Then why does Emily does exactly the same thing to Lorelai 2 every Friday night meal Emily fights with Lorelai she also leaves Lorelai sitting alone in a room. I do not think Trix is rude and wrong but so is Emily
It's interesting how Trix respects Lorelai, but she doesn't respect Emily while Emily is proud of Rory, but disappointed in Lorelai. The relationships are different, but the relationships mirror each other. I think Trix's dislike for Emily is a mix of both your theory that Emily isn't ambitious enough for her and the theory no one would be good enough for Richard. Richard is a momma's boy and Trix subconsciously probably doesn't like the idea of sharing her son with any woman.
Given how much influence Trix has over Richard, it's possible that she was the one who pushed Richard to be with Pennilyn in the first place. Not only does she disapprove of Emily, but she also resents her for being the only person who has been able to make her son defy her.
This comment made think about the whole Charle-Diana-Camilla situation. The Queen was so much into protocol with her sister and children, but those situations made her more relaxed when it came to her grandchildren.
At first, it's a bit of fun watching Emily squirm the way Lorelei does at Friday dinners. Just as Lorelei can do nothing right for Emily, Emily can do nothing right for Trix. But then the behavior becomes very sad.
I didn't like it from the start. Don't get me wrong! I understand why some might be delighted to see Emily get karma, but I wouldn't say I like how Emily was put aside like that. In the same way, I don't think Lorelai deserves the same treatment from Emily either. That whole relationship reminds me of that scene from Monster In Law where we see Elaine Stritch treat Jane Fonda exactly as Jane treated J.Lo in the movie. Women hating on other women, even if it's in film and TV, have always been something I can't stand. That scene where Emily reads Trix's letter broke my heart for her. Emily may be an unlikeable, controlling, problematic, no-boundaries, narcissistic abuser, but it is not like she had those since birth... Deep down inside is an insecure and, frankly, unhappy woman who is not living the life she wanted. She genuinely loved Richard, but he didn't seem to have the same feelings about her. A great husband is someone who stands up for their partner! Not let their abusive parents walk and step all over them like that. If I am to be honest, I think Lorelai is a mix of her parents. She has her business savvy moments passed down from her father, but she is also that lost little girl like Emily (even though one had to grow up fast while the other stopped developing after 16). There is no one type of way that someone deals with their trauma. Lorelai overcompensates while Emily holds onto control. At the end of the day, they are 2 women who haven't adequately dealt with their own trauma. ESPECIALLY Emily since she was the most responsible for Lorelai not trusting her...
I think Trix liked that Lorelai was bold enough to carry on the family name and make another Gilmore despite being a girl. She made a new promising Gilmore without adding any inlaws to the family.
Regarding the theory that Trix didn't like Emily as she was "the other woman", I could see this being true, but the motivation behind it being a little different. Instead of a moral judgement on it, I think she would have been more bothered by the potential "embarrassment" of having had invitations gone out ,and the wedding having not gone through. She would have put the blame on Emily instead of on Richard.
Hahahaha, that would have been gold. Then imagine if they secretly started an affair together but still fought the whole time, arguing about whose family name is superior.
One of my favorite Emily moments was after she found Trix's letter, she was having a fine time 🥃 'drink Sookie?' 'Um, no thank you' 'well, more for me!' 🥴
“I’m going to go to Europe and I’m going to have a MARVELLOUS time. I’m going to get up at 10 and I’m going to have *two* glasses of wine at lunch Every Single Day!” 😮 🍷
Do you know what is weird about Emily? I cannot stand her, yet, at the same time, she is also one of my favorite characters. I think the episode where she gets horrible verbal mistreatment from Trix has helped me understand Emily in a way that I forgot about generational trauma and family dysfunction. Narcissistic abusers treat others like a punching bag because, deep down, they have no control over their own personal lives. For Emily, if things aren't put together in her way, then she has no control. Why do you think she fires and hires her maids??? I don't like people excusing Emily of being bullied by Trix because Emily does the same thing to Lorelai. I felt sorry for Emily because she felt she was being put aside. All Emily tried to do was accommodate her and be courteous. I think Richard enabling his mother's abuse was even more of a red flag, imo. No matter what, no one deserves to be verbally abused. Emily is also very mean to her daughter, which I don't excuse.
I think I had a similar experience where I did not like Emily at all until we were introduced to Trix. And I also like Trix haha but yeah, no one's perfect. It definitely helped me learn we could like some aspects of someone while recognizing their faults as well.
It always infuriated me that Richard never stuck up for Emily when his mother treated her like crap, and, like you pointed out, even laughed about it at times. To me, that is borderline unforgivable. And this might be a hot take, but I was glad when Emily after reading the letter that Trix wrote to Richard right before their wedding, after trix had just died, died decided to stay in her pajamas, smoke a cigarette Drink, and read a novel. (Btw, I bought that novel that she was reading on Amazon, and it’s pretty damn good!)
Here's my thing You're giving a lot of credit about her acceptance of Lorelei to her character but let me tell you grandparents are off in a lot easier on their grandchildren than they are their children because they do not view their grandchildren as a direct reflection on how they raise kids. I'm sure that Richard had it much worse and you can see that throughout this episode.
I definitely think that Trix was very hard on Richard when she was raising him. He definitely didn't get the same praise as Lorelai. I have the impression that Trix was emotionally abusive in raising Richard. I do think that Trix admires hard work and independence but she definitely wasn't a caring parent.
I always assumed Trix hated Emily b/c Richard married her instead of Pennilyn Lott. Makes me wonder it Lott was more business-forward and independent, hence Trix liking her more than Emily, the SAH Wife. Lott was likely well known in their social circle, and given that Richard continued having lunches with her for years, you have to wonder how long they knew eachother.
On your point, something else that I have been wondering is where Pennilyn went to school. Did she attend Yale? I don't recall if the show tells us what University she attended. If she attended Yale, then it's possible that Trix saw Pennilyn as a better match for Richard because she perceived Pennilyn as more ambitious and intelligent than Emily.
@@PensiveWhiskers She met her at the yale game and emily says that this is the only place they meet her (she didnt know about the dinners yet) so i would asume she goes there.
I think Trix not wanting to accept a gift makes sense when you connect it with the idea of her not liking debt. Accepting a gift can create a "you owe me now" situation, especially for a no-nonsense person. And to be honest, I don't think a business partner brings a gift just to be nice.
I'm sorry, but the look Jason gives Trix at 8:02 has me rolling every time. You can see the "If I wasn't Richards business partner I'd absolutely kick your ass. right here. right now" on his face.
@@mrs.m1752 she was Richard's mother, I think it was his way of showing respect. Even if it wasn't by the old world etiquette, she could have just said 'thank you, I'll enjoy it' and let it be 😕 she chose to make it weird
Everything you've said about Trix is spot on. But can I just say, how much I love that we see Emily get a double dose of her own medicine? The characters (the main cast mostly) get to be so delightfully nuanced I love it! Trix is one of my favorite guest stars. I love her chemistry with the main cast. I love, LOVE her chemistry with Jason. ASP & her team have such a special talent for writing these complex, and sometimes awful people that you can't help but enjoy them. Trix is _supposed_ to be this entitled upper-crust asshole who has gives no fucks for others, but we still have moments of liking her (Largely in part to Marion Ross imo). This is why I freaking love this show so much! you don't get a lot of nuance in prime time television slots.
another interpretation for Trix disliking Emily ,is that she is so attached to her son that she will never be content with the fact that he is with another woman. I think this demonstrates the endless dilemma between the wife and the mother-in-law
I definitely agree that Trix dislikes Emily for not “being a go-getter”. On top of possibly being the other woman I think that makes absolute sense. While lacking the obvious negative attributes that Richard and Emily have, I’m starting to recognize some parallelisms between Richard and Lorelei, as well as Emily and Rory. I wonder what Trix’s praise and criticisms would be if she has been alive for A Year in the Life.
It's so odd for me to hate Trix when the actress played one of the best TV mom's out there...Mrs. Cunningham from Happy Days. But I guess that what's makes her a good actress.
1000% I have a ton of appreciation for actors that make me hate their character (that is meant to be disliked) because it shows how much they embody the role. I think it's great when you can love the actor but hate the character.
My issue with Trix is indirect. Richard shows no loyalty to Emily when Trix is around. If I was being treated disrespectfully by anyone, I'd expect my husband to step in. I like Richard, in general, but can't forgive this disloyalty.
One of the things that puzzled me about my own grandma is that she had her own company, was business-oriented and hardworking, but she thought poorly of other women, had female friends with whom she only talked about men and going out. At that time, women were torn between patriarchal society's expectations and feminist ideals that had just been born. To be a successful woman then meant to be "like a man" and thus better than most women. That resembled "not like other girls" trope, there was a lot of internalized mysogyny. So my grandma can be a role model for me and many other women as she was self sufficient but also still not quite a femminist herself.
