"Gilded Age" Season 2 Premieres, Highlighting Class Struggles and Power Dynamics in 19th Century New York

Season 2 sees Carrie Coon's character Bertha Russell's mounting ambition evolve into questionable tactics, reflecting the grittier side of striving for societal acceptance in 19th-century New York high society.

Season 2 of 'The Gilded Age' series continue to focus on the social dynamics of 19th Century New York. The central character, Bertha Russell, is on a mission to replace the prestigious Academy of Opera, which refuses to accommodate the city's rising nouveau riche inhabitants, with a new organization - The Metropolitan Opera.
The beginning of the Season 2 unveils a tragic twist, Peggy Scott's long-lost son, whom she believed was stillborn, recently died of scarlet fever together with his adoptive mother. The revelation of this secret and the resulting family friction become a significant subplot throughout the season.
One of the main conflicts emerging this season is the 'Opera War'. Bertha Russell, as a representative of 'new money', is actively supporting the innovative Metropolitan Opera House against the traditional Academy of Music, which is backed by the 'old money' characters like Mrs. Astor.
This season traces the beginning of labor movements, with George Russell's employees demanding better working conditions. The striking similarity between the labor issues of the 1880s and present day adds a layer of depth to the series. This storyline not only brings historical accuracy but also resonates with the current socio-economic issues.
The character of Bertha Russell, played by Carrie Coon, undergoes a significant transformation this season. Initially seen as a sympathetic character, Bertha's ambitious maneuvers to ascend the social ladder gradually expose her ruthlessness, leading some to compare her to Walter White, the infamous antihero from 'Breaking Bad'.

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