A drama centering on the relationship between a thirty-something single mother and her teenage daughter living in Stars Hollow, Connecticut.
Back in October, I started watching Gilmore Girls. Quite what made me want to see it I’m not sure – it really isn’t the sort of show that I would class as my sort of thing. Clearly the hype surrounding the show’s revival got the better of me, however, as I decided to give it a go. I am so glad I delved into this series because I enjoyed it so, so much! There were so many brilliantly written characters and wonderfully crafted dialogue throughout the whole show, and after taking up so much of my time over the last six months, I’m kind of sad that it’s finished.
Gilmore Girls is laced with so many terrific performances that it’s hard to know where exactly to start. Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel play title characters Lorelai and Rory Gilmore and both did such excellent jobs that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in those roles now. Graham was so loveable as Lorelai. I really loved how she made everything seem so interesting all of the time as her character. The best way I can think to describe her is like a puppy the first time you take it out for a walk. Graham showed so much energy as Lorelai and really made the role her own.
Likewise, Alexis Bledel also did a great job as Rory. For me, she got the balance just right between making Rory her own character, and also showing just how much of Lorelai’s influence she had taken on over the years. She really showed how close the two of them had always been. Together, the two of them were brilliant, with their little bits often being one of the many highlights of any episode.
What was really good about this show though was the fact that every single character in it had a purpose, and was therefore equally as important as Lorelai or Rory. So many scenes took place throughout the series that featured neither of the two characters yet were just as entertaining to watch. A couple of other performances that stood out for me included Scott Patterson as Luke Danes and Sean Gunn as Kirk. Both were iconic characters in the show and shared some magical scenes with the two leads, with Luke being a major part of Lorelai’s life for the duration of the show. However, both men also shared some truly magnificent scenes together on their own, and these were just as strong as any scene featuring the leads. The reason this worked so well in my opinion, not only for these two characters but for every character that featured in the show, was that they were all such an eclectic mix. Everything that happened did so because of who these people were, meaning nothing took place just for the sake of taking place, which was another feature of this show that was so effective.
The narrative for Gilmore Girls is one that is quite a long, drawn out process; however that is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. Each season takes place over a year of the two main character’s lives, and you get to see them both grow with each season that passes, and often you grow with them. I know the first three seasons especially for me were particularly great because Rory was on the same journey that I also am on at this moment in time. What I’m trying to say is that the show is very relatable. The relationships between the characters, the settings and just some of the stories that take place are so ordinary, yet done in a way that makes them captivating to watch – perhaps another reason for the show’s phenomenal success.
So, basically, if you couldn’t tell, I really enjoyed watching Gilmore Girls. So many aspects of the show really struck a chord with me, and it has been one of the first shows in a while that I really struggled to pull myself away from. What did it for me I think was how relatable it was, and also perhaps how ahead of its time it was when it first premiered – there is so much dialogue, and to be headed up by two women would have been no mean feat either when the show started way back in 2000. Now I’m looking forward to watching the revival and to see how far the characters have moved on in the ten years that have passed since they were last seen. Not too bad for a show that I wouldn’t have classed as my sort of thing, eh?