It's definitely from privileged. "No woman of class should drive" sort of thing. Even if she doesn't personally believe it (she wouldn't voice it out loud), it's more convenient for her to have someone drive her. And people tend to be inconsistent anyway lol
Of course, cause they should have chauffeurs. 😂😂😂😂 She didn't mean women should take the tram/taxis. My great grandmother (born 1897) came from a greek boyar family. She was very independent (for those times), travelled to Paris and Budapest and lived alone in Bucharest (which at that time was unheard of), only accompanied by her servants (a maid and sometimes a cook). She refused to marry the man her father arranged for her. I never met her but I have a black and white picture of a woman who in her prime closely resembles Vivien Leig. Very beautiful my great grandmother. She had an interesting life, she married for love and actually drove her first car and in 1930 she jumped out an airplane. She then worked as a nurse during the war. Her properties were confiscated by the Communist Party. Sadly she died right after her husband in 1965
I feel like she being mean to jason is fine. She doesnt want to receive a gift which means nothing. It is clear that jason gives the gift because it is the way he is taught to behave but it signals the idea of "networking" in business. He wants to bribe her in liking him because it may be beneficial later. She asks clever questions to deconstruct the illogical aspect of that behavior.
It's not OK, though. I think he was trying to be genuine. There didn't seem to be any motive. Trix was reaching for a reason and just being an asshole about it instead of simply saying "thank you."
To me even for someone born in 1917, she seems very old school in an almost aristocratic way. I don't know if I would agree that her mother was a suffragette, because, Trix at least, doesn't seem to like making any kind of noise. That doesn't mean that the movement didn't have an impact on her. Not to get to philosophical in the comment section of a TH-cam video, but I think with any sort of societal change, there are those who are actively and loudly fighting and those who work within the boundaries they were given to carf out a bit of freedom for themselves. Trix strikes me as the latter. Richard said that his mother taught him live was a fight. The money lending comment also struck me as antisemitic and I can imagine that she in general has some pretty racist beliefs. As for why she hates Emily so much, my theory is that she for some reason believes Emily married up. Maybe her family was new money or not as rich or for some other reason not considered in the same class as her and her family.
Oh interesting, I've seen that theory floating around as well; I think it's also plausible. I hinted at that possibility in my unhinged theory video on Emily (although that video overall is lacking in foundation).
@@PensiveWhiskers I mostly base it on the letter that she wrote to Richard. If you read "Pride and Prejudice" it kind of reminded me of when Lady Cathrin basically tells Lizzy that she isn't good enough for her nephew.
The older women in my family waited until the 90s to learn to drive (or never did!) . Just one of those old fashioned things that trickled down. You see the resurgence of the ‘passenger princess’ now
I really love your content! As someone with a bunch of private video essays and breakdowns (because I love writing and filmmaking lol) I can really appreciate how well these are done! Literally such well done and interesting content and I love that it’s on Gilmore girls! Literally nobody else does these breakdowns like you do! ❤
Wow, thank you! I appreciate your words a lot. I love video essays and it never registered for me that I can try to do them myself. I have 0 skills in this area, so it's been a struggle. 😆Still a lot of fun though, I feel like I'm learning something new every day. Have you considered making your videos public?
I am in absolute agreement with you there! I'm also glad they have her two characters to play. Also, relieved to hear I wasn't alone on my money-lending thoughts. I sometimes feel like my brain makes weird connections that I'm pretty sure the show runners didn't intend to make.
I love you connecting her beliefs with historical references! I think even if it wasn't intentional by the writers it does show how an idea can be passed on without understanding of the origin. Thats why it's so important to question and deconstruct our beliefs to prevent systemic discrimination. Just one unrelated thing I wanted to add, I like how Trix's sharp tongue shows a familial tie to quick-wittedness. We see all of the Gilmores using their fast thinking brains for a variety of reasons, but many of them prioritize it based on personality or familial trauma. While Trix uses it to scold and keep in line, her granddaughter uses it as a defense mechanism, and finally rori uses it mostly for actual fun/humourous jokes.
Even though I enjoyed seeing the way trix treated Emily yeah she was truly a mean person it makes sense why Richard was also a bully he learned from his mother sadly and yes Richard is a total mamas boy 💯 to me but i do agree with her about lending money and i did like how she treated lorelai and rory i get why trix respected her granddaughter
😄I'm doing it to keep you on your toes (JK). I've been considering doing mystery posts where I give hints as to what character will be next and whoever guesses gets to pick the topic for the following video. The only thing that worries me is if someone picks a very big character that I'm not ready to dissect. 😆
My head canon with Trix and Emily is that Trix pushes her around because she can, Trix is a jerk to people until they resist and she disrespects anyone who actively seeks her approval. There definitely is something about her being a classic mother in law but I also think that she dislikes how much of a housewife Emily is. All of the things she criticizes her for are about how she keeps her home. I also have this head canon that is a bit of a stretch but it goes to her background as having traveled all around the world and no doubt been through harsh conditions yet she is so particular now about how things are done. Part of it is her being mean but I also think as she's gotten so old she is now much weaker and she doesn't want to admit to needing help so she instead masquerades her accessibility needs as basic manners.
My theory as to why Trix doesn't like Emily is because Emily did not attend Yale, Emily went to Smith. Whereas Pennilyn Lott attended Yale. Plus we saw how outraged she became when she heard that Rory wanted to go to Harvard.
I had a similar thought as well at one point but the timeline doesn't work. Based on what I've found online, Emily was born around 1942. Yale went co-ed in 1969. So, Emily would have been 27 years old when the school first allowed women to enroll. Presumably, Pennilyn Lott is around the same age as Emily or fairly close in age. Timeline wise, Yale wasn't co-ed when Penn and Emily were college-age.
The eating schedule but reminded me of my great grandmother's particularness when it came to food. The expectations older people have, even in things as insignificance of food arrival times. Royal Protocol also comes to mind about this. On Merchant of Venice: there could be a subtle implication there, or just a tiny reference which is very typical of a Gilmore Girl script. "Women shouldn't drive": again, she's used to a certain protocol. On her surprise visit, she told Emily, "you realize it's not proper to receive guests in the fourier? It puts one in the awkward position in having to invite oneself." Now as I'm writing this and read some of the comments, the whole Emily/Pennilyn Lott situation is similar to Charles wanting to be with Camilla over Diana. Hmm...maybe I'm the one reading too much into things now? Lol
I can’t remember if you said this but when she was gifting Rory a lot of money and then all of a sudden because Lorelei did or said something, Trix said nevermind and took it all away.
I had a section where I talked about that, but I cut it out at the end. In essence, I felt it was problematic the way that Trix decided to take back her offer. It felt like she was trying to flex her power.
I honestly saw the situation with Trix and Emily differently. Personally, I thought that Emily came from a less well-off(or disgraced?) aristocratic family. There are certain references to it, such as when Trix talks about Emily's blood as inferior to her own. My theory is that Emily's family fell in social ranks for some reason, but not quite enough for them not to be considered high-class. Emily mentions that she was always going to be a wife when talking to Lorelai about her divorce. I thought this could have been an implication that Emily's family and Emily by extension needed a beneficial marriage that would raise their social rank. Even consider what college she went to: Smith, an upper brow college no doubt, but not Ivy League and perhaps implies that her family didn't have the connections for her admittance into an Ivy League school. We see Emily later obsessed with keeping a perfect image of wealth, which I speculate could be a response to her childhood in which her lack of social status was something to always obsess over. Trix disliked Emily perhaps for her family, and its relative lack of status.
I have to add something here: Rory's Trust fund. 250 thousand dollars. This was not a lump sum. For Old Money Families this was by quarter. For Life. This is why Rory was able to be aimless in The Revival.
I think I understand that I understand what you meant with Trix talking loaning money. And I remember that quote of Shakespeare “neither a borrower nor a lender be” as I had watched Kenneth & Kate Winslet in Hamlet‼
i love all the theorie equally tbh! i also think it's important to recognise that just about all of the standards she imposes on the gilmore ngirls are suuuper misogynistic too.
Emily's role in her home is very much expected as someone of her status and generation. She runs that entire household in a way that people run a business (very well too) so I do not believe that has anything to do with Trix's dislike of her. In fact I can imagine that if Emily had a career outside the home it would be quite the scandal according to Trix.
I think the readon Tricks hates Emily is because Emily isnt a Gilmore by blood. And Tricks is hung up her blood line,since she married her cousin. My assumption is,she wanted Richard to marry another Gilmore. By doing that would of been health issues. Maybe why Richard does have ailnesses.
The part about Trix not liking women driving doesn't surprise me. My grandma didn't learn to drive until her youngest was around 10. It was good that she finally did because my grandpa died of cancer a few years later. Several of my grandparents' sisters didn't drive, either. Even in the 70s and 80s, when they were in their 60s, they didn't drive.
Trix sucks but she’s an important character. She is a reflection of how Emily treats Lorelai, like some inferior insect that should be squashed. I wish her character was a little more utilized and we could see how she not only affected Emily, but Richard. I think it would allow them to grow as characters.
I don't like Emily, yet at the same time, she is also one of my top favorite antagonists because she has little moments of humanity every now and then. I think Trix's verbal mistreatment of Emily is proof that you can be a horrible person and still have feelings when someone else is awful to you. Generation trauma! Again... Even though Emily is one of my favorite characters on the show FOR THIS REASON! It will never excuse the damage she has done to Lorelai. That is what I like about the show. No character is black and white! Not even the horrible ones (Emily and Richard).
