The Gilded Age (2022- HBO)

[Huntn]

HBO’s late 19th Century New York, Downtown Abbyish period series, created by Julian Fellows. Too bad we could not watch it on PBS’s Masterpiece Theater.

S1E1: So far so good, the scene has been set, unlike the Upstairs Downstairs focus on employers and employees, in The Guided Age focus so far is between New Money Railroad Tycoon Russels vs Old Money and trying to break in to established New York City society. The episode ends with a hint of conflict, they’ll regret not coming to my party!

Anyway, as I am a fan of such melodrama, loved both USDS and DA, I’m looking forward to how this new story plays out.

​

'The Gilded Age' gives old New York money the HBO treatment

The new series The Gilded Age, from the creator of Downton Abbey, takes a big, talented cast to 1882 New York for a story about money and class.

www.npr.org

At least It was not filmed in Croatia or Prague...

Where is The Gilded Age filmed? HBO series filming locations

Where is The Gilded Age filmed? Let’s consider the filming locations for the 2022 HBO series. Where is the historical drama set?

www.hitc.com

 

[Huntn]

Just watched Episode 2, simmering status.
Background:

The Gilded Age: The History Behind HBO's New Period Drama

The Gilded Age's Russell and van Rhijn families are inspired by actual New York high society at the turn of the century.

www.cbr.com

 

[Adarna]

except for bad lousy character name choices I like it.

it Is written in a manner much easier to digest to those watching s lot of American television

 

[Jewels2312]

The Russells make O’Brien and Thomas look like sweet little angels. Not sure how to feel about this couple. They are just plain bad. Downton had some nastiness, but never cruelty to the core as these two display. With the Russell’s, Julian Fellows took nasty to a whole other level. And two people at a time. Kinda hard to digest.

 

[dmr727]

My wife and I just started watching. We both loved Downton Abbey.

I'm not enjoying it, but I'm having a hard time figuring out why. It just feels too wooden, too sterile. There was a warmth in Downton that seems to be missing here - I dunno. I can't articulate exactly what the issue is. I'll keep going and see if things change around for me as I get to know the characters better.

 

[Huntn]

The Russells make O’Brien and Thomas look like sweet little angels. Not sure how to feel about this couple. They are just plain bad. Downton had some nastiness, but never cruelty to the core as these two display. With the Russell’s, Julian Fellows took nasty to a whole other level. And two people at a time. Kinda hard to digest.

They are not that bad. So far, unless I’ve overlooked something, Mr Russell besides apparently being wealthier than sin, has done nothing immoral but build that palace , he is not so far, portrayed as a slimy character (I like him) and Mrs Russell’s only crime besides socially oppressing her daughter is trying to worm her way into the New York Old Money society.

My wife and I just started watching. We both loved Downton Abbey.

I'm not enjoying it, but I'm having a hard time figuring out why. It just feels too wooden, too sterile. There was a warmth in Downton that seems to be missing here - I dunno. I can't articulate exactly what the issue is. I'll keep going and see if things change around for me as I get to know the characters better.

I agree, it does not feel as warm as Downtown Abbey. The families and their dynamics are different, maybe living in the city, vs living out on a country estate with townfolks nearby? Plus there is an English cultural aspect that is missing. As the season continues, and we‘ve gotten to know the characters, we are enjoying it, and although this element is still there, the focus seems less about the employer-employee class relationships than about upper crust social maneuvers.