The Gilded Age Season-Premiere Recap: The Sober Circus

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Does it sometimes cross your mind that “The Gilded Age” series could use its platform to comment on our current times, yet it seems to prefer a safe approach with historical appearances and stiff dialogue instead? Or are we mostly enjoying the humor in Mamie Fish’s peculiar hats? They’re truly something else.

To clarify if you require a recap from the previous season that concluded in 2023: Oscar squandered away the van Rhijn fortune on a failed railroad venture; Ada amassed wealth due to Robert Sean Leonard’s departure or demise from the show; Larry and Marian are now romantically involved; and Bertha is hatching a plot for Gladys to wed the Duke of Buckingham, whom we will refer to as “Hector.” Understood? Excellent, let’s delve back into our historical soap opera.

Our story begins in the western region, specifically Arizona. The town appears as if it were designed for a high school play, though I’m willing to cut it some slack given that perhaps towns of that era had this rustic charm. It seems like the residents were tasked with constructing the set for a scene from ‘The Music Man’, using whatever tools they had at hand – nails and paint cans.

The reason we’re here is because George Russell, along with his assistant, are intent on building a railway. However, the money George requires is substantial, and he needs more of it. But the land he desires is rich in mines, and the miners are reluctant to part with their only valuable possession, especially since they feel that George already owns most everything else.

In an attempt to address this issue, all mine owners have been summoned for a meeting with George. Given his frustration, it’s understandable that he might not regard them in the most favorable light and refers to them as unintelligent bumpkins – hoping to make an impact!

As soon as he encounters them, the miners essentially express a desire to gain from whatever is happening there. However, George is irritated and cannot engage in an argument due to another bank run requiring his immediate return to New York. He delegates the task to his assistant. Pondering what could pique my curiosity about this railroad land rights storyline, perhaps if it transformed into a setting similar to Westworld, but more akin to its season one atmosphere. (It’s fascinating to imagine Carrie Coon in that role!)

In New York, Ada manages the van Rhijn household due to Robert Sean Leonard’s family wealth. Interestingly, Ada seems to be frequently shifting her attention from one charity to another, always finding herself passionate about a new cause monthly. Remarkably, this scenario reminds me of my own situation… rather than generously donating large sums to the settlement house movement, I find myself consistently spending money on Labubus, only for my toddler daughter to claim them as her own babies and grow attached to them. I suppose that’s reasonable.

The series portrays Ada’s newfound interest in temperance as rather foolish, yet it overlooks the significant impact and relevance of the temperance movement during that time. For instance, the leader of a temperance gathering declared that those who consume alcohol are bound for Hell, which might seem absurd to us, but it was part of their belief system. However, it’s essential to recognize that the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was an influential women’s organization in the U.S., providing a platform for women to speak publicly at a time when this was rare. The WCTU also played a crucial role in raising the age of consent across the country from as low as 7 years old to 16 and 18, which is often overlooked in favor of mocking these women. Frankly, I find this portrayal disappointing and I believe it’s a form of easy writing to make fun of the temperance movement rather than appreciating its historical significance.

As a passionate movie-goer and theater enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on this captivating episode. Briefly gracing our screens is the illustrious Audra McDonald, Broadway’s reigning queen, as she bids farewell to her on-screen daughter, Denée Benton, also known as Peggy. If you haven’t yet witnessed Audra’s mesmerizing performance at this year’s Tonys, brace yourself!

Moreover, do not forget to keep an eye out for Cole Escola’s heartwarming reaction to the best actress in a musical award. And speaking of which, Victoria Clark, another Tony-winning gem, makes a fleeting appearance in this episode. Her character Billy is courting Gladys, providing her with a romantic interest aside from Hector, the duke. Personally, I find Billy somewhat unremarkable, but I can’t help but yearn to hear his mother, Victoria Clark, belt out her iconic number from “Titanic the Musical.

In simpler terms, we’ve spotted Victoria Clark and Billy at the opera, but they’re only there for the third act of “La Traviata.” It’s puzzling because the entire opera is wonderful, and they’ll miss many great songs. I couldn’t figure out why they’d do this, perhaps they were interested in the soprano’s death scene. It seems an odd choice, don’t you think?

Larry and Gladys were supposed to attend with Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara!), but her husband announced his intention for a divorce in the 1880s. He’s also involved with a woman named Elsa Lipton, who I presume we’ll meet later. I assumed he was going to reveal he was gay, but it felt more like a hint or secret. Could “Elsa Lipton” be a code?

Moreover, I found it surprising that there wasn’t a gay confession during PRIDE month. It seemed like an opportunity for representation, don’t you think? Perhaps it was a missed chance to show respect for the LGBTQ+ community.

Aurora’s husband wants a divorce because she needs to accuse him of adultery in Newport. However, Aurora doesn’t want a divorce and questions his sexuality. At Ada and Agnes’s home, Agnes hints that if Aurora gets divorced, she might not be invited for dinner anymore. It seems everyone is being rude this week. Larry, who usually is kind, is wearing a foolish hat and won’t let Jack attend their significant clock meeting. Marian made jokes at the sobriety gathering. Bertha, acting like a modern-day Scrooge, is causing trouble for Gladys. Only Peggy has been nice, but she might be sick with tuberculosis! Exhausted by everyone’s nonsense, Gladys escapes into the night.

Gossip Items for Mrs. Astor’s Next Ball

It’s not fair to label Billy as a valueless person with no significance, as suggested by Bertha Russell. After all, everyone has some value and significance.

• Larry Russell has been seen in a very stupid hat.

In another instance reminiscent of Rose’s account of Picasso in the movie “Titanic”, John Singer Sargent made an appearance to paint Gladys Russell.

• Aurora’s husband is gay, right?

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2025-06-23 06:56