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‘The Gilded Age’ and ‘For All Mankind’
My two favorite TV shows of 2023 treat history very differently
In responding to Buddy Gott’s challenge, let me first admit that I’m a sucker for history. I read historical novels, watch historical TV shows and movies, and for the most part, write historically slanted articles on Medium.
My two favorite shows of the year are The Gilded Age (Max) and For All Mankind (Apple TV+). These two series portray history in distinctly different ways: One show depicts episodes with painstaking historical accuracy, while the other boldly and intentionally rewrites historical facts. Watching both shows in the same year is enough to make your head spin. But I think each one is hugely entertaining in its own right.
The Gilded Age
If you’re unfamiliar with The Gilded Age, which recently wrapped its second season on Max, it’s a series that revolves around ultra-wealthy New York socialites at the turn of the 20th Century. Created by Julian Fellowes, the show boasts many of the same hallmarks as his celebrated series, Downton Abbey — a cast of well-constructed characters (including the “upstairs” wealthy homeowners and the “downstairs” servants), lots of drama and intrigue, superbly styled sets and costumes, and a respect for historical veracity.
