The Gilded Age: a term coined by Mark Twain, to refer to the period between Reconstruction and the Progressive Era (1877-1900). A time of serious social problems masked by a thin gold gilding of economic expansion. A pejorative phrase for materialistic excess combined with extreme poverty. The TV series focuses on the privileged wealthy, and oh what fun it is to watch old money go at it with new money.
The Gilded Age, created by Julian Fellows (Downton Abbey), debuted in January 2022 with a nine-episode season, and the second season just premiered on October 29th. An eye-popping production and costume design, along with a stellar cast, brings to life the early 1880s in New York City. On one side of 61st Street, representing old money, stands proud, stubborn Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski, The Good Wife). Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) plays her meek, but less rigid, sister (Ada). Niece Marian (Louisa Jacobson in her screen acting debut) is forced to come live with her aunts after the death of her father. Her friend, Peggy Scott (Denee Benton, Hamilton), a young black woman is also part of the household as Agnes’ secretary. On the other side of 61st Street, representing new money, stands Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon, The Leftovers), who is obsessed with being accepted by the snobby old guard. Her husband, George (The Plot Against America) is a cutthroat railroad baron who stays in his lane acquiring wealth and leaves climbing the upper-class social ladder to his wife. Their 16-year-old daughter Gladys (Taissa Farmiga, American Horror Story) is experiencing her social “coming out” while fighting against the clutches of her mother.
Let’s not forget the people downstairs. Both houses have numerous servants with their own delightful drama, but the sullen leading ladies upstairs provide the bitter, juicy exchanges. Agnes can’t even look at the garish new mansion, much less walk across the street to welcome the new neighbors. She is aghast at their arrival, leading her to become a fountain of razor-edged one-liners to everyone in her orbit. Bertha is dying for acceptance and can’t handle being shunned much longer. The key for access to New York high society is in the hands of one Mrs. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor. Bertha is making some progress at the end of the first season. Based on the first episode, season two appears to set up the Opera Wars; a knock-down battle for opera box seats between supporters of the venerable Academy of Music and those of the upstart Metropolitan Opera. And Bertha doesn’t even like opera, which says it all about The Gilded Age. It’s an uncomplicated, guilty pleasure, entertaining yes, enlightening no. It may not be up to Downton Abbey standards, but if you liked that and Bridgerton, you’ll probably enjoy The Gilded Age. I do. The pomp and circumstance of period pieces has always cracked me up. The entitlement, lavish dances, chaste courtships, elaborate feasts, butlers/maids at the beck and call, and of course, the clothes and hats. There may not be much substance beneath this golden veneer, but it sure is hard to resist.
The Gilded Age airs on HBO Sundays at 9:00 P.M. (check local listings this weekend for reruns of the season two premier episode) and is streaming on Max. Season two is eight episodes.
D² Rating ◼◼◼◩☐
Trivia: Louisa Jacobson who plays Marion Brook is the daughter of what famous actress? (Answer below after trailer.)
Answer: Meryl Streep