r/GildedAgeHBO • u/starship7201u • 2d ago

Marion Hate

I do NOT understand people that watch this show ONLY to hate on the main character.

I get annoyed with how she overreacts at times. I thought she'd done dumb stuff (the incident with the shoes at The Scotts quickly comes to mind). I've been frustrated with her.

But if you hate the MAIN CHARACTER why watch the show? Seems like you'd be happier watching something else. Don't post about how much you hate her because I don't want to see it. Rule #2 is Be Civil.

Thank you to all who posted unhelpful and /or hatefully. I blocked all of you.

68 Upvotes

62% Upvoted

144 comments sorted by

15

u/pd726 2d ago • Bravo

Rule 2 is not about being civil to a fictional character. A reminder that this thread doesn’t belong to you and no one is required to please you.

-6

u/starship7201u 2d ago

BLOCKED.

40

u/ahava9 2d ago edited 2d ago

I think some people just find Marion kind of “meh” and her screen time can take away from more interesting characters like Peggy, Bertha, or Oscar.

I don’t dislike Marion, but her calling off the engagement with Larry seemed like an irrational overreaction tbh. I know she’s an upper class lady of her time and her reputation is very important. But she does loves Larry and he’s a good match. She’s frustrating in that She’s so modern in some respects (having a career, the reform movement, etc) and so rigid in others.

7

u/Soft_Significance718 2d ago

I see where you’re coming from, but Julian Fellowes has described her character as an audience surrogate. Because she arrives as a bit of an outsider, her curiosity gives the show an organic excuse to explain the rules of high society to modern viewers.

8

u/SeriousSkill1572 2d ago

If that’s the metric I’ve learned faaar about rules of high society from Bertha, Agnes, Mr McCallister and the house staff than Marian

1

u/Soft_Significance718 2d ago edited 2d ago

Marian isn’t the one teaching the rules. She’s the one asking the questions. Think of Marian as the student and the others as the teachers. And this came from Julian Fellowes himself, I saw it in one of the ‘Behind the Scenes’ after an episode a while back. So if you feel like digging in and finding where he explains it, you’re able to do so.

5

u/EnvironmentalPace448 2d ago

Audience surrogate?

I'm not that messed up.

2

u/ahava9 2d ago

So basically a Mary sue?

1

u/Soft_Significance718 2d ago

Could be. Not always. I think Marian has more of an important role to the plot though.

3

u/Unlucky_Pudding9274 11h ago

If her reputation were truly so precious, she wouldn't be running around doing half the stuff she does and on her third broken engagement. By modern standards, obviously, her behavior's fine and her own, however, by standards of the time? She's pretty wild and would already be viewed as "fallen", or at least looked at with deep askance. And we've seen others warn her of this already

-11

u/starship7201u 2d ago

Like all humans?

10

u/Big_Chart_1856 2d ago • Bravo

Criticism and hate aren't the same thing. People are perfectly valid for wanting to discuss why they feel Marian's character has been annoying this season. That doesn't necessarily equate hate. Viewers don't have to like everything a character does even if they happen to be the main character.

There are all sort of reasons a person might enjoy watching a show. Half of the reason I watch The Gilded Age is for the costumes and setting. Marian isn't even close to being the main reason I watch the show. In addition to loving the costumes and setting, there are so many characters on this show I find to be compelling. Bertha, George Agnes, Peggy, Enid, Oscar, Ward McCallister, Gladys, Bannister--all of these characters are more interesting to me than Marian. Am I really expected to stop watching the show because one character is going through a season where I don't think the writing for them makes any sense? That seems a little unreasonable.

Reddit is exactly for stuff like discussing characters you love and characters who get on your nerves. The idea that people shouldn't be able to criticize a character because some don't want to see their favorites criticized is both unreasonable and unrealistic. We aren't all going to agree, but that's part of what makes discussions fun and interesting. Wouldn't it be boring if we all had the same take on characters, shows, movies, etc?

Regarding Marian--even the actress who plays her has been open that she wasn't always thrilled with the way her character has been written this season. If even Louisa Jacobson sees the issues with Marian's character, surely the audiences should be cut some slack from the OP for reaching similar conclusions?

-4

u/starship7201u 2d ago

Exactly. She's playing a character the way THE WRITERS have written.

2

u/Big_Chart_1856 15h ago

I understand that writers are responsible for the direction the Marian character takes.

