The Gilded Age season 3 dealt with the complex relationships of its characters within the late 19th century’s quickly changing society. At the same time, the addition of wholly unexpected events proved the series was willing to step outside its previous bounds, leaving even bigger questions for The Gilded Age season 4 to explore.
11. What Is Jack Trotter’s New Invention?
Jack Trotter’s (Ben Ahlers) alarm clock story began in season 2 and came to a very successful conclusion this season, with Jack earning $300,000 for his invention. This makes Jack a very rich man, allowing him to move out of the Van Rhijn house, but the former footman isn’t done with inventing yet.
After finding financial success from his alarm clock, Jack can be seen drawing something new. The other members of the Van Rhijn household staff remark on his creativity and drive, but audiences don’t get any hint of what Jack is working on, leaving The Gilded Age season 4 to answer this question.
10. Are Jack & Bridget Finally Becoming A Couple?
By the end of The Gilded Age season 3, Jack is still adjusting to his new life as a rich man with servants after only recently being a servant himself. When Bridget visits to bring him food in the finale, she exhibits the same caution, but Jack is more than happy to invite her to sit with him as a guest.
While nothing explicitly romantic happens between them, it is incredibly touching. In Jack Trotter’s new home, neither he nor Bridget are servants. They are two equals who know and trust each other. It may take some time for Jack to fully adjust to his new lifestyle, but I’m excited to see how his and Bridget’s relationship will develop.
9. Will Mrs. Kirkland Finally Accept Peggy As Her Daughter-In-Law?
Phylicia Rashad was a phenomenal addition to The Gilded Age‘s cast in season 3, but Elizabeth Kirkland is an incredibly frustrating character. From her introduction, she is rude to Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) and her family, and sees herself as being above them because Peggy’s father was formerly enslaved and self-made.
William propose to Peggy in The Gilded Age season 3’s finale. Everyone seems happy about this except Mrs. Kirkland. If anyone in the series deserves to be happy, it is Peggy Scott. Elizabeth’s own family turned against her, so she will have to accept her son’s decision, though that doesn’t mean she will treat Peggy well next season.
8. Will George Russell’s Transcontinental Railroad Plan Happen?
The Gilded Age season 3 opened with a new setting in the Wild West of Arizona, setting up a fun new location for the series. With everything else going on in season 3, it makes sense that Morenci, Arizona wouldn’t be the main focus, but I am hoping it will return in season 4. Morenci is an important part of George Russell’s dream to build a railroad line coast-to-coast.
7. Will Bertha’s Next Lady’s Maid Also Betray Her?
Despite becoming increasingly powerful in New York’s social circles, intimate details of Bertha Russell’s personal life became newspaper gossip fodder in The Gilded Age season 3. The Russells’ secrets behind closed doors were made public because Bertha had a secret enemy leaking details to the press.
Bertha’s season 3 enemy was eventually revealed to be her lady’s maid, Miss André (Rachel Pickup), who was earning a lot of money for her information. Miss André is Bertha’s second lady’s maid to betray her after Enid Turner (Kelley Curran). The repeated issue highlights how lucrative betrayal is for gaining money and power, and it could easily happen again.
6. How Will Gladys & The Duke Fare As Parents?
Undoubtedly, one of the most exciting reveals from The Gilded Age season 3’s finale is the news that Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) and Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb) are expecting a child. After Gladys’s dread of being married to the Duke, their surprisingly happy marriage gives her season 3 story a happy ending because she is now pregnant.
5. How Will Agnes & Ada React To Oscar Marrying Enid Winterton?
Oscar Van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) and Enid Winterton are two of most chaotic characters in The Gilded Age, so I am greatly looking forward to their partnership in season 4. The pair schemed together in season 1 as well, and their dynamic was fun, but as a couple in a lavender marriage, they have more advantages.
While The Gilded Age season 3 doesn’t directly address whether Enid knows that Oscar is gay, the series does hint that she would be willing to keep his secret safe, and the same goes for him keeping her past hidden as well. Together, they will have her fortune from her previous marriage and his family name and connections.
4. How Much Did George Russell Pay Dr. Kirkland For Saving His Life?
The opening scenes of The Gilded Age‘s season 3 finale raised the tension as audiences waited to see whether George Russell would survive his gunshot wound. Luckily, Dr. Kirkland was visiting Peggy next door and was able to go to the Russells’ house and help immediately.
William’s quick treatment is what ultimately saved George Russell’s life, and he was rewarded for his trouble, though The Gilded Age did not reveal how much money Mr. Russell gave the doctor. It is safe to say that George paid William handsomely for his help and discretion, but hopefully, season 4 will reveal exactly how George felt his life was worth.
3. Is Marriage Still In Larry Russell & Marian Brook’s Future?
Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) and Larry Russell started The Gilded Age season 3 as a cute new couple. Their chemistry had been building since season 1, so Larry and Marian coming together felt natural and earned after two seasons of waiting. However, Larry’s night at the Haymarket threatened to derail everything.
While The Gilded Age season 3’s ending did not see Marian and Larry go back to their engagement, it does set them up to go in that direction in season 4. If Larry can continue to be honest with Marian and Marian can learn to trust Larry, marriage may not be off the board for these two.
2. Will George & Bertha Russell Divorce?
Bertha and George Russell have always been the strongest marriage in The Gilded Age. As they each remark in the finale, they are both ruthless in their own ways, and that is what has made them such a thrilling pair to watch. However, in keeping with the theme of season 3, even they were not safe from marital strife.
After George is shot the end of The Gilded Age season 3, episode 7, Mr. Russell spent the finale contemplating what he truly wants, and it seems that he is not sure he wants Bertha anymore. George always admired Bertha’s ambition, but “selling” their daughter to the Duke was a bridge too far for Mr Russell.
With that being said, though, George Russell is relieving himself of any blame far too easily. Bertha ended up being right because she understands being a woman in the Gilded Age, as she attempted to tell George. Neither of them are perfect, and if they can only accept that, their marriage may be salvageable in season 4.
1. Who Ordered George Russell To Be Killed?
While The Gilded Age‘s uncertain relationships raise many questions for season 4, the biggest question that the next season will need to answer is who was behind the shooting that nearly killed George Russell. The industrialist has no shortage of enemies and people who could profit from his death, so there are several suspects.
The most likely culprit is Richard Clay (Patrick Page), Mr. Russell’s former secretary. Mr. Clay attempted to ruin Mr. Russell in season 3, and since his plans failed, it is possible that he turned to a more permanent solution. Whoever gave the assassination order, George Russell won’t rest until he finds them in The Gilded Age season 4.
