The first episode of The Gilded Age begins in Central Park, New York in 1882. Jack Treacher (Ben Ahlers) and Bannister (Simon Jones) watch as carriages full of items arrive at the house across the street. Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) watches from one of the windows upstairs. Jack receives the mail from the postman and learns they are getting bad news. Since they’re old, he believes they get bad news every week anyway. Once he takes them inside, Mrs. Bauer (Kristine Nielsen) recommends letting someone else take them upstairs, but Bannister is going to do it himself. Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) learns she is going to be broke. Tom (Thomas Cocquerel) has looked into the estate of late General Brook and has been unable to find anything beyond the contents of his bank account. As for the house, it is rented despite what her father always said. After the outstanding accounts have been paid and Tom’s fee waived, she will have roughly $30 left.

Raikes suggests going to her father’s sisters in New York although they weren’t on good terms with her father. Rent is paid until the end of the month so Tom recommends exploring her options realistically. Before she goes, she says she isn’t beaten yet. Tom already knows that and agrees she is a long way from being beaten. She writes a letter to her aunts in New York. Agnes tells Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon) Marian has written to thank her for the tickets and she will be joining them when she closes the house and sells the furniture. Agnes doesn’t like the idea that she is going to be responsible for supporting her with Van Rhijn money. Ada says she is glad she sent the letter if it played a part in Marian’s decision. Agnes suggests it has more to do with the fact her father left her without a penny to her name. She complains Henry couldn’t keep a dollar in his pocket if there were women or drink within 500 miles. Ada says their brother has died and they should’ve gone to the funeral although Agnes reminds her that they didn’t have a connection with him for many years.

It wasn’t worth traveling uncomfortable to confirm Henry was dead. Ada insists it would be easier now that they have a station in Doylestown before she begins plotting Marian’s possible route. Ada mentions the possibility of Marian working and becoming a governess. Ada argues they owe her the duty of care as her only living relatives, but Agnes says they don’t owe her anything. Agnes continues by saying her father robbed them of all that they possess before complaining about the letters she received. They watch through the window as Stanford White (John Sanders) helps their new neighbor, Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), from her carriage. Now that she has seen her house with scaffolding, she agrees it is everything he promised. They go inside to begin looking around as workers arrange decorations inside. After looking around, Bertha joins George Russell (Morgan Spector) who lights a cigar in the library. She suggests doing that in the smoking room, but George isn’t going to be told what to do in his own house.

He learns they’ve got rid of their old housekeeper in exchange for Mrs. Bruce (Celia Keenan-Bolger). They talk about Jesse James being shot before Berta tells her husband about dropping cards off with all their neighbors. They know there here now since they’ve moved from 30th Street. They’re now settled where they should be and she wanted to show them that. She argues they cannot succeed in this town without approval from Mrs. Astor although George doesn’t like bowing down to a woman with less money than him. Bertha says she is only doing this for him, Larry (Harry Richardson), and Gladys (Taissa Farmiga). She wants people to see they come from good backgrounds so they’ll be happy to invite them into their homes. Although George says the Russell family has fared fine, Bertha believes they didn’t know any better and could achieve more. As she heads upstairs, she asks Church (Jack Gilpin) to tell Turner (Kelley Curran) she has gone to her room. She asks about her children while the servants rush to prepare. The chef says he didn’t mind the other place because it was rented.

It was abandoned by its owner because 30th Street is out of fashion. Watson (Michael Cerveris) believes they’re well off since the house is much bigger. Ada talks to Mrs. Bauer who prepares a spare room for Marian. She hopes it won’t be too much work for Mrs. Bauer and asks her to say if it is. Mrs. Bauer hopes she’ll brighten the place up a bit. Ada jokes she thinks that is what Agnes is afraid of. George enters the Russell Consolidated Trust building where he tells Richard Clay (Patrick Page) they’re set for a clear run from New York to Chicago. George learns Mr. Thorburn is still making trouble on his stretch from Cleveland to Toledo. He says they’ll build another line right alongside his if he refuses to play ball. Doing so would ruin Thorburn and show the world they mean business. Next, they’ll need to get permission for the new station from the city aldermen although George isn’t too worried about that. Richard gives him a list of names and offers to ask their detectives to see if they can round up anything useful on these individuals. George orders him to do nothing yet since they’ll start by appealing to their greed.

