The Gilded Age Season 4 Review: Opulent Period Drama Returns to HBO
Julian Fellowes's lavish HBO period drama 'The Gilded Age' returns for its fourth season, blending high-society drama in 19th-century New York with opulent production values and familiar character rivalries.
In its fourth season, Julian Fellowes's lavish HBO period drama "The Gilded Age" remains a television anomaly. Backed by a generous budget and top-tier acting talent, the series immerses viewers in late-19th-century New York society. However, despite rich historical trappings and a brisk pace, the narrative often slips into trivial melodrama.
The eight-episode season picks up right where previous storylines left off. The fierce social rivalry between Bertha Russell, played by Carrie Coon, and high-society sisters Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook continues unabated. Meanwhile, industrialist George Russell recovers from an assassination attempt, Peggy Scott navigates her fiancé's family expectations, and Marian Brook returns in a central romance.
The season premiere wastes no time delivering high-stakes drama, packing a birth, a wedding, and a pair of surprise cameo appearances into the first episode alone. Gladys Russell faces medical complications during childbirth, while Oscar van Rhijn enters into a marriage of convenience with Enid Winterton. Beneath the opulent costumes and grand balls, the series continues to explore complex themes of ambition, prejudice, and societal shifting.
