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The Best Episodes of The Gilded Age

Every episode of The Gilded Age ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Gilded Age!

Binge this in 23h 40m•Peaking at 6.1/10

It’s 1882 and the Gilded Age is in full swing when Marian Brook, a young orphaned daughter of a Southern general, moves in with her rigidly conventional aunts in New York City. With the help

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 9 - Let the Tournament Begin
    6.1/10(1513 votes)

    #1 - Let the Tournament Begin

    S1:E9

    As Marian prepares to embark on a new adventure, Ada and Aurora rush to stop her before it's too late. With Gladys' debut ball fast approaching, the clash between Bertha and Mrs. Astor has consequences for all of New York society. The discovery of a shocking letter changes everything for Peggy. Baudin lays out his double life.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  2. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 2 - Money Isn't Everything
    6.0/10(1902 votes)

    #2 - Money Isn't Everything

    S1:E2

    Tom Raikes’ visit to New York delights Marian but worries aunt Agnes. An increasingly desperate Peggy seeks legal advice from Mr. Raikes, George takes steps to further his latest business plans, Oscar van Rhijn homes in on young Gladys Russell, and a charity bazaar becomes the source of a dramatic stand after Bertha is slighted.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  3. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 5 - Charity Has Two Functions
    6.0/10(1748 votes)

    #3 - Charity Has Two Functions

    S1:E5

    George and Bertha extend an invite to a young man who's piqued Gladys' interest. After charming Mr. McAllister, Bertha accompanies Marian and Aurora to hear Clara Barton speak in Dansville. There, Peggy works on her article and shares the story of her first love with Marian, whose interest in Mr. Raikes continues to grow. Oscar crosses paths with a vengeful Turner.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  4. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 3 - Love Is Never Easy
    6.0/10(897 votes)

    #4 - Love Is Never Easy

    S3:E3

    While George enters tense negotiations, Larry and Jack meet with a potential investor. Later, the Scotts meet the Kirklands.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  5. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 4 - Marriage Is a Gamble
    6.0/10(964 votes)

    #5 - Marriage Is a Gamble

    S3:E4

    Bertha deals with unwanted rumors in the press… and the surprise arrival of her sister Monica.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  6. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 8 - Tucked Up in Newport
    5.9/10(1654 votes)

    #6 - Tucked Up in Newport

    S1:E8

    During her first visit to Newport, Bertha follows Mr. McCallister’s lead but is soon reminded of her place. Oscar’s pursuit of Gladys is threatened by a familiar presence. George gets his day in court. Worried about Armstrong’s interference, Peggy reveals her past. Marian makes a decision about her romantic future. Bridget follows Jack across the city.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Gilded Age

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  7. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 8 - In Terms of Winning and Losing
    5.9/10(1465 votes)

    #7 - In Terms of Winning and Losing

    S2:E8

    While the staff question their future in the van Rhijn household, Jack receives welcome news about his patent. After scoring a victory for the local schools, Peggy considers her future at the NY Globe. Later, Marian confesses her true feelings to Dashiell – and Bertha and Mrs. Astor make their final moves in the opera war.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  8. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 7 - Ex-Communicated
    5.9/10(966 votes)

    #8 - Ex-Communicated

    S3:E7

    Amid the release of a salacious book, Mrs. Astor confides in Bertha. Armed with updates from Arizona, Larry returns home to troubling news.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  9. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 6 - Heads Have Rolled for Less
    5.8/10(1472 votes)

    #9 - Heads Have Rolled for Less

    S1:E6

    Bertha goes all out at a luncheon to impress Mr. McAllister, enlisting the help of Bannister — who rubs Church the wrong way. George fights to protect his public image, while Agnes’ status quo is disrupted. As Marian debates her feelings, Mrs. Chamberlain makes her an offer. Gladys bonds with a new friend. Armstrong intensifies her campaign against Peggy.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  10. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 1 - You Don't Even Like Opera
    5.8/10(1271 votes)

    #10 - You Don't Even Like Opera

    S2:E1

    On Easter Sunday, Agnes informs Ada, Marian, and Oscar of her nephew Dashiell Montgomery's imminent arrival in New York. In need of a change after an emotional visit to Philadelphia, Peggy asks Marian about returning to 61st Street. Meanwhile, Bertha sidesteps Mrs. Astor to support the Metropolitan Opera House, and Oscar begins courting Gladys once again.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  11. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 2 - Some Sort of Trick
    5.8/10(1066 votes)

    #11 - Some Sort of Trick

    S2:E2

    After giving Oscar his final verdict, George sends Clay to meet Mr. Henderson, the union leader at his Pittsburgh steel plant. Meanwhile, Agnes chides Ada for being too chatty during a visit with Luke Forte, Mrs. Fane arranges a match for Marian in Newport, Larry gets a new commission, and Peggy is welcomed back to 61st Street by all but one.