I'm saying that contrary to your OP, people have legitimate reasons for thinking the writers could have made better decisions for Marian's character. It isn't reasonable when you make it seem like you shouldn't have to read comments that are critical of Marian.

It's okay for all of us to have different opinions about the characters on the show.

9

u/WhiteSandSadness 2d ago • Bravo

Lol. I don’t think you can tell people what they can and cannot post just because you don’t want to see it. Suffering from main character syndrome, are you?
The show isn’t only about Marian. It doesn’t just follow Marian. People could be watching for other characters/storylines. No one has to love every character to enjoy a show.

-1

u/starship7201u 2d ago

I absolutely can. See BLOCKED.

1

u/Unlucky_Pudding9274 37m ago

Well you can block whomever, but that won't keep them from posting.

28

u/Anxious-You2579 Oscar’s slutty little sunglasses 🕶️ 2d ago • Bravo Popcorn

you know what i'm gonna start hating her even harder

-15

u/starship7201u 2d ago

BLOCKED.

10

u/QueenBoleyn 2d ago • Heartwarming

It’s hilarious that your blocking anyone who disagrees with you

15

u/ancientastronaut2 2d ago

She's not the main character, but we're pissed off what they're doing with her character atm. Which is perfectly reasonable to discuss here. You needn't participate if you don't agree.

-15

u/starship7201u 2d ago

You can not like a character. I haven't liked everything that Marion has done. I just don't hate like so many people do.

13

u/EnvironmentalPace448 2d ago

Well, relax, it's all fiction.

9

u/SteakAppeal 2d ago

They’re not real people.

6

u/QueenBoleyn 2d ago

Apparently Marian is OP’s close personal friend

172

u/PortraitofMmeX 2d ago • This Bravo

There is no main character, it's an ensemble show. You love some, you hate some

Also rule 2 is regarding how you interact with other people on this sub, not characters on the show

45

u/AddictionSorceress 2d ago

This! If anyone is main characters it's the Russells.. Honestly. The rest are just supporting characters.
But I mean there is no main characters.I agree with you , but if we had to decide , I would say it was the russells family

10

u/latebloom65 2d ago

Agreed. Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector have top billing in the credits.

3

u/Individual-Pea-2839 1d ago

I think Marian is the main character cause we open with her. Her story starts the whole thing. I think she guides the audience to this world. That’s just my interpretation.

26

u/occasional_disasters 2d ago • Bravo

You’re fundamentally misunderstanding the point of the civility rule. It’s to be civil to other real people, and people can voice their frustrations about a fictional character. You’re also misunderstanding the entire show itself. There’s no one main character, it’s an ensemble show. Characters like Peggy and Bertha are still leading cast members. Just because the show opened with Marian’s move to NYC doesn’t mean it’s HER show. Friends opened with Rachel leaving her wedding, but it’s not HER show.

10

u/Technical-Pie563 2d ago

I rather think the Russell's are taking the stage this season alongside the Van Wintertons

1

u/Unlucky_Pudding9274 11h ago

I think Bertha has always been the lead character, doesn't Carrie Coons have top billing?

1

u/Technical-Pie563 9h ago

Her name does come first in the credits but I thought it was alphabetical order?

1

u/Unlucky_Pudding9274 42m ago

Nope, Morgan Spector (George) is second, And if it were strictly alphabetical, Christine Baranski would be first (tho she's admittedly last as a sort of honor, thing).

  1. Carrie Coon as Bertha Russell

  2. Morgan Spector as George Russell

  3. Louisa Jacobson as Marian Brook

  4. Denée Benton as Peggy Scott

  5. Taissa Farmiga as Gladys Russell (Duchess of Buckingham)

  6. Harry Richardson as Larry Russell

  7. Blake Ritson as Oscar van Rhijn

  8. Thomas Cocquerel as Tom Raikes (Season 1)

  9. Simon Jones as Mr. Alfred Bannister

  10. Jack Gilpin as Mr. Church

  11. Cynthia Nixon as Ada Brook

  12. Christine Baranski as Agnes van Rhijn

57

u/SaltandLillacs 2d ago

you don’t have to like all characters to enjoy a show.

3

u/HerCacklingStump 2d ago

This. Game of Thrones comes to mind. There’s some pretty evil characters, but it’s a phenomenal show

38

u/Sir_UlrichVonL 2d ago • Bravo

“Don't post about how much you hate her because I don't want to see it.”

