One of my all-time favorite shows is, without a doubt, "Gilmore Girls." The show, which aired from October of 2000 to May of 2007, was the perfect display of contemporary mother-daughter relationships set in the fictional small town charm of Stars Hollow, CT. The stars, Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel (playing Lorelai Gilmore and Rory Gilmore, respectively), do an excellent job in portraying the unique relationship between a mother and daughter who are just 16 years apart in age. The everyday happenings of Stars Hollow and its inhabitants provides a remarkable view of life and plenty of lessons to learn from.
Lorelai Gilmore, the daughter of two exceptionally wealthy parents, became pregnant as a teenager and gave birth to a daughter who she named after herself in a fit of "whacked out on Demerol." Rory, as she was nicknamed, was a remarkable child with ivy-league aspirations. As the show progresses we watch not just the two Lorelais, but also an entire slew of friends and family develop as individuals. During this process there are plenty of lessons to be learned. Picking just a few to share was not the easiest task, by any means. Nevertheless, these are arguably some of the best lessons and moments from the show's seven years on air.
1. Getting Hit By A Deer
This scene may be one of my all-time favorites from the entire series. As Rory drives herself to Chilton, her highly competitive private school in Hartford, she gets hit by a deer on the road. Panicking, she pulls over to check on the deer, calls her mother and bursts into tears. In shock, she keeps repeating: "I just got hit by a deer," while Lorelai struggles to maintain a conversation with her panicking daughter. The lesson here is that some things are just out of your control.
2. Having Sookie St. James As A Friend
Sookie is one of my favorite characters. She's determined, always supportive, a little crazy, and gets to cook meals and bake desserts as a career. Who wouldn't idolize her? She was a supportive best friend to Lorelai and assumed the role of another parent for Rory, much like the rest of the town. As their friendship blossoms together, Lorelai plays matchmaker and sets Sookie up with her husband-to-be. The lesson here is in knowing which friends are the Sookie to your Lorelai.
3. The World Doesn't Revolve Around The Main Characters
Just like the world doesn't revolve around you, the world doesn't revolve around the lives of the two Lorelais. Both the towns of Stars Hollow and Hartford have plenty of characters leading very interesting lives and the show does not restrict the lesser characters' plots by any means. In fact, entire episodes have taken a break from the ongoing plot to focus on something different, whether that is Sookie's developing relationship with Jackson or Michel's mother coming to visit. Nevertheless, it is a show of exceptional talent from the writers.
These are some of the best and most prominent moments and lessons from "Gilmore Girls." However, there are plenty more that can be discovered in the series. Try uncovering some yourself!
