Despite the time that has passed since the end of the show, Gilmore Girls remains a compelling viewing experience. However, rewatching the first season after two decades has revealed some rather upsetting truths about the show. Gilmore Girls Debuted 24 years ago, stole the hearts of its viewers with its fast-witted dialogue and heartwarmingly relatable character dynamics.
However, not every aspect of Gilmore Girls Has stood the test of time. Society has progressed rapidly since the year 2000, and so has the show. The twists and turns of Gilmore Girls‘ Finished storyline, together with a drastically changed societal perspective, means that season 1 of the comedy-drama sometimes breaks the viewer out of an autumn day dream, and instead brings a harsh reality.
10
So much fatphobia
A look at unhealthy body image pictures
over time 1 of Gilmore GirlsThe topic of weight gain and an emphasis on food guilt recurs an unhealthy amount. From Lorelai’s casual jokes that damn being “Fat and happy“In the second episode, to sprinkle food-shame throughout the season, Gilmore Girls is not perfectly inclusive.
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Unfortunately, it makes sense that a show so synonymous with the 2000s would include elements of fatphobia, but it doesn’t make the jokes any less good. Re-watching in 2024, still living through the much-needed body positivity movement, means the jabs leave a sour taste in the mouth. It’s important to note that Sookie, a plus-sized character, is handled incredibly well in her writing, focusing more on her skill than size. But two thin protagonists frequently making food-shaming comments and simultaneously living off junk food and coffee sets incredibly unrealistic standards for young Gilmore Girls viewers.
9
Dean was a major red flag
Explore the toxic dynamics of their relationship
Rory’s young suitor may not be as romantic as he initially seemed. Dean tells Rory that he was “Watching“You in the pilot should have made her wary of him, let alone being overly jealous and possessive when he jumps the gun after seeing Rory interact with Tristan at her school dance.
Like when he pressures Rory to say “I love you“Even though she’s not ready. It’s no surprise that Dean turns out the way he does in the later seasons.
Especially on a re-watch, knowing where Rory’s love story with Dean ends in Gilmore GirlsIt’s kind of impressive that the red flags didn’t jump up on the first watch. Dean shows all the signs of an immature and toxic boyfriend, like when he pressures Rory to say “I love you“Though she’s not ready. It’s no surprise that Dean turns out the way he does in later seasons, as his caring attitude was clearly a poor disguise for serious boundary issues – it showed from the start.
8
Lorelai is not a great parent
Examine the flaws in her mothering
Although their dysfunctional dynamic was truly the heart of the show, Lorelai’s parents styled in Gilmore Girls Was not always the most healthy. Lorelai often comes across as temperamental, for example, treating Rory as a friend all season only to whiplash into a furious parent when Rory comes home late in episode 9.
It makes perfect sense, because Lorelai had Rory so young, it’s only natural that her parental dynamic with Rory would seem more like that of siblings, but this fun, light-hearted approach to parenting can have serious consequences. Although Rory is famously a “good kid,” No teenage girl needs a strong parental influence, and Lorelai isn’t always able to provide that for Rory. While Gilmore Girls If not for its realistic character flaws and unconventional mother-daughter dynamic, it’s important that Lorelai’s parenting style isn’t overly romanticized.
7
Lorelai is not really a “do-it-yourself” mom
Debunking the myth of her independence
While Lorelai has every right to be proud of the life she made for herself after leaving home, she is far from being a self-made mother.. Lorelai is lucky to have raised such a talented child, but Rory would never have been able to pursue her potential if it wasn’t for her grandparents, Emily and Richard, being able to pay the Chilton tuition.
Lorelai may be self-sufficient because of her job at the hotel, but most mothers in her position would not be able to encourage their child to apply to a private school, or would have to take other jobs to do so. Although Lorelai may not have lived off her parents’ money, she certainly lived with the comfort of knowing it was there for her.
6
Tristan’s persistence went too far
Analyzing the line between admiration and harassment
On the initial watch, Tristan’s cocky bad boy determined attitude surely made some viewers swoon, but on the re-watch, Tristan’s persistence was kind of unnerving. Tristan was played by Chad Micheal Murray, a famous heartthrob of the 2000s, so it makes sense that his character’s flaws were originally ignored, but his unrelenting approach is just creepy today.
