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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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Ragwort · 30/01/2022 20:33

When is episode 2 .... it's being shown as 'Episode 1' again on the TV guide Confused?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/01/2022 21:43

Tuesday I think

Gatekeeper · 30/01/2022 21:50

Bums...is this only going to be shown on Sky?

Ragwort · 30/01/2022 22:19

MrsPelligrino - thank you ! Looking forward to Tuesday evening.

Purplewithred · 31/01/2022 13:39

Hate to be a dissenting voice but I thought it was rubbish. Fabulous costumes and sets etc but the dialogue was leaden, the characters were all out of central casting, and the plot was completely predictable.

looked lovely though.

Goldengoose6491 · 31/01/2022 21:30

Sorry but I wasn't taken with it either. Zero interest in the rich lady who hasn't got any friends. But it was nice to see a female dominant cast. Costumes were lovely.

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GreekGod · 01/02/2022 19:30

Just watched episode 2 - I loved it.

old money - v - new money

the mean girls being bullies

i love the twist at the end

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 01/02/2022 23:18

I don't realise it was another Julian Fellowes programme.

I can't bear the over explaining for when it's inevitably subtitled ... "SHE'S a secretary so she's above you in the pecking order" Hmm

It was done all the time in Downtown Abbey too.

The ball room Shock

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 01/02/2022 23:19

Shame it was only an hour .

Ulysses · 02/02/2022 05:23

I was amazed at the size of the new house, for it being in the city. The dimensions were that of a country house.

I was also surprised that a servant wasn't dismissed for stealing silver and was given $50 (presumably a small fortune in old money) to pay off her gambling debts!

I like the friendship between Marian and Peggy. I hope Bertha isn't one note in her ambition to break into society, nor Agnes in her resoluteness in keeping her sort out of it.

sluj · 02/02/2022 07:49

I've seen the 2nd episode and I'm still watching but not gripped yet. I think there are too many characters all at once, some of the acting is really awful and - dare I say it - some of the dialogue is very stilted.
I do like the visual appeal of it so I'll carry on and hope I get more into it. For now, it's just OK.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/02/2022 08:05

10/10 for the music though!

11plusName · 03/02/2022 13:06

I’m finding it quite entertaining, but can’t stand Cynthia Nixon’s weird voice.

NurseButtercup · 03/02/2022 19:47

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

I don't realise it was another Julian Fellowes programme.

I can't bear the over explaining for when it's inevitably subtitled ... "SHE'S a secretary so she's above you in the pecking order" Hmm

It was done all the time in Downtown Abbey too.

The ball room Shock

I can't bear the over explaining for when it's inevitably subtitled ... "SHE'S a secretary so she's above you in the pecking order"

The housekeeper, Armstrong was attempting to bully & undermine Peggy, the secretary and Bannister, stepped in to put a stop to Armstrong's bullying by reminding her that Peggy is her senior. Strange how you missed all that & interpreted this as "over explaining".

Torunette · 08/02/2022 11:32

OMG!

Episode three.

Woah .... Shock

Things have suddenly taken a turn indeed.

BrennieGirl · 08/02/2022 11:38

@11plusName

I’m finding it quite entertaining, but can’t stand Cynthia Nixon’s weird voice.
Same here. I don't understand why she's using that weird squeaky voice.

Some of the dialogue and acting is a bit stilted particularly the 'new' family.

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GreekGod · 09/02/2022 06:28

@Torunette - I know !!

I wonder what happens to an "old money" family when something like that happens - how are they treated by society ? will they be excluded like the Russells ? Very interesting to see how it pans out ...

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/02/2022 08:54

The housekeeper, Armstrong was attempting to bully & undermine Peggy, the secretary and Bannister, stepped in to put a stop to Armstrong's bullying by reminding her that Peggy is her senior. Strange how you missed all that & interpreted this as "over explaining"

It's not 'strange' at all,it's just one example.

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GreekGod · 09/02/2022 09:03

I agree with all the comments about Cynthia Nixons voice - what is happening there ? 🤣

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Torunette · 09/02/2022 09:36

[quote GreekGod]@Torunette - I know !!

I wonder what happens to an "old money" family when something like that happens - how are they treated by society ? will they be excluded like the Russells ? Very interesting to see how it pans out ...[/quote]
It will be interesting to see how Fellowes writes it.

In reality, in this period, the loss of your entire fortune would leave you dependent on the charity of relatives -- if you had any that were willing to keep you. It also depends whether there is money on the wife's side, or whether she has money of her own.

Otherwise, it was a death sentence. And I don't just mean socially. That's why the Bohemians of the early twentieth century were seen as so unacceptable, because they were playing with their lives in a very real sense. Not earning or having enough money for decent food, shelter and heat meant you got ill and you died.

I suspect Fellowes will go with the charity of relatives, but with a twist.

Everydaydayisaschoolday · 09/02/2022 09:50

I'm loving it - against my will! It's so soapy and predictable that I want to be snooty about it but it's so lovely to look at it has sucked me in.

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GreekGod · 09/02/2022 09:57

@Torunette - wow, thank you so much for that. How awful it must have been for them and being so reliant on relatives

Yes, it will be interesting how Fellowes deals with it

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1910username · 09/02/2022 10:08

Do you think it will alienate the rich family even more?

Wonder if people will blame him for it.

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GreekGod · 09/02/2022 10:25

@1910username - i think that possibly the opposite may happen, they will respect them more ??

I honestly did not think that Mr and Mrs Russell would behave the way they did - I honestly thought they would grab the chance to be accepted by the others. Good for them though !

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Torunette · 09/02/2022 11:45

[quote GreekGod]@1910username - i think that possibly the opposite may happen, they will respect them more ??

I honestly did not think that Mr and Mrs Russell would behave the way they did - I honestly thought they would grab the chance to be accepted by the others. Good for them though ![/quote]
Yes, but now the Russells will be feared. Shock And Bertha might find that to be an even more horrible social predicament than being shunned.

Is it better to be perceived as inferior or to be perceived as a monster? That is the question Bertha Russell will now face. I only hope Fellowes does not shirk from exploring this in a truly honest way.

I predict the scandal will provoke conflict between Bertha and her daughter Gladys, who, it has been telegraphed to infinity, is very innocent and is likely to be horrified by the outcome of her father's actions.

nods head sagely.

I can't wait for next week. Don't let us down, Fellowes!