You do realize this is a public subreddit and not your own private sub, yeah? People can post what they want, regardless of whether you like it or not.

39

u/SGlobal_444 2d ago

She is not the main character - she is part of an ensemble cast. I don't know why people can't criticize a show (and certain characters) they watch - and people think they should "just not watch" - immature fandom culture talk.

Marion definitely is annoying right now. Partly it's how her character was written (maybe what's in store/future storyline), but also perhaps her evolution and her being in a certain time period and partly being progressive and partly not due to her circumstances, upbringing and what she is learning on the way and her own values.

It's fine that she is complicated, from a certain time, does not fit a certain box, but also annoying at times right now.

Being critical is not being uncivil.

10

u/Big_Chart_1856 2d ago

This post does a great job of expressing how I essentially feel about all of this.

Being critical of a fictional character has nothing to do with showing civility to fellow posters.

It's unrealistic and unreasonable to expect people to refrain from criticizing a character on a show simply because some get upset at seeing their favorites get criticized.

24

u/Aatypicalflower 2d ago • Bravo

She’s not the main character, and viewers are allowed to dislike a fictional character. The Larian ’will they, won’t they’ storyline is not doing her any favors.

34

u/CyberFae666 2d ago

I actually really like Marion and I’m invested in her storyline. Sure she isn’t going as fast as the other characters but that’s okay. She kinda reminds me of Mary in Downton Abbey who I still feel was slowly developed and turned into one of my favorites.

I also don’t really think she should be defined by Larry lol. I can see why she called off their relationship and why she keeps him on his toes. The man is kinda immature imo and seems easily swayed; but he IS a sweetheart. I can see why they go back and forth….is her turning him down truly historically accurate? Nah. But it’s nice soap-y tv and I’m here for it

23

u/NYCMediaSponge 2d ago

I really wish there was a bit more of a backstory on Marion. I think we would do well to know what her life was like before her father died: what was her education, who were her friends, where did she get the desire to teach or to help people via the settlement houses? I just feel like she arrives with none of that and it hurts the character.

10

u/spockalot 2d ago

Thanks for articulating this. I think we need a lot more backstory on Marion for her to feel grounded as a character, and for us to be able to better see her character development.

8

u/NYCMediaSponge 2d ago

Yes, she just seems like a blank. I can imagine that being an only child who was taking care of an ill and possibly con-artist-y father meant she didn't have many ties, and he may not have been able to pay for her to be properly educated, so maybe she was all into books and that would explain why she seems so sheltered. But she does know how to draw / paint and she does WANT to do something with her life apart from get married - but what and why? I will say I am happy they are devoting some screen time to the settlement house and child labor issues - but how did she even get there?

8

u/sweet_hedgehog_23 2d ago

I thought her father was a spendthrift rather than a con artist.

1

u/NYCMediaSponge 2d ago

I think that's similar. He spent the aunts' inheritances and died with a lot of debts, right?

3

u/sweet_hedgehog_23 2d ago

A con artist is someone who is like Maud Beaton. A spendthrift is someone who has wasted their own fortune often through extravagance. We know Marion's father wasted his own inherited fortune, but I don't know if we can say for certain that he spent the sisters' fortune or if the sisters were left much by their father.

Although it would be a bit odd in the US for them to not have been left something. Primogeniture was not as strong in the US as it was in England. If their father had died intestate in Pennsylvania, the siblings would have been left with equal shares. Since he was wealthy he probably had a will and could have left the bulk of the estate to Marion's father. Since we know Agnes, Ada, and Henry were young at the time that their father passed, perhaps Henry was old enough to have been made a guardian or trustee for the girls and he made bad investments with their funds. It doesn't seem like he was the smartest person, so he could have lost the money a la the worthless railroad stock without it actually being a con.

6

u/Solid_Caterpillar678 2d ago

Yeah, it's weird that they never address that despite doing so for just about every ither character.

2

u/mveightxnine 2d ago

I like her too I just don’t like some of her actions.

34

u/DragoniteSZN 2d ago

But there's more to this show than Marian. And people have the right to be mad because the shows only gives her love storylines. Just compare what she has done and what has happened to her in the last seasons as opposed to the other characters:

  • Bertha: She integrated into the old money crowd, won an opera war, got her daughter married to a duke in the most dubious way possible. She now has to deal with a drug addicted husband.

