#give me all the agnes van rhijn content

[dontforgetoctober3rd]

Spillways (Chapter 3) A Gilded Age fanfic

Faceclaims for George and Randolph Stewart

Contents: Prologue, Chapter 1, Chapter 2

Word count: approximately 2300

Story Summary: All of New York society is in a tizzy over the news: The Earl of Galloway is in town with his son, the 30 year old (bachelor) Randolph.  Marriage-minded mamas are on the prowl but the Earl and his son eschew most of the lavish parties and teas they’re invited to...except to a certain tea with Agnes Van Rhijn and her niece, Marian.

Rating: Teen (mentions of drunkenness, slut-shaming) Ratings will be *by chapter*, so subsequent installments might differ in their rating.

Author's Notes: This is a canon-divergence story beginning a few months from episode 5 of Season 2.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with The Gilded Age in any way beyond being a fan, I do not own the Gilded Age characters nor am I using them for any commercial purposes or making money from this, this is just basically word fanart of the show

Beautiful divider by @muchomago

It came as a shock to everyone (except Bannister and Peggy) that Agnes Van Rhijn objected to Marian potentially being courted by an Earl’s son.  

Everything Agnes did, especially since Ada’s leaving to be with her new husband, was in hopes of finding Marian a husband.  Failed courtships did nothing to deter her. 

“It  seems like she would pair Miss Marian with anything that breathed and wore a top hat if it came down to it.” Jack said one morning at breakfast. The rest of the servants and Peggy  agreed: if it was male and available, Agnes Van Rhijn would attempt a match.

Until it came to Randolph Stewart, that is.  

Both ladies were in the sitting room when the argument broke out, Marian reading the newspaper and Agnes tending to her letters near the window.  Marian seemed more willing to be open with her Aunt about her goings on these days.  Agnes sometimes took the information with ill will.  Like today.

“He is not courting me, Aunt Agnes, he merely wishes to talk of how to better support St. Mary’s and also the Red Cross! Charity work is important to him.  Even if he was courting me...would that be so horrible?”

“He is the son of a member of the peerage, my dear.  The most important thing to him is finding a gullible lady who will turn a blind eye to his whoring and give him a legitimate heir so that he can prance around as if he has accomplished something worthwhile in this world.” Agnes said acidly.

“How can you say that when you don’t even know him?!” Marian argued.  She folded the newspaper in her lap.  

“You certainly had no issue when Charles and Aurora pushed me to meet a drunkard!  I heard no complaints from you when Dashiell proposed to me, when it turned out he was only doing it to spite his now wife because she had rejected him!”

“I was right about that Raikes scoundrel, wasn’t I?”

“You weren’t at first and you know it.” Marian shot back.  “People change and Tom Raikes unfortunately decided not to include me in his life when he did.”

“I suppose you’ll continue to ignore my advice, as you always do.” Agnes said, returning to her correspondence with a huff.  Peggy had the day off, and so Marian and Agnes were alone together in the house with the remaining help. 

“I don’t ignore your advice, Aunt Agnes.  You only say that because I make choices different to those you would make yourself.” 

“Cavorting with a likely rakehell is definitely a choice I would never in a million years make.” Agnes said curtly, continuing to write.

“Giving people a chance to show me who they are is not a poor choice.” Marian said, returning to her reading of the paper.  “I will go to see Randolph in the park tomorrow, whether you approve of it or not.”

“Hpmh!” Agnes answered. “I knew nothing good would come of you lowering yourself to doing work at that school.”

The day after their argument, Agnes Van Rhijn strangely accepted Marian’s suggestion that she include Randolph Stewart’s father on an invitation without fuss.  The whole incident had gone well. Eerily so. Bannister and the rest of the servants were truly surprised.  Comparing it to their previous quarrel, it was like comparing night and day.

 It worried Marian now more than when she had anticipated another tantrum before asking.  She had expected a battle and gotten mildly annoyed acceptance instead. 

