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

I struggled to hear too. Didn't help that I was ironing at the same time and every time I released the steam it drowned out the Tv entirely. But even when I stopped and concentrated I couldn't hear well, and that was with the volume up. Glad it's not just me, I've normally got great hearing so it was odd.

On the content of ep1, I didn't like it as much as series 1 but think it'll grow into itself again. The whole plot surrounding Peggy's son seemed unrealistic but the Gladys/Oscar plot and the Bertha/met storyline were promising. I'm less keen on the outfits this series, some of the colours seem very out of keeping with the period, but I'm no expert. It's as if they've done a bit of a bridgerton and reimagined the era with a modern lense...which is fine if that's what the premise is but grates a bit when it's supposed to be more historical.

do you think Bertha will tell that info to bring her down?

I struggle to hear them, but I currently cantaloupe work out how to get subtitles on sky glass?

The preview seemed to indicate that it's going to be a standoff between Bertha and the former lady's maid, Turner. At one point Turner said to Bertha "Are you threatening to expose me? If you make trouble for me I'll return in kind".

I'm starting to wonder about Cousin Dashiell. He seems too good to be true. Is he really as attracted to Marian as he appears to be or is he just looking for a mother for his little girl? Marian just avoided a fortune hunter, is she now going to fall for another man who doesn't really love her?

I'm kind of confused about the George/Oscar/Gladys conversation. I know he told Oscar he did not give permission to marry Gladys, but did he actually tell Gladys his answer was 'absolutely no' or did he just pacify her with 'wait awhile and see'. Gladys was certainly avoiding Oscar at the tennis match.

I love Ada and the minister. That's going to be a cracking good storyline with Agatha sticking her neck in. She's not going to want to lose her 'companion' nor allow Ada to 'marry down'.

George asked Gladys if she loved Oscar and she went on about growing to love him, having her independence and getting away from Bertha. They both agreed that Gladys should only marry for love and George promised he would support a match if she was in love, even if Bertha didn't approve he would back Gladys. And then he said he would speak to Oscar, implying he would tell him no and Gladys smiled and agreed to go to Newport for the summer now that the matter was settled.

I'm correcting myself Gladys asked George what will he do/say to Mr van Rhijn and he replies "let him down gently"...

I love Ada and the minister.

I agree. I really hope they develop that story line fully. I was so pleased to see Robert Sean Leonard in the role. I have been a fan of his for a long time. He's probably best know for his role in House, MD as Dr. Wilson.

Also plaudits to Julian Fellowes and company for getting his designation right. Almost all Episcopal priests in charge of a church in the US were and are called rectors.

Here are my other stray thoughts and observations..

I'm going off George because of his ruthless approach to his workers rights. I hope his plans to corrupt the union man Henderson fail in the most spectacular way and he concedes the unions demands.

I'm confused about Dashell, is he Marian's cousin by blood (ewww) or marriage?

I totally believe that Larry became an architect/interior designer via the nepo baby route. This is definitely the era when new money used their money to build connections and open doors to create opportunities without the necessary skills & experience.

Larry standing up to Bertha and saying it's either an older woman or a prostitute, regarding the merry wealthy widow Mrs Blaine was priceless. I wonder if she's going to become possessive and cause a scandal?

The Russell's home in Newport, white panelled walls, marble floors and fireplaces looks like the interiors of a lot of influencers on Instagram.

Is anybody listening to the companion podcast? I'm off to listen to it now.

In answe to the questions;

1. no Gladys knew her father was turning Oscar down.
2. the cousin is one by marriage
3. deffo the ladies maid is there to create trouble.
4. larry is deffo a Nepo baby!

What is jarring is that the maid would automatically be accepted into society given the trouble Bertha had being accepted herself.

I didn’t know about the podcast, so off to have a listen! Thank you @NurseButtercup

I'm confused about Dashell, is he Marian's cousin by blood (ewww) or marriage?

He is Agnes's nephew by marriage (the nephew of Agnes's late husband) so no relation to Marian.

@Netaporter

What is jarring is that the maid would automatically be accepted into society given the trouble Bertha had being accepted her

I think the man Turner married is 'old money' and she's 'acquired' her husband's status, although probably begrudgingly by the society matrons. George and Bertha are both 'new money' and thus have no such 'foot in the door'.

