S01.E08: Tucked Up in Newport

[OtterMommy]

Air date: March 14, 2022

[AntFTW]

Agnes! 😂

[dmc]

the Cambridge ladies who live in furnished souls

are unbeautiful and have comfortable minds

(also, with the church's protestant blessings

daughters,unscented shapeless spirited)

they believe in Christ and Longfellow, both dead,

are invariably interested in so many things—

at the present writing one still finds

delighted fingers knitting for the is it Poles?

perhaps. While permanent faces coyly bandy

scandal of Mrs. N and Professor D

.... the Cambridge ladies do not care, above

Cambridge if sometimes in its box of

sky lavender and cornerless, the

moon rattles like a fragment of angry candy

 

 

I haven't thought of this E. E. Cummings poem in quite awhile but I immediately remembered it upon seeing this episode.  So many furnished souls and comfortable minds in this episode.  

The fact that Agnes had to consider who to fire is baffling and utterly ridiculous.  Peggy and Pumpkin are the only delight in that house and now Peggy is gone.  And Pumpkin is still being walked by Bannister so her days are probably numbered.  

My point from last week has been proven which Agnes abhors change even when its necessary and the alternative is an obnoxious pain.

Bertha again proves that her manners are dreadful.  Imagine needing someone's approval to make into society and going into their home, uninvited to snoop.  It is also completely unnecessary.  There is no way Ms. Astor decorated her own home, it would fairly easy to find out who decorated it and get the scoop on what's in it without breaking and entering.

This is the thing about Bertha that defies belief she wants to be accepted but doesn't act accordingly.  

Marian is still a poorly dressed dolt.  I have almost lost interest in the Raikes plot it has taken so long to come to fruition.  I need Marion in another storyline fast.  

Gladys' Newport attire is on the other hand is lovely.  I still am unconvinced Oscar has the charm or appeal to attract Gladys.  I will have to suspend belief for this one too.  However Oscar's beau does have the charm and looks.  I hope Gladys falls for him and Oscar marries Miss Turner.  

George finally outed the scoundrels that besmirched his good name.  This plot could have been more intriguing and suspenseful that I feel it was.  The reveal was lackluster at best.  The woman who played a part in the dastardly deed then apologizes and George essentially threatens her livelihood forever.  I know this woman is essentially a criminal but I hate men threatening women. This is never a win with me.  This show is doubling down on George is ruthless but its more like George doesn't know how to pick his battles and is petty.  The woman is probably going to jail, that's more than enough George.  

 

Requests for Season 2.

Better storylines for all.  

More attractive men cast as love interests.

Whoever plays Marion improving her acting and writers working toward her strengths as an actor.

Make these people slightly likeable at least.

Give Peggy a main storyline.

Better wardrobes.

Close up shots of the food.  

Livelier parties, better conversation at them

A Corgi

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 15, 2022 by dmc

[Straycat80]

‘Quick! Get rid of Mrs. Russell’! Was the best and funniest part of this episode. 

[eejm]

Does Agnes have a summer home?  If she doesn’t, would that have been odd for the time?

 

I see Agnes is talking to Bannister, but is still grinding him about the Russells’ party.

 

Are we ever going to find out Collier’s deal?

 

I still say Marian is mega rich and Raikes knows it.

 

Oh John Adams, you catty bitch.  Going after your boyfriend’s target like that!

 

I wonder if/when we’ll see Peggy’s husband?  Who else thinks her baby is still alive?

 

Carrie C***’s pregnancy was very visible during the Newport scenes.  Bertha being tossed out spitting feathers while bewildered servants looked on was a hoot.

 

I want to play with George Russell’s hair.  There, I said it.

[Broderbits]

Now that Mr. Russell is in need of a new secretary I think he should hire Miss Scott! I wonder if that would even be possible.

[dmc]

11 minutes ago, eejm said:

Does Agnes have a summer home?  If she doesn’t, would that have been odd for the time?

 

I see Agnes is talking to Bannister, but is still grinding him about the Russells’ party.

 

Are we ever going to find out Collier’s deal?

 

I still say Marian is mega rich and Raikes knows it.

 

Oh John Adams, you catty bitch.  Going after your boyfriend’s target like that!

 

I wonder if/when we’ll see Peggy’s husband?  Who else thinks her baby is still alive?

