The drama is off to a sizzling start in season 4 of the HBO hit

Warning: This article contains spoilers for the season 4 premiere of The Gilded Age, now streaming on HBO Max.

NEED TO KNOW

• In the season premiere of The Gilded Age, Gladys Russell faces a life-threatening situation
• Marian Brook and Larry Russell reconnect after a storm leaves them stranded overnight
• And one couple ties the knot in a lavish wedding

There is never a dull moment in New York City during the Gilded Age. 

The buzzy socialites are back in the season 4 premiere of The Gilded Age, which premiered on Sunday, Nov. 1, and the episode kicks off with no shortage of drama.

The show begins in England, where a doctor races to the English manor of the Duke (Ben Lamb) and Gladys Russell Vere. The Duchess of Buckingham (Taissa Farmiga) as the Duchess screams in labor. Her mother, Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) tries to comfort her but the birth is labor-intensive and it seems like the duchess might not survive. 

Meanwhile, in New York, society gathers to witness the marriage of Oscar Van Rijn (Blake Ritson) and Enid Winterton (Kelley Curran). “This is going to be such fun,” Oscar remarks.

At the wedding reception at the home of his mother Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and aunt Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), the newly minted Van Rijn couple is already plotting their next moves in society, while the on-and-off-again couple Marian Brook (Louise Jacobson) and Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) reunite.

Back in England, the doctor gives the family a hard decision to make — save the baby, or save the Duchess. In a defiant moment, the Duke tells the doctor to try and save the Duchess over the baby, but if possible, the doctor should do his best to save both of them. 

As the show cuts to New York City, two men walk across the street between the Van Rijn home and the Russell home. They’re played by none other than David Letterman and Matt Damon, dressed in full period attire and walking in unison together.

After the Duchess delivers a healthy baby boy, she hemorrhages after the labor. The doctor is able to save her, but in the process removes her uterus. He shares the news with Bertha and the Duke that the Duchess won’t be able to have more children, which the couple was hoping to have. Bertha advises the Duke to wait until Gladys gets stronger to tell her the news.

In New York, the newlyweds take off to go dancing downtown, followed by Marian and Larry. “I thought those two had called it off,” Enid Van Rijn comments. 

Marian finally lets her hair down and allows herself to dance with Larry. In a slow-motion scene, Marian pulls herself close to Larry.  They leave the dance floor together, and Larry offers Marian a ride home in his carriage. 

A storm stops the carriage from making its way back uptown, and the couple are forced to take shelter at a local hotel. After briefly parting, Larry visits Marian’s room and the pair end up spending the night together. The next morning, Marian feels the weight of their affair, and leaves to go back uptown with a feeling of regret. 

Back at the Forte and Van Rijn household, Marian confides in Peggy (Denée Benton) that she “made a mistake,” and shares that it “wasn’t appropriate.”  Peggy affirms that Marian is being “too hard” on herself.  Peggy shares the news of her new book being published, and talks wedding plans with her future husband, Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica).

Jack Trotter (Ben Ahlers) begins to realize the difference between wealth and status, and asks his former coworkers to help give him a lesson on high society manners, as he plans his next invention.  

As Agnes prepares for President Grover Cleveland’s arrival at her home, she also meets with her new daughter-in-law, Mrs. Oscar Van Rijn, in hopes to understand her motivations and how they might work together. 

Bertha plans her return to New York City; her relationship with George Russell (Morgan Spector) is left in a lurch, and Larry confronts him about the status of his parents’ relationship. Bertha tells the Duchess that Hector the Duke fought to save her life, and they listen to the bells ring out, signaling the arrival of a new member of the Buckingham lineage. 

As he starts to think about his business, Russell Enterprises, George gets information about his assassin. 

The Gilded Age airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.

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