As the 3rd episode of The Gilded Age begins, Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) receives news that Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) is planning another charity event. Agnes believes she is a glutton for punishment, but Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) reminds her that the bazaar made over $2,000 and that is unheard of. Regardless, Agnes says Aurora and Anne Morris (Katie Finneran) are laughingstocks. Marian asks if they know a woman named Clara Barton before Peggy Scott (Denee Benton) enters with a letter for Agnes to sign so she can get it into the post before luncheon. Marian reveals Clara has started a branch of the Red Cross in the United States and will be giving a talk at Aurora’s house. Ada (Cynthia Nixon) would like to hear Clara so she decides to tag along with Marian. They notice through the window that Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) is going out with a servant, Miss Grant. Agnes won’t criticize Bertha for keeping her daughter under control.

Marian calls it under arrest though. Agnes says she hasn’t brought her daughter out yet because she isn’t sure she can fill the ballroom. Miss Grant (Brooke Bloom) warns Gladys she’ll lose her job if her mother even suspects anything. Gladys knows she’ll lose her job if she finds out she has been taking brandy from the dining room. When asked about the boy, Gladys says his name is Archie Baldwin and he is very respectable since his grandfather was an ambassador. His father is a banker and Archie is as well. Archie’s parents are building a summer home in Newport. Jack (Ben Ahlers) tells Bridget (Taylor Richardson) about Mr. Pasture opening a magic lantern show in his theater on Broadway this Friday. He suggests they can go together since he doesn’t think Bannister (Simon Jones) will mind them both taking off that day. When Bridget says she’d have to think about it, Jack encourages her to think quickly since it is only running for a wee.

He asks Bannister who says they don’t know what hard work is while Mrs. Bauer says they don’t know what fun is. Bertha (Carrie Coon) finds George Russell (Morgan Spector) still working on letters and learns the bill has passed for the station. The stock is as high as the sky. Bertha shows him a newspaper article about a rumor that the bill could be rescinded. George admits the station can’t go ahead if the bill is canceled. Then, they begin talking about Gladys going out with Miss Grant who George calls a jailer. He says his daughter is a grown woman whether she likes it or not. Bertha insists she knows what she is doing. She asks if he was expected that, but he says no. It doesn’t surprise him though. George meets with Patrick Morris (Michel Gill). He tells Patrick that the aldermen are liars who reneged on their deal. Patrick says he came to his office to show goodwill, but he will not stay around and be insulted. He explains public opinion has moved away from George’s position. George knows they bought shares on margin and made a fat profit on the news of the law’s passage.

Now, he suspects they’ve sold them short with the intention of canceling the law to drive the share price down. Patrick denies it by saying he doesn’t know if they’ll even cancel the law. However, he knows the idea of having a new rail station in the city isn’t as popular as they’d hoped. George isn’t convinced they’re only worried about the common good. He confesses he didn’t see this company since he didn’t think they were dirty thieves. After their conversation ends, Clara Barton (Linda Emond) speaks to the group of women about building one of the grandest humanitarian institutions for the relief of people everywhere. Once she finishes, Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy) asks why she thinks she’ll get support now when President Hayes and President Garfield refused to support the Red Cross before. Clara responds by saying unfortunate events have altered things in Washington and President Arthur may be more willing to help. A man asking a question eyeballs Ada causing Marian to ask her who he is. Aurora thanks Barton for being there after her speech concludes.

The man in question, Cornelius Eckhard III (Bill Irwin), approaches and introduces himself to Ada and Marian. Ada reveals they knew each other when they were young in Pennsylvania. Cornelius settled in Connecticut. He has nothing to hold him there anymore so he came to New York. He tells them he came because Anne Morris is his niece. He asks Ada if they could revive their old friendship although she doesn’t answer. Instead, they begin talking about Agnes. Once he excuses himself, Aurora asks if they can be persuaded to the cause. Marian says she is, but she recommends asking Bertha Russell if they need money. Anne asks her not to speak that name. Aurora tells her the same when Mrs. Astor is in the room. Marian and Ada learn about the spat between George Russell and Patrick Morris as Anne blames it on the fact that George is not a gentleman. Anne leaves. Marian wonders if there is another side to the story, but Aurora doesn’t want to hear it.