 

Carrie C***’s pregnancy was very visible during the Newport scenes.  Bertha being tossed out spitting feathers while bewildered servants looked on was a hoot.

 

I want to play with George Russell’s hair.  There, I said it.

It is a decidedly luscious mane of hair

Edited March 15, 2022 by dmc

[sistermagpie]

11 minutes ago, dmc said:

George finally outed the scoundrels that besmirched his good name.  This plot could have been more intriguing and suspenseful that I feel it was.  The reveal was lackluster at best. 

Yes, ultimately it was solved by a wild coincidence.

Poor Gladys being fought over by two gay guys. George would kill them both if he knew.

I get the feeling Peggy was lied to and her baby was taken away. And I guess stalker butler has a daughter too? Or something?

Bertha finding herself among the help was pretty great. But you know, you're the one who wanted to sneak into her house.

A lot of people were smart in this episode, while Marian continued to be a complete dolt. Her friend Aurora, who has no reason to want to dislike Raikes, tells Marian she gets a bad vibe from him and Marian's response is to decide that means she should marry him. Because that will solve the problem. I can't even...has Marian ever once, when she considered marrying Raikes, thought of something actually relevent? 

[dmc]

1 minute ago, sistermagpie said:

Poor Gladys being fought over by two gay guys.

LOL I think Oscar's beau is handsome.  

[AntFTW]

This episode was good. The name of this episode should have been "Mind Your F*cking Business." Everyone is snooping this episode.

It started with some good Agnes pettiness to Bannister. The newport scenes were well done. I got a lot of Peggy, who my heart breaks for. I got an Audra McDonald scene.

Armstrong can fuck right off.

Edited March 15, 2022 by AntFTW

[Bulldog]

Mrs. Fish might be my favorite character. 

Peggy's baby is definitely alive.  My guess is her father arranged for him to be taken away. 

I really think Agnes would have dismissed Armstrong if Peggy had just said that was what she wanted. 

Marian:  Everybody is warning me against Mr. Raikes, so the only solution is to go ahead and marry him.  I haven't been as hard on her as some commenters, but she really is just plain stupid.  

Loved the ending with Bertha among the feathers and fish scales flying. 

Didn't see the Adams heir making a play for Gladys.  Well done, show. 

[AntFTW]

On 3/14/2022 at 9:42 PM, dmc said:

Marian is still a poorly dress dolt.  I have almost lost interest in the Raikes plot it has taken so long to come to fruition.  I need Marion in another storyline fast.  

I couldn't help but think as we get close-ups of her face (specifically, while Marian is in Raikes' office) about @RachelKM's comment from the last episode about her "stupid, placid face."

I'm like "wow, she really does have a stupid, placid face. There it is!"

Edited March 16, 2022 by AntFTW

[Straycat80]

Peggy’s baby is definitely still alive and I’ll bet her father knows where he’s at. 
I don’t think Marian and Raikes will get married, I’m guessing something is going to happen to change her mind. 
Poor Gladys, John Adams is only playing her to piss off Oscar. 
I didn’t understand the whole thing with the stenographer, the other guy in court, or how George was exonerated. Really I don’t care because it was boring. 
Bridget and the servant boy will now end up together. 
The costume people really hate Marian, that purple-y dress hurt my eyes. 

[AntFTW]

7 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

Didn't see the Adams heir making a play for Gladys.  Well done, show. 

I thought that was an exciting and funny twist.

[Snazzy Daisy]

Everybody: "Marian, I have a bad feeling about Mr. Raikes, you need to be very careful with him!"

Marian: ............... 

[AntFTW]

1 minute ago, Straycat80 said:

I didn’t understand the whole thing with the stenographer, the other guy in court, or how George was exonerated. Really I don’t care because it was boring. 

They lost me on that.

I'm completely guessing but here's what I think: the guy (Dixon) has been scraping funds on the side. Funds would be allocated for new train parts or whatever, so instead of getting the new part (or whatever they were buying), they would purchase something cheaper and pocket the difference. That's my guess but truthfully, they lost me on what was going on there.

[dmc]

5 minutes ago, Straycat80 said:

Bridget and the servant boy will now end up together. 

someone hear calls him the newsie LOL

[AntFTW]

24 minutes ago, eejm said:

I still say Marian is mega rich and Raikes knows it.

My money is still on Marian being broke AF.

[dmc]

2 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

They lost me on that.

