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

@SapatSea

Seneca

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

I think a married man sending a single young woman an extravagant gift for any reason would be frowned upon. And you know that Bertha isn't going to send one as Marian has nothing to offer her socially.

Did Marian even know that she helped George though? I can't remember him saying anything. Marian just handed over the left-behind purse 'for the stenographer' and doesn't know anything more about it, right?

Marian doesn’t know that she helped George. But we have seen throughout the series that Russell has a moral code, is loyal and generally does the right thing eg his dealing with the “French Chef” from Kansas, his handling of his wife’s maid who jumped into bed with him, his generosity to the families who lost loved ones from the railway accident and his genuine concern for them

@GreekGod

Marian doesn’t know that she helped George. But we have seen throughout the series that Russell has a moral code, is loyal and generally does the right thing eg his dealing with the “French Chef” from Kansas, his handling of his wife’s maid who jumped into bed with him, his generosity to the families who lost loved ones from the railway accident and his genuine concern for them

Totally agree. George is one of my favourite characters for those reasons. That someone who could be so ruthless in business could be so loyal and loving to those he cares about or feels a responsibility for.

IIRC he was also kind to Agnes when she barged into the dining room. I seem to recall he made some sort of excuse for her being there that allowed her to retire gracefully from the room.

Bertha doesn't deserve him.

@AcrossthePond55 - that’s really interesting that you say Bertha doesn’t deserve George. That is exactly how I felt until George told Bertha they could lose all their money from the claim against him and she literally didn’t bad an eyelid but responded that as they had built themselves up from nothing before, they could do it again. I can’t remember what episode it was.

Fully agree with the posters who say there was no chemistry between Marian and Raikes - didn’t make that scenario with the elopement so believable actually

I think Bertha and George are great together, clearly a good team. She's just as ruthless about social climbing as he is with his business - they're very similar and try to help each other to achieve their goals. Plus Bertha is doing this for her family as much as George is. Even with Gladys and getting rid of the suitor earlier in the season - Bertha knew that she needs her to marry very well to cement Gladys' social status and that of any future children. It will be interesting to see how much store Bertha sets by a match also being a happy one. I think George agreed with Bertha (enough to get rid of the suitor at least) but definitely wants Gladys in a happy marriage too. Based on the fact that Bertha also has a happy marriage you'd think she wants both for Gladys.

It will be interesting to see how much store Bertha sets by a match also being a happy one.

I agree, especially because Alva Vanderbilt, the person Bertha seems to be based on, didn't give much thought to Consuelo's happiness, if historical accounts are accurate.

I think that Bertha believes that any marriage that provides money and social position would be a 'happy' one for the woman. In her mind that IS what makes a woman happy, because it has made her happy. Or she thinks it has.

Yes, Bertha did say to George 'we can make another fortune'. And yes I think she loves him as he is now, rich and ambitious. But if George had lost his money and said "I can't face doing this again. I'm going to take a clerk's job in a bank", how long would her love last?

@AcrossthePond55

I think that Bertha believes that any marriage that provides money and social position would be a 'happy' one for the woman. In her mind that IS what makes a woman happy, because it has made her happy. Or she thinks it has.

Yes, Bertha did say to George 'we can make another fortune'. And yes I think she loves him as he is now, rich and ambitious. But if George had lost his money and said "I can't face doing this again. I'm going to take a clerk's job in a bank", how long would her love last?

That's an interesting question. I think part of what attracts them to each other is that they're both so ambitious- it would be a big personality change for George if he did that so I could perhaps understand if her love waned in that circumstance?

@SenecaFallsRedux I'll have to look her up! I was a history teacher before having DD and my inner geek is loving this as it's an area I've only touched on before.

I'll have to look her up! I was a history teacher before having DD and my inner geek is loving this as it's an area I've only touched on before.

@KatieKat88 Alva Vanderbilt (later Belmont from a subsequent marriage) is definitely worth a look-up. Her treatment of Consuelo appears not to have been very kind, but in later years she became very active in the women's suffrage movement in the US. In fact, there is a monument in Washington, DC that recognizes her contributions.

Bertha as a suffragette ? And a monument built to honour her. Will be interesting to see if Julian Fellowes goes down that route.

Really looking forward to season 2

@SenecaFallsRedux

I'll have to look her up! I was a history teacher before having DD and my inner geek is loving this as it's an area I've only touched on before.

@KatieKat88 Alva Vanderbilt (later Belmont from a subsequent marriage) is definitely worth a look-up. Her treatment of Consuelo appears not to have been very kind, but in later years she became very active in the women's suffrage movement in the US. In fact, there is a monument in Washington, DC that recognizes her contributions.

I did have a quick Google last night I can definitely imagine Bertha getting involved in women's suffrage. Alva definitely seems like a formidable character! I do hope Gladys doesn't get married off like Consuelo did.

Here's information from the National Park Service:

www.nps.gov/people/alva-belmont.htm

Just finished season 1 and loved it. Looking forward to season 2 which looks like will be a long wait. Thought this season was rounded off nicely yet leaving whole new story lines ready to be developed.

[quote SenecaFallsRedux]Here's information from the National Park Service:

www.nps.gov/people/alva-belmont.htm[/quote]
Cheers Seneca, so interesting!

For those of us missing our fix of The Gilded age, look what’s just gone up for sale in Manhattan. The houses appears to have been owned by one of Ward McAllister’s favoured families.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10711255/Gilded-Age-New-York-time-capsule-mansion-sale-33M.html

Is it similar to bridgerton? Couldn’t stand that

Is it more like downtown abbey? I loved that tbh. Where can I watch it? I’m needing more stuff to watch, I’m feeling Ill lol

[quote Netaporter]For those of us missing our fix of The Gilded age, look what’s just gone up for sale in Manhattan. The houses appears to have been owned by one of Ward McAllister’s favoured families.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10711255/Gilded-Age-New-York-time-capsule-mansion-sale-33M.html[/quote]
That was so interesting, thank you!

[quote Netaporter]For those of us missing our fix of The Gilded age, look what’s just gone up for sale in Manhattan. The houses appears to have been owned by one of Ward McAllister’s favoured families.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10711255/Gilded-Age-New-York-time-capsule-mansion-sale-33M.html[/quote]
Coincidentally I sent that article to DH this morning saying that I wondered if they based George and Bertha's house on that. Absolutely amazing.

Found this thread as have just finished Season 1. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for S2! I’d like to see Raikes in next season hopefully getting his comeuppance - what a rat (totally predictable though). I agree with a PP that Oscar is waaaaaay too old for Gladys surely! Even if people don’t know his secret he has clearly been round the block quite a few times

@blackheartsgirl

Is it similar to bridgerton? Couldn’t stand that

Is it more like downtown abbey? I loved that tbh. Where can I watch it? I’m needing more stuff to watch, I’m feeling Ill lol

Definitely more Downton-ish. It's not as, IDK, 'smooth' as Downton but I suppose that has to do with the fact that it's set in New York in a 'brash' era as opposed to the 'gentility' of the early 20th century UK.

Nothing like Bridgerton which to me was a bit OTT and tongue-in-cheekish. I did enjoy it though, although one couldn't watch it with an eye to historical accuracy as far as language and behaviour.

Thank you so much for posting that. What a gorgeous house.

Is there a new thread for season 2 or can we continue this one?

airs today in the US and tomorrow in the UK

Ooooooh yay! Thanks for the heads up @LittleMrsPretty

Oh wow - didn't know that, thanks for the heads up!

@LittleMrsPretty was about to say the same thing! Airs at 2am Monday morning and again at 9pm on Sky. Cannot wait!