This show works as a fantastic fantasy where you imagine yourself as one of the rich and noble of Gilded Age New York.
It's beautifully written, full of colorful characters that each feel as motivated and purposeful as all the others. Their lives are fleshed out and their potential for stories is always taken to its limit.
Even though my own circumstances are about as far from the lives of these people as is possible, the show still managed to get me to feel for and understand the mentality and feelings of all the characters.
Not every sub plot is a knockout and not every interaction is engaging, but it's one of the more consistent writing jobs done in this genre.
Beyond the exceptional writing, it's a beautifully produced show. The costumes on particular are fantastic! Every episode brings a new set of special dresses to admire. And the sets.... Absolutely gorgeous. This is arguably the best show of it's kind in terms of production design.
All around, I wasn't expecting much when I initially turned it on but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's fantastic.
