Rediscover Gilmore Girls this Fall by Alyssa Sheffield

We all celebrate the start of our favorite seasons in our way. For fall, many of us will be hitting our nearest Starbucks for a hot pumpkin spice latte and maybe a pumpkin scone or muffin. A time to finally pull out our boots, scarves, and favorite coat soon. For some of us, the oncoming crispness in the air and the promise of cooler temperatures make us want to curl up with a good book or maybe put on our favorite movies and shows.

Gilmore Girls is a show that honestly needs no introduction. Recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Greatest Television Shows of All Time, the show premiered 22 years ago; almost to the day. So why is it my binge-pick this fall? Gilmore Girls continues to be beloved for its witty writing, relatable female protagonists, and a cast of quirky yet lovable side characters. Plus, Gilmore Girls is the quintessential autumn weather television show. As the show takes place in Connecticut, the fictional town of Stars Hollow always shines with an array of beautiful fall colors. And after many views over the years, Stars Hollow still feels like my second hometown. I always picture Lorelei and Rory sitting at Luke’s diner sipping their 9th cup of coffee; no doubt wearing one of their many fabulous fall sweaters and beanies. They sit there watching Taylor arguing with Luke about not putting his turkey decorations in the window.

If you are already a fan, I’m sure you are picturing the scenes with me and reaching for your Apple remote or your DVD box set. But if you have never seen Gilmore Girls, and are perhaps intimidated by the 7 seasons (8 if you include the revival) and the large cult following, I highly recommend giving the show a try. While not without its flaws, it is a very well-written show from creator Amy Sherman-Palladino. The show is well-known (even now) for its esoteric and literary pop culture references. People have devoted TikTok accounts solely to explaining jokes from the show that most of us didn’t understand the first time. Rory is a bookworm and academic that makes literary references frequently throughout the series. I had never heard of Dorothy Parker until I watched Season One when Rory brings her book to her first school dance. After watching that episode, I had to go look her up. Even now, I enjoy the unique style and sarcasm of Dorothy Parker. The soundtrack and references to music are just as iconic. Many fans, including myself, have a favorite song or artist discovered only thanks to the show. Even the backstories involving supporting cast members make you feel like you are among neighbors and Stars Hollow is a real town.

Gilmore Girls celebrates the relationships between women of all ages and lifestyles: mothers, daughters, grandmothers, family friends, the crazy aunt, or a mentor. Each character is more than a perfectly dressed prop filling the background; each is strong with ambitions and many are successful entrepreneurs. It is also a show that different generations can enjoy together. The show celebrates three generations of women in the same family that come together despite their differences at times of extreme difficulty to navigate unique family relationships. The celebration of mother-daughter relationships even comes through in the making of the theme song. It is taken from the 1971 Carole King hit “Where You Lead”, and Carole recorded a new version specifically for the show with her daughter, Louise Goffin.

I loved watching it every week with my mother in the 2000s when it was on WB, and even though my mother has since passed away, I still enjoy watching it now with my younger sister. Aside from all the myriad of intellectual reasons this show has endured as a favorite, the show very simply has heart. Gilmore Girls is something fun for you and someone special to put on as the colder weather approaches to make some lasting memories.