Beforehand, Bannister and Peggy had warned Marian that her Aunt felt…strongly about the Earl, even if she had no legitimate quarrel with his son besides lingering prejudices stemming from history with his father.  Whatever that history was, the rest of the inhabitants of the house still did not know, but it was obviously something Agnes Van Rhijn refused to let go of for decades.

“If the Earl decides to accept your invitation, I suspect his visit will not go smoothly.” Bannister warned.  “Mrs. Van Rhijn may be plotting something.”

“The way she rejected Mrs. Astor’s invitation that day…she was more cordial when refusing Mrs. Russell’s invites when she was first establishing herself in society, let’s just leave it at that.” Peggy had informed her.

“Aunt Agnes is nothing if not proper.  She will not dare to behave so impulsively in person with an Earl in her home.” Marian said.  She wished she believed it. Perhaps Randolph would tell her what was going on.

There was already gossip in the papers about Marian having talked to Randolph Stewart.  When so many pleas for the presence of Lord Stewart and his son had been rejected, seeing Miss Marian Brook going for a carriage ride with one of them felt like another rejection.  A statement as well.  One that said: Marian Brook is better than you, people whose invitations we have denied.  When it came out that both the Earl and his son were invited to tea at 61st Street by Miss Brook, not Agnes herself, and had accepted?  Well, the uproar was quite a thing.

They wouldn’t dare utter a word in Agnes Van Rhijn’s presence (or within her hearing range) about it, but many mumbled how unfair it was that someone like Marian Brook managed to snag time with the Stewarts of Galloway.  

What was so great about her?  Sure, she participated in society, as was proper.  However, in the eyes of many, Marian Brook did nothing noteworthy.  She did not wear the most extravagant gowns and sure, she was beautiful, but hardly enough to take one’s breath away.

Bertha Russell took no issue with it, despite having received a rejection.  Miss Brook had been kind to her from the beginning and if anything, she was impressed by her feat and intended to wheedle all the details out of her when she could.  An invitation to luncheon next week was accepted by Marian, and if all went well, Bertha was sure she would be bringing along a very important guest.

Mrs. Astor was not displeased by the news either, even with her friend’s refusal to attend her own tea with the Earl and his son. Marian was Agnes’s niece, after all, and part of Old New York. She saw such a development as Marian’s due.  Her worry remained with how Agnes would deal with facing George Stewart again, after all these years.

Aurora and Charles were delighted at the possibility of no longer being pushed to play matchmaker by their Aunt Agnes.  They prayed Randolph’s interest in Marian went beyond charity work.

Those that were less than enthused by all this kept their complaints to whispers in a corner at a party or private chats at a luncheon. They did not want anything they said in complaint of being rejected to be misconstrued as a comment against Miss Brook, even if that was what was meant.  The specter of Agnes Van Rhijn’s rage loomed over them, the potential of being publicly given a dressing down by her was enough to cow them into being discreet about the matter.  Not so with Susan Blane.  

The widow had become bitter for a while now, ever since rumors of her and young Mr. Russell had made it into the papers last year, it seemed.  She did not grace the ballrooms and sitting rooms of New York with her presence, but all over Newport her complaints were heard.  Even the young Mrs. Winterton, with her own position in society more precarious than ever, did not dare publicly disparage a member of Agnes Van Rhijn’s family.  

For Susan Blane, Marian Brook seemingly always getting men flocking around her had always been a thorn in her side. To get the attentions of an Earl’s son when Susan herself had been rejected by them, it was like an insult.  

“Miss Brook has another suitor? I wonder what this one will find wrong with her.” Mrs. Blane was heard saying at one of Mamie Fish’s parties. 

It shocked even Mamie, who was like a moth to a flame where gossip was concerned.  “Who is to say it is Miss Brook the one that something was wrong with?” Mamie had put in, attempting to nip in the bud speculation of Marian’s reputation.  “Many of her suitors were rather distasteful, if you ask me.  Especially that drunk banker friend of the Fanes.”

