Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for The Gilded Age season 3, episode 7, “Ex-Communicated.”
Much like episode 6,The Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 7 has shown that it is not afraid to take its characters to extremes.The Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 6’s endingsaw John Adams meet his untimely death, leaving Oscar van Rhijn confounded. Meanwhile, Bertha Russell helped Gladys Vere make headway with Hector, Duke of Buckingham.
Other characters struggled with problems of their own, withGeorge Russell facing business troubleand Marian Brook facing romantic trouble, and that only increased in episode 7. In short,The Gilded Ageseason 3has a lot of questions to answer in its final episode, starting with revealing the fate of one of the show’s biggest characters.
After Fixing His Business Troubles, George Russell’s Life Is At Stake
Who Could Be Behind The Shooting?
John Adams' death in episode 6was a huge shock, and he was a far more minor character than George Russell is, soending episode 7 with a gun firing directly at him was completely unexpected. What makes the moment even worse is that things were finally looking up for the industrialist.
The Gilded Ageseason 3 has seen George Russell’s business in a pretty precarious situation. He has been putting more money into his plans than he has, and he is running out of investors. After his big setback with Richard Clay in episode 6,episode 7 brought Larry Russell back to save the Russell business empire.
Larry’s success in Morenci means that George is finally able to move forward with his plans, but the twist ending puts an obvious stop to that. Since we only see the gunfire, not Mr. Russell getting hit, it’s safe to assume we’ll see the aftermath play out in the finale, but perhaps the bigger question is who wanted him dead.
Mr. McAllister’s Tell-All Book Forces Him Out Of Society
Ward McAllister Has Lost His Grip On Society
From Gossip Girl to Lady Whistledown, I love a nosy character spilling secrets, but the characters ofThe Gilded Agedon’t feel the same way, at least when it is about them.Ward McAllister learned that the hard wayinThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 7, after the release of his bookSociety as I Have Found It.
WhileThe Gilded Agecertainly includes its fair share of fictional drama, this plot is actually pulled from history.The real Ward McAllister published the bookSociety as I Have Found Itin 1890, causing members of high society to cast him out. Understandably, Mr. McAllister had lost their trust.
Like much ofThe Gilded Age, McAllister’s decision to publish this book and highlight the problems in wealthy people’s lives ties to the importance of the social norms of the era and how quickly those were changing. Even so, Bertha Russell remarks thather growing powers still aren’t enough to save him from rejection.
Why Marian Refuses To Take Larry Back, Despite Evidence Of His Innocence
Marian Is Having Trouble Getting Out Of Her Own Way
Marian Brook has quickly become the most frustrating character inThe Gilded Agethanks to her relationship with Larry Russell.In the first half of the season, the pair were doing so well, culminating in their engagement inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 5. Now, Marian is remaining firm in her desire to end their engagement.
After she learned aboutLarry’s evening at the Haymarket,Marian panicked and broke the engagement off in a letter. Episode 7 now sees her refusing to hear his side of the story. The only time she seems to doubt her decision is when Jack Trotter tells her Larry is innocent, hinting that maybe she’ll change her mind again.
Bertha Russell Reaps The Reward Of Her Behavior
Her Growing Social Power May Mean Nothing If She Ends Up Alone
Bertha Russell’s ambition has long made her one ofThe Gilded Age’s most interesting characters, but season 3 is showing that this trait is coming back to bite her. After forcing her daughter to marry the Duke in episode 4, she has been at odds with her husband George, and now Larry is against her too.
Her family members have rightly pointed out thatBertha Russell is most concerned with getting what she wants, regardless of whether her family’s feelings are hurt in the process. It’s not terribly surprising, then, that Larry feels she may have influenced Marian’s decision to end their engagement.
Bertha and George Russell have always been the show’s main couple, but now they’re hanging by a thread.
Bertha Russell has been increasingly out of the loop with her family in season 3, but episode 7 paints that in an even harsher light.She is alone in the houseand reviled by those who should love her the most. Bertha and George Russell have always been the show’s main couple, but now they’re hanging by a thread.
Peggy Scott’s History Earns Ire From Mrs. Kirkland
We Knew Mrs. Kirkland Would Be A Problem
Peggy Scott’s history has been explored byThe Gilded Agebefore, so while what Elizabeth Kirkland learns in season 3, episode 7, isn’t a surprise to viewers, it does set up a tricky situation for the character.Peggy’s baby was a huge source of trauma for herand a part of her bad relationship with her family in season 1, and it hurts to see that used against her.
Especially consideringWilliam Kirkland’s mother has been against Peggy from their first meeting, her response to learning about Peggy’s baby is unsurprising. Mrs. Kirkland’s colorism and her disdain for Peggy’s father because he was formerly enslaved, unfortunately, says everything we need to know about her, though at least her son seems more reasonable.
How John Adams' Death Opens The Door For Oscar’s Future
Oscar Van Rhijn Needs Time To Mourn
John Adams' episode 6 death was an unexpected, crazy story forThe Gilded Ageto add.The death highlighted just how unpredictable this season of the period drama was truly willing to get, and episode 7’s ending further enforced that. This week’s episode also gives Oscar van Rhijn time to mourn his lost love.
While audiences don’t get to see John Adams' funeral, we do get to see how Oscar is feeling afterward. Understandably, this is a huge blow for him since John Adams was his ex-partner and the person who saved him from financial ruin. Even though they weren’t together anymore, their friendship gave Oscar one person he could truly be himself.
The Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up” will premiere on HBO Max on Sunday, August 07, 2025, at 9 pm EST.
Here,The Gilded Ageactually provides some comfort. Marian talks to Oscar privately after seeing him break down, explaining that she understands his true relationship with John Adams. While it will take Oscar some time to feel better, Marian shows Oscar that he has at least one other person who accepts him for who he is, leaving him with some hope.