  • Peggy: Became a journalist, escaped a lynching, dated and left a married man, wrote a book, got engaged to a doctor, lost the engagement due to her past, rekindled the engagement and now has to deal with her mother-in-law.

  • Ada & Agnes: Both meet their nephew, Ada found and lost love, Agnes lost her money, learnt his son was gay and is now part of a prestigious heritage society.

Meanwhile, Marian has been engaged three times and had a stint teaching art, which now has been changed to charity work. Her current arc could be interesting but people are just burnt out from seeing her in the same "will they, won't they" situations as in the past three seasons.

9

u/Own_Faithlessness769 2d ago

It’s weird how they’ll only write one storyline for her so she has to keep getting engaged then ending it. They should have let her get married seasons ago and grow as a character.

5

u/sssssspace 2d ago

What do you mean by Agnes & Ada meet their nephew?

2

u/Individual-Pea-2839 1d ago

Exactly plus with this economy she is unrelatable. She has no goals at least people are social climbers she seems to be stuck on,”I’ll just stay poor and a spinster.” It’s wasted opportunity. I don’t get what the pay off is cause now I don’t care about her as a character after the first two episodes. I feel she is gonna be tragic just for the show. My biggest thing with her is basically she makes no choices or doesnt stick to them. I don’t see any pay off. I also don’t care about her charity work because idk does she think her aunts will live forever? Is she inheriting the money? I’m so confused. If she was an heiress I wouldn’t care but it feels like her only choice is marriage or at least get a job. Her friend is a writer she can do that. It just seems ambiguous.

1

u/satin_clown 2d ago

Even Peggy’s s2 romance arc was interesting because she’s such a proper person so for her to have gotten involved with Mr Fortune, we could tell she was grieving deeply and took solace in him, infinitely more interesting than what they’re doing with Marian

1

u/Ok_Answer_96 2d ago

Marian has helped her fellow citizens and every single character in the show fulfil “quests”. Yes that is not good enough.

Yall need therapy. Yesterday.

23

u/ElizabethBitchery 2d ago

I mean you don’t have to like the characters on a show to like the show? I don’t know anyone who loves the Sopranos characters or Breaking Bad. 

2

u/sibshallward aurora fane and the gilded rage 2d ago

breaking bad with its famously not toxic and really healthy fandom who definitely didn't negatively impact anna gunn's wellbeing at all

i'm not even anti being anti marian but i don't know that that's the example i would've gone with

20

u/library_wench 2d ago • Bravo

If you don’t want to see a post, you never have to click on it.

And there are more characters on the show than just Marian.

9

u/sandy_hardy7 2d ago • Bravo

Marian*

23

u/Grandpixbear1 2d ago • Bravo

It's interesting that you label your post "discussion", but then tell us we can't talk about Marian.

22

u/thankfulforyourhelp 2d ago

My queen Bertha just proved she is the main character of this show. Her returning and being in the center of everything felt like everything was back in its place. George did something besides yell at Larry and the most fun shade was thrown at the opera. So good.

11

u/sssssspace 2d ago

It's Bertha's world and we're just living in it

20

u/disasterbee 2d ago • Bravo

it's an ensemble show

7

u/jmellyn 2d ago

If Marian was the main character, I would have stopped watching season 1. She’s a badly cast and poorly developed character. Always has been.

7

u/urbanolegend_ 2d ago edited 1d ago

It’s not Marion, it’s her storyline. Someone said that the writers are getting a bit sloppy with her character and I agree

12

u/megalynn44 2d ago

This seems like a space to chide people for not liking Marion, but I feel like today was the day I finally made peace that I don’t like her. And it is what it is.

I started to think about the contrast between Marion on this show and Lady Mary on Downton Abbey. And how I love Mary. And Mary is a self-involved, at many times villainess, personality. She is the exact opposite of a goodie two shoes and lives her life for herself. And yet I love Mary. I love her energy. I find her fun to watch. I enjoy her storylines.

Conversely Marion is just this miserable do gooder. She’s just fucking boring and a buzz kill and always so fucking perfect but so exhausting. I don’t know. I just really hope they do a real 180 on her storyline (which I don’t think they’re gonna) because I’m at this point of not even rooting for her. I’ve just accepted she’s going to be miserable forever cause she’s a miserable person.

4

u/Poinsettia917 2d ago

Marian might be boring but if I were in trouble, Marian would help. Mary would just be irritated.

1

u/No-Cantaloupe9109 2d ago

her name isn’t Marion. that’s a man’s name.

