The lyrics “All you have to do is call my name / And I’ll be there on the next train” of the Gilmore Girls theme song “Where You Lead I Will Follow” encapsulates exactly how I feel about the show and its characters. Except lucky for me, unlike whoever Carol King is serenading, I don’t have to wait for someone to get off the next train — Rory, Lorelai, and Emily Gilmore, along with the rest of Stars Hollow, are only a couple of clicks away on Netflix. They are the perfect companions to spend a chilly autumn day with while sipping on a pumpkin spice latte.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, Gilmore Girls is a comedy-drama television series that follows the day-to-day life of three generations of women: a daughter, mother, and grandmother. When the show begins, Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) is in high school, and the series ends with her graduating college. Rory and her mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) are extremely close and more like sisters or best friends than mother and daughter. This is the opposite of the tumultuous relationship Lorelai has with her own mother, Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop).
Gilmore Girls first aired on Oct. 5, 2000, first on The WB and then on the CW, making the series almost 23-years-old. Today, the show is viewed as a cult classic by both millennial women and Gen Z teenage girls. Lauren Graham, the actress who played Lorelai, claimed that the show is more popular today then back in the early 2000s, while on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in March of 2021. Streaming services contribute to the longevity of television series after they wrap, but the Gilmore Girls’ growing fanbase has more to it then the show’s availability on Netflix. So, exactly how is Gilmore Girls continuing to rise in popularity over 20 years after its original release?
For one thing, Gilmore Girls is a timeless television series that evokes feelings of nostalgia, while still being relatable. Many of the situations that Rory Gilmore finds herself in revolve around issues teenage girls face today — and will face until the end of time — from family drama to boy-related problems to the college application process. While watching (and then rewatching) the series, you get to grow up alongside Rory as she develops a relationship with her grandparents and transitions into college life at Yale. If you are an overachieving, studious bookworm, you might even see yourself within her. While millennials may no longer relate to Rory, they might feel more connected to Emily or Lorelai and make up the older portion of the show’s fanbase.
Gilmore Girls trending on TikTok and being labeled as the perfect fall comfort show also contributes to the growing admiration of the series. Videos of girls lighting pumpkin-scented candles and baking fall inspired treats while watching Gilmore Girls have been populating my For You Page recently. These fall vibes align with the intro of the show, which is an aerial view of a small town and trees with vibrant red and orange foliage. Decorative pumpkins and bales of hay are strewn throughout the town during autumn. Each season of the show begins with a new school year for Rory, further evoking the feeling of new beginnings. The more of the series you watch, the more accustomed you become to the characters’ inside jokes and quirks, and you feel like a Stars Hollow resident yourself.
Gilmore Girls inspired outfits have also been having their spotlight on social media, especially during the fall months. On TikTok and Instagram, you can find girls showing examples of Lorelai Gilmore-esque outfits, which usually include a baby tee, turtleneck, or a wide leg pant. And of course, the two youngest Gilmore Girls loved to wear cozy sweaters. In season one, episode one, Rory wears a white oversized cable knit sweater, which has become one of her most sought after looks. A quick search on Google or TikTok pulls up sweater dupes that can be bought off Amazon and other clothing websites. Fans of the Amazon Prime original series The Summer I Turned Pretty noticed Belly Conklin, played by Lola Tung, wears a variation of Rory’s signature chunky sweater.
I have watched Gilmore Girls twice, and plan to watch it again this fall to commemorate my favorite season. If you have never watched the show, or it’s been awhile since you’ve caught up with Rory, then throw on your favorite cozy sweater and grab your favorite pumpkin flavored treat to snack on while you watch. The Gilmore Girls — along with the rest of Stars Hollow and Rory’s love interests (proud team Logan supporter here!) — will be there when you need them.
Photos: courtesy IMDB.com
By Erin Renzi