Not Everyone Is As Cruel And Mean-Spirited As You (Marian Vs Agnes) - The Gilded Age 2x01

[@rjddurhamnc]

I get the feeling that Baranski is having so much fun in this role

[@GAPeach58]

She pretty much does well in any role which I've seen her. This is so different from "The Big Bang Theory" or her part in "The Good Fight". She said in an interview I saw on KZbin that she likes the role. A versatile actress.

[@davidlincolnbrooks]

Such a great, great scene... with beautiful acting by these principals.

[@cindyhoffman5547]

Cynthia Nixon deserves an Emmy for her performance. Outstanding and perfectly acted in every scene

[@silvercityroyal]

Agreed she is a BRILLANT actress❤

[@MarklovesAngels]

I never saw her in anything else, but she's great here. Love her character and her acting.

[@themermaidstale5008]

Agnes has Ada in a cage. Ada probably longed for a husband, her own home and family, unlike her sister, who found her husband repellent. Maybe he made her the way she is. But he’s gone, been gone for awhile, turn the page Agnes.

[@bayoogungbeje4672]

Agnes is doing what all big sister's do. Protecting her younger sister Ada from being hurt. It was their father Brook who rejected the man Ada wanted to marry years ago because the suitor was only after her money. This implies that Ada is a bit naive when it comes to men and judging their intentions towards her. Agnes is pragmatic and is nobody's fool , she is a good judge of character based on her own marital experience of abuse and is trying to prevent Ada from suffering the same. In an earlier episode, a previous old flame of Ada's who reconnected with her left without saying goodbye when Agnes tested his true intentions towards Ada by mentioning Ada had no money in order to gauge his true reaction. Agnes was right just like their father all those years ago, Ada's old flame ran for the door without even bidding Ada goodbye when he heard she had no money. Agnes can see through people and it's her duty to protect Ada from being emotionally scarred by unscrupulous men with bad intentions. Agnes son Oscar when proposing to the Russells daughter assured her, that unlike most men he wasn't a bully who would force his views on her and get her to only parrot his own opinions and be expected to have none of her own. That was the norm in the society of those times and older sister Agnes was trying to protect younger sister Ada from it despite her frustrations about being a spinster and not being married. Agnes knows through bitter experience that the grass is not always green on the other side. So cut Agnes some slack.

[@themermaidstale5008]

@@bayoogungbeje4672 Agnes’ deepest desire is apparently to have been a spinster. She seems to want Ada to die a spinster, too. Every marriage is not like the one Agnes experienced. Agnes was quite mean to her sister’s showing interest in the Reverend Forte. She needs to cut Ada some slack. A person can care and show concern about the safety and security of another without being a bully. I’ll write what I want about Agnes.

[@bayoogungbeje4672]

Of course, Agnes is no saint and has her own flaws. She is rigid in her views and is not moving with the times in accepting "New Money" families into her social circles such as the "New Money" neighbours across the street - The Russell family "😂. You can say what you want about Agnes but she is fiercely loyal to her family - Ada, Oscar, Marian and Aurora. It was Agnes & Ada's brother Henry Brook (Marian's father) who squandered the Brook family's money and ruined the Brook family reputation through reckless living leaving his daughter Marian with nothing but 30 dollars after he died. Agnes is taking care of both her son Oscar, sister Ada and niece Marian with her husband's Van Rijn' s money. Agnes had to make the choice to marry a rich husband Van Rijn to survive even though she was repelled by him as her brother Henry Brook squandered the family money leaving both her and Ada high and dry. In the Gilded Age, Ada's chances of making a good match whilst having no money would not be great. Even Agnes son Oscar understands this social expectation and is on the hunt for a rich wife (Gladys Russell). Agnes married to provide a comfortable life for herself and Ada that they were both accustomed to with their upbringing in their "old money" family . Family name, Social status and Reputation was everything in those days. Agnes'son Oscar Van Rijn is counting on his inheritance, Old family Van Rijn/Brook name and social connections to bag himself a rich wife such as the Russell family's daughter Gladys. Could Reverend Forte provide Ada with the life she was accustomed to if Ada married him for love? What were the prospects of being a Reverends wife during the Gilded Age? Might Ada not be better off being cared for in the life she is accustomed to with Agnes instead of risking a different life with Reverend Forte who is not from a rich "old money" family and not from the same social class as Ada? It's the same reason why Agnes is scared that the free spirited and reckless Marian might also end up with nothing like her father Henry Brook and that's why Agnes wants to see Marian married to a rich man from their social class to secure her future and comfort.

