Oscar van Rhijn

Frances Montgomery (first cousin once removed)

**Oscar van Rhijn** is the bachelor son of Agnes van Rhijn. Wishing to settle down comfortably, he hopes to find an heiress to marry. He is one of the few who are able to challenge and question his mother. Although part of the New York's old money society, Oscar recognizes the growing influence of the new money and is keen to connect with them, particularly with the Russell Family. He is a closeted homosexual and in a long-time secret relationship with John Adams.

## Biography

### Early life

Oscar van Rhijn is the son of the late Arnold Van Rhijn and his wife, Agnes (née Brook). He is part of old money New York society, as his family moved to the city in 1674.  As a descendant of Arnold van Rhijn, one of the founders of the United Manhattan Trust - established in 1797 - Oscar inherited a high-ranking role in banking. He is first cousins with Marian Brook on his mother's side, and Aurora Fane and Dashiell Montgomery on his father's side. Oscar did not know Marian before she moved to New York in 1882, due to the fractured relationship between his uncle and mother.

His godmother is Archie Baldwin’s aunt.

### Season 1

###### Episode 1

Shortly after returning from his travels in Europe, Oscar stays with Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish - a prominent socialite - in Newport, Rhode Island. He is friendly with Carrie Astor and introduced to Larry Russell, who he discovers is one of new neighbors who have moved into the mansion across from his family home at 5th Avenue and East 61st Street. He learns that Larry lives there with his parents and sister. Later, before dinner, Oscar shares with them the news that his cousin, Marian Brook, has moved in with his mother and aunt while he was abroad due to the death of her father, the late General Henry Brook, leaving her penniless. He incorrectly assumes and alludes to her being a particularly undesirable spinster.

Agnes invites Oscar and John Adams to the Brooks home for tea so that she can introduce the cousins to one another and presumably to present John as a potential and acceptable suitor to Marian. John is a great grandson of John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States; he is well respected by the old money society of New York. His and Oscar's relationship is illicit for the time in which they live, and so despite living together, it is not known that they are lovers.

When Oscar reunites with his mother at the Brooks house, he is introduced to Peggy Scott - Agnes’ newly employed secretary. He and Agnes exchange quick banter regarding Oscar's duty to keep the household running if Agnes were unable, which includes the added responsibility of caring for Ada and Marian if they are not married. Upon meeting her, Oscar is surprised to see that Marian is not as he previously assumed. John, once he arrives, is quick to shut down a potential love-match between him and Marian when they are introduced, which clearly disappoints Agnes.

One night, Oscar returns to his and John's boarding house rooms and expresses to him that he badly wanted to go the Russell’s soirée. He does not elaborate before they go to bed.

###### Episode 2

When visiting the Brooks household, Oscar uses the opportunity to ask Marian for details on Gladys Russell. He is keen to know her, clearly not sharing his mother’s disdain for the *nouveau riche*. Downstairs in the kitchen, Bridget admires Oscar’s good looks and Jack suggests that he may be set up with Marian, but Miss Armstrong shoots them down by suggesting Oscar is a fortune hunter. That evening, Ada and Agnes are alone when Ada inquires as to whether Oscar and Marian could make a potential match, Agnes is quick to shut down the idea - they are first cousins and Marian has no money.

After lunch at the Union Club — an elite, private social club for men — with Ogden Goelet, an successful businessman of the era, alongside Larry Russell, Oscar invites his neighbor to his family home on their way back to East 61st Street, as Oscar is expected to meet his family for tea with Tom Raikes. Agnes is visibly vexed when Larry is introduced and confronts Oscar once he and Tom depart. Oscar sees the importance of keeping up with the new money crowd, which Agnes points out is related to his interest in Gladys, but Oscar criticizes and teases his mother for her prejudice and old-fashioned beliefs.

Before dinner at the Knickerbocker Club - an elite, private gentleman’s club - Oscar fetches Larry from the Russell household, where he meets Gladys, who finds him charming. Oscar invites her to join them, but she is not permitted, as she has not yet made her societal debut. He offers that he and the Russell family see more of each other.