My own little personal head cannon about tricks in regards to Emily is, as you pointed out in this video, she does value hard work and okay with status, possibly because of her upbringing and it's possible that since she doesn't really have a problem with Lorelai in terms of what happened to her and then the fact that she works hard first at the independence in and then creating her own business with the dragonfly in and how tricks actually rewards that, I think the reason that she treats Emily so badly both as a servant and also as a person is to do how Emily treats other people, again this might be controversial, but we see throughout the show that Emily thinks Lorelai working as a maid at the independence Inn before she became the manager was in insulting to the family, she always is so rude to her maids that they quit and she has so many of them because they keep quitting because she's so nasty to them and I think tricks knows this and also knows about Emily's frivolous lifestyle and the DRA, which isn't necessarily a bad thing like she's allowed to be a stay at home mum and be homemaker and there's nothing wrong with her lifestyle although I will say there are times were in Emily does waste Richard's money and is very frivolous with her purchases and her lifestyle is quite privileged, she does a lot for Richard and she works hard as a wife and as a mother and again there is nothing wrong with that but she also puts a lot of emphasis on status and wealth as well. So I think tricks trading Emily the way she does has to do with how she has seen Emily treat other people she thinks that what Emily does is frivolous and that she is not right for Richard, we don't know a lot about penal in lot but after tricks riding that awful letter to Richard telling him to break up with Emily or not marry her I think has to do with the fact that possibly panel in lot was a hard-working woman who wasn't going to take all of Richard's money which is not necessarily what Emily does but I hope you kind of see where I'm going here, I think tricks views Emily the same way Emily views her weight staff she knows that Emily treats her maids awful so she treats Emily awful because she wants Emily to get a taste of her own medicine which is very messed up don't get me wrong and I'm not saying that that is the case but based on the evidence we have that's the conclusion I personally came to is that the reason tricks is so nasty to Emily specifically has to do with the way that Emily treats her white stuff and the way she spins Richard's money and just her overall lifestyle the fact that she doesn't work hard for things the fact that sheis really rude and awful to Lorelai for her choices in life which I think tricks actually admires, don't get me wrong tricks is an awful human being but I find that interesting
I think Trix was simply triggered by the French antiques book. She became hostile because she thinks Jason sees her as this little old delicate lady and she would absolutely not tolerate it
Interesting character analysis. For me though, breaking up with someone in order to be with someone else is NOT cheating. Cheating is when you choose to live parallel lives and engage in an intimate relationship with more than one person.
I don't know if I completely imagined it but I got the sense that Trix showed tolerance for Lorelai as much as she did because she knew Emily didn't like Lorelai's lifestyle, etc. She admires the self-sufficiency and I'm sure Lorelai having an accomplished daughter also helps but it makes no sense that such a conservative woman has less issue with Lorelai's lifestyle than Richard and Emily do. If anything you'd think Trix admiring Lorelai would move Richard some (if not Emily). Even when they go to Lorelai's house Trix has nothing to say about any of it which is weird and we know Lorelai freaked out when Emily first came over.
That is entirely possible. A few other people have proposed that theory as well; that Trix's admiration of Lorelai partially stems from her disdain for Emily.
Maybe it's just because I was never a Digger fan but I was always kind of amused when Trix called him out. I saw it as her cutting through his pretense. He was kind of putting on a show and trying to schmooze Trix (a la the way he got himself invited to dinner talking about the hamburger he was going to eat...) I kinda liked it that she wasn't falling for his smoth operator act.
I feel like some stories arent literal. The one with the camel is an anectode at her funeral and should be taken with a grain of salt imo. It is a story given to portray her character/the way she lived.
Fair point. The story also came from Marilyn, who seems somewhat ostentatious so it's possible she exaggerated. Although I am inclined to believe Marilyn's story later about how Trix complained to the police about the tea being too hot when she was trapped in her house during a blizzard.
I think Trix hates Emily is because in this one regard Richard didnt listen to her. Its the most in the face example of Richard not being completely under her thumb. Trix seems like a very controlling person. And she hates it when she cant control a situation.
I always thought Trix did not like Emily because she was lower class. I guess I never paid attention to what was Emily's background which I assume she comes from not much money. Or maybe it's my own family traumas. As my mom's new husband came from a family with some money and always saw my mom and myself as a lower class and treated us weirdly. Especially the mom who reminds me a lot of Trix.
Oh my goodness, I'm sorry 🥺. That's not fair to you or your mom. It is possible that Emily was of a lower social class than the Gilmores. I didn't discuss this theory as I talked about it in my video on Emily. I do recognize that my video on Emily is very out there and kind of silly.
I can't believe you didn't mention to the post obvious theory as to why trix is awful to emily: emily was lower social class than richard by birth, she built up her status and went to yale to find a wealthy husband. she isn't the right "breeding" for richard.
Hi there! Good point. 🙂I left that one out mostly because I touched upon it in my Emily video (even though that video was silly). I do think that is a good theory, I should have mentioned it in this video as well.
Jewess here. I want to validate what you said - the disdain for money lending isn't exactly overtly antisemitic... but it definitely gives a hint of antisemitic undertones at least. It can often be the tip of the iceberg that gets revealed if you dig deeper. I also had the same thought when you first brought up the topic, so I was grateful you brought that up in the video and talked about it a bit.
I had the same feeling when she quoted Shakespeare, I've written a few papers on MOV, focusing on the anti-semetism and Shylock as a character so I'm always over analytical
I have a theory that those who read Merchant of Venice are inclined to see the association in Trix's lines. It's that play specifically that I think creates that connection in our heads between Shakespear and antisemitism. I don't think it was intended but that's where my mind goes.
Perhaps her feelings towards loans reflects how much she dislikes scandal or ugliness within family/ community groups. If she loans her granddaughter money and is not paid back that would cause tension and ugliness within the family. But if she just gifts money or invests money in the person's business then she can give money without worrying about the stress or logistics of repayment.
Maybe Trix resented Emily because she wasn't "Gilmore" enough. Inbreeding ftw! The lady clearly thought being a Gilmore made you royalty or something. 10:56 In regards to how you perceive the relationship between Richard and Trix. I want you to keep in mind that I haven't watched the show and I am going by admittedly incomplete information. My analysis could be wildly inaccurate as a result. But when you said that you thought that Trix raised Richard, the way Richard raised Lorelai, I am inclined to disagree with you. (This is based more on a working knowledge of narcissism and how it operates. Again, I might be wrong) I think it was the opposite, I think Richard was Trix's precious little golden boy. I wish you had included clips that showed that Richard was acting in ways that seemed as if he was trying to win his mother's approval even against his better judgment because that would've provided a basis for your argument but as it stands, it doesn't seem like it. Trix raised Richard with over-developed sense of personal superiority based on the fact that he was a Gilmore. She put him up on a pedestal and that greatly and adversely affected his sense of self-perception. Underneath the surface, Richard thinks he is better than the people around him, better than his wife and maybe under the surface Emily also the believes that there's something special about being a Gilmore too which is why she gets so anxious around his mother (she's intimidated, she committed a past social faux pas and under the surface she believes she isn't good enough). It would explain why (to her) being with Richard is more important than the ways he's betrayed her. This would also mean on some level, Emily provided Richard with "supply" and appealed to his ego in a way in he was trained to by his mother. So I don't agree that Richard wants his mother's affection. I think he got a great deal of it, maybe too much. (It's not normal to "worship" ones parent (Richard and Trix) just as it is not normal to have a "friendship" one's teenage daughter (Lorelai and Rory)) I think it's possible that Richard is distant with Lorelai because he just couldn't be arsed. He's more concerned with being a successful businessman than he is with being a father and because apart from his mother whom he also holds on pedestal, he doesn't think much of the women in his life unless it makes *_him_* look good. I know this is a grim take and I would really have to watch the show to make an informed opinion but based on the information I am working with, that's what it seems like. Richard doesn't show interest in Rory until it turns out she could be smart enough to go to an Ivy League school like he himself did, his own mother, like a *_Gilmore_* should. I think Trix and Richard enable each other in quietly narcissistic ways. Just a thought though. Let me know if I am wrong.
Yes, I think Trix doesn’t like Emily, supporting your theory because she’s not a working woman and she doesn’t really know or respect the things she does because of that. Also, when you said Richard had tendencies of a cheater then Rory cheats, that is true. I also thought of how Lorelai, like Richard, was engaged to Luke and she cheated on him with Christopher (I know this is debatable because it could be argued she unofficially ended things with Luke that same night but I don’t think that was a breakup)
There are several branches of the Gilmore Family(Remember when Lorelai was calling everyone about the ice cream maker? The Bostonian Gilmores, Aunt Bunny, etc etc.) To me, as my Mothers Maternal Family is Mayflower Old Money, Trix just seemed like a product of that. It wasn't that Emily wasn't 'Old Money', she was(or Richard...who was an ultra snob, would have never even considered marrying her) There are, however, rungs of to the ladder of 'Old Money'. When Marian is describing Trix at Trix's funeral, Trix told her husband(and 2nd Cousin , Charles that "SHE would not wait one more minute" and galloped off without him. I think Trix's Gilmore branch was a rung above her husbands. She was just old money snobbish, Old Money Matriarchy controlling and she bullied Emily because she knew Emily was also strong willed and it amuses those types to watch them break other people. She would have done the same to Pendleton Lott. On that note: Early in the Seasons, Emily refers to her as "Linney Lott" and says what a "mouse" she was. Maybe Trix would have liked her better because she would have been easier to control? Emily seems to have always had a backbone and a spine of steel of her own and for people like Trix THAT would NOT have been acceptable. For people that cannot bend, they break, and that is what Trix did to Emily. Trix was the prophecy of what Emily would have become, by the way. Emily was the same way to Lorelei as Trix was to Emily. Emily was frantic and bent over backwards to please her because THAT is what one does to 'The Head of The Family' in those circles. Lorelei was not having it and fled. Then made it on her own. It annoyed Emily, it hurt her. Trix, however, however "disapproving of scandal" she might be, had a grudging respect for her. It's just the "Old Mayflower Moneyed Family Way" I could tell you horror stories of my Great Great Grandmother(she died when I was 13 at 110) and how when she snapped her fingers everyone around her jumped LOL She barely spoke above a whisper-because she did not have to! Stop saying she is mean when she is simply being what and who she is. I could private message you, or speak to you on the phone for hours and hours...................
