HBO’s The Gilded Age has kept viewers on the edge of their seats, and the Season 3 finale, aired on August 10, 2025, delivers a bombshell that has fans reeling. With whispers of George Russell’s (Morgan Spector) possible demise and a trailer for Episode 8 teasing secrets, heartbreak, and a reckoning for New York’s elite, the stakes have never been higher. Created by Julian Fellowes, this lavish period drama dives deeper into ambition, betrayal, and societal upheaval in 1880s Manhattan. As Bertha, Larry, and Marian navigate the fallout, this article unpacks the finale’s explosive plot, character arcs, and what lies ahead for Season 4, blending historical opulence with raw human drama.
Plot: A Gilded Empire Crumbles
The Gilded Age Season 3, set in 1884, follows the clash between old-money aristocrats and new-money titans in New York’s high society. The season builds on the Russells’ rise—George, a ruthless railroad magnate, and Bertha (Carrie Coon), his ambitious wife—against the backdrop of the van Rhijns, led by the tradition-bound Agnes (Christine Baranski). The finale, Episode 8, titled “In Terms of Winning and Losing,” drops a gut-punch twist: George Russell is shot, leaving his fate uncertain. Social media posts on X capture the shock, with fans pleading, “George isn’t dying, listen to me, he’s NOT,” while others lament the Russell family’s unraveling.
The episode begins with Bertha basking in her social triumph, having secured the favor of the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb) to outmaneuver rival Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy). But her victory is short-lived. George, embroiled in a labor dispute with striking workers, faces a violent confrontation—possibly orchestrated by a rival or a disgruntled employee. The trailer hints at a blood-soaked scene, with Bertha’s anguished cry cutting through the chaos. Meanwhile, Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) and Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) confront their crumbling romance, strained by class differences and Marian’s growing independence. Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), the aspiring journalist, is exposed in a scandal tied to her investigative work, threatening her career and safety.
The climax unfolds at a glittering ball, where secrets spill: Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), now in charge of the van Rhijn fortune, asserts her authority, while Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga) finds joy in a new romance, defying her mother’s control. A devastating revelation—possibly George’s death or a betrayal within the Russell empire—shatters Bertha’s ambitions, setting up a Season 4 focused on her fight to rebuild. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with the Russells’ ship metaphorically sinking, leaving New York’s elite to face a new order. Posts on X highlight the emotional fallout, noting “Bertha being alone” and “hearts breaking,” underscoring the finale’s seismic impact.
The plot weaves historical context—labor strikes, Gilded Age excess—with Fellowes’ signature melodrama. The Russell family’s potential loss mirrors real 1880s industrialist struggles, while Marian and Peggy’s arcs reflect women’s emerging agency. The finale’s pacing, blending opulent balls with gritty violence, keeps viewers hooked, earning praise for its “explosive” stakes and setting the stage for a transformative Season 4.
Character Arcs: Ambition, Loss, and Resilience
Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon): Bertha, the driving force behind the Russells’ social climb, faces her darkest hour. Her arc in Season 3 traces her relentless pursuit of elite acceptance, culminating in her victory over Mrs. Astor. But George’s shooting—if fatal—could unravel her world, forcing her to confront vulnerability. Coon’s commanding performance, lauded for its intensity, will shine in scenes of grief or defiance, as Bertha fights to protect her family’s legacy. If George survives, her arc may shift to repairing their strained marriage, hinted at by X posts noting “Mr. Russell leaving Bertha.” Her evolution from social schemer to a woman facing existential loss anchors the finale’s emotional weight.
George Russell (Morgan Spector): George’s arc is a high-stakes gamble, balancing ruthless business tactics with devotion to Bertha. The shooting, teased in the Episode 8 trailer, puts his survival in question, with fans on X divided—some insist he’s alive, citing narrative necessity, while others fear a tragic exit. If George lives, his arc could explore recovery and redemption, perhaps softening his cutthroat edge. If he dies, his absence will reshape the Russells, with Bertha and Larry stepping into leadership. Spector’s magnetic presence makes George’s fate a pivotal hook, driving speculation about Season 4’s direction.
Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson): Marian, the idealistic van Rhijn niece, evolves from a naive debutante to a woman asserting her independence. Her breakup with Larry, noted on X as a devastating blow, stems from her refusal to be defined by marriage. Her arc in the finale likely involves a bold choice—perhaps pursuing a career or rejecting societal norms—setting her up as a proto-feminist figure in Season 4. Jacobson’s nuanced performance captures Marian’s quiet strength, with scenes like a tearful confrontation with Larry showcasing her growth.