[@edwardhoward347]

@@bayoogungbeje4672 I also think that Agnes is not happy about the fact that Mr. Forte is lower born than Ada and is not suitable for Mrs. Astor's ball. Her sister or niece can’t marry down the social ladder. Also, Agnes doesn’t want the Van Rijn family to be the subject of gossip and ridicule, even for a short time, because a spinster is getting married. On the other hand, a priest and his wife are expected to lead a modest lifestyle which is caused not by less prosperity but by the occupation. So their union may well seem harmless to the respected society, since they are not social climbers. Oscar would be glad if someone took care of Ada and relieved him of his obligations for her maintenance.

[@tracys169]

@@bayoogungbeje4672 I agree with what you wrote 100%. I think Agnes is not a saint and has flaws (she's classist, etc), but she cares about her family. It's just her way of showing it, she kind of 'bullied' them and act grumpy, but I'm 100% sure that when Marian is ready to be married, she would be paying her dowry, helping her settle etc. She just doesn't want Marian and Ada, due to their naivety, to fall prey for bad opportunistic men (Raikes? Ada's previous suitor?). I think if Rev. Forte is of the same 'class' (old money), she probably begrudgingly would let Ada go (after complaining). The fact that he's a reverend, while it's considered a 'gentleman' profession, they don't get paid much and Agnes may already foresee if the two of them fall on hard time. Who else is going to bail them out? So I kind of 'get' why Agnes is trying to secure good equal (financially secure) marriage for Marian (even Ada). Wrong marriage equals her having to bail them out with Van Rjinn's money. And I'm sure she wants the inheritance for Oscar to still be as intact as possible too.

[@JP23101]

Iconic moment. This show is sooooo good.

[@francisvasquez7439]

this whole scene lives rent free in my head. i’m using “i won’t be put in a cage!” anytime i possibly can from now on.

[@genaa6651]

I hope Ada marries into more wealth than her sister agnes now has

[@justinwilliams7290]

They don't really think about money like that...they just have it.

[@Serena_9]

Yes Ada is now richer than Agnes.

[@chisomo8088]

This aged well

[@davidthaler7018]

The writers heard you-she did! Saved her sister’s broke ass and is now mistress of the house.

[@myrongoingbuggie]

thank god for modern psychology that allows people to decipher their tormentors

[@lalagonegaga]

Agnes makes it seem like Marian was out selling crack.

[@ΧΡΗΣΤΟΣΑΜΑΝΑΤΙΔΗΣ-β7μ]

IKR? It's like she's just looking for an excuse to simply vent on Marion the unresolved issues she had with her brother. Marion's dad

[@ΧΡΗΣΤΟΣΑΜΑΝΑΤΙΔΗΣ-β7μ]

"You're wrong! Not everyone is as cruel and mean-spirited as you!" My respect for Marion finding the courage to face her aunt with these words only grew. I'm sure that Agnes means well. And that in her own way, she's looking out for Marion. Even with her inability to express it. But her domineering, condensendig style, as well as her unresolved issues with Marion's dad were bound to cause problems. Especially when clashing with Marion's free spirited and independent streak. Especially since she was making it clear that the allowance she was giving Marion was coming with strings attached. Thus compelling Marion to seek independent sources of occupation and income.

[@en1909s9iah]

"the day is immaterial" is a reference to The importance of being Earnest for sure

[@jewel65]

This has some fantastic actresses!

[@tonita88]

Agnes cares so much for Marian to land a good husband of great status while Marian is uncooperative and ungrateful. Agnes spent lavishly on Marian's new wardrobe so she could look like a potentially good wife. Marian is very provincial and freespirited to think she can make it on her own. Agnes knows New York. Agnes knows how to make sacrifices in order to maintain a decent lifestyle for herself and her family. Marian needs to grow up and realize Agnes is doing all she can to help her while she is busy sabotaging herself.

[@LBF522]

I agree. Maian's attitude is annoying.

[@theduchess1161]

I agree. I love Marian but I 💯 agree. Look at season 1. Aunt Agnes was right all along about Mr Raikes. She knows better x

[@raina2319]

She could. She probably wouldn't be very happy, with how free spirited she is. But if she really needed to, she could earn for herself. Agnes cares for her, but she doesn't treat her very well. This kind of authoritarian style does not go down very well with anybody. Marian is an adult woman who was not brought up in such a restrictive environment. She is not going to respond well to it. And since she feels constantly that her aunt's money comes with strings attached, she would be even more desperate to get away from her.

