A tribute to Paris Geller, the true heroine of 'Gilmore Girls'
LOS ANGELES -- Like most people (everyone), I became infatuated with Gilmore Girls at a young age.
Yes, even that seventh and final season brought me joy. I owned all seasons on DVD, and I still had a Netflix marathon when episodes became available on the streaming service.
But the older I got, the more I realized I don't love the Gilmore Girls.
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I love Paris Eustace Geller (played brilliantly by Liza Weil).
Back in my youth, I thought Paris was too judgey. Why did she have to be queen of the high school and college newspaper? Why was she so mean to Rory, even when they formed a friendship?
Now, I truly believe without Paris, the show wouldn't have the one thing every show needs: A humorous heroine.
Here's why Paris is the best part of Amy Sherman-Palladino's beloved series.
1. She is brutally honest
As I mentioned in my "Rory Gilmore is not a good journalist" article, Rory let one powerful man bring her down. She quit Yale after Logan's dad -- CEO of a newspaper conglomerate -- told her she didn't have what it takes to be a journalist. Then she moved to her grandparents and stopped talking to Lorelei.
Paris was the one who said what everyone was thinking (see screen grab above). And that was just one of Paris' brutally honest moments.
Notably, she's also been one of the only people on the show who has called out Rory's boyfriends. Again, back then, I was consumed by the romance storylines. Today I find Paris' truths more compelling.
She once told Logan: "You offer nothing to women or the world in general."
She also reminded Jess he was too pretentious. "Typical guy response. Worship Kerouac and Bukowski. God forbid you pick up anything by Jane Austen."
Preach.
2. She keeps a list of enemies to motivate her
Everyone needs a frenemy to motivate them -- and for much of the Gilmore Girls franchise Paris was just that to Rory.
Of course by the end, the two were more friends than enemies. But still: It was always Paris who pushed Rory to be a better student, journalist and perhaps even person.
Early on, at Chilton, Paris tells Rory: "I already wrote his name in my revenge notebook."
Later, while at Yale, she tells Rory she has narrowed down her list of enemies from 26 to five -- in their building alone.
Sure it may be unhealthy to have enemies. But it fueled Paris' drive to be a better student. What's wrong with that?
3. She is as real as it gets
It's not just the brutal honesty that makes Paris relatable -- it's also her vulnerabilities.
Even though Paris has a witty remark to almost everything anyone says, she's also human. And she definitely shows it.
Nothing demonstrates this point better than Paris' speech at Chilton's Bicentennial, after she gets rejected from Harvard.
4. She knows how to give tough love, even if some (*cough* Yale Daily News staffers) can't handle it
Not everyone can handle Paris' tough love. Rory could, and that's probably why she survived Yale. Sadly, tough love didn't work during Paris' brief stint as editor-in-chief of The Yale Daily News.
But staffers probably didn't understand Paris just wanted the paper to be the best.
"Nothing less than perfect will be tolerated," she told staffers.
Oh and: "If you need some love, get a hooker."
5. She also knows how to be a good friend
She's also been there for Rory when others have not.
"Rory is a great person, and she does not deserve to be treated this way," Paris says in one episode. "Anyone should feel lucky to call her a friend. I know I do, and you’re throwing away one of the best."
Also, who could forget the "no men, just lots and lots of Chinese food" line?
When the heart aches, theres's nothing better than getting take out with your friend on the couch.
6. She is and always will be a feminist
Even at a young age, Paris knew sexism when she saw it.
In one episode, the headmaster of Chilton calls Paris and Rory into his office after hearing about the two fighting in student council meetings.
He says (no joke): "Let’s see, perhaps you’re arguing over the same boy? Paris's appropriate and bold response: "Sure. We’re girls, so we could only be arguing about a boy, right? Sexist, white-haired —"
Later, as showcased by her relationship with Doyle at Yale, the two treat each other as equal partners. Feminism at its finest.
Bottom Line: Paris is fierce and unstoppable. #Geller2020.
Topics Netflix
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
