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The Gilded Age Season 3 viewing thread

Bertha wants to sell off Gladys in marriage to the Duke of Buckingham, but last season George Russell promised his daughter she could marry for love. So will Gladys have to marry the Duke?

Across the street, Ada now has all the money has the Van Rhijn household instead of Agnes. So who calls the shots in the household?

Will Marian finally get laid (this time by Larry)?

Will Mrs. Astor ever get even a momentary win in her ongoing war against Bertha? (Answer: Of course not.)

Will the Russell servants never stop adoring their masters 24/7? (Answer: Of course not.)

by Anonymousreply 601July 14, 2025 4:07 AM

Will Alarm clock Jack be in tonight’s episode?

by Anonymousreply 1June 23, 2025 12:49 AM

How much $$$$ did Ada inherit from her husband? What family was her husband related too?

Who were his people?

by Anonymousreply 2June 23, 2025 1:51 AM

Luke Forte was from a wealthy Boston family who had made their money in textiles. Their plant is still running there. Ada seems quite wealthy.

by Anonymousreply 3June 23, 2025 2:11 AM

She seems quite cunty

by Anonymousreply 4June 23, 2025 2:21 AM

I enjoy the series, but it needs more sex appeal. I need to see young Larry in a bondage scene.

by Anonymousreply 5June 23, 2025 2:31 AM

Of course, Cynth, er, Aunt Ada is boring everyone with her "causes".

by Anonymousreply 6June 23, 2025 2:33 AM

Aurora!

by Anonymousreply 7June 23, 2025 2:37 AM

WTF was Kelli O'Hara wearing to the opera? No wonder her husband wants a divorce.

by Anonymousreply 8June 23, 2025 2:40 AM

R3-Thank you for that information. I had no idea who he was, but I knew there was a fortune somewhere.

by Anonymousreply 9June 23, 2025 2:47 AM

Horrible first episode, absolutely true to the last 2 seasons despite all this talk about the new improved Season 3.

There's just so little motivation for anything that happens here. Incredibly insipid.

by Anonymousreply 10June 23, 2025 2:50 AM

i was laid waste

by Anonymousreply 11June 23, 2025 2:59 AM

Again, way too many characters. Watching Carrie Coon as Bertha after White Lotus makes me appreciate her as an actress even more. She's amazing.

by Anonymousreply 12June 23, 2025 3:02 AM

I don't understand how Ada could be so strongly pro-temperance and still allow everyone else in the family to drink alcohol. It's not like it's 2025, and people took a live-and-let-live attitude with their family. If you were pro-temperance and had the authority in the house, you'd make a huge stink over it.

by Anonymousreply 13June 23, 2025 3:02 AM

I would like to be spit-roasted by the father and son Russell team.

by Anonymousreply 14June 23, 2025 3:38 AM

r14, Oh, but yes...

by Anonymousreply 15June 23, 2025 3:41 AM

It's unlikely Mrs. Fane would seriously entertain the prospect of divorcing her husband--it would be much more likely she would make him set up housekeeping elsewhere in the city and she would continue to enjoy his name and his house, given that (as they outlined in this episode) the woman would have to be the one to press charges of adultery to get a divorce, and she has no incentive for doing so.

Alva Vanderbilt did get a divorce around this time from her husband but most biographers agree it was only because she had fallen in love with his wealthy business partner Oliver Belmont, whom she knew would marry her if she were divorced (which is indeed what happened). Although the real William Backhouse Astor was constantly cheating on his wife, Mrs. Astor refused to divorce him given her position in society, and he basically lived on his yacht while she lived in their Fifth Avenue mansion and queened it over society.

by Anonymousreply 16June 23, 2025 4:02 AM

I love seeing Nixon, Baranski and Simon Jones working together decades after I saw them in The Real Thing where Nixon played their teen daughter.

by Anonymousreply 17June 23, 2025 4:27 AM

Amy indication that Bertha will be taken down a peg or two?

I really hope I see my long overdue The Good Fight reunion with Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald doing some scenes together.

by Anonymousreply 18June 23, 2025 5:20 AM

Weird fact: Simon Jones (Bannister, the Van Rhijn butler) was the first to play Arthur Dent in the radio adaptation of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (which preceded the novel), and Douglas Adams, who was a great friend of Jones's, said he wrote the character with Jones in mind.

Jones also played Lord Sebastian's staid brother "Bridey" Marchmain in the famous early 80s TV adaptation of "Brideshead Revisited."

by Anonymousreply 19June 23, 2025 5:22 AM

Improved season?!?!?

This first episode was mostly a turd.

Does anyone really give a fuck about the "railroad" plotlines? They're not interesting. We only want to see Railroad Daddy Russell get his hole eaten by one of the many homosexuals on this show.

The Fane Divorce plot is...idiotic. He just decides to announce out of the blue, "Oh, I have another woman and I want to marry her so we have to get a divorce..." Which you didn't do back then....I mean, is HE prepared to be ostracized from society? It doesn't make any gawdamned sense.

I also didn't like the stupid maid girl being mean to Alarm Clock Jack...what a cunt!

As usual, the best parts were Mamie Fish and the Ada vs Agnes stuff.

by Anonymousreply 20June 23, 2025 5:52 AM

Yeah, that maid girl can fun fuck off for being mean to Alarm Clock Jack!

And now the chef has a secret problem? One that will impact his burgeoning relationship with the housekeeper no doubt. Zzzzzzzz

Agree about Hot Beard Daddy’s business issues…boring.

But the preview for the rest of the season does look good.

by Anonymousreply 21June 23, 2025 10:39 AM

And bow down to Miss Phylicia Rashad who'll be playing....somebody.

James Earl Jones can consider himself lucky he died last year so he didn't have to appear in this shit.

by Anonymousreply 22June 23, 2025 12:40 PM

Could they make it any clearer that Alarm Clock Jack's new alarm clock patent is going get derailed by the Russell son's ineptitude?

by Anonymousreply 23June 23, 2025 12:42 PM

Alarm Clock Jack should have at least two nude scenes in every episode- even if it lessons Audra's time by a bit.

by Anonymousreply 24June 23, 2025 1:06 PM

After all the hype, it was a bit of a snorefest.

Agnes and Marian snarking through the temperance meeting was amusing. Fellowes has the attention span of a fly. I expect temperance will give way to suffrage pretty quickly.

by Anonymousreply 25June 23, 2025 1:07 PM

very likely

by Anonymousreply 26June 23, 2025 1:31 PM

All of that Christine sniping and Cynthia simpering was unbearable. And don't get me started on Louisa.

by Anonymousreply 27June 23, 2025 1:36 PM

Cousin Oscar needs to head out west to San Francisco and become rough trade for horny gold miners.

by Anonymousreply 28June 23, 2025 1:42 PM

I love American history, so the "railroad stuff" was interesting to me. And I think it was good to show him dealing with the mine owners, etc. and facing pressures of his own, while his wife is at home consumed by the machinations of high society in NYC and conniving to get the Duke of Buckingham for her daughter. The Russell boy just doesn't seem as attractive to me as he did last year. I think it's his hair. And the smarmy way he is coming on to Louisa.

Poor Poor Clueless Mrs. Fane. And I don't think for a minute her husband is straight. I think he is deep in the closet. DEEP. But apparently according to the trailer Fane is determined to marry and to bring his new wife into society. That's gonna get messy. I want to see "Knowing looks " between him and Oscar. I think Clock Boy is gonna "educate" the Russell boy. Wait for it. And the mean girl servant was an authentic reflection of how a lot of servant class immigrants would feel. "Getting above yourself" was real. Still is today for a lot of people. I'm enjoying the storyline for the Black family. But honestly having Rashad and Audra on t he same set had to be like walking on egg shells. Neither one of them would be easy to handle. Bertha is going to get her comeuppance don't worry. The Astor girl will snare the Duke. The younger set is going to dominate a lot of the plotlines this season.

by Anonymousreply 29June 23, 2025 2:02 PM

In the opening scenes I thought the Russell son had grown a mustache (which would be hot), but apparently his valet is just lousy at shaving him

by Anonymousreply 30June 23, 2025 2:05 PM

r28, sweetie, he would be LOOKING for rough trade

by Anonymousreply 31June 23, 2025 2:30 PM

[quote] I don't understand how Ada could be so strongly pro-temperance and still allow everyone else in the family to drink alcohol.

She’s concerned with working class men drinking. She’s okay with drinking by her own class.

by Anonymousreply 32June 23, 2025 3:07 PM

I've really come to despise Cynthia Nixon quite deeply.

by Anonymousreply 33June 23, 2025 3:21 PM

R33v oh, I like the dynamic between her and Christine Baranski . And venturing into the whole temperance movement makes sense for her character since she was attracted to and married a clergyman. Hopefully she will calm down before she gets too tedious.

by Anonymousreply 34June 23, 2025 3:24 PM

So when the MAGA esque Dr. Lewis refuses to treat the desperately I'll Miss Scott, because she is 'colored" why didn't Agnes threaten him with ruination while he was still there rather than promising to ruin him to Ada and Miriam after left? Seems she could have forced his hand in the moment and gotten Peggy the help she needed.

by Anonymousreply 35June 23, 2025 3:27 PM

R35, she seemed unusually flustered, didn't she. But this was a sign of the times.

by Anonymousreply 36June 23, 2025 3:50 PM

The irony of it is that Phoenix doesn’t even have a train stop now.

by Anonymousreply 37June 23, 2025 4:15 PM

To R20 and R29-I'm interested in what happens when Vanderbilt takes over all the mines& get the land for the railroad he wants to build to LA. I'm wondering what Gilded Age family takes over the mines. Is it WASP family, Gould or whoever or maybe The Guggenheims, who fortune started with copper& silver mines out west. I do love Americana history of the old west& the fortunes that were made. Not my family, we were still in Northern Ireland, drinking, stealing, whoring around, sailors, fucking around with everyone( British, Irish, Scottish, and some female married a Black man). They got thrown out of Northern Ireland in 1898.

by Anonymousreply 38June 23, 2025 4:18 PM

r35, if there had been an out and out confrontation between Agnes and the doctor it would have meant Julian Fellowes would have had to write a scene with some genuine conflict and drama. And you should know by now that just isn't going to happen on The Gilded Age.

That whole Fane divorce story line is so lame. Two characters we barely know or care about with NO explanation or back story on why the husband is discontented with his marriage (besides the obvious, the actor seems gay lol).

by Anonymousreply 39June 23, 2025 4:31 PM

Did Bobby Steggart really need to come out of retirement to play that limply drawn John Singer Sargent? He barely got his face on camera.

by Anonymousreply 40June 23, 2025 4:32 PM

[quote] [R35], if there had been an out and out confrontation between Agnes and the doctor it would have meant Julian Fellowes would have had to write a scene with some genuine conflict and drama. And you should know by now that just isn't going to happen on The Gilded Age.

lol, I see what you did here r35 :) Good observation about the show in general and To your point, I was watching season 2 again to be up to speed on season 3 (my partner LOVES the show so I like to be able to discuss it with him) Anyway, in season 2 when Dr. Lewis tells Ada and Agnes there is nothing more that can be medically done for Robert Sean Leonard's character, Agnes snaps at him "sounds like a clever way of shirking your responsibilities" or something.. which is a funny line and Dr. Lewis gave her a look like " how dare you, you crazy bitch" and you THINK a conflict is about to happen.. and... he's gone..

by Anonymousreply 41June 23, 2025 5:33 PM

R40, he is cute though

by Anonymousreply 42June 23, 2025 5:38 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, but agree with some above that Fane suddenly wanting a divorce was a jarring note. Were there earlier hints that he had a mistress that I missed? There was no dramatic groundwork laid for this thst I remember. His girlfriend isn’t the Jeanne Tripplehorn character from last season, is she? I confess to finding the WASP prince who plays Mr. Fane to be wildly handsome and very much my type.

And Ada being a bluestocking seems completely consistent with her character.

by Anonymousreply 43June 23, 2025 5:51 PM

I agree. I also like the railroad scenes

by Anonymousreply 44June 23, 2025 6:10 PM

Seems like a society doctor in the Gilded Age, like Dr. Lewis, would know a ton of secrets about the high born class . abortions, STD's etc. They would rely on his discretion so maybe that's why she didn't confront him

by Anonymousreply 45June 23, 2025 6:19 PM

The railroad scenes are important. Russell acquiring and maintaining and growing his wealth gives depth to the story. As for the Fanes, here was a perfect, "reliable" young couple who seemed to be living just as a wealthy young couple with good bloodlines ought to. Sweet young wife, etc. and then he throws t he proverbial grenade into everything. And she had no clue. In fact, she is having a problem facing it, processing it even as we speak. I wonder who will be shrewd enough to school her on how to fight back. She is so used to being "taken care of," and doing the "right thing." I'm glad that lovely man is finally getting some attention from Julian.

by Anonymousreply 46June 23, 2025 6:20 PM

R45 This show is way too tepid to pursue such an intriguing plot turn.

by Anonymousreply 47June 23, 2025 6:38 PM

So Alarm Clock Jack has invented something to get men out of bed - I would think with that face he would have better luck with the opposite.

by Anonymousreply 48June 23, 2025 6:40 PM

FYI: If you have any elders in your family who don't have HBO but still have a DVD player, you can order Seasons 1 & 2 from Amazon for about $16.99 per season. I sent one to my elderly aunt, a Downton Abbey superfan, and she loved it.

by Anonymousreply 49June 23, 2025 7:17 PM

So the outfits did not disappoint.

Poor Cousin Aurora. Her husband is the only hottie.

Is Peggy going to die?

Should we be worried about the young dude that made the clock? I don’t think Larry would do him dirty.

A good start.

by Anonymousreply 50June 23, 2025 7:52 PM

"Depth to the story"

Oh. My. Sides.

As for shaming the doctor for not treating a black woman..uh, no. The majority of society would be like "Well, of course a white doctor isn't going to treat some dusky woman. Why would he?"

by Anonymousreply 51June 23, 2025 8:26 PM

The real Gilded Age history of a railroad to Los Angeles. Including why pre-Civil War politics dictated the first intercontinental railroad would be built much further north, and ending in Oakland.

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by Anonymousreply 52June 23, 2025 8:35 PM

Sadly, there's rarely an authentic moment in the whole sorry mess. But then, Downton Abbey after the first season, turned into trash on the level of a daytime soap opera. And as much as I love Carrie Coon in most anything, I think she's terrible in this. Or maybe it's that Bertha is unplayable.

by Anonymousreply 53June 24, 2025 12:11 AM

Besides horrible writing, Carrie is saddled with ridiculously over-the-top dresses and a silly Wilma Flintstone wig. She's too short for all that gesture.

by Anonymousreply 54June 24, 2025 12:32 AM

[quote] I'm wondering what Gilded Age family takes over the mines. Is it WASP family, Gould or whoever or maybe The Guggenheims, who fortune started with copper& silver mines out west.

The Guggenheims made a fortune in mining 9although they originally made their money in embroidery).

Other wealthy mining zillionaires:

George and Phoebe Hearst (gold, but also silver and copper)

John William Mackay (silver)

James C. Flood (silver)

james G. Fair (silver)

Horace Tabor (silver)

William A. Clark (copper)

by Anonymousreply 55June 24, 2025 1:04 AM

Phoebe’s $$ was responsible for kickstarting the rise of the University of California. Berkeley’s “historical core” campus was her doing (with her son chipping in). She has been in a long-term pissing contest with Jane Stanford over who could do more for whom in the Bay Area.

Hearst v Stanford was West Coast Gilded Age warfare. Phoebe died in the Spanish flu epidemic. Jane was murdered (poisoned) and the Stanford leadership covered it up.

by Anonymousreply 56June 24, 2025 1:58 AM

This show is so empty and meaningless. I watch it for escapism, to see the houses and clothes, but the plots and acting are just awful. I agree with the poster above that not even Carrie Coon is doing a good job. Everyone seems very fake and mannered. Aurora Fane is fine, but I can't think of anyone else who doesn't seem false.

Did Streep Jr.'s nose get bigger? It was distinctive before, but it seems very large indeed this season. Did she have a baby between seasons? I've heard women's noses can grow during pregnancy.

Why is everyone so worried about what's-her-name being sick? She's awake, she's talking and coherent, even doing a little work in bed. They're acting as if her life is in danger. I know illness was more dangerous back then, but people have always gotten colds.

by Anonymousreply 57June 24, 2025 2:34 AM

R50, No Peggy is not going to die, anyway not from her pneumonia (or whatever she has). If you fast forward through this first episode of the third season, you’ll get to a long trailer previewing scenes and storylines for the rest of the series. Peggy lives long enough to be caught in a love triangle between the married newspaper guy and someone new. Neither her mother (Tony loser Audra McDonald) nor the doyenne of black Brooklyn society or whoever she is (Phylicia Rashad) seem at all pleased.

by Anonymousreply 58June 24, 2025 2:40 AM

I'm not pleased at all

by Anonymousreply 59June 24, 2025 3:10 AM

I wasn't looking for Shakespeare, and truthfully, I am loving this insipid crap. Great production values. There is so much stress out here about our political mess, our economy, and now this Iran bullshit, that I'd rather watch Gilded Age. Jay Gould was involved in a f inancial scandal. Wasn't it teapot Dome? Or was that earlier?

by Anonymousreply 60June 24, 2025 3:39 AM

There’s a lovely pine park in Antibes named for Gould—it hosts a great music festival every year.

by Anonymousreply 61June 24, 2025 3:42 AM

Earlier? Who taught you American History?

by Anonymousreply 62June 24, 2025 3:43 AM

[quote] (Tony loser Audra McDonald)

Broadway Queen Audra has more Tonys than anyone, BITCH!

by Anonymousreply 63June 24, 2025 3:44 AM

I actually like this show. I agree with most of you that the plotting is pedestrian at best.

