“If you’re out on the road…”
It’s the year 2000, ‘There She Goes’ by The La’s is playing, autumn leaves are everywhere, and Lorelai Gilmore is already on her fifth cup of coffee for the day (somewhat unfeasible, but you learn to roll with it). 25 years on, and Gilmore Girls remains just as lovable as I’m sure it was from its original premiere, with a kind of special coffee-infused, Connecticut small-town magic that instantly immerses you in life at Stars Hollow, from exchanges with the perfectly quirky cast of side characters to morning strolls to Luke’s for breakfast.
It’s the type of show that truly feels like an honest representation of life; the characters aren’t always perfect (fellow fans will understand the pain of witnessing season four Rory), things don’t always work out for them, and sometimes there’s not a lot going on—aside for the weekly town meeting, of course— and yet, you just can’t help falling in love with the irresistible mundanity of life with the Gilmores. Not to mention, the academic motivation is otherworldly, with Rory’s romanticised experiences of studying at Chilton and Yale alike sufficient enough for anyone to put down TikTok and pick up a book, preferably from Rory’s 408 book reading list.
Nevertheless, aside from its obvious appeal of pure autumn vibes (as Lauren Graham joked at the 2025 Emmys, “Gilmore Girls premiered and apparently took the season of fall hostage”) for me and many fans, I’m sure, the show holds a more personal appeal. Indeed, as someone lucky enough to also consider their mother their best friend, Rory and Lorelai’s relationship has been the heart of the show for me, making my watching experience entirely incomplete without my mum by my side to laugh at Kirk or fangirl over the American small-town lifestyle with— so much so that I’ve been incapable of watching the show while at university.
Yet, whether you’re looking for a heart-warming representation of the mother-daughter relationship, or just some background ambience for your own Rory Gilmore-esque study routine, whether a first-time watcher or a 25-years-in-the-making fan, Gilmore Girls is a show which is always dependable (and always accompanied by a series of ‘la la la la’s). It truly does follow where you lead.
Illustration by Robin Dalgleish @robin.dalgleish
