The Official Gilded Age Podcast | Ep. 9 “Let the Tournament Begin” | HBO 

Marian is fortunate she has so many people who genuinely care for her, who wish to protect her and unselfishly look out for her best interests. Had this gotten out she would have likely faced social ruin and definitely bore the brunt of social censure.

@@sunshinesmile94 and all for an unworthy man.

I have a strong suspicion that eventually that man is going to be found out for stealing Marian's inheritance.

I love Aunt Ada she is wise, sweet, and kind. I love how she has taken Marian under her wing and coaches her. Wonderful, wonderful person.

The Chef revealing his secret was one of my fave parts of this ep, showing he's both a great actor & awesome chef not to mention a classy person for helping out when an unexpected situation arose later in the ep & he easily could've refused to do so.

I also love when Aunt Agnes remarked how beautiful Marian looks when she's dancing at the ball. It proves to me, maybe that she started to have her hard edges be somewhat softened.

She's an interesting character. And Kelli O'Hara is an incredible Broadway talent and beauty!

Aurora has come to be the glue that pulls things together!

You can tell that Aurora genuinely cares for Marion. It is refreshing. I am looking forward to more of her in Season 2!

You're not the only one. I was like, yeah, stealth MVP!

She had the best chatachter arch so far. It's good to watch some people grow. Gives us hope. Even if it is make believe. 😉

I love the series .I hope there will be a second series. The costumes were beautiful.I love the storyline. There are a few loose end.

@@victoryjackson4908 I read that season 2 will be here in Spring 2023. Fingers crossed 🤞 Yes I loved the dresses and their dialogue. It’s always a good show when the writing keeps my interest.

I loved the way Bertha just cringes when she hears his “Middle West” accent. Like nails on a chalkboard.

I agree, it was really funny!

Agnes told no lies. Marion oughta respect that wise fox.

I think that this is hinted, Larry taking an interest in Marian. The part that made me happy = she confided in him about Raikes, so she trusted him. They started out as good friends first --great foundation for love match later :)

Right?

Larry has his own dreams and ambitions, so don't saddle him down just yet😉

@@FourSeasons04 they do seem to be cultivating a sweet friendship.

The manners [and grandeur] of everyone in the past was a thing of beauty. Now everyone is unfiltered and cruel. Ugh. No more 'do unto others' or 'if you have nothing nice to say....' 🤦🏾‍♀️🤣

@@missladyanonymity Well "Mister Lady" No has to love everything about the past. I was referring to the time period minus the racism that surely has not changed much in all this time or you'd have nothing whatsoever to complain about! Please slither elsewhere and be sure not to contaminate others with your venomous online behavior!

@samantha ssmith no no, No, Larry is for Marian. I think the publisher guy is interested in Peggy.

@samantha ssmith she is not racist...Peggy just isnt in society

@samantha ssmith She was part on new money society and of the gilded age...I think youre reaching by calling her racist because Peggy was surely not invite to any other society gatherings aso i.e. Van Rhjins

All of This!! I think that Mr. Russell will encourage Larry and Marion because she was wholly responsible for saving his company and him from going to jail.

I like Larry Russell. He is kind, focused and very wise for his age. He is an observer. I know we all realize that the purpose of him coming to lunch at the Van Ryan's was to be introduced to Marian, who was already entertaining Mr. Reikes. I hope they eventually get together.

This is bad.... but I hope somehow Mr Russell ruins Mr Raikes like he knows how. Or he gets ruined in some way... scoundrel

Same it made me cry too, i like peggy's character. 🥰

@@antoinettetafoya8467 The woman Mr. Raikes is "courting" ( Miss Bingham ) is the mistress of Mr. Flagler, pretending to be his niece. Mr. Raikes is playing a dangerous game that could ruin his career, reputation and perhaps his physical state. All in the name of money !!!

It was hard not to cry !!!

@@MyDsmall Raikes is a despicable person no question about that. Peggy did not pay him as Miriam asked him to send her the bill and he told her it was not necessary (by the door on the way out the day he went to Aunt Agnes's house for tea). Raikes used Peggy as an excuse to see Miriam. He exploited Peggy's pain for his own benefit.

Yes!! I noticed that, too!!

OMG! What a great reference. I loved that movie, watch it every time it is on TCM!!!

and he even looks nice and harmless!!

