Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Gilded Age season 3, episode 5, “A Different World.“Things have reached a boiling point with the social-climbing Russell family at the center ofThe Gilded Age, following the marriage of their daughter. The director of season 3, episode 5, “A Different World,” has offered some insights into what is next for Bertha (Carrie Coon) and George (Morgan Spector), once the show’s unstoppable power couple.
While George’s railroads fund the family’s opulent lifestyle, he has always trusted Bertha with cementing their place in society. However, this took a dark turn this season whenBertha pushed for her daughter Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) to marry the Duke of Buckingham(Ben Lamb).Upon arriving in England, Gladys is mistreated and humiliated by her new sister-in-law.
InThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 5’s ending, Bertha insists she can still fix the situation, but George may be unable to ever forgive her. Episode directorDeborah Kampmeier spoke withScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender about the state of George and Bertha’s marriage,which is at a “breaking point.” Check out her comments below:
EXCLUSIVE: ScreenRant: The conflict between the Russells gets even deeper in episode 5, and that final scene was very upsetting. Are they at a breaking point before she [Bertha] leaves for England?
Deborah Kampmeier: Yeah, I think that we’ve been building to that all the way from episode 2, and even from the finale of last season. But I think the telegram from Gladys is really the breaking point, and I think George’s stance at the end is really interesting.
When he says, “I don’t know if I’m more angry at you or at myself,” that’s the moment of, “How could I let this happen? I am no longer playing this game with you.” It is shocking, in a way, that they get to this breaking point. And it’s also devastating; we’re torturing our poor audience. We’ve all loved that relationship from day one. Yeah, George the Robber Baron is probably pretty awful, but we love him because of how he treats his wife, and we want that power marriage. Now, suddenly, here we are taking it away from our audience. It’s quite fun.
What Kampmeier’s Comments Mean For Bertha & George In The Gilded Age Season 3
The Collateral Of Sociol Climbing May Be The End Of Their Marriage
George and Bertha have never been presented as the kindest or most moral people; they are interesting characters because they are clever, ambitious, and manipulative. But they have also always been in this together, each in charge of a different aspect of what it would take for their family to become the most affluent people in the country.
However, asThe Gilded Agecontinues to explore the dynamics between the old and new money circles during this era, it is now having a look at the pitfalls of acting as the Russells have.Bertha’s unrelenting prioritization of social wealth has irritated George before, but he is now realizing that they are no longer partners in “this game,” and he has failed his family even more because of it.
The Gilded Agemay be heading towards the dissolution of George and Bertha’s marriage,as this may be the most honest conclusion to their story.The Gilded Agehas shown that people are often hurt maintaining their status, and while Bertha was ready to do whatever it took, it turns out she and George have different lines they will not cross.
Our Take On Bertha & George’s Breaking Point In The Gilded Age Season 3
Bertha Is Going To Have To Act Dramatically
Last season, Bertha was mad at George for not telling her that her former maid tried to seduce him, and he worked to regain her trust. Now, it’s on her to earn his forgiveness. He has reason to believe that she is more concerned with status than their children’s actual happiness, and is mad at himself for allowing it all.
It feels like what it may take for Bertha to win George’s trust back is breaking up Gladys' marriage,and dealing with the social fallout, rather than leaving their daughter in an emotionally abusive situation. Lady Sarah (Hattie Morahan) will only ever look down on her sister-in-law, and Bertha badgering her into being polite won’t change that.
This season ofThe Gilded Agehas also shown the social stigma of divorce at this time, meaning whether Gladys' marriage or George and Bertha’s comes to an end, the consequences of ambition are going to upend their world.
