Warning: SPOILERS For The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 1
The Gilded Ageseason 3 introduced an exciting new setting very different from the posh avenues of New York City. Julian Fellowes' HBO hit series follows the wealthy elites of Manhattan society, pitting the old and new money people against each other aseveryone inThe Gilded Agevies for power. While some, like Agnes Van Rhijn have always been determined to keep the old money on top, Bertha Russell proved inThe Gilded Ageseason 2 that times are unavoidably changing.
InThe Gilded Ageseason 2’s ending, the opera war between Bertha and Mrs. Astor proved that new money was more persuasive than ever, and Agnes van Rhijn suffered a similar blow in her own home. With relationships changing and Ada taking power in the van Rhijn home, the Russells, particularly George, are set on even bigger prizes.The Gilded Agetakes place during its namesake period, butseason 3’s new rugged setting is a great change for the seriesand shows that even the Russells may run into problems.
The Gilded Age Season 3 Takes George Russell To Wild West Arizona
George Is Going West On Business
The Gilded Age’s season 3’s opening scene brought viewers to an unfamiliar location. As a horse and carriage stops in a small western town, audiences see George Russell climbing out of the vehicle and learn that he is in Arizona. In contrast to the series' usual Upper East Side setting,the Arizona town feels more like something out of a Western movie, and that is a great thing.
George is in Arizona on business with the miners before being promptly called back to New York, butThe Gilded Age’s new setting is already intriguing. The brief look atthe tiny outpost and the bar where George meets the miners is the total opposite of his New York home, complete with cowboys and drunken people shooting in the saloon. WhileGeorge Russell is typically a very savvy character, even he seemed surprised by the unruliness of the location.
The social standards of the Arizona town are the opposite of what the Russells are used to, but the physical location is also a great contrast to New York. The small, almost dilapidated-looking buildings and the rowdy crowd are very unlike anything audiences have seen from the show before. LIkewise,the hot Arizona climate contrasts perfectly with the snowy New York streets inThe Gilded Age’s season 3 premiere. While the show has ventured outside of New York in the past, the new Wild West setting is by far the most different and presents a clear new challenge for George.
I Hope The Gilded Age Goes Back To Season 3’s New Wild West Setting
The Arizona Setting Creates Some Great Opportunities For The Show
DespiteThe Gilded Ageseason 3opening with the western setting and returning there for a few scenes throughout the episode, George Russell did end up leaving for New York already. The rambunctious saloon setting was fun, and I hope that we will see George return there in future episodes.The season is already setting George up to have a problem with the minersin a similar manner to his season 2 union workers plot, so it would not be entirely surprising if this did end up happening.
It is easy to forget that most of the 19th-century United States was very different from New York City
George left his secretary behind to continue working with the mine owners to reach a deal to buy their land, so if they reject his offers, George may have no choice but to return. Because the setting is the opposite of New York,even the typically calm and composed George Russell may be out of his depth, putting him into unforeseen danger. BecauseThe Gilded Ageis so opulent, it is easy to forget that most of the 19th-century United States was very different from New York City, so the new Wild West setting grounds it a bit.
The Gilded Agehas regularly expanded its scope beyond New York City. Newport has been an important destination, but that, too, was centered around the wealth of high society. Season 2 branched out with George’s business in Pennsylvania and Peggy’s in Alabama. While the Arizona opening scene was an unexpected start toThe Gilded Ageseason 3, it was a great addition and a story I hope continues in the coming episodes.
