The Gilded Age (TV series)

The Gilded Age (2022–present) is an American historical drama television series airing on HBO about two families, one old money and one noveau riche, living in 1882 New York City.

Never the New [1.1]

 * Agnes van Rhijn: She means to join us here just as soon as she has closed the house and sold her furniture.
 * Ada Brook: Oh, what a relief.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: A relief? And who is to support her? Exactly. Me. With the Van Rhijn money, which was not achieved at no cost to myself. You were allowed the pure and tranquil life of a spinster. I was not.
 * Ada Brook: I'm very grateful.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: So you should be.


 * Ada Brook: We should have gone to the funeral anyway.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: It wasn't worth an uncomfortable day of travel to make sure Henry was dead.


 * George Russell: So we are to bow down before a woman who has less money than me and less of absolutely everything than you.


 * Agnes van Rhijn: Now you need to know, we only receive the old people in this house. Not the new. Never the new.
 * Marian Brook: What's the difference?
 * Agnes van Rhijn: The old have been in charge since before the Revolution. They ruled, justly, until the new people invaded.
 * Ada Brook: It's not quite as simple as that.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Yes, it is.
 * Marian Brook: Well, I'm new. I've only just arrived.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Marian, never mind that the Brooks have been in Pennsylvania for a century and a half. My mother, your grandmother, was a Livingston of Livingston Manor, and they came to this city in 1674. You belong to old New York, my dear, and don't let anyone tell you different. You are my niece, and you belong to old New York.


 * Dorothy Scott: What are you using for money?
 * Peggy Scott: I don't need money. I'm fed, I'm paid, and I have a place to stay.
 * Dorothy Scott: Well, I brought you something. You take it.
 * Peggy Scott: I told you I don't need it.
 * Dorothy Scott: Don't be silly, I'm your mother, I'm allowed to give you money.


 * George Russell: Once people learn that my second offer is invariably my last, they won't as a rule refuse me. Over the years, I expect to save a lot more money than I am spending now.
 * Mr. Thorburn: You bastard.
 * George Russell: I may be a bastard, Mr. Thorburn, but you are a fool. And of the two, I think I know which I prefer.


 * Ada Brook: Well I like her strong views. I like her energy. Don't worry, Agnes. She's clever. She'll learn the rules.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Will she? Revolutions are launched by clever people with strong views and excess energy.

Money Isn't Everything [1.2]

 * Agnes van Rhijn: Who is this Mr. Raikes?
 * Ada Brook: The lawyer who settled Henry's estate.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Do we have to receive him?
 * Ada Brook: He waived his fee.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Oh, I see. Well, let's make it tea and be quick about it.


 * Ada Brook: Money isn't everything, Agnes.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Ha! You say that to me, after the sacrifice I made to save your skin.
 * Ada Brook: To save both our skins.


 * Anne Morris: This bazaar is in aid of children. We need everything to be as pure as the driven snow.
 * Patrick Morris: So you mean to tangle with a man who'll own most of the railroads in this country?
 * Anne Morris: Money isn't everything.
 * Marian Brook: It is when you haven't got it.


 * Agnes van Rhijn: New York is a collection of villages, my dear. We know the people who live in our own village.
 * Marian Brook: But not the ones who don't.
 * Oscar van Rhijn: The Russells live in your village, Mama. I could throw a stone from here and break their windows.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Don't tease me.
 * Oscar van Rhijn: I'm not. I'm stating facts.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: I'm not concerned with facts. Not if they interfere with my beliefs.


 * Anne Morris: This sort of stunt does not impress the people you want to win over.
 * Bertha Russell: Mrs. Morris, this sort of stunt impresses everyone.

Face the Music [1.3]

 * Patrick Morris: If you want me to kneel, I'll kneel. If you want me to beg, I am begging now. We've already lost enough to make us poor. But if it goes on for much longer, there are some among us facing ruin. Please. End it.
 * George Russell: I won't say I feel no pity, because I do. But you have not only tried to get the better of me. You and Mrs. Morris have snubbed and belittled my wife. How could I allow that to go unpunished? I don't suggest that you men committed every crime that I'm avenging here. But to employ a modern phrase, I'm afraid you must face the music.

A Long Ladder [1.4]

 * Oscar van Rhijn: Why would you want to go to Brooklyn?
 * Marian Brook: As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of paying someone a surprise visit. She may need cheering up.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: So should I if I lived in Brooklyn.


