The Gilded Age

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.

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!!

This show works as a fantastic fantasy where you imagine yourself as one of the rich and noble of Gilded Age New York.

It's beautifully written, full of colorful characters that each feel as motivated and purposeful as all the others. Their lives are fleshed out and their potential for stories is always taken to its limit.

Even though my own circumstances are about as far from the lives of these people as is possible, the show still managed to get me to feel for and understand the mentality and feelings of all the characters.

Not every sub plot is a knockout and not every interaction is engaging, but it's one of the more consistent writing jobs done in this genre.

Beyond the exceptional writing, it's a beautifully produced show. The costumes on particular are fantastic! Every episode brings a new set of special dresses to admire. And the sets.... Absolutely gorgeous. This is arguably the best show of it's kind in terms of production design.

All around, I wasn't expecting much when I initially turned it on but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's fantastic.

There are a metric ton of poor reviews for the Gilded Age, most of which seem disappointed that it's not Downton Abbey. Of course it's not. Nor is it Gosford Park, Belgravia, The English Game, Doctor Thorne, nor any number of other series and movies that the Baron Fellowes of West Stafford has written or produced.

The Gilded Age is best reviewed as a stand-alone series, and not any sort of spin-off or successor to the immensely successful Downton Abbey. Yes, the costumes and sets are spectacular, and the casting is sublime, led by the magnificent Carrie Coon (not "Coons", good grief. If you're going to put down her acting, the very least you can do is spell her name correctly). Other standouts are Morgan Spector, as robber baron. George Russell, and the always entertaining Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon and particularly Christine Baranski, as the witty, but sharp tongued Aunt Agnes.

It's not necessarily the best show on television, but it's far from the worst, and an easy binge watch, with consecutive story arcs that are well conceived and written. It's not historical drama, it's a costume drama, with a superb cast, and tightly scripted dialogue. It's not Downton Abbey, nor does it pretend to be. It is, however, a peek into the extravagant lives of the very rich in Post Civil War America.

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.