[HBO] The Gilded Age: Power struggles in 19th century bourgeois New York

Despite the obvious comparison with Dowtown Abbeythe new HBO series The Gilded Age does quite well in the neat portrait of the New York aristocracy of the end of the 19th century that she offers us.

We immediately compared The Gilded Age to the hit series Downton Abbey and for good reason since it is Julian Fellowes who offers us this entertainment produced by the HBO channel. A series whose first season tells us about the rivalries between the new rich and the old aristocracy in New York at the end of the 19th century. We follow in particular the journey of two women: on the one hand, the young Marian Brook who leaves Pennsylvania after the death of her father to settle with her old aunts in New York. And on the other hand, that of Peggy Scott, a young African-American who dreams of becoming a writer. Both will be confronted with the rules of high society.

The author of the screenplay Gosford Park immerses us once again in the middle of the American bourgeoisie that he had already evoked in Downton Abbey with here again these conflicts, these struggles for influence between New York bourgeois at a time when the United States is rebuilding itself after the Civil War.

In the midst of the industrial revolution, ambitious businessmen bet and invest in particular on the railway to get rich. As for the old families, they look on all this with a bad eye for fear that this arrogant new bourgeoisie – represented in the series by the ambitious railroad magnate, George Russel and his wife Bertha – will come to step on their toes. . As for the younger generation, it is trying to find its place in this rapidly changing world where the racial question remains more than ever a social issue.

Once again benefiting from considerable means, Julian Fellowes signs a very ambitious production, carried by a neat writing, sumptuous decorations and a very elegant realization. On the side of the actors, the beautiful part is given to women with in particular in the main roles, Louisa Jacobson and Toothed Denton but also Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon who are all resplendent in their big dresses, wonderfully embodying these women who fight hard to keep their influence on high society where some are ready to do anything to get a place of choice. A society where, to make a name for yourself, you have to invite all of New York’s wealthy aristocrats to lavish parties.

If the suspense and the dramatic tension are not the main assets of this series, on the other hand the very charismatic characters, the magnificent decorations of the interiors, the chiselled and full of spirit dialogues will make us forget without problem the emptiness of this small bourgeois world. self-centered, who seems far removed from the preoccupations of the world around him.
A rather cushy series therefore but which allows you to breathe between two more muscular series.

Benoit RICHARD

The Gilded Age – Saison 1
Series created by Julian Fellowes
With Louisa Jacobson, Dentée Denton, Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon…
Gere: Drama, Historical
9 episodes airing on HBO, starting January 24, 2022

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