George tells Bertha how they’ll make money when the stock falls and buy shares again when it does. Then, they’ll pass the law, make a fortune, and steal George’s company. He is disappointed in himself for letting his guard down. As for fighting it, he admits he’d have to put a large portion of their capital at risk. Even though they could lose everything, Bertha thinks he should do it since he made the money once and can do it again. He calls her marvelous sometimes while she says they’re useless without one another. Gladys runs into her father and he immediately realizes she has a favor to ask. Back at home, Agnes remembers the Eckhards because there were two boys and a girl. Marian believes he spoke like an old beau. Ada admits she was just a girl at the time while Agnes says Eckhard didn’t have enough money to impress their papa. Marian says he is lonely since he just arrived in the city. Agnes wonders if he has been dreaming about Ada all this time.

Ada tells her not to be mean. Marian asks what is wrong with dreaming about Ada. Oscar (Blake Ritson) enters and interrupts their conversation to say he is dining with Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) at his parent’s house. When Agnes says he is stabbing her in the side with those words, Oscar says it is a good thing she has the skin of a rhinoceros. George Russell asks Turner (Kelley Curran) when her mistress will be down. Another servant hides and listens as Turner tells him they’re all very much on his side during this important time for him. During dinner, Oscar tells Bertha that The United Manhattan Trust was founded in 1797 by Arnold van Rhijn and others so the family has been at it ever since. Larry says he won’t have to waste time finding out what he wants to do because it is already decided. Gladys wants to talk about Archie Baldwin although Bertha suspects that would be dull for Oscar. He knows Archie because his aunt is his godmother. After Oscar asks if Archie is a little young for her, she says Archie is just a friend although her father wants to ask him to dine.

George refutes that by saying he didn’t object, but he told Gladys she’d have to get Bertha’s permission. Bertha is adamant she’ll decide who gets to come to dinner. Gladys begins telling them about Archie and how he is respectable. After Oscar asks about the railroad, George only says these things take time. Bertha asks Oscar what he thinks about Mr. Post’s new building for the Brooklyn Historical Society. Although it is okay, he is not an admirer of the Romanesque style. He questions Gladys whether she likes it, but she doesn’t have an answer and says perhaps not. Marian gets a letter from Tom Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel) confirming he got the job in New York. Agnes recommends not seeking him out since he does not fit into their circle and isn’t a suitable companion. Marian isn’t looking for marriage, but she believes Tom can keep her company since he has been a gentleman to her. Once Marian asks what is wrong with him, Agnes describes him as an adventurer. She warns Marian that she is never wrong.

Marian storms off. Later, George thanks Bertha for saving him at dinner since he didn’t want to be interrogated by Oscar. She confesses she doesn’t know what report he’ll take home to his mother. She goes on to say Baldwin isn’t what they want because he isn’t what she wants. She wonders if Oscar is interested in Gladys too. George suspects he might be although he questions his motives since Gladys is going to be a very rich woman. Bertha believes Gladys’s husband will need more than Oscar before asking George what he intends to do about the alderman. He admits he can’t do anything until they appeal their law. The plan he has will cost a fortune, but it’ll be worth it when it works. They agree to have a romantic night together. Oscar lays in bed with a half-naked man, John Adams (Claybourne Elder), and says they knew they’d have to marry in the end. He says he has found the perfect girl because she’ll have money, she is innocent, and she seems nice.

He tells John many men have had to make this same decision. John asks what happens to them. Oscar replies saying he doesn’t think it’ll matter unless he takes to it like a duck to water. He promises he is just teasing him. Then, we jump over to the Russell Consolidated Trust building where Richard Clay (Patrick Page) tells George they’ve rescinded the law. George tells him they’re going to buy every company stock that hits the market and hide the purchases so nobody hears about them. Mabel Ainsley (Zuzanna Szadkowski) enters and tells George he looks well this morning. He admits he is optimistic because it is a battle he could win. Peggy and Marian visit Tom who asks Marian to step into his office for a moment. She steps inside before telling him she can’t stay because she is meeting Ada for a luncheon party. He’d like to tell her all about his new life in New York, but he knows he can’t call on her at her aunt’s house. He offers to take her out to eat. She quickly turns that down.