But for some reason, I just like spending an hour with these characters.

by Anonymousreply 64June 24, 2025 3:51 AM

Why is everyone so worried about what's-her-name being sick? She's awake, she's talking and coherent, even doing a little work in bed. They're acting as if her life is in danger. I know illness was more dangerous back then, but people have always gotten colds.

She was working at first, but they called the doctor when it got much worse. The length and severity of her being ill might mean that she has pneumonia, and that was incredibly hard to treat back then before the invention of antibiotics.

by Anonymousreply 65June 24, 2025 4:25 AM

R63 Harvey Fierstein would like a word with you...

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by Anonymousreply 66June 24, 2025 4:26 AM

The show is frustrating because if it had a competent writer/show runner it really could be brilliant. I'd rather be watching the show because it was good rather than for hate watching it for its many weaknesses.

Julian Fellowes is such a fucking hack.

by Anonymousreply 67June 24, 2025 4:29 AM

I really liked the new episode. Just wish the gay character had more to do.

by Anonymousreply 68June 24, 2025 6:50 AM

Why didn't they just call another doctor to treat Peggy? I doubt all doctors were racist, even back then.

by Anonymousreply 69June 24, 2025 6:57 AM

I guess history really isn't taught in school anymore...

by Anonymousreply 70June 24, 2025 7:54 AM

I love this show. Do I think it’s a great work of art? My God, no. It’s beyond silly most of the time, and I laugh a lot of the time at things that aren’t supposed to be funny, but I love all the sets and costumes and the real historical aspects. I’ve gone down several rabbit holes reading about the events and people I learn about from watching this show. One of my favorites to learn about was the woman from last season who was instrumental in the construction of the Brooklyn bridge.

by Anonymousreply 71June 24, 2025 9:40 AM

Same here. It’s a silly soap, but I adore it

by Anonymousreply 72June 24, 2025 12:39 PM

I agree with those who call the show frustrating. So much money and talent lavished on it yet the scripts aren't even as intelligent as Dynasty or Falcon Crest.

by Anonymousreply 73June 24, 2025 12:56 PM

Pretty boring season opener, hoping for improvement.

Not a single one of those male servants in the snowball fight scene seemed straight, it's like they were instructed to fling those snowballs in the faggiest manner possible. You know it's bad when Ben Ahlers comes across as the straightest one of the bunch.

Speaking of, they apparently dragged Bobby Steggert out of retirement to play DL fave John Singer Sargent. He was great! Could've done without the cheesy Madame X reference, though.

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by Anonymousreply 74June 24, 2025 1:57 PM

[quote] Why didn't they just call another doctor to treat Peggy? I doubt all doctors were racist, even back then.

AGNES: "Alexa, find me a non-racist doctor on the Upper East Side!"

by Anonymousreply 75June 24, 2025 1:58 PM

Will Countess Ladyparts kneel down and suck off roughtrade Clive Owen?

by Anonymousreply 76June 24, 2025 2:00 PM

Agnes didn’t live on the UES. Did she?

by Anonymousreply 77June 24, 2025 2:01 PM

[quote ]Why didn't they just call another doctor to treat Peggy? I doubt all doctors were racist, even back then.

There were a few moments that kind of address that. I think Oscar or someone said to Agnes something like "will Doctor Lewis treat her?" (because of her race) and Agnes said something like "He'd better do as I say" or something ..so the concept that a white doctor would likely refuse to treat a non white patient was touched on.

Also when the kitchen staff are gossiping about Dr. Lewis refusing to treat Peggy, Armstrong (the bitchy ladies maid) says defensively "You can't ask a person to change a lifetime of beliefs in one minute" or something like that referring to Dr. Lewis.

Also from Doctor Lewis perspective if the other society people he treats found out he treated a black patient, they might not longer use him. So, yes Dr Lewis is a racist cunt but he might lose his practice if he treated her.

by Anonymousreply 78June 24, 2025 2:01 PM

[quote] AGNES: "Alexa, find me a non-racist doctor on the Upper East Side!"

LOL.. Maybe Dr. Lewis has been curing Agnes and Ada of "pelvic congestion" and they don't want that spread around ...as it were...

by Anonymousreply 79June 24, 2025 2:03 PM

All the DL speculation about Dr. Lewis is far more interesting and smarter than anything that transpired on the TV screen.

by Anonymousreply 80June 24, 2025 2:07 PM

Notice Agnes' hypocrisy – being outraged by the doctor's racism, but then telling Aurora Fane she won't be able to come around to parties anymore if she gets divorced.

by Anonymousreply 81June 24, 2025 2:12 PM

[quote]All the DL speculation about Dr. Lewis is far more interesting and smarter than anything that transpired on the TV screen

Dr. Lewis has a rather substantial 70's porn star mustache and ALL the ladies (and perhaps Oscar) know it's charms..

by Anonymousreply 82June 24, 2025 2:15 PM

r81, indeed, but society is based on such hypocrisy - even today

by Anonymousreply 83June 24, 2025 2:17 PM

Morgan in particular needs better scenes, I can't with those business dealings in the desert.

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by Anonymousreply 84June 24, 2025 2:26 PM

^^^George Russell needs a night out drinking with the miners in a dance hall with slutty dance girls( and gloryholes in the bathroom)^^

by Anonymousreply 85June 24, 2025 2:33 PM

I just can't anymore with Cynthia Nixon. She's a spiteful vitriolic cunt off-camera, so I really don't appreciate having her ruin projects onscreen.

by Anonymousreply 86June 24, 2025 2:37 PM

A good cast is worth repeating

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by Anonymousreply 87June 24, 2025 2:50 PM

He’s so fucking hot - i can put up with the silly writing

by Anonymousreply 88June 24, 2025 2:52 PM

I think we’re about to see the nice sister and the bitchy sister trade their respective roles. Cynthia is going to become the uptight cunt and Christine the progressive civil rights-minded.

by Anonymousreply 89June 24, 2025 3:14 PM

I don't expect Shakespeare and I don't expect strict historical accuracy, but get the big stuff right or just don't bother. Don't have some guy springing some divorce on his wife cause he's in luuurrrvvveee, like he's some 1950s movie star. Fuck off with that nonsense. All wrong for the time and these people. And don't be shocked that white society doctors just do not treat colored people. The fuck is wrong with Ada and Agnes that they haven't known that racism was ubiquitous and permeates everything since they were little girls. At least that one maid had a normal reaction for the times, telling Alarm Clock Jack that he had no business as a mere footman asking a fellow servant to get him something, like he's some real guest in the house.

by Anonymousreply 90June 24, 2025 3:36 PM

Morgan is in a gay-themed movie "I Don't Understand You" with Andrew Rannells and Nick Kroll, though he plays a straight Italian guy who meets a tragic end in the hands of a gay couple. I saw the movie a couple of weeks ago and it was rather bizarre but highly entertaining.

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by Anonymousreply 91June 24, 2025 3:41 PM

R90 my impression was that they weren't shocked he was racist, but rather that he was so racist as to not do their bidding. It was more a class entitlement belief that this guy would bow down to their wishes. They disagree with him about his racist mindset, but they are shocked that his racism is more important to him then their status.

by Anonymousreply 92June 24, 2025 4:50 PM

Name of this thread reminds me of open casket viewings every time I see it. Please name it a "watch" thread next time, OP.

by Anonymousreply 93June 24, 2025 4:54 PM

The problem is, they're a show set in 1884 but we're in 2025 and you can't acurately represent race relations from that era, today. It was a racist society (frankly, we mostly still are a racist society...) They let black people die because the closest hospital wouldn't admit them for treatment and thought nothing of it.

If they had wanted to do a show set in this time and examining the wealthy NY elite with both whites and blacks, Fellowes should have created a show centered on ONE upper class black family and ONE upper class white family and a realistic character that might have tied those two stories together. Realistically, it would have been a "passing" black character who would be able to actually move around in White People World. Or, better yet, have that character and one of the white characters be enamored of someone in the Black People World. That would be an interesting show. As it is now, the Black plotlines just feel tacked on...well, MANY of the plotlines feel tacked on. Fellowes has WAAAAAAY too many main characters and way too many plotlines to juggle and he's very bad at juggling.

by Anonymousreply 94June 24, 2025 7:59 PM

It makes sense to contact the family asap because they will know a lot better than old white women on where to take the secretary to get good healthcare.

by Anonymousreply 95June 24, 2025 8:15 PM

I wonder if Dr. Lewis sent a bill for the visit. He did show up after alll

by Anonymousreply 96June 24, 2025 8:21 PM

Um—there were entire communities of black doctors, lawyers, bankers, insurance brokers, etc. etc. Black America were creatingtheir own world, in cities, even in 1884.

by Anonymousreply 97June 24, 2025 8:22 PM

Agnes and Ada should ask Black Twitter for help!

by Anonymousreply 98June 24, 2025 8:53 PM

R13: Full-on temperance was for the poor immigrant masses. The wealthy always assumed that "temperance" wouldn't be draconian and wouldn't affect their lives.

by Anonymousreply 99June 24, 2025 9:28 PM

It was a religious, social and political movement. It had the added effect of encouraging women to better organize in the political sphere, boosting sufferage efforts.

Don’t they teach history anymore?

by Anonymousreply 100June 24, 2025 9:49 PM

It was "betterment" and bigotry rolled into one.

by Anonymousreply 101June 24, 2025 9:54 PM

If you want to see bad historical drama, watch The Buccaneers. It's like dumb modern 20 somethings were transplanted to the 1800s. It reminds me of that CW show about Mary, Queen of Scots aka the prom court goes to France.

by Anonymousreply 102June 24, 2025 9:56 PM

There was an active temperance movement with Black women…and men.

by Anonymousreply 103June 24, 2025 9:56 PM

R102 did they give Mary a Scottish accent? That’s always a tell.

by Anonymousreply 104June 24, 2025 9:58 PM

Technically, temperance really means moderation, as in cut back on the drinking but no need to get crazy about it. But of course, let puritanism in the door, and the next thing you know some assholes are demanding Complete and Utter Abstinence, and the second a sip of beer crosses your lips you may as well book your one way ticket to Hell!!!

I do wonder if Ada is going to become a complete raging bitch about the whole thing.

by Anonymousreply 105June 24, 2025 10:02 PM

If Ada does become a raging bitch over it, it'll only last for an episode or two. Uncle Julian doesn't go for longterm plots...he's easily distracted.

by Anonymousreply 106June 24, 2025 10:07 PM

You're probably right r106, although I have to admit, it could actually provide a little comedy if Agnes and Oscar, maybe with the cunting butler, despite their mortification, have to occasionally slip across the street to the Russell House just to get a little libation while Sister Grim inspects their home for any hint of the Demon Rum.

by Anonymousreply 107June 24, 2025 10:17 PM

Oscar will show up drunk and randy at the next meeting and he will be sent to the street to beg for cock

by Anonymousreply 108June 25, 2025 12:46 AM

The fun backstory I created for Ada and Agnes and Oscar is that Daddy VanRijn was a monster who raped poor Ada after discovering Agnes couldn't have children. She got pregnant, had Oscar and they passed off Oscar as being Agnes' kid. Later, when VanRijn was being monstrous, the two sisters killed him. It's a secret that binds them!!!

by Anonymousreply 109June 25, 2025 12:54 AM

I saw this theory floated around, somewhere: Evil Mr. Van Rhijn raped Ada, who kept it a secret from Agnes, and Marian is actually Ada's daughter (raised by the Brook brother & his wife).

by Anonymousreply 110June 25, 2025 1:32 AM

The show desperately needs Cole Escola. In ANY role.

by Anonymousreply 111June 25, 2025 1:51 AM

maybe oscar was raped

by Anonymousreply 112June 25, 2025 1:53 AM

The whole alarm clock stuff is ludicrous. It could have been great if it came out that he was planning all this with Russell, he would lose his job so nobody actually knew waht was happeneing. You just didn't mingle with your betters in this society.

by Anonymousreply 113June 25, 2025 1:58 AM

Interestingly, an article by the New Yorker has some interesting (mild) spoilers for this season. In spite of calling the show "a poor man's period drama" and enumerating its weaknesses, it does say that this is the strongest season so far.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 114June 25, 2025 2:06 AM

No. It doesn't need Miss Escuela...

by Anonymousreply 115June 25, 2025 8:41 AM

[quote]In the HBO drama “The Gilded Age,” the characters are keenly aware that they live in interesting times.

Has Inkoo Kang watched Downton Abbey? Because that happens in almost every single episode of that show. Just six seasons (and then the movies) of "Change is afoot, oh yes it is!", from the first episode to the last. That's just Fellowes for you, but it's also really hard to resist the allure of presentism when you're doing period stuff. Most of us feel a little tingle of glee when we hear Anne Boleyn say Jane Seymour will never amount to anything in Wolf Hall, people love that cheeky foresight shit.

[quote]But though “The Gilded Age,” which returned for its third season on Sunday, alludes to all of these historical developments, it’s primarily occupied by the social-climbing efforts of George’s wife, Bertha (Carrie Coon), who’s hellbent on dominating Manhattan high society.

That's what's appealing to people, from what I've seen here and on Reddit, namely the low-stakes drama of it all. I don't think the current cultural moment is right to just have rich people yukking it up all the time on screen, small interpersonal drama is the way to go.

by Anonymousreply 116June 25, 2025 10:28 AM

Did you not read the article. The writer expressly calls out the Downtown rehash served up.

by Anonymousreply 117June 25, 2025 10:34 AM

I've been re watching the first two seasons, and it was very clear the Fane marriage was in trouble early on. I loved how the Vanderbilts, the Rockerfellers, etc. were considered "the new people."

by Anonymousreply 118June 25, 2025 1:38 PM

the Rockefellers also were "provincials" having come from Ohio.

by Anonymousreply 119June 25, 2025 1:45 PM

If you weren’t Dutch, you weren’t IT.

by Anonymousreply 120June 25, 2025 1:46 PM

The last thing I need right now is some heavy stuff and stressful scenes. I prefer fantasy-laden ones however ridiculous or unrealistic they might be. So far, I'm liking this season (and AJLT).

by Anonymousreply 121June 25, 2025 1:52 PM

I need fruity fruits and silly people

by Anonymousreply 122June 25, 2025 4:01 PM

There are more Gays in this series per square foot than anywhere else on TV.

by Anonymousreply 123June 25, 2025 8:05 PM

So where do we think Gladys went?

by Anonymousreply 124June 25, 2025 8:08 PM

Thank goodness

by Anonymousreply 125June 25, 2025 8:08 PM

R124, probably the strip club in Gramercy park

by Anonymousreply 126June 25, 2025 8:09 PM

Betcha Gladys went to Marian, because she was always so sympathetic. Either that or the Fanes. I doubt she will go too far. I'd love it if she went to Mrs. Chamberlain.....

by Anonymousreply 127June 25, 2025 8:13 PM

Here's an idea. Gladys is going to run to her friend Carrie Astor. And Mrs. Astor is going to secure the Duke for her daughter. and it will all be thanks to Gladys.

by Anonymousreply 128June 25, 2025 8:15 PM

That would be great

by Anonymousreply 129June 25, 2025 8:19 PM

Belle Watling's house.

by Anonymousreply 130June 25, 2025 9:16 PM

All I know is whoever gives Gladys a safe haven won't be worth the turds in their toilet. Papa Russell will move heaven and earth to get his kid back and Bertha will want it done without anyone finding out. So whoever gets Gladys better call George Russell ASAP and discreetly return her.

by Anonymousreply 131June 26, 2025 4:07 AM

I haven’t seen a cast so full of gays since the glory days of All My Children.

by Anonymousreply 132June 26, 2025 9:07 AM

I wish that cutie clayborne elder was back

by Anonymousreply 133June 26, 2025 10:17 AM

I want to see John Adams, Oscar and the Russell boy in a threesome. They can invite Mr. Fane in if they like.

by Anonymousreply 134June 26, 2025 11:23 AM

Why is there no love for Nathan Lane? I do think he overdoes it with his southern accent, but I thoroughly enjoy his Ward McAllister.

by Anonymousreply 135June 26, 2025 11:25 AM

[quote]Did Streep Jr.'s nose get bigger? It was distinctive before, but it seems very large indeed this season.