The next day, Marian approaches Oscar before dinner in hopes he can help her repair the conflict with their cook, Mrs. Bauer, who is fifty dollars in debt due to her gambling. In exchange for borrowing the money from him, Oscar asks Marian to host a lunch and invite Gladys, so that he can know her better. After dinner, he reveals Mrs. Bauer's debt to Ada when she presses for more detail.

At the charity bazaar organized by Anne Morris and his cousin Aurora Fane, Marian informs Oscar that Ada will pay Mrs. Bauer’s debt, suggesting she has no reason to help him connect with Gladys. When the Russell's arrives, Oscar takes the opportunity to approach Gladys. He is introduced to Bertha Russell, who seems skeptical of Oscar’s interest in her daughter.

###### Episode 3

Oscar is invited to dine at the Russell’s and stops at the Brooks house beforehand. At dinner, they discuss his career and family’s history in banking, Archie Baldwin, and briefly touch on George Russell’s burgeoning railroad empire. They talk about romanesque architectural style and Oscar's interest in Gladys is made more apparent when he makes a point to ask for and support her opinion, which is presumably rare. Later, when Bertha and George are alone, they discuss Oscar and Archie's intentions with Gladys. Bertha is clear that Oscar is not an acceptable match for her daughter.

At Oscar and John's rooms, Oscar shares his plan of courting Gladys - without disclosing her identity. He is drawn to her immense wealth and naïveté, which would allow him to carry on his relationship with John. Oscar implies them finding respective wives is a necessary step to avoid suspicion and being ostracized, but John is visibly hesitant. Oscar teases him, but ultimately tries to reassure him. He fully intends to maintain his illicit relationship with John, suggesting that him marrying will not change their current circumstances.

At the Union Club, Oscar hears that George Russell and his company are financially ruined. After a series of insider trading schemes between Russell and the city alderman, George buys the remaining stock to ensure the value of his company. Oscar confirms the gossip after a run in with Patrick Morris at the bank. At home that evening, he expresses his disappointment when he reveals to John that he had hoped to marry Gladys, but that without her father’s fortune, she is no longer the perfect candidate.

###### Episode 4

Oscar has attended a few dinners at the Russell house, but is not invited back when he cuts communication. When George Russell's company was on the brink of collapse, Oscar believed the rumors and did not extend his support at the time. One evening at the Brooks house, Oscar complains to Ada before dinner about the present circumstances. Marian enters and tells them about her visit to Mrs. Chamberlain's; Oscar catches her up on the gossip concerning Mrs. Chamberlain's reputation.

###### Episode 5

Oscar has a run in with Miss Turner, Mrs. Russell's ladies maid, and she shares with him the Russell's current opinion of Oscar. They plan to meet in the park, then strike a deal that benefits them both - Oscar will pay her in return for helpful information from inside the house. Over drinks one night, Oscar informs John of his plan with Turner and suspects that she may have vengeful intentions.

###### Episode 6

Oscar continues his meetings with Turner in Central Park, who encourages him to extend his support towards George Russell after one of Russell's trains crashed. Though Oscar isn't fully certain if Russell is criminally responsible, he is primarily interested in securing good standing as it concerns his relationship with Gladys. At the end of their meeting, Armstrong sees Oscar and Turner part ways and reports the information back to Agnes, suggesting that that they are having an affair.

###### Episode 7

Oscar is invited to dine at the Brooks house. He gets into an argument with his mother when she confronts him about the suspected affair with Turner and he denies it. He leaves before dinner, slamming the door. Agnes, who is overwhelmed with the revelation and threat to family reputation, demands that Marian ask Mrs. Russell to dismiss Turner.

When things are calmer; Oscar is not able to convince his mother that there is no affair, so he agrees to the lie. He gets confirmation from Marian that it was not her who told Agnes, as she did not know Turner and Oscar knew each other. Bertha fires her Turner after seeing her flirt with Larry. Oscar finds out about Turner's termination during a final meeting in the park. She tells him that Gladys will soon be making her debut. Oscar tells John about the rumors concerning him and Turner.

