Christopher Hayden

Christopher Hayden was Lorelai's first proper love interest, being her high school boyfriend and Rory's father, and shares a similar sense of humour with her, though he is considerably less quirky. As we learn in early episodes and flashbacks, Christopher and Lorelai went to prep school together.

He was always a rebel, coming from a family similar to the Gilmores. But when Lorelai discovered she was pregnant, Christopher was willing to marry her and go along with "the plan" their parents concocted (Christopher would move in with the Gilmores and work for Richard's company). Despite this, Christopher was an absent father, and we learn that, in the period before the series begins, he did not play an active role in raising Rory. Throughout the series he attempts to make up for this-'presenting' Rory to society at her 'coming-out' party, ringing her every Wednesday at 7 and attempting to show up when Rory needs him most, such as when her and Jess are involved in a car crash and Rory fractures her arm. There is a brief period when the two of them are not speaking, as Christopher let her mother down, after promising Rory he wouldn't, but they maintain an amiable relationship, despite this.

For a time, Christopher is married to a woman named Sherry, and has another daughter, with her, named Georgia (Gigi). However, the audience is given the impression that he only marries her because it's 'the right thing to do' and he doesn't want to miss out on being a father again, like he did with Rory. Their relationship ends, however, when Sherry runs off to Paris to pursue her career, leaving Christopher to struggle alone with GiGi.

We are led to believe that Lorelai is the love of Christopher's life, as they frequently end up in bed together, usually when Lorelai has been left heartbroken, and he proposes to her numerous times throughout the series. The pair, however, never seem to be in the 'same place at the same time'. After Luke and Lorelai have their final fight at the end of season 6, Lorelai spends the night with Christopher, and after Luke's and Lorelai's breakup, they rekindle their relationship. We see the full extent of Christopher and Lorelai's connection as they date, and fall for eachother all over again (Christopher takes her on a surprise date, in which he screens "Funny Face" on the side of a barn, and they share the experience of picking Emily up from Jail.) After taking Gigi to France together, to allow her to spend time with Sherry, Christopher and Lorelai get married in Paris, and Christopher moves into Lorelai's house in Star's Hollow. They spend their first Christmas (belated as they were waiting for Rory to return) as a family, and Christopher tries to bring new 'family' traditions to the Gilmore house, although Lorelai and Rory are reluctant to accept these, favouring their own long-standing traditions. Their marriage is short-lived, ending with Lorelai telling Chris that she "really wants him to be the one she wants".

[edit] Fan Reactions

[edit] What Fans Love about Him

• He has the longest history with Lorelai of any of her love interests.
• A lot of female fans find him more handsome than Luke, classically speaking.
• He is younger and the target audience of the show is young.
• He's Rory's Dad
• He has a carefree spirit, and witty sense of humour.

[edit] What Fans Hate about Him

• He isn't Luke.
• They have really bad timing.
• By the end of the series, he still is very immature and thinks he can buy anything with his rich money.

[edit] Appearances

• 1.14
• 1.15
• 2.03
• 2.06
• 2.10
• 2.14
• 2.19
• 2.21
• 2.22
• 3.02
• 3.13
• 5.06
• 5.09
• 5.11
• 5.12
• 5.13
• 6.09
• 6.10
• 6.14
• 6.16
• 6.19
• 6.22
• 7.01
• 7.02
• 7.03
• 7.04
• 7.05
• 7.06
• 7.07
• 7.08
• 7.09
• 7.10
• 7.12
• 7.13
• 7.14
• 7.21