We’re back for yet another edition of robber-baron drama, rich-people problems and…wait, is that thirst we detect? Yes, it seems like love, or at the very least lust, is in the air in 1880s New York City as more than one character gets their bustles rustled in the season’s second episode. (Remember, this is still The Gilded Age, which operates more on a batted-eyelash level of flirtation rather than any overt bodice-ripping—save for that nude scene last season of Bertha’s lady’s maid trying to seduce George “Hot Beard” Russell, but more on that in a bit—so if you’re expecting Bridgerton-style horniness here, calm your loins.)
Speaking of the Russells, any episode that begins with Carrie Coon yelling “How dare she?!” from behind a closed door is bound to be a good one. There’s a rumpus in House Russell, with Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) refusing to join her mother in Newport because she has unfinished business in Manhattan—namely, that marriage proposal from Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson).
She admits as such to her father, who has hitherto been pulling a Switzerland in the females’ fight, but the proposal is not news to him, as Oscar has already written requesting an interview for Gladys’ hand. She reasons that, though she’s not in love with him, Oscar comes from a good family, has some money and makes her laugh, but “that’s not enough to base a marriage on,” George (Morgan Spector) tells her. He makes her a deal: He will support her decision once Gladys has actually fallen for Oscar, even if Bertha is still against the match. That appeases the Russell daughter and off to Rhode Island she goes.
Across the street, Agnes (Christine Baranski) still isn’t a fan of her niece’s new post as a painting teacher. (“I’m doing a perfectly decent job; you won’t be ashamed of me,” Marian attests, to which Agnes witheringly quips: “I’m ashamed of you now.”) But on she goes to her lesson, where she runs into her dashing cousin—by marriage!—Dashiell Montgomery (David Furr), who gives her a lift home after school. There’s definitely vibes vibing between these two.
The vibes at Oscar and George’s “interview”—a marvelous facial-hair showdown, Hot Beard versus Bitchy Mustache—however, are less than good. Annoyed that Oscar didn’t first seek his permission before asking for Gladys’ hand and believing his proposal to be only for “a marriage of convenience,” George emphatically refuses to offer his blessing. That means Oscar has his work cut out for him in Newport, where seemingly everyone from New York is shuffling off to for a fancy tennis tournament.
It is in Newport that we encounter the one, the only Laura Benanti, a vision in pink florals as Mrs. Susan Blane, whom Bertha, Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), and Mr. McAllister (Nathan Lane) call upon when they arrive in Rhode Island. Larry surveys her property to potentially do renovations for the recent widow, but it seems like Mrs. Blane is aiming to mix business with pleasure. She hires the young hunk on the spot and he, in turn, invites her to join him at the tournament that weekend, much to the chagrin of his mother. Mrs. Russell cheers up thanks to Mr. McAllister’s tea on deep-pocketed Joshua Winterton and his young new bride, who he believes Bertha might be able to sway onto the Met’s side in the ongoing Opera Wars.
Back in New York, Agnes, Marian, and Ada (Cynthia Nixon) are hosting a luncheon for the church’s new rector, Reverend Forte (Robert Sean Leonard), whom it appears the latter lady, in particular, has taken a liking. (The clergyman is Episcopal, which means he can take a wife, FYI.) “What came over you? Have you taken chatter pills? Hardened criminals have answered fewer questions in the dock; I wonder why you didn’t ask to see his mother’s death certificate!” Agnes absolutely drags her younger sis for her coquettish verbosity during the meal. Does this mean our resident spinster won’t be a spinster for long? Get it, girl!
Now the young’uns of House van Rhijn are off to join the rest of society in Newport, after Marian gets invited by Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) with the aim of being introduced to a wealthy bachelor, Edward Morgan. At the tournament, however, Mr. Morgan gives Marian the ick, all sloppy drunkenness and bad manners. (The small “uh-uh” she gives Oscar upon meeting Edward is genuinely hilarious.) Instead, Miss Brook seeks solace in the company of Dashiell, who shows her how to bet on the game and, upon winning, promises to use the money to take Marian out on a date.
It’s not the only love triangle brewing at the tournament. Marian also has run-ins with Larry Russell, cheery encounters that have an undercurrent of attraction, but Mrs. Blane makes sure to interrupt the neighbors at every turn. The widow welcomes Larry for a little after-hours fun back at her house, the proof of which seemingly still lingers on Larry’s collar when he returns home the next morning. “Probably French, no wonder you need a bath,” Bertha jibes, interrogating him on where he’s been. “I want to know what you think you’re doing with a woman twice your age and ill-suited for you in so many other respects I don’t have time to list them!” she chides. Her son, however, likes the fact that Mrs. Blane is older and not “suitable” by societal means, and plans to go home with her again following Mr. McCallister’s big party that evening. Carrie Coon is not pleased! But a surprise visit from her hot bearded husband (complete with some clandestine nookie of their own) seemingly perks her up.
At McCallister’s party, the introduction of two women shakes up society. The first is Maud Beaton (Nicole Brydon Bloom), the daughter of railroad magnate Jay Gould, who Aurora introduces to Oscar as a potential match. Does Gladys have some competition? More shocking, though, is the second lady, the wife of the aforementioned Joshua Winterton…who turns out to be Miss Turner (Kelley Curran), Bertha’s former maid who tried to put the naked moves on her husband last season! Naturally, the Russells are collectively shooketh, but we’ll have to wait until next week to see how the family deals with this hot mess.
Stray observations
- Peggy’s back! Everyone in the Van Rhijn residence is seemingly happy to see Miss Scott (Denée Benton) return as Agnes’ secretary—well, everyone save for Agnes’ lady’s maid, Ms. Armstrong (Debra Monk), who is still very much prejudiced against the young Black woman. But Mrs. Van Rhijn won’t allow any discrimination this time around: If Armstrong doesn’t behave, she will lose her job, Agnes promises. “Your fate is in your hands.”
- Church (Jack Gilpin) spots Mr. McNeil (Christopher Denham) snooping around the outside of the Russell household. He’s searching for the servants’ quarters so he can leave a message for Mr. Watson (Michael Cerveris) but, alas, George’s valet isn’t home. When the butler questions Watson about it later, the latter comes clean about his connection to Mr. McNeil’s wife. Will Church keep the paternity a secret?
- Christine Baranski’s face at the sight of a lowly packed lunch is alone worthy of an Emmy.