 * Peggy Scott: What are you doing here? And the shoes, what was that? Because we're colored, we must be poor? I loaned you train fare!
 * Marian Brook: I made a stupid assumption.
 * Peggy Scott: And you just showed up at my parents' home!
 * Marian Brook: What's so wrong about that? My aunt lets you live at her house.
 * Peggy Scott: Lets me? I work there.
 * Marian Brook: I know.
 * Peggy Scott: No you don't know anything! About me, about my life, about my situation. I live in a different country from the one you know!
 * Marian Brook: Look, I'm sorry.
 * Peggy Scott: Don't be sorry! Just stop thinking you're really my friend.


 * Tom Raikes: My lady was in a high window, so I realized I needed a long ladder.

Charity Has Two Functions [1.5]

 * Agnes van Rhijn: Charity has two functions in our world, my dear. The first is to raise funds for the less fortunate, which is wholly good. The second is to provide a ladder for people to climb into society who do not belong there.
 * Marian Brook: And that is wholly bad?
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Not wholly, perhaps, but it should give us pause.


 * Aurora Fane: She's been so generous to Miss Scott. Do you find it surprising?
 * Marian Brook: I think she admires people who help themselves.
 * Aurora Fane: Even if they're colored?
 * Marian Brook: It doesn't seem to matter to her.
 * Aurora Fane: Well, good for Aunt Agnes.


 * Marian Brook: So Mr. McAllister's opinion is important?
 * Aurora Fane: Is any of it important?


 * Clara Barton: Before you think me a simpleton, I am well aware that Mrs. Russell is using the charity ladder to climb into the ballrooms of New York....I can still be grateful she chose my charity to be that ladder.


 * Larry Russell: What have you done?
 * Bertha Russell: What makes you think we've done anything?
 * Larry Russell: I know you.

Heads Have Rolled for Less [1.6]

 * Peggy Scott: What was the point of that?
 * Marian Brook: Aren't some fights worth having?
 * Peggy Scott: Not if it's going to make me late to my meeting.
 * Marian Brook: I don't understand.
 * Peggy Scott: You've just discovered injustice; I've lived with it my whole life. If I spent every day fighting with bigots, I'd never get anything done.

Irresistible Change [1.7]

 * T. Thomas Fortune: What are your thoughts on electricity?
 * Peggy Scott: Are you talking about Mr. Edison's lights?
 * T. Thomas Fortune: Mr. Edison is not solely responsible.
 * Peggy Scott: Who else was involved?
 * T. Thomas Fortune: Namely, Lewis Latimer, a colored inventor. He created a better carbon filament. That's the thing in the bulb that helps keep the lights on, so to speak.
 * Peggy Scott: Well, I'm sure that Mr. Edison will give Mr. Latimer his due credit at the ceremony.
 * T. Thomas Fortune: [laughs] I admire your wit, Miss Scott.

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 * Agnes van Rhijn: Mrs. Russell has fired her maid.
 * Marian Brook: I'm amazed. She didn't give a hint of it when I was with her.
 * Ada Brook: You must have been more eloquent than you realized.
 * Marian Brook: Will you write to her?
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Of course I won't write to her! She might write back.
 * Ada Brook: You must acknowledge the letter. She's done what you asked.
 * Peggy Scott: [entering] Is there anything that you'd like me to do before you get changed?
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Please thank Mrs. Russell for this note, but without a trace of warmth.

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 * Agnes van Rhijn: [to Marian] You're very obedient all of a sudden. What are you planning to spring on me?

Tucked Up in Newport [1.8]

 * Agnes van Rhijn: All our staff seem to have pressing engagements outside this house.
 * Marian Brook: Servants must have a life, Aunt Agnes.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Why?

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 * Mamie Fish: How's your husband doing, Mrs. Russell?
 * Bertha Russell: I'm sorry?
 * Mamie Fish: Aren't they putting him on trial over that train crash? I thought that was why he stayed in New York.
 * Bertha Russell: If it were, I would have stayed with him.
 * Mamie Fish: Oh, so he's not in trouble?
 * Bertha Russell: Not in the least! But he has too many meetings to be able to join us. He likes to be thorough.
 * Mamie Fish: Oh, I see. [leaves]
 * Bertha Russell: I haven't bungled it, have I?
 * Ward McAllister: Oh, no. She'll like you the more.

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 * Mamie Fish: [about Mrs. Russell] She's tenacious, I'll give her that.
 * Aurora Fane: [aside] Smile, and take it as a compliment.
 * Bertha Russell: It is a compliment.

