How ‘Gilmore Girls’ embodies the theory that the apple does not fall far from the tree
Many consider it a dream to become like their parents, to inherit their traits, and have the same likes and dislikes. On the other hand, there are people whose worst nightmare could not even comprehend the slightest possibility of this. While sometimes a person can successfully choose to stray away from the traits that they dislike in their parents, more often than not, this is not the case. Something that can be seen in the Netflix show, Gilmore Girls.
Gilmore Girls is a heartwarming show loved by fans for its honest portrayal of womanhood and female relationships. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, the show stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as the mother-daughter duo both named Lorelai Gilmore. The story revolves around the two as they navigate through life and its various tribulations across family, romance and career.
Contrary to popular belief, the show does not just revolve around this mother-daughter duo; there’s another duo that contributes massively to the essence of it. The very name of the show is a testament to this. The two Lorelais aren’t the only Gilmore girls on the show. Emily Gilmore, their mother and grandmother, is also one. And while daughter Lorelai, more popularly known as Rory, strives to be like her mother, mother Lorelai aims to be anything but like her mother, Emily. Unfortunately, for Lorelai, they both become a beacon of the phrase that the apple does not fall far from the tree.
Lorelai and Emily Gilmore, at surface level, are nothing like each other. This is not just by chance. Lorelai consciously moves away from any remote possibility of being similar to her mother. Yet, there are many things that link the two together.
Their relationship is governed mostly by agonising resentment and unnecessary quarrels. But, at its very core, these differences arise because of their denial towards their similarities. They both are insistent and stubborn. Emily is often villainised for this trait, making her seem like a domineering mother and authoritative figure. Her inclination to a fancier lifestyle fueled by privilege is often used against her.
Throughout Lorelai’s childhood, Emily has attempted to get her accustomed to similar tastes. But Lorelai’s own stubbornness pushed her to rebel against this. Her stubbornness manifested as an act of rebellion against her mother, while it came out as an urge to control her own daughter, Rory’s life. Lorelai pushes Rory to prioritise school over everything else, maybe because she never got to experience the same. And whenever Rory made choices that were more aligned with Emily’s lifestyle than Lorelai’s, she would shun Rory. As much as Lorelai detested Emily’s parenting style, she mimicked it too, the only difference being that Rory’s manifestation of the inherited stubbornness did not clash with Lorelai’s.
Rory’s taste is much like her mother’s. And a lot of their characteristics as well, something that is visibly evident throughout the series. What stands out is Rory’s uncanny resemblance to her grandmother, as well with regard to their nature. Firstly, their impeccable ability to stay organised. They are both detail-oriented, and that is something that is not only expressed through their overt behaviour but also their covert thoughts. Along with that, despite enjoying the comforts of small-town charm, Rory also enjoys many aspects of Emily’s lifestyle.
Gilmore Girls’ portrayal of mother-daughter relationships is nuanced and layered. The complexities of the similarities and differences shine bright through complications and resolutions in their relationships. Emily, Lorelai and Rory, and their respective dynamics with each other show that no matter how hard one tries, sometimes the apple does not fall far from the tree.