Could ‘Ginny & Georgia’ be the next ‘Gilmore Girls?’

Maggie Smith, Entertainment Director
April 7, 2021

“Ginny & Georgia” is a 10-episode Netflix original series that has blown people away. Although there are times when it can be awkward, the overall plot dives deep into current societal issues, family drama, and what it means to be in high school. Let’s take a deeper look at the show that some are calling the modern day “Gilmore Girls.”

The Plot

The show opens with 15-year-old Ginny moving to a picturesque New England town with her mother, Georgia, and younger half-brother, Austin.

From left to right: Austin (played by Diesel La Torraca), Georgia (played by Brianne Howey), and Ginny (played by Antonia Gentry).

It’s explained that the three have moved quite a lot over the years, but this time feels different. Ginny starts at a public high school in the town and ends up meeting her best friends: Maxine, Abby and Norah. Maxine lives across the street from Ginny and has a twin brother, Marcus, who becomes a love interest.

Important Topics and Themes

A big part of the overall plot are the themes found within.

The show starts a conversation about race and how people tend to be uninformed on the topic. Ginny talks about how her father is black and her mother is white. At times she feels like she’s “too white” for the black kids and “too black” for the white kids. Similarly, another student who Ginny dates talks about the stereotypes people of Asian decent face. The show did a great job of bringing up uncomfortable topics and explaining them really well. For younger people watching the show, seeing the topic of race discussed in such a way makes it seem more approachable and normal.

Another theme is the classic “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Every character in the show has something that they’re not telling others. Ginny struggles with her mental health and self-harm. Marcus lost his best friend a couple years ago. One of the biggest secrets is Georgia’s childhood. Throughout the show, Ginny wants to learn about her mother’s past. And, as more and more things start to come up, Georgia finally reveals that she was abused as a child and was on the run for most of her life.

The show asks the questions: how much should the people around you know? What is okay to share with your child? As much as Georgia wants to protect Ginny, she decides to tell her about her past which makes their bond grow even stronger.

A big reason why the show is similar to “Gilmore Girls” is because of the relationship between Georgia and Ginny. A lot of times Ginny feels like the responsible one, and Georgia sometimes finds herself struggling to act as both a friend and a mother to Ginny and Austin. “Gilmore Girls” is all about the relationship between Rory and her mother Lorelei, and aspects of their relationship seem to be reflected in the show “Ginny & Georgia.”

Representation

Another great part of the show is the diverse representation. A way to address and end stereotypes is to have the people that the stereotypes are about in the public eye. It normalizes any differences and starts a conversation. Just a few years ago there were very few people in television shows and movies that could relate to the LGBTQ community. In “Ginny and Georgia,” Ginny’s best friend Maxine is a lesbian. Seeing a high school girl date girls just as anyone else would was really great. She answered questions people might have and showed how normal it is to be a part of the LGBTQ community.

https://youtu.be/C-Ib-oibu2E

American sign language is also a part of the show. Maxine and Marcus’ father is deaf, and the two are shown signing whenever they’re home and having a conversation with him. Once again, doing this sheds light on another community: the deaf community. A lot of people might think that not being able to hear makes it so that one can’t live a “full life.” But, Maxine’s dad is happily married, a father of two, and is NEVER left out of the conversation.

The Shots

Check out some of the best shots from the show:

Every scene was perfectly lit and wonderfully crafted. According to Rosa Camero, “sometimes the viewer is not aware of the planning, time and effort which supposes to settle and decorate film sets. Behind each scene, there are, sometimes, even hundreds of professionals from plenty of disciplines and professions, within which the ones that belong to the Artistic Department star the main role regarding the final image.”

Notice how the set design plays a huge role in telling you more about the characters. In the still where Ginny is sitting with Hunter on the couch in the living room, all of the colors flow well together. It gives off a comforting and homey feeling. Remember, EVERYTHING in a shot was put there for a reason. The set design showed in this still is perfect and adds to how we feel about the overall story and character development.

Overall, “Ginny & Georgia” is a progressive show that I’m happy younger generations are watching. It was captivating, hilarious and relatable. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for something to watch!