Warning: SPOILERS For The Gilded Age Season 3 Finale - “My Mind Is Made Up"The Gilded Agestar Carrie Coon breaks down how Bertha Russell feels about Larry Russell’s (Harry Richardson) engagement and breakup with Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson). Bertha succeeded in her master plan to wed Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga) to Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). However, Larry’s proposal to Marian sideswiped Bertha, who did not approve of her son’s choice of bride, at first.
THRspoke to Carrie Coon aboutThe Gilded Ageseason 3’s finale, and Coon explained Bertha’s complex feelings towards Marian and her relationship with Larry. While Carrie acknowledges that Bertha"respects"Marian, Mrs. Russell is now in a position, following the conclusion ofThe Gilded Ageseason 3, whereshe can’t force her will on Larry the way she did on Gladys. Read Carrie’s quote below:
Well, I do think Bertha respects Marian. I think Bertha sees in Marian a good fashion sense, her ambition, right? She’s ambitious for more than just making a good marriage. I think Bertha respects Marian, but she doesn’t come with the wealth and pedigree that Bertha would have hoped for her son. However, what Bertha knows is she’s going to have to give this one up if she wants George to be on her side again, because she figures out she’s messed up royally when it comes to Gladys by not giving him more say. So she’s going to give him this one. So it’s about marriage, and then she also knows her son is a rich white man, and he’s going to be fine. And we’ve seen Larry be fine. Everything Larry touches turns to gold. He’s going to be fine. So she’s willing to give that one up, reluctantly maybe, but you know he could have chosen worse; he’s not with the divorcée.
Bertha’s Feelings About Marian & Larry Potentially Marrying In The Gilded Age Explained
As Carrie Coon explained, Bertha Russell now faces the possible end of her marriage to George because of his resentment over their forcing Gladys to marry the Duke of Buckingham. Even though Gladys and Hector’s happy marriage proves Bertha was ultimately right,George surviving an assassination attemptcrystallized his simmering anger at Bertha and himself for"selling” their daughter to the Duke.
In her hopes of reconciling with George,Bertha can’t attempt to impose her will on Larry and Marian the way she did with Gladys. It helps that, despite Marian’s lack of wealth and social stature, Bertha likes Miss Brook, admires her for not caring about popularity in high society, and her ambition to find a true love match. In a way, Bertha sees the similarities between Marian and herself.
The Gilded Ageseason 3’s latter episodes saw Larry and Marian end their engagement over a misunderstanding, but they have reconciled and may yet walk down the aisle. If they do marry inThe Gilded Ageseason 4, Bertha would likely support them. In Bertha’s eyes, Marian is still a step up from"the divorcee," Susan Blaine (Laura Benanti), Larry dated inThe Gilded Ageseason 2.
Our Take On Bertha’s Feelings About Larry & Marian In The Gilded Age
Bertha Russell is renowned for being an indomitable spirit who knows what she wants and gets it, so it’s fascinating that Bertha admits"defeat"when it comes to Larry’s love life, according to Carrie Coon. Marian isn’t who Bertha would want for her only son, but Larry has rebelled against her wishes and stood up to her before.
Going intoThe Gilded Ageseason 4, Bertha’s priority must be to salvage her marriage to George, and she doesn’t have the energy to fight Larry, too. If anything, Bertha needs her son on her side, and he hasn’t been for the last couple of seasons. Marian is also a genuinely good person, and if she and Larry marry inThe Gilded Ageseason 4, Bertha could use the support of her new daughter-in-law as well.