“I agree,” Carrie Astor said. “Miss Brook showed good sense in rejecting many of them.” 

“Rejecting all of them, you mean?” Mrs. Blane continued.  “All of them had something wrong?  Most of them are married themselves now. What could they possibly have that wasn’t good enough for Marian Brook but was sufficient for their present wives?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Carrie said, eyes narrowing and disdain in her voice. 

“Surely you aren’t implying Miss Brook is too high in her instep for rejecting suitors?” Gladys Russell asked in disbelief.  “I’ve rejected plenty myself.  Are you suggesting a lady should just settle for the first man who will have her, no matter his flaws?”

“I’m suggesting nothing of the sort.” Mrs. Blane said silkily.  “Miss Brook is suggesting something else entirely with her actions.” 

“And what would that be, Mrs. Blane?  Are you sure you’re not imagining things?” Carrie said. 

“My, my, I didn’t realize Miss Brook had such a legion of defenders!” Mrs. Blane said. A mean look colored her eyes as she laughed lightly.

“I don’t care for your tone.” Carrie responded coldly. “I don’t see anything that Miss Brook should be defended for, either.  She isn’t doing anything improper.”  The mood was rapidly shifting to a negative atmosphere and even nearby guests were growing uncomfortable.  When Carrie Astor was displeased, it meant something serious was afoot.

“Miss Brook is as respectable as any of us here.” Mamie said, desperate to alleviate things.  “There’s no need to try to throw mud on her good name simply because the Earl denied an invitation from you but accepted one from her!  He has denied an invitation from nearly all of us.”

Mrs. Blane smiled as if accepting what Mamie said, but the smile did not reach her eyes.

“You know, I think this courtship between Randolph Stewart and Miss Brook will go well.”  Carrie began, turning to Gladys.  “They already seem to have so much in common.  Their good breeding, their dedication to charity…their shared good sense when it comes to rejecting certain people..they seem like a good match, don’t you think so, Gladys?”

“Absolutely.” Gladys said, smiling as she sipped her wine.  

Mrs. Blane’s fake smile immediately fell off as she left the scene, not even bothering to excuse herself.  The people around them buzzed with whispers.

“I will try to stop the gossip rags from learning of this, but I know that is a fool’s errand, with the servants I have.” Mamie said sheepishly.  Gladys and Carrie giggled.  

“No doubt we are not the only ones Mrs. Blane has subjected to her grumbling.” Gladys said.

 “Still, I will at least try to prevent a scandal.” Mamie replied.  “The last thing I need is Agnes Van Rhijn’s wrath raining down upon me for seemingly allowing someone to smear a member of her family in my own home.”

Mamie left the girls to their socializing, both giggling nervously at the thought of Mamie Fish being yelled at by Mrs. Van Rhijn. They were not at all nervous at the prospect of Mrs. Blane getting that treatment, however, and actually hoped Mamie failed in her mission so that they might see the widow get her just desserts. 

“WHAT IS THIS?!” Agnes Van Rhijn thundered. 

“The morning paper, ma’am?”

Bannister stood before her, holding a tea tray, his mistress shaking a newspaper in his face. He was glad Miss Brook was gone to St. Mary’s for the day.

“Do not talk as if I have lost my senses, Bannister, I mean what is this?!” she pointed to the headline, eyes flashing angrily.

“It seems as if…distasteful comments have been made, ma’am.  About Miss Marian.  I understand your upset-”

“DISTASTEFUL COMMENTS?! Distasteful?  Bannister, she might as well have called Marian a dockside tart!” Agnes screamed.  In the back behind Agnes, Bannister saw Bridget immediately turn around with the smelling salts and leave after he gave her a quick shake of his head. 

“How DARE she?!  A washed up harlot of a widow talking about my niece courting in such a way!” Agnes continued.  “If she thinks she can drag a member of MY family through the mud with no repercussions, well, she is about to learn differently! Fetch me my hat!” Agnes threw the paper at the table. 

