In Season 3, Episode 4 of The Gilded Age, the Russell family had a big moment: Gladys Russell finally got married to Hector, Duke of Buckingham. This episode marked a turning point. It showed how deeply the Russell family was at odds with each other and set the way for big changes in the season. There was a lot of drama and passion in this episode, from Bertha's never-ending desire to George's economic problems to Larry's sudden engagement.
A Change in Gladys Russell's Wedding
Gladys Russell's wedding was the main event of The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 4. Even though her father George was against it at first and Bertha Russell was clearly against it, she was determined to have a Duke for her daughter. Bertha's marriage to Hector, Duke of Buckingham, was a smart move that helped her family's social status in New York. But for Gladys, it was a day full with emotional problems and a sense of giving up.
Taissa Farmiga's View on Gladys's Emotional State
Taissa Farmiga, who plays Gladys, talked about how her character was feeling before the wedding. Farmiga said that Gladys was feeling both numb and really sad. This sentiment came from her mother's strong role in the marriage, her father's perceived betrayal, and Billy Carlton's failure to stick by her. Farmiga said that Gladys felt "beat down" and emotionally drained by what had happened. This season, Gladys's story is a lot of fun. She started season three with a little more confidence, but by episode four, you can see how sad she is. (Taissa Farmiga)
Gladys walks down the aisle, crying, which reminded me of stories from the past of arranged weddings among the rich, such Consuelo Vanderbilt's own wedding, which was also quite sad. This historical example shows how little power young women, especially those with a lot of money, had over their choices of marriage partners during this time.
The Russell Family: Bertha, George, Larry, and Marian
The wedding put a lot of stress on the Russell family and showed how their relationships were getting worse.
Bertha's Goals vs. Family Peace
Bertha Russell's ambition has always been a big part of her life. In The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 4, it reached its peak when Gladys got married. Bertha thought this marriage was the best thing that could happen. It gave her daughter a strong position and raised the Russell name. But she was so focused on climbing the social ladder that she didn't see how it was hurting her family. Carrie Coon, who plays Bertha, said that Bertha "doesn't notice for a long time" how her actions affect her relationships. It's true that what she's doing with Gladys is putting a lot of stress on her relationship, but she doesn't realize it for a long time. She loses sight of that ball. (Carrie Coon) Bertha's approach was really flawed because she didn't think about how Gladys felt. Bertha's worst mistake was not thinking about how her daughter felt during all of this. She taught her daughter how to deal with this time throughout the years, but she didn't take care of her through it. (TV Insider)
George Russell's business problems and personal guilt
George Russell was stuck between his wife's goals and his daughter's suffering. At first, he agreed with Gladys's want to marry for love, but in the end, he sided with Bertha because he knew how bad it would be for Gladys's social life if she broke up with her fiancé. Morgan Spector, who plays George, talked about the turmoil going on inside his character. George was really trying to make the best of the circumstance and get across the idea that his relationship with Bertha is like a partnership where they depend on each other. (Morgan Spector) George tried to make things better, but Gladys was still very disappointed in him for his decision. A lot of business troubles made this family stress even worse. George was under a lot of pressure from J.P. Morgan, who said they would stop supporting his ambitions for a transcontinental railroad. This put Russell Industries in a bad financial condition. George's firing of his right-hand man, Clay, for questioning his judgment showed how alone and weak he was becoming.
Larry and Marian are getting engaged: a new chapter
In a different turn of events, Larry Russell asked Marian Brook to marry him, and she said yes. This engagement, while happy, also caused fresh problems in the Russell family, especially with Bertha, who wasn't asked about it ahead of time. Larry's image of Marian is shaped by his wish for a relationship like his parents', but without the domineering parts. They are a unique couple since they both have a rebellious streak and Marian is independent. This will help them handle problems together in the future.
Peggy Scott's Journey and Other Stories Beyond the Ballroom
The Russell wedding was the main focus of the episode, but other storylines continued to grow, giving us societal commentary and character development.
Social Commentary on Peggy Scott and the Kirkland Family
Peggy Scott's story continued to deal with important societal issues of the time. Her conversations with the Kirkland family, especially Mrs. Kirkland, made strong points about what society expects of women and the ongoing fight for civil rights. Peggy gave a strong speech about Jim Crow laws and the disenfranchisement that happened after Reconstruction. She taught everyone around her, even Aurora Fane. Her ambition to be a decent wife and mother who can vote shows how women's wants changed during the Gilded Age.
JP Morgan's Place in the World of Money
J.P. Morgan's rise to power showed how unstable the financial world was in the late 1800s. His fight with George Russell over the transcontinental railroad project made it clear how dangerous big projects can be and how much power the rich people of the day had. This conversation made George's already bad situation even worse, and also hinted at the possibility of financial devastation for the Russells.
What fans are saying and what's trending on social media
People talked a lot about the program after it aired. A lot of fans felt sorry for Gladys since she didn't have any control over her life and had to marry someone she didn't want to. People on social media were talking a lot about Bertha's unyielding ambition and George's tough spot. Many people were excited and hopeful when Larry and Marian got engaged, though. Some fans were unhappy with how slow the show was and how some characters, especially Gladys, didn't get enough screen time. They are wasting what might be the best show on TV. (Vulture)
Expert Insights: Interviews with the cast and behind-the-scenes information
Interviews with the cast members helped us understand their characters' motivations and the creative process behind the episode better.
Taissa Farmiga talked about how hard it was to wear the period clothes and gave a tip for being comfortable while filming. She also previewed Gladys's future story, saying that although though Gladys is at her "rock bottom" emotionally, there are "sproutlings" of happiness to come, partly because George was smart enough to negotiate her dowry, which gives Gladys some financial freedom from her husband.
Morgan Spector talked further about George's shame and how fake his support for Gladys's decision to go through with the wedding was. He also talked about how George and Bertha were becoming more and more distant from one other, which was a big change for a couple who had been perceived as a united front. Carrie Coon said that Bertha was naive to how unhappy her family was, and it was partly because George didn't tell her everything about his money problems. She said that as the season goes on, Bertha will feel the "weight of her choices" and grow "very isolated."
Historical Background: How the Real Gilded Age Affected Episode 4
The stories in The Gilded Age always include accurate historical details. Episode 4 was no different; it showed a number of things from the time:
What will happen next in The Gilded Age Season 3?
Episode 4 leaves a lot of loose ends for the rest of The Gilded Age Season 3:
The fourth episode of The Gilded Age Season 3 was full of drama and had a big effect. It set up the next part of the Russell family's journey through the complicated world of New York society.