The Gilded Age

1882. After the death of her father and accompanied by Peggy Scott, Marian Brook travels to New York to live with her aristocratic aunts, Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook. Meanwhile, determined to break into society, ruthless tycoon George Russell and his ambitious wife Bertha move their family into a lavish mansion across the street and prepare to throw their first soirée.

Tom Raikes visits New York as Peggy seeks legal advice, Oscar van Rhijn homes in on Gladys Russell and drama rips through a charity bazaar.

An unfortunate development finds George's new rail station under threat, and Marian continues to see Mr Raikes despite Agnes' warnings.

In the aftermath of a tragedy, George agrees to help Bertha, and a visit has a lasting impact on the staff of Russell house.

As Bertha, Marian and Aurora visit Dansville to hear Clara Barton speak, Marian's interest in Mr Raikes grow.

Mr. McAllister's visit to the Russells shakes the aunts' household. George aims to control the narrative. Marian considers her feelings.

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.

As Bertha is reminded of her place on her visit to Newport, George gets his day in court and Peggy reveals the truth about her past.

As Ada and Aurora rush to stop Marian from making a huge decision, Bertha and Mrs Astor's clash impacts all of New York society.

Agnes shares news of her nephew Dashiell's imminent arrival in New York; Bertha decides to back the new Metropolitan Opera House.

George informs Oscar of his decision and sends Clay to meet with union leader Mr Henderson at his steel mill. Elsewhere, Peggy gets welcomed back to 61st Street by almost everyone, and Marian has a new match.

As the opera war heats up, an unlikely guest attends Bertha's Met fundraiser, while Agnes backs Mrs. Astor's effort to preserve the Academy's dominance. Meanwhile, Peggy offers to travel with Mr. Fortune to Alabama to cover a story about the Tuskegee Institute, Ada organizes a special luncheon for Mr. Forte, George attempts to sway Henderson, and Watson considers an offer.

After receiving discouraging news about the Met, Bertha deals with rumors that are swirling about Larry. Fearing her sister's disapproval, Ada asks Marian to cover for her as she continues to see Mr. Forte. Later, Bertha vies for position with the visiting Duke of Buckingham, and, in Tuskegee, Peggy navigates a tense dinner with Mr. Fortune and Booker T. Washington.

While Ada questions whether to move forward without her sister's support, Agnes faces the prospect of living alone. In Newport, Bertha puts the finishing touches on the event of the season as Mrs. Winterton plots her revenge. After experiencing the best of the Tuskegee Institute, Peggy and Mr. Fortune witness the dangers of the South firsthand.

As George heads to Pittsburgh to deal with the potential strike, Bertha learns that the Duke will return for the Metropolitan Opera's opening night. While the staff chip in to help Jack, Bannister tries to retrieve an incriminating letter from the Russell house. Ada and Luke return from their honeymoon and Marian receives an invitation from Dashiell.

Against the backdrop of the biggest event in New York City's history, Bertha reconsiders her loyalty to the Met. Meanwhile, an engagement celebration leaves Marian with doubts, Peggy strives to make a difference in Brooklyn, George strikes a deal with Mr. Henderson, Oscar makes an alarming discovery, and the van Rhijn household reels as Luke's health deteriorates.

The staff question their future at Rhijn's house, just as Peggy questions her future at The New York Globe; Marian confesses her true feelings to Dashiell; the opera war reaches its climax.

In Arizona, George faces opposition while unfurling his ambitious plan to build a train route connecting New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Back in New York, Bertha prepares for the Duke's imminent arrival, Peggy falls ill after an unseasonable snowstorm, and Ada hosts a gathering to support the temperance movement – to Agnes' chagrin.

Concerned about Peggy's worsening condition, Agnes and Ada welcome her parents and their physician, Dr. Kirkland, to 61st Street. Meanwhile, Oscar gets a professional favor from an old friend, Bertha makes her case for the Duke to a skeptical George, and Gladys suffers a heart-breaking disappointment.

As negotiations with the Duke start to disintegrate, George confronts Bertha about her vision for Gladys – and its inadvertent impact on his business. Meanwhile, the Scotts meet the Kirklands in Newport, Ada encourages the staff to sign a temperance pledge, Agnes laments her slow exclusion from society, and Larry invites Jack to a meeting with a potential investor.

With the wedding between Gladys and the Duke imminent, Bertha must deal with unwanted rumors in the press, the sudden arrival of her sister Monica, and an unwilling bride. After giving a talk in Newport, Peggy and her mother encounter the aloof Mrs. Kirkland. Meanwhile, a grieving Ada attempts a new way to communicate with Luke, and Borden learns more about Mrs. Bruce's past.

Gladys has trouble adjusting to her changed circumstances...and the controlling Lady Sarah. After a string of personal and professional wins, Larry runs into a familiar face. While at an event with Dr. Kirkland, Peggy gets an opportunity from an old colleague. Later, drama ensues at Mrs. Fish's Newport luncheon.

While Bertha encourages Gladys to stand up for herself and her new husband, George faces an upward battle to secure the rail line that runs through Chicago. Larry gains intel that leads Oscar to have a long-awaited confrontation – but raises doubts for Marian. Later, Peggy confides in Dr. Kirkland about her past, and Ada has a candid talk with Jack about his future.

Amid the release of a salacious book, Mrs. Astor discusses the future of her Newport ball with Bertha. After returning from Arizona, Larry shares a promising discovery with George, only to receive troubling news in return. Meanwhile, Mrs. Kirkland receives concerning information about Peggy, and the Russell household uncovers the source of recent leaks to the press.

Despite objections from Mrs. Astor, Bertha finalizes the guest list for the ball – and finally faces the fallout of her actions. Meanwhile, Dr. Kirkland makes a decision about his future with Peggy, Oscar reconnects with a previous ally, and Marian struggles to move forward.