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Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for The Gilded Age Season 3 finale.
The Gilded Age Season 3 culminates in a drama-filled finale with Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up,” as Bertha (Carrie Coon) hosts a ball that brings most of the characters together and challenges societal norms in a bold move. Following Episode 7‘s cliffhanger ending, Marian (Louisa Jacobson) and Larry (Harry Richardson) are at odds, Peggy’s (Denée Benton) relationship with William Kirkland (Jordan Donica) seems doomed, and, most urgently, George (Morgan Spector) is bleeding out. With so much going on, the conclusion has a lot of ground to cover as it wraps up Season 3’s storylines and sets up exciting opportunities for Season 4. The Gilded Age‘s Season 3 finale delivers all the drama fans have come to expect, and, thankfully, ends the streak of life-threatening cliffhangers.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Finale Opens With George’s Life Hanging in the Balance
Following the gunshot that left George in an uncertain state at the end of Episode 7, he is rushed to the Russell home, wounded but alive. Despite the desperate situation, Bertha insists that the attack be kept quiet. Bannister (Simon Jones) offers the services of Dr. William Kirkland, who is just across the street. With Bertha unconcerned about his race, William hurries over to save George, and Marian goes as well, wanting to be with the family. With limited tools and no medication, William operates on George, successfully removing the bullet and stabilizing his patient.
The Russells’ doctor, Dr. Logan (Dylan Baker), arrives the next morning, too late to be of help, and confirms that William’s quick action saved George’s life, and George rewards the young doctor accordingly. While his healing is slow, George is quick to resume control of the situation. Suspecting Richard Clay (Patrick Page) of involvement, he sends his own associates to investigate his former employee, reaffirming Bertha’s choice not to involve the police. To hide his injury from society, George insists that Bertha go ahead with hosting the ball. Though the Russell family is still divided, George’s injury brings them together for a time.
Agnes and Ada Finally Reach an Agreement in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 FInale
Ada (Cynthia Nixon) and Agnes (Christine Baranski) have been arguing since Ada became the new authority in the house, but Season 3’s conclusion shows Agnes accepting her new role. Agnes has been avoiding Mrs. Foster (Marceline Hugot) of the New York Heritage Society to avoid admitting her financial loss, but Ada invites Mrs. Foster over. It seems cruel, but Ada learned that Mrs. Foster wants Agnes to be the Heritage Society’s vice president due to her impressive family history.
Thrilled by the offer, Agnes responds by ceding to her sister, making Ada the head of the family in every sense of the word. It’s a sweet moment between the sisters, but it only occurs once Agnes has somewhere else to be in control, which makes it a hollow compromise. Now that Agnes is happy, the rest of the house can be as well.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Doesn’t Forget About Jack
Jack’s (Ben Ahlers) main storyline concluded a few episodes ago after he left his position as a footman to start his new life. Yet, in the finale, he returns to visit his old coworkers in a moment that hints that Bridgit (Taylor Richardson) is still interested in him. This is confirmed when she pays a call to his house, where Jack treats her as a guest rather than a servant and confesses that he feels safe with her there. The heartfelt moment between them gives fans another couple to root for and hints at what Jack’s next story will be now that he has made it as an inventor.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Reunites Marian and Larry… Sort Of
Marian and Larry have gone on quite the journey in Season 3, from hiding their relationship to engaged to separated, and the finale presents a new development. Having learned the truth from Jack, Marian admits her mistake, but Larry believes she should have trusted him. Some good comes out of the fight, as Ada brings Agnes around to the idea of the couple. Plus, George’s harrowing near-death experience convinces Bertha of Marian’s worthiness, so both formerly opposed women encourage Marian to make things right, removing the relationship’s family obstacles.
However, Marian says any reconciliation is in Larry’s hands and doesn’t want to go to the Russells’ ball as a result. Yet, her family convinces her, and there, she and Larry have the opportunity to talk. Both apologize for their role in the breakup, but Larry is concerned about the issues it brought up and their potential to resurface. They don’t resume their engagement, but Larry and Marian take a step toward reconciliation, providing hope for the couple and setting up more drama for the future.