###### Episode 8

During lunch, Oscar tells John that he is going to Newport to stay with Mrs. Fish. John proposes that he join him, but Oscar is hesitant. He tells John that Gladys will also be in Newport, who staying with the McAllisters alongside her mother. John is surprised that Oscar is still pursuing her, despite the falling out between him and the Russell parents.

In Newport, Oscar wins a doubles tennis match with Gladys against Larry and another friend. Afterwards, John - who has decided to stay at the Wetmore's at Chateau-sur-Mer - surprises Oscar and company at the casino after their game. Mrs. Fish, Ward McAllister, and Aurora Fane are happy to see John. McAllister introduces him to Bertha, Larry, and Gladys. Mrs. Fish invites everyone for dinner. Oscar confronts John when they have a brief moment to themselves, but John dismisses any hidden agenda. John's presence is at best an unwelcome distraction and at worst a real threat to his chances with Gladys. At Mrs. Fish's dinner, John and Gladys are seated beside each other and are flirty.

###### Episode 9

Oscar has dinner one night at the Brooks house and calls out his mother's sadness now that Peggy is no longer her secretary. The next night, at Gladys' coming out ball, Oscar is shocked to see his mother in attendance. He asks Gladys to dance shortly after her entrance and quadrille, but she has him wait for her to change. He ultimately does dance with her for a several waltzes. Oscar returns home from the party in the early hours of the morning. John, who is having a drink when Oscar returns, is visibly resentful of Oscar's fixation on Gladys and comments on his progress, which Oscar counters by pointing out John's own efforts. Oscar teases John for worrying, but reassures him with a kiss and reiterates that nothing should change between them.

### Season 2

###### Episode 1

Oscar attends the church on Easter Sunday, 1883 with Agnes, Ada and Marian. He meets the new Reverend Matthew Forte after his cermon.

He tells his family that he shall return for dinner later in the evening, and parts with them. He then sees Gladys Russell and tries to greet her from afar - Gladys notices Oscar, but ignores him and continues talking with the other people around her. Oscar then sees John Adams walking in the park with an another man. Devastated, he goes to drink to some undercover bar, targeted at homosexual men. A stranger offers him a drink and Oscar proceeds to talk with him.

Later the same day when his family is about to have dinner, Oscar arrives to his mother's house bloodied, beaten up and robbed. Disoriented, Oscar tries to apologize for not changing his clothes and collapses on the hallway. Ada and the butler Bannister help him back on his feet and to rest. Marian alerts the rest of the staff and tells them to get a doctor, at Agnes' order.

Later, Oscar has regained his consciousness and Agnes, Ada and Marian attend to his wounds. Oscar refuses to tell about the police what happened (obviously as homosexuality was a crime at the time). He lies that he can't remember the robber's face and doesn't remember anything. Agnes suspects Oscar of doing something to provoke the robber, as she says that she's seen Oscar behaving reckless and rude before.

On another day, John Adams, now his former lover, comes to visit Oscar on his sickbed. Oscar tries to redirect their conversation to the man he saw John with on Easter Sunday, but John makes him to tell the truth about what happened to him. Oscar tells him and also makes the notion that the robber took his wallet, but not his pocketwatch. They have a disagreeing but calm conversation about Oscar's desire to get married. While Oscar thinks John will live a life of lies if he intends to stay unmarried, John believes that Oscar will be lying to himself if he marries. Oscar asks John not to hate him, to which John replies that he never would and kisses his hand. Suddenly, Bridget comes in to bring coffee. Oscar is concerned that she saw what just happened, but John assures him that there wasn't much to see.

After some days of recovery, Marian helps Oscar to leave the house. As they see some guests entering the Russels' house, Oscar tells Marian that Gladys Russell seems to be avoiding him. Marian is surprised that Oscar still desires to court Gladys, but tells him that he should make a proper plan if he wants to approach her.

