Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 2.
The Gilded AgeSeason 3 may only be beginning, but with two episodes down, the drama is already in full swing. The premiere picked up with some interesting stories fromSeason 2as Marian (Louisa Jacobson) and Larry (Harry Richardson) begin a relationship and Agnes (Christine Baranski) and Ada (Cynthia Nixon) compete for control of their household. Butthe premiereended with Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) running away from home in defiance of her mother’s engagement plan.Episode 2, “What the Papers Say,” picks up from there, building on the drama between the Russell family and the chaos in the van Rhijn house.
The Russells Are Divided in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Episode 2
The morning after Gladys' desperate escape, the episode opens with the Russell servants discovering her room empty. Scared to tell Bertha (Carrie Coon), they instead alert Larry, who wakes up his mother to tell her the news. Immediately, Bertha suspects Gladys has eloped, ruining her plans, but she receives a letter from Mrs. Carlton (Victoria Clark), who informs her that Gladys is safely at their house.Bertha rejects Mrs. Carlton’s attempt to make peace, insisting that Gladys and Billy will never marry. Though Gladys and Billy (Matt Walker) are resolved to oppose Bertha, their defenses quickly crumble, and Gladys returns home with her mother.
Meanwhile, George (Morgan Spector) has returned home and, after bailing out the Metropolitan National Bank and getting JP Morgan’s (Bill Camp) promise to aid in gaining control of Chicago for his cross-country railway, he becomes involved in the ongoing family argument. When Larry discovers the papers are announcing Gladys' engagement,Gladys accuses Bertha of planting the story, but George remains calm and neutral.He listens to Bertha’s excuses about building a prosperous future for Gladys. Then, he speaks to Gladys herself, admitting that he understands Bertha’s motivation. Gladys evokes the promise he made in Season 2 to help her defy Bertha so she could marry for love, and George agrees to hear Billy out but advises Gladys to consider her options carefully.
Downstairs, rumors of Gladys' impending engagement cause a stiras the staff speculates about her future, especially Adelheid (Erin Wilhelmi), who hopes to accompany Gladys to England. Few are willing to doubt Bertha, but Mrs. Bruce (Celia Keenan-Bolger) expresses a dull view of marriage, which causes concern for the chef, Mr. Borden (Douglas Sills). Not only has he been seeing Mrs. Bruce, but he recently received news that his wife, whom he was separated from, has passed away, giving him hope of moving forward in his relationship with Mrs. Bruce.
Peggy Finally Gets Treatment in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Episode 2
After Agnes' family doctor refuses to treat Peggy (Denée Benton) due to her race in the previous episode,her parents arrive with Dr. Kirkland (Jordan Donica), who wastes no time in treating Peggy’s illness.Kirkland soon announces that Peggy will heal, but he returns to check on her later. Peggy and Kirkland get to know each other as Kirkland describes how he was inspired to become a doctor from visits to her father’s pharmacy. Fortunately, Peggy’s story is looking up as her mother, Dorothy (Audra McDonald), relays an invitation from her cousin, who hopes Peggy will visit and speak to her women’s group. Now that she is on the mend, Peggy expresses interest in going, and Agnes is quick to give her the time off.
During Peggy’s convalescence, her parents get to know Agnes, and though she welcomes them as guests, Arthur (John Douglas Thompson) doubts her, especially as she is seemingly shocked bythe first doctor’s racism. They have an honest discussion about it, and Agnes acknowledges that most in her position would be horribly prejudiced, but she treats the Scotts with respect. She also apologizes for not informing them of Peggy’s condition earlier and sympathizes with their fear, telling them of almost losing Oscar (Blake Ritson) to typhoid fever when he was young in a rare vulnerable moment.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Review: HBO’s Most Consistent Period Drama Is No Longer Playing It Safe
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 premieres June 22.