Oscar Has His Own Future Plan in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Finale
Season 3 has not been kind to Oscar (Blake Ritson) with the reemergence of Maud Beaton (Nicole Brydon Bloom) and the death of John Adams (Claybourne Elder), but in the finale, he finally has a win. After running into the newly widowed Mrs. Winterton (Kelley Curran), an idea sparks. Using Marian’s hesitation to attend as a bargaining chip, Oscar secures Mrs. Winterton an unexpected invitation to Bertha’s ball.
There, Oscar reveals his full motivations to Mrs. Winterton, proposing a mutually beneficial marriage that would keep her relevant in society and give him access to her new fortune. He suggests that they each have a residence of their own where they could live as they please. Though it isn’t settled, the idea intrigues Mrs. Winterton, giving Oscar the possibility of an almost honest marriage.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Pushes Peggy’s Romance Forward
Throughout Season 3, Peggy has earned her first major romantic storyline, courtesy of Dr. William Kirkland, but the previous episode left them in a precarious place after he learned about Peggy’s past through his mother, Mrs. Kirkland (Phylicia Rashad). William asks Peggy for the truth, and she explains, admitting to an annulled marriage and a baby that she didn’t know was adopted. Unfortunately, William believes it strengthens his mother’s argument against them, and when he leaves, claiming to need time to think, Peggy assumes the worst.
Dorothy (Audra McDonald), on the other hand, is furious at Mrs. Kirkland and tells her as much when they run into each other. Dorothy calls out her judgmental behavior and insists that if her tricks are enough to dissuade William, he was never worthy of Peggy, but Dorothy isn’t the only one to stand up to Mrs. Kirkland. William is furious at his mother for spreading rumors about Peggy, and Mr. Kirkland (Brian Stokes Mitchell) agrees with their son. He condemns her behavior, and with his father’s encouragement, William makes his own choice. At the ball for his father’s church, William gets Arthur’s (John Douglas Thompson) permission for Peggy’s hand and proposes, offering a potentially happy ending to Peggy’s whirlwind romance — but the episode ends before she gives a definitive answer.
Bertha Challenges Society in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Finale
Despite all the problems in her family life, Bertha is at the top of society, especially as she hosts the end-of-the-season ball in Newport. Even Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) and Hector (Ben Lamb) return for the event. The unlikely couple have made a success out of their forced marriage, and Hector rehires Adelheid (Erin Wilhelmi) as a surprise for Gladys. Season 3 ends their story by announcing Gladys’ pregnancy, perhaps setting the couple up for better things.
More attention goes to Bertha’s ball as she takes a risk by wanting to shape society and the treatment of divorced women. She plans to invite divorced women, despite Mrs. Astor’s (Donna Murphy) assurance that it will ruin their society. Though this is an exciting chance for Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) and Charlotte Astor (Hannah Shealy), it’s also terrifying. Despite hesitation, Auror attends, and Charlotte defies her mother to go. Bertha fears she has failed when Charlotte arrives without Mrs. Astor, but the societal leader turns up late to make things right with her daughter. By the end of the night, even Mrs. Fish (Ashlie Atkinson) insists that Mrs. Astor owes Bertha for giving Charlotte a future. The acceptance of this change cements Bertha as a leader in society, whether Mrs. Astor likes it or not.
Despite her social success, Bertha’s personal life is a wreck. George attends the ball, where Bertha dotes on him, but he is quick to leave the next day, revealing that he is still angry with Bertha and resuming their separation. Even with Gladys happy, he isn’t ready to forgive what happened and is unsure what he wants, leaving the Russells in a rocky place. The Gilded Age doesn’t have a happy ending for everyone, but the finale wraps up the most immediate storylines, giving a sense of finality to the season and building anticipation for the next installment.
The Gilded Age is streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.
The Gilded Age
“My Mind Is Made Up” brings every story together for a drama-filled conclusion that leaves us wanting more.
- Release Date
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January 24, 2022
- Network
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HBO Max
- “My Mind Is Made Up” gives Peggy the happy ending she deserves with the proposal.
- Bertha chooses to challenge societal norms, using her power for good and showing how far she’s come as she influences the people who once rejected her.
- Agnes’ character growth is a standout as she expresses concern over Marian’s happiness.
- Agnes’ gesture toward Ada comes late as she only accepts Ada’s new role when she has her own win.
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