Quickie Review: 1883 vs. The Guilded Age

[Kevin M.]

Watching the two series (which occur in roughly the same era of time) somehow makes both shows more interesting. Having watched Yellowstone, its creator/writer does a decent job making frankly simple (even one dimensional) characters compelling. Having watched Downton Abbey, its creator/writer dies a decent job making unnecessarily complicated characters endearing. But in 2022, the silliness of status in The Guilded Age is less compelling than the trials and tribulations of a wagon train through the frontier in 1883. 

Maybe if they gave Simon Jones more to do in The Guilded Age, I’d like it more. But Sam Elliott is Sam Elliott. 

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Kevin M. (RPCV)

[Adam Bowie]

I don't think 1883 is showing in the UK yet, and Yellowstone really isn't a thing here. I don't even know what channel/streamer airs it (although it *is* available somewhere).

As for The Guilded Age - it's unquestionably Downton in New York. Sure, there are two houses rather than one. And it's a city not a country estate. But it shares all the moreish elements that made Downton popular. But that means storylines that move at undue speed, storylines that are frankly unbelievable and storylines that are just awful. I've only watched the first three episodes because I really like Carrie Coon, but not even she is going to get me to keep watching. Nor, sadly, is Christine Baranski doing her best Maggie Smith. I managed two series of Downton before I had to bail on its soapish nonsense. All the CGI'd New York shots in the world aren't going to keep me going with this version. 

Adam

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[Dave Sikula]

In what will probably come as a shock for some here, I'm loving The Gilded Age. A good part of it is seeing really good New York actors given chances that usually go only to less-qualified Brits, some of it is the writing, and some of it is the period. With the exception of the Streep daughter, I find it a universally-strong ensemble. Coon is superb (it's impossible to imagine the inept Amanda Peet in that role), as is Baranski.

1883, on the other hand, I wouldn't watch if they shot twenty-dollar bills out of the teevee while it was on.

--Dave Sikula