“Ma’am, you have the tea with Lord Stewart and his son today after Miss Marian gets home! I don’t think it wise to go off to Newport right now.” Bannister said, following his mistress stomping to her rooms.

“Who said anything about going to those hovels in Newport?!  I intend to call on Mrs. Astor and have that trollop Susan Blane removed from the Academy waiting list! Then, god save me, I intend to call on Bertha Russell and have her do the same with her waiting list for her garish opera house!” Agnes rattled off. “THEN I shall instruct them to refrain from ever inviting that horrid woman to anything EVER AGAIN if they want to continue considering themselves my friend!  I intend to go to Aurora about this and Mamie Fish, too, though what I should be doing first is asking Mamie Fish why she stood by and did nothing to stop Susan Blane from opening her muckraking mouth abou-”

“You consider Mrs. Russell your friend?” Bannister asked in surprise.

“Bannister, I do not have time for your jokes!  NOW FETCH ME MY HAT AND GET ARMSTRONG UP HERE TO HELP ME CHANGE!”

Bannister bowed quickly before ringing for Armstrong. 

----------

NEXT: Chapter 4

[nononsenseladies]

Spoiler Alert for anyone who didn't finish the first season!

Okay I really did like that ending of the first season. Even though it went different than I thought it would. But this really was just the beginning like this is a prime example of tv shows that do this. Like let's set the scenes and introduce everyone, throw some light drama in, and now that's done, the real war begins.

Like Mrs Aster won't let Bertha walk over her so easily just because she blackmailed her via her daughter. I believe somewhere in season two Bertha will know why it's not a good idea to mess with Mrs. Aster. And I'm here for that drama🙌🏼

But what I care even more is about my poor angle Peggy!💔🥺Girl that was some unforgivable betrayal and if we don't get to see her reunited with her baby boy in season 2 I'll riot!!! (And I somehow want Agnes helping her, but that's optional)

Good that Marian finally found out that dear Raikes wasn't that honest with her (it's not like everyone around her told her so already, and she couldn't have possibly listened to them!🤦🏼‍♀️) Though I guess even if she didn't, he would have blown it off anyway. Hopefully that relationship won't come back and cause more drama in later seasons (Haha...Oh I'm almost certain it will) But at least it's over for now. At least some minimal credit for Raikes for finding his conscience before meeting Marian to get married. I still don't like you Mr.🤷🏼‍♀️🙂

And last but not least the only other thing I want more in season 2 (apart from Peggy finding her lil boy) is MORE AUNT AGNES! I don't care how or why and when just do it! Because I love her, she is fucking awesome and I want her to get more involved in the drama! And it would be fucking awesome to see her annoyed by everyone but having no choice but to participate in the nonsense.

I want those good old 'I'm too fucking old for this shit' vibes from her! 🙌🏼💞🎉

[dontforgetoctober3rd]

Spillways (Chapter 2) A Gilded Age fanfic

(The title is taken from one of my favorite Ghost songs, which is about confronting old wounds and pain in order to heal so you can move forward.)

Faceclaims for George and Randolph Stewart

Contents: Prologue, Chapter 1

Word count: 1441

Summary: All of New York society is in a tizzy over the news: The Earl of Galloway is in town with his son, the 30 year old (bachelor) Randolph.  Marriage-minded mamas are on the prowl but the Earl and his son eschew most of the lavish parties and teas they’re invited to...except to a certain tea with Agnes Van Rhijn and her niece, Marian.

Rating: Everyone (Ratings will be *by chapter*, so subsequent installments might differ in their rating.)