Ha! I was thinking this too - is it my HDTV that's enlarging her nose? Whatever the case, she's got quite the beak. Though honestly, if she was even somewhat interesting, the nose might give her character. Instead she's just dull, dull, dull

I really wanted to like this show for escapism if nothing else, but the "all over the place" stories, the AA character storyline which feels kind of shoed in and the character's attitudes which were wildly inconsistent with the times is just annoying. Fellowes should take a page from Edith Wharton: people always wanted to cheat, leave their spouses, go do crazy things, but for a certain person, life outside the social structure of the day was unthinkable. So her stories dealt with how people reconciled (or didn't) themselves to those constraints. I think that's missing from this show

by Anonymousreply 136June 26, 2025 11:25 AM

I was hoping to find some camp or other unintentional humor, as in past seasons but instead it just seems dull.

by Anonymousreply 137June 26, 2025 12:32 PM

Harry Richardson has also got quite the beak on him but it seems to work there.

by Anonymousreply 138June 26, 2025 1:37 PM

I know the plot will never go there, but I still raised my eyebrow and bit my lip a little when we heard the bell from Oscar's room and Jack had to take him more alcohol lol. It would be hot as a mf, but poor Jack would be forced to leave the house at the very least.

by Anonymousreply 139June 26, 2025 1:50 PM

The worst scenes are in the Russell's kitchen. All the hustle and cozy feelings of Downtown are gone and the accents are as flat as can be. They're trying to shove this chef's plotlines into our face, but who cares? Why doesn't he harp on cooking stuff like Mrs. Patmore or literally any chef character ever? Just seems like they're wasting him on slow boring scenes. Plus Mr. Church couldn't be more boring himself, no urgency. Worst of all, the elven Russell housekeeper has the most grating, over-enunciated theater voice I've ever heard from a human being.

by Anonymousreply 140June 26, 2025 2:43 PM

^Downton

by Anonymousreply 141June 26, 2025 3:17 PM

On DL, it’s always Downtown. It’s in the coding.

by Anonymousreply 142June 26, 2025 3:18 PM

R139, trust me, he brings me more than alcohol

by Anonymousreply 143June 26, 2025 3:23 PM

The alarm clock plot is so stagnant. This show is all over the place with the constant switching from one storyline to the next. They need to devote episodes to one main story instead of doling out little bites. For example, this fucking alarm clock has been in development for a year and they still haven't made any significant moves with it. Time's a-wasting!

by Anonymousreply 144June 26, 2025 4:44 PM

HBO made a major mistake not requiring Fellowes to have a writing staff. Downtown Abbey ultimately sucked because he can't work a plot through and regurgitates lame stories over and over again (like maid-on-maid bitchery/class projection, Edith is a loser and stupid Mr. Bates has been framed for a crime again!).

by Anonymousreply 145June 26, 2025 4:59 PM

My least favorite subplot is the budding romance between Borden, the Russells' chef, and Miss Bruce, the Russells' housekeeper. Miss Bruce is the most insipid character on the entire show--I feel sorry for Celia Keenan-Bolger, and for once it's not just because she has such an embarrassing brother in real life.

by Anonymousreply 146June 26, 2025 5:02 PM

Who cares about the servants. They're all strangely uppity. There, I said it.

by Anonymousreply 147June 26, 2025 5:05 PM

Is it because her brother is very well hung?

by Anonymousreply 148June 26, 2025 5:05 PM

They're foreshadowing that Larry's too dumb and will screw up the clock roll-out.

by Anonymousreply 149June 26, 2025 5:07 PM

The third season premiere of The Gilded Age delivered the show’s best opening to date. The June 22 debut of the HBO drama gathered 2.7m cross-platform viewers in the U.S. over three days. That’s a 27 percent improvement on the season two premiere (2.1m viewers over three days) in October 2023. The series debut in 2022 drew in 2m viewers over the same amount of time. As is usually the case with HBO series, most of The Gilded Age’s viewers watched after the initial airing, which drew 430,000 viewers on the HBO cable channel, according to Nielsen. The remaining 2.27m streamed the episode on Max (which likely accounted for the majority of viewing), watched a DVR recording or caught an on-air replay.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 150June 26, 2025 5:51 PM

Maybe Ada could get her teeth fixed finally!

by Anonymousreply 151June 26, 2025 5:57 PM

R107 I forgot about the cunting butler! I want more cunting butler action.

by Anonymousreply 152June 26, 2025 6:02 PM

R150 I just knew the "How is that alarm clock progressing?" cliffhanger was going to be the next "Who shot JR?"!

by Anonymousreply 153June 26, 2025 6:05 PM

Agree R121. I started re-watching Emily in Paris and discovered I'd somehow missed 2 entire seasons, so this is a nice escapist, over-the-top show to indulge in right now and so is The Gilded Age. Like many others, I get my hate-watch fix with AJLT.

by Anonymousreply 154June 26, 2025 6:10 PM

[quote] I forgot about the cunting butler! I want more cunting butler action.

"Oooh, we seem to have been transported to VERSAILLES!" -- the cunting butler (Bannister)

by Anonymousreply 155June 26, 2025 6:12 PM

Except the cunting butlers now seem like they enjoy each other's company very much. Another plot line that went nowhere.

by Anonymousreply 156June 26, 2025 7:20 PM

Deborah Monks character is the ultimate downer. Miss grouch pouch.

by Anonymousreply 157June 26, 2025 7:24 PM

And Deb doesn't have the skill or talent to make her into the O'Brien of Siobhan Finneran on DA.

by Anonymousreply 158June 26, 2025 7:27 PM

Maybe we'll get a steamy, mature butlerfuck in the season finale.

by Anonymousreply 159June 26, 2025 7:32 PM

Is that one of them fetish things?

by Anonymousreply 160June 26, 2025 7:38 PM

Do you think they have written off the theft?

by Anonymousreply 161June 26, 2025 7:40 PM

If someone wanted to write fanfic that features stories about and between The Cunting Butlers, I'd absolutely read it. I guess it's too much to hope for a TV series.

by Anonymousreply 162June 26, 2025 7:44 PM

R156, maybe they are now hooking up

by Anonymousreply 163June 26, 2025 7:46 PM

[quote]Deborah Monks character is the ultimate downer. Miss grouch pouch.

Monk's character is also racist. I think her character should find love with Dr. Lewis. Two Gilded Age MAGA cunts.

by Anonymousreply 164June 26, 2025 8:57 PM

R81 - while I agree it's hypocritical on Agnes's part, a doctor refusing to treat a black patient is much worse than refusing to invite a divorcee to a party. At least the latter isn't life-threatening.

by Anonymousreply 165June 27, 2025 12:26 AM

In their crowd —are you sure?

by Anonymousreply 166June 27, 2025 12:27 AM

If the ' alarm clock ' storyline progresses any slower, Jack should start looking into inventing digital clocks.

by Anonymousreply 167June 27, 2025 1:41 AM

He could look into sucking some peen

by Anonymousreply 168June 27, 2025 3:25 AM

Lady Rebush showed signs of barely composed mirth at the rather wry humour

by Anonymousreply 169June 27, 2025 3:46 AM

Lady Redbush*

by Anonymousreply 170June 27, 2025 11:24 AM

[quote]AGNES: "Alexa, find me a non-racist doctor on the Upper East Side!"

Can't stop laughing at this post. I can hear it being said in Baranski's voice, while she's dressed like Agnes.

by Anonymousreply 171June 27, 2025 11:53 AM

Those scenes in the Wild West would be greatly enhanced by a visit to Miss Kitty's saloon.

by Anonymousreply 172June 27, 2025 1:18 PM

[quote]Can't stop laughing at this post. I can hear it being said in Baranski's voice, while she's dressed like Agnes.

While I am sure it's extremely unlikely anyone connected with the gilded age series reads these posts, I'd like to humbly suggest the following plot point for season 4. This should be played in the spirit of the best of Charles Bush.

"Agnes having grown weary of Ada's control, poisons her slowly and when Ada passes out,...Agnes has Armstrong quickly slather Ada's face in black shoe polish...she then dramatically screams "Bannister! Call Dr. Lewis, Ada has taken ill., I think she's DYING !!! .... Bannister promptly calls Dr. Lewis who arrives and sternly refuses to treat Ada saying "You told me she was your sister. not some colored with dyed blonde hair, good day" and leaves.

And JUST LIKE THAT Ada dies in the arms of Agnes.. who cheerfully inherits Ada's fortune." and season 4 begins!

by Anonymousreply 173June 27, 2025 2:18 PM

R173 I approve. Aside from growing wearing of her control, Agnes is put over the edge by yet another midnight encounter in the hallway with Ada and her exposed udders.

by Anonymousreply 174June 27, 2025 2:45 PM

IMO the mark of a successful series is whether or not it holds up if I binge watch it in a second viewing. Gilded Age does not. The social machinations of the wealthy aren't that interesting. If Fellowes had really got into the truth of it instead of this sanitized version it could have been. It's fascinating to me that Downton Abbey which really was about nothing much, holds up and is more interesting than Gilded Age which really could have told some tales. By the middle of Season 2 I was exhausted and bored by Bertha's constant scheming and pushiness and honestly the only depth or emotion she showed was when she discovered Hunter had attempted to seduce her husband and she was crying and angry. And the role of Gladys was terribly under written. What a wimp.

by Anonymousreply 175June 27, 2025 3:11 PM

R175 here. In Downton Abbey the characters seemed fully rounded. They had dimensions. Not saying there were no stereotypes, etc. but in Gilded Age it seems like all of them are stock characters, stereotypes, and cliches' And I can honestly say I am not [particularly invested in any of them. At least with Downton we wondered what would happen. Hell Lady Mary rescuing pigs was more fun than Gilded Age.

Gilded Age had a moment it might have done something with but walked away. The humiliating moment when Ward McCallister's poor judgement almost exposed Bertha to Mrs. Astor in Newport. Here he is, pompous ass, finagling his way into her empty house and suddenly Mrs. Astor arrives early and they're forced to rush Bertha out the back way and she has to walk through the servants beating carpets and plucking chickens and walk through the mess and mud to evade Mrs. Astor's eyes. Now that was a great moment. Betha was absolutely furious and humiliated to be in that position.

by Anonymousreply 176June 27, 2025 4:13 PM

Consuelo Vanderbilt was probably the highest profile and wealthiest of the Dollar Princesses who married into the British aristocracy. She did quite nicely. She married Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough.

Her dowry was $1.6 million (equivalent to around $60 million today) and an annual income of $2 million in stocks for Consuelo's marriage. They lived separately for most of their 25 year marriage and after an official separation in 1906, the couple was divorced in 1921, followed by an annulment in 1926.

The current 11th Duke of Marlborough, her great great grandson, is related to both Winston Churchill and Princess Diana through the Spencers.

by Anonymousreply 177June 27, 2025 4:29 PM

Jenny Jerome did pretty well too.

Her son Winston Churchill saved the 20th century from the Nazis.

by Anonymousreply 178June 27, 2025 4:53 PM

Jenny from the Bronx ;)

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 179June 27, 2025 5:40 PM

R177 I don't know about "nicely".

She was miserable in the marriage.

by Anonymousreply 180June 27, 2025 8:27 PM

^^^How can you be miserable when you're THE Duchess of Marlborough^^^

Bitch, go have some fun-rape a hot footman!!

by Anonymousreply 181June 27, 2025 10:16 PM

Well they did say the two spent a lot of time apart, so it would seem like Consuelo could have sought relief from her unhappy marriage in the arms of another, or others? N'est pas?

by Anonymousreply 182June 27, 2025 10:24 PM

R176: Fellowes was no better with Downton: The Bates saga, the dumb Marigold plot, Daisy the socialist (for one episode), etc. He clearly had no idea what to do with multiple characters after their initial plot twists (May, Edith, the chauffeur). He never really provided McGovern with any kind of character development.

by Anonymousreply 183June 27, 2025 10:36 PM

McGovern didn't need any character development when she could say the names "Raaaw-bert" and "Lyady Myary" so memorably.

by Anonymousreply 184June 27, 2025 10:38 PM

She was an American 1/2 Jewish "Countess" living in Downton Abbey. That was her development& dealing with her Dowager Cuntess mother-in-law.

by Anonymousreply 185June 27, 2025 10:45 PM

Fellowes is a shitty writer.

It's now rather obvious that he provided nothing more than a simple outline for Altman for Gosford Park. NOTHING Fellowes has done since then is anywhere in the same ballpark as Gosford, which was superb.

by Anonymousreply 186June 27, 2025 10:50 PM

He got the Oscar🤷🏻‍♂️

by Anonymousreply 187June 27, 2025 11:23 PM

R182, she did just that.

by Anonymousreply 188June 27, 2025 11:28 PM

Basically the Duke of Marlborough (called "Sunny," because his courtesy title as a boy and young man was the Earl of Sunderland) and Consuelo, the Duchess, learned very quickly they could not tolerate each other's company, so as soon as she cranked out her requisite heir and a spare, she was gone.

They were officially separated for almost twenty years, and when she wanted to get officially divorced (not the easiest thing to do in 1920s England--her mother had to testify at the trial that she had totally dominated Consuelo in order to force her to get married).

Oddly enough, though, Winston Churchill had very happy memories of his "Aunt Conseulo," and always spoke of her exceptionally fondly. Since his beloved mother was also a Dollar Princess, he probably sympathized with her. And, according to all accounts, she was nice almost to a fault.

by Anonymousreply 189June 27, 2025 11:46 PM

R187 Which is certainly proof of his talent...winning a writing Oscar for a Robert Altman film, a director well known for creating his films in collaboration with his actors.

And the fact everything he's written since has been utter shite.

by Anonymousreply 190June 28, 2025 3:39 AM

Fellowes sucks cocks in hell

by Anonymousreply 191June 28, 2025 4:37 AM

Consuelo Vanderbilt was forced, literally, by her mother to marry the asshole Duke. She was reportedly crying up the aisle.

by Anonymousreply 192June 28, 2025 4:50 AM

She ought to have been happy to get away from the woman who named her Consuelo.

by Anonymousreply 193June 28, 2025 12:15 PM

Money is money though

by Anonymousreply 194June 28, 2025 2:04 PM

Money doesn't do you much good if you're miserable over things that money can't fix.

by Anonymousreply 195June 28, 2025 7:59 PM

^^^The lack of MONEY is the root of all Evil^^^

I told that to the priest at Holy Family church in the confessional when I was 18 years old in Philly.

I felt so much better after banging the priest, love the cassocks. He asked me what he could do to "bring be back into the church."

by Anonymousreply 196June 28, 2025 8:58 PM

Suck his cock, clearly

by Anonymousreply 197June 29, 2025 1:08 AM

You can visit some of the real mansions used on the show:

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 198June 29, 2025 5:06 AM

Super sweet

by Anonymousreply 199June 29, 2025 11:11 AM

Episode 2, tonight, one wonders ...

... What the Papers Say ?

by Anonymousreply 200June 29, 2025 2:30 PM

Is this the one where poor John Adams pops his clogs?

by Anonymousreply 201June 29, 2025 4:19 PM

I hope in some future episode one angry guest throws a Thistle Gold St. Louis goblet across the room.

by Anonymousreply 202June 29, 2025 7:43 PM

looking forward to Agnes saying many withering things to Ada that go over her head and getting revenge on Dr. Lewis. Also, gay stuff.

by Anonymousreply 203June 29, 2025 8:10 PM

[quote] looking forward to Agnes saying many withering things to Ada that go over her head

Why, that has about as much of chance of happening as Marian looking delighted over someone else's success!

Or of Mrs. Fish looking secretly thrilled when she hears something scandalous!

by Anonymousreply 204June 29, 2025 8:22 PM

Or of Kristine Nielsen's cook making off-hand remarks in an unintelligible accent as she shapes doughy biscuits.

by Anonymousreply 205June 29, 2025 10:06 PM

Fellowes is a terrible writer but he's the "most bad" when it comes to writing for the servants. NONE of them are interesting.

He did have the cunty ladies maid who tried to fuck Railroad Daddy but she got the boot only to ridiculously come back as a "lady".

And there's Alarm Clock Jack.

As for the rest...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

by Anonymousreply 206June 29, 2025 10:13 PM

Actually I kind of like the household staff at both residences. I am not invested in them the way I was with Mrs. Patmore and Carson, and the rest, but they're fine. I sure hope Alarm Clock Jack doesn't get screwed over by the Russell kid. He seems decent enough but you just never know.

by Anonymousreply 207June 29, 2025 11:10 PM

[quote] Fellowes is a terrible writer but he's the "most bad" when it comes to writing for the servants. NONE of them are interesting.

Obviously the Cunting Butler is an exception here, although I missed the cunty comments last season.

by Anonymousreply 208June 29, 2025 11:13 PM

The Butlers are both boring. It's very tepid cunting.

The Russell butler is a shitty actor.

by Anonymousreply 209June 30, 2025 12:22 AM

The houses aren't main characters on this show, which sucks a bit. We see the some of the details, but they're never really showcased like the magnificent Highclere rooms were.

by Anonymousreply 210June 30, 2025 12:30 AM

Actually once you got past the public rooms Highclere was rather drab, IMO. In the bedrooms, I could smell the mold and dust from here. In Gilded Age every room, including the bedrooms is magnificent.

by Anonymousreply 211June 30, 2025 12:40 AM

R210, I think that the mansion situation is complicated. None of the houses in NYC are real; they are a patchwork of rooms from real houses combined with sets.

by Anonymousreply 212June 30, 2025 12:42 AM

The van Rhijn scenes should all be shot in daylight. We get that Agnes is stingy with a candle, but the night interiors are too dark.

by Anonymousreply 213June 30, 2025 12:45 AM

[quote] I felt so much better after banging the priest, love the cassocks. He asked me what he could do to "bring be back into the church."

Well, honestly, he seems to have gone above and beyond. Seriously, what more did you need, bitch?

by Anonymousreply 214June 30, 2025 1:34 AM

Well, true r209, but mostly it's the writing. Of course, you should never send a dingbat twenty-something nonbinary to do the work of a bitter old queen.

Sorry, but we know what we're doing when it comes to cunting, and they just don't.

by Anonymousreply 215June 30, 2025 1:41 AM

“We ALL believe in John’s cock…uhhh…clock.”

