Warning: this article contains SPOILERS for The Gilded Age season 3, episode 6, “If You Want to Cook an Omelette.”
The Gilded Agehas had a lot of unexpected twists this season, and episode 6 included several big ones, turning a series-long feud into a new partnership. The accident at theend ofThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 6, created a huge cliffhanger for episode 7, but a different storyline was arguably even more important.
The Gilded Age’s charactersare always fighting with each other, but Bertha Russell seems to have more enemies than most. EvenBertha and her husband George Russell have had problemsthis season. While episode 6 does not see them resolve their anger, it does begin to resolve Bertha’s biggest feud, which has been ongoing since season 1.
Gladys And Bertha Russell Are The Team I Didn’t Know I Needed
Their Episode 6 Dynamic Is Perfect
Bertha and Gladys Russell have always been at odds inThe Gilded Age. Since season 1,Bertha has controlled every aspect of Gladys' life, and, understandably, the youngest Russell (now Vere) has not been thrilled about that. This control culminated inGladys' wedding to the Duke of Buckingham in episode 4, but now Bertha has proved she can be an ally too.
After her fight with George Russell at theend ofThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 5, Bertha decided to answer her daughter’s letter and head to England to help her gain control of her new home. After witnessing Lady Sarah Vere’s rude behavior immediately upon getting to the castle,Bertha kicks into her typical petty nature.
Bertha Russell has never been close or loving to her daughter, but she views Lady Sarah’s behavior toward Gladys as an attack on the Russell name.
If there is one thing that Bertha Russell has proved she can’t stand inThe Gilded Age, it is feeling disrespected, and episode 6 showed that this feeling extends to her daughter as well. Bertha Russell has never been close or loving to her daughter, but she views Lady Sarah’s behavior toward Gladys as an attack on the Russell name.
As a result, episode 6 sees Bertha Russell and Gladys Vere on the same side for the first time, and the result is fantastic.Carrie Coon and Taissa Farmiga play off each other’s performances phenomenally well in this episode. The sly side eyes, winks, and subtle toasts are absolutely perfect.
The episode shows that Bertha and Gladys can have a lot more in common when they approach each other as equals. While Gladys was always under Bertha’s control,Bertha now regards her as a married woman who needs to take charge of her home, and she is willing to teach her how to do that.
Bertha has always been great at getting what she wants, and now she is passing that same skill on to her daughter, much to the chagrin of Lady Sarah.
More than anything else,the pettiness of this story is whatThe Gilded Agethrives on, and that is what makes it so supremely entertaining to watch. Bertha has always been great at getting what she wants, and now she is passing that same skill on to her daughter, much to the chagrin of Lady Sarah.
Gladys' Season 3 Story Is Finally Turning Around
Gladys Vere Really Needed This Win
Gladys Vere’s story this season has been pretty hard to watch. Not that her mother has ever been particularly nice to her, but season 3 has been by far the worst when it comes to Bertha Russell and Gladys Vere’s relationship. This makes episode 6’s new dynamic feel all the more necessary.
From Bertha threatening Billy Carlton at the beginning of the season to Gladys crying during her wedding, Gladys Vere has not had it easy. Lady Sarah’s behavior in the past three episodes has only added to that trouble. Now,Bertha’s decision to travel to England and help Gladys is finally giving the character hope.
In fact, from the beginning of season 3, when Gladys chose to run away from home, to now, the character has had a complete transformation. As a young adult, it is understandable that Gladys would balk under her mother’s pressure, butnow she is truly becoming the Duchess that she needs to be.
Over the course of one episode, Gladys was able to finally start standing up for herself. Whilethis in no way excuses everything that Bertha has said and done to Gladys in the past, it does show how their relationship could begin to get better in the future if Bertha continues to treat Gladys as an adult.
I Hope Gladys' Attitude With Lady Sarah Stays The Same After Bertha Leaves
She Needs To Maintain Her Authority At Sidmouth Castle
When she was introduced in episode 4, it was already clear that Lady Sarah Vere would become Gladys' biggest problem in her marriage to the Duke.Even before she met Gladys, Sarah had already formed opinions on the American heiressand disrespected the Russell family at every chance she got.
This became even worse inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 5, as she belittled Gladys and isolated her from Hector throughout the entire episode.The Gilded Ageseason 3also revealed thatit was all her idea for Hector to marry a wealthy Americanto save Sidmouth Castle.
The Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 7, “Ex-Communicated” will air on HBO Max on Sunday, July 17, 2025, at 9 pm EST.
Lady Sarah is undoubtedly a very cunning and intelligent character, not unlike Bertha Russell herself, but that is precisely the reason Bertha knew how to tackle her opponent. As a result,the Bertha-Sarah-Gladys dynamic was the real highlight of the episode, even thoughCarrie Coon’s Bertha Russellat the end.
Bertha leaving may have been hard on Gladys, who is still adjusting to a very unfamiliar environment, butI sincerely hope that Gladys' sassy, petty attitude toward Sarah continues on without her mother. First and foremost, seeing Gladys finally get to channel a little of Bertha’s energy is simply incredibly fun to watch.
Gladys has finally started to earn a little power and trust from the Duke, but there is a long way to go until Sidmouth Castle is truly hers.
However, this attitude is also hugely important within the character’s plot.Gladys is now the Duchess of Buckingham, and it is time she learned to act like it. Gladys has finally started to earn a little power and trust from the Duke, but there is a long way to go until Sidmouth Castle is truly hers.
It seems unlikely that Sarah will give up easily, either, so Gladys will have to remain strong in her fight. She has the advantage of being Hector’s wife, but Sarah still knows him far better, setting up a big rivalry inThe Gilded Ageseason 3’s final episodes.