Ada Takes Control in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Episode 2
While Peggy heals, the rest of the household drama continues, withAda asking the servants to sign a temperance pledge swearing off alcohol.Though Agnes, who dislikes Ada’s new cause and doesn’t want to give Ada authority, tries to argue, Ada sends the pledge down with Bannister (Simon Jones), causing the servants to discuss. Few want to sign it, but Armstrong (Debra Monk) chooses to do so.Ada and Agnes' power strugglefinally comes to a head over the pledge as Ada’s request for an update causes an argument between the sisters, where Ada asserts her own authority. Bannister has to raise his voice to get their attention and ask about who the staff answers to, shocking everyone. While both Agnes and Ada claim to be in charge, Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara), who happens to be visiting, firmly establishes that Ada has the final say, giving the staff clarity. Ada also requests Marian, who is usually of a like mind, to sign her pledge, but Marian gently confesses that she sees nothing wrong with an occasional drink. Her refusal disappoints Ada, but she accepts it.
Meanwhile, Jack (Ben Ahlers) continues working on his clock as he and Larry prepare to have meetings about selling it. Now invited to go along and help explain how it works, Jack needs a proper suit, which Larry gets for him. After meeting with Jack,Larry sneaks Marianinto a waiting carriage to kiss her and confess his love.However, Marian is much more cautious, confessing to Ada that she is worried after seeing what happened to Aurora. But Marian isn’t the only one getting confessions of love, as Oscar has been staying away from his lover, John Adams (Claybourne Elder), but when they run into each other, John not only tells Oscar that he loves him, but takes action, giving Oscar money to invest and hopefully restart his career afterhe lost his fortune in Season 2.
The Rest of Society Has Their Own Drama in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Episode 2
While much of the story centers on the Russells and the van Rhijn (now, more accurately, Forte) household, there is much going on in the rest of society.Season 3 has given focus to Aurora Faneas her husband, Charles (Ward Horton), has decided he wants a divorce despite Aurora begging him to stay.
When she hosts a benefit, Charles refuses to attend, so she tells everyone he’s sick; however, he shows up with his mistress, revealing the truth of their situation.Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy)catches on to the lie first and leaves the event, beginning Aurora’s exile from society. However,Mrs. Astor’s action is hypocriticalas her own daughter, Charlotte (Hannah Shealy), has a failing marriage, and Mrs. Astor hopes to hide it.
Bertha Maintains Her Power in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Episode 2
The fight about Gladys' future continues at the Fanes' benefit, where Gladys hopes Billy will speak to George. However, things go poorly when Mrs. Carlton once again tries to reason with Bertha.Rather than allowing Gladys and Billy to be together, Bertha threatens Billy’s career, saying that if they marry without her permission, George will verify Billy is unemployed and Gladys will be disinherited. Billy tries to speak to George to ask for his permission for Gladys' hand, but he is surrounded by prominent business leaders, scaring Billy. He walks away without a word, and Mrs. Carlton insists they leave, horrified by Bertha’s threats.
George and Bertha argueabout Gladys' future as George attempts to fulfill his promise to Gladys. He tries to advocate for Gladys' happiness, but Bertha considers Gladys marrying anyone other than the Duke (Ben Lamb) a failure. She insists that marriages are her job, not George’s, and she will do as she sees fit. The argument gets nowhere, especially with the Duke’s impending arrival at the Russells' house. Gladys refuses to come down until Larry takes her a message that Billy Carlton is waiting for her at the servants' entrance. There,Billy breaks Gladys' heart, admitting that he is done fighting with her parents,especially with the potential risk to his career. Still crying, Gladys goes up for the Duke’s arrival, where she and George learn Bertha’s plans are farther along than they thought.
The Gilded AgeSeason 3 is streaming on Max with new episodes on Sundays in the U.S.
The Gilded Age
“What the Papers Say” is an exciting episode that pushes the drama in the Russell family to a breaking point.
A wide-eyed young scion of a conservative family embarks on a mission to infiltrate the wealthy neighboring clan dominated by ruthless railroad tycoon George Russell, his rakish son, Larry, and his ambitious wife, Bertha.
