Season 2/Episode 8, "In Terms of Winning and Losing"
Marian confesses her true feelings. Jack receives welcome news. Bertha and Mrs. Astor make their final moves in the opera war.
In this Episode…
![](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Image-1-Elms_2nd-floor-hall.jpg)
☞ Early in the episode we see Bertha Russell’s bedroom, a set that was modeled after Alva Vanderbilt’s bedroom in Marble House. Bertha then stalks down the second-floor hallway of The Elms with its distinctive red wall fabric. The hallway is seen again later, with its historic tapestries, in the scene where Bertha offers Metropolitan Opera tickets to her housekeeper, Mrs. Bruce.
![Image 2 Chateau-sur-Mer Marble Hall](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Image-2-Chateau-sur-Mer-Marble-Hall-495x361-c-center.webp)
☞ Daughter Gladys Russell’s bedroom is the real Mrs. Berwind’s bedroom in The Elms.
☞ The Marble Hall in Chateau-sur-Mer appears in the series for the first – and probably the only – time. This is the hallway of the Union Hotel where Bertha meets with the Duke of Buckingham. Note the very recognizable replica of a famous classical statue, “The Dying Gaul,” at the end of the hall.
![](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Image-3-Season2_Ep8_carrie-coon-morgan-spector.jpg)
☞ Opening night at the Metropolitan Opera (and the Academy of Music) was October 22, 1883. The Met presented Faust by Charles Gounod with libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré. The performance lasted five hours!
The Academy of Music gave La Sonnambula by Vincenzo Bellini with libretto by Felice Romani; in keeping with the title, the Russells would certainly think the Academy was a cultural “sleepwalker.”
The original Metropolitan Opera house at 1411 Broadway occupied an entire block between 39th and 40th streets. Where the Academy only had one tier of boxes, the Met had three, with a seating capacity of 3,625 and several hundred more standing places. It was rebuilt after a fire in 1892.
Contemporary newspaper articles from The New York Tribune and The Sun give us a glimpse of both opera openings and who attended. Unlike in “The Gilded Age” where many seats in the Academy were empty – much to Mrs. Astor’s chagrin – in reality attendance at both operas was high, with the Academy “full to overflowing” according to the Tribune. Mrs. Astor was not in attendance at either, reportedly “still in the country.”
Attending the Met were George Peabody Wetmore (who owned Chateau-sur-Mer) and his sister Annie Watts Sherman; George Rives (brother of Ella Rives King of Kingscote) and Sarah Rives; John Jacob Astor; Jay Gould; William and Almira Rockefeller; Isaac Bell Jr.; and William K. and Alva Vanderbilt. Lord Coleridge was probably the most distinguished guest, sitting in the box of William H. and Maria Vanderbilt, parents of Cornelius Vanderbilt II of The Breakers.
One founder of the Met, George H. Warren, was the grandfather of George H. Warren III, husband of Preservation Society founder Katherine Urquhart Warren.
“Ward McAllister and Miss McAllister” were present at the Met as well, but these are likely Ward Jr., son of the social arbiter, and his sister Louise.
At the Academy, the first box-holder to arrive was Marietta Stevens, widow of Paran Stevens. In an interesting connection to the Vanderbilts, the Stevens’ daughter, who became Lady Paget, was the matchmaker who would help arrange the marriage of Consuelo Vanderbilt and the Duke of Marlborough in the 1890s. Other Academy attendees included August Belmont Jr. and his wife Elizabeth; and Ward McAllister. Members of the Havemeyer family, connected to Newport and to the Oelrichs family of Rosecliff through marriage, were present at both operas.
![](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Image-4-Season2_Ep8_jeremy-shamos-carrie-coon.jpg)
![Image 5 Consuelo Vanderbilt coronation outfit](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Image-5-Consuelo-Vanderbilt-coronation-outfit-313.5x480-c-center.webp)
☞ Gladys Russell’s dress, hair and pearls at the opera are reminiscent of a picture of Consuelo Vanderbilt as Duchess of Marlborough for the coronation of either Edward VII in 1902 or George V in 1911. Charles Spencer-Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, married Consuelo to save Blenheim Palace, his ancestral home. The fictional Duke of Buckingham faces similar financial woes in trying to preserve his properties, and clearly both he and Bertha have an eye on him marrying Gladys.
☞ The New York Board of Education did propose closing Sarah J. Garnet’s school for Black children in 1884 but changed its mind. The Brooklyn Public Library has written about the extraordinary efforts of Garnet on education in New York.
More Episode Guides
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Deep Dive into the Show
Learn about the people, places and events depicted in Julian Fellowes' popular historical drama series.
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Season 1/Episode 1, "Never the New"
In 1882, Marian arrives at the home of her “old money” aunts Agnes and Ada, whose new neighbors vie to break into New York high society.
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Season 1/Episode 2, “Money Changes Everything”
Marian receives a visit from Tom Raikes, whose legal advice Peggy seeks. The Russells take center stage at a charity bazaar.
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Season 1/Episode 3, “Face the Music”
George faces a surprise development. Marian sees Mr. Raikes against Agnes’ wishes. Ada runs into an old friend. Peggy gets an opportunity.
