George Russell’s FUNERAL in The Gilded Age S3E8?! 😱

The Season 3 finale trailer just dropped, and it’s a HEARTBREAKER! Is George really gone? The sneak peek hints at a shocking twist, and Marian’s secrets could change EVERYTHING. Was she playing us all along? 💔 Don’t miss the clues in this epic breakdown!

HBO’s The Gilded Age has enthralled audiences with its lavish portrayal of 1880s New York, where ambition, betrayal, and opulence collide. As Season 3 approaches its climactic finale with Episode 8, My Mind Is Made Up, set to air on August 10, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max, the trailer has sparked intense speculation. The shocking mention of “George’s funeral” in fan discussions, paired with the trailer’s cryptic hints and accusations of Marian Brook’s hypocrisy, has set the internet ablaze. This article breaks down the Episode 8 trailer, explores the mystery surrounding George Russell’s fate, and examines whether Marian’s actions mark her as a hypocrite or a woman caught in an impossible era.

The Gilded Age: A World of Power and Peril

Created by Julian Fellowes, The Gilded Age captures the clash between old money and new in 1880s New York. The Russell family, led by the ambitious Bertha (Carrie Coon) and railroad tycoon George (Morgan Spector), battles for social dominance against the traditional van Rhijn-Brook household, anchored by Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and her progressive niece, Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson). Season 3, which premiered on June 22, 2025, has pushed boundaries with dramatic twists, culminating in Episode 7’s shocking office shooting targeting George Russell. The trailer for Episode 8 suggests a resolution to his fate, while fan speculation about a “funeral” raises questions about whether this pivotal character survives.

The Trailer Breakdown: A Glimpse of Chaos

The Episode 8 trailer teases a grand Newport ball, Bertha’s bold attempt to outshine Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy) and solidify her social reign. Glittering visuals—opulent gowns, glowing chandeliers, and tense whispers—contrast with an undercurrent of betrayal and loss. The sneak peek highlights personal stakes: Marian grapples with her broken engagement to Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) mourns his secret lover John Adams, and Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) faces a crossroads in her romance with Dr. Kirkland (Jordan Donica). Most crucially, the trailer shows George Russell at the ball, suggesting he survives the Episode 7 shooting, but his strained demeanor hints at unresolved tensions with Bertha.

The mention of “George’s funeral” in fan discussions, however, introduces a chilling possibility. While the trailer does not explicitly show a funeral, it includes somber moments—Bertha’s panicked cry, “Is he breathing?” and a fleeting shot of a somber gathering—that fuel speculation. Could this be a misdirection, or does The Gilded Age dare to kill off one of its central figures? Morgan Spector, who plays George, expressed excitement about the shooting twist, noting its historical plausibility given the era’s cutthroat business rivalries, such as the 1872 murder of Jim Fisk. Yet, he also admitted it felt “unlike” the show’s usual tone, suggesting a bold narrative shift that could lead to a funeral—or a clever feint.

George Russell’s Fate: Dead or Alive?

The Episode 7 cliffhanger, where a mysterious courier shoots George’s associate Jones before firing at George himself, left viewers reeling. The trailer’s depiction of George at the Newport ball strongly implies survival, but the “funeral” speculation could indicate several scenarios. First, it might be a symbolic funeral—a metaphorical death of George’s business empire or marriage to Bertha, strained by her relentless social climbing. Alternatively, the show could employ a dramatic bait-and-switch, with the funeral belonging to another character, such as Jones or a minor figure, misattributed by fans to George. A third possibility, though less likely given the trailer’s visuals, is that George succumbs to his injuries later, with the ball scene occurring in a flashback or dream sequence.

The shooting’s context points to George’s business rival, Richard Clay (Patrick Page), as a likely orchestrator. After George fired Clay in Episode 5, Clay’s knowledge of Russell Industries’ vulnerabilities made him a dangerous foe. Larry’s discovery of copper in Arizona saved George’s railroad ambitions, but it also humiliated Clay, potentially motivating a deadly retaliation. The trailer’s focus on George’s survival suggests the finale will explore the aftermath—who ordered the hit and whether they’ll strike again—rather than a literal funeral. However, the emotional weight of a near-death experience could reshape George’s relationships, particularly with Bertha and Marian.

