Look, today’s episode promises excitement. Not only does Turner (Kelley Curran) plan to ruin Bertha’s (Bertha Russell) night by embarrassing her in front of the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), but Larry (Harry Richardson) will be devastated by the dump he got from Susan (Laura Benanti) (at Bertha’s request). Also, Ava Brooks (Cynthia Nixon) will have to reveal to Agnes Van Rhijn (Christina Baranski) that she is engaged to Reverend Matthew Forte (Robert Sean Leonard), something that no one needs to ask about, she will not have the support of your sister. Not financial and even less moral. Believe me, the weather is going to warm up in New York!

But what to expect from this hasty wedding? The Reverend has been in New York for a few months and immediately enchanted Ada. But… who is Luke Forte (Robert Sean Leonard)?

I know, I know, I’m eternally suspicious. I never rooted for Tom Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel), who almost blatantly ruined Marian Brooks’ (Louisa Jacobson) life in the first season of The Gilded Age. She’s still recovering from her heartbreak, trying to get on with her life, and Ada was one of his biggest supporters. Ada was also surprised by Tom’s haste and tried to reason with her niece not to embark on an adventure that would destroy her reputation beyond salvation. However, isn’t she following her own reasoning by following her heart and accepting the Reverend’s marriage proposal? Sorry, but it’s too weird to be good.

On paper, Luke Forte is everything: cultured, dedicated, engaged, and romantic. If Ada wanted to disguise her immediate infatuation with him, she did a disservice because it was so obvious how much she was in love. Agnes tries to stop her, but of course, the impulsive Marian loves seeing her favorite aunt in love and standing up to her repressive sister. This is not going to work! Or go?

Between masses, lunches, and fundraising events for his social work, Ada had to lie at home so she could meet Forte at the art gallery and then in the park, where the providential rain helped him get rid of Marian’s company. Still, it was at the church choir rehearsal that he invited the spinster to accompany him to the opera, Aida, where he wanted to ask her something. Realizing that she might not have another chance, she blurted out of nowhere: “Will you marry me?” and Ada, equally understanding that she might not have another chance, said yes.

It is precisely this rush that makes me compare him to the infamous Tom Raikes. There is certainly something strange that he has not revealed yet. Do you remember that when Ada arrived at the church he was having a disagreement with another pastor and kind of didn’t talk about what they were fighting about? Something about not liking the homily, but seriously, it’s fishy.

The one who agrees with me is Agnes, who hides behind her cynicism, a dependence on Ada’s company. A marriage with her, at this point in their lives, would be synonymous with loneliness for the widow who, let’s face it, is not easy company. Marian certainly doesn’t have Ada’s temperament, who lives calmly and isolated without complaints, so only Ada can handle Agnes. In fact, for Marian, this is Agnes’ main motivation to fend off her aunt’s suitors (there was one in season 1), but we witnessed that Agnes’ personal desire could even interfere, but unfortunately she was right and drove away the self-interested person. Forte took a shortcut and created the situation. Does he understand that Ada goes without any dowry to maintain a life of luxury?

To make matters worse, Agnes knows about her sister’s passion, but she has no idea how far the romance has progressed. She, like us, expected something more at a “normal” pace and when she finds out, just like the coverage Marian provided, she will be furious.

It could even be that a lively reverend, identifying the kindness and attraction that Ada feels for him, is in a hurry to be accompanied by a woman as nice as her, without wanting to wait any longer since neither of them is a child. Too bad I’m not betting on this option.

Apparently, we won’t reach the end of this season without a wedding. Tom Raikes’s was only mentioned, but Marian has won over Dashiell Montgomery (David Furr), who’s been taking it slow in winning her over, but now that she’s realized it, she doesn’t seem flattered or even excited. Oscar (Blake Ritson) is also taking things slowly in his flirting with the ultra-interested (and interesting) Maud Beaton (Nicole Brydon Bloom), also much slower than Reverend Forte. I like Dashiell, but I want Larry to comfort himself with Marian…

The drama is about to take place on HBO Max!

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