SPOILER ALERT: The following reveals major plot points from HBO The golden ageSeason 4 premiere.
Surprise! The golden age kicked off its fourth season with multiple surprises, including discreet appearances from Matt Damon and David Letterman. Around 8:33 p.m., two gentlemen cross the street together, played by Damon and Letterman.
Damon wears a top hat, a white shirt with an ascot, tucked into a long coat with pants. He looks different because he has sideburns and a fluffy mustache. Letterman has the same beard he’s had for a few years now, a bowler hat, and an all-black ensemble.
Neither character speaks a word, but they look like serious businessmen about to make major deals for considerable sums of money. It’s kind of comical to see Damon and Letterman make such small appearances, since they could have played bigger roles. But it’s actually perfect that they exist in this world and don’t take away from the story or the characters.
David Letterman and Matt Damon on HBO The golden age Season 4 premiere
Other surprise moments include Oscar van Rhijn’s (Blake Ritson) marriage to Enid Turner (Kelley Curran), a lavender marriage that appears to be the happiest, most functional couple in town. After leaving the older people at reception, the new Mrs. van Rhijn recruits Marian (Louisa Jacobson) to join her and Oscar, along with a few others, for a little after-hours fun.
Marian runs into her former fiancé, Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), at the party, and he teases her for previously saying that she would never be surprised at a party like that. Not exactly a house with a bad reputation, but a bit daring and risky. From pranks to dancing together alongside Oscar and Enid, the night leads Larry to leave with Marian as he attempts to get her home safely in the rain. A minor driving incident leads the former couple to seek refuge in a local hotel, where they become lovers.
In the morning, Marian panics that they spent the night together and that it could ruin her reputation, and rushes home. Larry is beside himself, but at this point, nothing can be done. Learn more about it in our latest interview with Richardson and Jacobson.
Elsewhere, Peggy celebrates the release of her book, which dazzles everyone except Elizabeth Kirkland (Phylicia Rashad), her future mother-in-law. Speaking of Mrs. Kirkland, she has a lot of plans for Peggy and her mother, Dorothy Scott (Audra McDonald), although her true intentions are still unknown.
Across the pond, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) almost died in childbirth, but luckily she and her baby boy are doing well and recovering after a medical emergency. Unfortunately, the doctor had to perform a hysterectomy on Gladys to save her life and as a result, she will no longer be able to have children naturally. More on this in Deadline’s interview with Farmiga.
The next day, Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) is rejoicing at her son’s new marriage when Armstrong (Debra Monk) interrupts the merriment to tell her a secret: Agnes’ new daughter-in-law was Bertha Russell’s (Carrie Coon) former maid. Agnes is, of course, furious that Armstrong didn’t tell her before the nuptials, but now it’s too late.
However, Agnès and Enid meet to discuss things in order to clarify things. The latter admits her past and comforts Agnes by telling her that her past did not affect her when she was Mrs. Winterton. She also confesses to her new mother-in-law that she and Oscar entered into this union with their eyes wide open, gently letting Agnes know that her son’s sexuality is no secret. And for a little extra spice, Enid sweetens the pot by telling him she can’t wait to support Oscar’s passion for the arts and the charities Agnes supports.
The rest of the season continues with new episodes airing Sunday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Here’s a look at the rest of the season below.
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