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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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ilovebrie8 · 13/12/2023 16:50

Thanks @vjg13 ! I can try and get it on Prime

MissMarpleRocks · 13/12/2023 19:59

Love Marian and Larry together. Do not particularly like Dashiel.

Poor Ada. And I have to say I actually felt sorry for Oscar. Such a heavy burden - at least he wasn’t in love with Maud.

Makes you wonder though - she was so accepted by them all and took them in - did anyone not think ‘oh new person on the block, check her out first?’?

GreenClock · 17/12/2023 20:13

Marian is being used by Dashiel. I actually don’t think that he’s doing it deliberately or callously. He probably feels that his adolescent daughter needs a mother figure in place ready for “her season” in 4-5 years’ time, and he is aware that she admires Marian having got to know her at school. He’s putting his child’s interests first which I suppose is understandable. Marian deserves more, though.

It’s disappointing that Mr Fortune couldn’t keep things professional with Peggy. Let’s face it, if it hits the fan we all know which one will lose their job.

Glad that Emily received some credit for taking over the bridge project from her late father-in-law with her husband, who became bedridden following a diving accident whilst working on the bridge. I’ve read up on it, it was definitely a family endeavour. She only got a proper obit in the New York Times 5 years ago, more than a century after her death at the age of 59. Disgraceful really.

SenecaFallsRedux · 18/12/2023 03:36

Great final episode for the season.

Netaporter · 18/12/2023 09:01

I suspect that some might be disappointed with today’s episode, but I absolutely loved it!

KatieKat88 · 18/12/2023 10:37

I loved it, tied up enough ends to satisfy but lots of interesting points to pick up on again next season - please tell me there will be another season!

wildthingsinthenight · 18/12/2023 11:40

Absolutely loved it!
Will miss it now 😕

dastidlydaschel · 18/12/2023 11:56

I loved it! I can't wait for the next season, there is too long between seasons!

LittleMrsPretty · 18/12/2023 12:48

I also loved it, couldn’t help shedding a tear for Gladys.

I hope there will be season 3 with the amount of storey lines to follow up.

SenecaFallsRedux · 18/12/2023 17:01

LittleMrsPretty · 18/12/2023 12:48

I also loved it, couldn’t help shedding a tear for Gladys.

I hope there will be season 3 with the amount of storey lines to follow up.

Indeed. We have a pretty good idea of where things are headed for Gladys. The way those scenes were played at the opera was pure genius, so much communicated in a few words and glances.

BorgQueen · 18/12/2023 17:23

Really surprised that Bertha is pimping out her Daughter, I know she’s pretty ruthless but you would think she’d want someone even richer than they are.

SenecaFallsRedux · 18/12/2023 17:48

I'm not surprised. I was waiting for it, considering that Bertha appears to be based on Alva Vanderbilt, who forced her unhappy daughter to marry the Duke of Marlborough. At this point, Bertha has all the money she needs and more and intends to spend some of it to have a Duchess in the family, as Alva did.

The interesting thing will be to see how George reacts to Bertha's plans. He clearly loves Gladys and wants her to be happy, and didn't he promise her that she wouldn't have to marry someone she didn't love?

AcrossthePond55 · 18/12/2023 18:15

BorgQueen · 18/12/2023 17:23

Really surprised that Bertha is pimping out her Daughter, I know she’s pretty ruthless but you would think she’d want someone even richer than they are.

Google around about Gilded Age 'American Dollar Princesses'. The Duke of Marlborough was basically 'bought and paid for' by Consuelo Vanderbilt's mother because she wanted his title to enhance her own prestige. Then she bullied Consuelo until she agreed to marry him. And she was only the first of many.

I can see Bertha being that hard, too. But I think Gladys has more gumption than we have seen so far. I don't think she'll be bullied into anything. And push come to shove, I think George will back her against Bertha.

The end of the Dashiell/Marion storyline was a bit of a damp squib, wasn't it? But I was so happy to see (fanfare!!!) "The Kiss".

And I loved Ada's look of surprise, then mischief when she realized that 'she's the boss'.

MissMarpleRocks · 18/12/2023 20:10

Poor Gladys. Also expected it but hope George puts a stop to it! How old is the Duke meant to be?

AcrossthePond55 · 18/12/2023 20:41

MissMarpleRocks · 18/12/2023 20:10

Poor Gladys. Also expected it but hope George puts a stop to it! How old is the Duke meant to be?

The actor who plays him is 34, but 'in character' I think he looks older. I'd put the Duke's age as late 30s. Gladys, I think, is supposed to be 17.

MissMarpleRocks · 18/12/2023 20:48

Thanks it’s still almost twice her age though.

Loved Ada’s change in fortune! Agnes wasn’t happy about it once she realised the implications!

LittleMrsPretty · 18/12/2023 20:50

I think the Gladys/Duke arrangement will really split George and Bertha and we will see a really big rift bewteen them in season 3.

SenecaFallsRedux · 18/12/2023 20:51

I hope in the next season, Ada gets involved (successfully) in the management of Luke's business interests.

I also loved Larry suggesting that he and Jack go into business together. Maybe Ada will invest as well.

LudicrousDickbiscuit · 18/12/2023 21:23

I loved the butler pointing out to Ada that now she was the one in charge. And hopefully that's the last we'll see of Dashiel.

SenecaFallsRedux · 18/12/2023 23:37

I'm a bit worried about Oscar, though.

NeedWineNow · 19/12/2023 10:13

Well that was absolutely fabulous. So glad that Marion turned down Dashiell - neither DH nor I were particularly enamoured with him and it was obvious that he was only after someone to bring up his daughter. It will be very interesting going forward with Larry and Marion after that kiss.

Agnes will definitely struggle with the new power shift following Ada's revelation. This could be fun.

I wasn't at all surprised about Bertha using Gladys as a lure for the Duke, having recently read about the American heiresses marrying into the aristocracy at the time. However I agree with a previous poster that this could cause real problems between George and Bertha. She might have underestimated Gladys though, so this again could get very interesting.

All in all a lot to look forward to in Series 3 (I do hope it is renewed, no news yet).

One last thing. After seeing all the wonderful outfits at the opera, particularly Bertha's cloak cascading down the stairs, I've realised I'll really need to up my game next time I go to the Royal Opera House 😂😂

LittleMrsPretty · 19/12/2023 13:28

In last episode Luke said to Agnes that Ada is your equal, we now know the full meaning of that, not just as a married woman but as a wealthy one. This was pointed out on the podcast.

vjg13 · 19/12/2023 18:13

Available now to buy on Prime.

Netaporter · 19/12/2023 19:38

@NeedWineNow Marrying a British Duke if you are American is the main theme of ‘The Bucanneers’ which is also on Apple and is why I knew that’s what Bertha would do 😉. Not historically accurate in any way and if Downton/The gilded age was written by an American, this would be it….

MissMarpleRocks · 19/12/2023 20:36

Well I have to say Ada deserves it!

Gladys if married to Bertha’s duke less so!

Still the Granthams ended up happily married. And Fellows does like to rehash stories…