Why We Love Rewatching 'Gilmore Girls' Every Fall

Every fall, something wonderful happens. The sweaters come out of the storage bins, we start drinking more coffee than usual, and, suddenly, we're back in Stars Hollow. It doesn't matter that we've already watched Gilmore Girls from beginning to end. 

We know all about Rory's boyfriends, Lorelai's complicated relationship with her parents, and the many reasons Taylor Doose drives everyone crazy. But, somehow, when the leaves start changing, we want to watch it all over again. So, what is it about Gilmore Girls that makes it such a beloved autumn tradition?

Stars Hollow Is Basically Autumn in a Small Town

If we could bottle the feeling of fall and turn it into a television town, it would probably look a lot like Stars Hollow. There's the beautiful town square, complete with its iconic gazebo. The streets are lined with charming little shops, and everyone knows everyone's business. And then there are the festivals.

Between the town meetings and seasonal celebrations, Stars Hollow has a way of making ordinary community life look like the most wonderful thing in the world. Who wouldn't want to spend an afternoon wandering around town before stopping at Luke's for a cup of coffee?

The Coffee and Cozy Sweaters Are Practically Characters

We can't talk about Gilmore Girls without mentioning the coffee. Lorelai and Rory seem to have a cup in their hands at every opportunity, and their devotion to caffeine is one of the show's most recognizable running jokes.

Then there's the wardrobe. Remember Rory's oversized sweaters during her Chilton years? Or Lorelai's collection of scarves and wonderfully early-2000s jackets?

Watching those scenes makes us want to pull on our favorite cardigan, grab a warm drink, and settle in for the evening. Preferably with a generous helping of takeout, because we know the Gilmore girls wouldn't have it any other way.

We Already Know What's Going to Happen, and That's the Point

There's a special comfort in watching a show when we already know the story. We don't have to worry about unexpected plot twists or wonder if our favorite characters will be okay. We know when Luke and Lorelai will get together. We know which relationships won't last. And we know that Emily will have something to say over Friday night dinner.

According to research published in the Journal of Consumer Research, we like to rewatch familiar shows because we appreciate the experience differently when we know what's coming. That might help to explain why returning to Stars Hollow can be so satisfying. Sometimes, we simply want to spend an evening with people we already know.

The Characters Are Wonderfully Imperfect

Part of the magic of Gilmore Girls is that nobody has everything figured out. Lorelai is fiercely independent, but sometimes makes questionable decisions. Rory is intelligent and ambitious, yet she doesn't always handle life's disappointments gracefully. And Emily? Well, Emily is Emily.

Their relationships are complicated, and their arguments can be frustrating. But, those imperfections make the characters interesting enough to revisit.

We might even find ourselves sympathizing with someone different each time we watch. A character who seemed unreasonable when we were younger might make a little more sense now.

It Reminds Us of a Slower Kind of Life

Of course, Stars Hollow isn't exactly a realistic portrayal of small-town living. Most towns don't have quite so many elaborate festivals, and very few diners have a Luke Danes behind the counter.

But, wouldn't it be lovely? There's something comforting about a place where people gather for town meetings, stop to chat on the street, and celebrate even the smallest occasions.

Watching Gilmore Girls reminds us how enjoyable those everyday connections are. That, too, may be part of the reason why the show is especially appealing when autumn rolls around, as we're spending more evenings at home.

We'll Always Have a Place in Stars Hollow

Maybe it's the autumn scenery or the familiar characters. Maybe we just love knowing that Luke's coffee pot will always be full. Whatever the reason, Gilmore Girls has become one of those shows we return to when we're craving a little comfort.

So, grab your favorite blanket, make yourself something warm to drink, and put on the first episode. We have another season in Stars Hollow to enjoy.

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