Top 10 Things The Gilded Age Gets Factually Right & Wrong
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Date: 2023-11-20
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Comments and reviews: 30
Just
Anderson Cooper was profiled on 60 Minutes a few months ago after writing a book about his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and her family heritage. What I found most amusing was that the first Vanderbilts did come to New Netherland (now New York) from the Netherlands at least 40 years before the Revolution and that Cornelius made his money first in the 1840s with steamships. He then made an additional fortune in railroads in the 1860s and 70s. His son had continued to make money, but died only 7 years after his father.
It was the grandsons and their wives that went spend-happy after Granddad and Dad died (1877 and 1884. They built elaborate mansions and spent money without caring about continuing to make it. And in all of that, THEY were considered the new money. Ironic since theyre lineage had been in the NYC area for almost 150 years, just like the old money, and that many of the fortunes made by other families surely had depended on Cornelius steamships and railroads.
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Anderson Cooper was profiled on 60 Minutes a few months ago after writing a book about his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and her family heritage. What I found most amusing was that the first Vanderbilts did come to New Netherland (now New York) from the Netherlands at least 40 years before the Revolution and that Cornelius made his money first in the 1840s with steamships. He then made an additional fortune in railroads in the 1860s and 70s. His son had continued to make money, but died only 7 years after his father.
It was the grandsons and their wives that went spend-happy after Granddad and Dad died (1877 and 1884. They built elaborate mansions and spent money without caring about continuing to make it. And in all of that, THEY were considered the new money. Ironic since theyre lineage had been in the NYC area for almost 150 years, just like the old money, and that many of the fortunes made by other families surely had depended on Cornelius steamships and railroads.
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mayder
There are lots of so-called period dramas on Netflix now. I won't watch any because they seem inferior just by the thumbnail pic/cover art. anyway. I hope that means people are wanting more. Maybe the trend will ensure Gilded Age's return for a while. Will Christine Baransky return? If you' like her here, you must watch her appearances as Leonard's mom on Big Bang Theory. I can see Julian Fellowes exploring stories involving the squalor or success of other neighborhoods. I'd love to see an episode showing evolution of stage entertainment. The social battles and the That's just not done in polite society>> kind of transgressions are going to get tedious. I wonder whether creators will feel compelled to show more of the Un gilded parts of NYC. A gamble. People wanna see the great house interiors and clothes. Maybe a scene of grime or exploitation now and then.
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There are lots of so-called period dramas on Netflix now. I won't watch any because they seem inferior just by the thumbnail pic/cover art. anyway. I hope that means people are wanting more. Maybe the trend will ensure Gilded Age's return for a while. Will Christine Baransky return? If you' like her here, you must watch her appearances as Leonard's mom on Big Bang Theory. I can see Julian Fellowes exploring stories involving the squalor or success of other neighborhoods. I'd love to see an episode showing evolution of stage entertainment. The social battles and the That's just not done in polite society>> kind of transgressions are going to get tedious. I wonder whether creators will feel compelled to show more of the Un gilded parts of NYC. A gamble. People wanna see the great house interiors and clothes. Maybe a scene of grime or exploitation now and then.
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Luke
Is mojo racist? When the new Rings of Power show started, people who commented that hobbits and elves werent black in the books are racist (same with House of Dragon and the sea snake. Mojo is saying black people wouldnt have been secretaries, isnt this racist? Im asking because the lines confuse me, is commenting on things like this racist, even if not expressing an opinion either way, or would someone who isnt racist just ignore things like this? Alternatively, the source material for The Gilded Age is history, whereas the others are Novels. Is this the distinction? (Please dont think Im trying to excuse racism, I just genuinely want to understand)
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Is mojo racist? When the new Rings of Power show started, people who commented that hobbits and elves werent black in the books are racist (same with House of Dragon and the sea snake. Mojo is saying black people wouldnt have been secretaries, isnt this racist? Im asking because the lines confuse me, is commenting on things like this racist, even if not expressing an opinion either way, or would someone who isnt racist just ignore things like this? Alternatively, the source material for The Gilded Age is history, whereas the others are Novels. Is this the distinction? (Please dont think Im trying to excuse racism, I just genuinely want to understand)
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Ariadna
And discrimination and racism still exist today. As a brown immigrant upper middle class highly educated and successful professional woman, I can attest I'm subject to discrimination on a daily basis in the most subtle and bold ways imaginable. I can only imagine what others of my ethnicity but different social or economic status are victims of. And racism not only applies to white people, black people are sometimes the rudest people I encounter, I think they believe they can get away with it using their own race as an excuse. Obviously white people including white immigrants are hateful as well, nonetheless.
