by Molly McCormack ’30 on September 24, 2026
A&E - Film & TV
Gilmore Girls was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino in 2000 and ran for a total of seven seasons. The feel-good television series first came out on The WB, then moved to Netflix until June 2026, and is now available on platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and Prime Video. It takes place in the fictional, picturesque small town of Stars Hallow, Connecticut. From watching it for the first time with my grandmother when I was almost too young to remember, to now watching it each fall, the show always brings me the same sense of comfort.
One reason I believe this show is so great is because of its simplistic plot. It is a storyline with no crazy elements, but still remains very entertaining. The main mother-daughter characters, Lorelai and Rory, live in a small suburban neighborhood where every store owner and townsperson knows one another and every detail of their lives. Rory is a very smart, responsible teenage girl, which contrasts with her comedic, sometimes immature mother, who had her at a very young age. The show follows their everyday routines, including Rory attending a private high school while Lorelai works at an Inn, as well as their weekly Friday night dinners with Lorelai’s parents. Each episode includes moments that are easily predictable, like their morning trips to Luke’s coffee shop. The predictability aspect is something I really enjoy because it is calming to watch, even if it is just on for background noise.
Whether Loreali and Rory are going to Luke’s Diner on a chilly morning, or going to the town’s Autumn festival, the show does a great job of incorporating a cozy fall aesthetic. Each season includes roughly five episodes set in the fall. Their strolls through the town depict the colorful trees changing as each episode goes by, eventually leading to snow, something Lorelai loves. Their oversized sweaters and hot cups of coffee all add to the aesthetic of the show. It captures New England’s fall in a small town in a way that is pleasing to watch, even if you can’t relate to that setting.
While most of the plot is straightforward, the complicated relationships in the show are another aspect that can be relatable to viewers. Lorelai’s relationship with her parents is a huge part of the show, as they constantly bicker. Their tension, starting when Lorelai had Rory at just 16 years old, grows through many situations they face: Rory switching high schools, temporarily dropping out of Yale, and Lorelai’s parenting style as a whole. Her issues with her mom, Emily, also worsen due to Lorelai’s love life. She never married Rory’s father, making for another complicated relationship for Rory to navigate. Lorelai dates Rory’s high school teacher, a childhood friend, and a business school peer, all while the romantic tension between her and the town diner owner, Luke, grows. This relationship is a fan favorite, as people want them to get together throughout the course of the whole show, but it doesn’t end up happening until the later seasons. The show also explores Rory’s first high school and college boyfriends, demonstrating relatable milestones. The realistic troubles the characters face are a large part of why the show can be found so comforting.
Gilmore Girls is the type of show you can rewatch a thousand times and never get bored of. It is perfect for a cozy night in, a rainy day, or to have on in the background while you do chores. The mix of predictability and realistic relationships all tie together with the picture-perfect fall aesthetic. If you are looking for a new show to start this fall, trust me and watch Gilmore Girls.