Wonders Never Cease
Hello Lovelies,
I am writing to you about the most delightful show I’ve recently discovered. I will be doing a review of HBO Max’s The Gilded Age. I am terribly sorry that I’ve just now found it. I am even more sorry that I will attempt this review in the middle of Season 2.
An Introduction to the Show
As I watch the opulent displays of wealth of the New York upper class in the 1800s, I’ve been transported straight into the Victorian Era with an American flair. New York being my home state (and Brooklyn my home city) brings me an endearing and proud feeling as various landmarks (like the Brooklyn Bridge), and other areas I’ve frequented as a child and as an adult come up in casual conversation amongst the characters.
The presence of historical events within the time (though obviously dramatized and fictionized) gives a layer of depth to an otherwise romanticized version of a time within American history. A history that was filled with individuals who took an opportunistic ride on the capitalism of the nation to create newfound wealth (or as some would call “new money folks”), much to the dismay of the ones who had been in high society for generations stemming from their European ancestors. Coupled with the turn of race relations during the time, and sweetened with the addition of main character Marian Brook, whose blossoming womanhood viewers get to see. Her womanhood is one of already innate confidence, kindness, poise, beauty, and elegance.
Who is Miss Marian Brook?
We watch as she navigates what being a debutante in the elite high society means for her identity. Does she succumb to the pressures of her Aunt to secure her financial future by marrying an eligible bachelor with old money? Will she pursue her passions despite what others think is appropriate for a woman of her time? Can she follow her heart and choose a love match, or can she have it all? I am so excited as a viewer to be a witness to it. Okay, let’s get into episode 2!
Disclaimer: Please don’t crucify me if some details get convoluted. I may miss some facts here and there. But I want to focus on the emotions of the various events of the overall episode. So please bear with me. I will try to work on being more accurate on the history of things as best as my attention span allows. Ha-ha!
Mr. Tate and Larry Russell
The opening scene is one of Mr. Tate scurrying into the grand lobby of the Russells. Seeking to meet with George Russell, the man of the house. The butler leads him to the office, where he is surprised to meet a young Mr. Larry Russell. With the involvement of the Russells on this Brooklyn Bridge construction project and Larry previously expressing his overwhelming desire to be an architect to his father, it seems that despite us getting an understanding of George as this ruthless businessman who will stop at no end to secure his families’ financial legacy, he also has the soft spot only a reasonable parent can have when a child expresses who they want to be in life and what their passions are. We see this in that he has allowed his son to take over the business affairs of this huge architectural project.
Young Mr. Russell shows his support for Women’s Rights.
In doing so, Larry, based on the prior episode, learns that the head engineer of the bridge, Mr. Roebling, fell ill, and his wife had been seeing all the engineering. She concealed her leadership identity to play within the role of their society, a woman with a lesser education than her spouse. Larry seems to be in both amazement and admiration of Mrs. Roebling and wants her to receive the proper credit, which he expresses to Mr. Tate, who insists this announcement will ruin the event.
As a viewer, I can’t help but think how well-suited he and Marian would be rather than her, Mr. Dashiell, who cornered her into his marriage proposal. Larry seems to be for women’s rights, as opposed to Marian’s current betrothed, who, just before the engagement, discredited her as being a “real teacher” at her current place of employment. You could see in her eyes how hurt she was by this. I am sure she felt a pang in her heart only to learn that the man who took an interest in her had not evolved in his mindset toward women.
Mr. George Russell and Secretary Clay (Strikers Debrief)
Next, we see George meeting with his secretary, Richard Clay, as they discuss the events that transpired after the standoff between his men and the strikers in the protest. Something about Richard gives off slimy and shady to me. He comes off as heartless and cold, whereas Mr. Russell is dominant, albeit brash, but is kindhearted and decides not to open fire on the strikers. He thinks about their families, and his secretary scolds him for providing benefits, saying that he credits “these benefits a utopia list from a fairytale.” Mr. Russell explains that he didn’t want anyone hurt, but he is not simple-minded (an insult to Richard). He has devised a tactic whereby the 6-month contracted raise he has offered will cause a divide among the workers of varying levels, and soon, he wouldn’t look like the bad guy. Instead, they would hate each other.