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And discrimination and racism still exist today. As a brown immigrant upper middle class highly educated and successful professional woman, I can attest I'm subject to discrimination on a daily basis in the most subtle and bold ways imaginable. I can only imagine what others of my ethnicity but different social or economic status are victims of. And racism not only applies to white people, black people are sometimes the rudest people I encounter, I think they believe they can get away with it using their own race as an excuse. Obviously white people including white immigrants are hateful as well, nonetheless.
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Historian212
The Russells are modeled on the Vanderbilts, and the storyline about their relationships with the Astors, especially in Season One, sticks very closely to real events. Peggy seems loosely modeled on real-life journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett, although Wells-Barnett was originally from the South, and she did not grow up among the Black elites. Itll be interesting to see whether Peggy goes on to fight against lynching, one of the evils Wells-Barnett exposed in her writings. Peggys impending visit to Alabama may set her on a similar path.
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The Russells are modeled on the Vanderbilts, and the storyline about their relationships with the Astors, especially in Season One, sticks very closely to real events. Peggy seems loosely modeled on real-life journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett, although Wells-Barnett was originally from the South, and she did not grow up among the Black elites. Itll be interesting to see whether Peggy goes on to fight against lynching, one of the evils Wells-Barnett exposed in her writings. Peggys impending visit to Alabama may set her on a similar path.
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NelsonClick
Haven't seen a second of this even though I am very familiar with this era and just discovered this story was made. I would LOVE to see it but won't. Why? Americans have forgotten how to make an accurate historical film. They keep quietly inserting modern sensibilities and woke BS into everything. Alternately, the Brits go to great extent and director's annoyance to make period pieces accurate as possible. It's why their historical themed films are better.
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Haven't seen a second of this even though I am very familiar with this era and just discovered this story was made. I would LOVE to see it but won't. Why? Americans have forgotten how to make an accurate historical film. They keep quietly inserting modern sensibilities and woke BS into everything. Alternately, the Brits go to great extent and director's annoyance to make period pieces accurate as possible. It's why their historical themed films are better.
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Alex
Its a slow-burning show, the difference between Gilded Age and Downton Abbey is that theres no overarching plot that necessarily connect the whole main character. By the end of the Season, Bertha already achieved what she strive to achieve, so theres not much left to achieve for her storyline unless theyre going for the Consuelo Vanderbilt route which wont showcase American society and should be a spin-off with Cora Levinson as the main character.
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Its a slow-burning show, the difference between Gilded Age and Downton Abbey is that theres no overarching plot that necessarily connect the whole main character. By the end of the Season, Bertha already achieved what she strive to achieve, so theres not much left to achieve for her storyline unless theyre going for the Consuelo Vanderbilt route which wont showcase American society and should be a spin-off with Cora Levinson as the main character.
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Margaret
Also, It was interested that they never reslly mentioned neighborhood names, just streets. Central Park is almost irrelevant- when its right across the street. I love how the new money are basically dressed like somesort of trendy (just fabric thrown around/ lack of detail and much more variety in outfits) Also, the actors sre mostly very well educated- from prestigious institutions in real life.
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Also, It was interested that they never reslly mentioned neighborhood names, just streets. Central Park is almost irrelevant- when its right across the street. I love how the new money are basically dressed like somesort of trendy (just fabric thrown around/ lack of detail and much more variety in outfits) Also, the actors sre mostly very well educated- from prestigious institutions in real life.
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Meadows
About the fact that we didn't see the servants doing the more manual work, is simply because the show focuses on a group of servant characters who occupy a higher position in the service hierarchy. The butler, housekeeper, footman, cook and head housemaid are not the ones who do the washing and the menial work. There must be other servants that weren't shown on screen yet.
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About the fact that we didn't see the servants doing the more manual work, is simply because the show focuses on a group of servant characters who occupy a higher position in the service hierarchy. The butler, housekeeper, footman, cook and head housemaid are not the ones who do the washing and the menial work. There must be other servants that weren't shown on screen yet.
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fred
Julian fellowes once again gets it wrong! This silly fatuous, melodrama, Disney-esque ham-handed glimpse into American Histoy is insulting! He doesnt even know his supposed own elite class! Lord Snooty-puss, why do your Old People (The Van Rijns) have the furniture they have instead of 18thc or American Empire rather than the modern furniture of the time!
