Major spoilers ahead!! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Well, that was a finale worth clearing the calendar for. HBO’s The Gilded Age wrapped its third season with enough romance, scheming, and eyebrow-raising decisions to keep us buzzing until Season 4 (which, seriously, when is that happening?).
First things first, Peggy finally got her big romantic moment, and I could not be happier.
It’s been a long road, but seeing her get that payoff was deeply satisfying. I love how big and romantic her ending was. Good for her! She deserves it!
Over in the young-love department, Gladys seems to be positively glowing, and honestly, good for her!
Even Jack and Bridget, who could’ve easily been a blink-and-you-miss-it side plot, continue to charm every time they’re on screen. More of them, please.
Meanwhile, Larry and Marian are still in a slow-motion waltz toward… something. Normally, I’d be frustrated, but this time I’m oddly okay with the pacing. Partly because watching Bertha Russell “sacrifice” for her son, while still pulling all the strings, is delicious television. It’s a reminder that no matter the circumstances, Bertha will always be Bertha.
Oscar and Enid’s situation is trickier. Is this the beginning of a surprisingly sweet ending for him, or just another gilded dead end? I genuinely can’t tell, but I’m intrigued enough to keep guessing.
Then there’s this random question that’s been rattling in my brain: exactly how much money did the Russells hand over to William? Because that wasn’t pocket change.
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And why all the emphasis on pain control and the bottle of Laudanum? Anyone who knows a bit of history knows that does not bode well for Mr. George Russell.
And who did shoot him? Will we ever find out? We did get a nice, jarring reminder of how ruthless George is when he sent out his henchman to track down Clay.
And, of course, we have to talk about George.
As a character, I get his stance. As a fan of the show, I want to shake him. This is a man who has pulled plenty of shady moves himself, yet suddenly he’s drawing a moral line in the sand? Please. He needs to get over himself and fast.
Bertha’s passionate defense of divorced women better not be a foreshadowing of her own divorce. I will not stand for it!
Bottom line: this finale gave us satisfying romance, juicy drama, and just enough unanswered questions to leave us restless. The only real problem? Now we have to wait, and I have zero patience when it comes to The Gilded Age.
HBO, hurry up with Season 4!
The Gilded Age Season 3 is now available on HBO Max.