As Heads Have Rolled For Less begins, George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) speak to Clara Barton at the site of the train crash. Clara (Linda Emond) admits five victims is a tragedy, but it is good that there were no women or children. George gives Clara money for the Red Cross as a thank you for everything she has done. He promises that Bertha will be at the next meeting. Once Clara leaves, Richard Clay (Patrick Page) says the victims are in Pennsylvania Hospital so they could always go there. If the police want to speak with George, they can do that in New York. George and Bertha agree to let a photographer from The Daily Graphic take a picture of them since they don’t want to be accused of hiding. Back in New York, Agnes (Christine Baranski), Ada, and Marian read the newspaper and learn about the train crash.

Agnes quickly blames it on George’s negligence since he is the captain. Marian (Louisa Jacobson) isn’t sure that means it is automatically George’s fault though. Ada (Cynthia Nixon) asks about the committee meeting which is supposed to be on Thursday. Marian isn’t sure it’ll happen now because Mrs. Russell might not be able to come to the meeting. Ada changes the subject by saying she got a letter from Margaret who says the opera war is heating up. Marian doesn’t understand why the Academy doesn’t create new boxes for the new people. Agnes argues the Academy is one of the last bastions of decency and standards in this city. She is adamant that they won’t patronize any jumped-up opera house. Richard Clay tells George that the wreck was caused by metal fatigue and a broken axle although George doesn’t want to believe that.

Clay suggests they weren’t new when they were installed. If that is the case, George wants to find out who was responsible. The public will believe they cut corners and have a killer on their payroll so George wants to make it clear it wasn’t him. He instructs Clay to get in touch with Pinkerton and get a couple of his men on the case. Newspapers are brought in before they learn the company’s stock hasn’t been hit too hard. George is told Clara gave a quote saying he was grief-stricken which is exactly what he says he is. Peggy tells Mrs. Bauer (Kristine Nielsen) that she is going with Marian to the Red Cross meeting. She offers to run some errands for them, but they turn down the offer. Armstrong (Debra Monk) makes a snide remark about that before Peggy says she needs to go. When she is gone, Bauer asks Armstrong what is up with her. Armstrong claims Peggy is always trying to set her up as some poor creature who is too old for the work she’s employed to do.

As Peggy Scott (Denee Benton) walks with Marian, they talk about the poor men in the train crash as well as their wives. Since they never know what is coming next, Peggy argues they should get the best out of what is happening now. Their conversation turns to Tom Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel) as Peggy admits she likes him because he has been good to her and he is handsome. The only thing that concerns her is that it doesn’t sound like Tom has much of a plan. Peggy asks if Marian wants her to walk her home after the meeting because she was going to visit the Globe’s office. Clara gets out of the carriage nearby and compliments Peggy’s article before inviting her to the meeting. Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) greets them as they enter the building. Mrs. Bauer gives Ada her dollar and remains insistent that she must pay her debt. Bannister (Simon Jones) listens to their conversation while hiding nearby.

Aurora tells the other women that she has invited Bertha Russell to join them, but Anne Morris (Katie Finneran) doesn’t know why since her husband has more blood on his hands now. Clara apologizes for her suffering and says this meeting is not the place to address her society squabble. As Bertha enters, Anne says this isn’t a society squabble because Mrs. Russell isn’t in society. Once Bertha sits down, the group begins voting on whether to add her to the board. Clara has to remind some of them that nobody in the city has done more real good for the cause than Bertha. After other women raise their hands, Anne is repulsed at the idea that money is the deciding factor here.

She calls the world they live in sad and vulgar. Then, she complains that she is going to be jettisoned while Bertha is enthroned because she can give more. Before Anne leaves, she tells them good luck with their new members and values. Clara says they can get coffee and regroup. She tells Peggy she hopes her article can convince others to help their cause. Clara asks Marian whether she has made any progress with Chamberlain, but Marian explains she will be calling on her on Thursday. Once they step outside, Peggy says Bertha is winning the battle as Marian counters by saying she hasn’t won the war yet. When Marian stops a cab, the driver offers to take her but not Peggy. He pulls away quickly. Marian calls it rude although Peggy admits it isn’t unusual. Peggy decides to flag down a cab so they can guarantee they’ll pick up colored people.

