We’re pleased to report that no trays were damaged in the making of Monday’s Gilded Age finale, which finally brought Old and New New York together at the Russells’ ball – by any means necessary.
When Bertha learned that Mrs. Astor had no intention of attending the soiree, her solution was simply to exclude Mrs. Astor’s daughter from the dance, a small matter that ultimately proved quite effective. In fact, Bertha was able to persuade Mrs. Astor to use her considerable influence to bring everyone under the Russells’ roof, including the well-known salon recluse Agnes van Rhijn.
Elsewhere in the finale, Marian broke up with Tom (and flirted with Larry) after learning that Tom would rather find a wealthy wife; Peggy learned that her son is alive and her mother will help her find him; and the Russells’ “French” chef turned out to be quite American.
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Read on for Morgan Spector’s thoughts on the ending of The Gilded Age Season 1, including what these latest developments could mean for the future of the series:
TVLINE | First of all, congratulations on Season 2. Where were you when you got the news?
Thanks, it’s very exciting. I was in my home country upstate. We’ve been really waiting, like, “When are we going to find out?” As much as everyone thought, “Of course you’re getting a second season — it’s Julian Fellowes and HBO,” I’ve heard that before, and I’ve never been on a show that got a second season. I was pretty sure I was the one who ruined people on previous shows, but I’m happy to say I didn’t do it on this one.
TVLINE | It’s always good to know that you’re not cursed. And neither do the Russells! They really ended Season 1 on top.
Yes! Don’t bet against the Russells. I’m sure they’ll have their share of ups and downs, but in a way Bertha is an unstoppable force. So, yeah, we got off to a good start. We got where we wanted to be. They have a wonderful partnership, and it strengthens them in their various campaigns against ruthless robber barons and society ladies.
TVLINE | I didn’t know much about robber barons before watching this series, but now I feel like I kind of get it?
Obviously people can be evil and do evil things, but most of the time people just maximize their own self-interest. If you look at robber barons, these people are just trying to keep their companies alive and dominate the market. If you’re disgusted by what you’re seeing, then I think your problem has more to do with capitalism than with any individual robber baron.
TVLINE | Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
As a matter of fact.
TVLINE | To that end, the look of smug satisfaction on the Russells’ faces when the Astors showed up was just perfect. Even I made a Grinch smile. I think I cheered her on more than I realized.
That’s really nice to hear. I think the show establishes that because as much as one might think that robber barons are so dark and exploitative, the social classes they replace are even worse. It is far more abominable that these generations of inherited wealth wane in virtue over time. There is almost nothing worse than these people. It’s hard to cheer for them.
TVLINE | And this party – people went in broad daylight! I didn’t know they raged all night.
Oh yeah. They had dinner in the middle of the night. They went wild… and then served breakfast! They would have spent the equivalent of $10 million for those parties. At a price like this, you’ll be squeezing every penny you can.
TVLINE | George was told he was “not a gentleman” this week. Do you agree (with that?
I think George has a standard of behavior that he tries to live up to. It may not be the same standard held by everyone else in this society, but George is a gentleman by his own standards. He doesn’t break his own code.
TVLINE | As we get a second season, what are you hoping to explore?
I’m personally interested in the working history of the era, and you really can’t avoid that. That has to be one of the key conflicts George and his ilk are grappling with at this time. I also love the sheer eccentricity of this group of people – Mamie Fish and her fancy parties, the way these people always try to outdo each other in terms of extravagance. In a way, you can’t go too far, and that opens up some crazy possibilities for our show.
TVLINE | And now that new money and old money are mixing, are you hoping for scenes with the likes of Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon?
Yes! In any case. We’ve been isolated and I’d like to do more with them, with Denae [Benton], with so many people in different fields. I wonder how much I will actually achieve because that will still be Bertha’s world. I keep my fingers crossed.
Your opinion on the first season of The Gilded Age? The final itself? Then take part in our surveys below Leave a comment with your hopes for Season 2.