Music Editor Sammy Andrews raves about Gilmore Girls heartthrob Jess Mariano, explaining why he’s the cool, artsy boyfriend that’s perfect for Rory
Gilmore Girls is arguably the ultimate comfort show – with its cosy autumnal atmosphere and lively cast of characters, it is so easy to get lost within it. Based around the mother/daughter relationship between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) and Rory’s coming of age, the show navigates life in a small town brilliantly. Each character feels familiar, and the whole show feels homely, which is why when Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia) bursts onto the Stars Hollow streets it is hard not to take notice.
Jess is the ultimate early noughties alternative, indie boy
Jess Mariano arrives in Stars Hollow to live with his uncle Luke (Scott Paterson) as an attempt from his mother to improve his bad behaviour. He is, by all instances, the exact opposite of everyone in the twee Stars Hollow town of Gilmore Girls, and this is perhaps why he seems so exciting, both to me and evidently to Rory.
Jess is the ultimate early noughties alternative, indie boy. His love of the arts and literature dominate his personality and his conversations with the bookish Rory. From arguing the side of the Beat poets against Jane Austen with Paris (Liza Weil) to his re-watching of Almost Famous, and him showing Rory around New York’s record stores, Jess introduces a grittier and edgier world into Rory’s life. This is one far removed from the weekly dinners she has with her grandparents and the lavish Debutante Ball in which she is presented to high society.
His humour is quick-witted and dry, and his often-uninterested attitude pierces through his interactions with everyone other than Rory
His humour is quick-witted and dry, and his often-uninterested attitude pierces through his interactions with everyone other than Rory, adding a certain undeniable charm to his moments with her. You can simultaneously understand Lorelai’s worry and Rory’s interest towards him, but you cannot help but slightly side with Rory. Jess is, and this is an understatement, incredibly cool.
Amy Sherman-Palladino writes him in such a believable way that he does not fall into any kind of idealised figure
That being said, Amy Sherman-Palladino writes him in such a believable way that he does not fall into any kind of idealised figure. He is exciting and different to Rory, and this is understandable considering the relatively safe and conservative life she lives. But, aside from his mysteriousness and his deep interests in the arts, he is also a deeply troubled teenager at the end of the day. He is in Stars Hollow because of family issues, and this is a weight that he carries with him into his relationships and struggles to manage. He is flawed, impulsive and often at times unaware and unsympathetic to more sensitive moments.
It is in these complexities of his character that Palladino has created with Jess a character that is so memorable. As she does with each character in Gilmore Girls, there is a realness to him that make him incredibly captivating to watch on screen. He is by no means perfect. In fact, absolutely not at all. But that is what makes him such a charismatic and exciting character within the series. He steps into Stars Hollow and immediately grabs your attention, and then constantly pushes and pulls it away. He certainly leaves an impact on Gilmore Girls.
Read more TV Character Spotlights here:
TV Character Spotlight – Abed Nadir (Community)
Comments