There’s an entire world where romance is at the forefront of storytelling, yet many TV shows are still afraid of placing healthy married couples at the center of the plot. There’s a preconceived, odd notion that people will stop watching if there’s no build-up or drama to stir the pot and terrorize the romance, but it doesn’t factor in the idea that a large majority of people will watch something if it’s well-written just to see a couple they care about prevail. CBS’ Madam Secretary did it for six years, and now, Max’s The Gilded Age is taking a similar road.
Where romance is at its pinnacle in the literary world and conquering every corner, TV shows often feel they need to draw out the tension to keep things exciting. But what remains thrilling with a show like The Gilded Age is how the Russells could (and should) stay together despite the obstacles towering over them. And CBS’ Madam Secretary (among other shows) proved that the drama could be external without defeating the internal intimacy within closed doors.
CBS’ Madam Secretary Proved That Drama Could Be Contained
As a series centered around politics, CBS’ Madam Secretary understood the fundamental truth that there’s already enough drama within the world to bring it inside the McCord family home. However, this isn’t to say that the series never dabbled, but it did so with organic scenarios that caused strife and frustration where characters could grow from. It never toyed with petty antics such as “the other man or woman” to concoct an affair that’d throw a wrench in the romance. Instead, it consistently gave Henry and Elizabeth challenges to overcome in and outside their home while ensuring their love remained steady.
Without this seemingly small detail, Madam Secretary would’ve been just another political drama on a long list of shows that are far too similar. The romance made it unique, grounded, and profoundly unforgettable, ensuring that viewers would continue coming back. And now, years later, the romance is what people often talk about the most. It becomes a significant selling point for those who haven’t watched the show and are consistently burned by their favorite couples breaking up for fabricated reasons.
The Gilded Age Could Follow This Pattern and Succeed Effortlessly
Now, while CBS’ Madam Secretary and The Gilded Age are nothing like one another, the game of politics plays an intriguing role in the two series. The external drama can and should be the focus of reference. In The Gilded Age Season 1, we get concrete proof that, if nothing else, George Russell is deeply, unquestionably, and irrevocably loyal to his wife. Although there’s much that’ll likely unravel as the series continues, this truth should remain the series’ anchor. It’s the entire reason why I’m thoroughly invested now because it feels like something written in a romance novel that you know (or, in this case, hope) that it’ll persist. No matter how corrupt they might be or what’s happening beyond their homes, their loyalty is currently unmatched.
The key to an engaging series is realism amid the drama. As writers, we fabricate it all, but at what point is it merely tormenting characters for drama’s sake rather than for development? Yes, couples make up and break up all the time—they move on and never look back, but some also stay together. Why aren’t we telling more stories about the marriages that endure despite all the heartaches thrust upon them? Why are we so afraid of showcasing the challenges that come from the trials within love? A marriage in crisis is one of the best tropes in the romance genre because the happy ending always feels earned when the ordeals are authentic and thoughtfully crafted to allow character growth. It’s never tedious or even saccharine to watch two people navigate through life together. What’s boring is drama that feels uninspired for the sake of theatrics.
Madam Secretary is currently streaming on Netflix and The Gilded Age is streaming exclusively on Max.