Spoilers for The Gilded Age’s Season 3 finale, “My Mind Is Made Up.”
What a way to end the third season! We got so many amazing wrap-ups and cliffhangers, hopefully enough to keep people interested and engaged for the fourth season, whenever we get it (probably in 18 months, sob). Our low-stakes show turned out to have some really high stakes after all. Here’s an incomplete list of everything that happened in the finale:
*George Russell survives being shot, thanks to Dr. Kirkland. Dr. Kirkland was across the street to talk to/confront Peggy, but they didn’t get a chance to talk because George’s people deliver him to his home (to keep the cops out of it). Dr. Kirkland and Marian rush to the Russells’ mansion and Marian helps the doctor save George’s life. Marian later tells Larry that she would do anything for him and his family, which is the truth – she’s always looked out for the entire family and tried to help out wherever she can. She’s done that for three seasons.
*Peggy and Dr. Kirkland finally had their talk and she confirms much of what his (horrid) mother told him about her past. Kirkland needs some time to think and Peggy thinks it’s all over. That scene between Denee Benton and Audra McDonald on the staircase was heart-wrenching and beautifully written!
*Jack (the “clock twink” as he’s known to fans) is still figuring out his life as a newly rich man. He came to visit the Forte house and had coffee with his “downstairs” family. Bridget later goes to his new house to bring him food, and he invites her to sit at the table and not act like a servant. Are they setting up a more serious love story there? I wouldn’t be surprised.
*One of my favorite scenes was Agnes and Ada talking about Larry and Marian, and what they wanted for Marian. Ada gently reminds Agnes that her marriage to a well-born man kind of sucked, and that Marian would probably be much happier with Larry, even though he’s nouveau riche. Agnes finally changes her tune and later encourages Marian to apologize to Larry.
*Bertha finally becomes a big believer in “Larian.” Marian impressed Bertha with her behavior when George was shot – Bertha is basically like, you’re strong, resourceful and brave, I want you with Larry now.
*Agnes finally gets a job! She will be vice president of some sort of New York heritage society. She’s so pleased! She’ll finally get some mail!
*In Newport, Mrs. Scott is at the dressmaker when Mrs. Kirkland comes in. That scene between Audra McDonald and Phylicia Rashad was INCREDIBLE. Soon after, Mrs. Kirkland is still lying about Peggy and discouraging her son from considering Peggy as a future wife. Rev. Kirkland has finally had enough, and he tells off his wife at long last.
*Oscar is feeling better after John Adams’ death and he’s back to his scheming ways. He goes to Bertha and convinced her invite Mrs. Winterton. They’re setting it up so Oscar will finally get his lavender marriage, to a wealthy widow with secrets of her own.
*Larry brings Dr. Kirkland to the Russells’ home in Newport, where the good doctor checks in on George. George acknowledges that Kirkland saved his life and that if George had died, Kirkland would have been blamed and probably a lot worse. George hands Kirkland a check. We don’t know how much, but I suspect it was probably the equivalent of a million dollars, right?
*The crescendo of the episode had back-and-forth scenes between the two Newport balls. The Black end-of-season ball where Peggy gets her fairytale ending with Dr. Kirkland, who asks her father for permission to marry Peggy, then Kirkland proposes to Peggy in the middle of the ballroom. My one complaint about this was that Peggy’s dress could have fit better, but it was actually true to the story of Peggy not going to her dress fitting! Meanwhile, at Bertha’s ball, divorced women are finally allowed in society, George is recovered enough to make an appearance, and Larry and Marian are finally working through their sh-t.
*Gladys and the Duke’s marriage is finally on track and they seem to really adore each other now. He’s sending his horrible sister away and Gladys is smiling and happy every time she’s seen now. As it turns out, she’s knocked up! She told her mother after the ball.
*The last part of the finale, the cliffhanger, was George leaving Bertha. He’s been furious with her since Gladys’ wedding, and while he doesn’t say “I’m divorcing you,” he’s certainly considering it. I doubt it will happen though.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red/HBO.
