The opening of the Brooklyn Bridge serves as the backdrop on this week’s The Gilded Age episode, “Wonders Never Cease.” This historic moment for New York City meant it was the first time people could get between Manhattan and Brooklyn without taking a boa. It also sends everyone in droves to the East Side of town, desperate to join on the festivities.
The bridge means easier access across town for Peggy (Denee Benton), who’s employed in Manhattan but was raised in Brooklyn. Alongside her mother (Audra McDonald), Peggy’s determined to save New York schools run by Black administrators and teachers. She recruits Marian (Louisa Jacobson) for help, even though Marian’s fiancé Dashiell (David Furr) previously declared that Marian is “not a real teacher.” Marian’s involvement with Peggy’s education crusade promises an interesting conflict with Dashiell. Here’s hoping this drives a wedge between Marian and the unsupportive Dashiell.
And now for a (continued) history lesson…
You know who does care about Marian’s interests? Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), although he only gets minimal screentime with Marian this episode. Larry’s been busy helping with the Brooklyn Bridge opening. His brief screentime includes a shoutout to real-life Brooklyn Bridge engineer Emily Roebling (Liz Wisan).
Given the underwhelming appearance of real-life figures in past episodes, it’s great to see Emily appear again this season. The fictitious upper-class drama is expertly weaved in with real historical events. Can we get Emily, secret MVP of the Brooklyn Bridge, her own series, please?
Baby, you’re a firework
The Bridge opening is said to have fireworks, and Oscar (Blake Ritson) hopes to have extra reason to celebrate. He’s resolved to propose to Maud (Nicole Brydon Bloom), who’s become quite the confidant this season. But where is Maud, anyway? No one, from Oscar to Aurora (Kelli O’Hara) seems to know. Past episodes have introduced new storylines in quick succession, but Maud’s whereabouts feel like a natural progression to her story. It’s a delicious twist just in time for next week’s season finale.
Bad luck abounds in Oscar’s family, anyway. Showrunner Julian Fellowes recycles several plots from Downton Abbey here, from oddly-specific investment troubles to tragic romance. Where the Van Rhijns are concerned, “Wonders Never Cease” might as well be a Downton recap rather than its own show. Given that The Gilded Age’s marketing coasts on the phrase “from the creator of Downton Abbey,” chances are that the audience is here for the melodrama. Don’t underestimate the power of fancy hats or Christine Baranski’s withering stares when making a compelling drama! “Wonders Never Cease” is a tighter episode than last week, and a great teaser for the season finale to come.
The Gilded Age airs Sundays on HBO. Season 1 is streaming now on Max.
Images courtesy of Barbara Nitke/HBO
REVIEW RATING
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The Gilded Age - “Wonders Never Cease” - 9/10
9/10
Claire was once asked in elementary school why her go-to question was always, “Watch anything good lately?” It’s still her go-to question, because she loves hearing what other people are passionate about. She often sacrifices sleep in the hopes that she will one day clear her to-watch and to-read lists (a futile effort so far).
