The Gilded Age

[Anonymous]

Can't see a thread on this yet, so I'm starting one.

Watched it last night and enjoyed it. It's pretty much Downton Abbey, word-for-word transplanted into New York, but I loved Downton Abbey so I'm happy to watch this slightly different version!

[Anonymous]

I haven't watched it yet. It's gotten some fairly poor reviews, but I'll probably watch it for the costumes and scenery if nothing else.

I suppose it's possible that Cora Crawley and her mom could be much younger iterations of themselves in Gilded Age since they're American. Now that would be an interesting crossover.

[Anonymous]

I thought it was ok but nearly as interesting as Downtown Abby. the script was trying way too hard to keep hammering the point between "old" and "new" new york. I seriously doubt people back them spent that much time discussing. The truly wealthy arent concerned at all about new money. The Bertha character was silly with her constant babbling about getting accepted by Old New York.
No idea what Cynthia Nixon is doing in that dopey character ada either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought it was ok but nearly as interesting as Downtown Abby. the script was trying way too hard to keep hammering the point between "old" and "new" new york. I seriously doubt people back them spent that much time discussing. The truly wealthy arent concerned at all about new money. The Bertha character was silly with her constant babbling about getting accepted by Old New York.
No idea what Cynthia Nixon is doing in that dopey character ada either.

I'm British so I kind of felt the opposite - I feel like I know a lot already about British people in the Downton era, but other than novels I've read set in the US in that time period, New York society in this era is pretty new to me.

[Anonymous]

I liked it. The costumes and sets are fantastic. All of Julian Fellowes’ TV shows have similar themes (old society vs new ideas, upstairs/downstairs) so that element didn’t bother me.

[Anonymous]

I'm gonna watch it just to spite the critics. I think it was the Washington Post critic that labeled it another show about terrible, rich, white people. Well, count me in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought it was ok but nearly as interesting as Downtown Abby. the script was trying way too hard to keep hammering the point between "old" and "new" new york. I seriously doubt people back them spent that much time discussing. The truly wealthy arent concerned at all about new money. The Bertha character was silly with her constant babbling about getting accepted by Old New York.
No idea what Cynthia Nixon is doing in that dopey character ada either.

I'm British so I kind of felt the opposite - I feel like I know a lot already about British people in the Downton era, but other than novels I've read set in the US in that time period, New York society in this era is pretty new to me.

DP. You might also enjoy "The Age of Innocence".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I liked it. The costumes and sets are fantastic. All of Julian Fellowes’ TV shows have similar themes (old society vs new ideas, upstairs/downstairs) so that element didn’t bother me.

+1 It interested me enough to keep watching. And I'll watch anything starring Carrie Coon.

[Anonymous]

Don't go by the critics. It was good and will get better. Pilots are typically a little clunky because they are trying to establish characters and storylines in a short period of time.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed it but I like a well-turned ankle in a petticoat. It is Edith Wharton writ large.

[Anonymous]

I don’t have HBO. Does anyone know if there will be other ways to watch it?

[Anonymous]

I don't have HBO either and hope I can binge stream elsewhere at some point. I like visiting historic towns that were built up during the robber baron days and historically, this era was fascinating. Plus, Christine Baranski is fantastic in everything she's in.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one who thinks that the acting by Meryl Streep's daughter is... terrible? Or is the dialogue just really stilted and awkward?

[Anonymous]

I watched it. It was pretty bad. The sets and costumes were fun - Mrs Russel has fabulous clothes. But I don’t give a crap about “old” NY vs “new” NY and I didn’t buy that the characters cared about it either. I understand this was briefly a real thing with The 400 but it’s not the interesting thing about New York OR America. It’s just bleh. And I loved The Buccaneers so it’s not like I can’t be on board. I just thought this was lame. Mrs Russell’s clothes deserve a character with more important goals and desires. The sisters are boring. The sons are boring and not hot. The niece is a snobby bore.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I’d rather have British accents if I am watching old timey cosplay but the acting is good and it scratches that itch.