Speculation for The Gilded Age

[RachelKM]

 

7 hours ago, Hana Chan said:

It also potentially will be a major crack in the relationship between her parents. Her father did promise that she would not forced into a marriage that she didn't want, but it's obvious that Bertha has her own plans. They've had some rocky moments in their marriage, but will this be the thing where Bertha goes too far for George to tolerate. After seeing George going out of his way to appease his wife's ambitions, this might be a fatal blow to their closeness since Bertha is disregarding her daughter's wishes.

I've been hoping for this. I think it should cause a significant rift.  George adores his daughter. He might stand back while Berth prevented a match. But i cannot see him being okay with forcing Gladys into a match.  I'm not sure he would protect Larry in the same way for any number of reasons, not the least of which is the practical fact that the risks for Larry are much lower. 

I hope the conflict with Larry and Marian will be less about money, or the disparity of it, and more the Bertha/Agnes friction. But that's because I've been waiting for them to be forced into interactions for two seasons.

7 hours ago, Hana Chan said:

As far as an external issue that could impact both the old and new money families, I would find it interesting to see them dealing with the fallout from the publication of "How the Other Half Lives" by Jacob Riis. It was a series of photographs of the poor in NYC, with a focus on the tenements, homeless children and children working in factories. It lead to many reforms that could cause issues for the wealthy class who had benefited from kind of disparity.  It looks unseemly to be holding lavish fancy dress balls when all people are talking about the poor children photographed sleeping in doorways.

Since I don't think there we'll be a significant time jump, we'll be a bit early for this. We're still in the early in the Gilded Age for significant media backlash (even among liberal(ish) reporters).  How the Other Half Lives was published in 1890 and Jacob Riis started photography as part of his journalism in the late 1880s. 

This season should be 1884. 

I do think, should the show get a few more seasons (not necessary another full 6), it would be a good topic. Though, I'm a little apprehensive about how Julian Fellowes would handle it. My trust level is ... low.

5 hours ago, Sarah 103 said:

Yes! This is what I want. Show us the black elite and the early civil rights movement. Personally, I would be totally okay if Peggy did not have a love interest/romance as part of her storyline. 

Yes. This. I don't necessarily trust Julian Fellowes with this either. But I think it would still be good.