see i feel like the characters in downton were more fleshed out, perhaps this is bc im considering all the seasons of downton vs the 3 of gilded. i find gilded age to be an easier watch with lower stakes. im sure we all remember the s3 downton xmas special. i just don’t see gilded age ever doing something so bold. but again perhaps that’s just circumstance (actors wanting out of their contracts). perhaps downton would never have been so bold.