Marian thanks Tom for taking her to the station at such an early hour. She says he can give the remaining bed and chair to charity since they’re the only things left. He comments that she looks worn out from a lack of sleep before they arrive at the Doylestown Station. He gives her the receipt for her trunk which should be delivered this evening. Marian tells Tom he doesn’t have to wait. Before he leaves, he admits he is sad to see her go. When he offers to write to her in New York, she quickly says no. She changes her mind when he says he’ll only write about business issues. Once he is gone, Marian sits down next to Peggy Scott (Denee Benton) as they wait for the train. Two men get into a fight and another man is pushed into Marian who crashes into Peggy on the bench. When Peggy gets up, her dress rips. Marian quickly apologizes although Peggy says it is okay since she can fix it. When the train arrives, Marian realizes her purse and ticket have gone missing.

As a result, she won’t be able to board the train. She explains it to the man taking tickets, but he isn’t going to let her board. Peggy asks if she can go home to get money for the next train although Marian admits there is no home to go back to. Marian sits on the bench and begins crying. Peggy eventually agrees to help her out although she doesn’t get to ride in first class. Marian promises her aunts will repay the money. Peggy believes that since they live on East 61st Street. Her parents live in Brooklyn which is where she grew up. They arrange for Peggy to come to her aunt’s house in a day or two to get the money Marian owes her. Bertha shows the house to Larry and gets his opinion. Larry insists he better get going since he is catching the 11:00 train to Rhode Island. It is the train Fish told them to catch and most of the party will be on it so Larry says it’ll be fun. When he tells her Carrie Astor (Amy Forsyth) will be on the train, she recommends getting to know her better.

A worker enters to tell Bertha they’ve finished the gilding in the ballroom. She says they think they’ve finished, but they aren’t finished until she decides. Larry wants to say goodbye to Gladys, but she is at the park. He encourages his mother not to treat her like a child anymore. Before he goes, Larry is told to give her regards to Mrs. Fish. Although Bertha doesn’t know her yet, she is confident she will. Meanwhile, Marian and Peggy wait together while Marian says she left Pennsylvania because there is nothing there for her anymore. Peggy says she is going to Brooklyn so Marian hopes everything will work out for her. She thanks her again. Peggy is told to ask for her when she comes to retrieve the money. They leave when their ferry arrives. Later that night, Gladys asks George what things are like at the office, but Bertha doesn’t want to talk about that. As they sit around the dinner table, George says Larry can start with him right away now that he has finished college.

He recommends Bertha invite her sister over or see her old friends. Bertha says no because she wants new friends and not her old friends. Marian stops her carriage as she notices Peggy standing out in the rain. She convinces Peggy to come with her since the ferries aren’t running due to the weather. Bannister goes outside with Jack to greet them when they arrive. They agree to let Peggy wait downstairs while Marian talks to her aunts about letting her stay. Agnes doesn’t want to believe that an unknown colored woman lent her money to travel to New York although Marian promises it is true. Ada insists she must stay, but Agnes wants to meet her first. When she is brought in and asked if she wants to stay here, Peggy says she doesn’t want to be a nuisance. Agnes agrees to let her stay and asks Bannister to get the money from the bank to repay her in the morning.

Agnes asks for her parents’ address just in case something happens to her. After Peggy hands her the address, Agnes asks who taught her to write like this. She reveals it was the Institute of Colored Youth In Philadelphia. Agnes knows it well since her father was a patron and she grew up in Pennsylvania outside of Doylestown. Ada chimes in to say they used to attend the Christmas pageants at the school. Peggy is told to head to the kitchens to ask Mrs. Bauer to find her a room. Once Peggy steps out of the room, Agnes learns Marian hasn’t decided what to do yet and blames it on just finding out her father let her down. Marian asks her not to speak ill of her father Agnes insists she’ll say what she likes in her own house, but Marian insists she won’t to her. Then, Marian explains she was thinking about getting a job. Agnes admits that would be out of the question if she wants to live with her. Marian wonders if there is a charity she can volunteer for. Agnes says they need to tend to her clothes first so she’ll go to her dressmaker with Ada tomorrow.

