DVD Review: THE GILDED AGE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

Home » DVD Review: THE GILDED AGE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

Aug 06, 2022 Posted by Kyle Nolan in DVD/Blu-ray, Reviews | Comments

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed in this Blog Post. The opinions I share are my own.”

“They have been in charge since the Mayflower landed, and now it’s your turn, because you are the future and if you are the future, then they must be the past. That’s what frightens them.”

It’s 1882, and after her father passes away, Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) is left with only $30 to her name. So she heads from Pennsylvania to New York for the very first time, to live with aunts she hardly knows—Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and her younger sister Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon). Agnes feels a bit put upon by the situation. She never got along with her brother, Marian’s father, and was forced to marry a despicable man for his inertance. While she has since become a widow, her sister has remained a spinster. Agnes’ family comes from old money, and have been at the top of the social ladder for hundreds of years. She looks down on those who come from new money. These new New Yorkers are ostentatious with their wealth, and are trying to take over. However, a new family has just moved in across the street, building an over-the-top palatial new estate to show off their wealth. Industrialist robber baron George Russell (Morgan Spector) made his fortune via the railroads. His wife Bertha (Carrie Coon) is determined to get herself, her husband and her children into the proper social circles, but soon discovers that that is easier said than done—the more grounded old New Yorkers aren’t fans of her more flashy style. However, that isn’t going to stop Bertha from getting what she wants, and it isn’t long before she and her husband start plotting ways force their way to the top of the social heap by whatever means necessary, no matter what casualties they leave in their wake.

The Gilded Age comes from creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes—best known for Downton Abbey—and this period drama certainly has a very similar look and feel (though I do miss those British accents!). The series finds that similar blend of humor, drama and soapy goodness, exploring themes of class, race and society within a certain period and historical context. Many of the characters and events are based off of the stories of real people from this post-American Civil War era of opulence, wealth and corruption that Mark Twain called “The Gilded Age”. At the core of the series is this class/social war between old and new New York. With the old guard trying to keep things the same and the new money trying to break into this society, but seen as lesser since they don’t have family who has been in New York for centuries. The series also looks at race at the time, both for the average folks as well as the Black elite who managed to be a part of this wealthy middle class. These stories are explored through the character of Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), an aspiring writer whom Marian meets and befriends during her trip from PA to NY. Similar to Downton Abbey, the series also explores that upstairs/downstairs dynamic between the rich and their servants, and some of the situations that arise when dirty little secrets come out.

The character of Marian Brook serves as the audience’s entryway into this world. She is new to New York and to this divide between the old and new money. As she learns the rules of how this society works, so does the audience. Carrie Coon is a delight as the scheming Bertha, along with Morgan Spector as her husband George, who is just as ruthless when it comes to business matters—they make a perfect couple. On the other side we have Christine Baranski as the bitter Agnes who made sacrifices for her and her sister and is intent on making sure things remain the same, and that these new money folks don’t take over her city. The series also contains a veritable who’s who of New York City stage and screen actors and award-winners, including Audra McDonald, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Nathan Lane, and so many more.

As I watched the season again on this DVD release, I found myself entertained and captivated all over again. Fellowes has a very unique wit and charm to his shows and The Gilded Age has that in spades. The sets and costumes are also really impressive, really bringing this period drama to life—they’ve definitely spent a lot of money to recreate this 19th century New York city block, and fill it with residents in period clothing.

It’s unfortunate that Warner Bros. has only released this first season of the series on DVD, despite the fact the the series airs in HD on HBO and HBO Max. (Though it is available for purchase digitally in HD.) The DVD picture quality is generally clean and quite good. While I got used to it after a while, it is definitely a bit hazy and lacking that little bit of extra clarity and detail that you got in the original HD presentation. The audio track provides clear dialogue, and showcases the show’s wonderful score. There is also excellent use of the surround channel to provide an immersive experience, whether it’s just the ambiance of the city streets, the people at parties, or the sound of a storm brewing overhead.

The first season’s 9 episodes are evenly split across 3 discs, which reside on a swinging tray inside a standard-sized DVD case, which is placed inside a cardboard slipcover. The discs are loaded with over 2 hours of bonus material and Q&As with the cast and crew. While much of this was promotional material that was previously released on YouTube, there is one new 17-minute behind-the-scenes featurette produced exclusively for the DVD.

What’s Included:

Episodes:

All 9 episodes of the first season:
Disc 1 (3:02:19): “Never The New”, “Money Isn’t Everything”, “Face The Music”
Disc 2 (2:38:52): “A Long Ladder”, “Charity Has Two Functions”, “Heads Have Rolled For Less”
Disc 3: (2:37:34): “Irresistible Change”, “Tucked Up in Newport”, “Let The Tournament Begin”
480i / Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English SDH

Extras:
The special features are spread across all three discs.