I'm completely guessing but here's what I think: the guy (Dixon) has been scraping funds on the side. Funds would be allocated for new train parts or whatever, so instead of getting the new part (or whatever they were buying), they would purchase something cheaper and pocket the difference. That's my guess but truthfully, they lost me on what was going on there.

there was nothing to understand, it didn't make sense.  

[AntFTW]

Just now, dmc said:

there was nothing to understand, it didn't make sense.  

Agreed. It made zero sense to me so I had to pull a theory out my ass that makes sense to me 😂

[sistermagpie]

2 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

They lost me on that.

I'm completely guessing but here's what I think: the guy (Dixon) has been scraping funds on the side. Funds would be allocated for new train parts or whatever, so instead of getting the new part (or whatever they were buying), they would purchase something cheaper and pocket the difference. That's my guess but truthfully, they lost me on what was going on there.

As I understood it, the main thing was that the stenographer covered up Dixon's crimes and basically helped him blame it all on George. But when Marian was at Bloomingdales, she recognized the woman who left her purse as George's stenographer. But the clerk called her Mrs. Dixon, so Marian assumed that was her last name. They called her that because she was using Dixon's charge account, probably in exchange for helping him. When she brought the purse to the Russells' and George happened to be there, she refered to "your stenographer, Miss Dixon." George then knew his stenographer and Dixon were working together.

[AntFTW]

12 minutes ago, Straycat80 said:

Bridget and the servant boy will now end up together. 

These two are adorable. Instead of being "together", I feel like they should be on a playground on opposite ends of a seesaw.

[dmc]

4 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

Agreed. It made zero sense to me so I had to pull a theory out my ass that makes sense to me 😂

I didn't want you to think you missed something vital.  It was nonsensical and also boring.  I think the takeaway is supposed to be George is free to expose his hair to the humidity of Newport

3 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

As I understood it, the main thing was that the stenographer covered up Dixon's crimes and basically helped him blame it all on George. But when Marian was at Bloomingdales, she recognized the woman who left her purse as George's stenographer. But the clerk called her Mrs. Dixon, so Marian assumed that was her last name. They called her that because she was using Dixon's charge account, probably in exchange for helping him. When she brought the purse to the Russells' and George happened to be there, she refered to "your stenographer, Miss Dixon." George then knew his stenographer and Dixon were working together.

Wow Columbo, look at you;)

Edited March 15, 2022 by dmc

[AntFTW]

10 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

As I understood it, the main thing was that the stenographer covered up Dixon's crimes and basically helped him blame it all on George. But when Marian was at Bloomingdales, she recognized the woman who left her purse as George's stenographer. But the clerk called her Mrs. Dixon, so Marian assumed that was her last name. They called her that because she was using Dixon's charge account, probably in exchange for helping him. When she brought the purse to the Russells' and George happened to be there, she refered to "your stenographer, Miss Dixon." George then knew his stenographer and Dixon were working together.

I understood all of that. What I didn't understand was what was the crime they were covering up? What was the thing that proved George was innocent? That's the part that didn't make sense to me.

The stenographer went to the courthouse and said a few words, and she knows "Dixon". Dixon yells "SHUT UP." Then George is innocent and life goes on. That's all I got from the courthouse scenes.

Edited March 15, 2022 by AntFTW

[Sakura12]

So Marion's first though after hearing Aurora doesn't trust Raike is decide to marry him. She most definitely has secret money that he wants to get his hands on and he's found a dumb bride that he can probably cheat on and she would believe its a one time mistake. 

Agnes is really stuck in her ways since she clearly likes Peggy over Armstrong. But is still unable to get a new maid.

Seeing Adams deciding to get back at Oscar by stealing his thunder was unexpected. He is much more charming than Oscar. Would Bertha approve of a descendent of a President. 

Mrs. Russell being shown out the servants quarters was great. That's what you get for going into Mrs. Astor's house when you weren't invited. 

Is Marion's storyline really Mr. Raike and being at the right place for other storylines to progress. 

[sistermagpie]

2 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

I understood all of that. What I didn't understand was what was the crime they were covering up? What was the thing that proved George was innocent? That's the part that didn't make sense to me.

The stenographer went to the courthouse and said a few words, and she knows "Dixon". Dixon yells "SHUT UP." Then George is innocent and life goes on.