John & The Clockmakers Assn.
Mr. Bannister, the butler of the van Rhijn house, tells John he has a friend, who is a secretary to the Clockmakers Association of New York, who will do him a favor and see to John’s membership of the organization so that he can qualify for getting his patent approved. All the van Rhijn workers seem elated, and of course, the Negative Nancy, Ms. Armstrong, says something pessimistic, but no one minds her as usual. It is so heartwarming to see the comradery of the house servants towards each other in that household, so much love that it comes off as a family.
I could personally tell in John’s eyes his apprehension but excitement at the possibility of this. It’s evident that he is growing in confidence in his abilities, and I can see the potential in him not only moving up in his ranking but in his ability to make a name for himself in society as a young man. It is also apparent how fickle young love and feelings are as we see Bridget’s feelings for him increase daily as she witnesses John’s potential. However, her first inclination was to reject him upon his expressing interest. This may be a foreshadowing, prophetic, or even far-fetched thing. Still, I believe she will live to regret her initial rejection of him as it seems her growing interest parallels his growing disinterest in her as a romantic partner.
Marian & Peggy Girl Talk
Marian shares a private moment with her friend Peggy on whether she is doing the right thing in continuing her engagement to her cousin Dashiell. Peggy seems to cosign the whole thing lovingly but tells her that only she can answer. However, when Marian starts to list all his positive qualities, “He’s kind, a good father,” Peggy asks Marian if she’s trying to convince herself. Scenes and interactions like this really make me think about past conversations I have had about relationships with my husband. I feel strongly that going with what you believe may be the “safe man” could lead to a woman’s discontentment and vice versa (if a man is making a similar decision).
I hope that Marian follows her heart and not the pressure from others in this decision. I can see it in her face and disposition that she knows she will have a good life with him but is not too keen on him. It comes off that she is pulling her teeth to do so whenever she is around him. It’s humorous to watch. When he is in her presence, she gives him the energy one would give the “Can I get a hug” guy. Ha-ha! The one who is pining for your attention but that you don’t really care for. It’s not that he’s a bad person; it’s just that you don’t fancy him, and the more he expresses interest in you, the more you are repulsed.
Do We Ship Cousin Dashiell and Marian or Marian and Larry?
We can see when Dashiell offered to stay with her at the house amongst the family’s grieving Uncle Luke’s illness, she couldn’t wait for him to leave, and as soon as he did, she couldn’t help but accept the walk with Larry Russell.
Hmmm. How will this come off to people around them? Will Dashiell notice her repulsion, or will it get to a point where she must take him aside and break his heart? Or will there be rumors of scandal in her spending even innocent, friendly time with Larry? How do you guys feel about her accepting Larry’s company during the climax of her engagement?
Her Aunt is pushing for a quick engagement and wedding planning, but I hope there’s a buffer time for her to decide.
Mrs. Astor Makes an Offer that’s Hard to Refuse
Mrs. Russell is shown hosting Mrs. Caroline Astor as they have their usual friendly but rivalrous exchange. Caroline seems to be at her wit’s end of the competition in this opera war and has finally offered Mrs. Russell a box at the Academy. It seems a cheap offer, although I can sense that Mrs. Russell feels stroked and flattered. Mr. Russell brings her back to her senses to make her realize that Mrs. Astor only tries to exert her authority by buying her a seat at the table. He implies that if she accepts this offer, it will diminish all the work she’s done, and I absolutely agree!
During the lady’s charity meeting, Mrs. Astor publicly brought up her offer in a way that felt too overconfident to me. Even Mrs. Russell is shocked she brought it up. But Mrs. Russel’s feathers are generally ruffled for a short time. She’s quick on her feet, and in her usual fashion, she usurps the authority of Mrs. Astor by embarrassing her and declining the proposal. She says in her own words that she can’t switch gears now. Angrily and pridefully, Mrs. Astor walks out embarrassed, although I’m not sure why, as she brought it on herself.