I think your theory on why Trix doesnt like Emily is right bc you can see that in the series. Emily is very inteligent and savvy but when she’s around Trix she becomes this clutz and I think its bc we’re seeing it from Trix’s POV. No matter how much Emily tries she will never be good enough for Richard bc she isnt up to Trix’s standards of womanhood.
im glad that i'm not the only one to think of the antisemitism of the merchant of venice. i know that wasnt the intended reading, but that is still the association in my head. overall great to hear such analysis and attention on a really underappreciated character ! edit: i also see the parallels between trix hating emily and the huntzbergers disliking rory and thinking shes inadequate. i do think the trix's animosity toward emily is from multiple sources, but i think some of it could be the belief that emily came from a family inferior to the gilmores
I also think that the lending money association wasn't intended by the writers but that's what jumped out at me. It is possible that Trix sees Emily as coming from a family with a lower status.
I feel like Trix looks down on Emily because she might see Emily as a leech, because Emily is a stay at home wife who has no ambitions - in Trix's mind. She treats Emily like a maid, because she might consider stay at home wives, maids.
Trix looks like her style peaked during the Edwardian era (up to the start of WWI) and she stuck with it! Which is odd, as she was supposedly born in 1917.
I loved this deep dive into Lorelai the first. One thing I disagree with is that Richard has cheating tendencies. I see Richard as extremely loyal to his family. Look how he almost got into a physical fight with Strobe at that one dinner they had together. I see Rory's lack of commitment to be inherited directly from her mom. Lorelai was unable to commit to anyone and Rory's the same way.
Given how much Trix values the family name, their reputation... I could see why she'd hate Jason. She likely knew how Jason betrayed his own father to work for Richard. I think she has no respect for betraying your family like that. She doesn't care that Jason's dad getting shafted, she's fine with Richard doing that. That's just business. But, I think she hates Jason for being the kind of person who would turn his back on family, spit on the family name.
I don't think her dislike of Emily has to do with Emily not being a go getter. If she was a go getter, Trix would have hated her more because it would have reflected badly on her son. What would people think of Richard if his wife had a job? I think Trix would believe people would think along the lines of him not being successfull enough to take care of his wife.
Trix is simply a narcissist. She had a hard life, so she resents Emily for all the comfort she has. Trix wants to control everything, and Emily drew Richard out of her motherly control. Emily being the "other woman" has also made her a threat to the control. At the same time, Emily tries to please Trix, and Trix is disgusted by those gestures, because she respects a "spine". There is no winning with that woman. Not that Emily is much better though. At first it is satisfying to watch Emily being mistreated the same way she mistreats others, but then it's just sad. Trix is trying to connect to people through controlling them or abusing them. In a way, Emily would be better off returning the back handed insults that leave the receiver wondering if this was an insult. But that would open a whole other can of worms. I also think that Trix is overtly nice to Lorelei and Rory in part to piss Emily off. Emily has her issues with Lorelei, and when Trix treats her with respect, she takes the control from Emily. Appreciating Lorelei for who she is invalidates Emily's wishes and values she is trying to push onto her daughter. It sends the message: "I am deciding who's worthy, and not you, Emily." It is also a jab at Emily from the "acceptance to the family" perspective. Even though Lorelei is living a much more humble life than Trix deems appropriate, she is accepted because she is a Gilmore. No matter how much Emily will try, she can never be part of the family. Even if she submitted to Trix in every way, Trix would just hate her even more. Both Emily and Trix are horrible, Richard has shut off emotionally from his upbringing to escape, and Lorelei escaped physically. Rory is left mothering her mother, which led her to be an eager, diligent, seemingly mature and adult-like student, but collapsing as an actual adult, because she never got to have her childhood. And then she gets pregnant in a bad situation, and it's implied that the cycle will continue. Rich or poor, if you rob a child from growing their own identity, confidence and self-esteem in their carefree years, they will struggle.
The gift thing its because it is not well Seen to give someone you Never meet before in that type of circle the Time you should give something to someone is food items if youre invited to eat normaly it is preferable to bring wine or desert after asking the appropriate questions like would you prefer wine or a desert and is There food allergies
On Trix's potential anti-semittism: Amy and Dan are Jewish, and a surprising amount of the jokes reference anti-semites. Don't know if that merits its own video. However, Lorelai also references that Shakespeare quote once, I believe either when she's borrowed the Chilton money or when she just paid it back. She has other moments of being too proud to borrow money, like with the termites, so it might just be a family thing. Richard insists he repaid his own mother every cent he ever borrowed from her.
Usury or lending money at interest is a forbidden practice for like to like, so among Jews originally. Later, this principle was what allowed Jews to fill this niche when in overwhelmingly Christian Europe because it wasn’t from like to like. This worked for the Christians too because it saved them from the same forbidden practice. The idea that lending money at interest or among familiars (like) was dirty is both Biblical and possibly based on practicality as it can be a source of tension and problems within an otherwise cohesive society. So, bringing it back to Trix, she likely recognizes this difficulty as part of her business savvy. Lending is problematic.
Lending is a dirty business especially if it's with friends and family because what if they don't pay? It'll ruin the whole relationship. It happened to me when my close friend borrowed money and didn't pay. It ruined our friendship forever. That's why I will mever lend money again. And yes, I think you are looking too deep into it
I get the feeling that trix is conservative with money, she seems very old money and not one to spend frivolously, if she spends money it's to further their reputation and she wouldn't back something she wasn't sure would succeed. she would spend money to ENSURE it succeeds or she'd insist they abandon the venture. she invests in the futue of her family legacy
I never thought about Emily having subconscious resentment for Lorelai based on her name, but it makes so much sense.
To be fair, I didn't either until I saw a lot of other people talk about it and it really clicked for me.
Then why does Emily does exactly the same thing to Lorelai 2 every Friday night meal Emily fights with Lorelai she also leaves Lorelai sitting alone in a room. I do not think Trix is rude and wrong but so is Emily
@@JillHope-Bailie-xt5gw subconscious resentment.
Well Emily named her Lorelai, in an attempt to getting in her good books.
makes perfect sense to me. But then again, I have a mother who resents me because I look like my father’s children from his first marriage.
It's interesting how Trix respects Lorelai, but she doesn't respect Emily while Emily is proud of Rory, but disappointed in Lorelai. The relationships are different, but the relationships mirror each other. I think Trix's dislike for Emily is a mix of both your theory that Emily isn't ambitious enough for her and the theory no one would be good enough for Richard. Richard is a momma's boy and Trix subconsciously probably doesn't like the idea of sharing her son with any woman.
That is so interesting! I haven't thought of it that way, I do see the parallels.
I think a lot of people are just softer with their grandchildren than with their children in general.
Yeah, grandfather was a stern father, but with my sister and I he was affectionate.
100% I agree it’s a combo of those two theories
Because Emily is simply the younger, more modern version of Trix herself.
Given how much influence Trix has over Richard, it's possible that she was the one who pushed Richard to be with Pennilyn in the first place. Not only does she disapprove of Emily, but she also resents her for being the only person who has been able to make her son defy her.
I also think thats the case. She probably planned everything and then her perfect plan was destroyed by Emily entering the scene.
This comment made think about the whole Charle-Diana-Camilla situation. The Queen was so much into protocol with her sister and children, but those situations made her more relaxed when it came to her grandchildren.
At first, it's a bit of fun watching Emily squirm the way Lorelei does at Friday dinners. Just as Lorelei can do nothing right for Emily, Emily can do nothing right for Trix. But then the behavior becomes very sad.
The fact that it was so constant and unrelenting is what started to bother me. It does become sad.
I didn't like it from the start. Don't get me wrong! I understand why some might be delighted to see Emily get karma, but I wouldn't say I like how Emily was put aside like that. In the same way, I don't think Lorelai deserves the same treatment from Emily either. That whole relationship reminds me of that scene from Monster In Law where we see Elaine Stritch treat Jane Fonda exactly as Jane treated J.Lo in the movie. Women hating on other women, even if it's in film and TV, have always been something I can't stand.
That scene where Emily reads Trix's letter broke my heart for her. Emily may be an unlikeable, controlling, problematic, no-boundaries, narcissistic abuser, but it is not like she had those since birth... Deep down inside is an insecure and, frankly, unhappy woman who is not living the life she wanted. She genuinely loved Richard, but he didn't seem to have the same feelings about her. A great husband is someone who stands up for their partner! Not let their abusive parents walk and step all over them like that. If I am to be honest, I think Lorelai is a mix of her parents. She has her business savvy moments passed down from her father, but she is also that lost little girl like Emily (even though one had to grow up fast while the other stopped developing after 16). There is no one type of way that someone deals with their trauma. Lorelai overcompensates while Emily holds onto control. At the end of the day, they are 2 women who haven't adequately dealt with their own trauma. ESPECIALLY Emily since she was the most responsible for Lorelai not trusting her...
