Gilmore Girls
Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino
With Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel
2000-2006 (7 seasons)
Netflix
At first glance, Gilmore Girls appears to be a light-hearted 2000s show about coffee, pop culture and a wholesome mother-daughter relationship, but it is so much more than that.
Beyond romance and drama, the seven-season series explores grief, complicated family dynamics and the desire for academic validation. The themes feel genuine and deeply human, making the show emotionally engaging and relatable to viewers of all ages.
One of the show’s greatest strengths lies in its characters, who make it easy to become invested in their fictional lives. Lorelai Gilmore, in particular, is an extremely complex and witty character who has been through a great deal of life experience. Although she is known for being the comedic heart of the series, her humour often causes people to overlook how emotionally complex and intelligent she truly is. As a teenage mother who rejected her privileged upbringing, Lorelai raises her daughter Rory imperfectly but with love and warmth.
Rory, on the other hand, is a more divisive character. While she is hardworking and a perfectionist, I believe she is often overrated. As the series progresses, especially in later seasons, her obsession with external validation becomes frustrating and leads to her making increasingly questionable decisions.
I loved the first three seasons the most because of the innocence of all the characters and how most of their mistakes seemed justifiable and resolvable. Overall, Gilmore Girls is an engaging show and my ultimate comfort series. No matter how many times I rewatch it, it always draws me back with a perfect balance of tears and laughter. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves autumn vibes and rom-coms.