Fun fact-the Russell butler is played by Jack Gilpin whose daughter Betty was recently one of Cole Escola’s replacements as Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! on Broadway.

by Anonymousreply 216June 30, 2025 1:44 AM

Damn but that episode flew by. George grooming Alarm Clock Jack was hot. Poor Gladys. Baranski was great in her scene with Peggy's parents. Excellent episode.

by Anonymousreply 217June 30, 2025 2:02 AM

Ada is really annoying, making the servants take the pledge.

The actress playing Gladys is terrible.

Glad to see John Adams is back. Too bad he's so needy.

by Anonymousreply 218June 30, 2025 2:09 AM

[quote] None of the houses in NYC are real; they are a patchwork of rooms from real houses combined with sets.

They're using multiple real-life mansions in the US for many of the locations for the series.

All the scenes in the Fane house tonight were filmed at Lyndhurst, Jay Gould's house in Tarrytown, NY.

The Russells' ballroom, their billiard room, and George's bedroom are all filmed at The Breakers, one of the Vanderbilt family's estates in Newport.

Bertha's bedroom is filmed at Marble House, the other major Vanderbilt house in Newport.

The interiors and exteriors of two other Newport mansions, Chateau-sur-Mer and Belmont, were used as Mrs. Astor's mansion in that city.

Many other Gilded Age mansions noted at the link have been used for other locations for the series.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 219June 30, 2025 2:09 AM

I missed the last 15 minutes of the show, so I have to rewatch it. I know 1 thing, if I was Aurora Fane, I will kill Charles Fane.

Also, I need to get violated by Dr. Kirkland, a fine looking high yellow half breed man. I need to suck& swallow him; he must violate me several times and call me his "white bitch faggot"cock-slap me many times. Fill me with his creamy white goodness.

by Anonymousreply 220June 30, 2025 2:10 AM

R220 - Mitch McConnell

by Anonymousreply 221June 30, 2025 2:16 AM

Charles Fane was downright flaming in tonight’s episode.

The dreary actress playing Gladys is really diabolically bad. And what was that Peter Pan type monstrosity on her head in the first half hour?

by Anonymousreply 222June 30, 2025 2:18 AM

It would be nice if Ada came out as carpet muncher with one of those mannish looking socialites who often seem to have minor roles. Nixon could impose her personal life her, too, and it would be more interesting than bugging people about temperance.

by Anonymousreply 223June 30, 2025 2:21 AM

I thought tonight had the best work all three seasons both from Christine Baranski (in her discussion with the Scotts about Oscar's typhoid years ago, where he almost died) and Carrie Coons (where for once she allowed herself to get emotional in her scene in her bedroom with George). I also thought Denee Benton was charming in her scene where she saw Dr. Kirkland in her bedroom in her pigtails.

I liked too that they're finally allowing Ada to look genuinely foolish and wrong-headed about trying to pressure everyone in her household into signing the Temperance Pledge.

For once I thought this episode was mostly well written: I liked how they wrote Mrs. Carlton, Billy's mother. She's genuinely a kind mother, but Bertha pushed her so far she allowed her snobbery to show through by finally my pulling rank on her with regard to her ancestors vs. Bertha's. I also like that Billy is such a pussy and was terrified of bertha's evil threat to destroy him and disinherit Gladys.

by Anonymousreply 224June 30, 2025 2:22 AM

Well, I for one thought the episode was just as badly written as ever.

For example, are we just supposed to forget how Agnes was so horribly against, downright scandalized by having a young Black woman working in her household in S1? Suddenly, tonight she's talking about her family's long-held beliefs in equal rights for all races.

And John Adams - I guess there was no need to explain where he's been wile Oscar lost his all his money?

Ada's temperance campaign - I honestly can't tell if they mean for it be some kind (lame) comic relief.

How long are they going to drag out Alarm Clock Jack's patent presentation??

by Anonymousreply 225June 30, 2025 2:33 AM

[quote] For example, are we just supposed to forget how Agnes was so horribly against, downright scandalized by having a young Black woman working in her household in S1?

She wasn't. You're misremembering.

by Anonymousreply 226June 30, 2025 2:35 AM

Love that Mrs. Fish had a prior iconic role as Dawn Muffler in Another Gay Movie. Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, and the rest of the Broadway trained cast must be plotzing over this.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 227June 30, 2025 2:36 AM

I wish Oscar and John Adams could live together forever as "confirmed bachelors" like these two

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 228June 30, 2025 2:36 AM

I can't imagine anyone's loins being inflamed by Oscar.

by Anonymousreply 229June 30, 2025 2:44 AM

Agnes was the one who actively hired Peggy to be her secretary in Season 1. She did so after being genuinely thankful Peggy had helped get marian to NY from Pennsylvania, and she let Peggy stay the night before hiring her. Since the very first episode they've shown she's quite advanced for her time among white people with regards to color prejudice.

It was her maid Armstrong who was scandalized by Agnes's hiring her.

by Anonymousreply 230June 30, 2025 2:44 AM

Yes. The "Agnes is an uptight prig who always conforms to what society expects EXCEPT when it comes to her VERY liberal stance on race relations" was just one of many bad writing examples found early on in TGA.

by Anonymousreply 231June 30, 2025 2:53 AM

R210, some may remember Lyndhurst as Collinwood in the first movie version of Dark Shadows. They still do Dark Shadows events there!

by Anonymousreply 232June 30, 2025 2:54 AM

Ada is going to bore everyone with her temperance shit. I hope Agnes via Oscar gets her money back and puts Ada in her place.

That Fane guy is flaming.

by Anonymousreply 233June 30, 2025 3:13 AM

I sort of feel like they're going to make something of the mercury typhoid medicine Oscar was given as a kid. It felt kind of crammed into the conversation. Perhaps Mr. Scott, as a pharmacist, thinks about it, then comes back and asks about it or something, and that leads to some kind of Peggy/Agnes rift when hijinks ensue. Although, nothing seems to be neurologically wrong with Oscar (just his luck and a bit of affluenza), so maybe it's nothing. It's probably nothing. I don't know. I'm not sure I like where they [italic]could[/italic] take it. Maybe it was just shock value at the treatments of the time.

by Anonymousreply 234June 30, 2025 3:34 AM

R233 I pointed out the flaming Fane person early on. And he is coming across as an incredibly selfish POS. I loved it when Aunt Agnes froze him, saying, " I am not your Aunt Agnes!" Here's the thing. No one ever sees Mr Astor. And historically we know that the Astors split up. But Mrs. Astor lost no standing and no one discussed it. Now if Fane were discreet and aware or the social dynamics, he and his girlfriend could go enjoy their lives discreetly and Aurora could maintain the fiction of a happy marriage. I'm wondering what the point is in this storyline? Do we watch as Society shuns Aurora and takes up with the new Mrs. Fane? Agnes may have something to say about that. I want the satis faction of watching Fane get frozen out. Then he will turn to Oscar and John Adams for sympathy.....

by Anonymousreply 235June 30, 2025 3:36 AM

[quote] Baranski was great in her scene with Peggy's parents.

FINALLY! The long overdue The Good Fight reunion with Baranski and McDonald.

by Anonymousreply 236June 30, 2025 3:46 AM

SPOILERS

*

*

r235, I think the point of the Fanes' story is to show what the stakes will be in high society if the Russells divorce, which has promised to be threatened this season in every review of the season I've read. I think that's also why Charlotte Astor Drayton was introduced as a character tonight, and why mention was made of her troubled marriage and of her longstanding affair with another man: that affair was a huge scandal in Gilded Age society, and Charlotte's husband notoriously challenged her lover to a duel (which never materialized).

by Anonymousreply 237June 30, 2025 3:53 AM

I saw Ashlie Atkinson aka Mrs Fish in an off Broadway play titled FAT PIG more than 20 years ago .Her co stars were Jeremy Piven, Andrew McCarthy and Keri Russell and she stole the show. Very memorable performance.

by Anonymousreply 238June 30, 2025 4:02 AM

I'm happy to see Victoria Clark, another superb Broadway actress, as Billy's mother Mrs. Carlton.

by Anonymousreply 239June 30, 2025 4:04 AM

Bertha slipped George the tongue in one shot. It was hilarious.

by Anonymousreply 240June 30, 2025 4:24 AM

Marble House at Newport

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 241June 30, 2025 4:59 AM

I'm hoping the Fane Divorce will lead to the Fane Murder.

We could use one of those in this show.

And, once again, stupid writing. Men were also ostracized from society for divorce. He and the new wife would NOT be welcome.

by Anonymousreply 242June 30, 2025 6:00 AM

All in all, this week's episode was better than last weeks.

Things that were good:

The Ada and Agnes bickering.

Ada being a pest about "the Pledge".

They gave poor, too old for her role Gladys some nice scenes.

Loved Mrs. Astor's ears perking up when she could smell gossip in the room.

I liked Peggy being all coy with the new hot doctor and basically sending signals for Marion to get the fuck out of her room so she could get a breast exam from him.

by Anonymousreply 243June 30, 2025 6:05 AM

Oh, and they gave Bauer, the cook, some fun bits of business. She's finally becoming a more interesting character.

by Anonymousreply 244June 30, 2025 6:07 AM

Stuff that needs to happen:

Fane needs punished for being a stupid asshole. Kill him.

Bertha needs a beat down.

We really need to see Alarm Clock Jack do well.

by Anonymousreply 245June 30, 2025 6:08 AM

[quote]I hope Agnes via Oscar gets her money back and puts Ada in her place.

That will be the cliffhanger in the last S3 episode and hook S4

Maude Beaton will finally overplay her hand with her next mark.

by Anonymousreply 246June 30, 2025 10:18 AM

I’m sticking with it for the scenery and costumes though it’s pretty dull stuff. We need to see Larry and Jack go off together for these business meetings and realize their true feelings for each other while peddling their cocks, er, I mean, clocks. More man on man hot clock action!

by Anonymousreply 247June 30, 2025 10:59 AM

Why do they keep dressing Marion in these garish dayglo dresses? Is it supposed to have some meaning? Maybe Streep Jr insists they’re her colors but she looks like a damn freeze pop every time she enters a scene.

by Anonymousreply 248June 30, 2025 11:00 AM

Lots of comments about all the gays in this show. Which of the actors is officially gay/out? Please let it be Larry and or Jack. They seem to have a very cute rapport on set based on their Instagram accounts.

by Anonymousreply 249June 30, 2025 11:01 AM

Jack is straight, Larry is gay.

by Anonymousreply 250June 30, 2025 11:17 AM

Gladys' attire at the start when she was at Billy Carlton's place was horrific, as was Bertha's hat.

Speaking of, Billy is so bland, I hope we don't see him anymore. Did you know the actor has a doctorate in genetics from Columbia? Smart homo!

Dr. Kirkland is so tall and HOT. Reminds me of David Alvarez a bit. His period-appropriate speech clashes with Peggy's more contemporary delivery, I've noticed.

I thought Aurora Fane's pleading with her husband at the foot of the staircase was some of the best dramatic acting we've seen on this show so far.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 251June 30, 2025 11:30 AM

Someone was talking about "empowering" people--it struck me as very post-1960s. This doesn't have to be a documentary but they could get enough of the starchy details right to make it seem authentic.

by Anonymousreply 252June 30, 2025 11:32 AM

Cynthia Nixon's nudity was wasted on AJLT. It would have been impactful in The Gilded Age if she was naked in some funny/bizarre scenario. It would take some imagination, but even back then people sometimes were naked in their own homes. Not to mention all the brilliant asides from Christine Baranski after.

by Anonymousreply 253June 30, 2025 12:29 PM

I hope Ada has some sort of emotionally draining event and says "oh, fuck it", grabs a bottle of booze and is later found passed out naked with a bottle in her cooch.

by Anonymousreply 254June 30, 2025 1:00 PM

The writing is occasionally really good. Last week, Agnes was upset a doctor wouldn't see Peggy, then told Aurora she wouldn't be able to attend as many parties if she got divorced. This week, Ada finally becomes the head of the household after being powerless for two seasons, then immediately abuses her power by trying to make her staff sign the temperance pledge.

by Anonymousreply 255June 30, 2025 1:06 PM

Some of the closeup photography and lighting seems very unrelentingly harsh on the older ladies this season, Nixon, Baranski, Donna Murphy and Kelli O'Hara being the particular victims. And the Black actors always seem to suffer form too low lighting and dark backgrounds.

Also, the ladies' wigs have become so overly elaborate and phony-looking. Their hats are immense and too color coordinated to their ugly dresses (neither true to the 1880s).

And those neon colors are on Streep, Jr.!

by Anonymousreply 256June 30, 2025 1:40 PM

Aurora Fane looks way older than her gay husband. Is that deliberate?

by Anonymousreply 257June 30, 2025 1:45 PM

Bertha looked 10 years younger with her hair down in that bedroom scene with Mr Russell. It softened her face dramatically. The only thing that would have made that scene better was Morgan Spector exposing what must be a hairy beer can cock.

by Anonymousreply 258June 30, 2025 1:46 PM

Ward Horton, aka Charles, played Ed in that awful Torch Song revival with Michael Urie. Claybourne Elder, aka John Adams, was his standby.

by Anonymousreply 259June 30, 2025 1:50 PM

George was pretty annoyed Bertha had not told him she had already begun legal arrangements with the Duke when he said "Tell me everything"... she had been so angry with him the first season when he had not told her everything about Turner coming into his bedroom, insisting that in their marriage they have to share everything, so she's a huge hypocrite,.

by Anonymousreply 260June 30, 2025 2:35 PM

R260 I loved how frantic and desperate she was in her determination to get the Duke for Gladys. IMO it showed that it really had nothing to do with Gladys as she professed, but everything to do with her competitive standing in high society. George saw through it. And the argument she uses as her weapon, I don't tell you how to run your business and you don't tell me how to run mine. But her business is to manage their social standing and run the household. Those children belong to both of them, and he promised Gladys. Even though Bertha dismissed has promise. I think shits gonna hit the fan for Bertha...

by Anonymousreply 261June 30, 2025 2:52 PM

[quote] I think shits gonna hit the fan for Bertha...

I sure hope so. I’m so sick of seeing that bitch win all the time.

Charles Fane is a POS! Bringing his ho to his wife’s function was so fucked up. I really hope Aurora gets the best of him this season.

by Anonymousreply 262June 30, 2025 3:03 PM

Gladys is a dud; if she wasn't a rich bitch, no one would give her a sideways glance.

by Anonymousreply 263June 30, 2025 3:04 PM

Bertha is brilliant to want to get above market price for Glad-ass.

by Anonymousreply 264June 30, 2025 3:07 PM

R263, I like Gladys. She's just an ordinary young lady and she doesn't care about being some wonder woman. Her mother's visions of greatness for her are a projection of what Bertha wanted for herself.

As I have rewatched the first two seasons, I have seen Bertha's coldness and her disregard for the pressures her husband is under. They are in love and they have this partnership where her social climbing helps him and his business connections help her, but as they achieve greater and greater success she is turning her energy on her daughter and on him, and Bertha is totally out of control. I think in this moment, with Gladys and the Duke George is realizing something about her and it's pretty ugly.

by Anonymousreply 265June 30, 2025 3:10 PM

I'm hoping the mother of Gladys's beau will get revenge on Bertha with Mrs. Astor's help.

That new doctor is sure pretty.

by Anonymousreply 266June 30, 2025 3:12 PM

Bertha has no standing without George's money and she probably wouldn't have any idea how to run his business. He is clearly going to undermine her in any way possible. Her beau being such a wimp guarantees that he's not going to get much further with her. She will remain miserable. She and the needle-nosed Streeplet seem to be the stand-ins for "poor Edith" from Downton.

by Anonymousreply 267June 30, 2025 3:30 PM

R259 Ward Horton will be perfectly cast as John Thune in the coming HBO SERIES “Decline and Fall of the American Republic: Enemies Within.”

by Anonymousreply 268June 30, 2025 3:56 PM

The guy playing Fane managed to keep the flaming under control for the first two seasons but this season the flaming has been unleashed because Fane is behaving like such a cunt.

by Anonymousreply 269June 30, 2025 4:09 PM

But somehow looks younger than ever, I'm gonna need his whole skincare routine.

by Anonymousreply 270June 30, 2025 4:14 PM

Taissa Farmiga (Gladys) was not very good during her confrontation with Billy outside the house, but she was very good in the final scene when she discovered to her horror the Duke had brought his lawyers and she's already been sold.

by Anonymousreply 271June 30, 2025 4:19 PM

The ridiculous plot line of Fane's shit treatment of his wife rings very false to the times and the Knickerbocker NY society. No husband would demand a divorce, then parade his mistress at his own wife's soiree in that era. It would reflect badly on him. Most people back then stayed married and perhaps lived in different abodes and had lovers but divorce? Rarely and usually not just because hubs found new pussy. He'd keep that shit discreetly on the side.

by Anonymousreply 272June 30, 2025 4:20 PM

And now for your listening pleasure, a short rendition of "Stardust", performed by DL fave Patti LuPone at a secret gay club where most of the men casted in the Gilded Age undoubtedly frequent.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 273June 30, 2025 4:24 PM

R272, “no fault” divorce did not exist then. You had to have grounds; you couldn’t just dump your spouse. Even prolonged separation did not justify a divorce.

by Anonymousreply 274June 30, 2025 4:55 PM

Ward Horton is a beautiful man. If he was on Fox News, Trump would have him in the cabinet.

by Anonymousreply 275June 30, 2025 5:03 PM

So Fane's strategy is to force Aurora to agree to divorce by humiliating her in her own home in front of their friends? What kind of woman would agree to attend an event at her lover's fiormer home hosted by his wife and involving all of NYC High Society? That's not a good look for the girlfriend either.

by Anonymousreply 276June 30, 2025 5:08 PM

I loved that scene where mama Carlton said, "My grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence!" and Bertha was just like, "And I shit money, bitch."