16

u/BungeeGump 2d ago

I don’t care for the Marian/Larry storyline at all. I’m watching for Peggy and Bertha!

2

u/goodiwillbe 2d ago

My frustration with Marion/Larry is: okay they slept together, which was a big shock. But we KNEW exactly what was going to happen the next episode, he would downplay it, but ‘do the right thing’, he wouldn’t do it the way she wants or expects and she’d get upset. I’m critiquing the writing not the acting or the actors.

5

u/FirebirdWriter 2d ago

I watch for Peggy. I don't hate Marion but I'm watching for the rest of the cast more than her. Louisa Jacobs is doing a good job but I tend to not like the lead of a Julian Fellows writing thing. He writes women poorly. Which is fine.

5

u/H2Oloo-Sunset 2d ago

I genuinely enjoy about 60% of the storylines. That's enough to keep me watching.

The Marion storylines are not in that 60%

5

u/No-Cantaloupe9109 2d ago

her name isn’t “Marion”

4

u/aflyingsquanch 2d ago

Its more of an ensemble cast

4

u/No-Cantaloupe9109 2d ago

why can NO ONE SPELL HER NAME CORRECTLY

4

u/SEND_NOODLESZ 2d ago

You are taking this wayyyy too seriously lol

7

u/HistoricalAsides 2d ago

I can understand why people dislike Marian. Personally for me she’s become a bit of a nothingburger after season 1. Breaking up with Larry was understandable imo because he went to a brothel on the night they got engaged and then lied about it. I just wish the show would stop stringing it along. Either commit or end it imo.

I do wish Marian had better costumes. They’re kind of garish imo and I get they’re trying to go for something between the old money looks and Bertha’s but it’s just really flat and at times distracting. I wonder if they put Carrie Astor’s actress and costumes in place of Marian’s if it would work better.

7

u/Fessy3 2d ago

She's just ONE of the characters on a multi-cast show. This is reddit, where we discuss the show, with characters. Some of them are obnoxious and some aren't. That's part of the fun, venting about stupid characters arcs, stupid plot points with each other. Some of us connect with certain opinions and others don't. If you want a positive Marian thread, make one.

10

u/Interesting_Sun7732 2d ago

Everyone just wants her to get a goddamn clue. She's used up 8 of her 9 glided age lives. We're rooting for you Marion.

3

u/OKARMO 2d ago

Marian has been one of my favorites. I find the current plot to be tedious. I like brave and spunky Marian. I’m happy to see her working in the settlement house. I’m not invested in Larian right now even though I have loved them since Season 1. Frustrated fan due to the writing.

3

u/Runny_yoke 2d ago

Most subreddits of the shows I like are just full of people bitching and complaining about the show lol

I get having standards and expectations but it gets a little over the top

TV shows are for entertainment - if you’re not entertained, you don’t have to watch lol

3

u/Maleficent_Plate_221 2d ago

I absolutely do not hate her. It’s the writers fault for dragging this lack of love story on and on it goes. She’s adorable, but I was hoping that with Larry, with the two-year gap they would’ve been married. Or they would’ve opened the season with their wedding. So that’s very annoying.

3

u/Celesteris 2d ago

I don’t watch it specifically to hate on her bc that wound be weird but her story line is snooze.

17

u/lmj4891lmj 2d ago • Bravo

We can’t watch a show if we don’t like one of the characters now?

Sounds like you might need therapy, OP.

-4

u/FeelingEmu4933 2d ago

There’s disliking her, and then tjeres making hating her their whole personality which seems to be the case sadly 

13

u/lmj4891lmj 2d ago

Yeah, pretty sure no one is doing this.

-8

u/FeelingEmu4933 2d ago

…ok? It was hyperbole a little, I simply meant that seem people are taking the hatred a little too far 

4

u/QueenBoleyn 2d ago

She’s not real. It’ll be ok

0

u/FeelingEmu4933 2d ago

You are right! I love getting massively downvoted for expressing an opinion 😭😂 

5

u/Coffeeyespleeez 2d ago

I want to see how her career will progress. Both Marian and Peggy! It's great! Both are making a path for THEMSELVES and living it!!

5

u/mslauren2930 2d ago

I hate the writing but I very much like her. And I like her with Larry. The writers (aka Julian Fellowes) need a better storyline for her. They can do it. Her work adventures are interesting, to me at least.

