The third kid instead of the villain arc? Seems like a fair exchange.
One of the greatest qualities of any period drama is the way it can incorporate real people and events into the narrative without making the show a documentary. The people of certain eras are expected to be shaken by political, natural, or economic changes, so it’s only fair that the shows reflect that to the extent that the writers feel necessary.
Julian Fellowes, for example, uses the notable personalities of the era he’s covering in his latest show merely as inspiration for characters. The most notable of these are, of course, George and Bertha Russell, who are based in part on William and Alva Vanderbilt.
While there’s no promise that The Gilded Age will follow their lives step by step, as the couple ended in divorce, it’s clear that the biography of the Vanderbilt family can provide some clues as to where the Russels are headed. And right now, the signals are very mixed.
Are George And Bertha Russels Going To Have Another Child?
Alva Vanderbilt’s life certainly took many twists and turns that made her an outstanding person of her time. However, not all of them will make it into the show. Now that there is no certain hope that The Gilded Age will survive season 3, fans are trying to decide which events should be left out.
The couple’s third child, who was named Harold in real life, is one of the twists that viewers want to see on screen. It was a surprise pregnancy for Alva, so it could be the same for Bertha. For all we know, she and George still have enough fire between them to bring a little one into the family.
Not only would that complicate their family dynamic, which is always fun to watch, but it would also show different sides of Bertha. As much as The Gilded Age wants to push her into the villain arc, fans aren’t ready to give up on her just yet.
The only problem fans see is the timing. As we all saw in the season two finale, Bertha was already working to marry Gladys off to the Duke. The real-life marriage between Alva’s daughter and the Duke took place in 1895, while Harold Stirling Vanderbilt was born more than a decade earlier, in 1884.
But then again, since The Gilded Age isn’t meant to be a historical documentary, but rather Julian Fellowes’ creative take on the era, everything can happen at once, as long as it fits the overall direction of the story.
To find out what awaits Bertha and George Russell in season 3 of The Gilded Age, be sure to keep an eye out for news and updates on the show’s production and release date.
