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In the Artist's Studio, 1886 by Manuel Cabral Aguado-Bejarano (Spanish, 1827--1891)

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Title: Peacock Artist: Archibald Thorburn (Scottish, 1860-1935) Genre: animal art Medium: watercolor and gouache Dimensions: 36 cm (14.1 in) high x 25.5 cm (10 in) wide Location: private collection

Archibald Thorburn specialized in watercolors of wildlife, especially birds, which he frequently observed in the wild in his native Scotland. He made his name by illustrating Lord Lilford's Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Isles (1887).

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Johan Christian Dahl - "A Cloud and Landscape Study by Moonlight" (1822)

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gilded age is always like

A PLOT: Will Nathan Lane get into the party? Can Gladys come up with a way to wear the dress she wants instead of the ones Sarah chooses for her? Who is leaking gossip from the Russell household to the press?

B PLOT: civil and labor rights in America. Suffragist meeting. George Russell might be on the verge of ruining the American economy

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What makes Laurie’s grandfather so rich? Like what kind of company does he run? Is it ever stated?

Sorry it took a while, I had to pretty much re-read the novel, because just googling it gave nothing, or uses info from one of the movies, which is not always the same thing.

In part one, there is never anything explicitly states what his job is, but we learn that:

Obviously gives him a great deal of money. Has a fine house filled with fine things, and when Mr. March is unwell, he writes to Marmee saying that she may "draw on me for funds if expenses exceed your estimate".

It's a respectable business as many people in the upper class have immediate respect for him and the family name.

His business is at different places. When Mr. March gets ill, Mr. Brooke goes with Marmee since Mr. Laurence has "commissions for me in Washington".

In part two, we learn that Mr. Laurence offers John "more generous offers" but John refuses, accepting the book-keeping job because he felt "better satisfied to begin with an honestly-earned salary, than by running any risks with borrowed money."

Laurie is off to college, for what we are not sure, but we find out that the plan was for him to go to college, have a chance to travel around Europe before settling himself in joining Mr. Laurence in his business.

After Laurie and Jo's argument, Mr. Laurence offers to go with Laurie to Europe stating that "there is business in London that needs looking after; I meant you should attend to it; but I can do it better myself, and things here will get on very well with Brooke to manage them. My partners do almost everything; I'm merely holding on till you take my place and can be off at any time."

So far, this is the most telling bit of info of his business. It is so big that it goes overseas, which he at first would have had Laurie take care of. He has partners who are part of this business, which we haven't heard of until this point.

Later, when Laurie takes Amy's advice, he goes to help Mr. Laurence with business and this passage states that on his desk was "bills, passports, and business documents of various kinds".

I have seen it suggested that it's possible that he is in some sort of trading business/is a merchant. It would make sense considering that it's a business that requires more than one location, having partners to keep it going, and could require passports for either cargo or sailors.

What I think is interesting to ponder is this, would people during the 19th century had known exactly what business Mr. Laurence was in based on the clues and therefor did not require it told straight out, or did Alcott purposefully make it vague for some reason?

What do you guys think? Could I be on the right path, or is there another profession you think it could possibly be? Feel free to comment your thoughts!

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yes to all of this!!!! One of my main complaints is that the episodes only show us a day or two in the lives of the characters with significant time jumps that are not properly clarified.

My biggest beef with this season of The Buccaneers is the time skip, every episode have time skip of weeks or months.

The writers focus too much in drama and too little in developing the characters and their relationships.

I want to see Guy taking care of Jinny while she is pregnant and buiding a friendship.

I want to see more scenes of Lizzy and Theo being friends and feeling attraction for each other.

I want to see Nan and Theo on their honeymoon and Nan dealing with guilt.

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Damn 8-episode format! If we had at least 15 episodes of the Buccaneers, the writers could have given us so much more material to see the development of Theolizzy.

I did this analysis on their interactions from 2x01 to 2x07. The ideas are there, the relationship makes sense, there's a logical evolution to it, but so much of it is not portrayed well enough, and the audience has to fill in the blanks.

We should have gotten:

✅Post 2x01: At least one or two episodes of Nan and Theo being happy after the wedding.

We know Nan tried to be happy with Theo because she told others, but in shows/movies, the rule is "show, don't tell". So, did she? We barely had a small montage of their tour. I think if writers go for the love triangle trope, then it should feel as if both options are viable. Nan said she and Theo "enjoyed each other's company", why not show that? Why not show her happy but still missing Guy?

✅After 2x02: at least two episodes of Nan trying again to be happy with Theo, and getting over Guy.

Obvs, this would be before Seadown tells Theo that Guy was at the castle the night before the wedding. All season, characters make resolutions that break right after. This could've given us a chance to see Nan be the duchess, work with Hector to promote the bill, host parties, learn about the estate, and acquire confidence and purpose. But it could have also be a chance to see that Theo may not be as happy as he wished to be with Nan. We should have also seen Theo and Lizzy being friends, so the "you're exceptional" speech from 2x03 would've felt more organic.

✅Pre 2x03: One episode of Nan and Blanche dealing with Theo's disappearance.