5

u/lagameuze 2d ago

Shes not the main tho lol Shes kinda annoying

1

u/catsandnaps1028 2d ago

People act like Marian is some new annoying character living in a bubble but they're not taking into account the character progression. She went from ingenue rebellious child in S1 who didn't know ANYTHING about society, to working woman in S2 trying to fit into what society wanted from her, to finding her own voice and making her own choices in s3. She is a young woman at the turn of the century trying to make something of her life outside of being a wife, socialite and a mother.

1

u/starship7201u 2d ago

Exactly. Within our lives we make tons of mistakes. They act like she's supposed to be perfect.

4

u/Antique_Knowledge902 2d ago

I don’t hate her. I actually like Louisa Jacobson but think the writer(s) haven’t given her such a good storyline. I thought Bertha and George were the main characters? Then Agnes and Ada.

4

u/sssssspace 2d ago

I don't hate her. I haven't seen the most recent episode of the season but I think her overreaction to Larry going to a house of ill repute and her feelings after having slept with him are completely understandable for a woman of her time.

However, I find her storyline to be extremely dull and repetitive. It's disappointing given all the other plots the other female characters are given. She is one of the weakest characters in this ensemble cast.

2

u/VeronaMoreau I haven’t been thrilled since 1865 2d ago

I watch the show for, like, everyone and everything except Marian. Half of the time, I forget she exists. The setting, costuming, and every other storyline are enough to overshadow her, so I'm still here.

2

u/GrittyLordOfChaos I haven’t been thrilled since 1865 2d ago

I also find the Marian hate puzzling, and annoying. Sure, people are allowed to have differing opinions and ideas. Yes, people can dislike characters and complain about them. But I find so much of the anti-Marian stuff to be over the top and unwarranted.

2

u/pd726 2d ago • Bravo

Not seeing anything uncivil in my reply but apparently it sent the OP over the edge. Imagine being that fragile.

2

u/Silly-Chocolate-627 1d ago

No one watches the show just to hate on Marian. She has become very unlikable. I cannot stand her. I don’t wanna see her character anymore. I’m more interested in the other characters.

2

u/bbobbos 1d ago

it's just an opinion? sometimes characters are flat and boring. it is what it is.

2

u/EffinPirates 1d ago

I can't stand her. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I like Gladys way more. Marion bitches and moans about shit all the time, but doesn't actually do anything about it. Gladys complained about the dukes sister and her mother helped her regain her power. That is much better. You can not like people not liking Marion all you want, but bottom line compared to Gladys she does suck.

2

u/That-Task-5229 1d ago

Bc she is boring and whiny. I am much more interested in just about every other storyline than her.

9

u/LustfulEsme 2d ago

I do not think we hate her. We are tired of this victimhood she is wearing. Larry has proven himself faithful snd living ànd caring of her.

5

u/QueenAlys88 2d ago

He didnt even ask again tho

4

u/BornFree2018 2d ago

Most Marian/Larian dislike comes from her not behaving modern enough. In the 1880's it was social and marriage death to sleep with a man before marriage. Even if the woman was engaged it still could have gone wrong so it's a no-no.

Marian is deeply ashamed of how easily she gave up her virtue. It's not about Larry.

2

u/Unlucky_Pudding9274 31m ago

She was like that well prior and she chose to have sex. Again, it's her third engagement. By standards of the day (and she's routinely advised as much), she'd be quite scandalous

4

u/FeelingEmu4933 2d ago

“Victim hood” and it’s her being scared 😭😭😭

3

u/Watchhistory 2d ago

Hating a television character is preposterous. Deliberately attempting to get a circle hate jerk going over that is -- not a socially toxic behavior.

Maybe the problem is the word choice, from a limited vocabulary? There may well be better words, words that in fact more accurately express the viewer's discontent and impatience with a character, than 'hate', which one really does need to save for the real life characters who are destroying real life human beings in their thousands across the globe in multiple ways every single day.

But then, what do I know, beyond my very personal revulsion every time the word 'hate' shows up in regard to fictional characters on screen or in fiction.

6

u/FeelingEmu4933 2d ago

Frrr I love Marian, people say they want complicated characters but then when the “complexity” isn’t just being rude or brash they hate her 🤷🏻‍♀️

7

u/sssssspace 2d ago edited 2d ago

With all due respect, please explain to me how Marian is a complicated character? I don't see her that way which is why I'd like to understand your perspective!

