Warning: SPOILERS for The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 1.
The Gilded Ageseason 3 kicked off by picking up the pace from the previous two seasons, as just one episode in, there are already several big romantic developments.The Gilded Age’s season 2 endingwrapped up the opera war, with Bertha Russell claiming a definitive victory, but it also opened up several questions for the new season. Along with shifting power from the old money to the new money people, thepower in the Van Rhijn-Brook household shiftedfrom Agnes to Ada, and Jack Trotter proved that his clock invention could change lives.
The Gilded Ageseason 2’s ending teased some big relationship changes forThe Gilded Ageseason 3, including for Marian Brook and Gladys Russell. Compared to otherperiod dramas, likeBridgerton, The Gilded Agehas felt less romantic, but season 3, episode 1, seems like it is heading in that direction. Romances and circumstances will undoubtedly change in the coming episodes, but just one hour into the new season,The Gilded Agehas already seen several unexpected romantic developments.
Third Time Could Be The Charm For Marian Brook With Larry Russell
Marian And Larry Are Already Talking About Marriage
Marian has not exactly had the best of luck with romance inThe Gilded Ageseasons 1 and 2, but season 3 may be able to fix that. After Tom Raikes' social climbing in season 1 and Dashiell Montgomery’s grief over his wife in season 2, Marian has been left devastated twice.Her aunt Agnes had even noted that potential suitors may be more hesitant in the futuredue to two failed engagements, but that certainly did not stop Larry Russell from kissing her at theend ofThe Gilded Ageseason 2.
Marian and Larry discussing marriage inThe Gilded Ageseaosn 3’s premiere was shocking but also a little exciting.
Marian and Larry met at the beginning ofThe Gilded Ageseason 1, andthey have always had far better chemistry together than Marian’s other prospective partners. While I was anticipating that their relationship would grow in season 3, I was unprepared for exactly how serious they would get in the premiere. After only one onscreen kiss, Marian and Larry discussing marriage inThe Gilded Ageseaosn 3’s premiere was shocking but also a little exciting. They will likely face some pushback from their families, but this new partnership already seems more promising than Marian’s past fiancés.
Gladys Russell Is Defying Bertha’s Plans To Marry The Duke Of Buckingham
Gladys Has Her Own Romance In The Gilded Age Season 3
ThroughoutThe Gilded Ageseasons 1 and 2, Gladys Russell has mostly been under the control of her mother, but season 3 is already changing that in a big way. Gladys' defiance of Bertha’s rules and ambitions for her has often been stunted. In the opening ofThe Gilded Ageseason 3, audiences learn thatGladys is seeing someone named Billy Carlton, and that they are already very serious. In fact, they even discuss marriage and his mother knows about their relationship.
Bertha Russell did not know about Gladys and Billy, and she is predictably angry when she finds out.The Gilded Ageseason 2’s ending saw Bertha promise Gladys’s hand in marriage to the Duke of Buckingham, and she is still trying to keep that promise in season 3. With Gladys’s shocking decision to run away from home at the end ofThe Gilded Ageseason 3’s premiere, it seems safe to say thatshe will not be talked into a marriage to the Duke without fighting for what she really wants, and I look forward to seeing that unfold.
The Gilded Age Season 3 Introduces A Shocking Divorce
Episode 1 Is Already Bringing In The Theme Of The Season
Another shock inThe Gilded Ageseason 3’s premiere is the reveal of Mr. Fane asking for a divorce. Aurora and her husband have been supporting characters inThe Gilded Age, but Mr. Fane, has not been as prominent as his wife, soit was entirely unexpected for Fane to announce that he has been cheating on Aurora and to ask for a divorce. ThoughHBO teased that divorce would be a theme in season 3, they were not the couple that I was anticipating.
Aurora is a fairly likable character, and the news of her impending divorce makes her very sympathetic. Because divorce was still such a contentious topic during the Gilded Age, the show will have a huge issue to explore. Despite the fact that she has done nothing wrong, Aurora will suffer from her husband’s cheating because divorce will effectively push her out of society. Agnes' behavior upon hearing the news already hints at what is to come for Aurora inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, but I still have hope that Aurora can find acceptance.
