The aspect of new money and old money continues in its fragility in Episode 2 of Season 4 of "The Gilded Age" because power requires a bit of oversight. This is because the next big bear hangs around the corner in wait. Rockefeller and the titans are around but watching George Russell (Morgan Spector) squirm is interesting even with the Pinkertons at his beckoning. Power and riches tend to make people paranoid. Bertha, played by a more quietly returning Carrie Coon, tries to navigate back and forth between both scandal and her own moral compass but the reality is that the union that makes it possible is crumbling. One of more relatable pieces though is Cynthia Nixon as Ada who is trying to adjust her household to her needs against her sister Agnes' social perspectives.
Christine Baranski as Agnes knows how to play the snob with aplomb especially when tea is served incorrectly or new non trendy curtains are bought. She is not reluctant to show her distain but her family is also on the way out. A new footman to replace an inventor is nicely played because it shows the changing perspective of life in this time period. Miriam (Louise Jacobson) is one of the more interesting players simply because her intentions differ from those around her but with a certain paramour it is just a matter of time before their societal constraints swallow her whole. She will be taken care of but hopefully she can rise above it without breaking her spirit. Everyone wants to make their bones against better possibilities but sometimes it is for naught. But it is all about PR as a trip to the Met Opera places everyone in play though it is about what is spoken behind the scenes that becomes more reported in a specific way. As the second episode in season four, it is about alliances being broken not because of lack of trust but because of a breakdown of communication. 86%/B
By Tim Wassberg
