In HBO Max’s “The Gilded Age,” there is an abundance of intriguing characters, but I’m relieved that a particular character from season 1 did not reappear. The show delves into the lives of several affluent families residing on Manhattan’s Upper East Side during this era, as they vie for power and prestige. The narrative primarily focuses on the tension between established aristocracy and new wealth, with upstarts like the Russells aspiring to join the upper echelons of society.
In essence, though the personalities portrayed are fictitious, “The Gilded Age” was based on a genuine tale and real occurrences that unfolded in New York during the same period. Over the course of its two seasons, the characters navigate their way into progressively influential roles, with the final episode of season 2 marking the victory of new wealth. Besides the power struggle, “The Gilded Age” also underscores romance and appropriate courtship, but there’s one relationship and character that might be more suited for the first season.
The Gilded Age Dropping Tom Raikes After Season 1 Is The Best Thing For Marian And The Show
His Story Did Not Need To Be Continued
As I delve into the first season, I found myself introduced to the character of Marian, a young woman still reeling from her father’s demise, compelled to relocate to an unfamiliar city for shelter. The narrative progressed, and Marian was ushered into New York’s elite circles by her aunts, all while subtly defying societal norms in her distinctive fashion.
Louisa Jacobson has consistently portrayed Marian with a blend of self-assuredness and naivety, making her character’s journey an engaging, albeit occasionally exasperating, spectacle to behold.
Regarding Tom Raikes, Marian’s narrative seems a bit overshadowed. One reason The Gilded Age is an enjoyable escape is because of the grandeur and lavishness portrayed in the characters’ lives, and it appears that Marian is experiencing this for the first time herself. To be fair, a significant part of her development involves learning to navigate relationships within societal norms. However, Tom’s pursuit of her seemed hasty and disruptive. In the initial season alone, his lawyer proposed swiftly, even though Marian’s life was in a state of upheaval.
As the narrative unfolded, Tom persistently courted Marian despite her aunt Agnes’ disapproval. The couple even considered eloping. However, as the season progressed, it remained uncertain whether Tom genuinely loved Marian or not, which made it challenging for us to engage with their story. Unfortunately, Tom ultimately spurned Marian and married for financial reasons, effectively ending his tale and leaving Marian heartbroken as we ventured into season 2.
Why Tom & Marian’s Love Story Was The Gilded Age Season 1’s Weak Link
Their Story Did Not Live Up To The Opulence And Excitement Of Other Plots
During the time of The Gilded Age, it’s almost inevitable that its female characters would be involved in courtship and partner-finding. However, these scenes are not the most captivating parts of the series for me. Even with characters like Bertha Russell who seem to define their worth through extravagant displays of wealth, Marian’s relationship with Tom Raikes feels somewhat underwhelming by contrast.
In Season 1, certain elements of Marian’s character held promise for intrigue: her contemporary spirit, forward-looking mindset, and defiance against Agnes’ wishes seemed poised to instigate significant change in a tradition-bound and hierarchical community. However, her story with Tom Raikes in Season 1 didn’t provide many opportunities for this potential to unfold beyond Agnes disapproving of their partnership. In Season 2, with Tom Raikes out of the picture, Marian began to blossom more and even started teaching, although her tales continued to center around romantic endeavors to a large extent.
To some extent, it was anticipated that there would be room for improvement, but Season 2 significantly enhanced the portrayal of Marian’s character development. In contrast, the Marian from Season 1 and her connection with Tom Raikes seemed rather shallow and artificial. Fortunately, the finale of Season 2 marked a turning point as Marian asserted herself by rejecting Dashiell and embracing Larry with a kiss. Although other characters continue to be entangled in complex social and personal dramas, Season 2 effectively strengthened Marian’s narrative without relying on Tom Raikes. As we move forward into The Gilded Age Season 3, it’s possible that Marian may enter a new relationship with even more compelling chemistry.
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2025-05-31 15:17