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 * Peggy Scott: With respect, ma'am, I cannot stay here. Not now. I'll leave tonight.
 * Ada Brook: I hope you don't mean that.
 * Peggy Scott: I'm afraid I do. The way she treats me downstairs makes it impossible that I should stay. And that would only get worse. But I thank you for your kindness, and I wish you well.
 * Ada Brook: And we thank you for your hard work. Don't we, Agnes?
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Of course. But I do hope that you'll reconsider your decision, Miss Scott.
 * Ada Brook: Wouldn't it have been better to lose Armstrong?
 * Agnes van Rhijn: And have me train a new maid, in all my ways, at my time of life? Maybe Miss Scott will change her mind.
 * Marian Brook: She won't.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Can I persuade you to stay, Miss Scott?
 * Peggy Scott: I can't. Not the way things are.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Really, Miss Ada's right. It ought to be Armstrong who goes. It seems very feeble on my part.
 * Peggy Scott: I couldn't let you do that. It would be too disruptive. I'll be just fine.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: I hope we can end on good terms.
 * Peggy Scott: Of course. I remain very grateful for the time you've let me spend in this house.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: You're an impressive young woman. Not everyone will support your ambitions, to say the least of it. But you are strong enough to manage that.
 * Peggy Scott: Thank you. I'll try to be.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: You're an impressive young woman. Not everyone will support your ambitions, to say the least of it. But you are strong enough to manage that.
 * Peggy Scott: Thank you. I'll try to be.

Let the Tournament Begin [1.9]

 * Bertha Russell: Why are we being told now?
 * George Russell: His wife has tracked him down.
 * Bertha Russell: And she wants money.
 * George Russell: Worse. She wanted a reconciliation.

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 * George Russell: I've not made myself clear. I will see you there if you want the loan.
 * Julius Cuyper: You can't be serious.
 * George Russell: Don't think you can go elsewhere. I have a list of reasons why not to invest in your bank, and I will send it to anyone you approach.
 * Julius Cuyper: Isn't that against the law?
 * George Russell: Let's find out.
 * Julius Cuyper: You are not a gentleman, sir.
 * George Russell: That's a subject for another time.

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 * Caroline Schermerhorn Astor: I am Mrs. Astor. Perhaps you could ask Mrs. Russell if she could see me for a minute. I'm afraid I'm...unexpected.

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 * Caroline Schermerhorn Astor: If I don't maintain standards, what is the point of me?

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 * Agnes van Rhijn: She's taken leave of her senses!
 * Ada Brook: Who?
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Lina Astor. Listen. [reads letter] "If you consider yourselves to be my friends, you will attend Mrs. Russell's ball this evening."
 * Ada Brook: Really?!
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Don't you dare sound cheerful!
 * Ada Brook: I am curious about that house.
 * Agnes van Rhijn: Really. You are glad to be ordered to march into hell? And to dance with the devil?
 * Ada Brook: I wonder sometimes if you don't slightly overstate your arguments.

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 * Larry Russell: Are you coming to Gladys' ball?
 * Marian Brook: I may regret it, but I suppose I am.
 * Larry Russell: Then I claim a waltz as my payment.

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 * Gladys Russell: People are going through to the ballroom.
 * Bertha Russell: They won't start dancing until I say.
 * George Russell: What are you waiting for?
 * Church: Mrs. William Backhouse Astor. And Miss Caroline Astor.
 * Bertha Russell: That.

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 * Dorothy Scott: We have proof the boy didn't die. We believe he was adopted, and you knew.
 * Arthur Scott: If you're expecting me to say I'm sorry--
 * Peggy Scott: We'd never be so foolish as to expect that.

You Don't Even Like Opera [2.1]

 * Agnes van Rhijn: You may be getting older. I am not.

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 * Oscar van Rhijn: Does your presence here mean we're friends again?
 * John Adams: Oscar, you and I have known each other far too long and much too well not to be friends.

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 * Peggy Scott: Have you told your aunts your secret yet?
 * Marian Brook: No. But I will.
 * Peggy Scott: When?
 * Marian Brook: When I can't keep it secret any longer.

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 * Oscar van Rhijn: I know there are men out there who are younger, and richer, than I am. But we would live well. You would choose your own friends, run your own house, manage your own life! Isn't that what you want?
 * Gladys Russell: Very much so.
 * Oscar van Rhijn: And I'm not a bully. I would never force you to echo my opinions, parrot all my views....I am happy to be henpecked, as long as you're doing the pecking. We'd have fun Gladys, I know we would! I want us to be happy. Very happy. And I believe we could be. Don't answer now. Just know that I love and admire you more than I can say. More than I've ever felt for any other woman.