Poor Aunt Ada
This episode is a heartbreaking one as we see Aunt Ada walk around in emotional pain, trying to support her terminally ill husband. It is such a shame that, as an older newlywed, she has had to endure such heartache early in her marriage. It seems like luck is never on her side, not in marrying at the age of societal standards or having a lifetime of marital experience. Aunt Agnes is now supporting her as her older sister, and with her personality being much less emotionally moved, you could tell she is affected by her sister’s grief but is also serving as the rock, which comes naturally.
Finally, Reverend Luke passes devastatingly as he sleeps, and Aunt Ada cries out in pain and disbelief as she checks his breathing, only to find him cool to the touch. I found myself shedding multiple tears for this kindhearted woman. I can’t even imagine. And my heart really went out to her. I am curious to see how she fares as a widow and if her now-deceased husband left her with any financial stability so that she can continue to live independently of her older sister.
Oscar Gets a Taste of His Own Medicine
In those prior moments, Oscar shockingly discovers he’s been scammed out of his family’s money. I shuddered at the thought of what his mother would say to him! I can admit that even I’m scared of Aunt Agnes. It made me think of how she puts so much emphasis on their old money wealth and what will become of them. Wishful thinking has me praying that they will be able to recover it and that Miss Maude will be found. Although Oscar, as we see, has met his match! He met someone whose love for money caused her to do an evil thing, just as much as he was willing to cover up his sexuality and marry someone as a beard and not out of love, whose wealth he could live on. I believe this is a lesson learned! And one that he really grows from.
Peggy and the Black Educators’ Meeting
We see Peggy meeting with her mother’s educator colleagues. Her father is also in this meeting. I’m happy to see she is back on cordial terms with her parents and that they are welcoming her talent and expertise. Her mom expresses that the New York School Board or DOE wants to close all the black schools, which would have cataclysmic effects on the black community—decreasing black children’s chances at a good life and the loss of so many jobs. This is why the meeting is being held. As a black woman myself, when I watch things like this (although I know the history), I am always still amazed and upset at how black people like me were not treated equally as their white counterparts. They had to do all this petitioning to have fundamental rights.
What’s the Deal with Peggy’s Manager?
Peggy’s manager shows up, and my mind brings me back to when he kissed her. I can’t help but think of how inappropriate that interaction was. Like, isn’t he married?! Where is his wife? He gives off the air of bachelor energy; I’m patiently awaiting his backstory to be told. Something tells me what you see is not what you get with him. Is he widowed? Is he estranged from his wife? Are they separated or divorced?
Peggy’s Mom gives the side-eye
I remember even Marian giving Peggy wise counsel in telling her to be careful traveling with a married man. I feel like Peggy should have put up proper safeguards by asking him before they traveled or even discussing the optics of how it would look so that he could have others travel with them, too, to protect her virtue. Her mom seems to be on to it, too, as she expresses an observational question of the two being the only ones credited on the article: who traveled with them? At the bridge’s debut, she mentioned raising Peggy better than that. I believe Peggy needed some scolding for that, too. She looks strong-willed but doesn’t seem like she heeds counsel in anything. Maybe because of her past trauma with her father?
It was also lovely to see Marian attend the meeting of black educators, especially since her endorsement led to a white Irish man who could potentially work at the black school and have some of the others in his community bring the Irish students in, too. I am glad to see Marian not being stifled and being in a spokeswoman position for a good cause. Sadly, during that time in history, Irish immigrants and black people alike were considered second-class citizens.
The Brooklyn Bridge has debuted.
Finally, a beautiful debut to the Brooklyn Bridge, with Larry giving Mrs. Roebling her proper credit. Mrs. Roebling knows they will not print this fact about her not to cause a ruckus. Everyone is admiring the beauty of the structure. The episode ends with the death of Uncle Luke, Aunt Agnes discovering her son’s loss of family wealth, and Marian having a walk with Larry. I’m already ready for the next one!
Thoughts? Comment below! Stay tuned for next week’s HBO MAX The Gilded Age review. Let me know of any other shows you think I should review, too.
