The season finale of The Gilded Age was very satisfying—absolutely loved it. We recently watched the American Experience on the time period and it set the scene well for the series.
I totally agree about Harry—the Brits have really disappointed me regarding their treatment of Harry and Meghan—very sad and disturbing. I guess in light of the way their politics (not unlike our own) has descended into us v. them fear mongering factions, I shouldn’t be surprised. I would suggest that it’s symptomatic of that phenomenon.
The episode about Margaret and Elizabeth was poignant and very sweet.
In the last episode, I loved the bagpiper and Sleep Dearie Sleep—I cried.
I was curious if Al Fayd did say that about the Brits living in caves and wearing skins when the Egyptians were building the pyramids. I tried to find the quote somewhere but couldn’t find it.
I was also intrigued by the apparent engineering of Kate Middleton’s mom of the relationship between Kate and William.
Do you have any information or insight into those subjects?
Thank you! What a lovely set of comments. I have no info on the Fayed press conference (I should look that up) but I did do research into the Middleton mother thing, and found several conflicting versions. I can find those references again if you want (I don’t always put the exact sources in my substacks—to exhausted by the time I finish writing!—but I can make them available to people that are interested.) I find it hard to believe it was ALL mom and no Kate, the way the series presents it. I didn’t get to read everything I wanted to yet, though.
Kate would have had to have agreed to change universities. I understand she was to go to Edinburgh first which had a better Art History program than St. Andrews. She was going to Edinburgh with her best chums and she wasn’t taking a gap year—which she ended up doing and at the same place as William—so, she had to have had a personal desire to cross paths with William. That is if what I read is true. I don’t know that many 18 years olds that would totally bend to their parent’s will—although there are some that do.
If you know more and want to share—I would love to know or point me to a source. But, don’t go out of your way.
The al Fayd comments I could not find. I think he was possibly so grief stricken and that he felt so guilty about putting his son in a dangerous position that he lost his mind. Although, I think it’s possible that he was so obsessed with being accepted into British society that he was blind to the possible consequences of his actions. Idk?
The Margaret episode left me in tears---I’ve been drawn to her character throughout the entire series for some reason. And the final episode, when each past Elizabeth appears.... oof, I was quite moved.
I have enjoyed The Gilded Age and was so glad Marion let Dashiel (?) go... that whole storyline bugged me, his presumption.
Do you think the colors/patterns of the gowns are historically accurate? I’m just curious. I sometimes find them jarring and was wondering if the costume dept was taking liberties with their designs.
I’ve read this twice now, and it confirms my initial hot take-- that I find your writing fascinating and insightful, even when you’re reviewing a TV show I’m not going to watch about a subject I don’t want to know more about.
That ought to be the standard that all public intellectuals aspire to, any time they decide that they don’t need to be less intellectual, but they do need to be more public.
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the portrayal of Harry in "The Crown" - it seemed unnecessarily mean-spirited to me.
The Diana episodes early in this season made me cry. I still remember where I was on that August 31st - out of town at a friend's house for the weekend. My then-fiance, now-husband broke the news to me so that I wouldn't just see it on TV or in the papers. It was a kindness.
The Margaret & Elizabeth episode also made me cry - I thought it was very well-done, and quite effective. I thought the series tried to draw parallels between Margaret and Harry as younger siblings of they-who-would-be-sovereign, but I don't think it succeeded (if that was what was intended).
Sleep Dearie Sleep was so poignant and touching that I was a soggy mess on my couch - first when Elizabeth asked the piper to play, then when the maid began to sing. I'm getting all misty just thinking about it.
I so enjoy your writing, both your books and articles, and this Stack. Please keep on keeping on!
Delicious piece of writing!
The season finale of The Gilded Age was very satisfying—absolutely loved it. We recently watched the American Experience on the time period and it set the scene well for the series.
