My mom introduced me to Gilmore Girls when I was in junior high. This would have been around 2013. To give you a picture of my instant dedication to the show, I will remind you that we had not yet been spoiled by the show’s presence on Netflix. After school, I would walk to the library, dollar bill in hand, to borrow the next season’s box set.
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| Image Credit: Cameron Bunney: Unsplash |
Gilmore Girls has experienced a resurgence, first from its addition to Netflix, and then from its miniseries revival (albeit with mixed reviews). In the early 2010s, I was stuck between an older generation who remembered the first season’s episodes playing on The WB in 2000, and my friends who had never even heard of this show I so loved. In 2023, Gilmore Girls is being discovered by new fans and rediscovered by old ones.
Something about Gilmore Girls, with its references to Lip Smackers and the Bangles, is inherently early 2000s. Yet something about the relationships Lorelai and Rory have with the people in their lives remains relevant to audiences through generations. Actors from the show have even stated that the show is more successful now than ever.
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| Image Credit: Ketut Subiyanto: Pexels |
In this blog, I will delve into different episodes from different seasons of the show that I think best capture Rory Gilmore’s characterization. I will be discussing different choices Rory makes throughout each episode. I will often reference other episodes I have already covered to show how Rory changes throughout the 7 total seasons.
I chose Rory Gilmore as the focus of this blog because I think she has the most interesting characterization. Her choices are some of the most heavily debated among fans, and they have been so for years. Her character arc is often regarded as more of a downfall, with both claims that she was doomed from the start and that her identity changed at some point in the series.
If we pinpoint choices that served as turning points for Rory's life course, we may be able to relate these to moments in our own lives. As I have grown older, I have grown to see Rory's decisions from a more mature perspective. I hope to introduce my niece once she gets a bit older, just as my mom once did for me. I want to be able to discuss serious decisions the characters make in a fun, truthful way.
I chose the “how to (maybe not) embody Rory Gilmore” format because I think Gilmore Girls fans appreciate the quirkiness of the show. Gilmore Girls is fun. Even as the show tackles heavy family trauma, it does not take itself too seriously. The characters are goofy and endearing even as they face challenges. I figured that an audience that loves Gilmore Girls would appreciate a cheeky approach.
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| Image Credit: Pexels: Pixabay |
As my fellow Gilmore Girls fans, please share your opinions. If you disagree with something I write, please feel free to share your own take. If you just want to talk about what you love about the show—or about Rory Gilmore herself—please share your thoughts on those topics as well. I would love to interact with you in the comments, and Gilmore Girls is a show that can really inspire connections.
Love this choice of topic. I watched the few seasons of Gilmore Girls years and years ago and didn't get all that far. I have seen on tiktok countless videos idolizing or hating on Rory and I follow a mom (Clara and June) who praises that show often and romanticizes that lifestyle. While I have limited knowledge of the show now, the snippets of information I have due to social media and its recent growth in popularity, it helps to create a sort of judgement against the show. However, I am super excited to learn more about the show from someone who has actually seen it!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you've seen both sides of the spectrum, with some idolizing aspects of the show and some criticizing them. I didn't realize the show was so polarizing! I'm glad that didn't completely put you off of the show and that you're still open to hearing more about it!
DeleteI discovered Gilmore Girls as a freshman in high school, and I can say to this day that as a senior in college, I still rewatch it at least once a year. I find it super interesting how you are analyzing Rory's characterization. Her character has always been so relatable from my perspective. We witness her make mistakes throughout the show that alter the "perfect" image that her character seemingly portrays at the beginning of the show. I am excited to read more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteI love that Gilmore Girls has become a comfort show for so many people. It's such a good show to re-watch, probably because of the quick dialogue. What's funny is that I've seen the whole series so many times, but every time I watch, I pick up on something new. That's part of the fun! Do you notice new things every time you re-watch too? Or maybe you remember parts of the show you viewed differently when you were younger?
DeleteI actually just started watching the show on Netflix yesterday and am two episodes in. Being of an age that I could have watched each episode on TV when it originally aired, I avoided it for some reason. Like you said, the show's popularity seems to be enjoying a new high and I've been seeing references about their town being idealistic and the ambiance capturing the feel of Autumn, so I decided to give it a shot. My impression from the first episode was that it was a bit trope-ish. Of course it was written 23 years ago so maybe that wasn't the case then. Even considering that, I found myself wanting to watch another episode. I completely agree that the characters are endearing. You have my curiosity peaked about the claim that Rory's personality changed at some point in the show. Looking forward to reading more about that and your analysis about the show in general.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the first episode is definitely full of tropes. I find them a bit distracting! I do think that lot of big tropes in the pilot episode, like Sookie's clumsiness, are less extreme and distracting in later episodes. Maybe some of these tropes were products of their time, like you mentioned. I wonder if other early 2000s dramas with teen characters like One Tree Hill and Veronica Mars use similar tropes?
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