Round Two: The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age: Season 1, Episode 2 “Money Isn’t Everything” (B+)

This show is certainly interesting, but it’s very hard to keep track of who all the characters are and how they’re related to one another. I’m trying to remember if this is something I struggled with on “Downton Abbey” early on or if that show just didn’t have as many players. I was excited to recognize a number of faces who it’s very possible could have appeared in the first episode but I at least didn’t notice them then if they did. The most surely relevant is Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell, whose friendship with Marian is definitely going to be a problem for the older generations of both families. Donna Murphy was Mrs. Astor and Jeanne Tripplehorn was Mrs. Chamberlain, two women who have opposite degrees of influence in the community. I was also pleased to see Katie Finneran from “Wonderfalls” and “Brockmire” and Michel Gill from “House of Cards” and “Mr. Robot” as Anne and Patrick Morris, who are going to be instrumental in helping George get his new rail station, though Anne managed to truly offend Bertha by not using her space. George got the best revenge, showing up to the bazaar right at the start to buy everything out and ensure it closed right away, letting everyone know that he wouldn’t stand for his wife being treated like that. I’m intrigued by the relationship between Agnes and Ada, who have different visions of the world and ideas. I particularly like that Agnes assured Ada she would be fine because she planned to outlive her. “Why don't we just go inside and roam around in the gutter, it will save time” was definitely the best line of the hour.