Author's Notes: This is a canon-divergence story beginning a few months from episode 5 of Season 2. This is obviously not going to be historically accurate, also I'm from America and I've only gleaned a cursory knowledge of the Scottish peerage from my reading and basically am just using the titles, locations and names as vehicles for these characters please just go with it lmao

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with The Gilded Age in any way beyond being a fan, I do not own the Gilded Age characters nor am I using them for any commercial purposes or making money from this, this is just basically word fanart of the show

Lovely divider is by @muchomago

—Five months ago—

Every time the letter came, she set it aside.  As usual, she waited for Peggy to finish up for the day before dealing with it herself.  Just seeing his name made her blood boil every time.  Not even bothering to open it to read, same as all the others, Agnes Van Rhijn angrily ripped up the letter from George Stewart. 

Since the death of her husband Arnold many years ago, the letters had begun coming regularly, like a bad case of the influenza.  Instructing the servants to always throw out the letters from this George Stewart would have invited gossip, the last thing she wanted.  She suspected Bannister already knew but he would never be so crass as to divulge Agnes’s history with the man to the rest of the servants. 

 “It is another solicitation for patronage.  From Scotland, this one.” she had said in the beginning, in a noncommittal manner, to hide her anger.  Bannister had merely nodded.

She had never written back (she refused to give him the satisfaction) but he had kept at it, sending a letter yet again.  And Again.  She tore up his letters.  Again and again.   Today was different, however.  The sting of the reminder, the annoyance of it, his sheer audacity to keep trying to communicate…it mocked her now more than ever.  Really, after Marian’s humiliating betrayal of having secured employment at a school and then for it all to become known at Dashiell’s welcoming tea the other week… she had had enough.  No more.

With an efficiency she hadn’t possessed since boarding school, Agnes sat at her desk and smoothed out a crisp sheet of paper and quickly dipped her pen several times before beginning to write.  Peggy would have been unable to properly convey the seething hatred she felt, this written rebuke to George Stewart must come from herself.

Agnes scribbled furiously, almost missing the inkwell several times, managing three sheets before finally packaging them in a sturdy envelope.  Bannister was instructed to see it reached the Post Office Department steamboat before it left the harbor that week.  

Enough was enough.

Let that wretched letter I got today be the last I ever hear from him…Agnes thought to herself. 

—-- Present Day—--

“Father, I don’t see the issue.  Marian Brook is from a great family.” Randolph Stewart stood before his father in their suite’s parlor, having just relayed his intention to call on Marian.

Lord George Stewart was not pleased.  “Her breeding is not the issue.  I did not bring you here with me to go prowling around for women.  You’re to shadow me as I look over my investments in lumber and petrol-driven carts. Your future sources of additional income when you become Lord, might I remind you.”

Randolph was indignant.  “Marian Brook is not the type of woman one goes ‘prowling’ for!  Do not speak in such a way.”

“I will speak as I please.” 

“Oh? What of your business with Mrs. Van Rhijn?  It's quite rich of you to be berating me for calling on a lady when it is the sole reason we have sailed to the states.”

“I am not berating you.  Furthermore, I am not going to call on Agnes Van Rhijn, I am going to meet with her.  It’s a very crucial difference and not at all social, there’s no comparing the two situations.”

“So you say.”

“ENOUGH.  Enough.” George huffed.  “I am not going to bicker with my own son about this! We have several business meetings to attend to.  You will not have time for your little tea with Miss Brook.”

“Oh, but you will have time for yours with Mrs. Van Rhijn?”

“I do not have a meeting with her yet but I will soon. I will figure out a way, never you mind.”

“Hmm.  I am still going to the tea with Miss Brook.” Randolph said.

“As I have stated several times now, though, that is quite enough.  I do not have to explain myself to you and you’re not to dismiss any of our appointments for something frivolous.  You will do as I say.”

“Or what?” Randolph smirked.  He knew where this argument was headed. His father would eventually give in, as he usually did these days.

Ever since their shouting match the day before George had finally received a response from Agnes, Randolph felt closer to his goal: living life on his own terms.  

