The American Gilded Age was a period of immense economic and social change, when empires were built, but no victory came without sacrifice. After the Opera War, the old guard is weakened and the Russells stand poised to take their place at society’s head. Bertha sets her sights on a prize that would elevate the family while George risks  everything on a gambit that could revolutionize the railroad industry or ruin him. Across the street, the Brook household is in chaos as Agnes refuses to accept Ada’s new role. Peggy meets a handsome doctor from Newport whose family disapproves of her career. As New York hastens toward the future, ambition may cost them what they hold dear.