The series follows mother-daughter duo, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) as they navigate life and love in the fictional small town of Stars Hollow with a lot of coffee, pop-culture references, and chic wardrobes.
Graham, herself, admitted that the show has “[taken] the season of fall hostage,” and my autumnal rewatch affirms that statement. I first watched the series at the age of 12, and being nearly 22 now, it’s extremely nostalgic. I’ve grown up with this series, it’s familiar, and no matter how my opinions change of certain characters and plotlines, rewatching Gilmore Girls feels like coming home.
Gilmore Girls is full of light and laughter, from grand holiday episodes to road trips — but don’t be fooled by its surface aesthetic. Just like any 2000s drama series, the show is riddled with challenges.
The series’ integral conflict — the rocky relationship between Lorelai and her parents — remains throughout, and it challenges viewers to understand the characters and their actions better. No matter how you feel about Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop), they are essential to the plot. Without the turbulent family dynamic, the series wouldn’t have such a gripping story. Gilmore Girls also has episodes dedicated to heavier themes like teen pregnancy, adultery, and lack of communication. These topics are treated seriously, but there remains an ease to each episode as quick dialogue and light-heartedness are maintained.
Family is a big part of the series, but it also covers first loves, academic success and failure, and how to be a good friend.
A major aspect of Gilmore Girls is your allegiance to either Team Dean (Jared Padalecki), Jess (Milo Ventimiglia), or Logan (Matt Czuchry). Whichever one of Rory’s boyfriends you prefer, that’s your opinion, but this discourse is a big part of the series’ culture.
With that being said, I admit that the later seasons, and the revival — A Year in the Life (2016) — don’t live up to the first three seasons. The comfort and joy found within the first few seasons begins to dwindle as characters grow up and circumstances change. Additionally, Gilmore Girls has some inconsistencies that make me scratch my head in wonder — Lorelai and Rory’s splurging on take-out doesn’t coincide with their limited income — but due to my attachment to the series, I begrudgingly let them go.
The series is entrenched in the culture of the 2000s, so some jokes and perspectives don’t align with contemporary understandings, but the series is indicative of its time, and that part of its identity is essential to remember.
If you’re a fan of banter, strange small towns, and an incredible soundtrack, or you’re just really into the Y2K revival, I suggest you carve time out this fall to indulge in Gilmore Girls. Besides, you’ll be able to add something obscure to your repertoire of references — you don’t hear the names Euell Gibbons or Paul Anka every day.
