The Gilded Age Episode 4 Recap
This episode was full of wrong assumptions and blunders. Let’s start with our lovely ingenue, Marian Brook. In this episode she was ignorant of how the world is very different for her companion, Peggy. Marian insists on a visit to Bloomingdales Brothers’ store despite Peggy’s very clear discomfort. Marian peruses the items completely unaware of the glares of the store personnel that Peggy must endure. Mrs. Chamberlain noticed right away, doing what she could to diffuse the uncomfortable situation.
Marian makes assumptions about Peggy’s family and very presumptively decides to visit them. Assuming that Peggy’s family is poor because they are Black, Marian decided to bring some used boots (that’s weird) and she is shocked to discover that Peggy’s family is affluent. In a very awkward exchange, the friendly relations between Peggy and Marian are strained when Peggy sees clearly how Marian perceives her.
I was struck by the scene at Peggy’s luncheon with her parents. Her father tells a story about an uncle who was “sold before emancipation.” This series is set in 1882, less than twenty years after the Civil War. It was extraordinary to consider that many formerly enslaved people were creating new lives for themselves in New York and demonstrating extraordinary resilience.
The other extreme miscalculation of this episode is by Turner, Bertha Russell’s lady’s maid. In a shocking scene, Turner sneaks into George Russell’s room as he is sleeping and brazenly initiates sexy times with him! He is having none of it. He kicks her out of his room, but doesn’t tell Bertha and lets Turner stay on as a servant.
On the romantic front, it looks like Peggy might have a love interest in the editor, Mr. Fortune, who will be publishing her story and commissioned her to write another. They had a sustained knowing look as he wiped the printer’s ink from her hand. Another knowing look takes place between Marian and her country lawyer beau, Mr. Raikes, who is quickly climbing the social ladder, at the Academy symphony. Marian is considering that Mr. Raikes quick ascent in society may make him suitable enough for her snobby Aunt Agnes.
Other notes: I enjoyed the butler meeting between old money Barrington and new money Church and the subtle ways in which Barrington made Church insecure about his butler skills. I also continue to be amazed by Bertha’s wardrobe. The red gown and cloak she wore to the Academy symphony was astonishing.
