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The Gilded Age

669 replies

GreekGod · 25/01/2022 18:47

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

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MotherofGorgons · 30/10/2023 08:51

Really looking forward to this. I hope we get more of George and Bertha.

AcrossthePond55 · 30/10/2023 11:40

So, what does everyone think? I'm not going to give spoilers until I'm sure it's been broadcast in the UK, but I think this season is going to be really good.

KatherineJaneway · 30/10/2023 12:16

I am going to try and watch it tonight. Really looking forward to it.

Netaporter · 30/10/2023 14:35

I’ve watched it and I agree, we’re in for a ride!

LittleMrsPretty · 30/10/2023 14:37

I will watch after work once 2 year old is in bed with my diet coke and wispa!!

justasking111 · 30/10/2023 16:35

Appeared on my recordings woo hoo. Will watch tonight.

SapatSea · 30/10/2023 18:32

Lovely - a bit of froth. Will watch tonight all snuggled under a duvet.

justasking111 · 30/10/2023 19:31

I was reading a fascinating article about grand Central Terminal the other week. It's an amazing place historically. Built and paid for by the Vanderbilts it gives you some idea how wealthy these families were.

Netaporter · 30/10/2023 19:39

@justasking111 Have you ever taken the tour of Grand Central Station? It is wonderful.

GreenClock · 30/10/2023 20:39

Really enjoyed the first ep. Spoilers for those who haven’t yet viewed….

I wondered whether Gladys was going to be married off to a Lord but it looks as if she may end up inadvertently bearding for her opposite neighbour. Poor young woman.

I love how the Russells are a real partnership. Such a strong couple. I enjoyed Bertha’s tricks with the opera.

Enjoyed Peggy’s scenes but can’t really recall the back story. I know her parents disapproved of her marriage for some reason.

Fellowes pays lip service to the servants I think. He writes upper class characters better. Unlike the writers of the unsurpassable Upstairs Downstairs, who wrote all classes brilliantly.

The settings, costumes and colours are divine.

AcrossthePond55 · 31/10/2023 23:46

SPOILERSSPOILERSSPOILERS

I think that Bertha would love for Gladys to 'marry a title' and I think there was a glimpse of someone being introduced as "Lord Something" in the season preview but it was just a flash and tbh I can't even swear it was there it went so fast. I'd LOVE there to be a teeny bit of a crossover between Downton and Gilded Age,but I don't think Fellowes can do the 'Robert meets Cora' in this series. If memory serves, Robert met Cora in London when the Levinsons came to 'do the season'. I think it'd be much more entertaining to see Bertha and Mrs Astor trying to 'compete' for their daughter to be the one to marry a Lord. Although since none of Mrs Astor's daughters married into the aristocracy, so the outcome is already known.

I don't think that Oscar will succeed with Gladys. George is too protective and too canny to let that happen. I think he'd be the type of father to 'do a little checking' on any man who wants to court his daughter.

You know, George is a damned sexy man. I just hate being attracted to someone so ruthless and uncaring about the welfare of his workers. The 'union' storyline is really going to be interesting. Hopefully they'll keep it true to history.

IIRC Peggy eloped with a stocky from her dad's pharmacy. Obviously her father didn't approve. What I don't remember is what happened to her husband. I'm sure he didn't die, because she could have come back home as a respectable widow with her baby. So when she was pregnant either he deserted her or her father paid him to leave her. Peggy's scenes in this episodes dealing with the loss of her child just broke my heart.

So far none of the 'downstairs' crew has had much of a 'meaty' storyline. But the 'footman has a rich married daughter' storyline has promise.

RedSuedePump · 01/11/2023 06:57

oh I’m SO glad this is back! i loved season 1!!!

KatherineJaneway · 01/11/2023 12:34

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

I agree that Oscar has little or no chance with Gladys. George will do a deep dive on any suitor.

SapatSea · 02/11/2023 14:18

I will just not believe it if Gladys marries George. It think it would be well known what George's sexual preferences are amongst the men folk adn George would definitely be doing some digging. I suppose they might elope. Poor Gladys.