Great parallels to present day. Money trumps everything.

by Anonymousreply 277June 30, 2025 5:15 PM

R276, unless I’m misremembering, Fane said that he and the mistress were going to follow Aurora around everywhere from now on. Imagine how pleased everyone would be if Fane turned up floating in the East River. No one will believe that Aurora had anything to do with it.

by Anonymousreply 278June 30, 2025 5:34 PM

Looks like they're foreshadowing for Fane to die? That seems to be the easiest way out for the Mrs. Maybe her alibi of him being always sick may just come true. I think he'll either meet a tragic accident or be terminally ill. I don't think he will get murdered. They won't go there.

by Anonymousreply 279June 30, 2025 5:45 PM

A juicy murder would finally energize this shit.

by Anonymousreply 280June 30, 2025 6:01 PM

What a dastardly gathering!

Best line of the episode.

by Anonymousreply 281June 30, 2025 6:05 PM

I agree with you all. The Fanes have been set up quite well for a crime plot, both attractive, but minor enough characters that all meaningful plotlines could keep going if they become this series' Mr. & Mrs. Bates.

by Anonymousreply 282June 30, 2025 6:06 PM

I get the impression that it’s good sex that keeps the George/Bertha marriage going. It’s doubtful that Bertha has relaxed her need to control enough to really enjoy sex, but she ‘s smart enpugh to know she can lead George around by his cock. Up to a point.

I’ve been perplexed that the Fane marriage, which seemed placid and contented, is so aggressively on the rocks. Did the actor want out? His behavior makes little sense, even for a man going through a midlife crisis, 1885 style. Perhaps murder IS on the menu.

by Anonymousreply 283June 30, 2025 6:11 PM

Just a teensy bit of arsenic in his tea today...then a teensy bit of arsenic in his soup tomorrow, ... then a teensy bit of arsenic

by Anonymousreply 284June 30, 2025 6:18 PM

Charles pointed out that the side piece didn't want to come. And, even though we don't get a close up she clearly looks uncomfortable from a distance. Have fun in Newport, Aurora!

by Anonymousreply 285June 30, 2025 6:37 PM

Mr. Horton probably bitch slapped Julian Fellowes after he got handsy and his story arc will be one floating in a pond, river, or fountain. Aurora better have an airtight alibi.

by Anonymousreply 286June 30, 2025 6:43 PM

Bill Camp was excellent in his one scene in this episode. In fact, many of the actors with the smaller roles in this episode and the opening episode seem to make an impression, despite limited screen time. Fellows is lucky he has this kind of talent

by Anonymousreply 287June 30, 2025 7:04 PM

Maybe Mrs. Van Rhijn will KILL OFF Aurora's cheating pig husband. I felt she probably killed off her 1st husband. It was easy to do back in the day.

by Anonymousreply 288June 30, 2025 7:14 PM

Will Ada's gay nephew become a mogul somehow? Ward Horton would have been better in that role, all the nudity in Season 1 would have been worth it.

by Anonymousreply 289June 30, 2025 7:20 PM

I liked this episode overall. Liked every scene with Peggy, Peggy's parents, Peggy's doctor, really every scene with black people seemed to strike the right note and seemed to provide the right mix of drama and realism.

Also, loving the Bertha-Gladys feud and the whole thing of maneuvering her to the altar with the Duke, against her will, but maybe we'll see if it's entirely against her will. Either way, it seem right in every way.

Also liked seeing John Adams and Oliver. Also Ada and Agnes and the goddamn Pledge. Hate the whole idea, but it does work in its setting.

The only big honking terrible no good failure remains the divorce. Sorry, nobody is going to be okay with Mr. Fane parading his whore around town like that. Nobody, wherever she comes from. The one thing these old rich bitches, wives and widows alike, are going to absolutely agree on is that nobody needs some damn home-wrecking, man-stealing Jezebel wandering around their society. They are ones who would be chased from the house, not Aurora. Yes, it's his house too, but in this case, nobody would give a damn. The one power these ladies had was social power, and they would use it to its fullest extent to say no to this bullshit.

by Anonymousreply 290June 30, 2025 8:00 PM

I believe what will harm Mr Fane in the long run is his complete lack of discretion. At some point his side piece has to call him out on it.

by Anonymousreply 291June 30, 2025 8:12 PM

I love how Audra McDonald subtly portrays her character - her relationship with her husband, her reluctance to go through the front door, her love for her daughter, her proud demeanor, and her understanding of how a black family is perceived in this Gilded Age. It makes every scene she's in work.

Would that she could have used some of that subtlety and three-dimensional range in her one-dimensional performance as Mama Rose in GYPSY.

imho

by Anonymousreply 292June 30, 2025 8:30 PM

Patti Lupone must be rage texting under a pseudonym.

by Anonymousreply 293June 30, 2025 9:42 PM

They need to fire the cinematographer. They don't know how to light black actors.

Which is shockingly common in film/tv.

by Anonymousreply 294June 30, 2025 9:55 PM

Bertha as a striving new person was someone we could root for doing battle with Mrs. Astor and the rest. But now that Bertha has won so much success she is IMO not longer someone to root for. She is out of control. That she is willing to sacrifice the life and happiness of her only daughter to one up the old guard is disgusting.

by Anonymousreply 295June 30, 2025 10:17 PM

I agree r295. And in fact, it would raise the stakes and raise the dramatic tension if she was actually losing some social battles, and really needed this win with the Duke to triumph. As it is, she seems to win every time anyway, so there's no particular reason for her to launch her daughter in this way. I still think this whole feud between mother and daughter is working overall, but it is a mistake to give Bertha so many wins leading up to it.

by Anonymousreply 296June 30, 2025 10:26 PM

First word: mister fane is a prick

by Anonymousreply 297June 30, 2025 11:24 PM

OK. I was rewatching Season 2. The episode when t he Met vs the Academy comes to a head. Suddenly the Duke behaves badly and agrees to support the Academy and Mrs. Astor. Bertha is furious. She argues with her husband because she says Astor can buy the Duke and he forbids her to outbid for his attention. He says she has spent enough money, the Met is a sold out triumph and George refers to the Duke as an old shoe getting passed around. He tells Bertha in no uncertain terms she is NOT to spend a dime trying to entice the Duke away from the Astors.

So then..... Bertha goes to the Duke's hotel. What can she offer him that's better than money and won't cost a dime? When she gets home to dress Gladys asks if Billy can visit their box? Mama says no. She reminds Bertha that Bertha likes Mrs. Carlton Billy's mother. But Bertha is implacable. No Billy Carlton. So IMO it was obvious t hat when she visited his hotel room she either gave him the best blow job he's ever had, or she offered him Gladys hand in marriage. So the fix was in from the night of the Met Gala.

by Anonymousreply 298June 30, 2025 11:39 PM

Taissa farminga or what ever her name is, is acting circles around herself from previous seasons and the rest of the cast

by Anonymousreply 299June 30, 2025 11:49 PM

“Existential battle” feels the MOST anachronistic phrase to date

by Anonymousreply 300July 1, 2025 12:01 AM

That coachman looked appropriately pissed at the quarter or what ever it was tossed him

by Anonymousreply 301July 1, 2025 12:08 AM

I like the touch that young mister Russell smokes a cigar casually while his business partner is being fitted, seems very appropriate

by Anonymousreply 302July 1, 2025 12:12 AM

R221, indeed, she goes in heat every once in a while still. . .

by Anonymousreply 303July 1, 2025 12:18 AM

Mister Merrick is a queen, No?

by Anonymousreply 304July 1, 2025 12:25 AM

R304, he certainly pinged for me

by Anonymousreply 305July 1, 2025 12:28 AM

Why is he there? Will he become bertha’s sassy gay friend?

by Anonymousreply 306July 1, 2025 12:49 AM

Heyyyy r306!

by Anonymousreply 307July 1, 2025 12:51 AM

Ward, you’re on your way out, at least according to spoilers

by Anonymousreply 308July 1, 2025 12:54 AM

R252 - I thought the same at first. But then, Bertha meant it in a more literal way than modern "empowerment", which generally refers to self-esteem. Bertha was talking about giving Gladys tangible power, so maybe it's something a woman would feasibly have said in that era? (I don't know, TBH.)

by Anonymousreply 309July 1, 2025 1:40 AM

Bertha is vile (well, by modern standards, at least). As a previous poster noted, her insistence that she wants what's best for Gladys rings hollow - it's all about her own social standing. Her win at the end of the last season has jacked up her (already high) levels of competitiveness and narcissism. It'll be satisfying to see her fall on her face, although there's still a tiny part of me that's rooting for her.

by Anonymousreply 310July 1, 2025 2:01 AM

R310, The final scene in Episode 2 this past Sunday, Gladys looking so terrified and hoping her father would rescue her, i felt really sad for her. And boy did she light into her mother. She really has Bertha's number. I sincerely hope this doesn't become a retelling of the Consuelo Vanderbilt story. How sad! All the critics agree that the Russells are prototypes for the Vanderbilts. I think Bertha has turned into a monster. And to give her husband the excuse that all the high society people expect an engagement announcement is just incredible. Her daughter is a pawn to her. I'm not rooting for Bertha anymore. She's gone too far. Now., she could redeem herself. But I don't think redemption is part of her character's arc.

R308, What makes you say Mr. Fanes days are numbered according to spoilers? What spoilers? I haven't read any.

by Anonymousreply 311July 1, 2025 2:12 AM

[quote] Bertha is vile (well, by modern standards, at least).

Yes, but that modern standards makes a huge difference. It's actually why the whole Bertha-Gladys thing is working better than some other storylines. By Bertha's standards, she is doing a perfectly normal, and in fact admirable thing. And it's not just about her own social standing, it is also very much about her daughter's social standing and her prospects in life. Her daughter really only has one actual asset: her possible marriage. Making the best match possible from a social and economic point of view is absolutely a reasonable thing for her mother to consider. And yes, in that set, it really is up to the mother to decide the best course of action here, as both fathers and daughters themselves really cannot be trusted in the matter. It's actually part of the whole tragedy in House of Mirth, by Edith Wharton who knew a thing or two about this world, that Lily Bart did not have a mother to guide her and was left floundering in that dangerous world.

From Bertha's point of view, she is absolutely doing the right thing here, saving her daughter from stupid mistakes. Not that Gladys would agree, but that's what makes it interesting.

by Anonymousreply 312July 1, 2025 2:13 AM

R309, that’s a blatant anachronism. The essence of these women’s lives is that they did not have any overt, legally recognizable power. They could do some fey do-gooder things, but that was about it. All of their ambition had to go into marriage and social competition.

by Anonymousreply 313July 1, 2025 2:14 AM

I've never liked Bertha, she comes across as a two dimensional villian most of the time, and Coon's performance doesn't help.

by Anonymousreply 314July 1, 2025 2:25 AM

Well, if it's true that the Russells are The Vanderbilts, then Bertha and George will divorce and a year later she will marry an old friend of his, Oliver Belmont, another millionaire. But of course, no one is as successful or as wealthy as Mr. Vanderbilt/George Russell. If Gladys is Consuelo, she's gonna be miserable. In fact, I bet she only agrees to marry the Duke if he bans her mother from their lives.

by Anonymousreply 315July 1, 2025 2:49 AM

Ward McAllister, the role played by Nathan Lane, and one of the real people in the series. He was ostracized from Society after writing a tell all memoir. He was heartbroken when Mrs. Astor cut him. The preview trailer included a scene indicating that this was happening this season even though in real life it didn't happen until 1890.

by Anonymousreply 316July 1, 2025 2:49 AM

Ha, what an idiot r316.

Oh, wait.

by Anonymousreply 317July 1, 2025 2:52 AM

R295 R296 Don't you think the Russells are going to have a financial setback? Then there'll be high drama with her trying to claw back up into society.

by Anonymousreply 318July 1, 2025 3:10 AM

those robber barons never had a financial worry

by Anonymousreply 319July 1, 2025 3:26 AM

Princess Consuela Banana Hammock

by Anonymousreply 320July 1, 2025 3:28 AM

[quote]Taissa farminga or what ever her name is, is acting circles around herself from previous seasons and the rest of the cast

That is one, large paper bag.

by Anonymousreply 321July 1, 2025 3:29 AM

someone will die

by Anonymousreply 322July 1, 2025 3:40 AM

Well, yeah, more like everybody r322.

by Anonymousreply 323July 1, 2025 3:41 AM

eventually

by Anonymousreply 324July 1, 2025 3:43 AM

I think Mr. Fane will be brought in line by the bank he works for. He’s expected to be a gentleman, and they’ll call him out for behaving so poorly.

I worry that Larry isn’t going to make Jack into a success. It all seems so perfect.

Big reach…at the beginning of season 1, Marian’s late father only has ‘worthless’ railroad stock. Maybe his middle of nowhere lines are just what George Russell needs and Marian comes into money selling them.

by Anonymousreply 325July 1, 2025 4:12 AM

[quote]Mister Merrick is a queen, No?

The actor yes, not sure about the character. He made Bertha laugh from ear to ear, which was uncharacteristic and immediately made me think they'll have a tryst. When's the last time George made her laugh?

Or he could be a love interest for Oscar.

by Anonymousreply 326July 1, 2025 4:24 AM

R326, Bertha is turned on by power. It's her aphrodisiac. Merrick doesn't fit into that equation.

by Anonymousreply 327July 1, 2025 12:39 PM

Right, he’s merely a distraction, maybe he’ll gossip about the duke to the right people in Newport

by Anonymousreply 328July 1, 2025 1:23 PM

Does Ward hang out on Fire Island? Any sightings. I would swoon and faint.

by Anonymousreply 329July 1, 2025 1:30 PM

AS IF he would ever cavort with that riffraff! P-Town only.

by Anonymousreply 330July 1, 2025 1:38 PM

Oscar is not that attractive but I would welcome almost everyone else on the the gay train. They all seem quite homosexual as it is

by Anonymousreply 331July 1, 2025 2:16 PM

R295: Some of us have never rooted for Bertha. She's just a self-serving striver with nothing much to offer anyone else.

by Anonymousreply 332July 1, 2025 3:10 PM

Yeah, Bertha is a one note bitch.

About once a season, she gets to cry and be vulnerable. Then, back to One Note Cunt Town.

by Anonymousreply 333July 1, 2025 9:32 PM

My wish for a series called "The Gilded Age" and set in New York would have been to have done it like The Wire. There's a core cast every year but the focus changes every season. One season would focus more on Politics (Tammany Hall!) and one on Black Culture in New York and one on Jewish Culture....one season on Crime, etc.

But, that's not very Uncle Julian.

by Anonymousreply 334July 1, 2025 9:37 PM

R334, I really like that idea. New York was the elites of many different groups—artists, criminals, WASPs, Jews, Black Americans, gay people. What we are seeing so far doesn’t convey that.

by Anonymousreply 335July 1, 2025 9:55 PM

Uncle Julian just does lazy soap operas.

And, it really is a shame since this is a rare, big budget 19th century set show depicting American history we seldom get to see produced in this country.

by Anonymousreply 336July 1, 2025 10:03 PM

As I think about it this series really is about the women. You have Aurora Fane who tried so hard not to offend, to follow the rules and do almost everything right. You have Marian, who wants "a life less ordinary", then there's brave Peggy who is compelled to write and be an activist, you have Gladys who has no wish to be a society leader, and Bertha who channels all her intelligence, her drive and her cunning into the only outlet available to her, pushing her way into high society. Now it's true that being one of the movers and shakers as George is, it is helpful to have a wife who can hold her own among the hoi polloi. But Bertha has over played her hand, not just with George about Gladys, but among that nest of vipers who call themselves the social leaders of NYC. Bertha has no friends, only people who hate and fear her.

by Anonymousreply 337July 1, 2025 10:23 PM

Hoi polloi. No the!

by Anonymousreply 338July 1, 2025 10:48 PM

R333, I like One Note Cunt Town.

Like Maggie Smith in Downton.

One Note Cunt Town.

by Anonymousreply 339July 1, 2025 11:32 PM

Aurora fane needs to scream and slap someone

by Anonymousreply 340July 2, 2025 1:07 AM

The typhoid mercury turned my son into a homosexual!

by Anonymousreply 341July 2, 2025 11:07 AM

Indeed it did

by Anonymousreply 342July 2, 2025 11:50 AM

Aurora’s pretty boy husband leaving her storyline is kind of silly, but it’s nice to see Kelli O’Hara getting a little more to do.

by Anonymousreply 343July 2, 2025 11:59 AM

Bertha needs a chorus of gay boys to keep her laughing. The original fag hag would be a good B storyline.

by Anonymousreply 344July 2, 2025 12:09 PM

I really don't get all this DL salivating over Mr. Fane. I've always found his looks bland and insipid, even more so this season as he's come more into focus.

For that type I found Marian's suitor of last season, can't remember the character's name but the actor was David Furr, far hotter.

by Anonymousreply 345July 2, 2025 12:50 PM

Morgan Spector is the hottest

by Anonymousreply 346July 2, 2025 2:10 PM

I want to see Agnes die of a heart attach when it is explained to he that Oscar enjoys having men go up in him.

Agnes, "He bites the pillow?"

