A Long Ladder

The Gilded Age begins with a stark juxtaposition. While Mr Morris is buried and his service held, applause breaks out with George Russell and the Aldermen, as they look over schematics and plans for the new railway.

After the big meeting, George receives a telegram informing of Mr Morris’ death. He does pay his respects, apologizing for the unfortunate suicide and reminding Mr Fane that this is not a game for the weak. For Fane, he realizes George is his best ticket for getting out the predicament their family faces and encourages his wife to make amends with Bertha.

Peggy and Marian go shopping for a new writing project together before their big gig at the New York Globe.

When Peggy arrives at the office, she meets Mr. Fortune, who is very impressed by her writing. He gives her a 200-word article to discuss her political affiliation without voting rights. It’s not much money, but it’s a start. ..

Ada is distraught when her dog goes missing. Although half the staff believe someone will bring the dog back, others aren’t so sure. Well, as fate would have it it shows up next door at the Russell house.

Bertha decides to give the dog a bath and feed it before sending a letter next door to let them know. Agnes, however, believes that this is a kidnapping when she receives that aforementioned note; a way to force the families closer together. They do eventually get the dog back but Agnes, as per usual, remains wary. ..

Ada is horrified when she receives a wood-carved box from Mrs Chamberlain. When she visits the woman’s home, Mrs Chamberlain invites Ada in to check out her lavish art collection. It’s unclear why Mrs Chamberlain wants Ada to come back, but after Ada encourages Marian to show up again, the woman agrees. ..

Marian visits her old friend Peggy Scott in Brooklyn, and tells her about her writing. As they talk, Marian’s dad starts to criticize Peggy’s decision to come back home. ..

Peggy covers for her though, claiming it’s for a charity but clearly Marian believed Peggy was living a life of poverty and has been called out for it. Marian shows up with a bag holding old shoes. Peggy covers for her though, claiming it’s for a charity but clearly Marian believed Peggy was living a life of poverty and has been called out for it.

In private, Peggy lashes out at Marian, pointing out that they live in very different worlds. She also tells her not to try and be friends.

Aurora visits Bertha and invites her to meet Mr. McAllister, who is a sort of gatekeeper for the upper-echelons of society. Aurora wants them to be friends now, even inviting Bertha along to watch a concert with her.

Miss Turner is disappointed and leaves, but not before she makes one final visit to George’s bed. This time, she’s more prepared and has brought a robe. She sits down next to him and starts to undress, but he tells her to get out. He doesn’t want any women around him while he’s working, especially not someone who isn’t properly dressed.

Tom Raikes, who is in the box next to Marian, starts talking to her and they get along well. However, as the third act of the symphony begins, Marian looks at him and hopes there will be a happy ending.

The Episode Review

The Gilded Age returns this week with another decent episode, one that sees Mr Morris’ death send ripples across to the other Aldermen as George Russell manages to press ahead with his railway plans.

This also has the indirect effect of allowing Bertha to be accepted into the society after all, with the earlier tensions between the group simmering out somewhat.

The whole incident involving the dog seems like a bit of a misdirection, given it doesn’t really go anywhere. However, the trip to Brooklyn, involving Marian giving over old shoes and realizing Peggy doesn’t live a life of poverty, is a nice way of showing her life and reinforcing that old adage of not judging a book by its cover.

That worked surprisingly well in the context of this episode, even rippling across to the ending involving Tom Raikes and a few other shady characters whose motivations aren’t quite clear - including Mrs Chamberlain.

Regardless of the outcome, The Gilded Age leaves plenty of drama dangling for next week’s follow-up. ..