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The Gilded Age (2022)
An Honest Review
At first I was apprehensive to watch The Gilded Age, but after some convincing, I am finally through the first two seasons. Let me begin with a single statement,
'The source material and storylines are aplenty, somewhat overwhelming at first.'
However, it seems that after further story development, character development and the addition of some long running cliffhangers, I am sure there are some who are celebrating this show as a triumph, others who were somewhat disappointed and many who would prefer that each season could be longer.
I will not give away spoilers or for that matter deny those looking for great entertainment a chance to enjoy what can only be said is the best period drama produced for American & Global Television since Downton Abbey.
Ironically both are created by a man who requires no introduction and for many is loved and adored for his immensely immersive and captivating writing.
Lord Julian Fellowes (his correct title) is truly the Lord of period dramas and someone who cannot be matched at this point. Yes I am aware that there are great period dramas out there (Outlander, Sanditon, Bridgeton, The Crown, etc) but it is Julian and his partner in crime, Gareth Neame's, passion to historical detail, set design and costumes that truly make the story even more immersive.
Emmy & Golden Globe worthy in many respects.
Turning our attention back to the show, one can say that it seems Julian is writing with sense of fear in his mind that he will fall foul of the American's love of cancelling popular shows purely on financial and viewership numbers alone. The Gilded Age is very much like Downton Abbey in the beginning of its development. Viewership numbers for Downton were low in the beginning and blossomed into its cult status by season 4 after it won countless awards and garnered attention globally as an escapist show of soft/heavy drama with a somewhat wide array of storylines to follow.
With The Gilded Age, everything is tied up in a tidy bow with impeccable set design, a stellar cast with new and well-known faces, storylines that enter and end prematurely, other storylines taking giant leaps forward in the space of a few episodes, and subplot storylines developing into part of the mainstream over time. It is writing of the highest calibre and one that must be acknowledged and celebrated.
Thank you Julian and Gareth for writing and focusing on all the struggles faced by all classes, races and genders in that time, it is a great privilege to watch such historical depictions being done in a tasteful and acceptable manner whilst still being inclusive and correct historically.
I will, however, add a warning to those who are sticklers or critics of a trend that seems to follow period dramas around these days. An over simplification of history, history correction or the retelling of history from a different perspective. Sadly this is something that seems to becoming a recurrent problem in today's television shows and major films. Sadly history cannot be oversimplified as its history and cannot be rewritten. Whilst I may not agree with every scene and style taken by Julian in some regards to story, the overall development of the story is immensely satisfying and if one can overlook some of the simplifications, then this show can be heralded as one to be remembered.
I truly hope that this show develops the same cult like following of Downton Abbey and other period dramas that have trail-blazed the way for this series to even exist.
This is a much watch but only for those who truly appreciate this type of drama and storytelling.
Well done to the entire cast and crew for the incredible work on this series. I cannot wait for Season 3.
My only request to HBO... order more episodes please.
8 episodes per season is painfully to little for such an incredible series. You did it for GOT, Westworld and Boardwalk Empire, why not for The Gilded Age?
The Gilded Age: In Terms of Winning and Losing (2023)
Julian Fellows & Gareth Neame's Finest Hour
At first I was apprehensive to watch the finale of The Gilded Age, Season 2 Episode 8, but after soaking in just shy of 60 minutes of enthralling character arcs, further story development and some cliffhangers I am sure there are some who were celebrating, others who were somewhat disappointed and many who would prefer the season to be longer.
I will not give away spoilers or for that matter deny those looking for great entertainment a chance to enjoy what can only be said is the best period drama produced for American & Global Television since Downton Abbey.
Ironically both are created by a man who requires no introduction and for many is loved and adored for his immensely immersive and captivating writing.
Lord Julian Fellowes (his correct title) is truly the Lord of period dramas and someone who cannot be matched at this point. Yes I am aware that there are great period dramas out there (Outlander, Sanditon, Bridgeton, The Crown, etc) but it is Julian and his partner in crime, Gareth Neame's, passion to historical detail, set design and costumes that truly make the story even more immersive.
Emmy & Golden Globe worthy in many respects.
Turning our attention back to the episode, one can say that it seems Julian is writing with sense of fear in his mind that he will fall foul of the American's love of cancelling popular shows purely on financial and viewership numbers alone. The Gilded Age is very much like Downton Abbey in the beginning of its development. Viewership numbers for Downton were low in the beginning and blossomed into its cult status by season 4 after it won countless awards and garnered attention globally as an escapist show of soft/heavy drama with a somewhat wide array of storylines to follow.
With this episode of The Gilded Age, everything is tied up in a tidy bow with some storylines ending, others taking a giant leap forward and subplot storylines developing into part of the mainstream. It is writing of the highest calibre and one that must be acknowledged and celebrated.
Thank you Julian and Gareth for writing and focusing on all the struggles faced by all classes, races and genders in that time, it was a great privilege to watch such historical depictions being done in a tasteful and acceptable manner whilst still being inclusive and correct historically.
This is a much watch but only for those who truly appreciate this type of drama and storytelling.
10/10 to the cast, crew, writers, producers and the entire team who makes this show possible. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and look forward to many more.
A fan from South Africa! 🇿🇦
This review will also be posted on the main page of The Gilded Age.
Munich: The Edge of War (2021)
When history blends into fiction.
This is one of those situations where history blends into fiction.
Overall the film contains some great depictions of historical characters and it can be said that the writers took full license on creativity in certain scenes where it would have been impractical to have those situations in real life. I won't mention as to not ruin the film for others.
A notable performance goes to a sub-character that truly shines in the film. Frank Sauer played by August Diehl. His character personifies the radicalisation of the German people in that period and adding to the suspense of the film.
Overall Robert Harris' book is converted into a acceptable adaptation to film, however, I do believe that Director Christian Schwochow and writer Ben Power have missed certain marks and misrepresented pivotal moments in history that were in many ways a turning point to the lead up to World War 2.
A good film if you're a fan of suspenseful period films.