She doesn’t want her wearing black either. Agnes goes on to say they only receive the old people in this house because they’ve been in charge since the revolution. They ruled until the new people invaded. Marian says she just arrived. Agnes explains the Brooks have been in Pennsylvania for a century and a half while her grandmother was a Livingston. They came to this city in 1674. Marian belongs to old New York and she shouldn’t let anyone tell her different. Downstairs, Bridget (Taylor Richardson) is asked to fetch Peggy some food. Bannister says Mrs. Bauer is on the top floor with Peggy, Miss Armstrong, and Bridget. He and John sleep down here. Bridget seems surprised that she is going to be sleeping on the same floor as them. Once dinner ends, Miss Armstrong complains to Bannister about Peggy being there while worrying she will be the cause of trouble. He reminds her it isn’t their place to have the opinion. John says he thinks Peggy seems nice and he is sticking to that until she proves him wrong. Bridget protests that they’re coming up here to take their jobs now although Bannister refutes that claim.

When Armstrong argues she is going to disrupt things, Bannister jokes they might need a good disruption. Armstrong is rude when she runs into Peggy in the hallway. In the morning, Agnes repays Peggy and tells her that the Brooklyn ferry is still not running. Since the docks were damaged during the storm, Scott may have to spend another night with them. Her family won’t be concerned because they weren’t expecting her anyway. When Agnes drops some of her papers on the floor, Peggy picks them up and offers to be of assistance. Agnes agrees to let her help dictate some letters for her. Bertha receives a letter and immediately tells George that Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Fane want her to support a charity in aid of orphaned girls. George knows that their husbands are city aldermen so he might have business with them. Bertha says there is a meeting for friends of the cause to be held at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. When he says nobody wants to be on 23rd Street anymore, Bertha refuses to let him spoil this for her.

Gladys immediately asks if she can go. Her mother agrees to think about it. George reveals he is meeting with John Thorburn that day. He owns a railroad and thinks he can get the better of George, but he’ll soon find out otherwise. Agnes praises Peggy’s work before Marian enters with the dog she found in her room. After Agnes learns Marian carried a suitcase through the streets, she gets upset and tells her to never do that again. Agnes offers Peggy Scott a job as her secretary. Peggy likes the idea and agrees to get her a reference from the institute. However, it would be difficult for her to work on 61st and stay in Brooklyn. Agnes believes she is not eager to return home. She agrees to let her stay for the time being as long as she sees her parents so they’ll know where she is. Peggy promises to arrange to see her mother while revealing she wants to avoid her father. Once Peggy exits, Marian is given an invitation to the same meeting as Bertha.

Marian learns she’ll be training orphans to become servants. Ada believes it could be much worse. The letter is addressed to Agnes who says they want a donation but will be delighted to receive a pair of willing hands. Marian agrees to go. George runs into Mrs. Turner and asks if she is looking for her mistress. She says no before he walks away. She is told to tread carefully although she worries about treading too carefully. Meanwhile, Larry is forced to play croquet with Caroline Astor. They ignore Fish and decide to grab clubs, stand on the edge, and avoid attention. Larry isn’t sure why Fish took to him so Caroline says a handsome young man who can talk is always beneficial. Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) interrupts to talk to Caroline. He reveals he was in Europe and just got back. As for Larry, he just came down from college and left minutes later. Oscar learns Larry’s parents built a house on the corner of Fifth Avenue.

They live right across the street. Larry says they’ve moved in while adding it is his sister, mother, and father. Peggy meets with her mother, Dorothy (Audra McDonald) to tell her about Agnes’s offer. She gets her clothes from her mother and claims she will sell an article or story next. Since her father, Arthur (John Douglas Thompson), doesn’t think that’ll happen, Peggy can’t return home. Dorothy insists her husband was just protecting her from a poor choice that could’ve ruined her life. Peggy isn’t eager to return home and disagrees with her father’s definition of love. Her mother pleads with her not to force her to take sides. Although Peggy insists she doesn’t need money, her mother gives her some anyway. Dorothy argues they’re frozen in time unable to move forward until Peggy lets them do so. Meanwhile, Turner helps Bertha get dressed and gives her fashion advice. She arrives at the meeting with her daughter seconds later.