Aurora apologizes to Bertha for Anne although Bertha understands that she is angry and blames George for her husband’s death. They discuss the accident. Aurora doesn’t think anyone will blame Bertha. She reveals Mr. McAllister has written to her to say he is curious to see the Russell palace on the avenue. Bertha is told to invite the same group as before since McAllister enjoyed himself then, but the service has to be English. She’ll have to make it a success because McAllister won’t give her a second chance. Thomas Fortune (Sullivan Jones) tells Peggy that they managed to do something Parker didn’t think they could, increase their subscriptions. He suspects it had a lot to do with Peggy’s article and explains why that is the case. He admits colored journalists usually don’t have access to the likes of Clara Barton.

Bertha goes home where she tells Mrs. Bruce (Celia Keenan-Bolger), Church (Jack Gilpin), and Baudin about McAllister’s visit and the fact it’ll have to be English. Church believes they’ll be able to pull off the English service. Mrs. Bruce approaches Bertha in private to suggest getting Bannister from across the way to help them with the English service. Bertha leaves it up to Bruce to get Church to agree, but she recommends not giving him a choice. Peggy visits her mother Dorothy (Audra McDonald) who congratulates her. Although her father thinks her writing career will fail, Peggy insists he is wrong since her article helped increase the paper’s circulation. Dorothy says they’re family and have to get through this. Peggy asks her not to come by 61st again or speak to Miss Brook about family matters. Peggy promises she doesn’t want to cut them out. They talk about the possibility of meeting without her father.

George returns home to learn his wife is on the board now. He tells her that one of the axles broke because it was substandard as were the others. He complains that someone used old and damaged axles on the engine while stealing his money in the process. Bertha suggests controlling the story in the newspapers before telling him about McAllister wanting to come to lunch. They argue about how important that is as George admits he doesn’t give a rat’s ass about McAllister coming to lunch. He apologizes. Bertha knows what she wants and believes McAllister can help her get it. Then, they talk about the letter Archie sent to Gladys. She isn’t eager to give it to Gladys. Since George is willing to do so, Bertha worries he is getting soft and pleads with him not to do that. Before he walks off, he admits nobody could accuse Bertha of being soft. Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) gets the letter as George says her mother thinks they’re too young for an engagement.

She knows her father was responsible for setting the conditions, but he only says Bertha thinks it is best. Gladys reminds him he is one of the most successful men in the country, yet he can’t stand up to his wife. When Gladys says she wishes she knew the reason for this, George explains Bertha thinks she deserves more than marriage to a banker in Manhattan. He suggests she deserves something special since she is special. Marian tells Agnes and Ada that she intends to accept a luncheon invitation from Bertha Russell. Agnes doesn’t think Lina Astor would ever step foot in that house and she won’t either although that is Bertha’s plan.

When Marian reveals Tom will be there too, Agnes expresses her displeasure and describes him as an adventurer. She warns Marian that Tom won’t need her for much longer if he keeps this up since he is being invited to so many events. Agnes claims he’ll move on to more glittering prices. Ada says that was a horrid thing to say. Agnes goes on to say she knows his type and she is never wrong although Marian believes she is wrong this time. Once Marian walks away, Agnes tells Ada that it will come back to haunt her. Next, Bridget (Taylor Richardson) gets a letter from the Russell household for Bannister. He finds it is from Church and that interests him enough to find out what it is about. Armstrong asks him if he is worried about Peggy’s writing causing problems for Agnes. Larry (Harry Richardson) tells his parents that Mamie Fish has invited him and Gladys over for a doll’s tea party, but he isn’t sure what that means.

