"What the Papers Say": 'The Gilded Age' Season 3 Episode 2 Review – Will Bertha’s Power Play Backfire?
- Je-Ree
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
The Gilded Age delivered another stellar episode in period piece drama with Season 3 Episode 2 that had me on the edge of my seat. So many different storylines to keep the show going that you don’t even know which one to focus on in the best way. I’ll begin with the one that is driving me up the wall.
Mrs. Russell, don’t piss me off! She has become really overbearing when it comes to her daughter Gladys. I completely understand her wanting what is best for her children, especially her daughter because even as his mother, she has no say in what Larry does with his life so she is focusing all her energy on Gladys now that she has entered in the social world.
However, forcing her into a marriage when she already has found a suitor and one that comes from a well enough prominent family annoys me. Yes, being a Dutchess will put her in the room with royalty and she gets to help shape whatever she would want but the problem is she does not want to be that. She wants her life the way she wants and Bertha ignoring that will ultimately blow up in her face I fear. When you see your children crying and in pain, that doesn’t move you?
Nevermind the fact that she is keeping George in the dark about it. Speaking of George, this plan for the railroads is too risky for my blood. Let’s hope what he said in the trailer (I won’t spoil it, if you haven’t watched) doesn’t come to pass. He needs to assert himself as Gladys’ father more and advocate for his (adult) daughter in my opinion. Bertha is OD.
Larry and Marian, to be honest, I am not feeling it. I do not see the spark there. I honestly feel like the show does not know what to do with the character and she is always all over the place. So now, they are just sticking her with the male Russell. Was there even a chemistry test? But, you know who has chemistry? Peggy and her new doctor William Kirkland. The sparks were flying and I am interested to see where that relationship goes.
Do I feel like Larry is playing Jack about the clock? Yes. I will not be surprised if Larry ends up stealing Jack’s clock as his own and that causes him and Marian to have a breakup. I am however pleased that the staff now know who is in charge but asking them to give up drinking was too much Ada. Even though Ada is the nice one she can be a bit much. I rock with Agnes. Her conversation with Peggy’s parents was deep and showed a different side to her.
Finally, the big event at Aurora’s home was messy. It was the turning point for Billy who decided to break up with poor Gladys and Oscar is getting a loan from his ex-lover. Mrs. Astor’s other daughter showed up without her husband and Charles showed up with his mistress, letting everyone know that he and Aurora are on the outs. Aurora needs to punch Charles in the face and find her a new man.
Overall, the episode was a 10/10. I cannot wait to see what Gladys has up her sleeve for her mother’s scheme. Leaking an engagement to the paper and Gladys hasn’t even accepted nor has the Duke even asked is nasty work. Leaving George out of it when he has the final say (a condition of the times back then), I have a feeling this will blow up in Bertha’s face and rightfully so.
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