She quickly finds and introduces herself to Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara). Anne Morris (Katie Finneran) walks over to join them. Bertha explains their architect Stanford White trained in Europe. Annie says it is brave to go with different builders, but Bertha argues they shouldn’t be afraid of new things or people. They continue praising their new house. The women want Gladys to volunteer although Bertha isn’t sure yet. Gladys asks about the woman nearby who happens to be Mrs. Augustus Chamberlain. Bertha says she seems to know as many women as she does. However, they explain Chamberlain knows women who don’t want to know her. Ada and Marian arrive seconds later. Morris and Fane learn that Marian has come to live with them and is interested in helping the charity. At this point, Ada and Marian are introduced to their new neighbors, Gladys and Bertha.

Marian admits she was looking up and wondering what was behind those rows of windows this morning. Bertha invites her to come across the street and see for herself. Fane asks Ada not to tell Agnes they were here because she would be livid with her. Marian admits to liking them although Ada says that isn’t the point. Fane admits the organization needs money and Ada knows how much those women will give to get in. Ada says there is a price for that and Aurora shouldn’t think she can avoid paying it. Marian asks about Chamberlain as well. George sits down with Thorburn to discuss building a railroad line next to his. He admits he wants to control Sandusky although Thorburn believes the city isn’t worth much.

George insists it can be an important city now that the railroad passes through. Thorburn reveals he was only trying to negotiate, but George is adamant he is going to destroy him anyway. George believes it’ll be worth the extra cost since people will begin realizing his second offer is his last. Although he might be a bastard, he thinks Thorburn a fool and he knows which he’d rather be. Larry learns that Caroline will be coming to Newport more often since her parents bought a house here last year. Caroline jokes it needed renovations because her mother can’t live in a house without a ballroom. Larry reveals his mother says his family’s entire success in New York depends entirely on the support and approval of Mrs. Astor. Oscar chimes in to say Mrs. Astor is a force to be reckoned with. He also reveals he got a letter from his mother and found out about Marian coming to live with them. Then, they learn dinner is ready. When they come out, tables have been set up so they can play Cinch and everyone will be required to play.

Oscar asks what happens if they don’t know how to play. Mamie Fish speculates he can learn during dinner. Marian checks on Peggy to apologize for the skirt again. Peggy confirms the staff has been nice besides for one or two exceptions. Once Marian is called away, Bertha tells George how she intends to invite some of the others into the house since they’ve been curious about it. He believes they only want the family’s money though. George doesn’t want her to get the wrong idea or believe they’re her friends. They ignore Gladys when she tries to give her opinion. Bertha says they can just look in and they won’t be able to resist. She orders Church to tell Mrs. Bruce. Meanwhile, Agnes’s servants talk about Ada and Marian meeting their neighbors during the charity event. Peggy wonders why it matters only to learn it will once Agnes finds out. John believes Agnes will have to give in someday because people like George Russell own the future.

Bannister scolds him for saying that. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bruce and the others talk about the guests coming to see the house. Watson says people want to see you when you’re a success, but they’ll turn their backs when you’re not. Turner asks if he has something he isn’t telling them. He insists he doesn’t and has nothing to hide. When Larry returns home, the dog, Pumpkin, gets loose from Marian. It nearly gets run over by a carriage, but Larry saves it. He learns she is Marian Brook before admitting she isn’t like Oscar described. They chat shortly. Larry goes inside to learn his trunk has arrived and been impacted. Gladys tells him about their mother inviting guests over to see the house. Bertha interrupts to say they’re going to cater for 200 since they aren’t sure how many will come. She asks Larry if he’d like to invite some of his friends including Carrie, but he says they’re hardly friends.