True, the Agnes character seems to have diluted abit

I respectfully disagree. I like aunt Agnes

@@k.k.7415 You’ve misunderstood. I ❤️ the character. That’s why I want to see her interacting with more ppl…

@@s.h.7613 I misread and see your position. Thank you.

@samantha ssmith girl you're not the only one who thinks Peggy and Larry would be cute. They're both ambitious and kind at the same time.

if he was a female, he would have been called a gold digger

@@endlessserenade4491 right!

Yes, it could have turned out much worse for Marion; but in the end, he did her a favor.

his purpose is to show that new upstarts are using their minds to claw up in society. it's a stark contrast to the old money - born into privilege. but im glad that part is settled cause i saw it coming from the moment he came to new york. but i feel like he could cause more drama if he married some very wealthy new money. they will still be in the same social sphere

@@endor8witch I found it quite sad. He loves Marion but is ambitious and knows that taking a wealthy wife will allow him a lifestyle that he would struggle to achieve with Marion. Marion admits their truth at the ball - sometimes love is not enough.

I definitely agreed it seem so rushed out of the blue, he saw her and asked to write. The plot could have been more believable if knew before the moment of her father's death.

I'm urged to think it was rushed too, but when I think about it with more depth, I believe the rushed nature of his affection foreshadows his intentions, very well. He always knew that he will want to marry up for the money, and so Marian was merely an affair. Since it wouldn't last forever, he had not much to lose by trying to push as hard as possible with little delicacy or patience. Maybe he was trying to convince himself too by the over the top affection he showed to grow something underdeveloped much quicker than it's ought to. Even if he did like her before she moved to New York, you could see that he did not express it there as blatantly as he would in New York. It was healthy in the start, but the quick escalation of the healthy behavior into almost lust-like affection showed the change he had faced.

I still thinks rake stole Marion's money and I hope she finds out about it and he gets called out for what he really is a snake

And can we take a moment to cherish the incomparable Nathan Lane?

May have too many “thes” in that run on sentence.

Season 2 already announced.

You "hope" it gets to season 2? This show will go on for years like Downton did.

@@mr.rightnow.7300lol your lips to God's ears.

@samantha ssmithI have no idea what your asking me doll. If your asking who that is in my picture, its me. Commence the Trolling.

They announced season 2 a while ago. I’m pretty sure they’ve begun filming too

@@bellthandian they did?? Well I can't wait!!! Hopefully it won't take a while year an a half!! Thank you

They are filming in Newport @ May 5-9.

The series was renewed for another season, they start filming at the beginning of May :)

I loved it too❤️

he wasnt trained though. he worked in the kitchen at a french restaurant from a low level position with just on the job training. not the same thing. also there's no way watson is mrs chamberlain;'s son lol the age is too close. also everyone in high society have seen her son, it's just that he is tired of people trashing his family so he left and moved to another city. im sure people would know if her son is working as a butler

Watson being Mrs Chamberlaines son is a bit of a stretch. Like he'd be a servant in another wealthy person's home., added he's too old. No I think McNeil is Watsons daughter. Hair or no hair, she would have recognized him. She knew his last name so he's either her dad or a past love.

@@mr.rightnow.7300 I think you may be right. I looked him up and he was far older than I thought. He's 61. Wow. He's older than Jeanne Tripplehorn. So yeah, I'd guess he was her father, perhaps a servant in her parents' household at some point? I do think Mrs. Chamberlain's son will show up at some point though as she was very vague about him and nervous to speak of him. There's a story there.

@@mr.rightnow.7300 I also think Watson is her father, however, I think he was a successful man elsewhere but maybe decimated by a scandal that caused him to change his name. I think he took the servant position to be closer to his daughter.

I hope Miss Bingham dumps him and he has to go back to dusty Doylestown.

I sort of thought the same. He has the classic " cheater" personality.

My fear is he tries to pursue Marion to be his lover/mistress if he manages to marry rich (but unhappy) and Marian remains single/unattached. (EEEEEK)

I agree. We got enough to satisfy the curiosity but have you looking forward to next season. Honestly, I did not expect this series to captivate me. The clothes, decor, story lines are all interesting. Looming forward to season two.

@@tracys169 but I think Marian learned her lesson. I hope heart heart will be open for other man that is better than raikes in season 2.

