The Gilded Age

[GreekGod]

Anyone watched the first episode ? The US Downton Abbey set in New York in 1882.

Everyone keeps calling it the "US Downton" I loved it. I think possibly even more than Downton.

I would if it really was like that then in New York ie Old Money - v - New Money and the snobbery that came with that

Just watched it. Everyone will be satisfied but I don’t want to put spoilers up until after 9pm when it airs on Sky. Definitely left the door open for season 2! 👏👏👏

The actor that plays Marian is Meryl Streep's daughter, however I do find her acting quite wooden and I can't warm to her, unfortunately. They've tried to be inclusive but for me it doesn't quite work, I'd have preferred to see colour blind casting, a la Bridgeton.
After a few episodes I found it quite tiresome and slow, sorry. That said the set and costumes are wonderful.

I hated Downton Abbey so I was surprised that I got sucked into this. Love Bertha's ambition and the rivalry between the two butlers and I think Cynthia Nixon has redeemed herself after the awful SATC reboot.

Has anyone heard whether there's going to be a second series? I read somewhere that this was initially going to a Downton prequel, telling Cora's story (which I assume has morphed into Gladys Russell).

A second season has been commissioned

@JaJaDingaling

The actor that plays Marian is Meryl Streep's daughter, however I do find her acting quite wooden and I can't warm to her, unfortunately. They've tried to be inclusive but for me it doesn't quite work, I'd have preferred to see colour blind casting, a la Bridgeton. After a few episodes I found it quite tiresome and slow, sorry. That said the set and costumes are wonderful.

They've tried to be inclusive but for me it doesn't quite work, I'd have preferred to see colour blind casting, a la Bridgeton.

Sooooo which "inclusive" storyline bothered you the most? The inclusion of three black actors reflecting the "black elite? Or the homosexual couple, hiding their relationship & plotting to marry a wealthy young virgin?

You do realise that both of these "inclusive" storylines reflect the other less discussed groups who also rubbed alongside the families in high society?

Isn't it interesting that ultimately it was Carrie Astor that convinced Mrs Astor to acknowledge Mrs Russell lol. Well played by Mrs Russell and her husband using his influence in the background. The Russell's are a formidable team.

I'm relieved that Mr Raikes turned out to be the disappointment that we all predicted, I want to be for Marion but I'm still annoyed by how nice she was to Mr Raikes and he's just got away with it, no consequences? Is this another example of how powerless women were?

I'm begrudgingly hoping that Marion & Lawrence Russell end up being together. Something about Marion irks me and I cannot articulate why.

Devastated for Miss Scott & the cruelty of her father, but relieved her mother is fully supporting her.

What about Watson's reaction to Lady so & so (can't remember her name). Do we think he was a former servant & there was a full blown affair a la lady Chatterley's lover?? LoL.

Season 2 should be good.

In the very first episode IIRC Watson said something about having being well off but he lost everything and was ruined and Mr Russell was the only one who offered him a helping hand and employed him. So maybe the Lady is his daughter but he hadn't seen her for many years as he is an outcast - perhaps his wife's family were wealthy and took her in as a young child on the proviso he had nothing to do with her and she married well. I hope someone can remember what Watson said better than me. I was surprised the actor had such a small role as he is a very well known Broadway star and has been in a TV shows as has Peggy's mum - she is a total legend on Broadway ( as of course is C. Baranski)

I was surprised that Aurora Fane thanked Mrs Chamberlain for being kind to Marion - I thought she'd be livid that Mrs Chamberlain had been assisting an elopment. The Mr Raikes affair was all a bit of a damp squib. I wasn't convinced that either of them really loved the other!

I was surprised the actor had such a small role as he is a very well known Broadway star and has been in a TV shows as has Peggy's mum - she is a total legend on Broadway ( as of course is C. Baranski)

And all three are very good singers as well (Audra McDonald, especially as a classical soprano).

The lady that Watson was watching and spoke to is named Flora McNeil.

I loved that last episode!!!!

@GreekGod
"am in awe of the Russells - what a fantastic team they both are. Mrs Russell played them all and won"
I totally agree.

I really thought the ball would be a flop and gladys would be made a fool or stood up by the dancers!! It was a lovely moment to see the dance at the ball pay off and Bertha and George looking at their daughter with so much pride - this bit made me cry - I have a 6 month old DD and the fact they got everything they wanted for their daughter really got me - thats all anybody wants for their child!!