When he invites her to coffee at a motel, she doesn’t think that would be a good idea. Tom argues she isn’t a person to be governed so he says they can bump into each other in Madison Square. He suggests they can meet by Liberty’s hand which is the hand for the proposed Statue of Liberty. It was sent over six years ago to raise money but will be sent back to France soon. After she says she’d like to see that, Tom asks who would object. She admits Aunt Agnes would. He tells her he’ll be there next Monday at five. Marian calls him incorrigible before saying she has to leave. Once Peggy goes into the room, Tom tells her he can confirm her suspicions although he has no answers for the questions they raise. Patrick meets with Charles to discuss the stock that hasn’t fallen by a cent. Everyone has been saying that Russell is buying the share as soon as they’re available so Patrick wonders how much money one man has. He is told that George will only be able to hold up the stock for a day or two before admitting he is in so deep that he can’t see the sky.

He bet everything he has so he’ll lose his money and everything he owns. Charles (Ward Horton) insists the company is ludicrously overpriced without the law and delaying the fall will only consume George’s fortune. On his way out, Patrick runs into Oscar who asks what he was doing there. Oscar tells him about the rumors that George Russell is ruined or will be soon. Patrick says he is buying all the shares for his company to prevent them from crashing so he’ll lose everything when they fall. Oscar can’t get over the fact that George Russell is finished. When Oscar walks away, Patrick prays to God that they’re right. Peggy gets a surprising letter from the publisher of The Christian Advocate. He wants to meet to discuss publishing some of her short stories. Bridget is excited since she has never known anyone who got something published in the paper. Armstrong (Debra Monk) doesn’t know why she cares since she can’t read, but Bridget says she gets by. When Jack and Bannister enter, Bridget tells them about it.

Once Peggy excuses herself, Bridget wonders how long Peggy will continue working for Agnes after her stories are published. Jack tells everyone that he and Bridget got tickets to the magic lantern show. Bannister encourages them to come straight back since curfew is at 10. Meanwhile, Marian attends a meeting where Aurora says they’ll have to raise funds and possibly take on politicians too. Ada wonders what Agnes will say about that. Mrs. Astor says she’ll have to understand that a fight cannot be avoided sometimes. When Ada says they made her tremble, Cornelius doesn’t believe that since she would never tremble and always fought for what she believed in. She believes he is mistaking her for her sister, but he says no. Cornelius asks if he may call at 61st street. Marian suggests Agnes would like to see Cornelius again, but Ada isn’t confident about that. She reluctantly agrees before revealing her brother-in-law built the house in 1850 and she joined her sister there when her husband died ten years ago.

He says Agnes had great foresight. Ada refutes that since she wanted to buy in Washington Square while her husband said the city would move north. Mrs. Astor tells them about the opera business and how a group of new people wants to challenge the Academy of Music by creating another opera house. Anne explains they met at Delmonico’s and decided to build their own house since they weren’t allowed boxes at the academy. The group consists of the usual people including JP Morgan, the Rockefellers, and the Vanderbilts. Marian asks what is the point of shutting them out when they could likely build an opera house that is 20 times better than what they have now. The others do not like hearing that. Ada has to keep her quiet when she tries to continue her rant. Next, Bannister approaches Peggy to tell her a man is waiting for her at the park. Peggy goes to the park and meets with the man who turns out to be her father, Arthur Scott (John Douglas Thompson). They agree not to quarrel. Arthur admits they want her to come home for Dorothy’s birthday. He promises he can forgive her and move past everything.

