The Gilded Age

Fellowes has attempted to recapture the magic of Downton Abbey in other projects, like Doctor Thorne and Belgravia. Here, though, he actually pulls it off. Each new episode left me more ravenous for more. ... It has all the escapist charm of the historic costume drama blended with the savage energy of most evening soaps. It is the show Downton Abbey fans have been waiting for.

Agnes decides that she [Peggy] needs to see her doctor. Ada is skeptical, but Agnes sees a way to assert control over what used to be her house. It blows up in a way that’s personally embarrassing, not to mention legitimately dangerous for Peggy when the doctor refuses to treat a Black patient. As silly and fun as The Gilded Age usually is, scenes like these remind us that this time period was silly and fun for few.

It is a grand and complicated tapestry, and while Bertha is doing whatever she can to make Caroline Astor kneel before her, everyone else is dealing with their own, more palpable triumphs and tragedies. With a world this big, everyone in the audience is likely to prefer some characters and stories over others.

The Gilded Age Season 2 represents a marked improvement over the series’ first outing and concludes by leaving enough dangling plot threads to point the way to an even stronger third season. And while its gaudy delights may occasionally seem a little gauche, viewers everywhere will have a great time rolling about in its excess.

“The Gilded Age” is mostly interested in exploring Marian’s status as a window into both worlds, which isn’t nearly as exciting as one would hope. ... Still, a lot of narrative chickens have yet to roost, and there are enough ephemeral delights in “The Gilded Age” to make it worth an initial gander.

None of the stories are dull, but they’re somewhere between bland and familiar. The same is true of the look of The Gilded Age. ... At its best, Downton Abbey was a brainy, polished soap opera of the highest order and, thus far, The Gilded Age could use more of that soapiness.

All of human life is here. Not in any credible way – just here. ... In short, it’s just what HBO ordered from the man who by now is surely actually churning this stuff out in his sleep rather than simply giving the faultless impression of it.

I can't think of a more guilty pleasure than this show. If you loved Downton Abbey, you're gonna dig this. Every show is just so delicious. I'm thoroughly digging it.

This is a strong historical drama that isn't afraid to NOT be Downtown Abbey. The period detail and sense of place in America's bustling upper classes is apparent. What is lacking is the development and focus on the lives of those who serve the upper class. What made Downtown unique was the fact that we cared equally about everyone from the Footman to the Dowager. Here, all the drama is centered on the High Society families and the "Help" acts in a much more occasional supporting role. I can only hope that future episodes and seasons right this wrong and bring the full picture to light.

I only give 4 stars for the outstanding sets and costumes. After watching the first three episodes, I feel that the story is pedestrian and there are no standout performances worthy of note. I had hopes for this series. Disappointed.

At this point - I am just hate watching the series. I keep hoping it will get better… but alas. These characters have zero chemistry.. The lead couldn’t act her way out of a shoe. Mrs. Russel is the only interesting character in the show. I’d probably enjoy it if it focused on her and her husbands story. Costume and design - A+ The show doesn’t even try to get you to care about the side cast. They just shove random story lines at you without warning. They try to make them emotional - but when we’ve seen these characters for maybe 5 minutes screen time, I couldn’t care less.

The script is really ****'s almost hard to understand why the actors make the choices they make. Really not a redeemable performance, but the scirpt and direction is so bad I can't blame the effort the actors are putting in, there's no chance to shine. The only redemption is the money that was thrown at it. Really quite bad.