Because of my exhaustion and overall general state-of-the-world frustration, I couldn’t think of what to write for the day. I spent almost the entirety of my Saturday going back and forth between different articles, only to realize that my inspiration just wasn’t there, until a small thought in my head whispered: Wouldn’t it be nice if you lived with a bunch of your friends and you could’ve called them to the kitchen to share a slice of cheesecake with you? And then it hit me—the indescribable comfort that always comes from watching the Golden Girls eat cheesecake.
Then, I immediately ran to YouTube to see if anyone had made a compilation of scenes, and the official TV Land account has indeed blessed us with one. At that point, I obviously watched the entire thing because hi, yes, we all get what Blanche means by the fact that she bought cheesecake because of depression, and once you watch one scene, you really have to watch all, for research purposes.
Part of the reason The Golden Girls is so consistently comforting is that watching them navigate through everything helps us feel a little less lonely. Even the theme song reiterates this idea that in every household they enter, they become like friends to us—reasons for us to feel like maybe everything will be okay. Because really, we’re all pretty lonely these days, aren’t we? The world is a darker place than it used to be, most of us are working twice as much as we need to, and very few things make sense. (I was feeling sorry for myself that I was stuck at home working while all my friends were out, and wished for the concept of us all living together to make these moments easier.)
Because that’s the beauty of the Golden Girls sharing cheesecake. In those few minutes, whatever crises they’re dealing with, it’s made easier by the detail that they’re together. They may not agree on everything, and they may constantly be at each other’s throats, but they love each other fiercely, and this is how they show it. There’s a specific coziness in this particular pattern that consistently makes the show feel more warm because sharing a meal is generally considered an intimate act. It’s important and it’s sacred.
There’s also just something about the specific decor in their kitchen. No signs of dull millennial grey or beige, but it’s bursting with colors instead. (Don’t at me, fellow millennials, why on earth did we decide we’re allergic to colors?! No, thank you.) It’s a large part of the reason why movies from the ’80s and early ’90s are always so cozy, because even while the scene itself might not be big or grand, there’s a natural vibrancy in the set pieces, costumes, and lighting. It’s why watching scenes like this evokes a specific ease in us because the nostalgia and brightness are helping us feel better. They’re making the quiet moments feel more meaningful—brighter. They make it easier to hope that maybe everything can be okay.
What are your thoughts on the Golden Girls sharing cheesecake? Do you also find it comforting? Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: @NBC