Gilmore Girls: 8 alternate endings that might’ve actually made fans happy

Aired in 2000, Gilmore Girls felt like a warm cup of coffee on a sweet, windy morning. It's cozy, comforting, and full of charm attracts fans. They quickly fell in love with the fast-talking, pop culture-obsessed mother-daughter duo, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.

For seven seasons (plus the A Year in the Life revival), the show gave us laughs, tears, and unforgettable moments in the quirky little town of Stars Hollow.

When the final four words were revealed in the Netflix revival, not everyone was thrilled. Some fans were left feeling confused or even frustrated. There were loose ends, unanswered questions, and relationships that didn’t feel fully settled at all. So, many things about what if things had ended differently?

Here are 8 alternate endings to Gilmore Girls that might’ve actually made fans a lot happier.

8 alternate endings that might’ve made Gilmore Girls fans happy

1. Rory Becomes the Next Christiane Amanpour, For Real

In Gilmore Girls, we see that Rory always dreams of becoming a world-class journalist like Christiane Amanpour. But in A Year in the Life, we see her struggling with her career. Living without much direction and unsure of her future, she was so frustrated. It didn’t sit right with many fans. Imagine if Rory, after years of hard work, lands her dream job.

Maybe she gets offered a position at CNN, or she travels the world reporting important stories. In this version, the final scene could show Rory boarding a plane, her press badge in hand, heading off to a major assignment. It would be a full circle moment, showing that all those late nights of studying and newspaper work actually paid off.

2. Lorelai and Luke Get Married, on Their Terms

Yes, Lorelai and Luke finally get together (again) in the revival, but the wedding felt rushed and hidden, happening off-screen at night with no guests. What if the show ended with a beautiful, quirky Stars Hollow wedding?

Picture a Gilmore Girls ending where as Miss Patty and Babette are in charge of the decorations, Kirk does something weird but heartfelt, and Lane’s band plays Lorelai down the aisle. Lorelai and Luke finally say “I do” in front of the people who’ve loved them all along. Fans get closure, and we all cry happy tears.

3. Rory Ends Up With Jess, and It Makes Sense

Rory’s love life has always been a hot topic. Dean is sweet but basic. Logan has charm but comes with baggage. Jess? He starts off rough, but he grows up. In the revival, Jess appears briefly, but he’s clearly still carrying a torch for Rory. What if Rory realizes that Jess is the one who truly understands her?

He’s a writer, he pushes her to be better, and they’ve both grown up. The show could end with them reconnecting, maybe even working together on a book project. It doesn’t have to be a big romantic moment, just a quiet scene like where they smile at each other emotionally, hinting at a future that’s finally right in Gilmore Girls.

4. Emily Gilmore Starts a New Chapter, Not Alone

One of the most touching parts of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is Emily learning how to live without Richard. We see her move to Nantucket, get rid of the DAR drama, and even start working at a museum. Imagine if Emily’s story didn’t end with her alone. Maybe she meets a kind, older man who shares her love for history or literature.

Or maybe she finds deep friendship and purpose in mentoring young women or running the museum full time. This version of Emily still grieves Richard, but she also finds a new joy in life and maybe even a little romance.

5. Lane Gets the Life She Deserves

Lane Kim is one of the coolest, most underused characters in Gilmore Girls. She is passionate about music, rebellious in her own quiet way, and full of personality. But in the original ending, she’s stuck in a small-town life, raising twins and giving up her rockstar dreams. In a better ending, Lane finally gets her big break. Maybe she goes on tour with Hep Alien, or she gets a job at a music label.

Her kids grew up in a home filled with guitars and drums, and she never stops playing. Mrs. Kim, of course, is there supporting her in her own strict but loving way. Lane’s story doesn’t have to end quietly, it could’ve rocked on.

6. Rory Doesn’t Get Pregnant, She Gets Peace

The last four words, “Mom?” “Yeah?” “I’m pregnant” is shocking. Some fans love the twist. Others feel it isn’t fair. After all, Rory has worked so hard for her career. Ending with an unplanned pregnancy (with Logan likely the father) feels like a repeat of Lorelai’s story, not Rory’s own in Gilmore Girls. In an alternative ending, instead of being pregnant, Rory could simply find peace with where she is.

Maybe she doesn’t have it all figured out yet, but that’s fine. The show could end with her sitting at Luke’s diner, notebook in hand, smiling as she starts writing her first book. A calm, quiet moment showing that she’s still growing, still chasing her dreams, and finally okay with not having every answer right now.

7. Paris Geller Rules the World

Paris Geller is intense, brilliant, and always one step ahead of everyone. By the end of the revival, she’s running a fertility clinic, but her personal life is a mess. In an alternate ending, Paris could’ve had a powerful, inspiring ending. Maybe she runs for office or becomes a groundbreaking doctor in women’s health.

In this alternate ending of Gilmore Girls, she reconnects with Doyle, or maybe finds someone new who truly gets her. Her final scene? Giving a fiery speech at a women’s conference, looking fierce and confident, showing that she never stopped being unstoppable.

8. The Town of Stars Hollow Comes Together One Last Time

Stars Hollow is more than just a backdrop, it is a character in itself in Gilmore Girls. The festivals, town meetings, and strange-but-lovable neighbors give the show its heart. But in the revival, we don’t get one final big town moment. What if the series ended with a big event like a wedding, a festival, or even a town-wide book reading of Rory’s new novel? Everyone would be there, as Taylor makes rules, Kirk does something ridiculous, Sookie returns to cook, and the Gilmore girls are at the center of it all.

The show could end with everyone dancing under fairy lights, music playing, and the feeling that no matter what happens, this town and these people will always be there for each other.

---

Gilmore Girls gives us years of memorable characters, fast-paced conversations, and heartfelt moments. But its ending left some fans feeling disappointed and wanting more. These eight alternate endings aren’t about fixing the show, they’re about imagining what could’ve been. Each one offers a little more closure, a bit more joy, and a sense that the characters we grew up loving found the happiness they deserved.