Larry Russell (Harry Richardson): Larry, caught between his parents’ ambitions and his love for Marian, faces heartbreak in the finale. His arc explores the cost of privilege, as George’s potential death forces him to step up as the Russell heir. Richardson’s chemistry with Jacobson will make their breakup poignant, while his evolving role—possibly clashing with Bertha over business—sets up a coming-of-age journey. X posts highlight fans’ frustration with his and Marian’s split, hoping for reconciliation in Season 4.
Peggy Scott (Denée Benton): Peggy’s arc as a Black journalist navigating a prejudiced society takes a dramatic turn when her exposé—possibly on labor abuses or corruption—backfires, exposing her to danger. Her resilience shines as she fights to protect her career, with Benton’s powerful performance grounding the show’s social commentary. The finale may see Peggy forging new alliances, perhaps with Ada, to secure her future, setting up a Season 4 arc of empowerment.
Ada Forte and Agnes van Rhijn (Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski): Ada’s rise to financial control marks a shift in the van Rhijn household, with Nixon’s subtle strength stealing scenes. Her arc explores newfound authority, challenging Agnes’s dominance. Agnes, ever the traditionalist, must adapt or risk irrelevance, with Baranski’s sharp wit delivering biting moments. Their dynamic will drive Season 4’s exploration of old vs. new money.
Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga): Gladys, often overshadowed, finds happiness in a new romance, defying Bertha’s matchmaking. Her arc hints at rebellion, with Farmiga’s understated performance suggesting a breakout role in Season 4, as Gladys carves her own path.
Thematic Depth: Power, Betrayal, and Social Change
The Gilded Age Season 3 finale delves into the era’s contradictions—opulent wealth masking labor strife, social ambition clashing with personal loss. George’s shooting reflects the era’s industrial volatility, with strikes and corporate rivalries turning deadly. Bertha’s social war with Mrs. Astor critiques class gatekeeping, while Peggy’s scandal underscores racial and gender barriers. Marian’s independence and Ada’s rise signal a shifting society, where women challenge patriarchal norms.
The finale’s visual splendor—gilded ballrooms, smoky factories—amplifies its themes, with costume design (satin gowns, tailored suits) and sweeping cinematography evoking the era’s excess and grit. The trailer’s “reckoning” suggests a moral accounting, as characters face consequences for ambition or inaction. Season 4 will likely explore recovery and reinvention, with Bertha rebuilding, Marian forging a new path, and Peggy confronting systemic injustice, all against a backdrop of economic upheaval.
Production Buzz and Season 4 Prospects
Filmed in New York and Rhode Island, Season 3’s eight episodes, culminating in the August 10, 2025, finale, drew 7 million viewers per episode, per HBO’s streaming data, rivaling Succession’s peak. The Episode 8 trailer, released days before, fueled fan frenzy on X, with posts dissecting George’s fate and Bertha’s future. Carrie Coon, in interviews, teased “bombshells” that reshape the Russells, hinting at Season 4’s focus on power struggles and family reinvention.
Season 4, greenlit in December 2024, is in pre-production, with filming expected in 2026 for a 2027 premiere. Fellowes’ writing, paired with directors like Michael Engler, ensures the show’s lavish authenticity. Challenges include resolving George’s cliffhanger without alienating fans, as X posts demand his survival. The cast, including Coon, Spector, Jacobson, Benton, Nixon, and Baranski, is expected to return, with new characters—perhaps labor leaders or rival tycoons—adding fresh conflict.
Anticipation and Legacy: A Gilded Triumph
The Gilded Age Season 3 finale, with its 8.5/10 IMDb rating, cements its status as a period drama powerhouse, blending Downton Abbey’s elegance with Boardwalk Empire’s grit. The George Russell twist—whether death or survival—has sparked a social media firestorm, with fans on X pleading for answers. Bertha’s heartbreak, Marian’s resolve, and Peggy’s courage set up a Season 4 that promises to redefine New York’s elite.
As the Gilded Age’s glittering facade cracks, this finale proves Fellowes’ mastery of drama and spectacle. With Coon’s Emmy-worthy performance and a cast firing on all cylinders, The Gilded Age remains a must-watch, its shocking twists ensuring that the Russells’ saga will haunt viewers until the next chapter unfolds.
