Haute Takes Gilded Age? (Photo courtesy of Revelence )
Welcome to Haute Takes — the segment where culture gets reviewed, refined, and occasionally revoked. If it’s giving excellence, it’s Haute. If it’s giving NOT, we’re bothered.
Let’s revisit The Gilded Age through season three, with Peggy Scott and the Black families front and center. Spoilers ahead.
The Scotts and a complicated family history
First, the Scotts. Arthur built a successful Brooklyn pharmacy after being enslaved. Dorothy brings elegance and backbone. Their daughter Peggy wants a writing career and the freedom to choose her own life.
But Arthur’s protection became control. He interfered with Peggy’s first marriage, secretly arranged her baby’s adoption, and told her the child had died. When Peggy discovered the truth, her son had already passed away.
That history deserves compassion. Enter Elizabeth Kirkland, who treats it like ammunition.
Peggy falls for Elizabeth’s son, Dr. William Kirkland. He’s accomplished, handsome, and comes with a mother who thinks generations of free Black ancestry make her family superior.
She looks down on Arthur’s background and worries about her grandchildren getting darker in the sun.
Ma’am. That is colorism dressed for dinner.
And Dorothy understands this personally. Her own parents wanted her to marry someone born free and light-skinned. She chose Arthur.
So when Elizabeth undermines Peggy, Dorothy stands beside her daughter. William’s father challenges his wife, and William ultimately proposes publicly at a beautiful Black society ball. Peggy says yes. Certified Haute. But William, choosing her publicly means defending her privately, too.
The Russells and their family troubles
Now, across town, the Russells.
George built the fortune. Bertha wants the social crown. Their daughter Gladys marries the Duke of Buckingham, a match Bertha pushed, and ends season three pregnant as the couple grows closer.
George survives a shooting, with Dr. Kirkland helping save him. His marriage, however, is in critical condition. He leaves Bertha.
Their son Larry reconciles with Marian Brook, and their engagement is back on.
Agnes, Ada and the people behind the scenes
Marian lives with her aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Forte. Agnes has the authority, or had it. After Oscar loses the family fortune to a scam, widowed Ada’s inheritance saves everyone.
Ada has the money now. Agnes finally makes room at the head of the table.
Oscar, grieving his love John Adams, discusses a practical marriage with wealthy widow Enid Winterton. Discusses. No wedding yet.
And the people actually keeping these houses functioning? Butlers Church and Bannister, alongside the housekeepers, cooks and maids. Meanwhile, former footman Jack turns his clock invention into wealth, and things with Bridget are warming up.
The opera wars and the cost of ambition
Finally, the opera wars. Mrs. Astor backed the exclusive Academy of Music. Bertha backed the Metropolitan and won the season-two showdown. Season three reveals the family cost of her ambition.
According to Porsha, everybody’s protecting a name, a fortune or a reputation. I’m watching whether Peggy gets to protect her joy and keep her voice.
Because the ring is Haute. Being expected to shrink for it? We’re bothered.
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