I know that there were hotel/apartments specifically for women in New York which could be pretty restrictive as to behavior on the premises. I don't think they were as particular as to dress.

Remember Bosom Buddies?

Tara Butters and Michelle Fazekas, who are serving as executive producers / show-runners for Agent Carter, also ran the short-lived but generally well-regarded Reaper from a few years back, in which Ray Wise played The Devil (the most perfect casting EVER). I suspect that connection served a role in Wise's casting.

In an amusing happenstance, Butters is married to Marc Guggenheim, who's one of the executive producers for Arrow (DC and Marvel rivalry right there in their living room!). Here's a fun and informative interview of Butters and Fazekas by Guggenheim, in which they talk about both shows: [link]

I suspect that connection served a role in Wise's casting.

Me too.

I'm suspecting something is shifty with the waitress (even though I like her)

I don't know about shifty but I assume she'll have a more important role in the future, since they got Lyndsey Fonseca.

I was surprisingly sad about Colleen's death (I was hoping she could be a Lacey Thornfield type), and I was glad they let Peggy cry about it onscreen.

Also, poor Bubs.

I like that it is a mini-series. Anything can happen to anyone, except for Peggy, Howard, and Jarvis.

There seem to be more mini-series coming on ... which I like. They seem to have stopped for a while, but I like having something that has a plot with a definite end. Or maybe it's just me - I tend to drop out when series go on with a plot bunny that's more like the Energizer bunny and just keep going and going.

The showrunners are open to a full second season, though, so this could become a Korra situation.

I think I would prefer it as a midseason replacement every year.

As a general TV thought, I'd also prefer shows that have staged finite endings, serial mini-series, if you will. Less filler, more focus. Tell your first story. Get cancelled, you've done your job. Get renewed, get another focused story. Win/win, in my book.

If they were renewed, it would be fun if investigators remarked in passing on the dreaded Soviet operative, the Winter Soldier.

NYC still has a few women's boarding houses, and men are still only allowed on the first floor:

[link]