In the series Gilmore Girls, which ran from 2000 to 2007, Lorelai and Rory reveal a much more natural take on mother-daughter relationships than usually offered on TV. They are less of an average parent-child duo but more like two best friends who share trust, humor, and mutual respect.
In the episode “Rory’s Birthday Parties,” Lorelai perfectly arranges a birthday party for Rory and all her friends to make the teenage years fun and memorable. As Rory deals with difficult matters at her new school and a problematic relationship with her grandparents, Lorelai becomes an ally and friend rather than just Mom.
Another level of their relationship shows up in “The Lorelai’s First Day at Yale.” Worried about her first day at college, Rory gets Lorelai’s funny yet supportive pep talk. At this point, Lorelai shows viewers that she is more than a friend to Rory. She is her biggest supporter and can lift her and calm her worries.
Newer shows like Euphoria and Stranger Things are filled with distant parent-child relationships. Not only do the parents in those shows seem buried in their own issues, and they also seem disconnected from their children’s lives. That development suggests that family issues often lead to more separation than bonding.
But Gilmore Girls depicts something more positive.
Lorelai and Rory share a relationship of respect, openness, and fun. They communicate and work towards understanding each other’s perspectives, even in disagreements.
With their friendship, the series reminds viewers that there could be a close and strong bond between parent and child and that it need not be a strained or distant relationship. That is the reason Gilmore Girls is still loved and cherished by its fans.