I think more stuff happened during a commercial break? The stenographer knew the letter Dixon claimed was about the railroad stuff was really about something for Bertha. The fact that Dixon was financing someting for steno lady showed Dixon had something shady going on with someone who would have access to letters etc. So they Perry Masoned her into confessing.

11 minutes ago, dmc said:

Wow Columbo, look at you;)

And I never follow this stuff!

[dmc]

2 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

I think more stuff happened during a commercial break? The stenographer knew the letter Dixon claimed was about the railroad stuff was really about something for Bertha. The fact that Dixon was financing someting for steno lady showed Dixon had something shady going on with someone who would have access to letters etc. So they Perry Masoned her into confessing.

And I never follow this stuff!

I didn't catch most of this, so hats off to you:)

[LADreamr]

54 minutes ago, dmc said:

I need Marion in another storyline fast.  

Or to be interesting enough for one at all.  

27 minutes ago, Straycat80 said:

I didn’t understand the whole thing with the stenographer, the other guy in court, or how George was exonerated. Really I don’t care because it was boring. 

Exactly.  The train wreck that came out of nowhere; the lack of clear understanding of Russell's involvement in it, or its consequences; the surprise witness in the courtroom that shows up without a hint of tension or stakes in the storyline, and then suddenly it's all over and his name is cleared.  Definitely a trial that could have been an email.  

[buttersister]

Did Dixon look like somebody who had a charge account at Bloomingdale's? Oy.

He'd have paid her in cash, but then, plot hole! I'm as happy as anyone that George keeps his good name (and that hair!) but, ugh.

Meanwhile, Aurora says look out for Raikes and Marian's an idiot (ever think of asking why, idiot?). Oh well, maybe they'll marry and then he'll gaslight her and she'll accidentally fall off a cliff/down the stairs. 

Edited March 15, 2022 by buttersister
Errant gerund

[AntFTW]

On 3/14/2022 at 9:42 PM, dmc said:

Give Peggy a main storyline.

Promote Mrs. Scott to a regular character.

 

Edited March 16, 2022 by AntFTW

[Brian Cronin]

I am pro-Gilded Age.

That said, here's the problem in a nutshell - the show has way too many storylines and yet they can't really drop the "important" storylines, which aren't necessarily the best ones. I mean, the Peggy stuff was literally not an intentional storyline! Think about that, their best storyline by far is one they didn't even really intend on at first!

It doesn't bode well for the storyline balance in Season 2, but eh, the show's still good even with these issues.

[Snazzy Daisy]

Ada: “You can’t be going alone to stay with Mr. McAllister.”

Aurora: “I’d be safe as brandy if I were.”

————————————————————————

Marian: “Servant must have a life Aunt Agnes.”

Agnes: “Why?”

😂😂😂

Edited March 15, 2022 by SnazzyDaisy

[peridot]

I think I like Aurora.  I love her dry statement that she would be quite safe being alone with Ward. 

I can't believe that the maid and the cook thought it was ok to follow someone all over town.  It must have been for miles, too.

When Adams said "I love you", that kind of took me out of the scene a bit.  He said that pretty loud!  Wouldn't he be arrested for that? 

Mrs. Russell just steam-rolls over everything and everyone.  She wouldn't allow Gladys to choose her own outfits for her coming out, and snuck into someone else's home?!  I'm surprised Mrs. Astor's intimidating butler accepted the bribe.

Peggy's story was heartbreaking.  Agnes just looks like a fool for keeping the racist Armstrong over Peggy.  I laughed when Peggy's mom told her to put her sword away.

Edited March 15, 2022 by peridot

[AntFTW]

I hate sitting in a car for more than one hour when I'm traveling on long road trips and these people did it with FUCKING! HORSES!

[eleanorofaquitaine]

16 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

I think more stuff happened during a commercial break? The stenographer knew the letter Dixon claimed was about the railroad stuff was really about something for Bertha. The fact that Dixon was financing someting for steno lady showed Dixon had something shady going on with someone who would have access to letters etc. So they Perry Masoned her into confessing.

And I never follow this stuff!

Dixon was skimming from George. The stenographer knew he was skimming and was probably helping him in some way. At some point, George wrote that note but it was really about the redesign of his office or something, not about train parts. (George had consulted some contractors that Bertha had used). Nevertheless, the stenographer kept it because she knew it might help Dixon at some point in his skimming.