I totally agree about Harry—the Brits have really disappointed me regarding their treatment of Harry and Meghan—very sad and disturbing. I guess in light of the way their politics (not unlike our own) has descended into us v. them fear mongering factions, I shouldn’t be surprised. I would suggest that it’s symptomatic of that phenomenon.
The episode about Margaret and Elizabeth was poignant and very sweet.
In the last episode, I loved the bagpiper and Sleep Dearie Sleep—I cried.
I was curious if Al Fayd did say that about the Brits living in caves and wearing skins when the Egyptians were building the pyramids. I tried to find the quote somewhere but couldn’t find it.
I was also intrigued by the apparent engineering of Kate Middleton’s mom of the relationship between Kate and William.
Do you have any information or insight into those subjects?
Thanks for writing this and for you being you. 💗
Thank you! What a lovely set of comments. I have no info on the Fayed press conference (I should look that up) but I did do research into the Middleton mother thing, and found several conflicting versions. I can find those references again if you want (I don’t always put the exact sources in my substacks—to exhausted by the time I finish writing!—but I can make them available to people that are interested.) I find it hard to believe it was ALL mom and no Kate, the way the series presents it. I didn’t get to read everything I wanted to yet, though.
Kate would have had to have agreed to change universities. I understand she was to go to Edinburgh first which had a better Art History program than St. Andrews. She was going to Edinburgh with her best chums and she wasn’t taking a gap year—which she ended up doing and at the same place as William—so, she had to have had a personal desire to cross paths with William. That is if what I read is true. I don’t know that many 18 years olds that would totally bend to their parent’s will—although there are some that do.
If you know more and want to share—I would love to know or point me to a source. But, don’t go out of your way.
The al Fayd comments I could not find. I think he was possibly so grief stricken and that he felt so guilty about putting his son in a dangerous position that he lost his mind. Although, I think it’s possible that he was so obsessed with being accepted into British society that he was blind to the possible consequences of his actions. Idk?
Much love and respect to you. K-G
The Margaret episode left me in tears---I’ve been drawn to her character throughout the entire series for some reason. And the final episode, when each past Elizabeth appears.... oof, I was quite moved.
I have enjoyed The Gilded Age and was so glad Marion let Dashiel (?) go... that whole storyline bugged me, his presumption.
Do you think the colors/patterns of the gowns are historically accurate? I’m just curious. I sometimes find them jarring and was wondering if the costume dept was taking liberties with their designs.
I was also in tears over the Margaret episode. That last scene in front of the palace, when she says “I’ll always be with you”!! OH my god.
Re. The costumes, a friend posted this on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100066643593487/posts/pfbid0vJaPzmZbgd1RD7Ev3eQGpv1sjCFXwHnbRwfPEdWozPxcDerRHG5qzroBbN688mWfl/?.
I’ve read this twice now, and it confirms my initial hot take-- that I find your writing fascinating and insightful, even when you’re reviewing a TV show I’m not going to watch about a subject I don’t want to know more about.
That ought to be the standard that all public intellectuals aspire to, any time they decide that they don’t need to be less intellectual, but they do need to be more public.
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the portrayal of Harry in "The Crown" - it seemed unnecessarily mean-spirited to me.
The Diana episodes early in this season made me cry. I still remember where I was on that August 31st - out of town at a friend's house for the weekend. My then-fiance, now-husband broke the news to me so that I wouldn't just see it on TV or in the papers. It was a kindness.
The Margaret & Elizabeth episode also made me cry - I thought it was very well-done, and quite effective. I thought the series tried to draw parallels between Margaret and Harry as younger siblings of they-who-would-be-sovereign, but I don't think it succeeded (if that was what was intended).
Sleep Dearie Sleep was so poignant and touching that I was a soggy mess on my couch - first when Elizabeth asked the piper to play, then when the maid began to sing. I'm getting all misty just thinking about it.
I so enjoy your writing, both your books and articles, and this Stack. Please keep on keeping on!
I will!! Thanks for participating in discussion!
Fascinating!
Thank you!
Wow. Loved this.
Thank you!!