Yes, it does escalate over a time, doesn’t it? I ended up feeling so bad for Emily…
@@PensiveWhiskers quiet as it'd kept that's one of the reasons why while this is a great show, watching it makes you squirm and demoralizing
I wonder what Trix’s reaction would’ve been to the Huntzberger dinner and disregard for her family name.
I just find it fascinating how the clothes show the difference in time for each woman. It's so clear to see which era each woman belongs to.
I think Trix liked that Lorelai was bold enough to carry on the family name and make another Gilmore despite being a girl. She made a new promising Gilmore without adding any inlaws to the family.
Fun fact; the redhead woman who told the Egypt story at the wake is the same actress who plays Trix 😂
their cousin lol
@@louvrebaby yes! Cousin Marilyn if I remember correctly
What?
Ok, I thought so. I wanted to make sure I wasn't losing my mind. That was Marion Ross, right? The mom from Happy Days?
@@MegPank yes! Marion Ross. I recognize her much more readily as a redhead
Regarding the theory that Trix didn't like Emily as she was "the other woman", I could see this being true, but the motivation behind it being a little different. Instead of a moral judgement on it, I think she would have been more bothered by the potential "embarrassment" of having had invitations gone out ,and the wedding having not gone through. She would have put the blame on Emily instead of on Richard.
I always feel like trix should have been in a room with logan’s granpa. Imagine how badly she would treat him. We only needed one episode of this
Hahahaha, that would have been gold. Then imagine if they secretly started an affair together but still fought the whole time, arguing about whose family name is superior.
And how badly he would have treated her. Because there was a difference between the Gilmore's money and the Huntzberger's money.
One of my favorite Emily moments was after she found Trix's letter, she was having a fine time 🥃 'drink Sookie?' 'Um, no thank you' 'well, more for me!' 🥴
That scene is sooo funny. If I ever cover Emily, I'm definitely talking about that moment.
Fun fact that scene is one of Kelly Bishop's favorite scenes.
“I’m going to go to Europe and I’m going to have a MARVELLOUS time. I’m going to get up at 10 and I’m going to have *two* glasses of wine at lunch Every Single Day!” 😮 🍷
Do you know what is weird about Emily? I cannot stand her, yet, at the same time, she is also one of my favorite characters. I think the episode where she gets horrible verbal mistreatment from Trix has helped me understand Emily in a way that I forgot about generational trauma and family dysfunction. Narcissistic abusers treat others like a punching bag because, deep down, they have no control over their own personal lives. For Emily, if things aren't put together in her way, then she has no control. Why do you think she fires and hires her maids??? I don't like people excusing Emily of being bullied by Trix because Emily does the same thing to Lorelai. I felt sorry for Emily because she felt she was being put aside. All Emily tried to do was accommodate her and be courteous. I think Richard enabling his mother's abuse was even more of a red flag, imo. No matter what, no one deserves to be verbally abused. Emily is also very mean to her daughter, which I don't excuse.
I think I had a similar experience where I did not like Emily at all until we were introduced to Trix. And I also like Trix haha but yeah, no one's perfect. It definitely helped me learn we could like some aspects of someone while recognizing their faults as well.
It always infuriated me that Richard never stuck up for Emily when his mother treated her like crap, and, like you pointed out, even laughed about it at times. To me, that is borderline unforgivable.
And this might be a hot take, but I was glad when Emily after reading the letter that Trix wrote to Richard right before their wedding, after trix had just died, died
decided to stay in her pajamas, smoke a cigarette Drink, and read a novel. (Btw, I bought that novel that she was reading on Amazon, and it’s pretty damn good!)
Here's my thing You're giving a lot of credit about her acceptance of Lorelei to her character but let me tell you grandparents are off in a lot easier on their grandchildren than they are their children because they do not view their grandchildren as a direct reflection on how they raise kids. I'm sure that Richard had it much worse and you can see that throughout this episode.
I definitely think that Trix was very hard on Richard when she was raising him. He definitely didn't get the same praise as Lorelai. I have the impression that Trix was emotionally abusive in raising Richard. I do think that Trix admires hard work and independence but she definitely wasn't a caring parent.
I always assumed Trix hated Emily b/c Richard married her instead of Pennilyn Lott. Makes me wonder it Lott was more business-forward and independent, hence Trix liking her more than Emily, the SAH Wife. Lott was likely well known in their social circle, and given that Richard continued having lunches with her for years, you have to wonder how long they knew eachother.
On your point, something else that I have been wondering is where Pennilyn went to school. Did she attend Yale? I don't recall if the show tells us what University she attended. If she attended Yale, then it's possible that Trix saw Pennilyn as a better match for Richard because she perceived Pennilyn as more ambitious and intelligent than Emily.
@@PensiveWhiskers She met her at the yale game and emily says that this is the only place they meet her (she didnt know about the dinners yet) so i would asume she goes there.
@@T_RyanRainnot necessarily. A lot of people attend the Harvard-Yale game.
I think Trix not wanting to accept a gift makes sense when you connect it with the idea of her not liking debt. Accepting a gift can create a "you owe me now" situation, especially for a no-nonsense person. And to be honest, I don't think a business partner brings a gift just to be nice.
I'm sorry, but the look Jason gives Trix at 8:02 has me rolling every time. You can see the "If I wasn't Richards business partner I'd absolutely kick your ass. right here. right now" on his face.
I LOVE that expression, I had to restrain myself from including it more than twice. 😆
@@mrs.m1752 she was Richard's mother, I think it was his way of showing respect. Even if it wasn't by the old world etiquette, she could have just said 'thank you, I'll enjoy it' and let it be 😕 she chose to make it weird
@@ennuiblue4295 I agree with this. I thought it was more rude of her not to accept it.
Everything you've said about Trix is spot on. But can I just say, how much I love that we see Emily get a double dose of her own medicine? The characters (the main cast mostly) get to be so delightfully nuanced I love it! Trix is one of my favorite guest stars. I love her chemistry with the main cast. I love, LOVE her chemistry with Jason. ASP & her team have such a special talent for writing these complex, and sometimes awful people that you can't help but enjoy them. Trix is _supposed_ to be this entitled upper-crust asshole who has gives no fucks for others, but we still have moments of liking her (Largely in part to Marion Ross imo). This is why I freaking love this show so much! you don't get a lot of nuance in prime time television slots.
another interpretation for Trix disliking Emily ,is that she is so attached to her son that she will never be content with the fact that he is with another woman. I think this demonstrates the endless dilemma between the wife and the mother-in-law
I definitely agree that Trix dislikes Emily for not “being a go-getter”. On top of possibly being the other woman I think that makes absolute sense.
While lacking the obvious negative attributes that Richard and Emily have, I’m starting to recognize some parallelisms between Richard and Lorelei, as well as Emily and Rory.
I wonder what Trix’s praise and criticisms would be if she has been alive for A Year in the Life.
She def wouldn’t be too happy about rory haha
She'd probably say that Rory takes up after Emily 😝
Trix didn't remarry because they ran out of Gilmore cousins haha
😆 She should have married cousin Marilyn.
I love this video! The relationships between all these women are so layered and complex, and so many people overlook that to belittle the show.
Thank you! They are complex relationships and I know that even in my videos, I am not capturing all of the nuance because there is a lot of it.
It's so odd for me to hate Trix when the actress played one of the best TV mom's out there...Mrs. Cunningham from Happy Days. But I guess that what's makes her a good actress.
1000% I have a ton of appreciation for actors that make me hate their character (that is meant to be disliked) because it shows how much they embody the role. I think it's great when you can love the actor but hate the character.
Oooh, I just finished your Richard video earlier, so this is perfect timing!!
Nice! ☺I was considering doing a nicer video on Richard first but then decided to do one on Trix to give more context for Richard later.
My issue with Trix is indirect. Richard shows no loyalty to Emily when Trix is around. If I was being treated disrespectfully by anyone, I'd expect my husband to step in. I like Richard, in general, but can't forgive this disloyalty.
There's some inconsistencies in her character. For example, how is she so independent, admires go-getters, but doesn't approve of women driving?
probably thinks they should have drivers 🤷🏻♀️
One of the things that puzzled me about my own grandma is that she had her own company, was business-oriented and hardworking, but she thought poorly of other women, had female friends with whom she only talked about men and going out. At that time, women were torn between patriarchal society's expectations and feminist ideals that had just been born. To be a successful woman then meant to be "like a man" and thus better than most women. That resembled "not like other girls" trope, there was a lot of internalized mysogyny. So my grandma can be a role model for me and many other women as she was self sufficient but also still not quite a femminist herself.
It's definitely from privileged. "No woman of class should drive" sort of thing. Even if she doesn't personally believe it (she wouldn't voice it out loud), it's more convenient for her to have someone drive her.
And people tend to be inconsistent anyway lol
Of course, cause they should have chauffeurs. 😂😂😂😂
She didn't mean women should take the tram/taxis.
My great grandmother (born 1897) came from a greek boyar family. She was very independent (for those times), travelled to Paris and Budapest and lived alone in Bucharest (which at that time was unheard of), only accompanied by her servants (a maid and sometimes a cook). She refused to marry the man her father arranged for her. I never met her but I have a black and white picture of a woman who in her prime closely resembles Vivien Leig. Very beautiful my great grandmother. She had an interesting life, she married for love and actually drove her first car and in 1930 she jumped out an airplane. She then worked as a nurse during the war. Her properties were confiscated by the Communist Party. Sadly she died right after her husband in 1965
You forgot to analize THE LETTER Trix wrote to Richard the day before his wedding to Emily.