That was all explained by the stenographer in court once it was exposed that she had some relationship with Dixon.

 

[peridot]

I have to find a way to say "I like the cut of his jib" in real life!

[Brian Cronin]

I absolutely NEED Foghorn McCallister to visit Agnes, so that he can have a scene with the Newsie footman. 

[BeatrixK]

1 hour ago, Broderbits said:

Now that Mr. Russell is in need of a new secretary I think he should hire Miss Scott! I wonder if that would even be possible.

Please, Gilded Age Gods....make this happen!  Miss Scott getting in good with Mr. Russell....AND it will not sit well with Aunt Agnes...but damn if I don't think she'd respect the value of the move. 

Speaking of Aunt Agnes...COME ON, GIRL! You BOOT that bitch Armstrong!  Can they even redeem Armstrong at this point?

Marion...Girl....do not think with your bustled up cooch:  No good comes of it and that thing does not get enough air under all those layers.  Don't trust it's judgement.

As much as I adore Bertha Russell....isn't John Adams the grandson of Quincy?  Wouldn't THAT be a nice match for her daughter - LOL. I can see her approving of the On Paper part of him....but Girrrrllllllll - gotta dig a little deeper.

Was not prepared for Peggu's backstory.  First time this show made me cry and I was NOT ready!

Bertha's Navy and White dress and that whte and black dinner dress with the spanglies:  This show's clothes porn is just divine!

Edited March 15, 2022 by BeatrixK

[sistermagpie]

2 minutes ago, eleanorofaquitaine said:

Dixon was skimming from George. The stenographer knew he was skimming and was probably helping him in some way. At some point, George wrote that note but it was really about the redesign of his office or something, not about train parts. (George had consulted some contractors that Bertha had used). Nevertheless, the stenographer kept it because she knew it might help Dixon at some point in his skimming.

That was all explained by the stenographer in court once it was exposed that she had some relationship with Dixon.

 

Right, I got that part. But I think the middle part between the "shut up!" and "So here's what happened..." was during a break from that story.

1 minute ago, peridot said:

I have to find a way to say "I like the cut of his jib" in real life!

Said it just yesterday...to my dog. He has an excellent jib cut.

[eleanorofaquitaine]

11 minutes ago, peridot said:

When Adams said "I love you", that kind of took me out of the scene a bit.  He said that pretty loud!  Wouldn't he be arrested for that? 

For saying "I love you" to another guy in public? Probably not. If they were physically affectionate or something, that would be another story. But this was a period where expressions of love weren't necessarily thought of as an indication of romantic love.

That being said, it was still a bit risky to say it, which is why Oscar shushed him. Oscar essentially said that the older they get, the more likely that people will talk if they remain "confirmed bachelors."

Edited March 15, 2022 by eleanorofaquitaine

[AntFTW]

Oscar is trying to keep up with the Kardashians and it's hilarious watching Adams run interference.

[RachelKM]

15 hours ago, AntFTW said:

I couldn't help but think as the we get close-ups of her face (specifically, while Marian is in Raikes' office) about @RachelKM's comment from the last episode about her "stupid, placid face."

I'm like "wow, she really does have a stupid, placid face. There it is!"

She's the fucking worst. Arora, who has shown him no previous ill will, basically tells her that, as a result of spending time with him outside Marian's company, she has concerns.  And Marian develops the following understanding:

15 hours ago, Bulldog said:

Marian:  Everybody is warning me against Mr. Raikes, so the only solution is to go ahead and marry him.  I haven't been as hard on her as some commenters, but she really is just plain stupid.  

 

All delivered with the passion and enthusiasm of a catatonic accountant.  

Also, @BULLDOG welcome to our table.  I have vodka and Haterade chilling if you'd like a glass.

ETA: I'm now fully behind Marian eloping with Raikes and the two of them being shunned into obscurity and, more importantly, out of Season 2.

The Newport scenes were visually lovely.  I'm not sure much happened other than Mrs. Fish noting Mrs. Russell and Oscar learning that even sheltered ingénues enjoy warmth and charm. But it was a sort of progress.  And Mrs. Russell being hustled (hee rhymes) out of the Astor house was a fantastic sequence. So lovely on that front.