After they had ceased their screaming in that fight, Randolph had threatened to leave forever.  He had said he would not return even if George would pass away.  It would put the Earldom of Galloway in the uncomfortable position of trying to wrangle their new Earl back to Scotland while having a chosen family member looking after their holdings, like a common steward.

Randolph didn’t know what this Agnes Van Rhijn had written to his father, but after reading that letter he was a changed man.  An out of character, sincere apology was given to him by his father the next morning.  No longer did he bark orders at his son or moan about his many projects for the betterment of the poor.  George Stewart’s contempt for Randolph’s hunger to change things in society seemed to have evaporated.  He still made cutting remarks, yes, but as one would after reading a particularly bad book or having sat through a very boring play and not as if helping the less fortunate was something…revolting.

George Stewart had begun to finally behave like father, a person that Randolph admired instead of growing to hate.  Better late than never, he supposed.

As for himself, Randolph felt changed as well.  He could finally see that something horrible had eaten away at his father for many years and caused him much anguish.  That had been the source of his anger and bitterness, and he had finally made a decision to confront it by coming to America.

Randolph was proud.  He planned to thank Agnes Van Rhijn in person, even if she had no clue what her letter had accomplished, but he had another idea..one that could very well make Marian’s aunt direct her fury to him.

“You know, father, you could come with me.  To this tea.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Father…if you must meet with Mrs. Van Rhijn, why not come with me?  I can send a note to Miss Brook and ask for our upcoming visit to be at their home on 61st Street.”

“An Earl does not just foist himself upon events he is not invited to!  It is unseemly!  Where are your senses?”

“An Earl should also not deny so many invitations to promenade or dine.  Accepting only the one to Mrs. Astor’s luncheon hardly seems proper to me.  People might think we lack the funds to socialize around town as befits our station.” Randolph said idly, fiddling with a flower arrangement on a nearby table. “I can ask Miss Brook to send a formal invitation and include you on it.”

“Are you mad?  Agnes Van Rhijn will never agree to it.” George stated. 

“Yet Miss Brook was at a school, teaching a class on watercolors.  I’m told her aunt wasn’t agreeable at first but eventually caved to the idea.” 

George Stewart still was not persuaded. “If Agnes is as I remember her, she rules her house with an iron fist.  Miss Brook would have better luck trying to part the red sea.”

“Miss Brook will do it, I know she can.” Randolph insisted. “So, shall I do it?  Send her a note?”

When George remained silent, Randolph knew he had to go in for the kill.

“Of course, if you’d rather people think our family are paupers and can’t afford to-”

“Fine!  Fine. Very well. Send the girl the note.” George said dismissively, rubbing his temples.

Randolph walked over, taking his father’s shoulder.  “Father, you needn’t act as if you’re about to have your teeth pulled.  Whatever this business you have with Agnes Van Rhijn is about, I’m sure that facing the issue head on is better than letting it fester any further.”

George covered his son’s hand on his shoulder with his own.  “Randolph…you cannot know the shame it brings me.  I don’t know if I can do this.” 

“Of course you can!  I will be there with you.” 

George Stewart smiled briefly before standing from his chair, shuffling his suit before heading to their balcony.

Randolph felt elated.  He was going to see Marian again and his father might finally get closure for whatever was plaguing him. It seemed too good to be true.  Hopefully Agnes Van Rhijn was more accommodating when Marian came to her about this invitation. 

NEXT: Chapter 3

[nononsenseladies]

Soo I thought I could finally share my thoughts on The Gilded Age, even though nobody asked or wanted me to do it, and I'm super late to do it with only one episode left before the season is over. Perfect!🙌🏼

Before we start, if you want to talk about the show your welcome to ask or send a message! I'd be happy to talk and exchange ideas and everything😊

So I love the Gilded Age, I had and have a great time watching it, and I'm happy there will be a second season. I'm very interested in (most) of the characters backstories, to learn more about them and what will happen in the future. I think it's a solid show, with potential to be even better. Do I think this will make TV-History? Nope, but it doesn't have to for people to enjoy, and if they don't fuck it up completely, I believe many people will enjoy watching it for a few more seasons.

