Recap Episode 8 of The Gilded Age
This was an action packed episode. George Russell got a lucky break via Marian’s glove shopping trip and Bertha was enjoying her Newport vacation with Mr. McAllister, until a very jarring moment breaks Bertha’s ebullient social ascent. This episode reveals Peggy’s secrets and the conniving Armstrong’s attempts to undermine Peggy.
I found myself enjoying this episode after feeling that episodes 6 and 7 were a bit lackluster. Finally, Peggy’s secrets were revealed. Peggy had engaged Mr. Raikes to find the midwife who delivered her infant son who reportedly died. I say reportedly because I believe that her son might still be alive. Peggy shares that she had married the stock boy that her father disapproved of and that they had a son. Peggy’s father forced Peggy and her husband to divorce and that is the wedge between them. I suspect that Peggy’s father also possibly adopted out Peggy’s baby and told her that the baby died. All of this came out because of old sourpuss Armstrong. After the story is shared with Agnes and Ada, Peggy choses to leave her job and the Van Rhijn household. We see a softer side of Agnes as she gives Peggy an encouraging send off, indicating that she sees Peggy’s strength echoing her own.
George Russell is saved from criminal liability in the train crash by Marian’s glove shopping trip which reveals that George’s stenographer was in cahoots with the employee who was scamming money by buying substandard train axels. Marian also inches closer to marrying Mr. Raikes despite Aurora Fane’s warnings and their clear lack of chemistry! I hope Marian ends up marrying Larry Russell. Even though Bertha might object, George would be an advocate as Marian saved his bacon! Anyway, they seem a better match to me.
Now that I have an image in my mind that Bertha is an Irish immigrant who fled the great famine, I have a bit more sympathy for her visceral need to be accepted in society. Things are going along swimmingly for Bertha as she seems to be soaking up the Newport social scene. This ends abruptly when as Mr. McAllister takes her on a tour of Mrs. Astor’s Newport home, but Mrs. Astor shows up at the house unexpectedly. Bertha is unceremoniously hustled out by a servant, finding herself thrust out the servants’ door where the servants are plucking chickens, gutting fish, and beating out the dust in the carpets. Bertha’s face betrays her disappointment and frustration that she really hasn’t made it in society and I’m sure being amid the servants reminded her of her humble beginnings that she has fought long and hard to escape. There was something poignant for me about that scene. Bertha’s longing and struggle to be something more and to feel as if she is almost there and have it pulled from her grasp is just…hard.
Another poignant scene was young Jack, the Van Rhijn servant’s visit to his mother’s grave. Although the writing is a bit clunky, but a sad story nonetheless. The fire was a true event. Here is a link to learn more about it.
Other tidbits to note in this episode - It looks like Gladys will have her long delayed debut in society. Oscar is setting his cap for her, but his lover, John, is not going to make it easy. The scenario is shaping up to be a hot mess and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
