Episode 7 of The Gilded Age Season 3, titled “Ex-Communicated,” dives headfirst into chaos, grief, betrayal, and a crumbling social order, all while setting up for a dramatic season finale. As the penultimate chapter unfolds, each character is forced to face the consequences of their past, whether personal, political, or financial, and the cost of those choices reverberates across the tightly wound threads of New York high society.
Ward McAllister's Social Suicide Rocks New York’s Elite
No scandal comes bigger this week than Ward McAllister’s misguided attempt at literary fame. His book Society As I Have Found It has done precisely what its critics feared, pulled the curtain back on the skeletons of New York's upper crust. Though names are not explicitly mentioned, the damage is unmistakable. From hints at Agnes' recent financial downfall to whispers of Oscar’s hidden identity, the entire city is buzzing.
But the most unforgivable blow? His betrayal of Mrs. Astor. By alluding to her daughter Charlotte's illicit affair and looming divorce, McAllister crosses a line he cannot uncross. In a rare alliance, the city’s most influential women, Agnes, Ada, Mrs. Fish, and Bertha, close ranks and cast him out of their inner circle. His pleading confrontation with Mrs. Astor is both desperate and deluded as he takes credit for building the very society that is now turning against him. The fallout is swift, cold, and final.
Bertha's Hollow Victory Comes at a Cost
With Mrs. Astor refusing to host her annual Newport ball, Bertha swoops in to claim the spotlight, her plans are ambitious; she intends to rewrite the social rules by inviting divorced women to her event, a move that promises to shake the very foundation of the city's social standards.
At home, her personal life is fraying. George is distant and refuses to forgive her betrayal of their daughter Gladys. Even her son Larry responds with cold disinterest when Bertha shares her plans though Bertha may be winning the battle for societal dominance, she is losing the war within her own home.
Gladys Finally Finds Her Footing
While Bertha’s empire teeters, Gladys quietly rises; her marriage to Hector, once filled with uncertainty, takes a hopeful turn. Hector not only stands by her but also confronts his overbearing sister, Sarah, suggesting she move to London and leave their lives alone. It’s a gesture of loyalty, and for the first time, Gladys begins to see a future of her own - it's a rare moment of peace and power for a character long overshadowed.
The Mole in the Russell Household Is Finally Uncovered
The persistent leaks to the press from inside the Russell mansion have kept Church on edge, but this episode finally brings closure. Miss André is exposed after Church plants a false story and follows the trail to her contact. When confronted, André admits to selling private information for profit. Her dismissal is swift, ending a long-standing mystery, though it leaves Bertha once again in need of a trustworthy lady’s maid.
Oscar's Grief is Private
Still reeling from John Adams’ death, Oscar struggles with private grief in a world that won’t allow him to mourn publicly. A poignant moment arrives when he meets John's sister, who acknowledges their relationship and offers him solace and a surprise inheritance. John left Oscar his beloved summer home, a bittersweet reminder of what they shared.
Marian, ever perceptive, reaches out to Oscar she quietly lets him know that she understands, and in doing so, a deeper bond forms between the two. For Oscar, whose life has often been one of secrecy and sacrifice, this gesture is a rare moment of genuine connection.
Agnes Finds a New Purpose Amid Her Decline
Agnes’ struggle with her financial loss has dominated much of the season, often at the expense of her relationships. But in Episode 7, something shifts. A persistent Mrs. Foster from the New York Heritage Society reaches out to her, hoping to connect through a suffrage meeting hosted by Marian and Ada.
Though initially dismissive, Agnes can’t quite brush off Mrs. Foster. The unexpected interaction may offer Agnes a new path forward, one that doesn’t rely on wealth or social standing, but on legacy and influence of a different kind.
Larry and Marian's Relationship Collapses Under Misunderstanding
Fresh off a huge business win in Morenci, securing copper mines worth millions, Larry returns triumphant. But his joy is immediately shattered when he discovers Marian has ended their engagement. Confused and heartbroken, he visits her, only to be met by Ada, who offers no explanation.
Later, when Larry confronts Marian, she accuses him of visiting a disreputable house during his trip. Larry insists he only had a drink, but Marian’s trust has already been broken. It takes Jack, ever loyal, to confirm Larry’s version of events. Marian knows the truth, but whether the relationship can be salvaged remains uncertain. For now, Larry chooses distance, staying at the club and drifting further from his family — especially Bertha, whom he accuses of meddling.
Peggy Faces Disapproval
Peggy’s budding romance with William Kirkland hits a snag when his mother hears distorted whispers about Peggy's trip to Philadelphia. Misinterpreting her grief for something more scandalous, Mrs. Kirkland warns William that Peggy has been dishonest. Thankfully, William goes straight to Peggy to get the whole story. He listens, shows compassion, and reminds us that not all family dynamics are doomed, though Mrs. Kirkland's persistence makes her one of the season’s least sympathetic figures.
George Russell’s Fate Hangs in the Balance
As if the drama wasn’t thick enough, the episode ends with a literal bang. George, now financially empowered thanks to Larry’s copper discovery, confronts Sage and Clay with his plans. Furious, Sage fires Clay, and a new rivalry is born. But things spiral out of control when a deliveryman enters George’s office and shoots him.
The screen fades with uncertainty, George’s condition unknown, leaving viewers with a cliffhanger that promises a finale of epic proportions.
A Society on the Edge
The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 7 is all about emotion with relationships crumbling, secrets unveiled, and alliances shifting. The show peels back the polished veneer of high society to expose the fractures beneath. As we head into the season finale, nothing is specific except that everyone will have to answer for their choices.
Read more: The Gilded Age Season 2 Complete Recap
