The couples on Gilmore Girls are a large part of why the TV show has so many fans, but season 7 saw some unexpected changes to fan-favorite romantic relationships. It's easy to think of Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) or Rory(Alexis Bledel) and Logan (Matt Czuchry) when discussing the big love stories of the final season. Lorelai's relationship with Christopher (David Sutcliffe) also caused quite a stir. However, it was an unexpected and typically solid couple who proved to be the most controversial in the series' final hour.

It's undeniable that season 7 backtracked on some redemption arcs. The season also underdeveloped characters and saw the introduction of many unpopular storylines. All of these contribute to the mixed reception and legacy of the show's final season. However, the issues that crop up between Jackson (Jackson Douglas) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) are among the most unfortunate aspects of season 7, casting a dark cloud over their entire relationship. After what went down between them, it wouldn't have been surprising if their marriage ended before Gilmore Girls was over.

Gilmore Girls Glossed Over Jackson Lying About His Vasectomy Way Too Easily

This Was A Huge Betrayal Of Trust That Should've Been Taken More Seriously

Gilmore Girls handled the entire plotline poorly. From Sookie springing the decision on Jackson in the hospital to his lying about having it done, and eventually Sookie getting pregnant when she wasn't ready to have more kids. While Sookie should have consulted Jackson and talked more openly about the fact that she didn't want to get pregnant again, his lie ended up being way bigger and causing more issues. He had every right to do what he wanted with his body, but it was the lie and betrayal of trust that was the most significant problem.

This lie also took Sookie's bodily autonomy out of her hands, as she was operating under the assumption that she wasn't going to get pregnant again. The breakdown of communication between them and the fact that Sookie forgave him pretty quickly was an underdeveloped plot point in Gilmore Girls season 7. Sookie would've had every right to be angry and stay angry, as she had no say in what happened to her body, and was deceived by the person she loved most. Jackson might not have meant for this to happen, but his inaction sparked deception.

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Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)

N/A

87%

After Jackson's Season 7 Lie, I'm Convinced He & Sookie Wouldn't Have Lasted

There's No Way That Sookie Would've Been So Ready To Forgive Him

Sookie was the opposite of Lorelai in many ways on Gilmore Girls, serving as her foil in romantic relationships by settling down with Jackson and having a stable home life early on. However, this doesn't mean that Sookie settled or was with Jackson because she didn't have other options. She saw that they were compatible and was swept off her feet by how kind he was. Sookie had her insecurities, but she knew her worth and was successful in all aspects of her life, making it confusing that she would stay with Jackson after he hurt her so deeply.

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It seems unlikely that Sookie would've been able to trust Jackson again and view him as a partner capable of raising their family together. If he is capable of telling such a horrible lie and hurting her, then she would've started to question what else he was lying about and lose faith in their relationship as a whole. There was even a moment in season 7 when it seemed like she was ready to divorce him. Though A Year in the Life, I was shocked to hear that she and Jackson were still going strong.

Gilmore Girls Season 7 Destroyed Jackson's Character With This Decision

This Undid Years Of & Love That The Couple Shared

Jackson was one of the best romantic interests on the series, unafraid to put Sookie first, her, and always show up for their family. Though they had some problems when they first decided to have kids, it didn't take long for Jackson to come around and reiterate that he was open to whatever Sookie wanted because it was her body and her decision. The extreme reversal of this opinion came out of nowhere in Gilmore Girls season 7 and changed how we look at Jackson forever. He was no longer the man Sookie had fallen in love with.

Jackson should've stayed on course in season 7.

Sookie and Jackson were a couple to emulate in Gilmore Girls and were a source of stability in the series in comparison to Lorelai's more tumultuous love affairs. The show needed both sides of this coin to work, but the fact that Jackson told such an out-of-character lie was a major wrench in the typical character development of Gilmore Girls. While the show's characters changed a lot in the final season, this typically manifested in self-actualization and independence, not the betrayal of those closest to them. Jackson should've stayed on course in season 7.

This Twist Makes Jackson & Sookie Being Together In A Year In The Life More Unbelievable

It's Unlikely That Sookie Would've Stayed With Jackson Long Term After His Lie

A Year in the Life exposes the harsh realities of Gilmore Girls and catches up with the characters when they were in very different places in their lives. While Lorelai and Rory still took center stage, it was exciting to see McCarthy in a guest appearance as Sookie, reminding the audience of her deep friendship with Lorelai. Though their friendship and working relationship weren't perfect, it's not shocking that they would still be in touch. However, it's less likely that Sookie would've stuck things out with Jackson long-term, remaining with him for this long.

It's possible that the pair continued working things out and found some kind of peace, but the consequences of Jackson's lie were another baby, something that lasts forever. In Gilmore Girls, it wasn't as if he could make amends or take back what he did, as they were now going down an entirely new track of life that they hadn't planned for. Of course, they both loved the baby and were happy to have it in their lives, but Sookie wouldn't have been out of line to divorce Jackson and be on her own in A Year in the Life.