“Cross my heart and hope no other neighborhood pets die,” Lorelai Gilmore says to her daughter’s teacher-turned-love-interest, Max Medina, on a chilly Connecticut night in the small town of Stars Hollow. Explaining that she stood him up to attend the neighbors’ cat’s funeral, Lorelai pleads to Max for another chance, embodying the witty, light-hearted humor that defines “Gilmore Girls.” Debuting in 2000, this multigenerational drama starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel swept the world off its feet with its relatable characters and engaging plot. Surviving the test of time, “Gilmore Girls” ranked among the top 10 most-watched shows across the major streaming platforms in 2023, according to The New York Times. With such enduring popularity nearly 25 years after its release, what is it about this show that resonates with so many viewers? Is “Gilmore Girls” the perfect show? Perhaps.

So, who is watching Gilmore Girls? I think a better question here is who isn’t watching “Gilmore Girls.” With its witty dialogue and themes of family, friendship and romance, this relatable coming-of-age drama draws broad appeal from anyone who values strong relationships and clever writing. Set in a small (and very gossipy) Connecticut town where everyone knows everyone, the series captures the charm of close-knit communities where everyone comes together to celebrate holidays: such as the founding of Stars Hollow, or the occasional just-cause festival. This backdrop not only enhances the show’s humor but also emphasizes the importance of both familial and platonic relationships. The show’s rich tapestry of supporting characters like quirky townsfolk Kirk and Babette to Lorelai’s love interests, allows viewers of all ages to find someone they connect with.

Outside of its appeal to a wide audience, “Gilmore Girls” is a great show because it showcases important issues through its exploration of mother-daughter relationships. We see this in two main forms: the Lorelai-Rory relationship and the Emily-Lorelai relationship. Although the Lorelai-Rory relationship is of particular importance given these are the two leads of the show, the Emily-Lorelai is much more interesting to explore, and through understanding their dynamic we are given an insight into Lorelai’s approach towards parenting Rory. With Emily’s early attempts to control Lorelai and prevent her from turning into a crazy untamed teenager, we learn that money does not solve everything. Tensions between the two women due to economic class differences escalate throughout the show, demonstrating how money impacts relationships. 

This lesson gains another dimension as Emily often stigmatizes Lorelai for becoming a teen mom, despite loving her granddaughter Rory. At the time of its release back in 2000, teen moms were greatly underrepresented in film, and still are even today. Thus, portraying Lorelai as a career woman with a highly-accomplished daughter sheds light on the potential for teen moms and their children to achieve success despite stigmatization. The throttling control and pressure Lorelai faced from Emily greatly impacted how Lorelai went about parenting Rory, offering a nice contrast to the Emily-Lorelai dynamic discussed earlier. Portrayed as best friends that rarely hide anything from each other, Lorelai and Rory are seen as the ideal mother-daughter duo. Their friendly banter and love for each other, despite not having as much money as Emily did when she was raising Lorelai, reemphasizes the idea that money doesn’t solve all of life’s problems.

Another reason “Gilmore Girls” is so amazing is that it keeps its charm. With just seven seasons and a little over 150 episodes, the show strikes a balance between advancing the plot through introducing new love interests and twists, and maintaining the same lighthearted “Gilmore Girls” energy showcased in the first season. One of the main reasons the show is able to do this is because it retains the same actors throughout the show. With the core characters, Lorelai, Rory and local coffee shop owner Luke, being played by the same person in every season, the show is able to uphold the unique chemistry and dynamic that makes it so beloved. This consistency allows for deeper character development and more nuanced relationships as viewers witness the growth and evolution of these characters over time.

Unlike other great shows such as “Glee” or “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Gilmore Girls” also doesn’t overstay its welcome. It does so by allowing each season to represent a period in Lorelai and Rory’s lives, with the final season bringing it all together. The first three seasons we see Rory navigate high school and the problems that come along with being the new girl at Chilton. We also get to meet her key love interests Dean and Jess, who are arguably some of the most important recurring characters of the show. Seasons four through six bring us to Yale as new love interest Logan takes center-stage as the sly rich kid. And with season seven, we come to graduation. With each season designed to capture distinct milestones in Rory and Lorelai’s journeys, the series masterfully blends personal growth with the evolving dynamics of their relationships. The final season serves as a reflection, showcasing how far they’ve come in a way that feels both satisfying and true to the characters. As they face new beginnings, the themes of family, friendship and self-discovery resonate deeply, ensuring that the show leaves a lasting impact without overstaying its welcome.

Though it’s easy to boast on and on about just how amazing Lorelai and Rory are, their imperfections and bad choices are really what hooks the viewers in. The show does this by sprinkling in enough frustration to keep fans engaged, but not too much such that we start hating our stars. Examples of this can be seen when Rory decides to sleep with her ex-boyfriend while he’s married, when she skips her mother’s graduation to go to New York with Jess, when she drops out of Yale or convinces Logan to steal a yacht. As we shake our heads at the screen due to Rory’s poor choices, we also find ourselves compelled to keep watching, wondering how she’ll navigate the fallout. This constant push and pull between admiration and frustration ensures that viewers remain emotionally connected, making each twist and turn feel impactful and relatable at the same time.

So if you’re looking for a show to occupy your free time, I highly highly recommend checking out “Gilmore Girls.” From the charming streets of Stars Hollow to your very Netflix subscription, “Gilmore Girls” has graced our screens for almost 25 years now and its presence is just as impactful now as it was at its time of release. The show’s endurance is a testament to its ability to connect with viewers across generations, teaching them important lessons about family, relationships and community. And so next time you consider making a promise, make sure you cross your heart and hope no other neighborhood pets die.