A&E
Women to Watch: Females on TV
By Ally D’Antonio ’20
September 15, 2016
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TV Show: Gilmore Girls
Network: WB/CW
Seasons: 1-7
Actress(es): Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop
Background Info:
In a show called Gilmore Girls, one would assume that the strongest female roles would belong to the show’s lead characters, Lorelai (portrayed by Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore (portrayed by Alexis Bledel).
While these women are two fierce characters, every actress on the show adds something special. Some of the highlights, other than the three “Gilmore Girls” themselves, include Rory’s best friends, Lane Kim (potrayed by Keiko Agena) and Paris Geller (potrayed by Liza Weil).
Lane, a tomboy rock and roll drummer who defies her mother’s expectations and decides that it is more important to be herself, becomes a great inspiration to girls who experience a generational gap between themselves and their parents.
Unlike Lane, Paris serves as a cautionary tale. She is driven to an extreme wherein she does not know how to accept failure or competition without letting it consume her.
However, Paris regains her humanity, as we see her deal with important milestones such as finding true friends, attending college, facing rejection, and losing of her virginity.
Overall, Paris has one of the most powerful character arcs. She goes from a classic high school mean girl to a true, loyal friend.
Lane and Paris, along with Lorelai, Rory and all of the supporting cast, demonstrate the show’s representation of a diverse array of women.
Why You Should Watch:
Lorelai and Rory Gilmore have one of the most unique and beautiful mother and daughter relationships ever depicted on TV.
Lorelai, a single mother who got pregnant at 16 and struck out on her own, makes a life for herself (at the beginning of the show she runs a successful inn in her beautiful small town).
On the other hand, Rory, a brilliant young girl, works incredibly hard in life to make her dreams (i.e. to attend Harvard) come true.
Emily, Lorelai’s mother (portrayed by Kelly Bishop), is the matriarch of the family that Lorelai left. Despite the fact that her actions usually have negative effects, Emily does care deeply for her daughter and granddaughter.
However, it is not the women’s paths in life that make them so incredible to watch.
Instead, the connection that the three actresses foster feels so real that it is as if viewers are watching real people live their lives.
The spectacular performances by Graham, Bledel and Bishop (coupled with their lighthearted, witty verbal exchanges) create such an incredible show that anyone, man, woman or child, can find something to love about the show.