Amy Sherman-Palladino's Gilmore Girls wouldn't be the same without Luke Danes. The grouchy diner owner provides a unique element of comedy that contrasts with that of the other characters.
He also serves as a foil to Lorelai, meeting her excessive peppiness with blunt simplicity. There are many things to love about Luke, making it easy to idolize him — but there are also many reasons he isn't the saint many make him out to be.
Saint: He Takes Jess In
Luke isn't Jess' father and has no legal obligation to take care of him. Yet, when Jess is in need, Luke opens up his life to him. Luke has a tiny apartment above his diner with hardly enough room for them both, but this doesn't matter. He makes the room because he wants Jess to be safe and cared for, even when Jess makes it difficult.
Not A Saint: His Temper
Luke loses his temper...a lot. Much of the time it's for understandable reasons, such as responding to one of the many instances of Taylor being invasive and controlling.
Other times it's because people aren't following the rules he has set in his diner. But there are many occasions when Luke loses his temper and takes it out on innocent people, throwing customers out just because they happen to be in his line of fire.
Saint: He's A Handyman
Whenever Lorelai needs help fixing something in her house, Luke is there. Much of the time she doesn't even need to ask. If Luke hears Lorelai complain of something not working, she may very well find herself coming home to find that Luke is already there, tending to the problem. He never charges Lorelai for these services, either.
Not A Saint: Stubborn
Luke is very set in his ways. He doesn't like to try new things and he has a hard time being around people who are doing things he doesn't approve of. Every time Lorelai and Rory order coffee or greasy food, he greets them with a groan or eye roll. He also wears the same exact style of outfit every day, a sign of his rigid standards.
Saint: Accepts An Unknown Daughter
Luke has no idea that he had a daughter. Her mother never told him, and by the time he finds out she's already lived a large portion of her life. Yet, when he realizes she wants a father in her life, Luke steps up to the task. The mother doesn't make it easy for him, but he does it anyway, out of genuinely good intentions.
Not A Saint: He's Jealous
Luke has a difficult time standing by and watching Lorelai date people who aren't him. In the early days, Lorelai has no idea that Luke has feelings for her.
He doesn't even necessarily recognize it himself. But whenever Lorelai gets to talking about some man she met or someone she went on a date with, Luke tenses up and becomes less open with her than he normally is.
Saint: Helps Rory Move Into School
Luke is not Rory's guardian and has no obligation to her. Rory has simply frequented his diner her entire life, resulting in them being close acquaintances but not necessarily implying he has any need to take interest in her personal life or well-being. Yet when Rory needs help moving into school, Luke is there. He moves heavy things and deals with the hassle of college rules and student representatives giving him trouble, all so that Rory has the help she needs.
Not A Saint: Leaves Lorelai
Luke professes his undying love for Lorelai, saying he's "all in." Yet when things get too complicated for him, he leaves her. This is a huge break in character for Luke, serving as a moment of adjustment for fans who are used to the idea that there is nothing Lorelai could do to make Luke not want her. Yet all that it takes is her family — something he already knew about before he got involved.
Saint: Always There As A Friend
Even when Luke leaves Lorelai, he is still there for her as a friend. One day she comes home and sees that he is fixing something at her house as if nothing had ever gone wrong between them. While this is still difficult for her, it shows that in Luke's mind his basic devotion to her doesn't change — just his ability to be romantically involved.
Not A Saint: Shuts Lorelai Out
It isn't easy for Lorelai to hear that Luke has a daughter, but she does her best to embrace the situation. Lorelai wants to be involved because she sees herself as a part of Luke's life; they are engaged at this point, after all. But Luke doesn't want Lorelai to be a part of his daughter's life and shuts out her attempts. While this is a difficult situation for Luke, it isn't fair to Lorelai and exposes Luke's emotional immaturity.