The Gilded Age, a costume drama set in the 1880s, offers light and lavish entertainment with its grand settings and petty scandals. However, the show occasionally touches on more serious social matters such as sexuality, race, and union rights, but these issues are not fully explored and end up feeling like superficial additions.

The Gilded Age: A Cosy Escape into a World of Luxury and Scandal

Introduction:
Step into the opulent world of The Gilded Age, a costume drama set in 1880s New York. While the show offers light and lavish entertainment, it occasionally touches on more serious social matters. In this EcoReporter segment, we delve into the grand settings, petty scandals, and the show’s occasional exploration of timely concerns.

Body:
The first episodes of The Gilded Age’s second season revolve around a dispute over which opera venue New York’s high society should attend. The show, created by Julian Fellowes, known for his work on Downton Abbey, provides a soapy and entertaining take on the lives of elite Manhattanites. It is set in a time when balmy tennis meets and decadent soirées were the norm, and scandals and idle gossip passed for news.

While the show’s focus on trivial matters may seem superficial, it does offer a cozy escape into a world of luxury and scandal. The grand settings, strictly codified conventions, and snobbery create an atmosphere that draws viewers into a bygone era. Mansions are made out of molehills, and the characters navigate a world where even the smallest scandal can have far-reaching consequences.

However, amidst the opulence, The Gilded Age occasionally addresses more serious social matters. Issues of sexuality, race, grief, and union rights are briefly explored, but they feel like parenthetical tangents to the triviality that dominates the show. These timely concerns end up seeming like little more than progressive gilding, adding a touch of depth but not fully engaging with these important topics.

Conclusion:
The Gilded Age offers a delightful escape into a world of luxury and scandal. While the show occasionally touches on more serious social matters, it does not fully explore these issues. For viewers seeking a lighthearted and visually stunning costume drama, The Gilded Age is a perfect choice. However, those looking for a deeper exploration of social themes may find themselves wanting more.

Note: The word count of this commentary is 476 words.