The Gilded Age Review: Let the Tournament Begin (Season 1 Episode 9)
Behold the grand season finale of HBO’s The Gilded Age.
Julian Fellowes’ American answer to Downton Abbey finished its first season in style with The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 9, “Let the Tournament Begin,” highlighting an over-the-top debutante ball, scandalous relationships, and kitchen drama.
When Downton Abbey premiered in 2010, it captured audiences with its high-quality production value and well-written narratives compared to other soap operas and period dramas.
We have streaming platforms creating shows like The Crown, The Queen’s Gambit, Outlander, and The Great. So, where does The Gilded Age fit in?
The show can feel like a silly, satirical costume drama that chugs along slower than most of the high-action high-intrigue shows we are used to in 2022. It isn’t perfect, but the show gives viewers a light-hearted glance into period entertainment.
Episode 9 ends pleasantly, with everything coming together at a ball. It is refreshing to sit back and enjoy the low-stakes drama. Everything is pretty PG, there’s no gruesome violence on this season finale, and even the most unlikeable characters have some redeeming moments.
The show’s biggest problem is its habit of dropping subplots.
All seems well at the end of this season, yet many of the servants’ mysteries remain mysteries — what is happening with Clara Barton’s Red Cross? There is no word on how Mr. Fortune is doing, but Peggy now has other worries.
Gladys’ debutante ball remains a constant topic throughout the season, connected directly to the Russells’ rise in wealth. The gaudy European-style ballroom within the Russells’ big new mansion comes to symbolize their wannabe attitude and position in New York.
The ballroom looks like it belongs in a European palace, but it’s fake and new, not old and grand. The details and lavish decor are there to show off wealth, not to represent art or specific architecture.
As the cherry on top of Mrs. Russell’s expensive mirage, it turns out that Monsieur Baudin is not Monsieur Baudin from France but Mr. Josh Borden from Wichita.
Jokes then on Mrs. Russell for firing Mr. Borden days before her big ball, when the new chef who is actually French gets drunk while cooking dinner in a humorous sequence of kitchen errors.
Mrs. Russell uses Gladys as an opportunity to showcase her proud ballroom. Gladys, however, becomes instrumental in orchestrating the ball’s audience, managing to get Mrs. Astor to attend through her friendship with Carrie Astor.
The Marie Antoinette wigs during the opening are unfortunate. But, perhaps, Mrs. Russell does believe she lives in Versailles with a real French chef (who’s drunk).
There are many reasons why Mrs. Russell’s character comes across as unlikeable.
I found myself rooting for her at times in the season based on her drive and desire to fit in. However, her pure ruthlessness, putting everything, morals and all, below social-class belonging, ultimately makes her one of the most unlikeable characters of the show.
All she wants is to be liked and accepted by Mrs. Astor, yet she retains a coldness around her, presumably to express superiority. Still, it does her no favors against Mrs. Astor’s polite and soft demeanor.
Now, Mr. Tom Raikes: I knew I didn’t like him, but I didn’t realize how much I disliked him. He has given off signs of a playboy the whole time, nearly love bombing Marian with impromptu encounters and generous gestures. Yet, he’s nice without a flaw to Marian’s face, the perfect man who “loves” her.
I knew their elopement would never work out when Marian neglected again to say “I love you” back to Tom in the park. He knows how to be charming to any girl, chase after her, and say all the right words.
Unfortunately, Aurora Fane, with the help of Aunt Ada, makes Marian doubt the relationship before she confronts Mr. Raikes. It would have been nice to see her realize this herself and take complete charge of the situation.
I would love to see Marian overcome some of her naïveté in the next season and mature a bit since right now, her youthful weaknesses poorly contrast all of her good intentions.
Larry Russell continues to shine in each episode of the show. His tactful defiance towards his dad is endearing, and he reflects a lot of the American spirit that the show’s society wants to emanate.
Later on in the episode, the Van Rhijn’s footman, Jack Treacher, decries to Bridget that maybe one day they, too, could be at a ball as grand as the Russells’ ball because this is America.
Larry Russell: This is a great city in a great country at a great time in our history. I want to be a part of that, father.
We see the American dream theme echoed between economic classes, so much hope, and the essence of freedom among a cutthroat society of constant change.
Other Observations:
- There’s something remarkably relatable about Marian staying at the ball until morning. She’s just experienced heartbreak, yet she parties away! Good for her.
- Team Larry Russell: he’s been the shining star of the series, incredibly likable, and his family drama adds to his appeal.
- HBO announced on February 14th that they were renewing The Gilded Age for a second season. The final nicely sets up a new season, so here’s to more glamorous balls and stake-less servant drama in Season 2!
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What did you think of this episode of The Gilded Age? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Gilded Age is streaming now on HBO Max.
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Addie Christianson
Addie is passionate about costume dramas, and loves a good British period piece. She is an avid traveler who also enjoys to writing about culture, lifestyle, and fashion. Find more of her work on her website www.addiechristianson.com