I said same thing out loud “ Marion, you dodged a bullet! “ Loved ep 8 and 9

She dodged a cannon.😂 Although Raikes exhibited distasteful behavior, he actually did her a favor in the end without destroying her life.

Your grandmother has the gift of experience, she can spot things a mile a way.

Aurora has already said my opinion from day 1. The old must make room for new, if not, they have the numbers and finances to build their own society, snubbing them and keeping them out. McCalister echoed it again this episode. Chamberlain is everything!! From personality to wardrobe. All of the ladies look nice, but the few times she was in the room with society she put all of her doubters to shame effortlessly with wardrobe. Bertha is the only one that can stand next to her. Cynthia Nixon is most definitely channeling her SATC fashion goddess in Ada, because she is at the top for the old, despite always being in that dark house. Marian’s colors of blue and yellow represent Cinderella and Belle hands down but also the “breath of fresh air” color palette wise in that house. They are alike in their shrewdness. Astor told Bertha that she plans to take her on. Bertha said they are alike because Bertha is going to knuckle up with her. The title of this episode was “Let the tournament Begin”, we all know what that is. Caroline is already smitten with Larry. Astor told Carrie that she loved George’s stunt at the bazaar and was considering embracing then. Caroline asked if it was ok to call on Larry now. Astor said no, wait. When she walked upstairs a portrait of Leona Helmsley was shown. We all know the story of her viscousness cut throat business tactics that got her rich and her disdain for men including eating them alive. Astor said the husband is never there. That’s a warning, and now Bertha has forced her to surrender, it’s on! Caroline conveniently went to call on Gladys right after that. She is going to use her daughter to get back at Bertha, and Bertha is going to use Gladys and Larry to get back at Agnes, Marian and Oscar will be in the middle and Astor. A war is coming.

I personally think it will be a Romeo and Juliet storyline for a while more. I don't think either of the families will want them together at least not for a while.

@@brklyngirl68 I dont know, George is going to be more than happy to welcome Marion into the Russell fold, he might even stand up to Bertha.

Marian and Oscar will do so, we’ll attempt at least , because they are vying for Larry and Gladys. Caroline and her mother are in the middle. Caroline is already smitten with Larry. Astor is having it not only because of the new vs old, but now Bertha has matched her and the score is now Bertha 1 Astor 0. Oscar now has a clear way to get Gladys. George is not happy Larry wants to be an architect and not take over the business. It’s his only son. Men would will women money and property but not businesses. If they had no offspring or eligible male family, they left it to their 2nd in command. A son in law is the next best thing. Oscar was apart of the plan to take down George, which means he’s already in business. George insists on digging for dirt to take down his enemies. Oscar is in old society. He’s knows all the dirt and is clearly not above being shady himself. That alone will qualify Oscar to have a chance with Gladys. Bertha on the other hand is going to use this to her advantage. She may not want Gladys to be with Oscar at first. But we know Agnes hates Bertha. Agnes already thinks Oscar is sleeping with Turner, and Bertha already knows Agnes is furious for getting Astor to make her come to the ball. This will send Agnes reeling and Bertha is going to have fun playing with Agnes and Astor.

@samantha ssmith Lawd I know😂 whew that was Ruthless

Agree 😊

I felt the same way. That statement was insulting.

The "Middle West" 😄😄

Absolutely correct. Actor that plays the chef is from the Detroit area The accent was not a Great Lakes (Detroit) area accent it was a Kansas accent

👍

I found that interesting......they show a servant and they hint (big time) of some sort of story line here. We never did find out what was going on with this guy...guess you have to read the book

We may get some of that in S2. Remember when Madam Agnes said there'd plenty of time to quarrel with Mrs. Russell later 😄

@@mrb4761 I suppose the basis for the quarrel between Agnes and Bertha will center around Oscar's pursuit of Gladys.

@@bereasonable8018 And possibly Larry's pursuit of Marian.

@@danny1959 Yes. Though I wonder whether Marian will now give Agnes' advice a bit more credence since she was right about Raikes.

@samantha ssmith I'm glad I'm not the only one. I just feel as if the show lost some drama/suspense because they didn't show more of the battle of wills between Bertha and Ms. Astor. And loss of drama suspense over whether Marian was going to be taken advantage of by Raikes. They could have easily had a 10th episode with that and more drama around the staff.