Gilmore Girls

I have started my yearly rewatch of Gilmore Girls as one does in the fall. And I of course have many thoughts on the show. I first watch this show when I was super young, I used to watch it with my mom. I didn't actually watch the full series until college, and now I watch it all the time and it makes me feel close to my momma.

The Mother Daughter Relationships

The Mother-Daughter relationships of Gilmore Girls are the backbone of the series. There are many heartfelt moments as well as some truly terrible mother-daughter moments. The relationships between Rory and Lorelai, Lorelai and Emily and Lane and Mrs. Kim all develop quite well over the course of the series. But in order for them to develop there has to be these terrible moments. Emily and Mrs. Kim were both very controlling and they each have their bad mom moments. But Emily breaking up Luke and Lorelai is the most abhorrent act of the series. The level of self insertion that Emily was able achieve is both impressive and terrifying.

The Boyfriends

The Gilmore girls boyfriends/husbands all have *some* good moments but to be completley honest they were mostly terrible. From Dean to Luke the boys really kind have failed the girls at every turn. Dean was weirdly, stalkery attached to Rory. Luke not telling Lorelai about April is seriously unforgiveable and don't even get me started on Richard not telling Emily about his yearly lunches with Pennolyn Lott.

The Rise and Fall of Rory Gilmore

So I really can't stand Rory at any point of the series. There is this internet idea that somehow her character changed when she got to Yale and then again in season 7. But the reality is that she was always a mess. She was always entitled, and selfish and irresponsible. She missed her English test and then yelled everyone in the room because SHE was late. And then we have the fact that she cheated on every boy she ever dated. She kissed Jess when she was with Dean, she kissed Jess when she was with Logan and she slept with a married man...she sucks.

Justice for Lorelai Gilmore

There is a side of the Gilmore Girls fanbase that genuinely believes that Lorelai is the problem of the show. Despite being the only Gilmore with the power of self reflection AND the only Gilmore that ever apologized for anything. Still the issues she runs into are placed on her. I am here to refute this at every possible turn. Lorelai was not only like Lane's second mom but she was the mediator between Lane and Mrs. Kim. Lorelai constantly called Rory out on her bullshit while also being loving and supporting. Lorelai put her own feelings aside and was present for Sherri's delivery. Lorelai Gilmore is the best part of the show and I will die on this hill.

The Gaslighting Gilmores

Richard and Emily are undoubtedly terrible parents. There is really no nuance here. There is no other angle to see. They were extremely emotionally, mentally and financially abusive to Lorelai. And they were extremely controlling to both Lorelai and Rory.

Gilmore Girls remains extremely popular for good reason. Its a great show that depicts family dynamics and friendships in a way that few other shows do. It is the perfectly yearly rewatch as soon as the weather starts to change. But as always, I think that it is important to critically watch literally any media that you consume. What you enjoy is a direct reflection of who you are.