TV Binge: Gilmore Girls (Season 1, 2000)

What was I doing in 2000? That was the question I asked myself when I looked at Gilmore Girls and everyone was talking about it because of the revival season on Netflix and I had never even seen an episode. I remember vaguely watching a snippet but back then, I was 14 and I remember TV time being rather sparse and when I did have a long TV time, it was usually spent binge-watching Hong Kong TV series over an entire weekend. What can I say? It was my life back then. With that said, I couldn’t just sit around and not get this hype so I had to watch it. As I’m writing this TV Binge, I am currently halfway through Season 3. So, let’s just say, I want to get this over with and get back to binging some more.

Let’s go!

Gilmore Girls (Season 1, 2000)

Creator: Amy Sherman-Palladino

Cast: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Keiko Agena, Scott Patterson, Yanic Truesdale, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann, Melissa McCarthy, Jared Padalecki, Liza Weil, Chad Michael Murray

A drama centering around the relationship between a thirty-something single mother and her teen daughter living in Stars Hollow, Connecticut. – IMDB

 Gilmore Girls is an interesting little show. Why do I say this, despite probably a lot of fans agreeing with already? The Gilmore girls, naming thirty something mother, Lorelai and her teen daughter Rory, have an amazing dynamic. They talk fast and rebound each other really well. There is a connect and a charm and a fantastic chemistry. Its kind of the dream mother-daughter relationship. Perhaps, my fascination with it is that it really builds their characters through their snarky and sassy comments. Their comebacks are sometimes silly but always a lot of fun. Actually that is really just the beginning of what makes this show, and this first season, such a hook. What makes this show is the characters and that applies to everyone.

Things I love/like:

• Gilmore Girls (Rory and Lorelai): Both Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham), are not only mother and daughter but they are best friends and tell each other *almost* everything. This almost is sometimes what causes their arguments and differences in opinions and how certain situations are treated. Even their arguments are more like children fighting. Individually, these characters create a similar but contrast whether its their coffee addiction or their love of mocking movies together or their constant sarcastic comments. Whether its being adult or a teen, they both are sheltered by Star Hollows and in the most awkward situations will still do some pretty funny things or say some equally awkward comments that doesn’t ease up the situation.
• Sookie (played by Melissa McCarthy): What I can only assume is a breakout role for Melissa McCarthy without looking at her filmography (you can correct me in the comments if you’d like), Sookie is one of the most hilariously endearing characters on the show because she not only is passionate for her food and her chef. What seems petty and silly like arguing over the quality of vegetables to Jackson, her vegetable provider and her clumsiness in general, makes for some fun little snippets. Her character here is really different from the roles she has taken in the last few years, at least the humor is much more subtle and more my pace.

• Dean (played by Jared Padelecki): I’ve watched a grand total of one episode of Supernatural. I know I should catch up with that and it might happen after Gilmore Girls. Jared Padelecki plays Dean, who really has a not so frequent appearance since Gilmore Girls uses the supporting characters to build up the character of Lorelai and Rory. Dean is Rory’s first boyfriend and in many ways, he also is a fantastic character because he kind of is that first boyfriend that we’d love to have. He cares a lot for Rory, supports her and wants to be there for her a lot while stil making okay with her having to spend time with her mom and the extra time studying. He’s a sweet boy.
• Luke (played by Scott Patterson): Perhaps one of the most crankiest characters on the show who just can’t help but give in to Lorelai and has no idea how to deal with these Gilmore Girls, but I am totally team Luke. I’m pretty sure eventually the chemistry between Luke and Lorelai will happen. They are both just too stubborn to give in to it or want to ruin the friendship they have now.

• Chilton Academy students: Rory getting into Chilton is probably what kickstarts a lot of motion right from the beginning. It highlights the relationship with her parents. It brings Rory’s father more into the picture in some way and also sparks up Rory’s life to be more competitive. She starts to break out of the protective barrier she had even if a bit of her expectations to focus on studying is shattered because if anything, the students at Chilton are even harsher to deal with. The standout probably goes to Paris Gellar (played by Liza Weil) who is so funny to watch and becomes somewhat of a frenemy by the end of the season. As well as Chad Michael Murray who sadly only had a few scenes as the rich bad boy who likes Rory a lot. I have a soft spot for Chad Michael Murray so it was great to see him there.  
• Lane Kim & Mrs. Kim: Lane is played by Keiko Agena, who is Rory’s best friend and Mrs. Kim is her very strict Korean mother played by Emily Kuroda. The whole strictness of her mother makes for some hilarious moments especially when her best friend is Rory who has the most relaxed upbringing especially with a cool mom like Lorelai. Lane’s sneaking around her contraband music and everything and her random appearances sometimes makes for some great times.

Something I’m lukewarm about:

• Max Medina (by Scott Cohen): Max is Lorelai’s love interest who also is Rory’s teacher in Chilton and man, as much as I think he is quite charismatic and there’s some great moments, there’s something about his character that seems incredibly scripted.

I know that I kind of just highlighted characters for the pros and cons. Fact is, Gilmore Girls’ charm is really in its characters and their adventures and misadventures. I haven’t even started with the people at Stars Hollow because they are quite a cute and entertaining bunch as well. There’s also Lorelai’s co-workers and so on. I’m sure they’ll make some more appearances later. To say that, the journey and the finale was pretty awesome for the first season of Gilmore Girls. Its probably why I broke my normal habit of writing up this post before moving on. I just needed to know what happened next.

Are you a fan of Gilmore Girls?

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