Is The Gilded Age woke?
The Gilded Age (2022)
TV Show
Released: January 1, 2022
Wokeness Score
5/10
Socially Conscious
Clear woke themes are present and intentional, but feel balanced and organic to the story. The message supports the plot and characters rather than dominating them.
Key Summary Points
- Prominent Black lead Peggy Scott highlights racial dynamics and elite Black society in 1880s New York.
- Intentional inclusion of diverse perspectives on class, race, and gender ambitions integrated into historical plot.
- Subtle modern commentary on social mobility and microaggressions without preachy dominance over entertainment.
Wokeness Analysis
The Gilded Age incorporates progressive elements through its prominent Black storyline featuring Peggy Scott, an aspiring Black writer navigating post-Civil War society, including depictions of microaggressions, the Black elite, and historical figures like those in Brooklyn's prominent families. This adds racial consciousness and inclusion that feels intentional in a traditionally white upper-class narrative, with the creators explicitly noting the need for a Black family to balance the story. Themes of class mobility, women's ambitions (such as Bertha Russell's social climbing and subtle nods to suffrage), and diversity in casting reflect modern sensibilities applied to the 1880s setting. However, these elements are woven into the core plot of old money versus new money conflicts rather than dominating it, and historical accuracy is maintained without heavy-handed lectures. Conservative critiques note some tokenism in the Black characters and a focus on race and class that echoes contemporary identity politics, yet the show prioritizes lavish period drama, character-driven stories, and entertainment over didactic messaging. Overall, the wokeness is noticeable and balanced but not forced to the point of overshadowing the escapism and social intrigue.
Plot
Set in 1880s New York City during the Gilded Age, the series follows young Marian Brook as she moves in with her old-money aunts Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook after her father's death. Accompanied by her friend Peggy Scott, Marian becomes entangled in the social rivalry between the established van Rhijn family and the ambitious nouveau riche Russell family, led by railroad tycoon George and his wife Bertha, who seek entry into high society. The show explores tensions between old and new wealth, personal ambitions, and societal changes amid opulent mansions, balls, and scandals.