Peggy agrees to come home for her mother’s birthday before they begin talking about her job as a secretary. She says it is a job for an educated woman that could lead to anything although Arthur wonders where her room is in the house. Arthur doesn’t know why she is trying to write since there are no colored writers making a living wage. Peggy reveals they’ll soon find out how much colored writers make since she has a meeting with the publisher of Carlton and Porter. Arthur calls that a white newspaper and asks why she didn’t try The New York Globe. She did but they never answered. If it doesn’t work out, she can always come home and work with her father. Before she leaves, Arthur agrees to tell his wife to set a place for her. Watson (Michael Cerveris) tells Turner and the others that he is going out. Mrs. Bruce (Celia Keenan-Bolger) asks where he goes. Watson says nowhere in particular, but sometimes to the park since he likes to walk. Once he is gone, Bruce tells Turner that Watson seems to have a soft spot for her.

Turner argues he is wasting his time because she has bigger plans than a broken-down old valet. After Mrs. Bruce says that is cruel, she is told life is cruel although Turner intends to get the better of it. As Marian and Ada walk down the street, Marian says it seems mad that they won’t take Bertha or Chamberlain’s money when they have so much to give. Ada admits she has a point with Bertha, but not Chamberlain because there are limits. Marian asks what she did. Adan explains that before their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain knew each other and their son is older than he should be. Marian thought he was adopted. Ada says he is in a way. Bannister is outside to greet them when they make it back. Charles tells Aurora what Russell is doing and the fact that he has more money than God. He confesses they tried to make a fool of George and he won’t forgive them easily. If George keeps going, they’re going to lose everything they own. Charles ridicules Aurora and Anne for humiliating George’s wife, but Aurora denies being involved.

She claims she wanted to use their ballroom before encouraging her husband to appeal to George’s better nature. Later that night, Jack and Bridget go to the magic lantern show. She admits the train picture made her jump. He offers to look after her, but she says not like that. Anne encourages Patrick to talk to George. He isn’t sure he can after the insults Anne heaped on his wife. George has fun ruining the bazaar so he’ll have fun ruining their family too. He believes she should go to Bertha Russell and ask for her forgiveness. Anne argues he can’t ask that of her. Patrick yells he is telling and not asking while urging her to do whatever it takes. If she doesn’t, she won’t have a position, house, or anyone to boss around. Once the show ends, Jack asks Bridget if she’d like to stop for ice cream or coffee. She refuses because they can’t miss the curfew. As they walk home, he asks to hold her hand, but Bridget reminds him she said she didn’t like that stuff.

John Adams asks Oscar if he is coming to bed. Oscar says he needs a drink so that convinces John that something is bothering him. John learns that Oscar’s plan has failed now that Gladys Russell’s father is going broke. The girl isn’t perfect enough to survive her father’s ruin since Oscar cannot marry a woman without money. The next day, Peggy goes to the publishing house for the meeting. Soon, the publishing house secretary (Christopher McLinden) approaches and calls her name. When he sees her, his whole demeanor changes and seems hesitant to publish her works. Peggy tells him she liked their recent article about the importance of equal rights and she wants to test it. The secretary says Mr. Carlton is very busy so he likely won’t have time for her. She agrees to sit and wait. George returns home and learns Bertha is in the drawing room with Anne Morris. He won’t interrupt. Meanwhile, Bertha asks if Anne wants her to interfere with her husband’s business. She doesn’t like the word interfere. She laughs while admitting Patrick and the other aldermen have miscalculated.

Anne confesses she’d like Bertha to ask George to show a little pity and mercy. Bertha wonders why she should and whether Anne feels she owes her a debt of gratitude. She refuses to help and immediately asks one of the servants to escort Anne out of their house. Peggy waits until everyone is gone before Carlton agrees to see her. Carlton (Michael Countryman) invites her into his office and apologizes for making her wait. He admits they needed a strategy when Aaron told him she was the writer. Carlton admits the stories are beautifully constructed and executed, but he wonders if she really wrote them. Once she confirms she wrote them, Carlton says they want to publish one of her stories. He’d like to start with the one about the little girl who lives by the bay although there are some adjustments they want to make to ensure her work is more palatable to their readers. For starters, the little colored girl would need to be changed to a poor white child.