Argggghhh...

by Anonymousreply 347July 2, 2025 2:26 PM

No we need Agnes and Ada. So seriously how do we think Julian will wrap up his Gilded Age. I think they fully intend to have a 4th season.

by Anonymousreply 348July 2, 2025 2:43 PM

The Gilded Age ended in financial panic and with power to the Progressive movement.

by Anonymousreply 349July 2, 2025 3:51 PM

Julian would never let that happen to the cast, well maybe one or two.

by Anonymousreply 350July 2, 2025 3:58 PM

To R325, I agree with you, I was hoping the same thing in season #1 that Marian would turn out to be the "wealthiest" of all 3 of them. Maybe the "old worthless RR stock" that Marian has would turn out to be worth MILLIONS to her because Russell Sr. needs it to finish the RR to the West Coast. Maybe someone should tell Miss Fellowes about this dropped plot line. I want Marian to marry Larry Russell. Seriously, her 1st fiancée dropped her for a Flagler Heiress (I would have too) Too much $$$$ to pass up.

by Anonymousreply 351July 2, 2025 4:53 PM

Marian hides her Streep bonafides like a true nepo. She has talent, nevertheless.

by Anonymousreply 352July 2, 2025 6:49 PM

George Russell gives me a STIFFY!!!!

by Anonymousreply 353July 2, 2025 7:41 PM

Both of them

by Anonymousreply 354July 2, 2025 7:44 PM

I think Alarm Clock Jack is the sexiest guy on the show.

by Anonymousreply 355July 2, 2025 7:51 PM

He is super sweet

by Anonymousreply 356July 2, 2025 8:09 PM

He still looks like an animated film character brought to life but he really is adorable. And whoever taught him that accent deserves big props.

by Anonymousreply 357July 2, 2025 8:56 PM

I cannot believe that this week is going by so fast. Tomorrow is Thursday. Fireworks night, then Friday is the 4th. Wow. I guess I'm anxious to see the next episode. And I will honestly maim Larry Russell if he even considers stabbing Alarm Clock Jack in the back. Marian would dump him so fast!

by Anonymousreply 358July 2, 2025 11:58 PM

Pocketwatch twink has cheeks to pinch, front and back.

by Anonymousreply 359July 3, 2025 12:55 AM

Alarm Clock Jack has those sleepy bedroom eyes, and those lips - oh, what I could do with those lips...

He loves musical theater, but sadly, Ben Ahlers is straight.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 360July 3, 2025 1:28 AM

Isn't Harry Richardson, who plays the young Russell also straight? His Insta is mostly of him skateboarding and hiking back home in Australia. With little or no grooming. He seems like someone who has no ambition regarding his career. Not that that make him straight.

by Anonymousreply 361July 3, 2025 2:14 AM

Former boy toy to Selma Blair, I don't think he's gay.

by Anonymousreply 362July 3, 2025 2:17 AM

I fear Larry Russell is going to take advantage of the young pocket watch twink.

by Anonymousreply 363July 3, 2025 2:36 AM

Congratulations to the person who coined the name Alarm Clock Jack! I think it's gonna stick!

by Anonymousreply 364July 3, 2025 2:53 AM

I thought for sure the actor playing Larry Russell was gay in real life. Was shocked to find out he's straight.

by Anonymousreply 365July 5, 2025 3:14 AM

He sure is purty

by Anonymousreply 366July 5, 2025 3:23 AM

r365 That is indeed shocking. The way he crossed the street in the latest episode was the faggiest sight in this show so far. Then again, Timothy Olyphant has that same walk and is also straight. So I guess it has to do more with spindly legs than with sexual orientation.

by Anonymousreply 367July 5, 2025 4:42 AM

90% of actors are kinda gay.

I mean...they've all "tried it" once or twice or thrice.

by Anonymousreply 368July 5, 2025 4:56 AM

By the time Alarm Clock Jack gets his invention on the market in this slow storyline, the Russell staff members will be wearing smartwatches.

by Anonymousreply 369July 5, 2025 1:02 PM

I’ll say that rather than get fucked over, Alarm Clock Jack is going to start making real money, which will set him apart from his peers and set up a dilemma — can he learn to code switch to a higher class? Who will his friends be? Who will receive him?

by Anonymousreply 370July 5, 2025 2:00 PM

To R367-YUMMY...TIMOTHY OLYPHANT-TAKE ME HARD RAYLAN!!!

by Anonymousreply 371July 5, 2025 3:06 PM

My prediction: Alarm Clock Jack will be financially successful, but unhappy in his life because he doesn't quite fit in either world.

Which is a tad ridiculous because America was all about the self made man. And, Jack would be very welcome in certain quarters.

by Anonymousreply 372July 5, 2025 8:28 PM

Alarm Clock Jack should just fucking move to Paris where he’d have a VERY enjoyable life.

by Anonymousreply 373July 5, 2025 8:45 PM

Alarm Clock Jack will have sex for the first time and contract something.

by Anonymousreply 374July 5, 2025 9:53 PM

JP Morgan was like, "Something BAD is coming, some terrible economic crash that will change all our lives forever. Everything points to it, I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air... But yes, let me invest in your highly speculative venture that might ruin me completely."

Fellowes once again with the hindsight writing. I'm surprised he didn't have Ada say, "One day, about 130 years from now, this temperance movement will lead to the first female presidential candidate."

by Anonymousreply 375July 6, 2025 11:04 AM

Didn’t the Fanes introduce Oscar to Maude? Maybe Charles Fane was in on her scam as a way to finance his extramarital activities. And maybe John Adams can help Oscar figure that out.

Also wouldn’t Fane and the mistress/second wife plan to just go to the French Riviera after the divorce?

by Anonymousreply 376July 6, 2025 2:12 PM

Article with JSS picture of Consuelo with family including Blenheim spaniel.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 377July 6, 2025 2:24 PM

That would be a very interesting story line if Alarm ⏰ Jack made it big. It would be good to see someone rise in that era.

by Anonymousreply 378July 6, 2025 2:35 PM

R378 I predict that by the last episode, Alarm Clock Jack will hit the big time with his invention, and that will set up season 4. He will be rich, and move up in society (but tied to his old friends in the kitchen).

by Anonymousreply 379July 6, 2025 2:54 PM

So which sister will die first? Ada or Agnes?

by Anonymousreply 380July 6, 2025 3:37 PM

Ada will die from alcohol poisoning.

by Anonymousreply 381July 6, 2025 3:49 PM

Agnes will then die of cuntdom

by Anonymousreply 382July 6, 2025 4:02 PM

I just want AC Jack to go to a meeting with Hot Larry& the AC investor and excusing himself to take a piss. AC Jack takes a piss& gets cruised by a wealthy man who gives him his 1st and best blowjob. AC Jack realizes that there is a whole world of "cheap, sleazy, meaningless sex" that awaits when he's married, the wife stops putting out.

by Anonymousreply 383July 6, 2025 4:05 PM

Jack will never be Vanderbilt rich, but he won't fit in downstairs at all.

by Anonymousreply 384July 6, 2025 5:11 PM

but will he fit into his bitches?

by Anonymousreply 385July 6, 2025 6:51 PM

R385-Great one!

by Anonymousreply 386July 6, 2025 8:47 PM

So, Ben Ahlers has a BFA in musical theater from Univ of Michigan!

When is Alarm Clock Jack getting a musical number?!?!?

by Anonymousreply 387July 6, 2025 8:59 PM

Maybe he’ll dance down easy street!

by Anonymousreply 388July 7, 2025 12:17 AM

Oh My Gosh! The flowers are amazing

by Anonymousreply 389July 7, 2025 1:02 AM

A drunk mister Russell would be a fine catch for a late night dalliance

by Anonymousreply 390July 7, 2025 1:04 AM

Aunt Ada is full as can be

by Anonymousreply 391July 7, 2025 1:12 AM

I think either Russell would get a BJ from a guy

by Anonymousreply 392July 7, 2025 1:13 AM

Good. The duke seemed like a MAGA douche to me

by Anonymousreply 393July 7, 2025 1:15 AM

I'm hoping Jenifer Lewis will pop up on Gilded Age, too.

by Anonymousreply 394July 7, 2025 1:16 AM

I’ve indeed always found that women of Il-repute does supply a good amount of wine

by Anonymousreply 395July 7, 2025 1:19 AM

[quote]I'm hoping Jenifer Lewis will pop up on Gilded Age, too.

If she does, I hope she gets the sniffles and someone call Dr. Lewis.

She'd take care of his white ass

by Anonymousreply 396July 7, 2025 1:27 AM

The dead wife is a bore

by Anonymousreply 397July 7, 2025 1:27 AM

I wonder whether the real misses fish was such a big fat fag hag

by Anonymousreply 398July 7, 2025 1:29 AM

R384, I’m hoping Jennifer Lawrence shows up to the gilded age

by Anonymousreply 399July 7, 2025 1:33 AM

Armstrong really is a mega cunt.

by Anonymousreply 400July 7, 2025 1:34 AM

She needs to nip hack to five corners or wherever her hag mother is

by Anonymousreply 401July 7, 2025 1:36 AM

Jennifer Lewis MUST be hired for THE GILDED AGE

Now.

by Anonymousreply 402July 7, 2025 1:38 AM

Mister weston is a hot daddy

by Anonymousreply 403July 7, 2025 1:49 AM

Charming. My grandmother had one of those clocks. Seriously. She had everything

by Anonymousreply 404July 7, 2025 1:50 AM

Phylicia Rashad gets to play a snippy cunt. How exciting!

by Anonymousreply 405July 7, 2025 1:59 AM

I gotta say that was an excellent episode. The only thing that would have made it better is if Gladys was bare assed and spread eagled in her portrait. AND THE WEDDING IS NEXT WEEK!!!!

by Anonymousreply 406July 7, 2025 2:01 AM

How exciting!!

by Anonymousreply 407July 7, 2025 2:07 AM

A real seance!

by Anonymousreply 408July 7, 2025 2:11 AM

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE!

by Anonymousreply 409July 7, 2025 2:20 AM

R406: Sargent reserved that for his male models.

by Anonymousreply 410July 7, 2025 2:22 AM

The broken pearl necklace.

Foreshadowing!!!

by Anonymousreply 411July 7, 2025 2:29 AM

Poor Gladys, destined to be a Duchess in a bad marriage!!

What horrible life!!

by Anonymousreply 412July 7, 2025 2:31 AM

Some of the ugliest dresses ever were seen in tonight's episode. A few looked like they were composed of 3 different dresses we'd seen previously.

by Anonymousreply 413July 7, 2025 2:32 AM

If Gladys is expected to go back to England with her effeminate Duke, how will she ever become the toast of New York/American society?

by Anonymousreply 414July 7, 2025 2:33 AM

Where were the Fanes tonight?

Where was John Adams??

by Anonymousreply 415July 7, 2025 2:33 AM

What is going on in the scenes between the fat chef and the mousey housekeeper? Is it romantic? Are they just friends? I truly can't understand what they're taking about. Nor do I care.

by Anonymousreply 416July 7, 2025 2:35 AM

All these servants don't need to be main characters with plots. Uncle Julian should have just had the van Rijn servants have any kind of plot...we really don't need to see the Russell servants except as window dressing.

by Anonymousreply 417July 7, 2025 2:39 AM

But then we'd be deprived of all that Broadway talent standing around.

by Anonymousreply 418July 7, 2025 2:42 AM

Does Bertha know JS Sargeant is gay as a goose?

by Anonymousreply 419July 7, 2025 2:53 AM

R419, it was often gossiped about, so, yes, she would have known.

by Anonymousreply 420July 7, 2025 2:59 AM

He looks like a pissy bottom

by Anonymousreply 421July 7, 2025 3:04 AM

Gladys is Consuelo Vanderbilt who married the Duke of Marlborough against her will and had a horrible, overbearing beast of a mother in Alva Vanderbilt, and Bertha Russell does her great honor. Alva was homely. Now. Consuelo was unhappy and the Duke was unhappy and they had two sons so they must have had sex at least twice. Anyway, she became a very progressive, liberal, feminist suffragette and was a great humanitarian. A life filled with accomplishments. Alva and her Mr. Vanderbilt got divorced and she married another millionaire, Belmont. She also became a suffragette type. So this could get interesting. I like that they showed the snooty high class POS Black people. I sure wanted to slap the crap out of Phylicia Rashad. I hope Larry and Marian have a smoother ride than poor Gladys did.

by Anonymousreply 422July 7, 2025 3:12 AM

You didn't really gossip about gay people in that time. For one thing, "gay"really wasn't a thing. It was sodomy.

And, women certainly wouldn't have been tittering about it.

by Anonymousreply 423July 7, 2025 3:33 AM

The black actors are very poorly lit. WTF.

by Anonymousreply 424July 7, 2025 3:40 AM

Merrit Wever should be fun next week as Bertha’s sister. I love her.

by Anonymousreply 425July 7, 2025 3:42 AM

r424, they always are. but they had the bitchiest scenes this time

by Anonymousreply 426July 7, 2025 3:47 AM

Okay, now THAT was interesting…wealthy black families looking down on former slaves, even if they have become successful.

by Anonymousreply 427July 7, 2025 5:30 AM

The black seaside scenes like a freewheeling B'way production of "Sunday on the Rocky Beach with Black Actors"

It had a weird CGI/AI quality to it.

Yes, I've said this before...like many shows/films, they don't bother to light black actors properly. Denée Benton is gorgeous and she's always lit badly. It's disgraceful and lazy cinematography.

by Anonymousreply 428July 7, 2025 7:09 AM

That was a decent episode albeit with your usual bits of nonsense here and there from Uncle Julian.

Agnes was on fire this week...being a delicious uber bitch. She got a nice zinger on Armstrong. And, Oscar had some fun lines.

Problem scenes: Ada's ridiculous scene with Mrs. Bauer...I wanted Bauer to just tell her, "bitch...you're depressed. Have a bottle of wine and go to bed."

And, Gladys suddenly kinda/sorta ready to maybe start liking the Duke after spending 5 minutes with him felt a bit rushed. And, the pearl necklace bit was ridiculous and telegraphed from a the beginning. I think Uncle Julian stole that from a Marple episode.

by Anonymousreply 429July 7, 2025 7:15 AM

Is Mr. Not just banking, but also shipping going to be a Belmont stand in or does Bertha want his daughter for Larry?

by Anonymousreply 430July 7, 2025 10:16 AM

Every single pearl on that choker, SYMBOLISM, would have been knotted to preclude what Juliann wrote.

Julian is losing it.

by Anonymousreply 431July 7, 2025 10:35 AM

I wonder if some of the mishmosh dresses really were three previously seen dresses re-worked R413?

Shouldn’t the non-enslaved Northern black folks be darker than the plantation rape descended characters like Peggy’s father? Newport isn’t Louisiana.

Why would a nice beer drinking Lutheran servant like Bauer in touch with a medium? That was a false note. Now if Ada had gone to Boston to meet Luke’s Unitarian cousin that might have made sense.

by Anonymousreply 432July 7, 2025 11:40 AM

R432: Color prejudice was always a thing and the North had plenty of slavery,. They just got rid of it long before the South did and there were slave states like Maryland that had many free Blacks. On the eve of the Civil War, 80-90% of Blacks in Baltimore were free.

by Anonymousreply 433July 7, 2025 11:45 AM

Fun fact - Consuelo’s best friend in real life, who married Duke of Marlborough after Consuelo divorced him was named Gladys.

Is the canine actor playing Pumpkin this season the same one who plays Junior in the Freshpet commercial?

by Anonymousreply 434July 7, 2025 12:01 PM

Yes, back in the day, and even now, REAL pearl necklaces (made of real pearls) were/are strung with an unseen knot between each pearl just so they don't come apart like poor Gladys' choker.

That was a cheap trick.

by Anonymousreply 435July 7, 2025 1:20 PM

Weren't the pearls a gift from the Dewk? So he gave her cheap shit that wasn't strung properly. This was a SIGN!

by Anonymousreply 436July 7, 2025 1:33 PM

I'm starting to love Agnes.

"I can go live in a house of ill-repute. At, least they'll have plenty of wine."

"Haven't you noticed I don't drink, ma'am?" "I've noticed you're no fun."

by Anonymousreply 437July 7, 2025 2:17 PM

I'm really enjoying this season! the first season was uneven. But season 2 was fun. And this has been fun and excellent this season! They've seemed to figure out which characters to focus on and cut out a lot of the boring stuff. I like it more than Dowtown now.

by Anonymousreply 438July 7, 2025 2:21 PM

Oscar remains my favorite. And he shines this season.

by Anonymousreply 439July 7, 2025 2:23 PM

I like how they're managing the Black characters' storyline this season. The reveal that the dad was a slave and the prejudice against it was truly interesting. Also the tension around light skin vs darker. The first season seemed like they were just making the Black characters versions of the white ones. Like that they're exploring Black society as distinct from White society.

by Anonymousreply 440July 7, 2025 2:32 PM

Is it just me or does everyone look 5 years older this season?

by Anonymousreply 441July 7, 2025 2:35 PM

Was the real John Singer Sargent a pocket gay, just like the actor portraying him?

by Anonymousreply 442July 7, 2025 2:37 PM

Did anyone catch the Easter Egg mention of "Baltimore" to the Phylicia Rashad character? I think the dad character asked her is she'd been to Baltimore and she gave him a weighted stare in response. I took it as a sly reference to one of her most famous lines in the Cosby Show: "Here we think you're lying on the floor of some burning building dying of asphyxia and you're down in Baltimore, having BIG FUN! Weren't you, Vanessa?"

by Anonymousreply 443July 7, 2025 2:38 PM

[quote] Is it just me or does everyone look 5 years older this season?