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Julian fellowes once again gets it wrong! This silly fatuous, melodrama, Disney-esque ham-handed glimpse into American Histoy is insulting! He doesnt even know his supposed own elite class! Lord Snooty-puss, why do your Old People (The Van Rijns) have the furniture they have instead of 18thc or American Empire rather than the modern furniture of the time!
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Bryan
My only issue with this show in terms of production value is it does feel very claustrophobic. The set design and costume work is immaculate but almost every scene takes places indoors. When they do go outside its always central park or the street they made up. Hopefully with a bigger budget from HBO they will be able to expand a bit.
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My only issue with this show in terms of production value is it does feel very claustrophobic. The set design and costume work is immaculate but almost every scene takes places indoors. When they do go outside its always central park or the street they made up. Hopefully with a bigger budget from HBO they will be able to expand a bit.
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kathy
The costumes, sets and the manners are always interesting. All the details on the dresses like the lace, buttons, contrast of fabrics and use of tule. Also the social connections are very important to the story line, and l love the snubs. So very important to how the characters interact, helps us to stay focused on the show.
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The costumes, sets and the manners are always interesting. All the details on the dresses like the lace, buttons, contrast of fabrics and use of tule. Also the social connections are very important to the story line, and l love the snubs. So very important to how the characters interact, helps us to stay focused on the show.
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Shelly
This is interesting. I'm finding much the same hardships in my own Irish family. Might have been a few decades earlier however it was the same slander, bully, an degradation thats experienced in this era. just saying. I was born to a family that did not recognize this/those prejudices. Thank you God
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This is interesting. I'm finding much the same hardships in my own Irish family. Might have been a few decades earlier however it was the same slander, bully, an degradation thats experienced in this era. just saying. I was born to a family that did not recognize this/those prejudices. Thank you God
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Courtney
I'm British and saw the first episode the other day and am surprised to say I enjoyed it. I tend to avoid American series particularly ones that are based so long ago mainly bcause Americans take too many liberties with the subject and make it all wonderful and lovely when in reality it was not.
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I'm British and saw the first episode the other day and am surprised to say I enjoyed it. I tend to avoid American series particularly ones that are based so long ago mainly bcause Americans take too many liberties with the subject and make it all wonderful and lovely when in reality it was not.
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Terri
Finally Cynthia Nixon is in the correct time period for dialog containing innovative thoughts on change. Unlike her role on SATC and the characterization of the obviously mental menopausal Cynthia in the AJLT reboot, where her interpretation of someone shadow boxing oppression falls flat.
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Finally Cynthia Nixon is in the correct time period for dialog containing innovative thoughts on change. Unlike her role on SATC and the characterization of the obviously mental menopausal Cynthia in the AJLT reboot, where her interpretation of someone shadow boxing oppression falls flat.
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QueenWendyLu
I love the story but the gowns are so incorrect. The hats. omg. Zippers were not used until the end of WW1. The house of Worth was a very popular dress designer. These garments are nothing like them.
I really wanted to love them but. Its a flashback to Bridgerton.
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I love the story but the gowns are so incorrect. The hats. omg. Zippers were not used until the end of WW1. The house of Worth was a very popular dress designer. These garments are nothing like them.
I really wanted to love them but. Its a flashback to Bridgerton.
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Reason
The. Lack winners of the capitalist system in post civil war America has so many caveats it is a challenge to contextualise it without giving an unfair perspective. The reality is that a backlash began as soon as black success was evident. Gerrymandering and so on.
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The. Lack winners of the capitalist system in post civil war America has so many caveats it is a challenge to contextualise it without giving an unfair perspective. The reality is that a backlash began as soon as black success was evident. Gerrymandering and so on.
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Esther
The line about toeing the line for the Republicans is incorrect though. At that time the party for emancipating black people was the Republican party. So he should've mentioned the Democratic party but clearly, people would find it hard to understand these days.
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The line about toeing the line for the Republicans is incorrect though. At that time the party for emancipating black people was the Republican party. So he should've mentioned the Democratic party but clearly, people would find it hard to understand these days.