Bertha doesn’t want Gladys going. Larry says Carrie Astor and the Gardiner sisters will be there. They gang up against Bertha until she relents and says Gladys can go. Bannister meets with Church and Baudin to learn about the upcoming luncheon with McAllister. He offers to inspect the table once they’ve laid it and help point out any irregularities. Next, Larry and Gladys go to the doll’s tea party. Mamie Fish (Ashlie Atkinson) greets them before they learn they’ll pick a doll and make sure it has enough to eat and drink. When Fish leaves, Larry finds Caroline (Amy Forsyth) crying nearby and checks on her. She insists she is fine. Caroline tells them not to worry about the dolls. Larry sees Billy and decides to go talk to him leaving Gladys with Caroline. The girls obviously have a lot in common, especially with the fact that they describe their mothers as very difficult. Gladys tells her about being on house arrest.

Caroline offers to visit and bring a cake with a file in it. As for Caroline, it is about a man who her mother doesn’t think is good enough for her. Bannister finds out that Church has made mistakes setting the table so he explains what he did wrong. Bertha joins them and thanks Bannister for doing this. She wonders if she can ask Bannister to take charge of the luncheon for McAllister. He admits it would be a problem for Agnes, but he agrees to do it once she offers $100. Bertha tells Church to work it out between themselves and tell the staff the truth. When Bannister goes back to work, he tells Jack (Ben Ahlers) that he wants him to be the butler because he has to be away for a few hours due to family business. He agrees to do it, but he wants Bannister to explain this to Agnes. Meanwhile, Peggy and Marian talk about the Lenox Library. Marian checks her watch and realizes she has to get a cab to meet with Mrs. Chamberlain.

They bump into Larry Russell as he comes out of the architect’s office. He agrees to tell her if she doesn’t give it away. Once she agrees, he reveals he is interested in a career in architecture. He’d like to train properly and build up a practice. She learns Mr. White is going to help persuade his parents it is a good idea. After he leaves, Peggy and Marian agree that Larry is nice. Marian sits down with Sylvia Chamberlain (Jeanne Tripplehorn) to talk to her about the Red Cross. Sylvia doesn’t think they’ll ever give her a seat on the board although it was clever for them to send Marian. They begin talking about Sylvia’s past as she admits what they say about her is the unvarnished truth. She was with a man while his wife was still alive so she broke the rules. Marian is afraid she is about to break her aunt’s rules too. She begins telling Sylvia about Tom and their relationship.

Sylvia suspects she hardly knows him and her aunts are against him. Marian is told that her aunts know a great deal about how this city works. Sylvia doesn’t regret her choice one bit because she knew a great love. Without it, her path would’ve been a stony one. Marian wonders how she is supposed to know if it is a great love if she only gets to see him for a minute. Chamberlain tells her to meet him here and take some time to talk it through. After Marian asks why she’d do that for her, Sylvia says she is the first woman to show her any respect in New York since Augustus died. Bertha finds Caroline in Glady’s room with her. Caroline asks if Gladys can join a luncheon with a few friends next week at her mother’s house. They discuss Gladys coming out, the house being perfect for a ball, and arranging a quadrille for it.

Once Bertha leaves, Gladys admits her mother usually runs for the hills when her debut is mentioned. Bertha eavesdrops on them as Caroline says she seemed to like the idea. Bannister tries to tell Agnes that he is going to be away to meet with a lawyer. When Ada hears about the lawyer, she questions whether he is a Muslim. He is told to go down and tell Armstrong to help Agnes change. Ada enters Marian’s room and asks about her luncheon with Mrs. Russell. Marian agrees to stay off the subject tonight since Agnes is already on a rant about Bannister. Armstrong tells Agnes she is worried Peggy’s article leading back to them. Agnes tells her to control her prejudice and she’ll be angry if she keeps trying to make trouble for Miss Scott. Richard Clay tells George that the Pinkerton team should have something solid very soon.

George wants it taken care of while they finish designing the station. The next day, Bauer tries to tell Bannister something before he leaves, but they agree to save it until this afternoon. Church joins Bannister who is busy looking over the servers. Bannister tells them to put their gloves on when they’re about to enter and as soon as they come out. Baudin tells Bannister everything is ready. Behind Bannister’s back, Church and Baudin complain that this is intolerable and ridiculous. Meanwhile, Jack tries to stay calm as he prepares to take over Bannister’s job for the day. Once Marian arrives at the Russell house, she sees Bannister giving instructions to others nearby. She finds out what is going on and promises Bannister’s secret is safe with her. Ward McAllister (Nathan Lane) arrives. When he finds out that they have an English butler, he says that is a good start.

