I spent a lot of time at my grandparent's house when I was little and bless my grandma's heart, she listened to me tell her about every single detail of this episode (and many others) for hours. I would get so excited that I started saying "I" instead of "they" as if I was actually in the episode (a girl can dream right?). By the end of the week, I had talked my mom into getting me seasons 1-3 that were out on dvd. This was before the idea of "binge-watching" was a thing, but everyday after school I would come home and watch them (so let's pretend I coined the term). While watching the new episodes every week, there was a commercial to call and order season 4 on dvd (online shopping wasn't much of a concept in 2005). If you were within the first however many orders, you got a free pair of Dragonfly Inn pajamas. Let's just say I got those Dragonfly Inn pajamas (Thanks, Mom!).
Anyways, here's this 10 year old girl completely in love with these characters (friends, if you will) and this show that was actually catered more for teens and adults. Now sure, some of the references and jokes went way over my head, but this show was raw, it was real, and it felt like home. I grew up with extraordinary role models at a time when a young girls life can be so easily influenced. I was taught that it is okay to be smart and to care about school, to be funny, witty, and sarcastic when necessary, to be best friends with your Mom, to have unbreakable bonds with your grandparents, to end relationships that just aren't right, and to always appreciate a good cup of coffee. I learned that backwards baseball caps and flannel shirts can make a man unbelievably attractive, to always carry a book with you because you'll never know when you need it, that there is no such thing as "too many" Thanksgiving dinners, to never buy something just because it's furry (or leopard), that horoscopes may bring you luck (even if it takes 8 years), and that the greatest of bonds is that of a mother and daughter. It seems a little cheesy (or some might say insane) to say that a tv show changed your life, but I truly believe that outside of the incredible role models in my real life, I was also influenced in many ways by the role models I pulled from this show.
As I prepare for the Gilmore Girls 4-episode miniseries that is set to come out on Netflix sometime this year (Thank you, Jesus and Amy Sherman-Palladino) I am taking a few minutes to reflect on these people and this series that has been such a big part of my life. Growing up I always wanted to be like Lorelai. She was beautiful, funny, classy, smart, and had never met a stranger. At the time (and maybe still today), I was probably actually more like Rory - shy, smart, and dedicated, but I still like to hope I have a little bit of spunky Lorelai in me somewhere. I am interested to see what Rory's character is like as they write the devastating loss of Edward Herrmann into the new episodes. Similar to Rory, my papa was someone I looked up to, loved with all my heart, and knew I could count on in any situation. This storyline will no doubt be heartbreaking as we deal with the loss of our patriarch Richard Gilmore, but just like everything else in this show, it will be incredibly raw with emotion and life.
I am unbelievably excited for these new episodes to come out (they started filming this week!). I have been waiting 9 years for the brilliant word's of Amy and the extraordinary acting of Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop, Scott Patterson, and the rest of the family to be back on my screen. I even wrote a letter to Amy not too long ago saying I would help her in anyway possible to get the show back on (unfortunately she didn't take me up on the offer). So as I finish typing about my love for Gilmore Girls, I will end by saying thank you to all the powers that be at Netflix and Warner Bros., to Amy and Dan, the actors, and my fellow fans. As we wait for this new miniseries, just remember we have waited 9 years, so what's a few more months? Luke waited patiently for Lorelai for 8 years, so we can handle it. To paraphrase Lorelai's character reference for Luke - once Gilmore Girls is in your life, it is in your life forever!
XOXOXO
Taylor