12 TV Families We Loved in 2016
7. The Gilmores (Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life)
Netflix’s four-part Gilmore Girls revival series brought back the three dearly missed Gilmore women. Following the death of patriarch, Richard Gilmore, Emily, Lorelei, and Rory go through their own individual soul-searching journeys.
While Rory and Lorelai’s relationship was as strong as ever, Lorelai and Emily worked on their deep-seated differences, providing us with an emotionally poignant arc.
Resilient, vulnerable, and sharp-witted as ever, we loved seeing these three generations of women back together again after all these years.
8. The Mikaelsons (The Originals)
The term “dysfunction” was tailor made for the Mikaelsons clan.Often melodramatic, sometimes heavy-handed, but always entertaining, The Originals revels in complicated familial relationships.
Haunted by their own existence, the Mikealsons are in constant war — with others and with each other. Themes of betrayal and loyalty are always challenged, especially because of Klaus’ trust issues.
This year, we saw the supernatural siblings grow closer and become stronger together, but still, tragically, it seems their love for each other causes them more pain than joy.
9. The Byers (Stranger Things)
This summer phenomenon about demogorgons and adventure was anchored by the very human Byers family, who nearly lost their minds in grief and panic after the youngest member, Will, disappeared one night.
The family of modest means represented the simplicity of small town American families. Joyce, the overworked single mom struggling to keep things afloat, and Jonathon, the quiet, shy, older brother, both lean on each other and work together to find Will — their persistence demonstrating the unconditional love families are made out of.
10. The Jennings (The Americans)
In one of the most well-crafted dramas on television, The Americans, the show centered around Russian spies, delves deeper into family matters when Paige learns the whole truth of her parent’s involvement with the KGB.
The show continues to explore the possibility of a Russian family raising an all-American family, and with every season, this is proving more and more difficult.
Now with Paige struggling with what Philip and Elizabeth have told her, it will be interesting to see where they will go from here: Will the family move back to Russia for safety, or will Paige join the KGB herself and a live a life of constant paranoia and lies like her parents?
11. The Tanners / The Fullers (Fuller House)
In another Netflix revival, Fuller House re-entered our lives with the same amount of schmaltzy humor that it was known for.
Whether the new series lived up to our expectations, or fulfilled our nostalgic-hungry hearts, it was still nice to see the whole Tanner family together again under one roof. (In spite of the not-so-subtle digs at the Olsen twins, whose absence are felt.)
12. The Pritchetts / The Dunphys (Modern Family)
There’s really no other TV family like The Pritchett family. Sure, they can all be a bit crazy at times, but that’s one of the reasons we love them so much. Plus, this is a family who always has each others’ backs and is able to come together for family events that are always entertaining.
Which of these TV Families are your favorite? Who else would you add to the list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and be on the look out for more favorites from 2016!
*Additional contributions by Milka Väinämö, Nora Williamson, and Ashley Bissette Sumerel.
Shabnaj Chowdhury
Shabnaj is a pop-culture enthusiast who spends much of her time enabling her coffee addiction and thinking about Jon Snow's hair. Some of her favorite shows include Friday Night Lights, The Leftovers, and Game of Thrones. Shabnaj also loves to write creative non-fiction.