Marian rides with Ada and Agnes who reveals she is inviting Oscar for tea. Oscar will bring his friend John Adams (Claybourne Elder) who happens to be the great-grandson of Quincy Adams. Marian gives her a letter Bannister gave her as they were leaving. Ada opens it and finds out it is an invitation from Bertha. After Agnes discredits Bertha trying to entertain them, Marian asks her about Augustus Chamberlain. Agnes can’t believe Aurora invited her to the charity event joking she likely invited pickpockets as well. She tells Marian to turn her face when she sees her next time. Agnes makes it clear she doesn’t intend to go to Bertha’s party. Bertha goes around dropping off invitations for the other women. George finishes a meeting, thanks Clay, and meets with Stanford White.

White learns about the card he is going to get and the fact Bertha wants him there to answer questions about the house. George hopes it’ll be a success. Stanford is confident it will be because people are curious about the house, they want his money for pet causes, and his children are good looking. Peggy gives Agnes letters to sign as Oscar enters and says hello to his mother. He is introduced to Peggy and shown her work. Then, the conversation shifts to Marian. Agnes believes Marian will be gone before she is dead. She walks down the stairs seconds later. Oscar asks if they should kiss since they’re cousins, but she prefers shaking hands. Marian meets John. Oscar asks his mother if she is going to the Russell house. She has no interest. Monsieur Baudin (Douglas Sills) talks about having to prepare for 200 guests while being ready for even more.

Turner says their madam does not understand how these things should be managed because she isn’t one of them. She used to work for Mrs. Griswold on 50th so madam hired her to teach her the ways of the old people. When she says Mrs. Griswold wouldn’t come near this house, Mrs. Bruce says she is a very stupid woman then. They hope Turner can put aside her distaste long enough to help Bertha with her clothes this evening. She tells Watson that Bertha doesn’t have the manner of the real people so they will see through her in a minute. George walks in as Bertha prepares for the soiree. He reminds her of her mother saying she was her only child worthy of carrying on her dreams. Bertha isn’t sure what good that did her since she had nothing when she lived and nothing when she died. They discuss joining the club even though people don’t want them to become members.

Bertha is adamant she is sick of letting those dull, stupid women dictate the way they live their lives. She says she has done a lot for the city in ten years. When he says she has come a long way, she admits she’d prefer to go all the way. George just wants her to be happy although he knows his love isn’t enough. Ada and Marian talk about their neighbors as they roll out the red carpet. Marian knows Agnes wants her to dislike them, but she isn’t going to let that happen. Ada asks her not to despise Agnes. Once Marian asks why Agnes hated her father, Ada explains he sold their farms and the house where they lived for a century and a half. Then, he just spent the money without buying or saving anything. When their father died, they depended on Henry entirely. Since Mr. van Rhijn had proposed, Agnes had no other choice. Unfortunately, he was a man you didn’t want to be alone with.

Ada pleads with her to give them a chance because they’re not like Henry said. Watson helps George get dressed while they discuss entertaining on a large scale. Bertha walks down the stairs while shouting orders at the staff. Peggy tells Marian she should look in. She won’t because she knows Agnes would throw a fit. Peggy says she doesn’t have to know. She offers to wait downstairs to ensure Marian can get back in. Meanwhile, the Russell family argues about Gladys not being out yet. Bertha eventually relents by allowing Gladys to help her. When Marian leaves the room while claiming she is going to bed early, Ada tells Agnes what she told her earlier about Henry. Agnes doesn’t like her challenging everything like Henry did although Ada likes her strong views. We see that Peggy is going to help Marian sneak out of the house and back in. Marian enters the Russell house soon and tells Bertha her aunts couldn’t get away. Bertha excuses herself leaving Marian to talk to Larry who asks about the dog.

Marian wonders if she is early. Larry says his dad’s dollars do not always have the desired effect. He doesn’t mind and doesn’t believe in forcing change like his mother. Marian is worried her relationship with her aunts will end up blows because they argue about everything. Larry believes they can educate one another and meet somewhere in the middle. Gladys comes over to say hello. Aurora Fane comes alone and says it was a shame Anne couldn’t come. Bertha agrees it is a shame considering the check they want from her. Fane mentions she thought she could come and stay a few minutes to help. That upsets Bertha who asks her to just go ahead and leave. Marian confesses she has to leave soon too. Before she leaves, Larry hopes the three of them can be friends despite everything. Although Bertha is angry at her for leaving, George says she shouldn’t be since her aunts would’ve forbidden her from coming. She asks why she has to be the enemy.