Not read the updates as I don't want spoilers, am 10 minutes into Season 2 episode 1, is anyone else struggling with the sound? Does it get better? The background noise and music seem to be very loud I can barely hear what the characters are saying, gutted as have been looking forward to it, purposefully save a few episodes to binge back to back

I haven't had any issues with the sound. I'm watching original showings in the US on HB0; I don't know if there might be issues with other platforms.

My sound has been fine too

Don - yes, I am really struggling with the noise .. the music is drowning out the words ... very difficult to follow (but I still love the series).

Oh I didn’t realise a new season was out.

I can’t find the podcast does it have another name or is it inly on a certain platform?

It's called "The Official Gilded Age Podcast" I found it on Podbean, but I think it's on all the main podcast platforms.

I’m loving the podcast.

Why does Oscar Van Ryan need Gladys’s Money, doesn't he have is own being a Van Ryan.

I had to put the subtitles on! I do enjoy it as something light!

I don't think he necessarily needs it. But I gather it would be the difference between well-to-do and extremely rich. Oscar does seem to be the type to prefer extremely rich.

Ooh today’s episode adds to many of the storylines….romances are hotting up!

I agree. It was jammed packed with new story lines. I'm looking forward to them all except Peggy Scott's visit to Alabama. I am concerned that will not end well.

Another excellent episode. Someone said the story line of the Gilded Age is very similar to soaps like Dynasty & Dallas, but set in the 19th century. I'm not sure I agree but the intertwining storylines are definitely keeping my attention lol.

I still cannot get my head around the size of the Russell's home, the £££ they have to maintain a property of that size, plus staff plus the budget to entertain guests, plus all the sponsorships to build & maintain their "brand".

Nathan Lane as Ward McAllister was a genius casting decision (him dashing across the street from the Russell's to the Van Rhijn's was hilarious).

Armstrong intimating that Peggy is too black to write to the elite & upperclass of NYC is galling.

Mrs Blaine is going to break Mr Russell Jnr's heart, he's clearly smitten, she's clearly making up for her lost years with her ex-husband.

I'm relieved Mr Russell's plan to bribe the union man, Mr Henderson has failed.

I'm feeling anxious about Peggy and Mr Fortune's visit to Alabama.

Oscar Wilde outing John Adams and Oscar Van Rhijn, both hiding in plain site was funny.

Mrs Winterton has worked HARD for her title and position, so we must acknowledge it and bravo to her playing her role as this season's villain so expertly.

The chemistry between Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector aka Mr & Mrs Russell is so well played. I felt her rage through my screen and I felt his sadness that he's upset and hurt her feelings. I haven't seen anything with Carrie Coon prior to this TV show, I vaguely remember Morgan Spector when he was in Pearson, but I wasn't impressed by him at all, he's really very good as Mr Russell.

I'm assuming Mrs Russell is planning to expose Mrs Winterton to the Duke. Will the Duke disassociate himself from the Wintertons when he discovers that Mrs Winterton was a lady's maid???

The costumes and set design are just sublime "chefs kiss". I'm looking forward to seeing Mrs Blaine's home in Newport when it's finished.

The Russels have vast amount of wealth, the podcast said that the cost of a box at the Accadamy opera was equivalent to $450K in todays money and the Rissela hope to take 2 one in each house.

The scene between the Russels was incredible, excellent acting from Bertha and its the first sign of weakness in the marriage, they were no longer united in that moment.

I think Bertha needs to be very careful with how she 'handles' George. I do believe he's besotted with her and she's his heart's 'weak spot', but I also think that he would be the type to slam his heart's door in her face if she pushes him too far.

I'm loving the Ada/Reverend story, it's such a sweet story about 'mature love'. And I see that Agnes finally made a 'remark' about what Ada 'owes' her, albeit somewhat obliquely. I think Agnes is another one who is capable of being vindictive if she feels someone who 'owes her' doesn't live up to their 'debt'.

As far as Oscar and money goes, I thought it was intimated in the 1st season although that the Van Rhijns may be 'old money', but they have none too much of it. I assume an 'advantageous marriage' on Oscar's part would shore up the family finances nicely. The 'heiress' in question is the illegitimate daughter of one of the robber barons, Jay Gould. So I guess Agnes' snobbery goes only so far.

The scene of Peggy's mother cautioning her about what the South is like and the dangers she will face and how she should behave was very touching (and painful). I only hope Peggy listens to her but I fear she will think her mother is just trying to discourage her from going and discount her words.

And I'm still suspicious of Cousin Dashiell.