Some time later, Oscar is visiting Aurora Fane. Oscar tells her about his desire to settle down. He asks Aurora to invite both him and Gladys over, so he can have a moment alone with her. Aurora agrees to invite them to a tea party she's holding to mark the arrival of Dashiell Montogomery, Oscar's and Aurora's cousin.

At the tea party, Oscar meets Dashiell after a long while and he makes a remark about them both being older. Oscar gets to have his moment alone with Gladys in Aurora's library. He finds out from her that Bertha keeps her letters. He proceeds to propose to her, promising her a happy life of freedom, tells her that he won't ever force Gladys to echo his opinions and is 'ready to be hen-pecked' by her. He also compliments Gladys in many ways. Gladys gets rather confused about Oscar's intense proposal and tells him that he should write to her father first, which Oscar says he'll do.

Later that day at a dinner party hosted by the Russels, Gladys tells Carrie Astor about Oscar's proposal and they laugh about it together.

#### Episode 2

Oscar goes to visit George Russell in his office to ask for Gladys' hand in marriage. George, having had a conversation about Oscar with Gladys earlier, comes to the conclusion that Oscar is only after a marriage of convenience and George desires a love match for his daughter. He bluntly refuses to listen to Oscar's explanations and tells him to leave.

Later on, the upset Oscar visits his family and tells Marian that his proposal failed. Marian is going to visit Newport for the first time and decides that Oscar should also be invited to cheer him up.

At Newport, Oscar watches the tennis tournament with Marian and the Fanes. He also helps Marian to deal with the constantly drunk Edward Morgan. He also tries to greet Gladys, who is running away from him. Marian says to Gladys that she hopes they could still be friends and that Oscar will soon be okay about her.

In the evening, at an outdoor party at the Newport Casino, Aurora Fane introduces Oscar to Maud Beaton. Oscar and Maud have a talk about Paris, where Maud has been living. Aurora tells him about Maud's mysterious and unsure family background; that she went to Paris to mourn for her dead mother, and her real father might be the robber baron Jay Goulde, who has taken an interest in her, and she seems to have a lot of money at her disposal. Oscar instantly takes an interest in her, but Aurora tells Oscar that he should only pursue her if his heart is in it.

#### Episode 3

Oscar is seen at a luncheon at his mother's home, where Reverend Forte and the Fanes are also invited. He compliments Marian's watercolor painting, and seems to agree with Agnes that clam chowder isn't fit to be served at lunch. He tells Aurora Fane that he's looking forward to Oscar Wilde's play and meeting Maud Beaton at the reception party after.

Oscar attends the theatre with Maud and is immensely bored by the play. Maud jokes with him and makes him laugh out loud, while John Adams, who is attending with Gladys Russell, watches them from an upper row.

At the reception party after the play, Aurora introduces Oscar and others to Oscar Wilde. Oscar fails to compliment Wilde's play to him, but tells him that he likes the lead actress Marie Prescott. Oscar has a discreet conversation with John. John tells him, rather vaguely, that he's promised to a man Oscar hasn't met, but he'll introduce them soon. When Oscar asks him whether John is happy with him, he says that he's happy with himself, and Oscar tells John that he envies him for it

Oscar Wilde watches John and Oscar, and Aurora tells him that Oscar has his eye on Maud and that John is his old friend, and Wilde makes a remark that he sees it getting rather complicated.

#### Episode 4

Oscar attends a missionary fundraising tea party, held by Reverend Forte at Agnes' house. He tells Marian he came there to support Ada and because Maud Beaton is keen on spreading the Christian word. He eagerly promises to make a donation for the cause in Maud's name. Marian tells Maud that she has never seen Oscar like this with anyone, and that she's glad Maud brings the best out of him.

Later, Oscar attends a dinner reception held by Cunard in honour of the Duke of Buckingham's visit to New York, with Maud Beaton. He's seated next to Enid Winterton (née Turner), Bertha's former lady's maid. Surprised, he's eager to hear hear story on how she managed to rise through the societal ranks so fast.

