A Character’s Purpose in the Story

Why Gilmore Girls fans love Jess a lot more than Zack — and it’s not the reason you might think

In season one of Gilmore Girls, on Rory’s first day at Chilton, she meets Tristan, played by Chad Michael Murray. He’s the resident bad boy, but he’s very interested in Rory, even (especially?) once he learns she has a boyfriend.

Tristan flirts with her and while they initially don’t get along, she warms up to him slowly. She sees a softer side that he doesn’t show a lot of other people…