival single. Some theories say Rory’s life will mirror Lorelai’s, with Jess becoming Rory’s Luke and Logan becoming her Christopher. What do you think?
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Gilmore Girls
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Coffee Mugs
As Lorelai Gilmore once said, “I can’t stop drinking the coffee. I stop drinking the coffee, I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words putting into sentence doing.”
Last update on 2024-10-04 at 13:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Stars Hollow Blanket
From Luke’s Diner to Doose’s Market to Lorelai’s house, all of your favorite Stars Hollow spots can be found on this blanket.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
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Hallmark Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow Map Blanket, 50" x 60", Gift for Christmas, Birthdays, Mother's... |
$39.99 |
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Last update on 2024-10-04 at 13:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
It's a Lifestyle T-Shirt
Featuring our favorite mother-daughter duo, of course.
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Gilmore Girls It's A Lifestyle T-Shirt |
$22.99 |
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Last update on 2024-10-04 at 13:41 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