I already like the small "fanbase" that has formed around the show and would like to contribute to that. And since my only talent in that department is being a mediocre fanfiction writer, that's basically the only thing I can do for you. Sorry not much🤷🏼‍♀️😅. But I do it with passion and love for anyone who reads my stories. And though I don't know that much about about the 19th century America, I take my research seriously!

On to the show itself. Like I just mentioned I'm not an expert on the time this show is set in, so I'm not nitpicking about the wrong kind of carriages used in the background or that some kind of stitch on a dress wasn't popular until 1894. I think they did a good job at least, I personally like how the show looks and the costumes especially, I love watching them in their fancy dresses

The characters are awesome. I won't say much about Christine Baranski's Agnes bc I love her. I started watching bc of her and I worship the ground that woman walks on, so she has to be my favorite, those are the rules. I can't wait to see more of her and how her past influences her actions and what she does about the Russell's and keeping her niece from doing stupid shit

I also firmly believe that my second favorite the wonderful Denée Benton as Peggy Scott will help Agnes smacking some sense into Marian's head. She is an amazing character, one of the few who got a brain between those ears, and I can't wait to find out how her career as a writer is going to evolve and hopefully change her future for the better. New York Globe editor I can't remember the name of and her would make a cute couple in my eyes. And I so agree with some ideas flying around tumblr and wonder too if Mr Raikes told her the truth about what she wanted him to find out. I hope we get some answers to that. So Peggy deserves the best and while CB was the reason I started watching, Peggy is definitely a reason for me to continue so.

Aunt Ada, is a mystery to me. I like her but at the same time I wonder if she is just acting bc then she appears to be no threat whatsoever. Or she is just like that. Either way, Ada and Agnes are pure gold and I want more of them.

Marian...I like her, she is okay. I do think that some of the critique is deserved, Louisa Jacobson's acting isn't breathtaking. But I do believe that some also comes from Marian as a character, who doesn't offer that much for an actor at the moment. I do hope that when she finally realizes she is being played and comes crashing down from her naive bubble we get to see more emotions and hopefully Louisa can proof she is better than she seems to be at the moment. But that storyline with Raikes really is infuriating at times, like, damn girl listen to the people around you!! If you can't listen to dear Aunt Agnes then pick some of the other people around you, there are a few to choose from by now.

The Russell's yeah I'm gonna throw them all together bc I can. I'm not on the Bertha/George hype train, I love their characters and their relationship. (Glad they didn't do the husband sleeps with one of the maids cliche) But at least regarding Bertha I'm not a fan of throwing your friends away to climb the social latter, like maybe keeping one or two would have been a good idea? I totally understand though we're it's coming from any why she did it especially in the time period. But she also collects some minus points for treating her daughter that way. It's not like Gladys wouldn't be willing to marry good to do something right in her mother's eyes for once. And if you use your daughter that way at least try to fun for her too once in a while, bc I sense this is might backfire for Bertha in the future. But again I understand the motives, that's how things were done, just my opinion.

I'm also totally for an reluctant alliance between Bertha and Agnes, being forced to work together against some of the other Old Money folks like Mrs Astor for example. I don't know, but could you imagine the absolute hell fire they could cause? I do and I love it! (But if they have to stay foes hating each other, than my heart is rooting a bit more for Agnes. Again that's the rules)

I also don't mind the little backstories of the servants. I like them, they have more normal people problems and life's but since it's still set in the 1880's their different enough to make it interesting for me. And they can play significant roles in the life's of the upper class their working for, since they know so much. Like I don't think we have seen Turner for the last time, and she could really damage Bertha's reputation and her rise to the top.

Well, those were my insignificant rambles on the Gilded Age. I can't wait to find out how they end the season and if course what will happen in season 2!

Also you can expect a story or two from me to (hopefully) enjoy in the future!😊