By: Mackenzie Byerlee
Features Editor
Every fall, I get the urge to rewatch my favorite show: “Gilmore Girls.” While I am known to put it on in the background any time of the year, it is particularly fitting September-November.
Taking place in a fictional small town in Connecticut, “Gilmore Girls” provides the perfect fall vibe that gets me even more excited for the season every year.
The show highlights seasonal festivities including hay rides and corn mazes which truly allows viewers to feel immersed in the show. Stars Hollow is always very well decorated and makes it clear when one season changes to the next from episode to episode.
The show follows a mother and daughter, Lorelai and Rory, and their lives over the course of around seven years. In this time see both of them as they navigate their careers, romantic relationships and of course, their connection with each other.
The very first episode takes place in the fall. It begins with “There She Goes” by The La’s and shows Rory and Lorelai having coffee at Luke’s Diner to escape the cold weather.
We are immediately introduced to our main characters, as well as some others, and see what their lives look like as it pertains to fall.
The community within the town is something that draws me back to Stars Hollow as well.
Every character has their own individual quirks that makes them stand out no matter how much screen time they receive. Since there are so many ensemble characters, there is someone for everyone to relate to.
It is also interesting from the perspective of someone living in Connecticut. Seeing this representation of not only a New England fall but New Haven specifically makes “Gilmore Girls” really stand out to me personally.
The first time I watched the show, I was not living in Connecticut. So rewatching it while going to college in the same city that Rory did is another reason that I really resonate with the show.
I think that anyone living in Connecticut would enjoy the show if only to see their state being showcased.
Above all, fall is what “Gilmore Girls” is known for because it paints the perfect picture of a New England fall; something that not everyone has had the pleasure of experiencing.
While not every episode takes place in the fall, they all appreciate it nonetheless. The show’s introduction always begins with a shot of fall foliage and quite a few of the clips are indicative of the colder weather.
Even though the show was filmed in California, they were able to transform the set to make it look like it really took place in Connecticut.
I had the opportunity to visit the set a few years ago, and it looked exactly as it did season one. I got to visit iconic landmarks from the show and it made me feel like I truly was in Stars Hollow.
In recent years, smaller towns in Connecticut have been holding “Gilmore Girls” based experiences.
Restaurants have changed their menus to match Luke’s famous pumpkin pancakes and some events have even included appearances by the original cast.
Although the show premiered 26 years ago, it becomes relevant again every fall as the online discourse revolves around how it is the perfect fall watch, or rewatch.
