TV Romance
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Finale Romance Recap: Where Did All the Couples End Up?
[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for The Gilded Age Season 3 finale, “My Mind Is Made Up.”]
The Gilded Age creators teased that we were in for “coupling and uncoupling” in Season 3, and now that we’ve watched that explosive finale, we can confirm that’s totally accurate.
When all was said and done, we were surprised that more romances flourished than fell apart. Episode 8 had one of the most swoonworthy onscreen proposals we’ve watched in recent memory, and it also hinted at a budding new relationship for some of our favorite servants. And we can’t forget about George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), whose relationship had the most ups and downs this season.
Where did they, and all of the other couples, end up in the Season 3 finale? Who’s going into Season 4 happy and in love, and who is heartbroken and on the outs? Scroll to find out.
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Peggy Scott & Dr. William Kirkland
In one of the most romantic scenes we’ve ever seen from The Gilded Age, William (Jordan Donica) proposes to Peggy (Denée Benton) in the middle of a packed ballroom, in spite of his mother’s (Phylicia Rashad) objections. Thanks to her, things weren’t looking good for the once-happy couple for most of the finale. When William’s mom finds out about Peggy’s past marriage and adopted child, she rushes to tell her son, considering it proof that Peggy isn’t good enough for him. Luckily, after weighing it over, William decides that he loves Peggy too much to let her go.
Oscar van Rhijn & Enid Winterton
After the tragic death of John Adams (Claybourne Elder), Oscar (Blake Ritson) is left heartbroken over his former lover. But it doesn’t take too long for him to start making moves. Though Oscar certainly doesn’t love the widowed Mrs. Winterton (Kelley Curran) — who fans will remember began as Bertha’s maid — he figures they can form a mutually beneficial arrangement. She’ll give him money, while he’ll give her connections and status. She seems to be on board with his impromptu proposal in the finale.
Gladys & Hector
The youngest member of the Russell family (Taissa Farmiga) had a particularly rough time this season, dealing with her mother’s efforts to marry her off to the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). Gladys reluctantly entered a loveless union with Hector, who needs her family’s money, but it seems like they’re forming a genuine bond by the end of Season 3. After he sent away his overbearing sister (Hattie Morahan), it became clear that Hector is taking steps to make his wife happy. Now, Gladys is expecting a baby, which is sure to make her and the Duke’s dynamic even more interesting.
Larry Russell & Marian Brook
We’re rooting for you, Larian! For a second there, it really seemed like there was no hope for Larry (Harry Richardson) and Marian (Louisa Jacobson). He lied about going to a house of “ill repute” (as Marian would say) for a bachelor party. Marian’s been burned in the past, so his dishonesty raised her hackles and caused her to end their engagement. When Jack (Ben Ahlers) confirmed that Larry didn’t do anything wrong, Marian started trying to make amends. Larry, however, was having none of it. How can they build a strong marriage if she doesn’t trust him at his word?
The angst comes to an end at the Newport ball, where Marian and Larry reconcile. Toward the end of the episode., they agree that they have things to work on, but they’ll do it together.
George & Bertha Russell
George and Bertha gave us whiplash in the finale. After giving his wife the cold shoulder all season long over her pushing Gladys into marriage, it seemed like they were moving in a better direction. Watching over their happy daughter at the ball, George remarks, “You’ve managed another triumph.”
“I just want what’s best for us all,” Bertha responds. George says that his perspective on that changed after being shot and so close to death. The next morning, George reveals that he can’t forgive Bertha’s ruthlessness when it comes to their family. He leaves Newport early, telling Bertha that he won’t return home until he figures out what he wants.
Jack Trotter & Bridget
Jack is settling into the house he bought with his new fortune, but he feels lonely there. He visits his old coworkers at the van Rhijn house, and during that get together, Bridget (Taylor Richardson) gets jealous when Jack mentions that he’s hired two young women as maids.
She brings Jack dinner, and the two have a romantic meal together, candles and all. “It feels very safe with you here,” Jack muses. “Can I say that without making you feel uncomfortable?”
“I don’t feel uncomfortable, not at all,” says Bridget, who turned down Jack’s advances in Season 2. She wasn’t ready for a relationship due to past trauma. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore, but we’ll have to wait and see where their connection goes in Season 4.