Invitation To Set (2:05)
The cast and crew discuss the premise of the series, the elaborate production and the award-winning cast. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes, executive producer Gareth Neame, and stars Cynthia Nixon (“Ada Brook”), Taissa Framiga (“Gladys Russell”), Carrie Coon (“Bertha Russell”), Christine Baranski (“Agnes Van Rhijn”), Denée Benton (“Peggy Scott”), Morgan Spector (“George Russell”) & Nathan Lane (“Ward McAllister”).
Inside the Episode (49:52)
The cast and crew discuss the major plot points of each episode of the first season. Those interviewed include creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes, co-executive producer Erica Armstrong Dunbar, executive producer/director Salli Richardson-Whitfield, executive producer David Crockett, executive producer/director Michael Engler, executive producer Gareth Neame, and stars Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson (“Marian Brook”), Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski, Blake Ritson (“Oscar Van Rhijn”), Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Taissa Farmiga, Harry Richardson (“Larry Russell”), Kristine Nielsen (“Mrs. Bauer”), Thomas Cocquerel (“Tom Raikes”), John Douglas Thompson (“Arthur Scott”), Sullivan Jones (“T. Thomas Fortune”), Nathan Lane, Debra Monk (“Armstrong”), Jack Gilpin (“Church”), Simon Jones (“Bannister”), Taylor Richardson (“Bridget”) & Ben Ahlers (“Jack”). These can be found on the discs with their related episodes.
- Inside the Episode: Never The New (5:33)
- Inside the Episode: Money Isn’t Everything (4:12)
- Inside the Episode: Face The Music (5:04)
- Inside the Episode: A Long Ladder (5:43)
- Inside the Episode: Charity Has Two Functions (5:44)
- Inside the Episode: Heads Have Rolled For Less (5:31)
- Inside the Episode: Irresistible Change (5:28)
- Inside the Episode: Tucked Up in Newport (5:39)
- Inside the Episode: Let The Tournament Begin (6:58)

Character Featurettes (23:33)
The cast describe their characters and what it was like playing them.
- Christine Baranski as Agnes Van Rhijn (2:05)
- Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook (2:10)
- Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook (2:12)
- Denée Benton as Peggy Scott (1:59)
- Blake Ritson as Oscar Van Rhijn (1:58)
- Thomas Cocquerel as Tom Raikes (1:54)
- Simon Jones as Bannister (1:40)
- Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell (2:08)
- Morgan Spector as George Russell (1:59)
- Harry Richardson as Larry Russell (1:46)
- Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell (2:02)
- Jack Gilpin as Church (1:48)
The Russell House Set Tour Featuring Carrie Coon (2:56)
Actress Carrie Coon gives viewers a tour of the palatial Russell estate and its elaborate fixtures, artwork and furniture.
The Gilded Age: The Black Elite of New York (5:17)
The cast and crew discuss the thriving community of The Black Elite during the Gilded Age period, the Black characters in the series, and the importance of telling their story. Includes interviews with co-executive producer Erica Armstrong Dunbar, creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes, executive producer/director Salli Richardson-Whitfield, executive producer Gareth Neame, co-executive producer/writer Sonja Warfield, executive producer David Crockett, and stars Denée Benton, John Douglas Thompson, Sullivan Jones & Cynthia Nixon.
Designing The Gilded Age (8:17)
The cast and crew discuss the costumes, hair and makeup styling, building the sets and city block, adding visual effects, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with executive producer Gareth Neame, creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes, costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone, executive producer/director Salli Richardson-Whitfield, hair department head Sean Flanigan, makeup department head Nicki Ledermann, production designer Bob Shaw, executive producer/director Michael Engler, and stars Blake Ritson, Cynthia Nixon, Louisa Jacobson, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, Taylor Richardson & Harry Richardson
Old Money vs. New: The Heart of the Matter (14:24)
The cast and crew discuss the Gilded Age period following the American Civil War, how this transformed the country, and the how the characters in the series fit into this world. Includes clips and interviews with creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes, executive producer Gareth Neame, executive producer/director Michael Engler, co-executive producer Erica Armstrong Dunbar, co-executive producer/writer Sonja Warfield, and stars Denée Benton, Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon & Morgan Spector.
All That Glitters: Creating The Gilded Age (16:56)
In this featurette produced exclusively for the DVD release, the cast and crew discuss filming in New York, building the backlot and sets, the challenges of shooting a period piece, the costumes, hair & makeup, filming the larger ball scenes with hundreds of extras, and more. Includes behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with executive producer Gareth Neame, production designer Bob Shaw, creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes, executive producer/director Salli Richardson-Whitfield, executive producer/director Michael Engler, costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone, hair department head Sean Flanigan, makeup department head Nicki Ledermann, and stars Carrie Coon, Donna Murphy (“Mrs. Astor”), Denée Benton & Blake Ritson.

Final Thoughts:

My Rating

Episodes:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Recommended

With The Gilded Age, creator/executive producer Julian Fellowes has done it again, creating a thoroughly-entertaining period drama, this time with a New York setting and distinctly-American era, that manages to capture a similar look and feel to Downton Abbey (minus the accents and castles). The series features an amazing cast, interesting characters and storylines, and beautiful sets and costumes. The DVD release includes over 2 hours of bonus material, and would be an easy recommendation for fans except that the picture is a bit sub-par when compared to the original HD airings. I wish Warner Bros. would have offered a Blu-ray release via Warner Archive. While the series is certainly worth checking out, I would probably recommend going for the HD digital version instead (when it’s on sale), to enjoy the full beauty of this period costume drama.