[@tonita88]

@raina2319 i think in time she would grow accustomed to the lifestyle of the rich. It could be a good thing to get her heart broken by Mr Rakes because she learned love is not enough. I remember that line from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Marilyn Monroe's character was explaining how when you're poor, all you can prioritise is survival. But if you marry someone rich then you have the luxury to think about falling in love. I guess in the context of writing, Marian is the vehicle character to introduce New York society to us fellow outsiders. And she might soon change in order to fit that society.

[@lisaellis2593]

Exactly.

[@sheismymom]

If only someone was teaching eyebrows at St. Mary's

[@Andrea2-q8t]

Wonderful video of the day

[@nunuarthas8680]

Here before anything happened in s3 that proves Aunt Agnes is always right.

[@AntonioMunoz-wc8zb]

Niceeee

[@davidcattin7006]

No one puts Baby in a corner!

[@silvercityroyal]

She doesnt just livein the Manor at the pleasure of Mrs Van Righn... if we can recall to s1 she also recieves a modest stipend from Agnes. I love Marion, but she was informed on her first night in the Manor how Agnes felt about Marion having a job, beside her charities.

[@owen1607]

Louisa Jacobson really trying to channel Mom’s vocals but it just sounds like pretend growling lol

[@gino7lord]

all this over watercolors...

[@silvercityroyal]

Old money didnt have "jobs" as it was seen as low class and a sign of poverty unless it was an inherited business or source of family money. Oscar works at a bank but because its a family bank founded by an ancestor, an arnold van righn he tells the russells in s1, so it is seen as stewardship rather than desperation. Agnes is all about the perception of high society.

[@indefatigable8193]

I love how the British think we enjoy this. The real American story of the gilded age was the middle class, particularly just outside Philadelphia, who created a solid society with power to eventually rival the 400. It was that egalitarian Quaker spirit that America enjoys today and sadly, Britain, does not.

[@ariaflame-au]

😂😂😂... Oh wait, you're serious?

[@MsPhilippe6]

Then make your own tv show 😆

[@RoseRedd-k4b]

Always a fight in this house, but at the same time though, I wonder what it would be like to have a rich husband care for you and not have to work.

[@redadmiralofvalyria867]

That's the main difference between old & new money Old money has so much that u wouldn't have to work a day in your life, but that money WILL run out eventually down the line(after only a handful of generations at most) New money on the other hand is money based on & from business, u make more many as the business/company grows, so long as it stays afloat your fine(even if it collapses, u still got alot of money) Larry Russell for example is a good example of this, he wants a job (one he LIKES) cause it actually gives him the very thing old money fails to give. A PURPOSE

[@LatoyaRamnarine-p9q]

Tell why these women are not allowed to work

[@annstillwell730]

If you were rich it was considered demeaning. Unless it was charity work. Men were also viewed and positioned in society by how their wives lived. A wife that didn't have to work would show the man had a lot of money.

[@tonita88]

Agnes cares so much for Marian to land a good husband of great status while Marian is uncooperative and ungrateful. Agnes spent lavishly on Marian's new wardrobe so she could look like a potentially good wife. Marian is very provincial and freespirited to think she can make it on her own. Agnes knows New York. Agnes knows how to make sacrifices in order to maintain a decent lifestyle for herself and her family. Marian needs to grow up and realize Agnes is doing all she can to help her while she is busy sabotaging herself.

[@MauriceRivers415]

The same way being a housewife was socially acceptable for women, all the way into the 1970's. Charity work was one thing, but having to work for a wage made people assume that the husband couldn't provide for his family (which insulted his male pride). Granted, things are so expensive now that EVERYONE has to work.

[@tracys169]

Back then, genteel women were not supposed to work. Which, I'd admit SUCK. They were supposed to be in 'genteel poverty.' IIRC. Plus Marian is part of that circle, so for her to choose to work is just 'out of the norm.'

[@leeboriack8054]

For some reason women L❤️VE class structures to elevate themselves by having underlings beneath them. Yet claim to want equality but don’t push for the draft to include women.

[@OpheliaNL]

Why are you using a scene with two old-money women who belonged to the 0.1% as some sort of example? And as if upper class men don't do such a thing either. Misogynist men are so tiring. I would understand if women look down on you.

[@jesseleeward2359]

Women like security and security comes from power. Americans tried to create a suburbia dream where there was security without power. Russians tried to create equality. Men like power aswell though don't pin it on women! Women need to think about funny little social things. I love the juxtaposition here of republican Americans masquerading as royalty. I think it is interesting

[@ariaflame-au]

Or perhaps you could have somewhere where there is no draft for anyone at all. That would be perfectly acceptable. And any gender could choose to enter the armed forces.