When asked why, Carlton explains their readers won’t relate to a colored girl’s story of redemption. She argues otherwise since her stories received the highest recommendations. Carlton is forced to admit keeping her story intact would cost them most of their readership in the south. As for other adjustments, her name is fine but they’d have to conceal her race. She’d have to sign a document preventing her from publicly divulging that she is the writer of any stories they publish. Peggy argues The Christian Advocate is asking her to lie although Carlton admits it is the best arrangement he can offer. He says she’d be paid more than she would at any colored publication and there are two whites drinking at a bar because he turned them down. When he says they’d kill to be in her position, Peggy argues they’d never be in her position. Peggy tells Marian about the offer as Marian calls it a disgraceful thing for Carlton to ask.

She admits her father was right so he’ll try to get her to come work for him now. Marian believes she’ll find another offer. They reach Liberty’s hand and talk to Tom who tells them how the arm is going to be sent to France so it can be attached to the statue. Marian and Tom walk away from Peggy as she asks him to tell her about his adventures in the city. He admits he is enjoying himself in New York before asking if he can come to 61st Street yet. When Marian says no, Tom says that is a shame since he has things he wants to say to both of her aunts. He lays out his issues including the fact that he doesn’t have fortune. When the bell tolls, he spins her around and promises no man cares for her more than he does.  He asks her to let him spend the rest of his life making her happy although she says they’ve only met a handful of times. He claims he knew as soon as she came to his office for help that one time and he won’t stop asking until she says no. He’ll stop if she says yes too.

Marian is told to send him a message when she wants to see him. When he is gone, Marian tells Peggy what happened and the fact that she didn’t tell him anything. Meanwhile, Cornelius visits Ada and Agnes. He says he is living on 4th street for the time being. When he asks about the paintings and other belongings, Agnes says her brother sold most of their parents’ possessions. Agnes notices Ada and Cornelius are having fun so she tells Agnes to go downstairs to tell Mrs. Bauer they’ll have three for tea. She admits she wants to gossip with Eckhard. Once they’re alone, Cornelius says Ada is a fine woman. Agnes suspects he heard from Anne that Ada was still unmarried and he saw a way to mend his fences. He promises his feelings are from the heart. If Ada is married, she’d have to move out and she doesn’t have much money. Cornelius believes she has mistaken his intentions.

She just wants him to know that marrying Ada won’t bring income or a place to live. Agnes reveals he was heard boasting in a bar that he was about to marry a meal ticket and that is why his offer was turned down before. When Ada returns, Cornelius believes it is time for him to leave. Agnes makes sure he leaves in a hurry. Ada doesn’t remember him being this rude, but Agnes says he is just busy. She wants Ada’s help with the menus tomorrow. After that, George meets with the aldermen to say he doesn’t know why he should stop buying the stock. Charles admits they were the fools as Patrick offers to kneel. He begins begging while admitting they’ve already lost enough to make them poor. Patrick pleads with him to end it so they won’t face ruin. George says he feels some pity, but they tried to get the better of him and they’ve snubbed his wife. He isn’t sure how he can let that go unpunished.

George goes on to say they must face the music. When Patrick makes it home, he learns their kids Will and Louise will be joining them for dinner. He tells her she has made him happy and proud. He continues upstairs while George joins Bertha. George reveals they’ve offered to repass the law so he can build his station. It isn’t finished yet although it’ll be a long time before the aldermen try to get the better of him again. George suspects he has punished them enough. He likes doing the right thing as long as he doesn’t lose money doing it. Patrick shoots himself in the head.

 

The Gilded Age Review

The Gilded Age is quickly evolving into a decent period drama, but it is still far from perfect. Unfortunately, I think one of its biggest issues is the show’s inability to create characters that are going to connect with viewers. None of the characters stand out as being particularly sympathetic although their motives are understandable. There might be too many characters being juggled simultaneously so I am having a difficult time knowing who is supposed to be the main protagonist and antagonist.

Each episode is very busy, but some scenes are more eventful and entertaining than others. It really needs to figure out what matters the most and begin focusing on that significantly more. I suspect it’d be more effective if it’d do that and focus less on some of the minor storylines. Regardless, the show seems to be getting slightly more enjoyable with each episode so I have hope it’ll continue getting better.

The episode scores a 7 out of 10. Recaps of The Gilded Age are available on Reel Mockery here. Support the Reel Mockery project by following this link.