OMG, did THAT really happen in The Gilded Age S3 finale?! 😱 The jaw-dropping twists in Episode 8 left us speechless—secrets unravel, hearts break, and a major cliffhanger sets the stage for Season 4! Who survived? Who’s in love? And who’s walking away? 👀 Dive into the drama and uncover the hidden truths!

The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 8, titled My Mind Is Made Up, aired on August 10, 2025, on HBO Max, delivering a finale packed with high-stakes drama, romantic resolutions, and a devastating twist that has fans buzzing. This American period drama, created by Julian Fellowes, has consistently captivated audiences with its opulent portrayal of 1880s New York society, and its third season finale raised the bar with emotional highs and lows. From George Russell’s life-or-death crisis to Bertha’s social triumph and a cascade of romantic developments, the episode tied up loose ends while planting seeds for Season 4. Below, we unpack the shocking secrets, character arcs, and what’s to come, drawing on insights from sources like ScreenRant, TVLine, Collider, and TheWrap.

George Russell’s Survival and the Marriage Crisis

The episode opens with the cliffhanger from Episode 7, where George Russell (Morgan Spector) was shot in his office by an unknown assailant. The tension is palpable as he’s rushed home, blood-soaked and clinging to life. Bertha (Carrie Coon), ever the commanding presence, insists on keeping the incident hushed to protect George’s business empire. Fortunately, Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica), visiting Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) across the street, steps in. With Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) assisting, Kirkland performs an emergency surgery on the dining table, removing the bullet and stabilizing George. The Russells’ family doctor later confirms Kirkland’s heroics, though not without a hint of prejudice toward the Black physician.

George’s survival is a relief, but the real shock comes later. His near-death experience prompts a profound shift in perspective. At Bertha’s lavish Newport Ball, he appears supportive, masking his injury to maintain their social standing. However, the morning after, George drops a bombshell: he’s leaving Bertha. His resentment over her orchestrating their daughter Gladys’ (Taissa Farmiga) arranged marriage to the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb) has festered. Despite acknowledging Gladys’ happiness, George can’t forgive Bertha’s ruthless ambition or his own complicity. He tells her, “I’m ruthless in business, not with the people I love,” hinting at a potential divorce in Season 4. This rift in the Russells’ ironclad marriage is the finale’s most gut-wrenching twist, leaving fans questioning if “Train Daddy and Opera Mommy” are done for good.

Showrunner Julian Fellowes explained to TheWrap that George’s decision reflects a historical trend among robber barons, who often reassessed their legacies after brushes with mortality, sometimes turning to philanthropy. Whether this foreshadows a new path for George remains unclear, but the unresolved mystery of who ordered the shooting—possibly his former assistant Richard Clay (Patrick Page)—adds another layer of intrigue for Season 4.

Bertha’s Social Triumph and Personal Loss

Bertha Russell’s arc in Season 3 has been a masterclass in ambition, culminating in her Newport Ball, which cements her as New York’s new social queen. Defying Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy), Bertha invites divorced women Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) and Charlotte Drayton (Hannah Shealy), challenging the era’s rigid norms. Mrs. Astor, initially resistant, attends to support her daughter Charlotte, marking a public surrender to Bertha’s influence. This victory, however, is bittersweet. Just as Bertha basks in her triumph, George’s departure shatters her personal world. The final scene, where she watches him leave while Gladys shares news of her pregnancy, underscores the cost of her ambition—a theme likely to dominate her Season 4 arc.

Carrie Coon, who plays Bertha, told TVLine she’s optimistic about Bertha’s resilience, noting, “She’s not going to give up.” This suggests Season 4 may explore Bertha fighting to reclaim her marriage while maintaining her social dominance, a delicate balance that will test her character’s depth.

Peggy Scott and Dr. William Kirkland’s Romantic Triumph

One of the finale’s brightest moments is Peggy Scott’s engagement to Dr. William Kirkland. After Elizabeth Kirkland (Phylicia Rashad) revealed Peggy’s past—an annulled marriage and a lost child—William initially seemed to waver. Peggy, heartbroken, assumes their relationship is over. However, at a Black ball hosted by the Kirklands, William defies his mother’s interference, encouraged by his father Frederick (Brian Stokes Mitchell). In a swoon-worthy moment, he proposes to Peggy on the dance floor, surrounded by onlookers. Denée Benton, who plays Peggy, shared with TVLine that filming this scene was a dream come true, especially as it fulfilled her and co-executive producer Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar’s vision for a Black ball. The proposal, shot over three 20-hour days, left even crew members emotional, marking a high point for Peggy’s arc after seasons of struggle.