Why does Gladys look like she’s 30?

by Anonymousreply 444July 7, 2025 2:40 PM

These Newport "upper class" blacks were doing an earlier version of the "brown paper bag trick"

How the light-skinned blacks discriminated against the dark-skinned black in their black fraternities& sororities in the 20th century. By holding up a brown paper bag against their skin, darker than the paper bag-ain't getting in!!

by Anonymousreply 445July 7, 2025 2:46 PM

Ada just can't catch a break, which is fine because she's so boring. Agnes does sanctimony much better, but it is nice to see her being shut out of society.

I'm ambivalent about dragging out both the Jack and the Duke/Gladys storylines.. Putting Jack on his way to social limbo should be a no brainer as it creates a somewhat different arc than the other characters have. Gladys does look kind of old for 18, but she's not very interesting and shipping her off to England would get rid of one peripheral character. Conversely, Oscar is having too much success, too soon. Julian really seems to suck at pacing.

by Anonymousreply 446July 7, 2025 3:07 PM

AC Jack is the Gwen Dawson of TGA.

by Anonymousreply 447July 7, 2025 3:32 PM

[quote]Why does Gladys look like she’s 30?

I think they've intentionally aged her up this season with the help of makeup because the actor playing the Duke looks so much older than her. They wanted to remove the possible ick factor from this arranged marriage arc, which was a smart call.

by Anonymousreply 448July 7, 2025 3:54 PM

I was watching a video about BTS stuff in Season 3, and there was footage of the various actors going through their paces. But apparently they are introducing a lot of new characters. The Duke has a sister who upon meeting them decides she HATES the Russells. Leslie Uggams appears as part of the upper class Blacks of Newport. And the biggest news I saw was t he return of...Maude Beaton!! Yes. The Swindler returns! So this season is gonna be a humdinger.

by Anonymousreply 449July 7, 2025 3:56 PM

Didn’t Glady’s hair used to be a lot lighter too?

by Anonymousreply 450July 7, 2025 3:56 PM

When the Duke was charming and "authentic" with Gladys, what were we to take from that? Everything to that point showed him to be a douche, narcissistic con man, no redeeming good quality, and then suddenly he is kind and sympathetic?

by Anonymousreply 451July 7, 2025 3:57 PM

R451, I viewed him as sort of a "sad old shoe" as George called him. He is on a mission. His family is in deep trouble and he is off to America to find a "Dollar Princess." He seems to be a well brought up, mild mannered young man who may even be slightly embarrassed and decides to handle everything like a transaction, which, back then, marriages usually were. Among the nobility I don't think anyone married for love. All marriages were arranged. But that doesn't make him evil. I kind of loved Bertha's admonition "If you want access to her money be nice to her..."

by Anonymousreply 452July 7, 2025 4:02 PM

[quote]I was watching a video about BTS stuff in Season 3,

please tell us where you saw this video

by Anonymousreply 453July 7, 2025 4:04 PM

VERY excited about Merrit Weaver showing up as Bertha’s sister.

I think the poster who guessed that Marian’s “useless” railroads being suddenly valuable might be on to something. Her line about “well, at least no one will ever want to marry me for money” or whatever ….hmmm.

by Anonymousreply 454July 7, 2025 4:07 PM

R451, he really wanted the money, so he turned in a very polished performance.

by Anonymousreply 455July 7, 2025 4:09 PM

R449, did you get a clear view of the Fane mistress? Is it Maude?

I am probably in the minority, but I’d like to see a patent theft and resulting litigation storyline with Jack.

by Anonymousreply 456July 7, 2025 4:21 PM

Gladys really resembles the real life Consuelo Vanderbilt.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 457July 7, 2025 4:28 PM

Phylicia Rashad is well cast. I can easily picture that woman being Claire Huxtable's great (or great great) grandmother.

by Anonymousreply 458July 7, 2025 4:31 PM

I know this show is silly, but I look forward to it every week and I hate when each episode is over.

by Anonymousreply 459July 7, 2025 4:54 PM

I thought this latest episode was very well written. I appreciate how carefully it parsed various storylines and relationships re the rigid upper and missle class social strictrures of the time. And the way they dealt woth racial snobbery in the black community was also very welcome. This is exactly what I’ve always wanted to see in this series, and they’re finally digging into it.

Not the first series to take this long to hit its stride, they’re finally sailing with all potentially juicy plotlines they’ve spun out.

by Anonymousreply 460July 7, 2025 5:11 PM

Have to agree with R442 — John Singer Sargent was over six feet tall with a formidible presence of his own. Why would they cast an actor who is no more than 5’6”? Also, though the portrait looked kind of Sargent-ish from afar, the one closer shot revealed that it didn’t have the creamy polish of a real Sargent. So I guess we’ll only see it in longshot.

I LOVED the pearl necklace breaking, heavy-handed and unlikely as it was. I love that kind of portent in melodrama. It’s like the red wine spilling on the wedding dress in “The Deer Hunter” — I’m here for all that drama.

by Anonymousreply 461July 7, 2025 5:17 PM

John Singer Sargent’s mustache looked like it was trying to flee his face during the portrait unveiling.

by Anonymousreply 462July 7, 2025 5:35 PM

I thought Gladys' father gave away her dowry to finance his choo choo trains.

by Anonymousreply 463July 7, 2025 6:20 PM

R463 I am assuming that will be a plot point in upcoming episodes. Will the wedding be called off? Will Bertha finally be humiliated?

by Anonymousreply 464July 7, 2025 6:44 PM

R463, yes, here was a mention of funds being freed up since her engagement had, apparently, fallen though. But this show is rather vague about money. Fortunes magically appear whenever they're needed. When Bertha met with Mr. Delancy (the other possible purchaser of the Duke) she snidely said something about him having a close call with penury only to have him hand wave it away: oh, those millions? I have other millions, there was nothing to worry about.

by Anonymousreply 465July 7, 2025 6:45 PM

R465, it's called diversification, and I don't think Russell is very diversified. I think he is pouring a fortune into railroads and it is a fortune he doesn't have. J.P. Morgan said as much.

by Anonymousreply 466July 7, 2025 6:54 PM

We got a rare glimpse of women's footwear as Bertha leapt up from her table to greet the banker. Or maybe I've just never seen her shoes in particular.

by Anonymousreply 467July 7, 2025 6:56 PM

Aunt Agnes gets major points from me for that Thirty Years' War jibe.

by Anonymousreply 468July 7, 2025 6:59 PM

Oscar laughing with Marian and Ada at AC Jack's comment at answering Agnes question about Money.

Great comment BTW

by Anonymousreply 469July 7, 2025 7:13 PM

I'd love to see Aunt Agnes in a fit of civil rights uppity-ness smuggle Mrs. Scott into the opera. The guest opera singer will be played by none other than....Patti Lupone! Who then discovers someone has brought a colored lady into the sacred whites-only space and has a cunt fest. And confronts Mrs. Scott who then marches up on stage and pulls Patti's wig off.

by Anonymousreply 470July 7, 2025 7:13 PM

There's a reason why Gladys looks 30...

The actress who plays her, IS 30.

by Anonymousreply 471July 7, 2025 7:33 PM

Russell's finances are a bit of jumble. Wasn't he in danger of going broke a couple episodes ago? Then he bailed out a bank? Now he's giving money to this low grade royal, along with an allowance for his plain looking daughter?

by Anonymousreply 472July 7, 2025 7:37 PM

With all the bank panics and recessions of the 19th Century, I wouldn’t be surprised if they try a plotline where Russell’s finances become stretched and he finds himself over a barrel re this railroad project. Jay P. Morgan as much as warned him about that.

Maybe he’ll have to crawl to Morgan to get bailed out until there is a financial correction. If so what will Morgan want in return? The excellent character actor Bill Camp plays Morgan so I’m sure he must have more of a role going forward.

by Anonymousreply 473July 7, 2025 7:45 PM

Everyone looks 5 years older because the lighting and cinematography is extremely unflattering. And not only to the Black actors. Even more so than in past seasons.

There's a reason Agnes has those heavy period-inappropriate Louise Brooks bangs.

by Anonymousreply 474July 7, 2025 7:52 PM

r467, I also caught that glimpse of Bertha's boot and thought....they must not have intended to have it in the shot as it was black boots with a white (or very pale) dress. For a woman who has a custom made hat to go with every single dress, I'd hoped that Bertha might have some beige kid boots.

by Anonymousreply 475July 7, 2025 7:55 PM

At least she wasn't wearing flip flops.

by Anonymousreply 476July 7, 2025 9:43 PM

The duke is not a royal duke.

by Anonymousreply 477July 7, 2025 9:53 PM

R477, Royal Dukedoms are bestowed upon marriage to Royal Princes.

This Duke is a member of the Aristocracy. And not to nit pick, also considered a commoner.

by Anonymousreply 478July 7, 2025 11:32 PM

So, why is Bertha so intent on Gladys marrying him? Does she really think it will affect her place in NY society? Obviously, he ain't bringing no money to the relationship.

by Anonymousreply 479July 7, 2025 11:47 PM

Uh, people ADORE titles. Especially American society. Money isn't that hard to get but a title gives you prestige.

Which is stupid but some people are impressed by that shit.

by Anonymousreply 480July 8, 2025 12:03 AM

When Ada was speaking to Bauer about how she misses her dead husband, it would have been nice if Bauer had suggested that they take the opportunity to drink to his memory.

by Anonymousreply 481July 8, 2025 12:07 AM

R439, the East Coast elites were obsessed with imitating European aristocracy. Basically, everyone in The Gilded Age is pretending that they are starring in Downton Abbey.

The real-life version of Bertha, Alva Vanderbilt, was not sympathetic at all. She didn’t simply want “prestige,” she wanted to completely control her daughter. She sometimes beat Consuelo and threatened to kill the man Consuelo really loved. What we’re seeing in the show is incredibly tame compared to real life.

by Anonymousreply 482July 8, 2025 12:25 AM

R481 It was a great opportunity for Bauer to comfort Ada with her womanly bosoms and yeasty musky lady hole.

by Anonymousreply 483July 8, 2025 12:32 AM

Consuelo Vanderbilt wrote wrote "The Glitter and the Gold." Good title. She tells the whole story of the mother/daughter strife.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 484July 8, 2025 12:34 AM

One of the producers is a Professor of African American history at Emory University in Atlanta, and I was watching an interview with her and Denee Benton on the official Gilded Age podcast on You Tube they put out after each episode.

by Anonymousreply 485July 8, 2025 1:08 AM

I am enjoying this season, primarily for the costumes, romantic plots and settings. The same person posts on these threads repeatedly how much they don't like it. Never change.

I am hoping Jack gets his business because we need a person to evolve out of the butler business.

We need Marian and Larry to marry because it's destined (and Marian looks so pretty in all those clothes).

Peggy needs that doctor to marry her so she can get some BBC.

And most of all, we need Bertha to fall on her face about this whole creepy prince story. She's like Pimp Mama Kris in her zeal for fame and power through her daughter.

by Anonymousreply 486July 8, 2025 1:41 AM

Was there really a rich black community in Newport at that time? It just seems like the whitest city in America. And also, how on the nose that they would pick the exact place where all the other characters vacationed.

by Anonymousreply 487July 8, 2025 1:44 AM

R487, there was a significant Black community in Newport. Local historical societies in Newport and NYC are having a lot of fun with this series.

by Anonymousreply 488July 8, 2025 2:06 AM

[quote] This Duke is a member of the Aristocracy. And not to nit pick, also considered a commoner.

Well, to nit pick, the fact that he's an aristocrat makes him NOT a commoner. This idea that there is only royalty and commoners is a very modern, and largely American, invention. There is royalty, nobility, gentry, and commoners. He's clearly in the nobility group, and soon Gladys will be as well.

And yes absolutely, being able to say "my son-in-law, the Duke," will absolutely put me a cut above these other rich bitches in this society. You bet your ass! Sorry, I mean, it is only right and fitting.

by Anonymousreply 489July 8, 2025 2:23 AM

Spiritualism was a really big thing in that world, but I agree with whoever said that it really was an upperclass thing, and upper middle thing. It wouldn't really be a servant telling Ada about it, I think. It would probably be some friend or relative, maybe even Aurora Fane, who would have heard about some "highly sensitive medium" who's all the rage at Newport this year.

But still, I'm kind of looking forward to Agnes rolling her eyes at whatever nonsense Ada is about to get caught up in.

by Anonymousreply 490July 8, 2025 2:52 AM

Yeah, and I can't wait to see Andrea Martin as that highly sensitive medium....

by Anonymousreply 491July 8, 2025 3:13 AM

[quote] This idea that there is only royalty and commoners is a very modern, and largely American, invention.

What do you consider modern? The Queen Mother, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon? Not particularly American.

by Anonymousreply 492July 8, 2025 4:18 AM

[quote]And also, how on the nose that they would pick the exact place where all the other characters vacationed.

It's nothing new that a group of similar (marginalised) people would vacation in a similar place. See also: the gays of Fire Island and P-Town in the past and still today. You go on vacation where you don't have to deal with the nonsense you otherwise experience on a daily basis.

by Anonymousreply 493July 8, 2025 7:34 AM

R181 I can see most of the dollar princesses being bored to tears after marrying those wealthy families.

Imagine, you went from a society with the latest fashions and modern architecture, and modern conveniences, to old dilapidated country estates. Given your rank, you would have to go a mile to meet with anyone of your social class to have normal conversation. Better hope and pray you like your neighbors.

Beyond that, your man comes to fuck you then spend your money keeping his old musty home from foreclosure or caving in on itself. Regardless, he’s milking you dry.

Back in America, society was in the major cities. The countryside was the temporary home. In the UK it was the opposite, London was the exception for married titles women, the country was were they largely remained.

I’d rather be in NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, etc where a boatload of hot young cheap men come every month, with other rich people of my class are a walk or carriage ride away. Where theater and arts are centered and all than life is celebrated over the dreary UK for a life of loneliness and snobbery.

So yeah, I see no upside to this marriage. Even if the homes and titles were grand, these women already had status and grand (new) homes in America. I’d take America.

by Anonymousreply 494July 8, 2025 8:30 AM

I mean bored after marrying those British aristocrats.

by Anonymousreply 495July 8, 2025 8:31 AM

R482 is right. Alva Vanderbilt was a raging southern bitch. No other way to put it. She was horrible to her kids, horrible to her timid husband, and terrible racists.

That cow was a mess. She was the personification of mental illness mixed with limitless power.

She did make it easier for other divorced women to move in society, but only brides she divorced her man and was not about to give up her place in society.

Her friend, The Mrs Astor had a crazy end. Roaming around her last Fifth Avenue Mansion, muttering to herself and falling down her grand staircase. All alone with nothing but her bored army of servants around. Long gone are the parties, the guests, forgotten with time.

by Anonymousreply 496July 8, 2025 8:40 AM

Tell me about it, r496!

by Anonymousreply 497July 8, 2025 3:10 PM

[quote][R439], the East Coast elites were obsessed with imitating European aristocracy. Basically, everyone in The Gilded Age is pretending that they are starring in Downton Abbey.

I wonder if they're taking a page from The Buccaneers in which Gladys marries the Duke (who she finds out is gay as a goose), she has an affair & leaves him, causing a big scandal. Its certainly far more entertaining option

by Anonymousreply 498July 8, 2025 3:40 PM

Well, R498, except for the Gay part, which I know nothing, that's exactly what happens. Both Consuelo and the Dewk have affairs, divorce, and she becomes areal force. She took her shit stained life and turned it around.

by Anonymousreply 499July 8, 2025 3:55 PM

No hot water in those drafty country estates.

by Anonymousreply 500July 8, 2025 4:46 PM

Most of the titled estate owners also had homes in London and spent part of the year there; the American heiress trophy wives weren't stuck in the country year round. And, went on long visits to the spas and resorts on the continent.

by Anonymousreply 501July 8, 2025 10:18 PM

Would Peggy really have ejaculated “wow!” in that era?

by Anonymousreply 502July 9, 2025 3:00 AM

I wondered that, too. I suspect “wow” wasn’t in common usage for that time period.

On Meryl Jr’s Instagram today she posted a video of Ben Ahlers and referred to him as “Clock Twink,” tee hee.

by Anonymousreply 503July 9, 2025 3:04 AM

Though we enjoy referring to him as Alarm Clock Jack on Data Lounge, Vulture and Louisa Jacobson’s Insta refer to him as Clock Twink.

Which is more Data Lounge than Data Lounge.

by Anonymousreply 504July 9, 2025 4:14 AM

Louisa Jacobson is family so maybe she posts here.

Hey, girl!

by Anonymousreply 505July 9, 2025 4:37 AM

I can't believe they used to need oil for clocks to work. Thank you for enlightening humanity, Clock Twink!

By the way, the guy who played Weston's clockmaker is cute. He has one prosthetic leg, apparently.

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by Anonymousreply 506July 9, 2025 6:03 AM

I wouldn't call him "cute".

I'd call him....

Fuckin' HAWT!!!

by Anonymousreply 507July 9, 2025 6:08 AM

The other guy was hotter

by Anonymousreply 508July 9, 2025 12:06 PM

R478, I didn't realize this character was part of the Royal Family. I stand corrected.

by Anonymousreply 509July 10, 2025 2:02 AM

The actress who plays Gladys is really a revelation this season. She is playing the sense of powerlessness very well, and also the incredulity that her parents are treating her as such a pawn.

