When I was 11, my aunt had the entire series of The Golden Girls on a DVD set, and my cousin (who was the same age as me) told me we had to watch it. I was skeptical at first, because why are we watching a show about a bunch of old ladies in Miami? I obliged, and we ended up watching all seven seasons. Now, at 31, I rewatch the show with newer eyes that have had more experience in the world. I still laugh even though I know every episode like the back of my hand, but the episodes hold more weight to me now in today’s world.
1. Sexuality Doesn’t Stop After 50
Almost every episode of The Golden Girls features one of the four main characters dating, going on dates, or getting lucky in the sheets. The show was ahead of its time by debunking the myth that sex and sexuality are only for the youth. The Venus goddess Blanche Devereux (played by Rue McClanahan) walked so that Samantha Jones (played by Kim Cattrall in Sex and the City) could run.
2. We’re Still Not Caring for Our Elderly Like We Should
In the episode titled, Sophia’s Choice (Season 4, Ep. 22), Sophia Petrillo (played by Estelle Getty) breaks her friend Lillian out of a nursing home that she says is one of the worst in town. Throughout the episode, we see Lillian struggle with what looks like early-stage dementia, and the four women struggling to take care of her on their own.
Approaching the manager of the nursing home is no help. He’s overworked, has a stack of papers all about other patients who need help, and his constantly ringing telephone has more complaints or applicant requests.
In the end, the friends are able to find help for Lilian, but can’t help but ponder about the other elderly people in the US who aren’t as lucky. As Americans today battle the loss of healthcare, this particular episode of The Golden Girls is more timely than ever.
3. Getting Older Comes with Grief
It’s a blessing to get older; no one is debating that. However, two things can be true at once. In the Piece of Cake episode (season 2, Ep 25), the four friends reminisce about past birthdays. During this episode, Rose Nylund (played by Betty White) delivered one of the best monologues on TV.
She shared the story of her first birthday after her husband of 30+ years died. Their children had flown the nest, and she was alone in the house they all shared together in her fictional hometown of St. Olaf, Minnesota. She spoke to her husband’s spirit and told him she was selling the house to move to Miami. With tears in her eyes and hope in her voice, Rose spoke excitedly of the new adventure and the comfort of knowing that he would always be with her.
This particular moment isn’t just about grieving the death of her husband, but of the life that she once had before in her youth. I think we tell ourselves that things get easier with age because, sure, we get wiser and can make better decisions, but there is also a sort of grief that comes with life not going the way you planned or hoped. The Golden Girls showed us that yes, it’s still scary (even with age), but you can still keep going. There are still things in this life to be excited about.
The Golden Girls received critical acclaim from their first episode in 1985 through their last in 1992. It earned numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and three Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
All four lead actresses won Primetime Emmy Awards for their outstanding performances. The Golden Girls will forever be my favorite comfort show, and with every rewatch, I’m taking more notes of the free lessons I can take from this golden TV series.
