As we enter autumn, Gilmore Girls tops the most-watched shows list, according to Netflix (netflix.com). The classic show takes place in Stars Hollow, Connecticut and focuses on a mother and daughter’s relationship and the struggles they go through. It has become a binge-worthy staple watch for this time of year, bringing great comfort and joy to viewers around the world.
Gilmore Girls follows the lives of Lorelai Gilmore, a mother in her thirties, and her teenage daughter, Rory Gilmore. The two women are incredibly ambitious, and have two major goals that they work towards achieving throughout the show – Lorelai wishes to own her own inn, while Rory wants to attend the prestigious Harvard University. Lorelai had Rory at the age of 16, and proceeded to raise her daughter on her own. She left her home in Hartford, Connecticut soon after Rory was born and moved to Stars Hollow, Connecticut, a small fictional town with a tight-knit, loving community.
Senior Bianca Najera said, “[Gilmore Girls] is such a good show to watch in the fall, as everything about it represents the season – the town, the people, and the storyline. It makes you want to curl up in your bed with a warm blanket drinking hot chocolate.”
While the overall comforting and cozy feeling of the series has plenty of fans tuning in, there might be another reason why Gilmore Girls is so deeply connected to the feelings of fall. Autumn played an important role in the show as many episodes revolve around the season, according to Cheat Sheet entertainment publication (cheatsheet.com).
It’s safe to assume that Gilmore Girls is appealing to watch during autumn because of the show’s original autumn release date, which fell on October 5, 2000, as well as the cozy autumnal atmosphere the show provides. There are several other reasons why it’s become an autumn favorite for many watchers, such as seeing the characters in this show wearing fall-appropriate clothing and partaking in activities typically associated with the season, such as Halloween festivities and starting school, according to Ready Steady Cut (readysteadycut.com).
The show has many universal themes that can connect with audiences worldwide. Writer and Producer Amy Sherman-Palladino, one of the series’ creators, told Collider, an online entertainment publication, “I think the theme was always family and connection. I always felt like the underlying thing about Gilmore was that, if you happened to be born into a family that doesn’t really understand you, go out and make your own. That’s what Lorelai did. She went out and she made her own family” (collider.com). This powerful story can deeply resonate with audiences of ranging backgrounds, which can explain the show’s growing fanbase.
Senior Nadia North said, “Gilmore Girls teaches you that life has its ups and downs. The show portrays both the characters’ victories and challenges in life, from falling in love to pursuing unique career goals, making the show realistic and appealing to viewers who are experiencing the same things as the characters at coinciding stages in their life.”
Gilmore Girls is all about strong and independent women, but the show makes it abundantly clear that there’s no shame in leaning on your friends and family when times get rough. It doesn’t make you any less of a fighter, or any less inspiring.