If Episode 2 of The Gilded Age Season 3 proved anything, it’s that glittering gowns and polished manners can’t mask the growing fractures under high society’s surface. Secrets were spilt, reputations shattered, and alliances tested. Now, as we look ahead to Episode 3, all signs point to a collision course — one that may shake the very foundations of the Russell dynasty, the van Rhijn household, and the carefully choreographed lives of 19th-century New York’s elite.
So what can we expect when we step back into The Gilded Age's opulent parlours and stormy drawing rooms? Let’s unfold the possibilities.
Gladys Russell: Pawn, Princess, or Quiet Rebel?
After a tear-streaked confrontation with Billy, Gladys may have surrendered — but don’t mistake her silence for defeat. In Episode 2, she was crushed beneath the weight of parental control and social threats. But there’s a quiet tension in the air, the kind that usually comes before a personal rebellion.
In Episode 3, we could see Gladys take a more subtle, strategic approach. If Billy is truly out of the picture, perhaps her next move won’t be impulsive — but calculated. Could she begin forging alliances of her own within society? Might she, like her mother, learn to play the long game? After all, the Duke’s arrival signals Bertha’s escalating ambitions, but for a daughter pushed too far, this may be the final straw.
Fans are already speculating: will Gladys find her voice not by escaping but outmanoeuvring her mother at her own game?
A Storm Brewing in the Drawing Room
From the outside, George and Bertha Russell remain a powerhouse couple. But Episode 2 gave us a peek behind the curtain—and it wasn’t pretty.
Bertha’s scorched-earth tactics to control Gladys’ future were not just personal but political. She’s manipulating people, threatening livelihoods, and ignoring the emotional toll on her family. And George? He’s beginning to feel it all seep into his world. The cross-country railroad negotiations, his business standing, even his credibility—Bertha’s social ambitions are now brushing up against his corporate walls.
In Episode 3, expect the tension to explode. George may finally confront Bertha directly—not just as a concerned father, but as a businessman whose interests are under siege. And if he challenges her authority in public or in front of the Duke, the fallout could reshape the power dynamic in the Russell household forever.
Will Bertha back down? Or will she double down, risking everything, including her marriage?
Newport’s New Chapter
Peggy Scott’s recovery was a breath of fresh air in Episode 2. With Dr. Kirkland’s help, she’s healing physically, but emotionally, something new may just be blooming. The Kirklands’ upcoming visit to Newport could present more than a change of scenery; it might signal a major shift in Peggy’s personal life.
Is there romance in the air? Perhaps. Dr. Kirkland seems genuinely drawn to Peggy, and with her recent invitation to speak at a women’s group, Peggy’s independence and influence are growing. But nothing in this world is simple. Will her relationship with the Kirklands introduce new opportunities—or new conflicts?
Also, let’s not forget the Scotts’ ongoing wariness of society’s subtle racism. As they step into the Newport social scene, old prejudices may be lurking beneath the surface, ready to challenge whatever progress Peggy has made.
Ada’s Power Play—and Agnes' Slow Fade
If there’s one thing Episode 2 made clear, it’s that Ada is no longer content being a silent sister in Agnes’ shadow. The temperance pledge may have seemed like a minor moral stance, but symbolically, it was Ada’s declaration of autonomy.
And it worked. Aurora Fane confirmed it—Ada now has final say over the household. That moment, while quiet, marked a historic shift in the van Rhijn home.
In Episode 3, expect Ada to step even more confidently into her role. But with power comes backlash. Agnes, already bruised from her diminished social status, now feels a shift in her home; once authoritative, her voice is fading. And she knows it.
Could Agnes lash out? Or will she slip into deeper disillusionment, watching the old world she clung to crumble around her?
This brewing emotional cold war between the sisters may be the most emotionally charged storyline of the episode, especially if Marian is caught in the middle again.
A New Dream, or Just a Distraction?
Larry Russell’s growing interest in Jack’s invention—paired with his romantic overtures toward Marian—shows a man eager to build something of his own. He wants a purpose beyond his family’s fortune and political ambitions. But is it idealism or escapism?
In Episode 3, we’re likely to see Larry and Jack pitch the clock to potential investors. But this is Newport, and money often comes with strings attached. Will their dream be taken seriously? Or will Larry realise that even his personal pursuits are tethered to his family name?
Also, there’s Marian. Her hesitation in Episode 2 suggested lingering trauma from past heartbreaks. But as Larry continues to woo her, the question lingers: is she ready to risk her heart again? Or will she retreat into safety?
Aurora Fane’s Fall—and Bertha’s Rise
Aurora’s public embarrassment at the benefit, thanks to her husband's sudden appearance with his mistress, sent shockwaves through society. Mrs. Astor’s swift departure was symbolic: Aurora had fallen from grace.
But while Aurora drowns, Bertha watches—calm, calculating. Episode 3 could mark the moment Bertha begins her final ascent into the centre of the social world. With Aurora exiled and the Duke firmly in her sights, the field is clear. But society is never without backlash.
Could Mrs. Astor begin to turn on Bertha next? Or will Bertha’s boldness finally win her the crown she’s always wanted?
All Roads Lead to Newport
Episode 3 seems poised to shift the action to Newport, where summer airs bring fresh scandals, new alliances, and elegant warfare behind every chandelier. The emotional stakes are rising, and every character seems to be standing at a precipice.
Gladys must choose between quiet obedience and subtle rebellion. George and Bertha may be heading for their first real marital war. Peggy is stepping into something new—whether it’s power, love, or both. And Ada, finally, is discovering who she really is.
In The Gilded Age, nothing is ever as pretty as it looks. And in Episode 3, that truth is about to hit even harder.
New episodes of The Gilded Age stream Sundays on Max. Stay tuned—because the real storm is only just beginning.
Read more: The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 1 Recap