During the dinner, Maud opens up to Oscar about how her father (presumably, Jay Gould) uses her to make business and keep his own name out of it. Oscar tells Maud to say no to him, and Maud asks if Oscar could've said no to his late father, which Oscar hesitates to answer. He says that he'd wish to help her.

On another day, Oscar is walking at a park with Maud. He tells her that he dreamt of being a king when he was a child. Maud tells him that she's exhausted by the stock work her father has put her through, and Oscar promises to try to help her.

#### Episode 5

At her mother's house, Oscar is present when Ada tells her family about her engagement to Luke Forte. Oscar is excited for her news. Ada says that he hopes Oscar will take her down the aisle. Agnes forbids him from attending the wedding.

Later, Oscar is walking on a street with Maud. He tells about Agnes being against Ada's marriage. He flirts with Maud, and tells her that she'll go to the wedding if Maud joins her. They then enter the building, were the office of a company called Casterbridge Pacific is located. There, they meet a man who's working there called Crowther. He is hesitant to let Oscar into the office, but Maud insists she needs him to stop her from feeling like a fool regarding business. Oscar reveals to Crowther that he is aware that the company plans to take over the Chicago and Atlantic railway, and that Jay Gould is behind the plan. Crowther seems worried about Maud telling him too much insider information. Crowther tells him that they have almost all the money that they need.

On another day, Oscar is back to meet Crowther and is eager to invest money into the railroad takeover. Crowther tries to stop him, saying that it's a closed partnership deal. Regardless, Oscar believes they will all make some money and writes a cheque.

At the church where Ada's and Luke's wedding takes place, Ada is delighted to see that Oscar has arrived to walk her down the aisle after all. Dashiell Montgomery offers to do the honour, but they all agree that Oscar should do it, and so he does.

#### Episode 6

Oscar meets Crowther again at the Casterbridge Pacificic office. Oscar finds out that his investment has made an astonishing return, which Crowther offers to him, as the principal investors aim to buy the smaller ones out. He tells Oscar that he'd need to invest a great deal more to become a principal stakeholder. He also asks him whether Maud Beaton is aware of the business, to which Oscar answers that he'll let her know.

On a later day, Oscar returns to Crowther with a large cheque. Crowther hesitates, and tells Oscar that Maud is an innocent and that Oscar shouldn't be using her. Oscar insists that he's only trying to make her happy, and Crowther accepts his cheque.

At the day of Dashiell's garden party, Oscar comes to pick up Maud to attend the party with him. She is waiting at the staircase outside, which Oscar points out, but Maud tells him that she's just enjoying the weather.

At the garden party, Gladys Russell tells Larry that she's happy for Oscar and Maud. Oscar expresses to Maud that things are going well for him. He then proceeds to kiss her. While they watch Dashiell's proposal to Marian Brook with the other attendees, Maud tells Oscar that she needs to leave to go to pack.

#### Episode 7

Oscar is present at his mother's house for Marian's and Dashiell's engagement luncheon. There Agnes tells him to come to the Academy of Music on the opera opening night. Oscar discreetly tells Aurora that he's going to the Brooklyn bridge festivities with Maud Beaton, and plans to propose to her there.

On another day, Oscar runs into George Russell on the street. He confidently reveals to him that he's now a major stakeholder at the Casterbridge Pacificic Company. George says to him that if they were a significant competitor of his railway business, he would know of them. Oscar begins to hesitate as George leaves the scene.

Oscar enters the building where the Casterbridge Pacific's office was, to find out that it's been completely emptied.

Oscar starts to panic and runs to the house where he has picked Maud Beaton up previously. A servant opens the door and tells him that the home belongs to some Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore. Mr. Whitmore comes to the door and tells Oscar that there's no one living there but he and his wife, and that he'll call for the police if Oscar doesn't leave. Devastated, Oscar leaves back to his carriage.

Oscar then runs to Aurora Fane's house, where many of the socialites are meeting up to discuss the war between the operas. Aurora tells him that she invited Maud, but she never showed up. Oscar demands Aurora to tell him who Maud is and how did they meet, but the confused Aurora tells him that she doesn't remember exactly. Oscar tells her that Maud has deceived him and them all. Mamie Fish also hears their conversation and calls it thrilling.

