A historical drama, The Gilded Age is a series that takes place in the United States during the 1800s. The story is set in New York City during the Gilded Age. The HBO series is written and created by the award-winning, Julian Fellowes.
The Gilded Age is centered around Marian Brook who constantly finds herself close to the clashes between the new-money Russell family and old money Van Rhijn-Brook family.
Families who have inherited wealth are known as old money and families who earn their fortune through industrialism are known as new money. Viewers see many conflicts between the domestic workers, African American upper class, old money, and new money families.
The Gilded Age is currently two seasons with seventeen episodes in total. The audience can expect to see more of The Gilded Age in 2025 as the series has been renewed for a third season.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from The Gilded Age season 2.
What happens to Marian Brook in season 2 of The Gilded Age?
In episode 1, Marian is seen coming to terms with Tom Raikes's engagement to Miss Bingham. Marian is also seen teaching art at the school despite Agnes's discouragement.
Early on in season 2 viewers are introduced to Agnes's nephew-in-law, Dashiell Montgomery, a widower who moves to New York with his daughter, Frances. Seeing Marian get along with Frances, Dashiell begins to develop feelings for her.
Unsure of her future with him, Marian also begins to fall for Dashiell. This season sees Marian fight to be her own woman as she refuses to give up teaching. When Dashiell publicly proposes to Marian, she reluctantly accepts.
The engagement turns out to be short-lived. Dashiell, who is yet to grieve his late wife, accidentally calls Marian by his late wife's name. This makes Marian realize that neither she nor Dashiell love each other.
Marian focuses on her career and continues to stay active in her social circles. In season 2, a new relationship begins to blossom between Larry and Marian. Marian attends the Met with the Russells, much to Agnes's dismay.
What happens with Oscar's marriage proposal and finances?
In season 2, Oscar Van Rhijn decides to settle down after he suffers a violent encounter due to his homosexuality. He proposes to Gladys Russell whose father encourages her to marry for love.
Season 2 also sees Oscar struggle financially. As his investments fail, Oscar pursues Gladys for her dowry. He makes an arrangement with Gladys where he promises her independence in return for being able to continue his hidden lifestyle.
In this season Oscar also meets Maude Beaton and businessman Mr. Crowther. The latter introduces him to the Chicago Atlantic Railroad project, a project Maude Beaton is also involved in.
In need of a profit, Oscar invests his money in the project. As his relationship with Gladys struggles, Oscar ends up losing all his money in the Railroad project. With no other choice left, Oscar informs Agnes that he's lost most of the Van Rhijn money.
George Russell's labor struggles in The Gilded Age season 2
In the first few episodes of season 2, George struggles as the laborers at his mills go on a strike with the help of union workers. To control his staff and prevent unrest at his Pittsburgh mills, George attempts to bribe the union but fails.
He resorts to plotting and planning with other industrialists to defeat the labor strikes. Season 2 also sees George stand up for Bertha as he secretly funds The Met and pushes Mr. Gilbert to give the center opera box to Bertha.
To end the strike, George decides to resort to violence to fight the workers and install scabs. He soon changes his mind to avoid bloodshed and becomes open to negotiations. He also begins to work towards breaking the union.
What happens with Bertha in The Gilded Age season 2?
In season 2 Bertha participates in an Opera rivalry. Longing to be accepted in society, she supports the up-and-coming Metropolitan Opera. She goes against Mrs. Astor who supports the Academy of Music.
Bertha in this season is seen working hard to get opera box sales and leaves the upper-class people of the city with no choice but to pick between The Met and the Academy of Music.
Bertha also hosts the Duke of Buckingham to get him to show support for The Met. Bertha begins to come out on top once she gets the center opera box with George's help.
In the second season, when she sees the Duke of Buckingham slipping away, she gives him Glady's hand in marriage. The season concludes with Bertha winning a spot in New York's elite society.
What happens to Agnes and Ada in The Gilded Age season 2?
In the first few episodes of the season, things seem to get tense between Agnes and Marian especially due to the latter's involvement with Dashiell. Things smooth over when Marian ends her relationship with Dashiell.
The first episode of the second season also introduces audiences to Reverend Luke Forte. Despite Agnes's disapproval, Ada begins a relationship with Reverend Luke Forte and marries him.
Initially, Agnes refuses to accept Ada's engagement but she soon reveals to be afraid of losing her sister. She is comforted after Reverend Luke Forte assures her that she will always be family.
Some time into their marriage, Reverend Luke Forte is revealed to be diagnosed with cancer. After he dies and Oscar loses all their money, Agnes is forced to sell the house. Ada finds out that her late husband is wealthy and saves their home. This changes things between Ada and Agnes.
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