I feel like she being mean to jason is fine. She doesnt want to receive a gift which means nothing. It is clear that jason gives the gift because it is the way he is taught to behave but it signals the idea of "networking" in business. He wants to bribe her in liking him because it may be beneficial later. She asks clever questions to deconstruct the illogical aspect of that behavior.
Maybe but then again maybe he was just doing that to be nice?
It's not OK, though. I think he was trying to be genuine. There didn't seem to be any motive. Trix was reaching for a reason and just being an asshole about it instead of simply saying "thank you."
I agree with this, but a lady should keep up airs of polite conversation and not be blunt, no?
I love your analysis. Great take on her character.
Thank you so much! ☺
To me even for someone born in 1917, she seems very old school in an almost aristocratic way. I don't know if I would agree that her mother was a suffragette, because, Trix at least, doesn't seem to like making any kind of noise. That doesn't mean that the movement didn't have an impact on her. Not to get to philosophical in the comment section of a TH-cam video, but I think with any sort of societal change, there are those who are actively and loudly fighting and those who work within the boundaries they were given to carf out a bit of freedom for themselves. Trix strikes me as the latter. Richard said that his mother taught him live was a fight.
The money lending comment also struck me as antisemitic and I can imagine that she in general has some pretty racist beliefs.
As for why she hates Emily so much, my theory is that she for some reason believes Emily married up. Maybe her family was new money or not as rich or for some other reason not considered in the same class as her and her family.
Oh interesting, I've seen that theory floating around as well; I think it's also plausible. I hinted at that possibility in my unhinged theory video on Emily (although that video overall is lacking in foundation).
@@PensiveWhiskersI loved this theory.
@@PensiveWhiskers I mostly base it on the letter that she wrote to Richard. If you read "Pride and Prejudice" it kind of reminded me of when Lady Cathrin basically tells Lizzy that she isn't good enough for her nephew.
4:21 THIS WOMAN IS GORGEOUS
Couldn't agree with you more. Stunning.
the anti-lending money trope would've been one that these particular writers would've been aware of, so I think your theory is totally plausible.
The older women in my family waited until the 90s to learn to drive (or never did!) . Just one of those old fashioned things that trickled down. You see the resurgence of the ‘passenger princess’ now
What? Where?
I know im gonna regret it but im gonna look this up
My grandma never drove but my nana did but she got her license later as she didn’t need to when she lived in the suburbs she needed to
You can't link passenger princess to that. 😒
I really love your content! As someone with a bunch of private video essays and breakdowns (because I love writing and filmmaking lol) I can really appreciate how well these are done! Literally such well done and interesting content and I love that it’s on Gilmore girls! Literally nobody else does these breakdowns like you do! ❤
Wow, thank you! I appreciate your words a lot. I love video essays and it never registered for me that I can try to do them myself. I have 0 skills in this area, so it's been a struggle. 😆Still a lot of fun though, I feel like I'm learning something new every day. Have you considered making your videos public?
Yes, Trix can sometimes be awful. But Marion Ross is fantastic! 😊
(And I had the exact same thought about her ideas about lending money.)
I am in absolute agreement with you there! I'm also glad they have her two characters to play. Also, relieved to hear I wasn't alone on my money-lending thoughts. I sometimes feel like my brain makes weird connections that I'm pretty sure the show runners didn't intend to make.
@@mrs.m1752 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
I love you connecting her beliefs with historical references! I think even if it wasn't intentional by the writers it does show how an idea can be passed on without understanding of the origin. Thats why it's so important to question and deconstruct our beliefs to prevent systemic discrimination.
Just one unrelated thing I wanted to add, I like how Trix's sharp tongue shows a familial tie to quick-wittedness. We see all of the Gilmores using their fast thinking brains for a variety of reasons, but many of them prioritize it based on personality or familial trauma. While Trix uses it to scold and keep in line, her granddaughter uses it as a defense mechanism, and finally rori uses it mostly for actual fun/humourous jokes.
I like the parallel that you drew! The women in the family certainly have a quick wit.
Even though I enjoyed seeing the way trix treated Emily yeah she was truly a mean person it makes sense why Richard was also a bully he learned from his mother sadly and yes Richard is a total mamas boy 💯 to me but i do agree with her about lending money and i did like how she treated lorelai and rory i get why trix respected her granddaughter
I give credit to Marion Ross who played Trixie but I dont give credit to Trixie who was so cruel to Emily and is an old busy body
Neeeeever the one I would expect! Great pick😁
😄I'm doing it to keep you on your toes (JK). I've been considering doing mystery posts where I give hints as to what character will be next and whoever guesses gets to pick the topic for the following video. The only thing that worries me is if someone picks a very big character that I'm not ready to dissect. 😆
My head canon with Trix and Emily is that Trix pushes her around because she can, Trix is a jerk to people until they resist and she disrespects anyone who actively seeks her approval. There definitely is something about her being a classic mother in law but I also think that she dislikes how much of a housewife Emily is. All of the things she criticizes her for are about how she keeps her home.
I also have this head canon that is a bit of a stretch but it goes to her background as having traveled all around the world and no doubt been through harsh conditions yet she is so particular now about how things are done. Part of it is her being mean but I also think as she's gotten so old she is now much weaker and she doesn't want to admit to needing help so she instead masquerades her accessibility needs as basic manners.
Your opinions are SOOOOOOO RIGHT
Excellent analysis, well done
Thank you! 🙂
I JUST NOTICED THAT RICHARD SOUNDS SO MUCH LIKE DADDY PIG 💀 help-
Didn't Richard also say he paid back the money she used to bail him out?
Which would make it a loan ..
Good point, Trix should have rejected that money if she is anti-loans. Richard also took out a loan when he started his own firm.
marrying a second cousin is crazy.
"keep it in the family..." It's definitely very weird and incestuous
I think its kinda normal in aristocracy but what would I know, I am a peasant xD
That's one way to keep the wealth intact... Bleh.
My theory as to why Trix doesn't like Emily is because Emily did not attend Yale, Emily went to Smith. Whereas Pennilyn Lott attended Yale. Plus we saw how outraged she became when she heard that Rory wanted to go to Harvard.
I had a similar thought as well at one point but the timeline doesn't work. Based on what I've found online, Emily was born around 1942. Yale went co-ed in 1969. So, Emily would have been 27 years old when the school first allowed women to enroll. Presumably, Pennilyn Lott is around the same age as Emily or fairly close in age. Timeline wise, Yale wasn't co-ed when Penn and Emily were college-age.
Since Trix herself is a Gilmore, Richard's father was her cousin, I do not think she would except anyone with Richard who wasn't a Gilmore cousin.
Remember Trix wrote a note to Richard not to marry Emily. They found it after she died.
The eating schedule but reminded me of my great grandmother's particularness when it came to food. The expectations older people have, even in things as insignificance of food arrival times. Royal Protocol also comes to mind about this.
On Merchant of Venice: there could be a subtle implication there, or just a tiny reference which is very typical of a Gilmore Girl script.
"Women shouldn't drive": again, she's used to a certain protocol. On her surprise visit, she told Emily, "you realize it's not proper to receive guests in the fourier? It puts one in the awkward position in having to invite oneself."
Now as I'm writing this and read some of the comments, the whole Emily/Pennilyn Lott situation is similar to Charles wanting to be with Camilla over Diana. Hmm...maybe I'm the one reading too much into things now? Lol
Hop on the "reading too much into things" train! 😄 It's where I live. I like your analogy a lot, the situations feel similar.
I can’t remember if you said this but when she was gifting Rory a lot of money and then all of a sudden because Lorelei did or said something, Trix said nevermind and took it all away.
I had a section where I talked about that, but I cut it out at the end. In essence, I felt it was problematic the way that Trix decided to take back her offer. It felt like she was trying to flex her power.
I honestly saw the situation with Trix and Emily differently. Personally, I thought that Emily came from a less well-off(or disgraced?) aristocratic family. There are certain references to it, such as when Trix talks about Emily's blood as inferior to her own. My theory is that Emily's family fell in social ranks for some reason, but not quite enough for them not to be considered high-class. Emily mentions that she was always going to be a wife when talking to Lorelai about her divorce. I thought this could have been an implication that Emily's family and Emily by extension needed a beneficial marriage that would raise their social rank. Even consider what college she went to: Smith, an upper brow college no doubt, but not Ivy League and perhaps implies that her family didn't have the connections for her admittance into an Ivy League school. We see Emily later obsessed with keeping a perfect image of wealth, which I speculate could be a response to her childhood in which her lack of social status was something to always obsess over.
Trix disliked Emily perhaps for her family, and its relative lack of status.
I have to add something here: Rory's Trust fund. 250 thousand dollars. This was not a lump sum. For Old Money Families this was by quarter. For Life. This is why Rory was able to be aimless in The Revival.
I think I understand that I understand what you meant with Trix talking loaning money. And I remember that quote of Shakespeare “neither a borrower nor a lender be” as I had watched Kenneth & Kate Winslet in Hamlet‼
Of course Trix would be happy that Lorelai is single -- she's upholding the Gilmore name.
i love all the theorie equally tbh! i also think it's important to recognise that just about all of the standards she imposes on the gilmore ngirls are suuuper misogynistic too.
Very interesting point, would you be able to expand on that? (if you want to, of course, no pressure).
