Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, was and remains a generation plugged into the Internet. Courtship has been defined by dating apps, most movies are watched via online streaming, and music was already curated for Gen Zers before they even left elementary school. In short, their world has been formed largely by the World Wide Web, where information and communication are almost instant.

Yet they long for the 1990s, that final decade before the Internet really took off. They long for the freedom of an unplugged life — when people met in person to play pickup basketball in the park or hang out at the mall. Most importantly, they long for a romantic relationship that is intentional and authentic.

Because of this longing, Gen Zers are eating up FX’s new television series “Love Story,” a dramatization of the real-life romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. This dark romance depicts a time in New York City when the homeless weren’t littering every corner and taxis, not Ubers, filled the busy streets. Kennedy rode around town on a bicycle and had to woo Bessette in person and via notes, not with likes and emojis on social media.

Producer Ryan Murphy adapted the story based on Elizabeth Beller’s book Once Upon a Time. “Love Story” romanticizes the couple, transforming their story into a Cinderella-meets-Romeo and Juliet modern fairy tale. You couldn’t pick a better couple, either. The Kennedys are American “royalty,” and Bessette was a self-made woman in the cutthroat world of fashion.

Sadly, Murphy’s series isn’t an accurate depiction of the people it portrays. Kennedy was a notorious philanderer, and Bessette loved him to her own detriment. Kennedy was the one flying the plane when it crashed, killing himself, Bessette, and her sister, and there is speculation as to whether the crash was attributable to pilot error or Kennedy’s daredevil tendencies.

The series also takes liberties with those who are still alive. Daryl Hannah, the actress whom Kennedy was dating simultaneously while pursuing Bessette, wrote a guest essay in The New York Times to make clear to viewers that her portrayal in the show isn’t realistic, and that this attack on her character and conduct has real-world consequences.

According to Hannah:

I know that as an actress I will be in the public eye. I’ve endured a number of outrageous lies, crappy stories and unflattering characterizations before. I chose not to battle them but to focus on my work and respect my loved ones by keeping my private life private. But my silence should not be mistaken for agreement with lies. Apparently, my discretion makes me a target.

For decades, my work has focused on environmental advocacy, documentary filmmaking and animal-assisted therapy for seniors living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. My professional life is built on compassion and responsibility. Reputation is not about ego; it is about the ability to continue doing the meaningful work I love. Like any career, doing good work requires an intact reputation. This is why I am choosing to stand up for myself now.

Hannah is in a delicate position because, as a public figure, she has very little recourse to defend her name and reputation other than speaking out. It is notoriously difficult for a public person to prove defamation.

Nevertheless, Gen Z has a reputation for craving the authentic and longing for a slower lifestyle. Perhaps what they are actually yearning for is much deeper than a world without smartphones. Maybe what they really long for is a connection to reality as embodied by the 1990s. People back then had to navigate the real world; they had to live together and talk to one another. Items were physical: music came on CDs and cassette tapes. Movies were a family event in front of a VCR with popcorn and pizza on Friday night.

Gen Zers are pining for connection. And even if that comes in a slightly inaccurate depiction of a fraught public love story, that is enough for them.