Warning: this article contains spoilers for the events of The Gilded Age season 3.
The Gilded Ageseason 3 spent plenty of time developing the tension between George Russell (Morgan Spector) and Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), but the culmination of their fight in the season finale highlights a major flaw in George. This followsThe Gilded Age’s major theme of relationship troublethat runs throughout the season.
Between his business troubles and George being shot inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 7’s ending, the character hasn’t had it easy over the past season. When he seemingly began to reconcile with his wife inThe Gilded Ageseason 3’s finale, things seemed better, but his actions ultimately only proved that he can be just as cruel as Bertha.
George Russell Was Cruel In How He Treated Bertha In The Gilded Age Season 3’s Finale
Though Bertha Russell is certainly an imperfect character and was very harsh in her approach to Gladys Vere’s (Taissa Farmiga) marriage, in her own way, she was doing what she thought would be best for her daughter. Sadly,The Gilded Age’s season 3 finale proved George Russell was unable to understand her motives.
Throughout the entire season, the couple have been at odds over Bertha’s decision-making, but the finale proved that George can be just as ruthless. While he claimed that he is only tough in business, where she is tough on the people she loves, his decision to leave her proves he didn’t truly consider her feelings.
After getting shot in season 3, episode 7, George seemed to be attempting to make amends with his wife and even attended her ball, leading Bertha to think they were on the path to getting back together. In choosing to turn around and leave her the next morning, though, he was the one hiding the truth from her.
What’s more, in their final scene together, Bertha enters his room to find him already packing and Larry waiting in the carriage downstairs, revealing that he was not even going to tell her that he was leaving. This is incredibly cruel and untrusting behavior toward someone George loves, and it more than matches Bertha’s mistakes.
Why George Russell Is So Angry In The Gilded Age Season 3
It is understandable for George Russell to be upset that his wife pressured their daughter so much, but he is not completely free of the blame since he walked Gladys down the aisle. As a result, part of why he is so angry at Bertha is that he is angry at himself, too, for going along with her plans.
Leading up to and during the wedding, George saw that his daughter was unhappy, yet did nothing to stop the wedding. ThroughoutThe Gilded Ageseason 3, he is clearly beating himself up over this betrayal, but in large part, that fury is being directed back at Bertha.
On top of his complicated emotions about Gladys’s wedding to Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), George Russell dealt with massive upheaval in his business this season. He was only saved at the last minute by his son, Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), and his shooting only complicated matters more.
Ultimately, George’s anger isn’t completely unfounded, but it’s not entirely justified either. He and Bertha are both imperfect and have a lot to work out if their marriage is going to succeed inThe Gilded Ageseason 4. After his massive decision to leave in the finale, though, their situation is looking more bleak than ever.
The Gilded Age
Cast
The Gilded Age, set in 1882 during a time of economic prosperity, follows Marian Brook, an orphaned Southern general’s daughter, as she moves to New York City. She navigates society’s complexities with her aunts and Peggy Scott, an African-American masquerading as her maid, amidst the city’s opulent elite.
