Warning: SPOILERS for The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 2 - “What the Papers Say.”
Unlike many drama shows, it can be hard to say that HBO’sThe Gilded Agehas one clear villain, as many of the characters are either motivated by their own interests or are very straightforwardly good-hearted. However, one particular person in New York high society now takes the cake.The Gilded Age’s charactersare neither perfect nor evil, with the show focusing on the power struggles of society and the overarching issues of late 19th century, which has seen Black Americans and working-class people fighting for their rights.
WhileThe Gilded Age’s most powerful characterscan be frustrating in their willingness to climb over others to get to the top, that is also part of what makes the show entertaining/ Even then, those characters are only doing what they think is right within high society’s terms. However,The Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 1, included several huge surprises, with one big reveal makinga formerly minor character into the show’s biggest villain yet.
Charles Fane Went From The Gilded Age Supporting Character To Season 3’s Worst Villain
He Has Not Played A Huge Role Before Now
Just two episodes into season 3, Charles Fane is now the most frustrating character and biggest villain inThe Gilded Age. In previous seasons, Charles was a mere companion to his wife, Aurora. He was also a minor antagonist to George Russell inThe Gilded Ageseason 1, but beyond those brief appearances, Mr. Fane was a background character, at best. Now,Charles has cemented himself as season 3’s worst characterdue to his intention to divorce Aurora.
Because Charles Fane had played such a small role in previous seasons, it’s surprising how quickly he became such a heel. Charles' request for a divorce came out of nowhere, especially since divorce was such a contentious topic during the Gilded Age, and women still had so little freedom to move through the world without husbands. Even worse,Charles' decision inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 2, to bring the woman he had been cheating on Aurora with to a party at their homemade their split more apparent to other high-society women.
Why Divorce Is Worse For Aurora Than Charles Fane In The Gilded Age
Gilded Age Society Was Far More Restrictive For Women
Charles Fane asked Aurora for a divorce inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 1, as if it were the easiest thing in the world for her, but her anguished response thus far proves that that is far from the case. No-fault divorce did not exist in the 1880s, and the concept of divorce more generally was still fairly taboo. As a result,the only way that Charles would be able to divorce Aurora Fane inThe Gilded Ageis for her to bring the charges, as he asks her to do in season 3’s premiere.
The Fanes' situation is complicated, though, by the fact that Aurora does not want a divorce. She did not know that her husband was cheating on her and still believed that they were in love. Beyond being completely blindsided by his request,Aurora also realizes that being divorced will essentially force her out of society. Once the news is out, Aurora will be ostracized from society and may have to move to Newport, while Charles will live happily with his new wife.
What Agnes Meant When She Said She’s Not Charles Fane’s Aunt Anymore
He Has Now Been Removed From The Van Rhijn Family Tree
Agnes Van Rhijn expressed her own concern about being seen publicly with a divorced Aurora, but she is understandably far harsher towards Charles. When the pair encounter each other at Aurora’s event, and Charles refers to her as"Aunt Agnes,“Agnes is quick to confirm to Charles Fane that she no longer considers him family. This is because, without his connection to Aurora, he quite simply is not part of the Van Rhijn family anymore.
The Gilded Age’s Van Rhijn family treecan be somewhat confusing, given all the different branches that have been introduced thus far, but the reason that Charles and Aurora Fane refer to Agnes as their aunt is that she is actually Aurora’s aunt by marriage. While Marian is related to Agnes through the Brook side of the family, Aurora was related by blood to Agnes' late husband, Mr. Van Rhijn. Thus, without his marriage to Aurora, Charles Fane would no longer be related to the Van Rhijn family inThe Gilded Ageseason 3.
