Thank you for being a friend. The year 2020 celebrated the 35th anniversary of the popular sitcom, The Golden Girls. The first season introduced audiences to the show’s main characters—Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan), Rose Nylund (Betty White), and Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty).
The show established the relationship between the “golden girls” during the first season. Audiences learned about the characters. Throughout the show’s seven seasons, the characters evolved, formed relationships, and gained confidence. In addition, their hopes and dreams they established in the first season came true by the series finale. Of course, fans cheered for them along the way.
Dorothy Finds Love And Remarries
During the first season, audiences learn that Dorothy recently divorced her husband of 38 years, Stanley “Stan” Zbornak (Herb Edelman), after he cheated on her with a young flight attendant. Dorothy has a few relationships throughout the show, but she never found “true love” and happiness.
That is, until the show’s series finale when Dorothy marries Blanche’s uncle, Lucas Hollingsworth (played by character actor Leslie Nielsen). This is an unexpected romance, but Dorothy is truly happy. She found love again and fans were overjoyed to see her happy. Dorothy deserved it.
Rose Is More Independent
Rose moved to Miami from her notorious hometown, St. Olaf, Minnesota, following the sudden death of her beloved husband, Charlie. Rose was devoted to Charlie and being a wife and mother.
Throughout the show’s seven seasons, Rose becomes more independent and she finds work for herself. She works at a grief counseling center. She volunteers at a hospital. She eventually becomes a production assistant at a news station in Miami. Rose proves that it is never too late (and age doesn’t matter) to start a new chapter.
Blanche Reconciles With Her Children
Blanche is also a widow from the very beginning of the show. She has five children with her late husband, George. However, she doesn’t have a strong relationship with her children. On numerous occasions, she has a falling out with her daughter, Rebecca. In a memorable, controversial episode with a story ahead of its time, they argue over Rebecca’s decision to have a baby through artificial insemination.
Blanche desperately wants to have a relationship with her children, but she doesn’t know how. By the end of the show, it seems that Blanche has finally reconciled with her children. They might not always be present, but she’s in their lives. Most importantly, she can have a relationship with her grandchildren.
Sophia Reconciles With Her Family
Sophia always has a pretty stable relationship with her daughter, Dorothy. They’re sarcastic and Sophia frequently reminds Dorothy about how she was sent to the awful retirement home, Shady Pines. However, they care about each other—no matter what.
Sophia hasn’t always had a strong relationship with other relatives. For example, she had a decades-long feud with her sister over a misunderstanding. She eventually reconciles with her. Meanwhile, Sophia also held a grudge with her daughter-in-law, Angela, who allowed Sophia’s son, Phil, to be a crossdresser. After Phil’s death, Sophia was able to put aside her differences with Angela and reconcile the family problems.
Rose Finds Love Again With Miles
Rose loved Charlie. He was the love of her life, and she never imagined she would find love again. However, starting in the fifth season, she meets Miles Webber (Harold Gould). He’s a professor who understands Rose’s signature naïve personality. He becomes her long-term boyfriend.
For fans, it was rewarding to watch Rose fall in love with Miles. Of course, he didn’t replace Charlie, but Miles added so much to her life. He was a great companion for the next chapter of her life. Just like Dorothy, Rose deserved a second chance at love and happiness.
Blanche Has Closure About George
In the season six episode “Mrs. George Devereaux,” George suddenly shows up, claiming that he faked his own death. Understandably, the news shocks Blanche. She never truly got over his death. She’s notoriously promiscuous with lovers in a desperate hope that she can have another great romance like the one she had with George.
However, the episode turns out to be a dream. Blanche talks to George and she finally gets to hug him. She has closure about his death. That’s all she wanted.
Dorothy Has Closure With Stan
Throughout the show’s seven seasons, Dorothy interacts with her ex-husband more times than she prefers. He shows up at the house with his signature greeting: “Hi, it’s me, Stan.” Dorothy thinks she will never have closure with Stan, and they continue to bicker and sometimes have romantic affairs.
By the series finale, Stan unexpectedly drives Dorothy to the wedding chapel. He talks to her, apologizing for everything in the past. This is a conversation they both needed. They finally have closure and they can truly move on from their marriage.
Blanche Has Many Dates
Blanche never wanted to be single. Even after George’s death, she doesn’t want to be alone. Because of this, she has many dates with men. She’s known for her flirtatious, promiscuous personality.
Over the years, Blanche becomes more confident and comfortable in her own skin. She knows what she wants. She’s still searching for a great romance, but she’s content with her multiple dates in the meantime.
Sophia Has A Home With Family
When Sophia first moves in with Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche, she complains about her awful experience at the Shady Pines retirement home. She doesn’t know if she can find a home with the girls.
Throughout the seven seasons, Sophia feels more comfortable at home and she treats Rose and Blanche like they are her own daughters. She gains a family, and this is important. When Dorothy moves away to Atlanta during the series finale, Sophia chooses to stay in Miami with Rose and Blanche. She stays behind with her other girls, and it’s a sweet, tender moment.
The Girls Form A Sisterhood
By the series finale, Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia have formed a sisterhood. They’re a family. Rose, Blanche, and Dorothy spend more time together than with their children and other relatives. They can depend on each other, no matter what. Everyone would be so lucky to have a friendship like theirs.
The show’s final scene is a sentimental ending. Dorothy is moving away, and she makes an emotional speech about how much Rose and Blanche mean to her. She says, “I love you, always.” She tries to leave the house, but she keeps rushing back into the home to hug the girls until she has to make her final exit. She says, “You’ll always be my sisters. Always.” The “golden girls” wanted to be a family, and that’s exactly what they got in the end. They’re sisters.