Bertha, Brawls, and Broken Hearts: 'The Gilded Age' Season 3 Episode 5 "A Different World" Heats Up
- Je-Ree
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
We are back, transported once again to the opulence and drama of the 1800s in The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 5, aptly titled “A Different World.” And let me tell you, it truly is a different world, especially for poor ol' Gladys Russell. Meanwhile, older brother Larry’s prospects are rising like New York’s skyline, but back home, our favorite power couple Bertha and George are facing stormy skies. Trouble in paradise? Oh, it's a full-on nor’easter.
Everything feels like it’s unraveling for the Russell's, and honestly? I cannot take it. I warned Bertha. I begged her. Her family practically staged an intervention. All we wanted was for Gladys to marry a man she actually loved instead of being packaged off to some pompous, humorless English Duke. But Bertha, as always, thought she knew best. And now? Gladys is stuck in London, dealing with her oh-so-charming sister-in-law, who’s wasting no time asserting dominance. She fired Gladys’ maid, said Gladys doesn’t have a sense of humor and had the audacity to insulted her hair. I was practically hoarse yelling, “Girl, stand up! You’ve got Bertha Russell blood, use it, FIGHT BACK!” At least there’s a glimmer of hope: she sent a telegram back home. Please let that be the Bat-Signal summoning Bertha to London to unleash the full fury of her social power. That woman needs a verbal smackdown. Bertha did say she would go, but I need her to be full on mama bear.
But while Gladys is fighting (or... whimpering) abroad, things at home are fracturing fast. George is on edge, his business empire wobbling, and Bertha, well, she’s been flirting, y’all. Flirting in his face. You could see the betrayal simmering behind George’s eyes. And then, to top it all off, he fires his most trusted right-hand man. Sir, that man knows everything. Firing him was bold, but maybe also wildly reckless? Still, I’m holding out hope. George and Bertha are electric when they’re in sync, unmatched in both power and strategy. Please, let this just be a temporary cold front in their marriage, not a full-on freeze.
Meanwhile, Larry has proposed to Marian and she said yes! I’m still not convinced, though. There’s something missing, some spark or tension that just isn’t there. It’s all very... beige. Will this last? Time will tell. But the emotional stakes are definitely simmering elsewhere.
Speaking of simmering, Oscar’s past has come back with a vengeance. The woman who swindled his money is back on the scene, and if you think he’s just going to let that go quietly, you clearly haven’t been paying attention. As for the household staff, everyone seems to know Jack is secretly a rich man, everyone, that is, except Agnes and Ada. But honestly, they’ve got bigger problems. Like Ada, who is clearly being spiritually scammed by a “psychic” that gives strong “Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost” energy. Someone get her a friend with sense, stat.
Back in Newport, social tides are shifting. Aurora Fane, freshly divorced, is being iced out of society events but at least she’s walking away with the real prize: all the houses. Win some, lose some. And in a plot twist that had me clutching my pearls, it was none other than Mrs. Fish who finally called out Mrs. Astor for her hypocrisy. Yes, Mrs. Fish! Honestly, that woman has been a sleeper icon and I am here for it. Now the question remains, will Mrs. Astor take the advice to heart? Or will her own daughter be next on the social chopping block?
And let’s not forget Peggy. Our girl is thriving, and everyone wants a piece of her, including not one but two potential suitors. When Dr. Kirkland stood up to Mr. Fortune, I nearly fell off the couch. Where’s my turn-of-the-century love triangle with two principled, handsome men? Peggy, you are blessed. But I swear, if she and Dr. Kirkland aren’t engaged by the end of the season... we riot. Gentle riot. Maybe with parasols.
Another edge-of-your-seat, gossip-worthy episode that leaves us gasping, guessing, and counting down to next week. But that’s just my take. What did you think, fellow TV cavers? Leave a comment and vote in our poll below because you know you have thoughts.
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