The Gilded Age

What's not to like? Fabulous sets, beautiful and authentic costumes, Broadway actors, and an intriguing story line. This isn't something to over-analyze; just enjoy it!!

Reading some of these reviews is almost as entertaining as the show itself. Some proclaim to love Downton Abbey (which by the way also raised sensitive issues such as class, heritage and sexuality) but when it makes a small subplot in an American show - the trolls emerge proclaiming "no, no 'woke' stuff."

Anyway: The first episode is long but it does a good job of setting the stage. Love Baranski, Nixon did a fine job, Farmiga was not the right choice. Although I adore Coon as an actress (I'll never forget her performance in Leftovers), she didn't get to really flex in this role, yet.

I eagerly await the continuation and will update my rating as the season moves on. Which it will as I am sure irritates quite a few but gives the majority of us no reason for concern.

Julian Fellowes' mighty pen is back (and even more cheekier) in this lavish production. This time dealing with aristocratic socialite snobbery of the ugly kind, ruthless business affairs, political sabotaging, hidden homosexual relationships, racial prejudices, and society control freaks. (But I'm sure there is more after only viewing three episodes.)

And we're talking about the year - 1882! A radical period in New York upper-society with the changing of the guard among the wealthy, and the young radical breed coming into play. All carried out in the delicious Fellowian style. With snappy and sassy dialogue, infused with a grand soap opera worthy of a Verdi music score.

The show is set during the era of the so-called 'rober barons'...incredibly wealthy men who made huge fortunes no matter what the cost to their poor employees. But the program doesn't center very much on these poor but the rich, their friends as well as their servants. The vibe is very much like "Downton Abbey" and it's written by the same man. Overall, a very satisfying and beautiful program which will likely have you longing to see more.

I really loved watching both seasons (up to now season three has not yet been released) and was ready to give the show a 10. But it is, at times, a bit predictable...but also incredibly unpredictable (such as the finale of season two). The predictability are many of the romantic relationships (particularly of the lead)...but considering how rich the characters are, I'll cut this some slack.

Downton Abbey was about upstairs/downstairs affairs in the UK, while this dramedy is about old money/new money in America.

I found the writing hilarious. It's a dry, witty drama with many laugh out loud moments, although one needs to listen closely to notice them. This is not in your face, but subtle.

The costumes are gorgeous and the acting superb, as you'd expect from HBO and the big names involved.

Some of the previous reviewers commented that they didn't like how woke the show was, but I didn't notice that. As far as I could tell, gender and race issues are treated with historical accuracy.

I love this new show and can't wait for more episodes.