History might look at the Gilded Age (the era, not the show) with a measure of justified skepticism, as there was indeed rampant social inequality at the time; the thing that remains undeniable is that humanity has made tremendous progress in this era. The field of electricity came into its own in the latter part of the 19e century, and “The Gilded Age” (the show, not the era) underscores that by making it the centerpiece of the seventh episode, titled “Irresistible Change.” Here’s everything you need to know about it. SPOILERS FORWARD.
The Gilded Age Episode 7 Recap
The episode opens with George (Morgan Spector) giving a demonstration about his station, the Union Central Station. As with his house, Stanford White is responsible for designing it, and George teams up with Thomas Edison to illuminate it entirely with electric bulbs. Larry (Harry Richardson) sees his father happy for the first time in recent days and decides to tell him he wants to be an architect. He has Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) and Mr. White to support him, but George vehemently rejects the idea. Later in the episode, it seems that Larry finally gets through to his father when he tells him that he doesn’t want to be remembered as George’s disappointing son and wants to make his own way, prompting George to think about it seriously.
Meanwhile, from what she previously learned from Ambrose, Agnes concludes that Oscar (Blake Ritson) is in a romantic relationship with Turner and sends Marian (Louisa Jacobson) to the Russell household to ask Bertha (Carrie Coon) to marry Turner. fire, which Bertha eventually does. When Oscar hears about it, he starts to see it as a positive thing, believing it may be able to regain access to the Russell family.
The strife between George and Bertha continues to brew over their respective priorities. George is no closer to finding out who sent the message to the man in charge of building the train, instructing it to cut the bends. He may go to jail. When he and Bertha talk about this, she seems more concerned about how all this will affect their social status. At Sylvia’s (Jeanne Tripplehorn) home, Marian and Raikes meet and discuss their future. Marian tiptoes between pragmatism and hope in the face of Raikes’ relentless romantic gestures. They even share a passionate kiss.
Thomas Edison is going to hold an electricity demonstration at the New York Times office. Georges will be there too. Bertha plans a field trip to the event and includes Ward McAllister, the Fanes and Raikes. To Marian’s disappointment, she is kept out. It is later revealed that Aurora has replaced her with a young woman who is implied as the mistress of Henry Flagler, a true oil industrialist. Meanwhile, Peggy (Denée Benton) attends the event with T. Thomas Fortune.
The Gilded Age Episode 7 Ending: Is Agnes Right About Raikes?
During the event, as Thomas Edison lights up the New York Times office and people who see it burst into cheers, Aurora sits uneasily as Raikes talks to Cissie Bingham, Henry Flagler’s implied mistress. Agnes believes Raikes is an adventurer and social climber. He has the charm and the physical characteristics to succeed. But there’s definitely more to Raikes. He represents the discontent of the world outside polite society. He is ambitious and driven enough to get what he wants at an astonishingly fast pace. And that’s why Bertha loves him, and Agnes hates him.
However, his interest in Marian is most likely genuine. After all, he first uttered it at that Pennsylvania train station in Episode 1, when she was pretty much penniless. It is possible that Aurora has replaced Marian with Cissie in their company at the direction of Agnes, with the latter thinking it will expose Raikes’ true nature to Marian.
Why is Bertha Turner firing?
Bertha is genuinely surprised when Marian pays her a visit to deliver her aunt’s message. Although Marian never says so, Bertha finds out that Agnes thinks Oscar is romantically involved with her maid. She talks about this with her husband. George hasn’t told her about Turner’s misadventures in his bedroom, assuming it actually helps his wife. So it’s not because of him that Turner loses her job.
Bertha sees Turner talking to Larry and touching him the same way she apparently did with Oscar. The last thing an ambitious woman like Bertha would want are rumors of her own son’s involvement with a member of the domestic staff. She decides to nip it in the bud and remove the other woman from her house.
Read more: When (year and century) does the Gilded Age begin?