Meanwhile, Theo goes away to reflect on his marriage. I'm thinking of Laurie from Little Women in chapter 41 "Learning to Forget", when he goes back and forth. He thinks of Jo and his infatuation, and tries to hold on to it, but he can't stop thinking about Amy. This could've paralleled with Lizzy and Hector's courtship, her touching her wrist every now and then.

✅Post 2x03: More of Theo on his own, in the castle, feeling the emptiness of the place w/o his mother and Nan.

"Yes, we got a dance scene at the beginning of 2x04, but it's not enough. "Show, don't tell". Show us how he manages on his own, how he felt numb at first but ultimately free.

✅ Pre 2x04: At least one chapter solely to show Theo and Lizzy's growing tension before they decide to act on their feelings.

I wanted to see them be friends, while also crushing on each other.

✅Post: 2x04: An episode where they struggle with their first time and have a conversation where they agreed to a friends-with-benefits deal.

I know the deal happened cause the characters imply it in 2x05, but again, they should have shown it.

✅2x05: That montage at the beginning of the episode should have been an entire chapter, at least!

We should have seen the progression from passion and lust to real love. This also gets us more NanGuy scenes. They also should have gotten at least an entire episode of pure happiness in Italy.

✅One chapter of Theo and Nan trying to live together after she comes back, while Lizzy gets the final arrangements for her wedding.

✅Lizzy's wedding could have been an entire episode

✅Post 2x05: At least an episode of Theo and Lizzy keeping their distance, and the girls fussing over Lizzy

Show, don't tell! Yes, Lizzy said the girls were worried about her, but we should have seen it. We should have also had more scenes with Theo and Guy.

✅Post 2x07: At least an episode of Hector discovering the affair. Someone else pointed out how nonsensical it was that a mere hand on the back was everything Hector needed to know about the affair. I agree. How did he get detailed info? How did Reede find out?

✅Post: 2x07: At least an episode on Nan's reaction to the affair and Guy's marriage.

How did Paloma arrive in London all dressed like a proper Englishwoman? How did she find Guy? I love their scenes with Jinny, I would have loved to see more of this trio. Also, how about showing signs that Nan is pregnant?

✅2x08: This episode should have been 2-3 episodes. Too many things happen!

Why does everything need to happen in 24 hours? Show the passage of time. So many conversations happen superficially or are simply implied. Theo and Blanche's talk should have been one big scene where Theo talks about Nan's threat and his decision to abdicate. How did the writers omit that? Also, why didn't the girls visit Nan? Jinny? Conchita, who seemed like Nan's BFF in s1? Also, why does Paloma lie to Guy?

And while all of this happened, where is Theo's art???? That should have been used multiple times to show his growing feelings for Lizzy, while those for Nan disappear!

Of course, all of these extra epsiode would have given more screentime to the rest of the cast. We barely saw MabelxHonoria's relationship, Patty's divorce process, Nell's love story, BlanchexReede's and ConchitaxRichard's life and business, and the girls' friendship.

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Interior of the St. Mary's Church in Gdańsk (Bartholomäus Milwitz, 1635)

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Hans Andreas Dahl - "Flicka i fjordlandskap"

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Charles van den Eycken - "A Cat with her Kittens"

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I have to say, I'm enjoying Bertha being temporarily alienated by her own family.

And yes, it's TEMPORARY, so her stans shouldn't cry much about it. Think about Downton Abbey, did Mary ever pay the price for her nastiness? If anything, she was rewarded. Bertha will be just fine. She will host the Newport ball and reach the pinnacle of society, all while becoming a hero for supporting women's vote and divorced women. Hell, she might even fix Larian, which will fix her relationship with George and Larry. But now it's time for her to face the consequences of what she did to Gladys. You cannot be crying with happiness while your daughter is crying with sadness at the altar without some good karma. She and Agnes think they can be as mean and cold as they please, but they get offended when their families respond in kind. But again, they will be fine.

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William Beechey (1753-1839) "Sarah Siddons, née Kemble ('Mrs Siddons with the Emblems of Tragedy')" (1793) Oil on canvas Located in the National Portrait Gallery, London, England

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Can I obsess about Theolizzy pre, during, and after 2x04?

Seeing them pose as the cool, confident people they are not, just so they can gather the courage to make a move on each other, was absolute chefkiss!

Extralong overanalysis of Theolizzy 🔽

2x01

Theo and Lizzy are a pair of introverts who would rather stay at home reading a book or painting than attend a public event. Aside from the fact that the writers wanted to establish a connection in 2x01 and Hector's role in the season, their scene is very sweet.

Lizzy knows Nan married Theo only to save Jinny, and it's very telling that she is the only character who knows about it and gets close to Theo. She fails at making conversation, but Theo plays along and makes her laugh🥰

2x02

This is the second time Theo and Lizzy find each other without trying to, because Nan went somewhere else. Their 'hello's are rather innocent and soft, they're genuinely happy and RELIEVED to see the other. They feel comfortable and safe around each other, enough to be playful.