Looks like Marion might have Dashiell as her new potential suitor.

I can't remember what happened to Peggy's husband either. It seemed like they made the baby be deceased just to get rid of that storyline. Does Peggy not work at the newspaper anymore? I guess I should have watched the finale of season 1 again as the recap I read online didn't cover this.

SapatSea · 02/11/2023 15:15

Sorry meant to say Gladys and Oscar, not George who is Gladys's father.

AcrossthePond55 · 02/11/2023 16:56

@SapatSea

Looks like Marion might have Dashiell as her new potential suitor.

I agree, especially since dialogue stressed the point that they aren't blood related.

IDK about Oscar's orientation being a generally known thing. I think people went to great lengths to hide their sexual orientation back then. I'm wondering, if George does put a stop to his courtship, if Oscar will stoop to seducing and 'ruining' Gladys thereby necessitating marriage.

As far as Peggy goes, I don't remember if she's working at the paper anymore or not. And I don't remember if Peggy's marriage was ever legally dissolved.

You're right. Probably need to go back and watch the S 1 finale! Or find a good online synopsis.

NurseButtercup · 02/11/2023 17:00

So happy this thread has been resurrected. The first episode of season two met all of my expectations, the set up for the storylines, the costumes and hats.

I couldn't recall the background to Peggy's story relating to her son, so I did a search and found this:

"Peggy tells Agnes that she married a man her father (John Douglas Thompson) disapproved of and had a son, who died. Her father had the marriage annulled and brought her home, but Peggy is searching for the midwife to learn more about her son. Peggy returns to her parents, where her mother (Audra McDonald) finds a letter revealing Peggy's son to be alive and adopted. Peggy and her mother plan to find the boy, but Peggy's father admits to arranging it and refuses to help."

MotherofGorgons · 02/11/2023 17:30

I was not blown away by Episode 1 of S 2. I find Marion and Peggy deeply boring. I am only keen on the older women and the movers and shakers.

I loved Bertha's obsession with the opera. I want more of George and his empire building.

AcrossthePond55 · 02/11/2023 18:10

Thanks @NurseButtercup

So, it sounds to me as if Peggy's erstwhile husband may still be 'out there' somewhere. I know it's rather unimportant, but I wonder on what grounds an annulment was granted (rather than a divorce)? Was Peggy underaged? Because otherwise the grounds would have been insanity, non-consummation, 'fraud', or bigamy.

@MotherofGorgons

I think we'll see plenty of George's business shenanigans. The lead up to the 'union busting' storyline sounds really good. The Gilded Age had any number of strikes many of which were violently put down by tycoons like George with the help of hired thugs and even the US Govt. In fact the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency had a hand in infiltrating unions and intimidating and attacking union workers. Lots of 'meat' for the writers to work with!!

SenecaFallsRedux · 02/11/2023 21:36

So glad that the series and this thread are back!

Netaporter · 06/11/2023 11:31

Be interested to see everyone else’s thoughts on today’s episode, especially the end…

LittleMrsPretty · 06/11/2023 21:05

Is ending the same ladies maid that got into bed with George?

Winteriscoming12 · 07/11/2023 01:05

LittleMrsPretty · 06/11/2023 21:05

Is ending the same ladies maid that got into bed with George?

This is what I came on to ask too. Does anyone else struggle to hear the dialogue? Maybe I am starting to go deaf but I am considering putting on sub-titles.

Netaporter · 07/11/2023 04:45

@LittleMrsPretty yes, it is the maid. Seems like she has climbed that social ladder very quickly!

Chemenger · 07/11/2023 10:00

Winteriscoming12 · 07/11/2023 01:05

This is what I came on to ask too. Does anyone else struggle to hear the dialogue? Maybe I am starting to go deaf but I am considering putting on sub-titles.

Show quote history

I had the subtitles on for the first episode; the second seemed a bit clearer. I think it is the same ladies maid who tried it on with George.