Of course, it helps that she has had a great deal of screen time over the last few episodes. It really is a shame that there are so many characters. It feels as if so many of them are an almost total irrelevance. Honestly, who would notice if there was never another scene of the servants sitting round a table again?

I’m bored by Alarm Clock Jack’s story now. The dramatic appeal of an alarm clock is rather limited, I think.

Fellowes is a very strange writer: so many of his dramatic stories take ages to come to fruition and the conclusion is often an anticlimax, and he expects viewers to become invested in characters who appear for a minute or two per episode. However, as in Downton and The Gilded Age, he is wonderful at world-building, which is a wonderful set for costumers, designers and historians to work their magic. Both Downton and The Gilded Age are visual feasts for the eyes.

by Anonymousreply 510July 10, 2025 2:35 AM

What episode will George Russell wind up poor?

by Anonymousreply 511July 10, 2025 2:44 AM

[quote]The other guy was hotter

An acquired taste, I think. And he's straight, unlike his hot scene partner.

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by Anonymousreply 512July 10, 2025 3:26 AM

I think the show should end with all the characters singing the score for "Ragtime." It feels like I am watching an adaptation of the novel.

by Anonymousreply 513July 10, 2025 5:57 AM

R513 We're about 20 years away from "Ragtime" which was mostly set around 1905/06.

by Anonymousreply 514July 10, 2025 7:27 AM

“KEEP THEM CHLIDRUN OUTTA DA SUN!”

by Anonymousreply 515July 10, 2025 10:40 AM

[QUOTE] I think the show should end with all the characters singing the score for "Ragtime." It feels like I am watching an adaptation of the novel.

A novel you’ve clearly never read.

by Anonymousreply 516July 10, 2025 12:10 PM

R513, that would be awesome, especially considering all the Broadway stars in the cast, including Broadway Queen Audra McDonald who along with Brian Stokes Mitchell was in the original Broadway production of the musical version of Ragtime.

by Anonymousreply 517July 10, 2025 12:15 PM

they could sing "tomorrow" from Annie too

by Anonymousreply 518July 10, 2025 12:45 PM

John Ellison Conlee is married IRL to Celia Keenan-Bolger who plays the mousey housekeeper for the Russell household and has a thing for the fat chef. So, yeah, I guess you could say he is straight.

by Anonymousreply 519July 10, 2025 12:50 PM

Yes, I know he's married to Celia, that's exactly why I wrote that he's straight.

by Anonymousreply 520July 10, 2025 1:30 PM

It's been bugging me, maybe more than it should really, I admit it. But it was a really obnoxious thing when Larry shut the door with him and Marian in the room alone. At that time, in that place, that was a really dangerous thing to do, for her reputation. And it's not just bad luck that a maid barged in, servants are always barging in at bad moments, it's half the job. It's just something an actual well-bred young man who knows the rules wouldn't do.

I am very disappointed in that young man, right now.

by Anonymousreply 521July 10, 2025 4:12 PM

R521, the person I have questions about is Bertha’s maid. She’s French, isn’t she? She should know to knock before opening a door.

by Anonymousreply 522July 10, 2025 4:35 PM

And why is Larry such a flop during this alarm clock business? It’s so obvious that he had no idea what he was talking about. I’m glad that Jack piped in to explain how HIS clock works. Larry is a talentless nepo baby and I actually think Marian can do better.

I also think that Marian’s railroad leases or whatever will turn out to be valuable and she will get rich.

It was nice to see Armstrong have a different side of herself shown in her conversation with Alarm Clock Jack. I think she injected him with some unexpected confidence.

by Anonymousreply 523July 10, 2025 4:35 PM

Maybe they will get married

by Anonymousreply 524July 10, 2025 11:24 PM

To be fair, Larry is not at all useless in that arrangement. He is the money guy with the money connections. However, he should just admit up front that Jack is the inventor, he himself does not know what the fuck makes this stupid little gizmo work, but it's obvious everybody can make a fortune if they'll get off their tired old asses and fund the damn thing.

by Anonymousreply 525July 10, 2025 11:31 PM

The real money in railroads was in land--the rights of way and property bought for infrastructure---train yards, hotels, etc. A railroad that turned out to be redundant with another line could become valuable because of the real estate. There were lines that became valuable because someone wanted to include them as part of a larger project---what's now the Pennsylvania Turnpike started out with an old Vanderbilt right of way that was partially built and then abandoned. Part of that right of way was anorther planned, but never built rail line.

by Anonymousreply 526July 11, 2025 12:06 PM

R526: Making excused for a dead pervie aristocrat of little value? The only tragedy of his demise was the collateral damage to his family members and the local boatboy.

by Anonymousreply 527July 11, 2025 12:07 PM

Is Nathan Lane returning as a gay socialite? Will he take Oscar under his wing?

by Anonymousreply 528July 11, 2025 12:36 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I hope not. I generally like Lane, but can be over the top and insufferable as she is in Gilded Age.

by Anonymousreply 529July 11, 2025 1:10 PM

I get that if Ward and Oscar met in some out of the way place, that they would have gone out of their way to never let that happen again.

by Anonymousreply 530July 11, 2025 1:13 PM

Nathan Lane’s Foghorn Leghorn impression is a joy to behold. Always gets me laughing out loud.

by Anonymousreply 531July 11, 2025 1:18 PM

Me too

by Anonymousreply 532July 11, 2025 3:52 PM

#metoo

by Anonymousreply 533July 11, 2025 7:05 PM

Will Nathan lane be sexually taken advantage of?

by Anonymousreply 534July 11, 2025 7:42 PM

It will not be uninvited after he drops his lace hankie.

by Anonymousreply 535July 11, 2025 8:18 PM

Is this week's trailer out yet?

Why are they so slow to put out the weekly trailers?

HBO used to drop them at the end of the just aired episode to whet your appetite for the following week.

by Anonymousreply 536July 11, 2025 8:20 PM

AC Jack is 6"2", on the show he looks 5"8 inches.

by Anonymousreply 537July 11, 2025 8:51 PM

He has elf face. It makes you seem smaller.

by Anonymousreply 538July 11, 2025 9:24 PM

Jack’s accent is too forced. It’s not believable.

by Anonymousreply 539July 11, 2025 9:37 PM

There are tiktoks of him and the Larry character doing dances. You can see that he’s tall

by Anonymousreply 540July 11, 2025 9:57 PM

I can imagine AC Jack's height prohibiting him from getting theater work as his face doesn't match his height at all. And on the stage that can be problematic. Hard to cast. Nevertheless, he may be the one true breakout star of the series once this wraps up.

I actually love his accent and feel it's one of few authentic accents in the show. Everyone else is talking like they're Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel on What's My Line?

by Anonymousreply 541July 11, 2025 10:26 PM

Does anyone know how many episodes this season has?

by Anonymousreply 542July 11, 2025 10:28 PM

Jack is adorable. I love a tall bottom!

by Anonymousreply 543July 11, 2025 10:36 PM

AC Jack has a skinny, tall, Dobbie like body.

by Anonymousreply 544July 12, 2025 12:26 AM

me too

by Anonymousreply 545July 12, 2025 1:35 AM

AC Jack does seem shorter, I agree with the poster that said his face doesn't match his body. I need to find the video of him dancing with Larry.

by Anonymousreply 546July 12, 2025 1:39 AM

the actor who plays jack is taller than any of the other cast members

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by Anonymousreply 547July 12, 2025 1:45 AM

Ben Ahler’s face definitely doesn’t match his body but I always think the same is true of Carrie Coontz, too. She’s quite short but her face never looks like that of someone short. She should be at keast 5’7” and I think she’s actually not quite 5’4”.

by Anonymousreply 548July 12, 2025 3:43 AM

I desperately want to have all night sex with Morgan Spector. 😍🔥

by Anonymousreply 549July 12, 2025 3:49 AM

To me the guy who plays Jack has a face out of Dickens. It’s a period movie character face. He’ll be playing chimney sweeps all his life.

by Anonymousreply 550July 12, 2025 3:50 AM

R549, I’ll take sloppy seconds

by Anonymousreply 551July 12, 2025 3:55 AM

I think Carrie Coon's shortness (unfortunately) comes through very clearly on TV. She really doesn't have the proportions for those bustle dresses which, even in these ugly post-modern iterations, can be very challenging. She's a great actress for contemporary stuff but not well-suited to period drama.

by Anonymousreply 552July 12, 2025 12:32 PM

George Russell should do a scene just like Cynthia Nixon did on Just Like That. He could be so stressed that he sleepwalks naked wandering around the mansion until the Duke finds him and inappropriately touches him to wake him up.

by Anonymousreply 553July 12, 2025 12:46 PM

Sounds right up my alley

by Anonymousreply 554July 12, 2025 2:59 PM

We did have more sex and shirtless scenes in season 1. Bring those back.

by Anonymousreply 555July 12, 2025 9:00 PM

We need to see Clock Twink out of his little footman’s outfit, forthwith. You can tell he’s got a nice tight body underneath all that.

by Anonymousreply 556July 12, 2025 9:07 PM

Check out his Insta account, r556. As I remember he's shaped like a very tall and skinny 11 year old boy, no definition. He's actually rather scuzzy IRL. Not "cute" like his character.

by Anonymousreply 557July 12, 2025 9:34 PM

Boy, Morgan Spector comes across as very fey in R547's TikTok clip. Has he played gay in any film/show?

by Anonymousreply 558July 12, 2025 9:39 PM

Morgan Spector had a full frontal in a movie called SPLIT. he's cut and the scene is hot.

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by Anonymousreply 559July 12, 2025 11:14 PM

Morgan Spector

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by Anonymousreply 560July 12, 2025 11:16 PM

what is the Hebrew tatoo saying?

by Anonymousreply 561July 13, 2025 12:27 AM

It says, “ i am your girthy penis lord, bow down”

by Anonymousreply 562July 13, 2025 1:09 AM

Ben SPEAKS

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by Anonymousreply 563July 13, 2025 2:08 AM

[quote] It says, “ i am your girthy penis lord, bow down”

Absolutely, sir. Now about that investment ...

I mean, not a strict requirement, but I'd appreciate it.

by Anonymousreply 564July 13, 2025 2:11 AM

Morgan Spector was born 35 years too late. He would have made a great Nathan in Sophie’s Choice and not Kevin Kline. Kline had zero charm or sense of danger. And his Nathan would undoubtedly throw a mean fuck and make you understand Sophie’s enormous cravi g for him.

by Anonymousreply 565July 13, 2025 4:04 AM

I've only seen him on Gilded Age but other than being hotter than fuck, Morgan Spector certainly hasn't demonstrated any great acting talent in this show.

by Anonymousreply 566July 13, 2025 7:26 AM

He’s really not that hot without the beard y’all.

by Anonymousreply 567July 13, 2025 11:25 AM

Have you seen his body? He’s jacked!

by Anonymousreply 568July 13, 2025 12:42 PM

Spector was good in "Plot Against America". He isn't given much to do in "Gilded Age" but neither is anyone else. In the first season, it was even worse. he seemed like he should have been twirling is mustache like Snidely Whiplash.

by Anonymousreply 569July 13, 2025 2:24 PM

Too bad AC Jack didn't invent the dildo. The alarm clock talk is rather boring. I'd love to see Larry explain how a dildo worked.

by Anonymousreply 570July 13, 2025 3:53 PM

Oh, like those bitches need a dildo explained to them. They know exactly how it works, and I don't just mean the ladies.

by Anonymousreply 571July 13, 2025 8:19 PM

It will be cool when Jack names his clock after his grandfather, Timex Trotter.

by Anonymousreply 572July 13, 2025 8:26 PM

Like Grandpa taught me, we always keep on ticking!

by Anonymousreply 573July 13, 2025 8:28 PM

R570, I think that vibrating “massaging devices” were, in fact, first manufactured in the 1880s.

by Anonymousreply 574July 13, 2025 8:39 PM

And not a moment too soon r574

by Anonymousreply 575July 13, 2025 8:42 PM

Timex ? It looks like he's talking to the guy at Westclox (remember them?).

by Anonymousreply 576July 13, 2025 9:36 PM

Is that Adrienne Martin as the medium?

by Anonymousreply 577July 14, 2025 1:25 AM

I would love it if Bertha’s sister was played by Kathy Bates playing Molly Brown from Titanic.

by Anonymousreply 578July 14, 2025 1:31 AM

$600,000!? Alarm clock Jack is rich!

by Anonymousreply 579July 14, 2025 1:39 AM

The drama around the wedding was, of course, un-necessary. But the maid's husband in the bin was a surprise. And Gladys looks like she's 60, with lots of bags under the eyes. Bertha clearly didn't make wifely duties sound like fun.

Lots of cunting at Peggy's talk. Much more interesting than Bertha being a bitch, although I liked the portly sister's snide remarks. The Duke's sister seems more than up to the task of cutting down the Americans.

Nathan Lane was, of course, at the wedding and clearly teh buzzards wanted to know what Monica could tell them.

by Anonymousreply 580July 14, 2025 2:14 AM

Jack should get more than half of that $600,000. It was his invention. Fucking greedy Russell's. Based on the mid season trailer I predict Gladys will be back in NY by the end of this season. Merritt Weaver was a hoot as Bertha's sister.

by Anonymousreply 581July 14, 2025 2:39 AM

The bridesmaids looked like they were wearing Dolly Levi,'s curtain call costume.

by Anonymousreply 582July 14, 2025 2:44 AM

Please tell me that hot Mr. Russell is still upset with Bitch Bertha and not giving her that good dick. I want him to have an affair so bad.

Mark my words, Fellowes constantly kissing Bertha's ass with be the downfall of this show.

by Anonymousreply 583July 14, 2025 2:56 AM

Bertha and Mr Russell will likely be divorced by the end of the season.

by Anonymousreply 584July 14, 2025 3:08 AM

Are the Duke and his sister…together?

by Anonymousreply 585July 14, 2025 3:12 AM

Jack’s deal is not unfair. Jack could not have found a buyer without Larry. One could quibble 60/40 or 66/33, but 50/50 is what they agreed.

by Anonymousreply 586July 14, 2025 3:14 AM

I really think the Agnes getting married off storyline should have concluded with tonight’s storyline. Unless Uncle Julian is finally going to follow through with a Downton crossover.

by Anonymousreply 587July 14, 2025 3:20 AM

It was good for the duke to get it into her to get it over with.

by Anonymousreply 588July 14, 2025 3:30 AM

Poor Gladys. Depressed and gets dry fucked by her creep husband.

From the trailer, it looks like they are giving her the Cinderella treatment with the evil sister. That marriage seems doomed, plus it's awkward to go back and forth from NY to the UK for a minor character.

Also from the trailer, they are going to spring on us that Larry is louse. I should have known better that they would not give Marian a smooth glidepath to a happy romance. Same with Peggy.

I did enjoy from the trailer that Bertha is yelled at by her husband for ruining things.

Please don't make Jack be a rich man who decides to stay as a butler. So insulting.

All in all, the trailer for the rest of the season was more enjoyable than the phony wedding.

by Anonymousreply 589July 14, 2025 3:36 AM

I wonder if the Duke had a big old dick that’s going to stretch her from here to kingdom come.

by Anonymousreply 590July 14, 2025 3:37 AM

Ahem, r589, Jack is NOT a butler.

Actually, I really do wonder what Jack does now. It's actually kind of bizarre to be thrown into a whole new world like that. I really do hope Larry helps him out a little, even though he can't really get into that world either. But maybe just a little advice about what some newly rich guy with no real background does. I mean, if any family knows about that, it's the Russells.

by Anonymousreply 591July 14, 2025 3:40 AM

Hopefully Jack does not give his money to Oscar "poppers queen" van Rijhn to invest. He'll never see that money again.

by Anonymousreply 592July 14, 2025 3:43 AM

R592. I can see that happening. Plus, Oscar was crying in the trailer. Last time he cried was when he lost Mama's money.

by Anonymousreply 593July 14, 2025 3:45 AM

Jack should marry Marion in a nod to the chauffeur on Downton.

by Anonymousreply 594July 14, 2025 3:49 AM

I guess he could always move to Albany and hang out with the sister, and get the real scoop on Mrs Mother of the Bride Bertha. That bitch seems like you could have fun throwing back a few schnappes with.

On the other hand, Jack's not an eldergay, so he might have a different, lesser idea of fun.

by Anonymousreply 595July 14, 2025 3:50 AM

I looked at the midseason trailer, and Bertha is facing a rocky road ahead as his daughter Gladys with her new sister-in-law. Looks like Larry may have some problems with Marian too. Problems of his own making.

by Anonymousreply 596July 14, 2025 3:57 AM

That silly bitch better not get "in the family way."

by Anonymousreply 597July 14, 2025 3:59 AM

I don't think Hector is a bad guy. It would be an interesting twist if Gladys fell in love with him.

by Anonymousreply 598July 14, 2025 4:03 AM

Hunny, jack needs to keep his money away from Larry, not Oscar. But if he does give Oscar some money to invest f or him, maybe just give OScar a small amount? Like $10,000? Something about smilin' Larry makes me very uneasy.

by Anonymousreply 599July 14, 2025 4:03 AM

Jack should set himself up in a little studio/lab, where he invents shit. Then he and Larry sell it. But Jack needs to smarten up about business. I hope he takes a class or something. The old butler gave him good advice.

by Anonymousreply 600July 14, 2025 4:04 AM

I'll ask my medium for advice on Jack's next steps. She'll know. Also, can he sign my pledge? Can anybody else sign my stupid pledge?

by Anonymousreply 601July 14, 2025 4:07 AM
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