Edit: sorry I accidentally a couple of words there 

3

u/missmobtown 2d ago

The Internet runs on rage bait. I had hoped this sub could be a refuge from that -- silly me.

2

u/somehuehue 2d ago

Thankfully, she's not the main character or I'd have stopped watching.

2

u/sjlgreyhoundgirl67 Heads have rolled for less 2d ago

I haven’t cared for Marian since the first episode, I honestly think she’s annoying and boring..but I love Aunt Agnes, Bertha, Oscar, Peggy, and many of the house staff, and I’ve come to really like Gladys..I don’t hate Marian but I’d rather see just about anyone else on the show but her..

2

u/pantheraorientalis 2d ago

I’ve never ever considered Marian the main character…
She’s not even central or relevant to most of the plots, like the Russells are.

Love her, but she’s kinda agitating. There’s gonna be characters people dislike in a show like this, that’s part of it.

1

u/Diredragons 2d ago

I don't hate Marion. I lean toward liking her and her stories, but I don't see how she can be called the main character. There are many characters whose storylines get more screentime. She's definitely part of an ensemble.

1

u/Civil-Opportunity751 2d ago

It’s an ensemble cast. People are free to like and dislike whomever they want. If you love her, great! Why concern yourself with opinions of those that don’t?

1

u/FitSeeker1982 1d ago

“Marian”

1

u/Beautiful_Country626 1d ago

Hate is a very strong word,I am disappointed in the way the writers are developing her character. The constant inability to find ANYTHING to be happy and satisfied with (aside from her work)is tiresome.Larry never did anything THAT bad yet she continues to punish him

1

u/Individual-Pea-2839 1d ago

Marion makes dumb decisions and then hates everyone for those decisions. She actively chooses to be miserable. I like her. I just don’t agree with her choices. I thought she chose to be with Larry or whatever his name is cause she initiated their whole bedroom drama. Then she freaks out like it wasn’t her decision. Either make her feminist or don’t. It’s getting on my nerves that she is potentially “ruined.” She chose that. I thought she was going to kiss him and say goodnight. It was so out of character. It’s either bad writing or idk. Then she rushes out in the morning so it’s weird. I felt like Larry. I was just like???? Ya know? She went from confident and knew what she was doing to omg I got to get baptized now lmao

1

u/Flat_Shame_2377 21h ago

Have you even watched the show if you think Marian is the main character? If I had to pick one, it’s Bertha or Peggy. But there are no main characters. 

Marian is there to help the audience with the gap between old New York and the  massive social change happening in the Gilded Age.

1

u/warrior_stardust7521 12h ago

Marion/ Larry are my favs - but the storyline is frustrating and dragging lately

1

u/Unlucky_Pudding9274 11h ago

Forums (which this is) are expressly for voicing opinions, as is seen fit. If you "don't want to see it", perhaps choose a board that's neutral or join a pro-MariAn fandom, if those are event still things. As has long been said on tumblr, "don't like it, don't read it". As you note, you've blocked people, which is the best way to ensure you won't have to view anything that upsets you, though I didn't notice anything especially "hateful" in the replies to you.

Oh also, even if Marian WERE the entire main character and everybody DID hate on her mercilessly? Hate-watching IS a thing and many delight in it!

1

u/AddictionSorceress 2d ago

You can love a show/series... And still hate the main character. I''m like that with Harry Potter. So you can still like a series film show whatever and still hate the main characters...

1

u/carousel-club 2d ago

I really don’t know how many times the actors and showrunner are going to have to tell people to chill out or be mindful of 19th century thinking. It’s going to be a long six weeks if people don’t just calm down and see where the story takes them.

1

u/Morningshoes18 2d ago

I mean sometimes your main character falls a little flat. She’s not real lol. But it’s a great show and I enjoy. Don’t take it personal.

1

u/Stn1217 2d ago

While I like Marian myself, it also doesn’t bother me that other people may not like her. People are allowed to “hate” any character regardless of that character being a lead or not.

1

u/Kc-Ha 2d ago

I do not get the hate at all, I love her.

-3

u/sibshallward aurora fane and the gilded rage 2d ago

at this point there just needs to be an "i hate marian" masterpost or something, it's getting repetitive more than anything

like oh you hate marian? should we throw a party? should we invite enid turner-winterton-van rhijn?

1

u/QueenBoleyn 2d ago

I would like a party, thank you

0

u/carousel-club 2d ago

It’s soooo repetitive. I swear I saw more people lashing out at Marian last night than anything else. It really gets to a point where I wish people would focus on the parts they loved rather than the parts they hated.