Season 4 will likely explore Peggy and William navigating their engagement, possibly facing further resistance from Elizabeth, as co-writer Sonja Warfield hinted at ongoing mother-in-law tensions.

Marian Brook and Larry Russell’s Tentative Reconciliation

Marian and Larry’s relationship, rocked by a misunderstanding that led to their broken engagement, takes a hopeful turn in the finale. Marian’s assistance during George’s surgery earns Bertha’s approval, softening her stance on their romance. At the Newport Ball, Marian and Larry confront their trust issues. Marian admits her fault in doubting Larry, while he expresses hurt over her lack of faith. They don’t fully resume their engagement but share a dance, signaling a willingness to work through their issues. Julian Fellowes noted to TheWrap that Marian’s past abandonment issues fueled her actions, but Larry’s sincerity offers hope for their future. Season 4 may see them rebuild trust, potentially leading to marriage.

Other Key Developments

Gladys and the Duke: Gladys’ arranged marriage to the Duke of Buckingham proves successful, with the couple announcing her pregnancy. This validates Bertha’s scheme but deepens George’s guilt, complicating family dynamics. Taissa Farmiga told TVLine she wished Gladys had more time to explore her independence before motherhood, hinting at new challenges in Season 4.
Agnes and Ada: Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) cedes household control to Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon) after being named vice president of the New York Heritage Society, a role secured by Ada’s advocacy. This heartwarming sisterly moment resolves their Season 3 tensions, with Agnes’ growth earning praise from Baranski as “well-earned.”
Oscar and Enid Winterton: Oscar Van Rhijn (Blake Ritson), grieving the loss of John Adams, proposes a marriage of convenience to the widowed Enid Winterton (Kelley Curran). This strategic alliance, leveraging Enid’s wealth and Oscar’s connections, allows him to maintain his hidden sexuality while climbing the social ladder, setting up an intriguing Season 4 subplot.
Jack and Bridget: Jack Trotter (Ben Ahlers), now wealthy from his alarm clock invention, welcomes Bridget (Taylor Richardson) to his new home as a guest, not a servant. Their tender moment hints at a budding romance, offering a grounded counterpoint to the elite’s drama.

Season 4 Setup and Unresolved Mysteries

The finale’s mix of resolutions and new questions ensures The Gilded Age Season 4, already confirmed by HBO, will be must-watch television. The biggest mystery is who ordered George’s shooting. While George suspects Richard Clay, no evidence was revealed, leaving fans eager for answers. The Russell marriage crisis promises emotional stakes, with Fellowes and Warfield teasing a season of Bertha and George navigating their divide. Peggy and William’s engagement, Marian and Larry’s reconciliation, and Oscar’s alliance with Enid set up fresh romantic and social conflicts. Meanwhile, Gladys’ pregnancy and Agnes’ new role suggest evolving family dynamics across both the Russell and Van Rhijn households.

The show’s willingness to push boundaries, as Carrie Coon noted to TVLine, was evident in Season 3’s bold moves, from the Wild West premiere to the shooting. Morgan Spector’s enthusiasm for the assassination attempt underscores the show’s shift toward higher stakes, which will likely continue. With a cast of Broadway veterans, Fellowes even teased the possibility of a musical episode, though no firm plans exist.

Critical Reception and Fan Reactions

Fans and critics have lauded the finale for its emotional depth and visual splendor, particularly the Newport Ball’s stunning gowns and the Black ball’s romantic climax. However, some, like Vulture’s Alice Burton, felt the episode ended on a “lackluster thud,” with too many tidy resolutions overshadowing the drama. Despite this, the consensus is that The Gilded Age Season 3 delivered its boldest season yet, with posts on X reflecting fans “crying” over Peggy’s proposal and George’s departure.

Conclusion

The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 8 masterfully blends triumph and tragedy, wrapping up major arcs while setting up tantalizing conflicts for Season 4. Bertha’s social victory comes at the cost of her marriage, Peggy’s joy contrasts with the Russells’ turmoil, and the ensemble’s developments—from Marian’s hope to Oscar’s scheming—promise more intrigue. As we await Season 4, the unanswered question of George’s shooter and the fate of his marriage with Bertha keep fans on edge. The Gilded Age continues to shine as a lavish, emotionally rich drama, proving that in the glittering world of 1880s New York, every triumph carries a hidden price.