The series puts notable modern spins on its characters and themes, particularly by reimagining Becky Sharp with 21st-century sensibilities. Period-authentic tension can feel secondary to presentist winks, and identity-driven casting occasionally overshadows story context. This makes it harder to buy into the setting as a genuine reflection of its era.

Several traditional values, religion, family, and especially masculinity, are frequently undermined or satirized. Male characters are often lampooned or weakened, while Becky is elevated as a proto-feminist icon, sometimes at the expense of story realism. The show purposefully reframes the period for modern sensibilities.

Alternative or traditional perspectives rarely receive sincere treatment; instead, the focus stays on critiquing or mocking older worldviews. The protagonists exhibit overwhelmingly modern beliefs and values, with little ideological variety or meaningful debate shown.