That scene at Mrs Russell's house when Mrs Astor came to visit was so tense and acted sooo well.

How fun would balls like that have been where you leave in daylight!!!

I'm going to watch the whole series again now!!

Interesting tidbit; Carrie Coon was pregnant during much of the filming. It presented some challenges for the production, especially costuming. It's one of the reasons she often wore capes.

Well, Raikes turned out to be the fortune hunter we all suspected he was. I thought Marian's reaction was rather appropriate for the time period. A 'well bred young lady' wouldn't pitch a hissy fit, she'd hide her pain and 'act like a lady. Her tears would be shed behind closed doors. And she certainly couldn't let anybody know that she had started to elope, only to be jilted!

I'm so happy that Peggy and her mum are standing up for themselves and going to look for Peggy's son. I always wonder in this type of scenario, where are they expecting to get the money for their search? I assume that the purse strings are held by Peggy's dad and Peggy won't be receiving any income from writing during her search. Will Peggy's dad be vindictive enough to cut off their funds to bring them to heel?

I loved the delicate sword-play between Bertha and Lina Astor before and during the ball. Two mistresses of the 'craft' of 'society-ship' in their own ways. Bertha obviously sees the advantages of a friendship with Lina, but does Lina see any advantage of a friendship with Bertha?

What remains to be seen is now that members of the top tier have attended Mrs Russell's ball (many under duress), how many of them will 'receive' her in their homes hereafter? How many will let Larry 'pay court' to their daughters or find Gladys as an acceptable wife for their sons?

Marian and Larry Russell, yes please!!! It will give Agnes fits!

As to the money for the trip to Philadelphia, wasn't it mentioned by Peggy at some point that Dorothy Scott is a piano teacher? It wouldn't be all that lucrative, but it would have given her some money of her own.

One issue I have with the Raikes story line, is the question of why he let it go as far as he did with Marion before jilting her. Does he really love her and then at the last minute think "I need someone with money"? Or is he just a very bad person who doesn't care about the feelings of others? He didn't seem to show much remorse.

@SenecaFallsRedux

As to the money for the trip to Philadelphia, wasn't it mentioned by Peggy at some point that Dorothy Scott is a piano teacher? It wouldn't be all that lucrative, but it would have given her some money of her own.

One issue I have with the Raikes story line, is the question of why he let it go as far as he did with Marion before jilting her. Does he really love her and then at the last minute think "I need someone with money"? Or is he just a very bad person who doesn't care about the feelings of others? He didn't seem to show much remorse.

I think you're right about Dorothy teaching piano. But would she have earned & saved enough to support them on a possibly extended hunt? Would she even have kept that money or would she (as a good 1880s wife) turned it over to her husband?

I guess my final feeling about Raikes is that he's a social climbing opportunist. I do think he loves Marian, but he loves money and position more. I think at first he thought that Marian might get him what he wants (money/status) if Agnes were to accept their marriage, but it was by no means a 'sure thing'. Raikes knows enough about Agnes for that! For some reason he thinks Cissie Bingham's more of a sure thing. I don't remember if it was ever mentioned that Cissie has a trust fund or money in her own right but something is making her the better choice as far as he's concerned. Henry Flagler is supposedly her uncle, but it was hinted early on that he's actually her father. Maybe Raikes thinks he can use that info to his advantage.

I think a huge problem with Raikes, is that, as a character, he is a not well-written and the actor brings nothing to role. He is bland. I saw non passion between him and Marian. I don't even feel sorry for Marian, I just hope he doesn't return next season.

I think someone said that Cissie has a huge allowance (IRL I think she was Flagler's heir). Guess we were all worng about Marion's "useless" railway shares. Raikes is so bland as is Marion - there was no chemistry at all and it didn't make sense that a hick town lawyer with no connections would have a speedy entree into society.

@SapatSea

I think someone said that Cissie has a huge allowance (IRL I think she was Flagler's heir). Guess we were all worng about Marion's "useless" railway shares. Raikes is so bland as is Marion - there was no chemistry at all and it didn't make sense that a hick town lawyer with no connections would have a speedy entree into society.

Has someone said anything specific that Marian's share aren't worthless? I missed that part. I would have thought that Agnes would have investigated that bit for herself with her own lawyers.

