'The Gilded Age' Is the Unlikeliest Thing on TV That People Can't Get Enough Of
Despite its mixed reception from critics, many viewers can't help but tune into HBO's 'The Gilded Age'.
When 'The Gilded Age' premiered, critics and audiences alike were unsure what to make of it. Sharing DNA with 'Downton Abbey' due to creator Julian Fellowes' involvement, some reviews noted a lack of drama and solid writing compared to its predecessor.
Despite its cast of Broadway and Broadway-adjacent stars like Carrie Coon, Christine Baranski, Audra McDonald, and Donna Murphy, many critics felt it fell short of its predecessor's polish. The New York Times even dubbed the first season "a dime-store experience."
However, as CNN critic Brian Lowry pointed out, many viewers found solace in the show's very specific, soapy wavelength, even if it lacked a sense of urgency or gravity. Baranski's zingers, the show's negligible regard for historical accuracy, and the delightful mundanity of its drama all became drawbled for those who felt 'Downton Abbey' wasn't their thing.
The season premiere revealed the next of agoraphobic heiress Agnes van Rijn's ancestors teaching her niece watercolor painting, a disgraceful pursuit that would embarrass the family if revealed. Auf der Hochzeit von Kelli O'Hara sprang ein Überraschungsehemann auf, der die verwitwete Schwester zu spät erreichte. Aintrigantes Dienstmädchen, das letzte Mal hatte es versucht, den aufstrebenden Tycoon George Russell zu verführen, tauchte wieder auf.
By now married to an elderly millionaire and planning to sabotage his soup with lamp oil, this seemingly inconsequential plot points are exactly what fans love about the show.
"You don't need a mushroom that turns people into zombies or an army of the undead approaching a medieval kingdom to make a show compelling," says TikTok content creator and filmmaker Nirupam Dhakal. "Sometimes all it takes is Christine Baranski, crossing the street like a madwoman, to keep us hooked."
It took some time, but 'The Gilded Age' finally seemed to have found its niche audience – people who find solace and joy in the Snowball plotline, where both supper and street crossing matter just as much as unhappy characters. Get in the car.
Why 'The Gilded Age' Works
Many 'Gilded Age' viewers tune in because they're fans of Fellowes' 'Downton Abbey,' the popular PBS hit that follows a British aristocratic family through their estate. Romance. But viewers quickly realized that the show was not a deliberate imitation of 'Downton Abbey.'
"It's kind of ridiculous, but it should be," said Robert Khederian, a New York real estate broker and architecture enthusiast who didn't appreciate the show at first. "I can only describe it as forcefully watchable and unbearably dull."
Khederian soon turned to TikTok to make light of some of the historical inaccuracies that initially turned him and other history buffs off. Eventually, he began to enjoy the show's scheming between New York's richest families.
"It's now clear how dumb this show is in many ways," Khederian said to CNN. "One must acknowledge that it will neither dominate this culture nor become a source of knowledge about it. It's the TV version of flipping through garbage."
Khederian, a fan of both shows, noted that both featured plotlines about sabotaging soups. But he said that the 'Downton Abbey' soup scandal, in which a chauffeur planned to spit in a footman's soup, provided tension, while the 'Gilded Age' soup scandal skillfully avoided confusion.
Turner, a former maid turned wealthy member of the elite, conspired with her former colleagues to ruin a dinner party hosted by Bertha Russell for a British duke. Before the soup even had a chance to reach the party, the kitchen staff discovered that it had gone bad and let the cook go. (Fellowes seems to have a fondness for using food as a weapon.)
But the tendency of 'The Gilded Age' to raise questions and quickly answer them is all part of the show's charm, says Reacher, showrunner for the Netflix adaptation of 'The Baby-Sitters Club' and executive producer of 'GLOW.'
"'The Handmaid's Tale' goes for it enough to make you feel like you're free when watching it," says Shukert. She wrote in November that 'The Gilded Age' takes everything that's "a good story" and does the exact opposite.
"Watching feels like freedom," Shukert wrote on the platform that used to be known as Twitter. "It's like children playing with dolls."
Fans dissect every Sunday's frothy fun
As the second season of 'The Gilded Age' premiered, fan engagement began to grow. TikTok critics like Dhakal encouraged their followers to check out the show and analyze Agnes' and Ada's sisterly bond or join Aurora Fane's fan club, which Dhakal dubbed "The Golden Lady Gaga," for its close connection to queer stars of the era, like Oscar Wilde.
Dhakal said that the performances in the show, due to its often lighthearted style, were consistent. He praised the emotional scenes between mother and daughter, played by Denis Benton and Audra McDonald, after Benton's character, Peggy, a black writer from a wealthy family, decided to start a journalism project in the South. (Peggy serves as the show's driving force behind several plotlines.)
Dave Winchell, co-host of the "Lord Grantham" podcast, said that Fellowes knew how to build a single world even as the show's plotlines seemed thin or missing. "The Crown" and other historical dramas, explained Winchell to CNN. "Take Ward McAllister, played by Nathan Lane, a gentleman from the South and the king of society who, while trotting down the horse-crap-covered streets between mansions, tries to avoid discovery."
"A Southern gentleman parachuting into New York society might have seemed extremely ridiculous in another show, but Julian has such control over how his character interacts with rogues, prominent figures, and opera singers that we forget McAllister is voiced by Nathan Lane," Winchell said to CNN.
Winchell noted that there were many "anachronistic playthings" like McAllister in 'The Gilded Age', each with their own peculiar stories that seemed to have no place in the show's larger world (such as Jack Trotter's constant tinkering with pocket watches). But their unusual stories faded into the background in comparison to the polite war between Bertha Russell and New York conservatives.
Khederian couldn't say whether he loved or hated 'The Gilded Age' or was simply fascinated by its silliness. He said he would be "shocked" if the show were canceled after this season, but he believed it would find a loyal audience for years to come.
"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "I think that's what people are looking for now – a good time with little investment, where they can watch Donna Murphy chew scenery."
Sourcing:
Despite its critical doubts about its dramatic power and historical accuracy, "The Gilded Age" has a dedicated fan base on TikTok and other social media platforms for several reasons:
- Operatic Soap Appeal: The show is described as an "operatic soap" by critics, which suggests it has a lavish and engaging quality that captivates audiences. This operatic style, with its focus on character drama and intricate relationships, can be very appealing to viewers who enjoy complex storytelling and over-the-top performances[1].
- Historical Fascination: The Gilded Age is a period of significant historical interest, marked by rapid social change, technological advancements, and extreme economic inequality. The show's portrayal of this era, even if not entirely accurate, can spark curiosity and fascination among viewers who are interested in history and its cultural context[3].
- Social Media Engagement: Social media platforms like TikTok are known for their short-form content and interactive features. Fans of "The Gilded Age" might create and share short clips, memes, or reactions to the show, which can help build a community around the series. This user-generated content can also influence others to watch the show, creating a snowball effect[5].
- Cultural Relevance: The themes of wealth, class, and social status in "The Gilded Age" resonate with contemporary audiences who are interested in discussions about inequality and privilege. This relevance can make the show more relatable and engaging, even if it doesn't perfectly align with historical facts[3].
- Creator Julian Fellowes' Appeal: Julian Fellowes, the creator of "Downton Abbey," is known for his ability to craft compelling characters and intricate storylines. His involvement in "The Gilded Age" likely contributes to the show's appeal, as fans of "Downton Abbey" might be drawn to his style of storytelling and character development[1].
These factors combined create a dedicated fan base that overlooks or appreciates the show's flaws in favor of its engaging narrative and historical context.