Emily's role in her home is very much expected as someone of her status and generation. She runs that entire household in a way that people run a business (very well too) so I do not believe that has anything to do with Trix's dislike of her. In fact I can imagine that if Emily had a career outside the home it would be quite the scandal according to Trix.
I think the readon Tricks hates Emily is because Emily isnt a Gilmore by blood. And Tricks is hung up her blood line,since she married her cousin. My assumption is,she wanted Richard to marry another Gilmore. By doing that would of been health issues. Maybe why Richard does have ailnesses.
trix knew Jason was a disingenuous suck-up so I was aboooout that book on antiques scene
The part about Trix not liking women driving doesn't surprise me. My grandma didn't learn to drive until her youngest was around 10. It was good that she finally did because my grandpa died of cancer a few years later. Several of my grandparents' sisters didn't drive, either. Even in the 70s and 80s, when they were in their 60s, they didn't drive.
Trix sucks but she’s an important character. She is a reflection of how Emily treats Lorelai, like some inferior insect that should be squashed. I wish her character was a little more utilized and we could see how she not only affected Emily, but Richard. I think it would allow them to grow as characters.
I don't like Emily, yet at the same time, she is also one of my top favorite antagonists because she has little moments of humanity every now and then. I think Trix's verbal mistreatment of Emily is proof that you can be a horrible person and still have feelings when someone else is awful to you. Generation trauma! Again... Even though Emily is one of my favorite characters on the show FOR THIS REASON! It will never excuse the damage she has done to Lorelai. That is what I like about the show. No character is black and white! Not even the horrible ones (Emily and Richard).
My own little personal head cannon about tricks in regards to Emily is, as you pointed out in this video, she does value hard work and okay with status, possibly because of her upbringing and it's possible that since she doesn't really have a problem with Lorelai in terms of what happened to her and then the fact that she works hard first at the independence in and then creating her own business with the dragonfly in and how tricks actually rewards that, I think the reason that she treats Emily so badly both as a servant and also as a person is to do how Emily treats other people, again this might be controversial, but we see throughout the show that Emily thinks Lorelai working as a maid at the independence Inn before she became the manager was in insulting to the family, she always is so rude to her maids that they quit and she has so many of them because they keep quitting because she's so nasty to them and I think tricks knows this and also knows about Emily's frivolous lifestyle and the DRA, which isn't necessarily a bad thing like she's allowed to be a stay at home mum and be homemaker and there's nothing wrong with her lifestyle although I will say there are times were in Emily does waste Richard's money and is very frivolous with her purchases and her lifestyle is quite privileged, she does a lot for Richard and she works hard as a wife and as a mother and again there is nothing wrong with that but she also puts a lot of emphasis on status and wealth as well. So I think tricks trading Emily the way she does has to do with how she has seen Emily treat other people she thinks that what Emily does is frivolous and that she is not right for Richard, we don't know a lot about penal in lot but after tricks riding that awful letter to Richard telling him to break up with Emily or not marry her I think has to do with the fact that possibly panel in lot was a hard-working woman who wasn't going to take all of Richard's money which is not necessarily what Emily does but I hope you kind of see where I'm going here, I think tricks views Emily the same way Emily views her weight staff she knows that Emily treats her maids awful so she treats Emily awful because she wants Emily to get a taste of her own medicine which is very messed up don't get me wrong and I'm not saying that that is the case but based on the evidence we have that's the conclusion I personally came to is that the reason tricks is so nasty to Emily specifically has to do with the way that Emily treats her white stuff and the way she spins Richard's money and just her overall lifestyle the fact that she doesn't work hard for things the fact that sheis really rude and awful to Lorelai for her choices in life which I think tricks actually admires, don't get me wrong tricks is an awful human being but I find that interesting
I think Trix was simply triggered by the French antiques book. She became hostile because she thinks Jason sees her as this little old delicate lady and she would absolutely not tolerate it
Interesting character analysis.
For me though, breaking up with someone in order to be with someone else is NOT cheating.
Cheating is when you choose to live parallel lives and engage in an intimate relationship with more than one person.
I don't know if I completely imagined it but I got the sense that Trix showed tolerance for Lorelai as much as she did because she knew Emily didn't like Lorelai's lifestyle, etc. She admires the self-sufficiency and I'm sure Lorelai having an accomplished daughter also helps but it makes no sense that such a conservative woman has less issue with Lorelai's lifestyle than Richard and Emily do. If anything you'd think Trix admiring Lorelai would move Richard some (if not Emily).
Even when they go to Lorelai's house Trix has nothing to say about any of it which is weird and we know Lorelai freaked out when Emily first came over.
That is entirely possible. A few other people have proposed that theory as well; that Trix's admiration of Lorelai partially stems from her disdain for Emily.
Maybe it's just because I was never a Digger fan but I was always kind of amused when Trix called him out. I saw it as her cutting through his pretense. He was kind of putting on a show and trying to schmooze Trix (a la the way he got himself invited to dinner talking about the hamburger he was going to eat...) I kinda liked it that she wasn't falling for his smoth operator act.
I loved trix until that last argument where she was lecturing lorelai about being broke. She died shortly after and i was relieved lol. What a b
I feel like some stories arent literal. The one with the camel is an anectode at her funeral and should be taken with a grain of salt imo. It is a story given to portray her character/the way she lived.
Fair point. The story also came from Marilyn, who seems somewhat ostentatious so it's possible she exaggerated. Although I am inclined to believe Marilyn's story later about how Trix complained to the police about the tea being too hot when she was trapped in her house during a blizzard.
I think Trix hates Emily is because in this one regard Richard didnt listen to her. Its the most in the face example of Richard not being completely under her thumb. Trix seems like a very controlling person. And she hates it when she cant control a situation.
Penylin Lott is definitely more independent and outspoken than emily
I always thought Trix did not like Emily because she was lower class. I guess I never paid attention to what was Emily's background which I assume she comes from not much money. Or maybe it's my own family traumas. As my mom's new husband came from a family with some money and always saw my mom and myself as a lower class and treated us weirdly. Especially the mom who reminds me a lot of Trix.
Oh my goodness, I'm sorry 🥺. That's not fair to you or your mom. It is possible that Emily was of a lower social class than the Gilmores. I didn't discuss this theory as I talked about it in my video on Emily. I do recognize that my video on Emily is very out there and kind of silly.
I can't believe you didn't mention to the post obvious theory as to why trix is awful to emily: emily was lower social class than richard by birth, she built up her status and went to yale to find a wealthy husband. she isn't the right "breeding" for richard.
Hi there! Good point. 🙂I left that one out mostly because I touched upon it in my Emily video (even though that video was silly). I do think that is a good theory, I should have mentioned it in this video as well.
Jewess here. I want to validate what you said - the disdain for money lending isn't exactly overtly antisemitic... but it definitely gives a hint of antisemitic undertones at least. It can often be the tip of the iceberg that gets revealed if you dig deeper. I also had the same thought when you first brought up the topic, so I was grateful you brought that up in the video and talked about it a bit.
I had the same feeling when she quoted Shakespeare, I've written a few papers on MOV, focusing on the anti-semetism and Shylock as a character so I'm always over analytical
I have a theory that those who read Merchant of Venice are inclined to see the association in Trix's lines. It's that play specifically that I think creates that connection in our heads between Shakespear and antisemitism. I don't think it was intended but that's where my mind goes.
Perhaps her feelings towards loans reflects how much she dislikes scandal or ugliness within family/ community groups. If she loans her granddaughter money and is not paid back that would cause tension and ugliness within the family. But if she just gifts money or invests money in the person's business then she can give money without worrying about the stress or logistics of repayment.
Why does Trix dress like it's 1905?
Maybe Trix resented Emily because she wasn't "Gilmore" enough. Inbreeding ftw! The lady clearly thought being a Gilmore made you royalty or something.
10:56 In regards to how you perceive the relationship between Richard and Trix. I want you to keep in mind that I haven't watched the show and I am going by admittedly incomplete information. My analysis could be wildly inaccurate as a result.
But when you said that you thought that Trix raised Richard, the way Richard raised Lorelai, I am inclined to disagree with you. (This is based more on a working knowledge of narcissism and how it operates. Again, I might be wrong)
I think it was the opposite, I think Richard was Trix's precious little golden boy. I wish you had included clips that showed that Richard was acting in ways that seemed as if he was trying to win his mother's approval even against his better judgment because that would've provided a basis for your argument but as it stands, it doesn't seem like it.
Trix raised Richard with over-developed sense of personal superiority based on the fact that he was a Gilmore. She put him up on a pedestal and that greatly and adversely affected his sense of self-perception. Underneath the surface, Richard thinks he is better than the people around him, better than his wife and maybe under the surface Emily also the believes that there's something special about being a Gilmore too which is why she gets so anxious around his mother (she's intimidated, she committed a past social faux pas and under the surface she believes she isn't good enough). It would explain why (to her) being with Richard is more important than the ways he's betrayed her.
This would also mean on some level, Emily provided Richard with "supply" and appealed to his ego in a way in he was trained to by his mother.
So I don't agree that Richard wants his mother's affection. I think he got a great deal of it, maybe too much.