    Director:Deborah Kampmeier
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  12. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 1 - Never The New
    5.7/10(2552 votes)

    #12 - Never The New

    S1:E1

    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.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  13. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 7 - Irresistible Change
    5.7/10(1454 votes)

    #13 - Irresistible Change

    S1:E7

    As the city buzzes over Edison’s electricity demonstration, Bertha plans a picnic that involves Mr. Raikes — but not Marian. Agnes entreats her niece to protect the family’s reputation. George prepares for a legal battle as he bristles over Larry’s career ambitions. Bannister plots his revenge. Turner gets an unwelcome surprise.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  14. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 3 - Head to Head
    5.7/10(1018 votes)

    #14 - Head to Head

    S2:E3

    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.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  15. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 4 - His Grace the Duke
    5.7/10(1026 votes)

    #15 - His Grace the Duke

    S2:E4

    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.

    Director:Deborah Kampmeier
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  16. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 6 - Warning Shots
    5.7/10(1005 votes)

    #16 - Warning Shots

    S2:E6

    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.

    Director:Crystle Roberson Dorsey
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  17. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 7 - Wonders Never Cease
    5.7/10(1108 votes)

    #17 - Wonders Never Cease

    S2:E7

    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.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  18. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 2 - What the Papers Say
    5.7/10(913 votes)

    #18 - What the Papers Say

    S3:E2

    Amid their domestic quibbles, Agnes and Ada welcome the Scotts into their home. Bertha and George disagree about Gladys's future.

    Director:Deborah Kampmeier
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  19. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 8 - My Mind Is Made Up
    5.7/10(1144 votes)

    #19 - My Mind Is Made Up

    S3:E8

    Peggy reveals her truth to Dr. Kirkland, Marian struggles to move forward, and Bertha finally faces the fallout of her actions.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  20. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 3 - Face the Music
    5.6/10(1884 votes)

    #20 - Face the Music

    S1:E3

    An unfortunate development finds George’s new rail station under threat. Despite Agnes’ warnings, Marian continues to see Mr. Raikes, who lays his ambitions bare. Peggy learns that a publisher is interested in her stories. At a talk given by Clara Barton, Ada reunites with a childhood friend. Oscar grows attached to his plan, while Jack invites Bridget to a show.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  21. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 5 - A Different World
    5.6/10(864 votes)

    #21 - A Different World

    S3:E5

    While Gladys adjusts to her changed circumstances, Larry runs into a familiar face. Peggy gets an opportunity from an old colleague.

    Director:Deborah Kampmeier
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  22. The Gilded Age Season 1 Episode 4 - A Long Ladder
    5.5/10(1669 votes)

    #22 - A Long Ladder

    S1:E4

    In the aftermath of a tragedy, George makes a deal to help Bertha. Peggy gets an assignment from publisher T. Thomas Fortune, but a dinner with her parents ends on a sour note. Marian learns more about the mysterious Mrs. Chamberlain. Bannister's visit to the Russell house has a lasting impact on the staff. Bridget shares her dark secret with Mrs. Bauer.

    Director:Salli Richardson-Whitfield
    Writer:Julian Fellowes

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  23. The Gilded Age Season 2 Episode 5 - Close Enough to Touch
    5.5/10(1059 votes)

    #23 - Close Enough to Touch

    S2:E5

    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.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  24. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 1 - Who Is in Charge Here?
    5.5/10(1020 votes)

    #24 - Who Is in Charge Here?

    S3:E1

    As George faces opposition for a new railway plan, Bertha prepares for the Duke's return, and Ada finds purpose in the temperance movement.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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  25. The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 6 - If You Want to Cook an Omelette
    4.8/10(907 votes)

    #25 - If You Want to Cook an Omelette

    S3:E6

    Bertha helps Gladys stand up for herself. George attempts a bold business move. Peggy confides in Dr. Kirkland about her past.

    Director:Deborah Kampmeier
    Writers:Julian Fellowes, Sonja Warfield

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Best Episodes Summary

"Let the Tournament Begin" is the best rated episode of "The Gilded Age". It scored 6.1/10 based on 1513 votes. Directed by Michael Engler and written by Julian Fellowes, it aired on 3/21/2022. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Money Isn't Everything".