Later, Oscar walks to John Adams's house. John offers him a drink and Oscar tells him about what happened. Oscar says that he likely won't be able to prove to the police that a crime has been committed. He tells that sad because he really liked Maud, despite not being in love with her. He then bursts out to tears, saying that he's ruined everything and John comfrots him.

Early next morning, after Luke Forte dying over the previous night, Agnes wakes up on her couch and sees the disheveled Oscar sitting on a chair in front of her. Oscar admits to her that his mistake includes Agnes as well, as he's invested most of the Van Rhijn money, only to find them gone to Maud Beaton's fraud.

#### Episode 8

Oscar is present when a lawyer called Mr. Harcourt visits Agnes's house to explain that she must sell the house, and move to a more modest lodging to survive the financial crisis. Agnes is furious at him for not doing his diligence before investing. She says Oscar can't manage the finances anymore. Oscar tells to Ada that he might not survive the crisis, even if Ada thinks that Agnes does. Agnes forces Oscar to attend the Academy of Music opera opening night with her, which he isn't happy for, and tries to escape when Mrs. Fish leaves from her box, but Agnes makes him stay. Oscar isn't present when Ada tells Agnes and Marian that she's inherited a large sum of money from Luke.

## Relationships

#### Agnes van Rhijn

> *"My mother wants me to have everything. Expect a life."* - Oscar to Marian.
>
>

Oscar seems to have a slightly ambivalent relationship with his mother Agnes. Oscar often visits the Brook house, and wants to keep up close relations with Agnes, despite her strict, over-bearing nature. He shares his mother's propensity for witty, sometimes snarky quips, and they have a lot of mutual banter with each other. Agnes has a clear standards in mind of how Oscar should act and behave, and he often doesn't meet her requirements, which leads Agnes finding him things like "*reckless and rude"*. She's been infuriated by many things Oscar did. Despite all, she seems to love Oscar, her only surviving child, a lot and wants to keep him close to her.

#### John Adams

Oscar and John Adams have known each other for a long time. They had an estabilished, yet hidden romantic relationship and appeared to be living together in 1882 (season 1). John couldn't approve of Oscar's plans to marry. Oscar swore to him that nothing would change between them, even if he married, but John grew increasingly frustrated by his plans to court Gladys Russell.

By 1883 (season 2), Oscar and John had broken up, which Oscar seems to have trouble coping with. John remains close with Oscar, treating him with care and concern, despite still not approving of his plans to marry. John believes that marrying a woman won't make Oscar happy and that he'd be lying to himself if he did so.

## Trivia

* When he was 8, he dreamt of becoming a duke, *more than he wanted to be a king*.
* He isn't a fan of the romanesque architecture style.
* Oscar seems to be good at playing tennis.
* His fashion sense generally stands out from other the society men's more sombre styles. He wears more ornamental patterns and stronger colors.
* He is the only character who's seen wearing sunglasses.
* Oscar often sports fox or wolf themed tie pins. He also wore a skull-shaped pin to Marian's and Dashiell's engagement Luncheon.

Gallery

Oscar Van Rhijn in season 1, Episode 1Oscar Van Rhijn in season 2, episode 5
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 1: "Never The New"
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 3: "Face The Music"
3. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 2 episode 1: "You Don't Even Like Opera"
4. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 2: "Money Isn't Everything"
5. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 3: "Face The Music"
6. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 4: "A Long Ladder"
7. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 5: "Charity Has Two Functions"
8. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 6: "Heads Have Rolled for Less"
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 7: "Irresistible Change"
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 8: "Tucked Up in Newport"
11. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 9: "Let the Tournament Begin"
12. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 2 episode 1: "You Don't Even Like Opera"
13. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 1 episode 1: "Never The New"
14. ↑ *The Gilded Age*, season 2 episode 4: "His Grace the Duke"