Some Sort of Trick [2.2]

 * George Russell: Marriage is not the place to look for freedom.

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 * George Russell: You must go to Pittsburgh. Meet Henderson, find out what he really wants. See if we can buy him off.
 * Richard Clay: You mean I should offer him money?
 * George Russell: Money or a little power. Power is very seductive, I'm told.
 * Richard Clay: Suppose he's a man of principle.
 * George Russell: It'll just make him more expensive.

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 * Marian Brook: I hope you [and Oscar] can be friends again.
 * Gladys Russell: He told you?
 * Marian Brook: Yes. And before you ask, he'll be fine.
 * Gladys Russell: My father wants me to wait until I fall in love.
 * Marian Brook: How heartening! I never thought of Mr. Russell as a romantic.... My orders are simple: I'm to find a man with birth, position, and money.

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 * Larry Russell: It's very early for you to be up.
 * Bertha Russell: It's very late for you to get home.

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 * George Russell: What was Henderson like?
 * Richard Page: Clever, no doubt about that. And stubborn as a mule.... I offered him a promotion, and money. I almost offered him wine, women, and song, but he won't shift.
 * George Russell: Ask him to come to New York.
 * Richard Page: What?
 * George Russell: Put him up at the Brunswick on Fifth Avenue.
 * Richard Page: The Brunswick? Henderson?
 * George Russell: Get him a suite. And make a date for him to have lunch at my home.

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 * Maude Beaton: Paris is wonderful, apart from the Parisians.

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 * Gladys Russell: Your former lady's maid is now your neighbor in Newport?
 * Larry Russell: Welcome to America.

Head to Head [2.3]

 * Agnes van Rhijn: Your newfound piety may be put to good use after all.

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 * Henderson: Unions are stronger now, they will grow stronger still, and you will have to deal with them.
 * George Russell: I am a man of business. And I have jobs to offer in my mills, in my factories, and on my railroads, and I pay the going rate. If your men don't want to work for me, then I suggest they step aside and make way for the many who do.
 * Henderson: All we're asking is for you to do the right thing, Mr. Russell. I pay you the compliment of being sure that you know what the right thing would be. I hope you believe me.
 * George Russell: I believe in your sincerity, Mr. Henderson. I do.
 * Henderson: But do you believe workers can win against capital?
 * George Russell: Of which, I blush to say, I have a great deal.
 * George Russell: Of which, I blush to say, I have a great deal.

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 * George Russell: How long will it be like this?
 * Bertha Russell: I don't know, George. Betrayal is not like a case of influenza.
 * George Russell: No, it feels more like a death sentence.

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 * Mr. Forte: Mr. Dawson had a low opinion of how we give out communion.
 * Ada Brook: What part of it was he criticizing?
 * Mr. Forte: The part where I offer communion to those he deems undeserving.
 * Ada Brook: What you must have to put up with.
 * Mr. Forte: Let's just say some of God's children can be very tiresome.

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 * Dorothy Scott: You must promise me to always stay with your group. Never go out alone!.... Do not make eye contact with any white folks. Don't speak to them. Even the slightest gesture or look can be misconstrued.
 * Peggy Scott: You're telling me to be subservient?
 * Dorothy Scott: I'm telling you how to stay alive!

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 * Bertha Russell: Find the duke, get me an introduction, and then we'll talk.

His Grace the Duke [2.4]

 * Oscar van Rhijn: Miss Beaton is keen to help spread the Christian word.
 * Marian Brook: And how does that sit with you?
 * Oscar van Rhijn: I gladly support good causes from the comfort of Fifth Avenue.

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 * Rev. Forte: Those flowers are for you, Ada Brook. No one else.

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 * George Russell: Why must I be the villain in every story?!

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 * Bertha Russell: It doesn't take much to make a duke likeable.

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 * Bertha Russell: Should I care about the feelings of a former lady's maid who attempted to seduce my husband?
 * George Russell: May I find hope in your use of the word 'attempted'?
 * Bertha Russell: It was never her claim that hurt me, but your silence.
 * George Russell: Will you forgive me now?
 * Bertha Russell: If I do, enjoy it. There will be no more forgiveness if you hide any such thing from me again.
 * George Russell: I've missed you, my darling. You can't know how much.

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 * Mr. Church: We'd better get our skates on, Mr. Borden, if we're to host the Duke of Buckingham!

Warning Shots [2.6]

 * Gladys Russell: I don't understand. Are you and Mrs. Astor friends or rivals?
 * Bertha Russell: The two are not exclusive.