"It's really hard to be the adult, because they often ask for love in the most unlovable of ways, with the most unlovable of behaviors; but Jess always needed a place to belong. He did not belong with his mom—his mom had all sorts of problems. He belonged in Stars Hollow—he belonged with Luke. [side point rant redacted] Just the fact that his uncle fought for him and tried so hard—and got it wrong so many times, but his heart was in the right place—Jess noticed.
"If you've got a teenager that feels like -nothing- is landing, nothing is registering—it is smarm and sass and sarcasm nonstop—DO. NOT. GIVE. UP. Keep providing love, keep providing structure, and keep holding to consequences, and accept that they're gonna be a pain in the butt for a few years; but, sooner or later, a lot of 'em—most of 'em—come back around."
—Jonathan Decker, Marriage and Family Therapist on the relationship between Luke Danes and Jess Mariano