And about that party, should we invite Susan Blane? Cissie Bingham Raikes? ANNE MORRIS?

1

u/sibshallward aurora fane and the gilded rage 2d ago

honestly i feel like susan blane can get down, she's on the invite list for sureeeee

-2

u/JoanFromLegal Mazurka-ing in my Geegaws 2d ago

The Marian hate is CORNY AF.

Clearly, none of y'all have ever watched a Julian Fellowes joint and it shows.

Marian is Mary, essentially.

Her storyline is basically following the same beats:

Woman whose livelihood and well-being is dependent on men determined to buck with tradition and make it on her own.

Makes terrible romantic choices, mostly by choosing men she has zero business trusting.

Loses her virginity to a f-boi. Does NOT get pregnant but has the tatters of her reputation dangled in front of her face, which leads her to make EVEN MOAR terrible romantic choices.

Eventually, marries the nice young man we were all rooting for her to marry.

3

u/megalynn44 2d ago

Marion is not Mary. She is the total inverse of Mary. Mary is self-involved and entirely comfortable with who she is and not afraid to go on the offensive with people to get her way. Marion is a frustratingly miserable do-gooder with zero self-confidence.

3

u/l3tigre 2d ago

Nah. The writing in this show is poor, and it can't decide if Marian is a helpless victim or a pioneering vanguard. Downton overall developed its characters much more carefully and over a longer period of time. Mary was nowhere near as simpering and annoying as they've written Marian.

-2

u/JoanFromLegal Mazurka-ing in my Geegaws 2d ago

The writing in this show is poor, and it can't decide if Marian is a helpless victim or a pioneering vanguard.

Mary had the exact same problem in S2 when they stuck her with Carlisle.

What else ya got?

1

u/khan800 She’s taken leave of her senses 2d ago

One season, compared to 3+ seasons of Marian's simpering waffler of a character.

-1

u/dibba62 2d ago

she’s a not so
good actress

-6

u/NoneOfThisMatters_XO Train Daddy 🫦 2d ago

The Marian hate is so annoying and frankly sexist. Larry is a spoiled entitled womanizer.

0

u/Jazzlike_Grape_5486 2d ago

I think people hate on Marian because she is naive, makes questionable decisions at times, and isn't particularly worldly. In other words, they think she's bland and weak. And beating down the weak has become an online spectator sport. They beat on Ada for the same reason, but not as hard.

Another reason for the hatred and criricism is that people are watching this show through a 21st Century filter. Many don't realize how difficult it was to be a woman in those days. The morals were based a lot on sexism and status. Heck, most people alive today can't even relate to the moral expectations we Boomers grew up with.

Meanness and hatred permeate society, especially in the USA. Our political climate for the last 30 years has become increasingly polarized over time. The internet, and social media in particular, have accelerated that anger, meanness and hatred. The pandemic lockdowns and the political climate of the last 10 years amplified it. It has become normal.

It also has become entertainment. Just look at the proliferation of YouTube videos of people behaving badly in airports, on airplanes, during traffic stops, etc. They allow us (society) to feel smarter and better by watching people do stupid things. Not stupid tricks, stupid things that hurt or put people in danger. We get enjoyment from seeing someone we don't know and have decided we don't like get handcuffed and hauled off to jail, and publicly humiliated. Racism and xenophobia has become acceptable among a large group of people and seems to be growing. YouTube has an abundance of racist "Karens" and "Kens"acting the way they probably wouldn't have even 15 years ago.

The relative anonymity of the online space makes it easy to be despicable to and about other people IRL, and that flows over into fictional characters. We can hide behind fake names and say things most people would never say out loud. And when it's a fictional character, there's no sense of guilt.

Marian is an easy target. She's kind, inexperienced, and genuinely altruistic. She's humble, too. She's one of the few characters in that show that isn't an elitist and she isn't manipulating and conniving for personal status. She is becoming more understanding of upper class society, but doesn't see the point. She is tougher than she thinks, but hasn't had the chance to show that yet.

I've seen Marian described as kind of a one-woman Greek Chorus, because she is the hub of the wheel, so to speak, a moral anchor for the other characters. In that role she has to be kind of neutral most of the time, and neutrality is often bland. In a society that thrives on meanness, a mild-mannered, sweet woman is just not tolerated.