9 storylines from TV shows that have not aged well

In some ways, it's inevitable that older pop culture will become problematic as our society evolves. Many storylines from the 1950s will seem outdated to teens in 2018, there is rampant sexism in "The Brady Bunch," and the fat-people-are-funny trope in '90s sitcoms now feels both stale and outright offensive.

Still, there are some more recent storylines from our favorite 2000s-era shows that are difficult to stomach even without a huge time gap — storylines that many of us have completely forgotten about. In the era of #MeToo and in a historically divisive political climate, many of our favorite characters seem more flawed than ever, and some of the once-charming jokes or plot lines fall flat under present-day scrutiny.

We rounded up nine problematic storylines you've probably forgotten about from your favorite binge-worthy shows.

The bra incident from “Gilmore Girls.”

There are several "Gilmore Girls" moments that don't quite feel up-to-date (like Luke's dramatic aversion to public breastfeeding and the frequent use of the word "retarded"), but one of the most shocking episodes is the one in which Rory fat-shames a ballerina to get ahead in her budding journalism career at Yale.

Rory mocks the "roll of fat" around the dancer's bra strap instead of her dancing abilities and compares her to a hippo in the press — and then acts confused when Lorelai tells her it was a bit, well, mean-spirited. Instead of recognizing the problematic nature of her piece, Rory's editor Doyle convinces her that it's all part of being a high-caliber journalist.

The teacher-student relationship in "Pretty Little Liars."

The teacher-and-student forbidden romance has always been a risky storyline to romanticize, but Aria and Mr. Fitz cross definitively from cute to creepy when the show reveals that Mr. Fitz knew Aria was in high school when he first met her at the bar in season one — and proceeded to hook up with her in the bathroom anyways for writing material.

The mocking of cultural appropriation in "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

As soon as the third season of "Kimmy Schmidt" debuted on Netflix, critics were quick to debate the plot point in which Titus sparks the wrath of the Asian community with his one-man show "Kimono You Didn't."

Not only does the episode seem to defend cultural appropriation, but it also suggests that those who might protest to such a thing are overreacting and ruining good art. This plot point combined with the treatment of Kimmy's much-debated Asian love interest, Dong, has made some viewers uneasy.

The treatment of assault in "Gossip Girl."

Gossip Girl's attempt to humanize Chuck falls flat after the show's introduction to his "playboy" character. He tries to sexually assault Serena, then moves on to 14-year-old Jenny in the same episode.

We're supposed to find his "butterflies" for Blair charming and adorable just a few episodes later, but the image of Chuck trapping Jenny on the roof — and calling Serena a "slut" for intervening — isn't one so easily erased.

The shaming in "One Tree Hill."

While in middle school, I fondly admired Brooke and Peyton's best friendship, but upon another viewing it's more than a little toxic.

When Peyton finds out that Brooke slept with Nathan, she responds by painting "whore" onto her prom dress and punching her in the face (Nathan, of course, escapes consequence for his actions.)

The Spike storyline on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

While overall a progressive and powerful show, season six of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" introduced a disturbing plot line with Spike assaulting Buffy - all while trying to get her to profess her love for him.

Spike's character undergoes a personality overhaul later — to put it mildly — but regardless of his vampire form or lack of soul, it's difficult to watch Buffy interact, much less fall in love with, Spike after this scene.

The treatment of bisexuality on "Sex and the City."

As the hilarious "Woke Charlotte" meme from @EveryOutfitonSATC has pointed out, "Sex and the City" does not treat bisexuality as a valid identity. When Carrie dates a bisexual man, she explains that she doesn't think bisexuality "exists," and that it is "just a layover on the way to Gay Town." Oh, and then she ditches her boyfriend because he's bisexual. Groundbreaking.

Robin getting rid of her dogs on "How I Met Your Mother."

Ted is the absolute worst, and this is never more clear than when he forces Robin to get rid of her many beloved dogs just because they are gifts from ex-boyfriends. Not only is this a sign of dangerously controlling behavior, but getting rid of objects from ex-girlfriends is not at all similar to getting rid of living, breathing dogs who deserve so much better than this!

The toxic masculinity on "Friends."

Ross, of course, takes the crown for this one. When Rachel hires a male nanny for their son, he is positively bewildered, asking him outright if he's gay. The nanny is then portrayed to be sensitive, prone to bursting into tears and playing the flute, and Ross is horrified that a man could be so in touch with his emotions.