The Gilded Age
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Thelong-awaitedThe Gilded Agehas finally arrived, and it is … complicated.
state, but we will sort all that out!
Were in New York City, in the eponymous Gilded Age.
The Gilded Age is a period in America that encompasses approximately 1870 to 1900.
It is marked by corruption, greed, corporate monopolies, and industrialization, as well as economic mobility.
Lets dive right into it because the first episode lasts over an hour and covers much expository ground.
The year is 1882, and Miss Marian Brook has no money.
Marians lawyer Tom is clearly into her, but we dont need to worry about that for the moment.
Peggy has to board in the last group because she is Black and everything is garbage.
It turns out shes from Brooklyn, and Marian brings her to her aunts because the ferry isnt running.
What about the Brooklyn Bridge?
Thats exactly what I said!
It didnt open until 1883, so weve got another year.
Lets meet Agnes and Ada!
Its name is Pumpkin.
Agness character is marked by stoicism, grumpiness, and occasional humor and kindness.
Her late husband was apparently terrible.
When Marian arrives and tells the story of Peggy lending her money, they demand to meet her.
Heres where I admit that I do not care about Marian.
Maybe future episodes will make me care about her!
I have not given up hope on Marian.
Am I also grumpy that the actress playing hercompared calling-card culture to Instagram?
But fortunately, there are so many other characters!
He alsosexually assaultedmany underage girls, so lets not spend any more time on him.
Bertha Russell, played by the excellent Carrie Coon, is determined to be a part of Society.
They have a son named Larry, a daughter named Gladys (Taissa Farmiga!
), and a servant named Miss Turner, who seems pretty determined to bang Mr. Russell.
This is probably an achievable goal.
But here we are.
Larry is part of the Rich Young People set, and so Mamie Fish (another real person!)
invites him to Newport, Rhode Island, where he is forced to play party games.
This sounds like my personal hell.
If you are thinking these sound like characters in absurdist novels of the 20th century, you are correct.
Bertha Russell clearly hopes her sons in with the Fish people and that it will help her family.
Broadway star Debra Monk is annoyed with her, which is disappointing.
Then she leaves, hopefully to return.
Sure, why not.
I just cannot.
The extreme number of musical phenoms playing small parts is a true highlight of this series.
Bertha introduces herself and her daughter Gladys, and everyone is awkward and uncomfortable but Marian.
Everyone is very mysterious about a Mrs. Augusta Chamberlain and refuse to say why she is scandalous.
My notes for George Russells business meeting just say, Railroad man is meeting with capitalist man.
The main message here is that George is Good at Business and also ruthless, so hes arobber baron.
Bertha is steadily optimistic, though, and orders food for 200.
Almost no one comes, although Marian does slip away from her aunts watch to take a look inside.
Silver-Plated Thoughts
Will Marian get better?
Or maybe instead Peggy can take over as the protagonist and Marian can go away somewhere?
Let someone else carry that shit.