Oh, but then something changes when Lizzy loses her bracelet and Theo helps her retrieve it and put it on. Ooooh, what's that? Is it a spark???

But he's married to Nan, and she is Nan's friend, so this rather intimate moment is inappropriate. Lizzy tries to offer a safe topic of conversation, but Theo's comment is what strikes me the most.

So, he comments on how good a friend she is, and after a few seconds, he feels the need to clarify 'to Nan'. It's like, he was afraid Lizzy would misunderstand and contradict him because maybe she doesn't see him as a friend. It's like he didn't want her to think he was assuming a non-existent friendship with him, which makes me go back to the fact that no one checks on him ever! He's alone, but maybe Lizzy can be a friend?

What Theo doesn't know is that Lizzy is tired of being always the "friend". They had a 2-second moment before she went back to being the "friend". Not to mention, Lizzy had been carrying Guy's letter and the immense pressure of deciding the fate of Nan and Theo's marriage.

Theo opens up to Lizzy about his fears. She doesn't get a chance to comfort him, but it's very telling that Lizzy didn't just warn Nan of his feelings to make her aware of Theo's suspicions, but because she cares about his feelings as much as Nan's. Everyone tells Nan that Theo is a kind man and supports her in this marriage, but Lizzy is the only one who cares about what he feels too. Clearly, she feels empathy for him because last season, she was the one left behind and only Mabel cared to check on her.

2x03

I wish the show had more episodes to see the characters going through stuff, but alas, we must make do with whatever the writers decide to show. Weeks have passed, Theo knows Nan cheated on him with Guy, and has taken time in isolation. He only came back for Lizzy's birthday party. He must have been reflecting on his marriage, but also on that moment with Lizzy.

Third time Theolizzy find each other without trying! First off, it's so nice to see Lizzy sharing the news of her engagement to Theo, even if she was looking for Nan. This shows she truly sees him as a friend, more because of their scene in ep1 where he pushed her to go for Hector.

I'm sure he had been think about that moment non-stop for weeks, but his words come from a genuine place of concern. He doesn't want her to make the same mistakes he did and be unhappy. And of course, there's a lingering feeling/intrigue since the last episode.

Lizzy was going to go back on her acceptance, I'm sure of it. Unfortunately, Hector decided to announce their engagement, but she and Theo share a look.

I wonder how much time Lizzy spent waiting for Theo and thinking about what to say to him. Again, she's an introvert, these things don't come easily to her, so she's showing great bravery in speaking up. It's important to say that she ONLY said this after Nan confirmed her feelings for Guy and ran away. Unfortunately, Theo is busy looking for Nan, not to try a reconciliation, but to clear things up. He's too busy now, but Lizzy's words affected him.

2x04

Was I the only one who thought Theo and Lizzy acted out of character in this episode???? Hot? Yes, but not quite themselves. I'm not saying it's bad, on the contrary, I think this was 100% deliberate. After weeks (months?) of tension, Lizzy's confession at the end of 2x03, and Nan's flight, they both realize they need to be bold to figure out what is happening between them.

(He so tries to impress her with the vase 😆He's such a typical rich boy.)

Their interactions are full of heavy flirting, and even their hands-moment in this episode is quite possessive. The kiss is also intense and lustful. You can see Lizzy's mind going "do I do it? do I? OMG I'm doing it, fuck it".

It's so fun to see the progression of their story, from the spark in 2x02 to the after-kiss confusion. There's no way they can deny the attraction anymore.

In the last scene, Lizzy gets even bolder. Theo is mostly waiting for her to act, which makes sense as he is married and she has the most to lose. She approaches Theo and wasted no time talking, most probably cause talking would include thinking and this is the last thing she needs. If she stops to think even for a second, she would regret it and leave. No, she's doing this.

I have to say, this looks a lot like "let me get this out of my system and think about the consequences later", for both of them.

2x05

I already did a post about this episode, but what I want to emphasize here, after all the babbling, is the change from 2x04 to 2x05. Last episode, they were trying to play it cool, me thinks, because they were scared of rejection and embarrassment. So, in case their feelings weren't reciprocated, they could act as if they were fine. Now, NOW they know the other won't reject them, and they can go back to their normal selves. Look at the difference in these shots, I love them so much!

2x06 & 2x07

After that we don't see much of them, but the little scenes we got show how much they still care for each other. No wonder Hector noticed.

I will always lament the stupid 8-episode format because this story deserved many more episodes.

I can't wait for next Tuesday!

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No one

Absolutely no one

Me: I think I've seen this film before...

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Alcazar, Segovia, Spain (David Roberts, 1836)

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Shondaland just published an article about 11 books Benedict Bridgerton would love and this is #6

A woman falling in love with a painting? Ooooh, it reminded me of Benedict keeping the LIS's memory alive through his art. Back to my Dibutades-Pygmalion theory! Look at the cover of this book!!! OMG!!!!!

Here's my post on theories and links to AOFAG:

🧑‍🎨The myths of Pygmalion & Dibutades (reality vs fantasy)🧑‍🎨

(Coming back in a few weeks after reading the book)

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Joseph Wopfner - "Chiemseespiegel" (1876)