(It's not normal to "worship" ones parent (Richard and Trix) just as it is not normal to have a "friendship" one's teenage daughter (Lorelai and Rory))
I think it's possible that Richard is distant with Lorelai because he just couldn't be arsed. He's more concerned with being a successful businessman than he is with being a father and because apart from his mother whom he also holds on pedestal, he doesn't think much of the women in his life unless it makes *_him_* look good. I know this is a grim take and I would really have to watch the show to make an informed opinion but based on the information I am working with, that's what it seems like. Richard doesn't show interest in Rory until it turns out she could be smart enough to go to an Ivy League school like he himself did, his own mother, like a *_Gilmore_* should.
I think Trix and Richard enable each other in quietly narcissistic ways. Just a thought though. Let me know if I am wrong.
Why doesn’t Trix like Emily?
… because she’s not a Gilmore?? 😂
That's probably the right answer :).
Yes, I think Trix doesn’t like Emily, supporting your theory because she’s not a working woman and she doesn’t really know or respect the things she does because of that. Also, when you said Richard had tendencies of a cheater then Rory cheats, that is true. I also thought of how Lorelai, like Richard, was engaged to Luke and she cheated on him with Christopher (I know this is debatable because it could be argued she unofficially ended things with Luke that same night but I don’t think that was a breakup)
There are several branches of the Gilmore Family(Remember when Lorelai was calling everyone about the ice cream maker? The Bostonian Gilmores, Aunt Bunny, etc etc.) To me, as my Mothers Maternal Family is Mayflower Old Money, Trix just seemed like a product of that. It wasn't that Emily wasn't 'Old Money', she was(or Richard...who was an ultra snob, would have never even considered marrying her) There are, however, rungs of to the ladder of 'Old Money'. When Marian is describing Trix at Trix's funeral, Trix told her husband(and 2nd Cousin , Charles that "SHE would not wait one more minute" and galloped off without him. I think Trix's Gilmore branch was a rung above her husbands. She was just old money snobbish, Old Money Matriarchy controlling and she bullied Emily because she knew Emily was also strong willed and it amuses those types to watch them break other people. She would have done the same to Pendleton Lott. On that note: Early in the Seasons, Emily refers to her as "Linney Lott" and says what a "mouse" she was. Maybe Trix would have liked her better because she would have been easier to control?
Emily seems to have always had a backbone and a spine of steel of her own and for people like Trix THAT would NOT have been acceptable. For people that cannot bend, they break, and that is what Trix did to Emily. Trix was the prophecy of what Emily would have become, by the way. Emily was the same way to Lorelei as Trix was to Emily. Emily was frantic and bent over backwards to please her because THAT is what one does to 'The Head of The Family' in those circles. Lorelei was not having it and fled. Then made it on her own. It annoyed Emily, it hurt her. Trix, however, however "disapproving of scandal" she might be, had a grudging respect for her.
It's just the "Old Mayflower Moneyed Family Way" I could tell you horror stories of my Great Great Grandmother(she died when I was 13 at 110) and how when she snapped her fingers everyone around her jumped LOL She barely spoke above a whisper-because she did not have to!
Stop saying she is mean when she is simply being what and who she is. I could private message you, or speak to you on the phone for hours and hours...................
Great digest ! 😊
Thank you!
I think your theory on why Trix doesnt like Emily is right bc you can see that in the series. Emily is very inteligent and savvy but when she’s around Trix she becomes this clutz and I think its bc we’re seeing it from Trix’s POV. No matter how much Emily tries she will never be good enough for Richard bc she isnt up to Trix’s standards of womanhood.
im glad that i'm not the only one to think of the antisemitism of the merchant of venice. i know that wasnt the intended reading, but that is still the association in my head. overall great to hear such analysis and attention on a really underappreciated character !
edit: i also see the parallels between trix hating emily and the huntzbergers disliking rory and thinking shes inadequate. i do think the trix's animosity toward emily is from multiple sources, but i think some of it could be the belief that emily came from a family inferior to the gilmores
I also think that the lending money association wasn't intended by the writers but that's what jumped out at me. It is possible that Trix sees Emily as coming from a family with a lower status.
Don't write a timetable Trix they will bring out your food when it's ready
I feel like Trix looks down on Emily because she might see Emily as a leech, because Emily is a stay at home wife who has no ambitions - in Trix's mind.
She treats Emily like a maid, because she might consider stay at home wives, maids.
Trix would have been raised by a strict mother. You can see how different generations deal with stuff.
Trix looks like her style peaked during the Edwardian era (up to the start of WWI) and she stuck with it! Which is odd, as she was supposedly born in 1917.
hungover, eating toast, over the moon for this video
Hahahahahaha, I hope you had an epic night last night! 'm honored that you chose this as your hangover video.
@@PensiveWhiskers i was so excited for the trix video!! i love your gilmore girls videos everything you say is so real and entertaining
I loved this deep dive into Lorelai the first. One thing I disagree with is that Richard has cheating tendencies. I see Richard as extremely loyal to his family. Look how he almost got into a physical fight with Strobe at that one dinner they had together. I see Rory's lack of commitment to be inherited directly from her mom. Lorelai was unable to commit to anyone and Rory's the same way.
Given how much Trix values the family name, their reputation... I could see why she'd hate Jason. She likely knew how Jason betrayed his own father to work for Richard. I think she has no respect for betraying your family like that. She doesn't care that Jason's dad getting shafted, she's fine with Richard doing that. That's just business. But, I think she hates Jason for being the kind of person who would turn his back on family, spit on the family name.
The fact that the writers didn't care if we will noticed that the character of Trix was recycled as the sister when her body wasn't even cold yet🤣
I always thought it was intentional on the writers' part; like a joke for the audience that Trix always lives on in a way. 😂
I don't think her dislike of Emily has to do with Emily not being a go getter. If she was a go getter, Trix would have hated her more because it would have reflected badly on her son. What would people think of Richard if his wife had a job? I think Trix would believe people would think along the lines of him not being successfull enough to take care of his wife.
Still don’t understand why Richard called his mom Trix but Emily calls her Mom
omg trix and her cousin look identical, are they the same actor?? never noticed that
Yup! Marion Ross plays both characters. 🙂
Trix is simply a narcissist. She had a hard life, so she resents Emily for all the comfort she has. Trix wants to control everything, and Emily drew Richard out of her motherly control. Emily being the "other woman" has also made her a threat to the control. At the same time, Emily tries to please Trix, and Trix is disgusted by those gestures, because she respects a "spine". There is no winning with that woman. Not that Emily is much better though. At first it is satisfying to watch Emily being mistreated the same way she mistreats others, but then it's just sad.
Trix is trying to connect to people through controlling them or abusing them. In a way, Emily would be better off returning the back handed insults that leave the receiver wondering if this was an insult. But that would open a whole other can of worms.
I also think that Trix is overtly nice to Lorelei and Rory in part to piss Emily off. Emily has her issues with Lorelei, and when Trix treats her with respect, she takes the control from Emily. Appreciating Lorelei for who she is invalidates Emily's wishes and values she is trying to push onto her daughter. It sends the message: "I am deciding who's worthy, and not you, Emily." It is also a jab at Emily from the "acceptance to the family" perspective. Even though Lorelei is living a much more humble life than Trix deems appropriate, she is accepted because she is a Gilmore. No matter how much Emily will try, she can never be part of the family. Even if she submitted to Trix in every way, Trix would just hate her even more.
Both Emily and Trix are horrible, Richard has shut off emotionally from his upbringing to escape, and Lorelei escaped physically. Rory is left mothering her mother, which led her to be an eager, diligent, seemingly mature and adult-like student, but collapsing as an actual adult, because she never got to have her childhood. And then she gets pregnant in a bad situation, and it's implied that the cycle will continue. Rich or poor, if you rob a child from growing their own identity, confidence and self-esteem in their carefree years, they will struggle.
Um excuse me, how has Trix had a hard life ? She went to great schools, married rich, stayed rich, how is that a hard life?
The gift thing its because it is not well Seen to give someone you Never meet before in that type of circle the Time you should give something to someone is food items if youre invited to eat normaly it is preferable to bring wine or desert after asking the appropriate questions like would you prefer wine or a desert and is There food allergies
On Trix's potential anti-semittism: Amy and Dan are Jewish, and a surprising amount of the jokes reference anti-semites. Don't know if that merits its own video. However, Lorelai also references that Shakespeare quote once, I believe either when she's borrowed the Chilton money or when she just paid it back. She has other moments of being too proud to borrow money, like with the termites, so it might just be a family thing. Richard insists he repaid his own mother every cent he ever borrowed from her.
Usury or lending money at interest is a forbidden practice for like to like, so among Jews originally. Later, this principle was what allowed Jews to fill this niche when in overwhelmingly Christian Europe because it wasn’t from like to like. This worked for the Christians too because it saved them from the same forbidden practice. The idea that lending money at interest or among familiars (like) was dirty is both Biblical and possibly based on practicality as it can be a source of tension and problems within an otherwise cohesive society. So, bringing it back to Trix, she likely recognizes this difficulty as part of her business savvy. Lending is problematic.
Lending is a dirty business especially if it's with friends and family because what if they don't pay? It'll ruin the whole relationship. It happened to me when my close friend borrowed money and didn't pay. It ruined our friendship forever. That's why I will mever lend money again. And yes, I think you are looking too deep into it
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I get the feeling that trix is conservative with money, she seems very old money and not one to spend frivolously, if she spends money it's to further their reputation and she wouldn't back something she wasn't sure would succeed. she would spend money to ENSURE it succeeds or she'd insist they abandon the venture. she invests in the futue of her family legacy