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Gilmore Girls fans have long debated whether Rory Gilmore was a bad friend to Lane Kim. Rory often got caught up in her own world, sometimes neglecting to check in on Lane. The longtime friends went through a few distant phases as their lives went in different directions. However, Rory and Lane always found their way back to each other. Rory also made up for the lost time with a few different gestures that proved she was a good friend.

Emily Kuroda as Mrs. Kim, Keiko Agena as Lane Kim, and Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
Emily Kuroda as Mrs. Kim, Keiko Agena as Lane Kim, and Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore in ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ | Saeed Adyani/Netflix

Rory Gilmore helped Lane Kim with her love life

Many Gilmore Girls fans cite Rory (Alexis Bledel) neglecting Lane’s (Keiko Agena) dilemma with Rich Bloomenfeld’s hair in season 1 as a time when Rory wasn’t such a good pal. However, there were plenty of times in the early seasons when Rory helped Lane through her boy troubles and even advocated for Lane’s love life.

For example, in season 1 episode 12, Rory helped Dean (Jared Padalecki) set Lane up with Todd (Lukas Behnken). All night, she kept looking back at them to make sure Lane was having a good time. Later, in episode 17, Lane met Henry Cho (Eddie Shin) at a Chilton party. Rory gave Lane space to dance with Henry, even though she didn’t really have anyone else but Lane to talk to.

Rory created an elaborate scheme to get Lane a new CD

Rory often helped Lane express herself when Lane’s mother wouldn’t allow it. She stored clothes for Lane, let Lane’s band practice in her garage, and went out of her way sometimes to get Lane’s favorite CDs.

In season 2 episode 14, when Lane was grounded and stuck in her room, Rory organized a mission where Kirk (Sean Gunn) distracted Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda) so Michel (Yanic Truesdale) could discreetly drop a CD in Lane’s bag. A scheme like that takes a lot of planning — and probably a lot of convincing of a reluctant Michel.

Rory supported Lane’s music career whenever possible

When Lane formed Hep Alien, Rory made sure to support her best friend’s music. Rory made it to as many gigs as she could, including the house party (season 3 episode 19) and Hep Alien’s record label opportunity (season 6 episode 10). She also often visited Lane’s band during rehearsals to listen in and offered opinions when Lane asked for them.

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Rory let Lane crash at her dorm at Yale

Rory’s home was always there when Lane needed a place to go, even when Rory moved to Yale. In season 4 episode 11, Mrs. Kim kicked Lane out of the house when she discovered Lane’s secret life. Lane went to Rory’s dorm, where Rory let her stay for a few days. And when Rory’s roommates decided it was time for Lane to go, Rory fought hard to see whether Lane could stay a bit longer because she missed her friend.

Rory calmed Lane’s nerves when Lane learned about her pregnancy

Rory was always there for the big moments in Lane’s life. In season 7 episode 2, Lane found out she was pregnant, and she feared she wouldn’t make a good mother. Rory sat down with Lane and assured her that she had time to figure everything out.

When Lane said she couldn’t be a perfect mom, Rory reminded her that nobody’s perfect and she shouldn’t put pressure on herself. By the end of their conversation, Rory and Lane were back to making pop culture jokes instead of freaking out, and Lane felt better about her situation.

All episodes of Gilmore Girls are now streaming on Netflix.

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