With the first breeze of autumn permeating in the air and pumpkin-flavored chai making its yearly debut back into the market, colors shift to the warm hues of oranges, yellows and reds, welcoming fall. Soon, the days will shorten, apples will crisp and sweaters will return.
This transition coincides with many beginning their yearly rewatch of the television show “Gilmore Girls.” This series, as with many things related to fall, leaves one with an undeniable feeling of comfort, akin to cuddling up under a blanket during a quiet drizzle. The heartwarming relationship between mother and daughter, the consistent witty banter and eccentric characters, all bundled into a quaint, small-town lifestyle, has become the show for the season.
“Gilmore Girls,” first launched in 2000, was a splashing success, made to stand the test of time. The show features storylines regarding relationships, dynamics and situations that relate to real women. Watching Lorelai and Rory Gilmore’s mother-daughter bond provides a sense of hope and gratitude. Despite having ups and downs, their ability to come back together and experience unconditional love is inspiring.
Lorelai’s mother, Emily Gilmore, entertains with sarcastic digs and frustrates with her incredible stubbornness. Paris Gellar, frenemy to Rory and enemy to most others, represents the intensity that can occur with seeking success. Culinary expert Sookie St. James follows a more traditional path than her best friend, Lorelai, becoming a wife and mother.
Each of these women are complex, flushed-out characters. They are not used to further the plot of men in the show. This, along with many other reasons, is why women of many ages have taken a liking to “Gilmore Girls” and will likely continue to for years to come.
The series begins each season at the beginning of autumn as Rory enters her next year of school. The viewer gets to watch their favorite female leads walk through the months, watching the leaves change more each episode, leading into winter. The town they live in, Stars Hollow, is a fantasy of fall, with multiple town-wide celebrations coinciding with this time of year. The imagery celebrates festivity, from pumpkins lining the streets as the girls walk to get their morning coffee to the outfits plucked straight out of a Pinterest board.
Along with that, “Gilmore Girls” is the epitome of feeling cozy. Sitting next to a fireplace with the aroma of apple pie swirling in the air is exactly how watching this series feels. The coloring and lighting of the visuals, along with the consistent “la la la’s” are a nostalgic happiness for many. There are not unnecessarily complicated storylines, with ridiculous, unrealistic drama. It is like watching someone’s life play out, with all the anecdotes, minor inconveniences, fun and growth in relationships that come along with it.
With fall comes the urge to drink cups of piping hot beverages, to read books in a quiet library with the wind whistling outside and lean into the simplicity of life. “Gilmore Girls” allows people to fall into this feeling. Its atmosphere symbolizes the shift from summer to autumn and shows its characters living as many wish to as the days become colder.
This year, “Gilmore Girls” is celebrating its 25-year anniversary with a cast reunion. Now is the time to begin the annual rewatch of this classic, especially for those who have never experienced the warmth and delight that is the whirlwind of Rory and Lorelai’s life.
Macy Gilbert can be reached at [email protected].