OMG, Did Marian Just Betray EVERYONE in The Gilded Age S3E8?! 😱

The Season 3 finale trailer for The Gilded Age is here, and it’s packed with jaw-dropping twists! Why is Marian acting so two-faced? Secrets unravel, hearts break, and that Newport ball is about to change EVERYTHING. Who’s pulling the strings, and who’s getting burned? 👀 Watch the sneak peek to find out what’s got fans screaming “HYPOCRITE!”

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HBO’s The Gilded Age has enthralled viewers with its opulent portrayal of 1880s New York, where wealth, ambition, and betrayal collide in a dazzling spectacle. As Season 3 hurtles toward its climactic finale, Episode 8, titled My Mind Is Made Up, set to air on August 10, 2025, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max, promises to unravel long-simmering tensions. The trailer and sneak peek have sparked fierce debate, particularly around Marian Brook, played by Louisa Jacobson, with some fans branding her a “hypocrite” for her actions. This article explores Marian’s complex journey in Episode 8, decodes the trailer’s tantalizing clues, and examines whether her choices reflect hypocrisy or the impossible pressures of a gilded world.

The Gilded Age: A World of Glamour and Deception

Created by Julian Fellowes, The Gilded Age pits the nouveau riche Russells—Bertha and George Russell, portrayed by Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector—against the old-money van Rhijn-Brook family, led by the steely Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and her compassionate sister, Ada (Cynthia Nixon). Marian Brook, Agnes’s niece, navigates this treacherous social landscape, balancing her progressive ideals with the era’s rigid expectations. Season 3, which premiered on June 22, 2025, has raised the stakes with shocking plot twists, including a dramatic office shooting targeting George Russell in Episode 7. As Episode 8 approaches, the trailer hints at a grand Newport ball and personal reckonings that could redefine Marian’s character.

Marian Brook: Champion of Virtue or Hypocrite?

Marian, brought to life with depth by Louisa Jacobson, has been a fan favorite for her earnest pursuit of love and independence. Her romance with Larry Russell, Bertha’s son, played by Harry Richardson, has been a cornerstone of her arc, but Episode 7 saw their engagement collapse after Marian misinterpreted a letter as evidence of Larry’s infidelity. The Episode 8 trailer captures her anguish, with a charged glance at Larry suggesting unresolved feelings. The sneak peek deepens the mystery, as Larry insists, “Nothing happened,” implying Marian’s judgment may have been hasty.

The accusation of “hypocrisy” likely stems from Marian’s contradictory behavior. She champions authenticity and love over societal schemes, yet her alignment with Bertha Russell’s ambitious plans—particularly the Newport ball—suggests a compromise of her values. Bertha’s relentless pursuit of social dominance has ensnared her daughter, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), now Duchess of Buckingham, in a marriage driven by status rather than affection. Marian’s support for Bertha, even passively, could be seen as enabling this manipulation, clashing with her earlier ideals and prompting fans to question her integrity.

The Trailer and Sneak Peek: A Powder Keg of Drama

The Episode 8 trailer teases a lavish Newport ball, Bertha’s bold bid to eclipse Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy) and cement her social supremacy. The sneak peek reveals personal stakes: Marian grapples with her broken engagement, Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) mourns the loss of John Adams, and Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) faces a pivotal choice in her romance with Dr. Kirkland (Jordan Donica). The trailer’s visuals—glittering chandeliers, elegant gowns, and whispered secrets—underscore the era’s obsession with appearances, while hinting at betrayals that could unravel the Russells’ empire. George Russell’s presence at the ball suggests he survives the Episode 7 shooting, but his strained demeanor points to fractured relationships, particularly with Bertha.

For Marian, the ball is a crucible. Her involvement in Bertha’s schemes, whether out of loyalty or necessity, places her at odds with her principles. If she supports Bertha’s manipulation of Gladys’s future, she risks betraying her friend and her own moral compass. Yet, opposing Bertha could jeopardize her social standing, highlighting the delicate balance she must navigate.

Is Marian Truly Hypocritical?

Labeling Marian a hypocrite may oversimplify her character. The Gilded Age was an era where women’s agency was severely limited, and Marian’s choices reflect this reality. In Episode 7, she shielded Oscar from societal ruin by preventing him from revealing his secret relationship with John Adams to Agnes, prioritizing his safety over truth. This act, while compassionate, mirrors the era’s reliance on facades, suggesting Marian is not above compromise. Similarly, her role in Bertha’s ball, despite its ethical ambiguities, may stem from a need to maintain alliances in a world where social missteps could be catastrophic.

Marian’s arc embodies the series’ central tension: the clash between personal ideals and societal demands. As the writers have emphasized, Season 3 explores characters’ flaws, revealing the compromises they make to survive. Marian’s “hypocrisy” is less about deceit and more about the impossible choices women faced in the 1880s, where personal desires often bowed to family and social obligations.

The Newport Ball: A Glittering Facade

The Newport ball is the heart of Episode 8, a dazzling event that masks deeper conflicts. For Bertha, it’s a triumph over Mrs. Astor, who is weakened by Ward McAllister’s scandalous memoir. Yet, the ball exacts a personal toll, particularly on Gladys, whose marriage to Duke Paul (Ben Lamb) serves Bertha’s ambitions but stifles her own desires. Marian’s role—whether she enables Bertha’s plans or advocates for Gladys—will define her character in the finale. The trailer’s opulent imagery contrasts with its undercurrent of tension, reflecting the Gilded Age’s obsession with appearances over authenticity.

George Russell’s Survival and Its Fallout

The Episode 7 cliffhanger, where George is shot by an unknown assailant, sets a dramatic stage for Episode 8. His appearance at the ball suggests survival, but the trailer hints at strained dynamics with Bertha, possibly due to the shooting’s aftermath or her relentless social climbing. This incident, described by Morgan Spector as a bold narrative shift, raises the stakes for the Russells and those in their orbit. Marian’s response—whether she rallies behind the family or questions their actions—could further fuel the hypocrisy debate, as loyalty may force her to sideline her principles.

Parallel Arcs: Peggy and Oscar

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

The Gilded Age’s Critique of Society

The Gilded Age portrays a world where hypocrisy is a currency of survival. The trailer’s lavish visuals—ballrooms aglow, secrets whispered behind fans—reflect an era obsessed with status over substance. Marian’s “hypocrisy” is a symptom of this system, where wealth and power demand moral compromises. Her journey asks viewers to consider whether authenticity is possible in a society built on deception.

Historical Context: The Gilded Age’s Moral Divide

The 1880s were a time of stark contrasts, with immense wealth coexisting alongside rigid social hierarchies. 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 historical reality, where survival often meant compromising one’s 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 and sneak peek promise a finale of emotional and social upheaval. Marian Brook’s “hypocrisy” is not a simple 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. The episode will test whether Marian can navigate this gilded world without losing herself. Tune in to HBO or Max to witness the drama unfold and join the debate: Is Marian a hypocrite, or simply a woman doing her best in an unforgiving era?

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