Tristan was clearly set up as a love interest for Rory before his actor left in the following seasons, but without a redemption arc, his constant teasing and unwanted advances make the character irritating to watch. His behavior is framed as typical teenage flirting, but Rory’s consistent rejection and discomfort after he tries to win her over make Tristan seem like an entitled rich boy who can’t take no for an answer.
5
Christopher’s return is not pretty
Evaluating the impact of his re-entry into Lorelai’s life
Christopher’s return to Stars Hollow in episode 15 is not fair to Rory. After being absent for most of Rory’s upbringing, Christopher returns and expects Lorelai to fall for him again by promising a stable life that he didn’t really have.
Not only is this unfair on Lorelai, who was made to feel like she was pushing her child’s father out of her child’s life, but it is incredibly inconsiderate of Rory, who is perceptive enough to understand her father’s intentions. Christopher does not take accountability for his actions or omissions, and even complicates things further for Rory, such as when he asks her to lie for him after his card declines. Lorelai’s lingering feelings and Rory’s admiration of her father seem to forgive Christopher for his incredibly problematic behavior, and the character should have faced more consequences for his actions.
4
There is nothing wrong with being a homemaker
Challenging stereotypes about domesticity
In episode 14, Lorelai and Rory mock the concept of a traditional homemaker after watching The Donna Reed Show. Rory attempts to embrace the idea for Dean, but the show treats it as a joke.
The treatment of the homemaker archetype is problematic for several reasons. Gilmore Girls is incredibly dismissive of those who choose to be a homemaker and enjoy traditional gender roles. It goes against the goal of feminism, which is a woman’s right to choose how to spend her life. Additionally, when the idea of a homemaker is explored further in the show, it is not only done in a comedic manner, but only done because Rory wants to please Dean, which further alienates the homemaker archetype as a decent life decision for a woman to make. Is. allowed to make.
3
Lane’s dreams are all for naught
Discuss the disappointment of unfulfilled aspirations
It’s almost heartbreaking to watch the series 24 years later after seeing Lane’s story Gilmore Girls. Throughout Season 1, the audience is introduced to Lane as a sheltered teen who is desperate for freedom and independence.
So it’s hard to watch her younger and more hopeful self on screen without an impending sense of dread.
Watching Lane navigate the world with wonder and ambition while knowing what happens in later seasons makes every scene with her uncomfortable attempts at independence seem largely depressing. In later seasons, Lane settles into a married life with a missing honeymoon and an imminent unplanned pregnancy, neither of which is portrayed as incredibly fulfilling to Lane, who has dreams of whirlwind romance and world tour concerts. So it’s hard to watch her younger and more hopeful self on screen without an impending sense of dread.
2
Rory really should have addressed her academic anxiety
Explore the consequences of ignoring mental health
When re-watching episode 4, where Rory breaks down after getting a bad grade at Chilton, there is an incredibly clear issue in Rory’s storyline. She absolutely should have addressed her academic concerns.
Rory values her brains above everything else on the show, and has strict dreams and a strict plan regarding her academic career. However, with her high standards taking a toll on her mental health so early in the show, it’s clear that Rory should have addressed the immense pressure placed on her to succeed. Especially when that same pressure leads to Rory impulsively dropping out of oil in the later seasons of the show. If Lorelai or anyone around Rory had noticed her anxiety, rather than deeming it odd, she probably would have had a much easier time in her later seasons.
1
Emily didn’t go first
Examine the mother-daughter dynamic and the importance of prioritizing needs
In an emotional moment in episode 10, after Richard ends up in the hospital, Emily struggles with her denial of his condition before eventually acknowledging that he has no choice but to be good because she has decided that she will “Go first.” It was a tear-jerking moment on the first watch and manages to still leave a similar impression after nearly two decades, because of the painful awareness that Richard does, in fact, “Go first“In a show so central to love and life, it’s only natural that the ultimate reality is going to be in the presence of death, and the show does an amazing job of writing about it. Despite its many flaws, Gilmore Girls‘ The harshest realities could never undermine what a beautifully layered story each character created.