Okay, let's talk about The Gilded Age. You know, that show with the hats? And the mansions? And all the drama?
Specifically, let's dissect Season 1. And, more precisely, how many episodes it contained.
The Great Episode Debate
So, how many episodes were there? The answer is: Nine.
Nine glorious, opulent, over-the-top episodes. But was it enough? That's the real question, isn't it?
I have a confession: it was almost enough for me.
Nine is... Fine? (Unpopular Opinion Alert!)
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the show. The costumes alone are worth the price of admission.
But I'm going to say it: nine episodes felt… rushed. Like they were trying to cram too much Gilded Age goodness into too little screen time.
Hear me out! We needed more time to really sink into those storylines. To truly hate George Russell for his ruthless business dealings! Or maybe admire him just a tiny bit?
More time to understand Bertha Russell's burning ambition! To see her navigate the snobby world of New York high society. And, let's be real, to judge her outfits, too. (In a loving way, of course!)
I'm probably in the minority here. Everyone seems to think nine episodes was perfect. But I think they could have stretched it to twelve. Maybe even thirteen!
What Could Have Been?
Imagine three or four more episodes. More character development. More scandalous affairs. More intricate dinner parties. More hat close-ups!
Think of all the extra drama they could have squeezed in! They could have explored the lives of the servants even more. Show us the behind-the-scenes chaos.
Give us more Marian Brook learning the ropes. Perhaps making even bigger mistakes! The possibilities were endless.
But alas, we only got nine. Which, again, were good! Just… could have been great.
Maybe I just have an insatiable appetite for period dramas. I'm not sure. But I'm left wanting more.
Season 2: A Hopeful Future
Thankfully, there *is* a Season 2! And Season 3!! Let's hope they've listened to my (totally unsolicited) advice.
More episodes, please! More character arcs! More everything!
Give the people what they want: excessive Gilded Age goodness!
In the meantime, I'll just be here, rewatching Season 1. And dreaming of what could have been.
Don't judge me! We all have our TV show quirks, right?
Ultimately, nine episodes of The Gilded Age Season 1 delivered exactly what you'd expect. A glimpse of the rich in their natural habitat.
Julian Fellowes at his best, in a way only he could pull off.
So maybe nine episodes was right? I'm still unsure, but it was entertaining to watch.
Perhaps the real gilded age was the friends we made along the way. Or, you know, just the pretty dresses.
