The Gilded Age: Tucked Up In Newport

March 14, 2022 7:10 PM - Season 1, Episode 8

As Bertha is reminded of her place on her visit to Newport, George gets his day in court and Peggy reveals the truth about her past.

“OH, MRS. DIXON IS HIS STENOGRAPHER. HE SAID, YOU MEAN MISS AINSLEY. AHHHHHHHH. OMG, WHAT A GOOD TWIST. THE SHOW HAS PULLED OFF A GOOD TWIST. THE STENOGRAPHER THE WHOLE TIME.”—from Alice Burton's 5-star recap for Vulture.

"Despite the red and white lace number in the kitchen yards making a memorable image, Dress of the Week goes to the white and black with silver tassels at Mrs. Fish’s dinner."—from Ani Bundel's Carrie Coon Dresswatch B+ recap for The A.V. Club

posted by bcwinters (7 comments total)

The minute Nathan Lane suggested the tour I knew something was wrong. What would he get out of taking her there? He wouldn't risk his status with Mrs. Astor for Mrs. Russell. I'm wondering how she survives this.

I think she also made a misstep by openly discussing the cost of the house?
posted by jojo and the benjamins at 10:42 PM on March 14, 2022

I'mma put [Bertha] in a dungeon under, under

(this episode was stupid and great?)

I'm wondering how she survives this.

I mean, we know what happened in actual history. The new people just built mansions in Newport 10x larger and fancier than the old ones, then donated some money to make public libraries when they died so everyone would forget what kind of horrible people they were!
posted by bcwinters at 6:43 AM on March 15, 2022 [1 favorite]

Despite the red and white lace number in the kitchen yards making a memorable image

Marian's purple & blood orange dress is perhaps not quite the colour scheme I would have chosen for myself. Since Marian seems to be heading for a fall with Raikes I wonder if we will see a drop off in the brightness of her colour choices as a significant reflection of her character development.
posted by biffa at 5:46 PM on March 15, 2022

This episode was stupid on several levels, but I loved John showing up in Newport to flirt with Gladys and piss off Oscar, and Bertha's face blowing chicken feathers away as she exited the kitchen yard to which she was unceremoniously ushered was divine.

Man, that railway accident plot was dumb though.
posted by the primroses were over at 7:25 PM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]

Aunt Agnes: I don’t trust Mr Raikes

Mrs Fane: I don’t trust Mr Raikes

Marion: I DEFINITELY SHOULD MARRY HIM

Girl….
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:50 PM on March 16, 2022

So Peggy has a deceased child out there, but there's no body? Julian Fellowes is definitely bringing that child back from the dead.

I'm a tiny bit disappointed that Bertha didn't stand her ground and meet Mrs. Astor in the most awkward way possible. I so hope that Gladys' ball is part of the finale so I can see whether the quadrille is a triumph or a horror.

And if we could finally settle what sort of scandalous rake Mr. Raikes is and be done with it, I would be very grateful. It's time that Larry Russell and Marian start driving their families insane with their ill-advised romance.
posted by gladly at 4:32 PM on March 17, 2022

Am I the only one who thinks the Russells are both so awful that I’m cheering for the railroad business to fail and for Bertha to be shut out of society forever? Like, I just can’t muster sympathy for either of them. They also seem to be setting up a “the husband is actually decent and the scheming cold wife actually makes him bad” arc, which feels sexist and also not believable considering he’s the brutal, ruthless head of an empire. The old money people seem relatable and decent by comparison.
posted by freecellwizard at 8:32 AM on April 6, 2022