Marian Brook: Hypocrite or Survivor?

Marian Brook, portrayed with nuance by Louisa Jacobson, has been a beacon of progressive ideals, advocating for love over societal machinations. Her romance with Larry Russell collapsed in Episode 7 after she mistakenly believed he was unfaithful, based on a misleading letter. The Episode 8 trailer shows Marian wrestling with regret, her eyes locking with Larry’s as he insists, “Nothing happened.” This misunderstanding, coupled with accusations of hypocrisy from fans, suggests Marian’s actions in the finale may contradict her values.

The hypocrisy charge likely stems from Marian’s alignment with Bertha Russell’s social schemes, particularly the Newport ball. Bertha’s ambition has trapped her daughter, Gladys, in a loveless marriage to Duke Paul (Ben Lamb), a move Marian has indirectly supported by maintaining ties with the Russells. As a character who champions love and authenticity, Marian’s complicity in Bertha’s manipulations—especially at the expense of Gladys’s happiness—could seem contradictory. In Episode 7, Marian also protected Oscar by preventing him from revealing his secret relationship with John Adams to Agnes, prioritizing social appearances over truth. This act, while compassionate, mirrors the era’s reliance on facades, further fueling perceptions of hypocrisy.

Yet, calling Marian a hypocrite oversimplifies her plight. In the 1880s, women’s agency was constrained by rigid social norms, and Marian’s choices reflect this reality. Supporting Bertha may be a pragmatic move to secure her own social standing, while shielding Oscar protects him from ruin in a judgmental society. Her arc embodies the series’ central tension: the struggle to reconcile personal ideals with societal demands. As the writers have noted, Season 3 delves into characters’ flaws, exposing the compromises they make to survive.

The Newport Ball: A Stage for Betrayal

The Newport ball is the heart of Episode 8, a glittering spectacle that masks deep fractures. For Bertha, it’s a triumph over Mrs. Astor, weakened by Ward McAllister’s scandalous memoir. Yet, the event underscores the personal costs of ambition. Gladys, now Duchess of Buckingham, is a pawn in her mother’s schemes, her agency stifled by a marriage driven by status. Marian’s role—whether she enables Bertha or advocates for Gladys—will define her character. The trailer’s opulent imagery contrasts with its tense undercurrents, suggesting the ball will expose betrayals and reshape alliances.

Parallel Struggles: Peggy and Oscar

Marian’s moral dilemma parallels other characters’ arcs. Peggy Scott’s romance with Dr. Kirkland is tested by his family’s discovery of her past, forcing her to choose between love and independence. Oscar, devastated by John Adams’ death, nearly confesses his secret to Agnes, highlighting the era’s intolerance for nonconformity. These storylines underscore the series’ critique of a society that demands hypocrisy as a survival mechanism, framing Marian’s choices as part of a broader struggle.

Historical Context: The Gilded Age’s Moral Landscape

The 1880s were marked by rapid industrialization and stark social divides. Figures like the Astors and Vanderbilts, inspirations for the show’s characters, navigated a world where public virtue masked private ambition. Women like Marian had limited agency, their futures tied to marriage and social alliances. The series’ depiction of hypocrisy reflects this reality, where survival often meant compromising ideals. Marian’s choices, while imperfect, are a product of this unforgiving landscape.

Conclusion

As The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8 premieres on August 10, 2025, the trailer hints at a finale of emotional and social upheaval. The speculation around George Russell’s “funeral” likely reflects a misinterpretation or symbolic loss, given his apparent survival in the trailer. Marian Brook’s “hypocrisy” is not a flaw but a reflection of the impossible choices women faced in the 1880s. Her role in the Newport ball, her fractured romance with Larry, and her ties to the Russells highlight the tension between ideals and survival. Tune in to HBO or Max to see if Marian can navigate this gilded world without losing herself, and whether George’s fate seals the Russells’ legacy or shatters it.

For more, watch the finale and explore the trailer on HBO’s official platforms.