Let me just start off by acknowledging how difficult it is to find a new, binge-worthy series to watch on Netflix. If you’re anything like me, you often feel like you’ve seen just about everything under the sun (that is, all of the shows that pertain to romance and drama)! Thankfully, I found a Netflix original series that piqued my interest right away, and I finished it in less than two days. Yes, I know that may sound crazy, but when I say that I had to keep watching, I am in no way exaggerating! In the span of 10 episodes, various exciting (and sometimes mysterious) events unfold, friendships are tested, and new romances bloom. Yet, what truly puts this show over the top is the fact that there is an added layer of mystery woven deep within the plot. From the very start, the viewer is only provided with glimpses into Georgia’s life growing up. As the show unfolds, we discover more and more about the abusive childhood Georgia endured and all of the struggles she went through to make a life for herself, all on her own. However, let’s get one thing straight right off the bat. Ginny and Georgia is NOT a revamped version of Gilmore Girls and I don’t think it will ever live up to such hype.
For starters, a new series should never be compared to a show as classic and timeless as Gilmore Girls. Over the past week, I’ve seen so many social media posts that recount all of the similarities between the two shows: the main characters are a young single mom and her teenage daughter, they both share a strong bond like sisters, and they are beginning a new chapter of their lives together. Well, if we were to go off these factors alone, I guess you could say that these two shows are similar, albeit superficially. Even though Ginny and Georgia chronicle the lives of a mother-daughter duo who have just moved to a new town with its own secrets, it’s not really about these things at all.
Unlike Gilmore Girls, I found that Ginny & Georgia deals with serious topics in a much less censored way, such as Ginny’s sex life, her biracial identity, and her friendship problems. This show wrestles with complex topics that are often tough to talk about, let alone figure out as a teenager navigating the thrills of high school. Stars Hollow may have appeared unrealistic, but there is no denying that Rory and Lorelai were mature and grounded characters who were concerned with real-life predicaments, like where to go to college or how to mend existing relationships between family members. Meanwhile, the plot of Ginny & Georgia incorporates sex, murder, drugs, racism, credit card fraud, body image issues, and identity concerns—so, essentially everything under the sun in comparison. As you can see, this show is clearly not as carefree and light as Gilmore Girls, and there is no case to be argued.
There are several surprising elements of the plot that serve to make Ginny & Georgia a whirlwind of a show! As a die-hard Gilmore Girls fan, I can tell you that my expectations were neither surpassed nor defeated. Simply put, the two shows are different in their own ways and each one has its strengths. I hope you are now convinced that you need to start watching Ginny & Georgia right now; it is clearly trending on Netflix for a reason! I know that after just one episode you will be just as hooked as I was. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a show with a little bit of everything: crime, drama, comedy, and romance.