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WARRIOR
. Malcom X, said the only way for Black to succeed, in the United States, is segregation, Black dollars stayed with Black Dollars. if this would have happened, black people would have surpassed white people, and this is what white people are still afraid of,
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. Malcom X, said the only way for Black to succeed, in the United States, is segregation, Black dollars stayed with Black Dollars. if this would have happened, black people would have surpassed white people, and this is what white people are still afraid of,
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Fedmarti88
People were very religious at the time. That aspect is completely absent in the show.
The introduction of current social and political ideas into the plot is problematic, as if we are willingly distorting truth to fit the newest fads.
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People were very religious at the time. That aspect is completely absent in the show.
The introduction of current social and political ideas into the plot is problematic, as if we are willingly distorting truth to fit the newest fads.
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Taylor
I cant ignore that they used a black actor for the role of T. Thomas Fortune obviously, I dont care about his race and it probably makes for better TV given the climate were in but ya know if you can make something accurate, at least try haha
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I cant ignore that they used a black actor for the role of T. Thomas Fortune obviously, I dont care about his race and it probably makes for better TV given the climate were in but ya know if you can make something accurate, at least try haha
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cunderw12
No wonder Im struggling. I thought the gilded age begin in 1900s, not late 1800s. I am Native American so this wouldnt of been my life but its pretty fascinating to see. The beginning of the rich getting richer, and the poor staying poor.
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No wonder Im struggling. I thought the gilded age begin in 1900s, not late 1800s. I am Native American so this wouldnt of been my life but its pretty fascinating to see. The beginning of the rich getting richer, and the poor staying poor.
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Concepcion30
The racism towards Peggy is what I found interesting as well. There were no slaves working in homes in New York as far as I know. Yet, the people of the North were just as prejudice as those in the South where slavery was commonplace.
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The racism towards Peggy is what I found interesting as well. There were no slaves working in homes in New York as far as I know. Yet, the people of the North were just as prejudice as those in the South where slavery was commonplace.
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Robinwhiteart
Totally enjoy this show. Don't mind the few wrong facts. Chalk them up to artistic license which is allowed in all good artwork. There is so little truly good quality American TV, it is so nice to have it in this really good show!
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Totally enjoy this show. Don't mind the few wrong facts. Chalk them up to artistic license which is allowed in all good artwork. There is so little truly good quality American TV, it is so nice to have it in this really good show!
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Zap
Its just hard to believe a woman like Aunt Agnes so focused on family names and breeding would jump through hoops to employ Peggy living in her home in those times like she flat out doesnt care. Its ridiculous but I still like the show.
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Its just hard to believe a woman like Aunt Agnes so focused on family names and breeding would jump through hoops to employ Peggy living in her home in those times like she flat out doesnt care. Its ridiculous but I still like the show.
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Kelly
Excellent videoenjoying the time period this takes place. Innovation in full swing with the industrial revolution And the high stakes business drama, with a look into black upper classesyes please! Cant wait for the next season!
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Excellent videoenjoying the time period this takes place. Innovation in full swing with the industrial revolution And the high stakes business drama, with a look into black upper classesyes please! Cant wait for the next season!
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Clay
I read that the Van Rhijn family is Quaker in The Gilded Age. If so, Agnes would have had a more modern perspective on race and racism than the general population. That makes it more reasonable that she should hire Peggy.
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I read that the Van Rhijn family is Quaker in The Gilded Age. If so, Agnes would have had a more modern perspective on race and racism than the general population. That makes it more reasonable that she should hire Peggy.
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Sailor
The rich didn't scoop up treasure, they created it and made the economic pie much larger. Good for them, we all benefited from thier efforts and it is the reason for the surge in immigration. It is called opportunity.
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The rich didn't scoop up treasure, they created it and made the economic pie much larger. Good for them, we all benefited from thier efforts and it is the reason for the surge in immigration. It is called opportunity.
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axnyslie
It was common at that time for the aristocrat class to carry smelling salts with them. Because the stench of sewage and manure in NYC was overwhelming. Needless to say the people all smelled bad too, even the rich.
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It was common at that time for the aristocrat class to carry smelling salts with them. Because the stench of sewage and manure in NYC was overwhelming. Needless to say the people all smelled bad too, even the rich.
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Reason
Theres a 1940s film of a slightly earlier book, Dragonwyck. It really shows how strong the Dutch influence still was at this time. And remember when that book and film were new it was all within living memory.
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Theres a 1940s film of a slightly earlier book, Dragonwyck. It really shows how strong the Dutch influence still was at this time. And remember when that book and film were new it was all within living memory.
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