Ward joins the others and compliments the Russell house before they begin discussing Catherine the Great. Marian talks to Tom about his activities in New York which include an opera and another ball. He makes it clear he’d like to see more of her. Ward is impressed when he finds the dining table covered by hyacinths and lilac at this time of the year. As they sit down, each guest finds a little gift. Ward tells her she has outdone herself. Next door, Jack is asked about the gloves so he explains Bannister told him to wear them when he is serving the food. Agnes complains about Bannister. After Agnes asks about wine, Jack quickly pulls the plate away from Ada to grab it. As he pours it, his hand begins shaking and he spills some on the tablecloth. Agnes and Ada go with it and say Bannister made it very difficult for him. They agree to say Jack passed the test with flying colors without giving him the satisfaction that he was missed.

Bridget arrives with a note that Jack hands over to Agnes. She gets up and rushes out of the room while yelling this is too much. Ada asks her not to do anything she’ll regret. Once Agnes is done, Ada asks Jack for wine. Agnes storms into the Russell house. Church leads her to Bannister who stutters as he tries to explain himself. They convince her to calm down and pretend it was a mistake without causing a scene. Before she leaves, she tells Bannister that heads have rolled for less. Meanwhile, Turner (Kelley Curran) tells Oscar (Blake Ritson) that he’ll need to win over Mr. Russell. Turner recommends showing him sympathy and loyalty now so he suggests writing to him about the train crash.

She reveals George seems to be worried about whatever the police may discover although she doesn’t know if he did something wrong. Oscar pays her even though Turner claims she does it for revenge and not money. Armstrong sees them together when Oscar returns to the house. That night, Marian tells Peggy that she felt bad for Aunt Agnes and felt ashamed. Bannister tells Bauer he doesn’t know what’ll happen next before Jack apologizes for giving Agnes the letter. It wasn’t Jack’s fault. Instead, Bannister will talk to Armstrong to find out who wrote it. Agnes tells Armstrong she allowed herself to act on impulse today and she never does that because it makes her a hostage to ridicule. Armstrong suggests these betrayals can be very upsetting. Agnes wants to know what she means about these betrayals.

She tells Agnes about Oscar being with Bertha’s maid. Agnes asks her to leave angrily. Across the road, Bertha thanks George who reveals they’ve found the man responsible for the axles. His name is Dixon and he is the head of the team that built the engine. Dixon is telling people that George gave him the order. Although Bertha calls that ridiculous, the police say he has written proof.

 

The Gilded Age Review

The Gilded Age has been decent although I am not sure the series has lived up to the hype just yet. Then again, most critics heavily panned the series from the get-go so maybe the hype was nonexistent. Regardless, the show has been watchable although it felt like it was just going through the motions. Finally, this episode showed that The Gilded Age could be something more than just a bleak period drama about breaking into old New York society.

The series hit a high note as Jack was given the opportunity to take over Bannister’s role while Bannister betrayed Aunt Agnes for money. The last ten minutes of the episode were likely the best moments of The Gilded Age so far and much of that had to do with the servants. Those few scenes were lively, funny, and full of emotions unlike the rest of the series so far.

The end of the episode gives me hope that The Gilded Age is going to get better before the season is finished. It is often difficult to be empathetic for any of the main characters besides the servants, but the latter isn’t shown enough. As I’ve said previously, The Gilded Age is bloated with too many characters and storylines being juggled at once. I hope it’ll focus on what is working and eliminate the storylines that aren’t.

Regardless, this episode was likely the best yet thanks to the last 10 minutes or so. It scores a 7.5 out of 10. All recaps of The Gilded Age can be found on Reel Mockery here. Learn how to support the Reel Mockery project by following this link.