: Dorothy Scott finds a letter in Arthur’s coat revealing that Peggy’s son is alive. It turns out Arthur had the child adopted out after birth, leading Peggy and her mother to depart for Philadelphia to find him.
: The episode’s central conflict is inspired by the real-life 1883 "fancy dress" ball hosted by Alva Vanderbilt. Just like Bertha Russell, Alva Vanderbilt withheld an invitation from Mrs. Astor’s daughter to force the social leader to recognize her family.
'The Gilded Age' Episode 9 Recap: "Let The Tournament Begin"