I knew Cissie's money had something to do with Flagler, and the storyline has 'roots; in real life, but not the timeline (1882). The 'real' Henry Flagler had 3 children but left his money to his 3rd wife, Mary Lily (nee Kenan) Flagler who after his death married a Bingham and then died mysteriously months later. Mary Lily (who was rumoured to have been murdered for the inheritance by Bingham) in turn left it to her sister's daughter, Louise Wise, who born in 1895 and was rumoured to be Flagler's daughter. But all this happened after Flagler died in 1913. The Flagler/Kenan/Bingham saga is worthy of a miniseries of its own!

@SapatSea

In the very first episode IIRC Watson said something about having being well off but he lost everything and was ruined and Mr Russell was the only one who offered him a helping hand and employed him. So maybe the Lady is his daughter but he hadn't seen her for many years as he is an outcast - perhaps his wife's family were wealthy and took her in as a young child on the proviso he had nothing to do with her and she married well. I hope someone can remember what Watson said better than me. I was surprised the actor had such a small role as he is a very well known Broadway star and has been in a TV shows as has Peggy's mum - she is a total legend on Broadway ( as of course is C. Baranski)

I completely missed this ...I'll have to rewatch the first couple of episodes - thankyou!

@SapatSea

I think someone said that Cissie has a huge allowance (IRL I think she was Flagler's heir). Guess we were all worng about Marion's "useless" railway shares. Raikes is so bland as is Marion - there was no chemistry at all and it didn't make sense that a hick town lawyer with no connections would have a speedy entree into society.

It was mentioned that Cissy Bingham has money, I think Raikes was invited into society circles because he was 'likec' by one of the older, married women, can't remember who it was.

I really want to watch this but I got rid of my TV last year, fantastic timing! Is there anywhere online to watch it?

@AcrossthePond55

Well, Raikes turned out to be the fortune hunter we all suspected he was. I thought Marian's reaction was rather appropriate for the time period. A 'well bred young lady' wouldn't pitch a hissy fit, she'd hide her pain and 'act like a lady. Her tears would be shed behind closed doors. And she certainly couldn't let anybody know that she had started to elope, only to be jilted!

I'm so happy that Peggy and her mum are standing up for themselves and going to look for Peggy's son. I always wonder in this type of scenario, where are they expecting to get the money for their search? I assume that the purse strings are held by Peggy's dad and Peggy won't be receiving any income from writing during her search. Will Peggy's dad be vindictive enough to cut off their funds to bring them to heel?

I loved the delicate sword-play between Bertha and Lina Astor before and during the ball. Two mistresses of the 'craft' of 'society-ship' in their own ways. Bertha obviously sees the advantages of a friendship with Lina, but does Lina see any advantage of a friendship with Bertha?

What remains to be seen is now that members of the top tier have attended Mrs Russell's ball (many under duress), how many of them will 'receive' her in their homes hereafter? How many will let Larry 'pay court' to their daughters or find Gladys as an acceptable wife for their sons?

Marian and Larry Russell, yes please!!! It will give Agnes fits!

A 'well bred young lady' wouldn't pitch a hissy fit, she'd hide her pain and 'act like a lady. Her tears would be shed behind closed doors.

This notion still holds true today, I was told this recently because apparently I'm too emotional (bleurgh). Anyway I would have definitely thrown my shoe at him, but then again maybe not because I wouldn't have been so naive. She didn't ask any questions, how are they going to live? Where would they live? What was she going to do? Did she know how to cook, clean & keep a house??

And she certainly couldn't let anybody know that she had started to elope, only to be jilted! Technically this would be a scandal? But she told Larry Russell and he's now "into her"! A perfect example of how new money & younger generation let go of the expected rules & snobbery hahaha. Ooooh will Bertha approve of this match??

They've tried to be inclusive but for me it doesn't quite work, I'd have preferred to see colour blind casting, a la Bridgeton.

I like Bridgerton but I much prefer stories like the ‘Gilded Age’ with black people’s experiences in history being told rather than pretending racism in history didn’t exist.

Yes I think that Bertha would approve of a Larry/Marian match. Marian may not have money but she has the old money connections with her fathers family. A marriage with Marion would presumably open doors for the Russells ? And the Russells like Marion , Ironically Marion actually saved the Russells when she told Mr Russell about the stenographer at the department store and returned her purse

he is a very well known Broadway star

There are so many Broadway actors with musical backgrounds in this production that I keep waiting for groups of them to break out in song.

Seneca

I thought that George would have sent Marion an extravagant gift for saving his bacon!