There’s a reason Gilmore Girls never seems to go anywhere. The story may center on the mother/daughter pair, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel), but they are made more interesting by the colorful characters around them. The charm of the series often relies on the side characters who participate in the quirky goings-on in Stars Hollow. Gilmore Girls needs the likes of Taylor (Michael Winters), Babette (Sally Struthers), Kirk (Sean Gunn), and so many others, despite them not being leads or even appearing in every episode. Yet those individuals are part of the series throughout its seven-season run and even the revival. Meanwhile, another character didn’t get to stick around nearly long enough, though she would have been an interesting addition to Stars Hollow.
At the beginning of the series, the Independence Inn employs a harp player, Drella (Alex Borstein), adding another source of stress to Lorelai’s work life. Upon her introduction, Drella is a notable presence at the inn, appearing consistently and even having her own arguments with the guests. However, she soon disappears and is never referenced again. Appearing in only four episodes, Borstein’s Drella had a lot of unused potential that could have made her a memorable side character. The actor eventually returned to play another role in the series and later worked with Amy Sherman-Palladino in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Nevertheless, Drella remains a missed opportunity for Gilmore Girls, and as fun as Borstein’s later appearances as Miss Celine are, they highlight everything fans missed with Drella.
Who Is Drella in ‘Gilmore Girls’?
Gilmore Girls reveals a lot about Drella in the first four episodes. A skilled harp player, Drella adds to the atmosphere of the Independence Inn as guests stop in the lobby to listen to her, but the second a song is over, things change. When the calming sounds of the harp end, Drella’s combative nature replaces it, causing an abrupt shift in the tone of the room. Drella argues with guests for being in her way and can be seen stopping her music for a snack break, even with a crowd surrounding her. Lorelai also catches her playing Black Sabbath when no one appears to be listening, showing that there is more to her tastes than traditional harp music. In Drella’s most significant moment, she is asked to play for a double wedding at the inn but refuses to take requests, even from the brides. Yet she quickly and unashamedly abandons her stance for a bribe, which says a lot about her priorities.
Drella also fills a particular role in the staff dynamic by arguing with Michel (Yanic Truesdale). Their arguments show Drella’s stubborn and obstinate nature and also highlight how challenging Michel can be. She’s not exactly an easy person, giving Lorelai one more thing to deal with at work. But the chaos is the best part of the inn, which is why Michel’s sulkiness and Sookie’s (Melissa McCarthy) obliviousness are so enjoyable. Borstein made Drella’s sarcastic personality amusing, and, given more time, she could have even become lovable.
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I now pronounce you… a horrible mistake.
‘Gilmore Girls’ Could Have Used Drella More
Though she is only in Gilmore Girls briefly, Drella has a lot of untapped potential. The fact is, there are very few consistent employees at the inn. The only ones who play a major role are Sookie and Michel, while a few, like the night manager, Tobin (Bruce McCulloch), appear occasionally. Drella could have been another figure around the inn. Imagine her at the Bracebridge Dinner or the Poe event! Looking back, that alone could justify keeping her around. But more regularly, Drella could have given Michel more to do. Because there are so few major characters at the inn, Michel is often ignored. After Drella’s departure, he begins to argue more with Sookie, but as she is Lorelai’s main companion and has her own storyline with her romance with Jackson, Michel simply doesn’t have much to do.
While the war that Gilmore Girls created between the harpist and the concierge offered plenty, one of Drella’s lines implies that she finds Michel attractive, which could have become an interesting story. Though Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life did confirm that he is gay, Michel doesn’t have any love interests in the main series. Even unrequited feelings between Drella and Michel could have increased the drama at the inn and provided a Michel-centric storyline that Gilmore Girls lacks too often.
Alex Borstein Eventually Found Her Place in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’
Alex Borstein is a talented actor, but it took time for Amy Sherman-Palladino to find her the lasting role she deserved. Borstein was initially cast as Sookie on Gilmore Girls, playing the eccentric cook in the unaired pilot before McCarthy took over the part. Borstein has since explained that she had a conflicting commitment due to her role on MADtv. Though she hoped to do both, MADtv didn’t want to share her, especially given the time it would take to film Sookie’s parts. She then became Drella and later took on the role of Miss Celine, Emily’s (Kelly Bishop) stylist. In a major departure from Drella, Borstein’s second Gilmore Girls character is much more friendly, complimenting everyone with comparisons to celebrities, most of whom she claims to know. Especially with Borstein clearly willing to come back, it’s a shame Drella never reappeared to reach her full potential.
While her side characters are fun, Borstein finally got a major role in a Sherman-Palladino series in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where she plays Susie Myerson, the blunt and somewhat unwilling best friend of Midge Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan). Susie is the first to notice Midge’s talent and helps her establish her career, working as her agent. This put Borstein front and center in the series, showing Gilmore Girls fans exactly what they missed when Drella left. Like Drella, Susie is snarky, rude, and a little prickly, so seeing how lovable Susie becomes makes Drella seem more like a missed opportunity. While Susie is always fun to watch, it’s a shame Borstein didn’t get more time in Gilmore Girls as Drella.