![4-Audra-McDonald-as-Dorothy-Scott_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa_HBO-1](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/4-Audra-McDonald-as-Dorothy-Scott_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa_HBO-1-705x470-c-center.webp)
Season 1/Episode 4, “A Long Ladder”
Marian learns more about Mrs. Chamberlain. George makes a deal to benefit Bertha. Peggy meets a trailblazing newspaperman.
![Season1_Ep5_linda-emond_Photograph by Alison Cohen Rosa HBO](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Season1_Ep5_linda-emond_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa-HBO-700x466.5-c-center.webp)
Season 1/Episode 5, “Charity Has Two Functions”
Bertha, Marian, Aurora, and Peggy make an overnight trip to see Clara Barton speak. Gladys’ desired beau is invited to dinner.
![6 Simon Jones as Bannister, the van Rhijns' butler_Photograph by Alison Cohen Rosa HBO](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/6-Simon-Jones-as-Bannister-the-van-Rhijns-butler_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa-HBO-705x470-c-center.webp)
Season 1/Episode 6, “Heads Have Rolled for Less”
Mr. McAllister’s visit to the Russells shakes the aunts’ household. George aims to control the narrative. Marian considers her feelings.
![7-McAllisters-in-Newport_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa-HBO](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/7-McAllisters-in-Newport_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa-HBO-750x482-c-center.webp)
Season 1/Episode 7, "Irresistible Change"
As a historic moment captures the city, Agnes vows to protect her family’s reputation, while Larry’s career plans rub George the wrong way.
![8-Newport-scene_Amy-Forsyth-Ashlie-Atkinson-Harry-Richardson_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa_HBO](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/8-Newport-scene_Amy-Forsyth-Ashlie-Atkinson-Harry-Richardson_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa_HBO-700x450-c-center.webp)
Season 1/Episode 8, "Tucked Up in Newport"
Peggy reveals the truth about her past, while George’s day in court arrives, and Marian considers her romantic future.
![9_Amy-Forsyth-as-Carrie-Astor_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa_HBO](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/9_Amy-Forsyth-as-Carrie-Astor_Photograph-by-Alison-Cohen-Rosa_HBO-750x482-c-center.webp)
Season 1/Episode 9, "Let the Tournament Begin"
Marian’s grand plan is threatened. Bertha and Mrs. Astor lock horns over Gladys’ debut. Peggy is stunned by a major reveal.
![s2_e1_Image-1-HBO-Season2_carrie-coon-erin-wilhelmi](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/s2_e1_Image-1-HBO-Season2_carrie-coon-erin-wilhelmi-350x233.5-c-center.webp)
Season 2/Episode 1, “You Don’t Even Like Opera”
Agnes shares news of her nephew Dashiell's imminent arrival in New York. Bertha decides to back the new Metropolitan Opera House.
![Image 1_Gilded Age_202_BN_050922_01394](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Image-1_Gilded-Age_202_BN_050922_01394-315x210.5-c-center.webp)
Season 2/Episode 2, “Some Sort of Trick”
Kingscote makes its debut as the home of widow Blane, with whom Larry starts an affair. Peggy is welcomed back to the van Rhijn house by almost everyone. Oscar's hopes are dashed, while Marian fends off a suitor.
![Cover image_Gilded Age Season2_Ep3](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Cover-image_Gilded-Age-Season2_Ep3-350x233.5-c-center.webp)
Season 2/Episode 3, “Head to Head”
A surprising guest attends Bertha's fundraiser and starts trouble. Larry begins renovations at Mrs. Blane’s house, aka Kingscote. Peggy presses her editor to let her go to Tuskegee. Oscar Wilde charms society, but his play does not.
![Image 2_Gilded Age Season2_Ep4_ben-lamb-carrie-coon_0](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Image-2_Gilded-Age-Season2_Ep4_ben-lamb-carrie-coon_0-370x247-c-center.webp)
Season 2/Episode 4, “His Grace the Duke”
Bertha angles for position with the visiting Duke of Buckingham. With Marian’s help, Ada continues to see Mr. Forte. Peggy travels to Alabama and meets Booker T. Washington. Mr. Russell is confronted by angry critics of his labor practices.
![Season2_Ep5_Elms Ballroom dakin-matthews-kelley-curran](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Season2_Ep5_Elms-Ballroom-dakin-matthews-kelley-curran-570x380-c-center.webp)
Season 2/Episode 5, “Close Enough to Touch”
The Marble House Dining Room is the setting for Bertha Russell’s dinner for the Duke of Buckingham. Peggy narrowly escapes danger in Alabama. Ada’s engagement causes conflict between her and Agnes.
![Season2_Ep6_garden party_louisa jacobson david furr](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Season2_Ep6_garden-party_louisa-jacobson-david-furr-570x380-c-center.webp)
Season 2/Episode 6, “Warning Shots”
Bertha’s opera house project is far from harmonious. George goes to Pittsburgh to deal with a potential strike by his steel mill workers. Peggy takes up the cause of schooling for Black children in New York City.
![morgan-spector](https://www.newportmansions.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/morgan-spector-960x640-c-center.webp)
Season 2/Episode 7, "Wonders Never Cease"
As New York celebrates a historic event, Bertha reconsiders her loyalty to the Met while Marian has doubts about her future.