Stanford says they’ve been in charge since the Mayflower landed and she is the future. On her way out, Marian runs into Aurora. They agree to keep their visits secret from Agnes. Peggy helps Marian get back inside seconds later. She returns to her aunts who reveal they’re going to give her a modest allowance so she’ll have a little independence. Agnes leaves. Marian tells Ada she doesn’t deserve it because she isn’t sure she can live in Agnes’s confines. Ada only asks that she never breaks her own moral code. Since the Russell family has a lot of leftover food, Bertha says she’ll send it to the church. Baudin admits he isn’t used to cooking for paupers while Turner says the evening and the house is a folly. Turner doesn’t think Bertha will ever get what she wants, but Bruce and Watson believe she will. Watson asks her if George Russell is a failure too, but she won’t answer. Peggy tells Marian she is going to take the money and stay for as long as possible so she’ll have time to write.

Peggy says her father thinks it is too farfetched for her to write a novel as a non-white woman. Marian is envious because she wants to work too. She doesn’t have any burning talent and only wants to be busy and needed. They believe it is a big deal to be a New Yorker and that anything is possible for a New Yorker. Oscar returns home to tell John that he wanted to go to the Russell’s party, but he wasn’t invited. They begin making out. Peggy is shown working on her book. The Roosevelt couple returns home with Caroline. Caroline talks to her mother about the night and learns about the invitation for tonight’s party at the Russell place. George tries to console Bertha and encourage her not to give up. Caroline tells her mother about meeting Larry. As for her mother, she believes it is ridiculous to think she would go. Bertha insists she will never give up and will make them sorry one day.

Berthe seethes in her bed as the episode ends.

 

The Gilded Age Review

As a big fan of period dramas, The Gilded Age is a series I could fall in love with. The HBO historical drama was initially announced for NBC, but eventually moved to HBO. The series is created by Julian Fellowes who is best known for Downton Abbey and most recently The English Game. The Gilded Age is a big, bold series with countless interlinked stories lines. The central storyline follows Bertha Russell and her family as they attempt to break into traditional New York City while Agnes van Rhijn and other old money socialites strive to keep them out.

The opening episode set up several other stories too. Marian Brook’s father died leaving her penniless. As a result, she moved in with her aunts, Agnes and Ada Brook. She is regularly at odds with her aunts who weren’t fond of her father. Peggy Scott is an aspiring African-American writer who takes a job as Agnes’s secretary so she can have time to work on her novel. There are also storylines among the show’s servants of which there are many.

The first episode was a lot to take in since it ran for nearly an hour and a half. I sincerely hope the runtime isn’t consistent throughout the series because it is just too much. During my initial watch through, I felt the accents were annoying and unauthentic although it wasn’t as bad while watching the second time for recapping purposes. Surprisingly, the setting and scenes aren’t as beautiful as I expected.

The characters weren’t particularly strong or sympathetic. The only remotely likable characters were Larry Russell and his sister Gladys. However, there are too many to count so I wouldn’t be surprised if people mixed them up at some point. Oddly, the characters in the show kept referring to Ben Ahlers’s character as John, yet his name is listed as Jack elsewhere.

Berta Russell was obnoxiously loud at times while Ada Brook had me cringing several times. None of the performances really stood out though and several were disappointing. The main storyline is weak considering what they could’ve done with characters in New York City during America’s Gilded Age. A housewife trying to fit into New York City and striving to convince people to visit her luxurious house aren’t the most compelling stories.

It seems the series is going to thrust modern politics and issues into a show set in the 1880s when it could’ve used more authentic and interesting issues. Unfortunately, it is a bit disingenuous not to tackle the issues from the era. Finally, it was pretty predictable that Bertha’s first soiree would fail considering this is the main storyline. I am going to guess we could also predict other things including relationships and plot moves so I hope it has enough twists to remain interesting.

I sincerely hope this gets better, but it is one of the weaker period dramas recently released. Hopefully, it can be at least half as good as the many outstanding period dramas aired on the BBC. The opening episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Recaps of The Gilded Age will be available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support the Reel Mockery project by following this link.