Gilmore Girls review: This classic series is more than just a guilty pleasure to rewatch

In October 2025, it will be 25 years since Gilmore Girls premiered, and in many ways, we're watching the series as if not a day has passed. For many contemporary fans, their first time watching Gilmore Girls it wasn't when the series originally aired on the WB (later on the CW), but years later when the show became a streaming television feature. Starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as Lorelai and Rory, The series follows pivotal years in the women's lives as they grow up together in their quirky town of Stars Hollow, deal with eccentric problems or not.

Created and written primarily by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the style in which she wrote Gilmore Girls It came to define much of his later work. Sherman-Palladino also created The Marvelous Mrs. Maisela series that draws many parallels with Gilmore Girlsbecause it's difficult to watch the Prime Video series without feeling like Gilmore Girls It would have looked even more similar if it had a bigger budget. However, the small-town feel and realism of Gilmore Girls it's what makes him so relatable today, and his continued success proves the longevity of Sherman-Palladino's work.

Some of the biggest criticisms of Gilmore Girls are its biggest strengths

The characters' ups and downs (and their most unlikely moments) build character development

Like so many TV shows that have been off the air long enough for fans to watch them in their entirety many times, there are many compiled lists and in-depth analyzes of the best and worst of the series. Later seasons, especially Rory's narrative arc, received a lot of criticism especially over time, but Sherman-Palladino wrote it correctly. It may not always be easy to watch Rory and Lorelai self-destruct and make the wrong choices, but it makes for amazing television. For all their routines and habits, the Gilmores keep us guessing.

Even the most unlikable characters on the surface, like Emily and Richard Gilmore, brilliantly brought to life by Kelly Bishop and Edward Herrmann, gain depth and complexity over the seasons. Although the secondary characters that populate Stars Hollow are relegated more to small roles, they are equally beloved because Sherman-Palladino has always strived to give them a life of their own. It's true that Lorelai and Rory go through life thinking the world revolves around them to some degree, but Gilmore Girls It wouldn’t work without the lived world and the different characters.

Of course, it's impossible to argue Gilmore Girls without touching on the notorious boyfriend debate and getting into the nitty-gritty of who should have ended up with Lorelai and Rory. Everyone has their favorites, and most of those opinions change with age, but romance is not the heart of Gilmore Girlseven though it's one of the most fun aspects of the show. Love comes and goes Gilmore Girls because it delves into life itself, and good and bad love interests come with the territory. At the end of the day, women not only have themselves, but each other.

Despite its many timeless elements, there are parts of Gilmore Girls that didn't age well and characters that never got their due, namely Lane (Keiko Agena). The direction and editing are far from perfect and the show doesn't make many visually interesting choices. However, these are matters of time and circumstance, not an irredeemable aspect of the series' legacy. Be critical of the parties Gilmore Girls this ensures it doesn't make you any less loved. Holding discussions about what you could have done better is what will keep you alive.

Known for its pop culture references, Gilmore Girls is deeper than most believe

Its snappy dialogue and wry humor can't hide the sentimental nature of Gilmore Girls

Downloading Gilmore Girls as a guilty pleasure or an easy-to-watch show would be a mistake. There is no doubt that Gilmore Girls has gained fame as a comfort show that aligns with the changing seasons, providing cozy viewing during the fall and winter months. However, there is an innate feeling of tragedy and disappointment that accompanies the Gilmores in everything they do. Gilmore Girls is at its best when it strikes the perfect, ephemeral balance between this comedy and tragedy, something Sherman-Palladino has consistently proven he understands intimately.

It may be cliché to say, but they don't make TV like Gilmore Girls no more. It has the self-awareness and referential spirit so common in film and television today. But the series understands when it's time to stop winking at the camera and take itself seriously, leaning into the drama and relationships that drive the narrative. Gilmore Girls It's not for everyone, but what show is it? For those it resonates with, Gilmore Girls will never lose its sparkle and the jokes will always be as effective as if Lorelai and Rory were in the room with them.

All 7 seasons of Gilmore Girls are available to stream on Netflix.