Why “Gilmore Girls” is The Ultimate Comfort Show
Ever since Netflix released the reboot “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” in 2016, “Gilmore Girls” has garnered more and more attention, particularly among Gen Z. Originally released in 2000, the series ran for seven seasons, and while it never received a ton of high-profile recognition, it was largely beloved by fans. “Gilmore Girls,” tells the story of Lorelai Gilmore, a young single mom who got pregnant at 16 and is raising her now 16-year-old daughter, Rory. The mother and daughter live in a small, lovably crazy town called Stars Hollow, filled with colorful and eclectic characters. While streaming platforms continue to produce a multitude of shows, “Gilmore Girls” remains a fallback for many people—proving that it has been and continues to be the ultimate comfort TV show.
“Gilmore Girls” begins with Lorelai having spent most of her life away from her wealthy parents out of choice. She frequently asserts her independence from them throughout the show, but she is now seeking financial assistance from them in order to pay for Rory’s tuition at Chilton, a private high school. Her parents agree to pay in exchange for Rory and Lorelai attending weekly Friday night dinners, to which Lorelai reluctantly agrees. Throughout “Gilmore Girls”, viewers see the evolution of Lorelai’s relationship with her parents, as well as her relationships with men—especially the slightly aloof but loving diner owner, Luke, who ensures that Lorelai is properly caffeinated at all times.
Lorelai’s most important relationship, however, is hers with Rory. The two are extraordinarily bonded, which makes the show so captivating. Their closeness in age makes it so that Rory sees Lorelai as her best friend rather than simply her mother. They also share many of the same interests in music, movies, and TV shows—from Pippi Longstocking to “The Donna Reed Show.” Any rifts between the two usually have to do with them not being able to relate to each other’s experiences and are particularly resonant because of their carefully crafted relationship. For example, Rory is more attached to her grandparents, which Lorelai cannot relate to because she has had to constantly endure their disapproval of her.
Ultimately, “Gilmore Girls” provides comfort in its ability to be both lighthearted and address serious topics, most of them rooted in the dynamics within the Gilmore family. This is somewhat surprising given that the show is very much of its time, such as its portrayal of East Coast wealth and lack of racially diverse characters. Nevertheless, its addictive plot and fast-talking characters continue to buoy its popularity, causing fans to revisit it when there seems to be nothing comparable.