Oof.  Peggy's story was sad.  After that, I'm surprised she'll speak to her father at all.  And that was awful to have the timing of such a personal disclosure be forced by someone being hateful  I'm not surprised Agnes didn't fire Armstrong.  But she deserved to be.

I can't claim to care about them much, but Newsie and the Bridget had a nice scene.

 

I think I caught the gist of the exoneration of George Russell.  When Marian first saw the stenographer, Larry didn't tell her the woman's name, just her position and why she'd need to see his father.  Then Marian was standing behind that same woman in line, she heard the woman charge the account to Mr. Dixon (a name she wouldn't know by who was the "middle manager" guy who accused George Russell of having directed him to cut costs).

When Marion returned the wallet, she referred to the woman as Mrs. Dixon. When George didn't know who she was talking about, she explained that she was referring to his stenographer from that morning.  He corrected Marian as to her name and Marian mentioned that the woman charged her items to Mr. Dixon. George realized that the woman who prepares his notes and letters had a connection to the man who produced a note allegedly to him instructing him to cut costs.  Turned out, the woman had repurposed a memo about decorating the Russell's home to help Dixon create a cover.

Edited March 15, 2022 by RachelKM
Typos and incomplete sentences....

[AntFTW]

2 minutes ago, sistermagpie said:

Right, I got that part. But I think the middle part between the "shut up!" and "So here's what happened..." was during a break from that story.

Yes, they did. They briefly went to Bridget and (Jack? John?) the footman in the grave yard and came back to the courthouse.

[Brian Cronin]

You have to give the show credit for setting up that Agnes wouldn't fire Armstrong after Bannister outright betrayed her and she still kept him on. Good help is just too hard to find, especially for someone as picky as Agnes. 

So, is that Cerveris' kid that he's stalking? 

[RachelKM]

Just now, Brian Cronin said:

So, is that Cerveris' kid that he's stalking? 

Is that the Observer?  Cause, if so,... I think so?  His story has been so diffused being only shown every couple of episodes that I forgot everything from before.  But it has that poor daughter marries well and parents don't want to mess up her new life vibe.

[AntFTW]

On 3/14/2022 at 11:04 PM, Brian Cronin said:

You have to give the show credit for setting up that Agnes wouldn't fire Armstrong after Bannister outright betrayed her and she still kept him on. Good help is just too hard to find, especially for someone as picky as Agnes. 

The thing is that Agnes very sternly warned Armstrong. Agnes gave Armstrong some very strong "fuck around and find out" energy. Yet, Armstrong still continued with her BS after that warning.

Now, I would like Agnes to at least be as petty to Armstrong as she was to Bannister, or more petty.

Edited March 16, 2022 by AntFTW

[Brian Cronin]

Just now, RachelKM said:

Is that the Observer?  Cause, if so,... I think so?  His story has been so diffused being only shown every couple of episodes that I forgot everything from before.  But it has that poor daughter marries well and parents don't want to mess up her new life vibe.

My guess is that he was ONCE rich and and was then ruined, but otherwise, yeah, same basic idea. 

[sistermagpie]

5 minutes ago, RachelKM said:

Is that the Observer?  Cause, if so,... I think so?  His story has been so diffused being only shown every couple of episodes that I forgot everything from before.  But it has that poor daughter marries well and parents don't want to mess up her new life vibe.

 

2 minutes ago, Brian Cronin said:

My guess is that he was ONCE rich and and was then ruined, but otherwise, yeah, same basic idea. 

But she didn't know him by sight, so if she's his daughter she probably didn't grow up with him. Definitely has a daughter vibe, though.

[Brian Cronin]

1 minute ago, sistermagpie said:

 

But she didn't know him by sight, so if she's his daughter she probably didn't grow up with him. Definitely has a daughter vibe, though.

He seemed to think she WOULD, though, right? So I bet she last saw him when she was a kid and he just HOPED that she would still recognize him. 

[sistermagpie]

1 minute ago, Brian Cronin said:

He seemed to think she WOULD, though, right? So I bet she last saw him when she was a kid and he just HOPED that she would still recognize him. 

That's what it seemed like to me. So it seemed unlikely it was a "married well" situation. Unless, of course, he last saw her when she was young and she then grew up well and married well. So rather than present himself as her butler father he decided to just watch her like a stalker from across the street until she got uncomfortable enough to ask, "CAN I HELP YOU?"

She did seem to know his name, too, which would fit if he was a bio-dad she knew of.