The Gilded Age season premiere opens with some of Da Gild’s beloved characters, like Peggy and Ada, pushing boundaries and testing the rules of their society.
The birth of Gladys’ child is layered with family dynamics, as Bertha Russell and Sarah go head-to-head over how the baby in breach should be handled. Fortunately, Hector (our new favorite Duke) directs the physician to save Gladys. In this moment Hector shows how much he values Gladys. For him this marriage is about more than producing heirs. This approach is not common for The Gilded Age era but may be the basis of a marriage that may last.
Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros. Discovery
However, Hector and Bertha walk a fine line when they decide to keep Gladys’ hysterectomy a secret from her. Even though they withhold the occurrence of the surgery out of care, the more time passes, the more likely she is to hold it against them.
On the other side of the pond, in New York City, the Forte home entertains the guests for Oscar van Rhijn and the widow Enid Winterton’s wedding reception. The house team is also using it as a dress rehearsal for entertaining the President of the United States. We start to see the power dynamic between Agnes and Ada become a point of contention. Ada is clear that she will not use her money for the sole purpose of upholding the family image.
Through Peggy Scott, Ada learns about President Cleveland’s action (or inaction) on issues that impact the Black community and chooses not to fund the dinner further. This leaves Agnes in a precarious position, and open to find funds from other sources. Ada is coming into her own and realizing that with money comes the freedom to make decisions that suit her conscience, and not only serve her family.
Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros. Discovery
This turn of events brings a new and unlikely ally for Agnes: Enid. Agnes needs money, and Enid has it. The only problem is, she is a former lady’s maid. Nevertheless, beggars cannot be choosers. Agnes has always valued the traditional hierarchy of society. Now she considers looking past what even her trusted Armstrong could not ignore. The world in The Gilded Age is changing, and it might be time that Agnes accepts it.
Meanwhile, Marian is still fighting the inevitable with Larry (girl, just give in). The chemistry between the two is undeniable in the church. Marian surprises Larry when she attends the reception’s afterparty at the same kind of establishment she once broke up with Larry over (Pot, meet Kettle). The two end the evening in bed together. While it’s not clear if they really had sex, either way it’s not a good look for Marian. Society would ruin her reputation if word ever got out. On the other hand, Larry’s reputation would still stand firm in the eyes of the very same group of people. This is clear in how they both process the evening at first. While Marian wakes up in a panic, Larry wakes up relaxed; the stakes are different for them both.
In another part of town, Peggy and her mother Dorothy continue to try and navigate their relationship with the formidable Mrs. Kirkland. As Peggy’s future mother-in-law, Mrs. Kirkland is not shy about making clear what she thinks is important: the wedding of Peggy to the young Dr. William Kirkland.
Regardless, Peggy stands ten toes down on her view that her career is also important. She shares the news of her published book openly not only with Marian and Ada, but also with her mother and Mrs. Kirkland. While Mrs. Kirkland appears unimpressed, Dorothy continues to encourage her daughter. Peggy is going to need the support of her family as she pursues both her relationship with William and her career. When the future hope for children comes up on her stroll with William, Peggy simply responds with “we will just have to wait and see.”
We cannot forget about Jack, who shall now be known as the Man of the Hour (no more Clock Twink). Jack has entered a world that will require him to know more than what he innately knows as an inventor. This becomes evident when he joins a group of businessmen for a casual lunch. His chosen family, the staff at the Forte home, reminds him that he can learn the society norms he does not know.
Mr. Bannister, Mrs. Bauer, and Bridget help with lessons, until Bridget’s insecurities come to the surface about losing him to this new world. Jack will have a hard road ahead of him, learning a new society while remaining in touch with the world he came from. The challenge will be if he can remain true to himself.
Speaking of remaining true to oneself, we start to see a shift in the character of George Russell. The internet has affectionately named George “Railroad Daddy” for his business acumen and appeal. But George is short-tempered these days. This might be in part due to his prescription of laudanum. This drug was highly addictive, and with addiction comes changes in character. Larry, his son, and others close to him begin to see the changes in his reactions and communication.
Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros. Discovery
Bertha and George’s relationship is already on shaky ground at the end of season 3. Currently, Bertha is away in England with Gladys but will be returning soon. In earlier seasons tone and temperament between the two were part of the couple’s superpower. Both ambitious and intelligent, the two worked well as a couple because of mutual respect and communication. Can they survive the new version of George?
Last, but not least, is the marriage of Enid and Oscar. Now, the two seem a mental match for ambition and creativity. In fact, they come up with the idea of a salon they will host. This salon will be their way of making a mark on society. Enid has gone into this arrangement eyes wide open, and it appears to be a lavender marriage. Both parties are in it for their own reasons, but Enid might want more. She hints at this on their wedding night. Oscar indirectly reminds her of their arrangement, but the request alone shows she might expect more from him than he can give.
The Gilded Age season 4 premiere was loaded with many story lines to follow and themes to keep in mind. It is giving the payoff we needed after a long wait from season 3. The definition of “gilded” is to be covered in gold. It seems like a few things are presenting as “gilded” with so much more underneath. One thing is for sure: boundaries are being tested and rules are being broken. Can the old guard survive these changes?
