The Gilded Age – Season 3, Episode 2: “What the Papers Say”
Tensions escalate in the second episode as fractures emerge within the Russell family and their social circle. Love, loyalty, and status are all put to the test as personal desires clash with societal expectations.
Family and Social Tensions Rise
Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga) pushes back against her mother Bertha’s (Carrie Coon) attempt to arrange a marriage to the Duke of Buckingham, determined to chart her own path instead of being a pawn in her mother’s social ambitions. She seeks refuge at Billy Carlton’s home, only for Bertha to retrieve her forcefully. Gladys asserts her desire to marry for love, but Billy ultimately backs out under pressure.
Meanwhile, newly returned George Russell (Morgan Spector) finds the household divided. He begins to challenge Bertha’s manipulative tactics and states he supports Gladys (though he initially doesn’t know about the Duke promise).
Power Shift Downstairs
Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), newly in charge of the Van Rhijn mansion, instigates a temperance pledge for staff, a move met with resistance. Aunt Agnes scoffs at the idea, while others are uneasy about being told how to live.
By episode’s end, Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) declares Ada the household head, officially shifting authority and deepening the conflict with Agnes.
Blossoming Romance and Loyalty
Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) steps up for his sister and emotionally supports Gladys. He also offers support to Jack, the clockmaker, by advising him on suiting, demonstrating his innate integrity and loyalty.
Larry’s romance with Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) heats up. In a passionate scene, they sneak off to make out in a cab, fully enamored. But Marian abruptly ends their engagement after being misled by gossip, believing Larry visited a brothel, despite Peggy and Aunt Ada’s attempts to clarify the misunderstanding.
Peggy and a New Doctor
Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) falls ill and is finally treated by Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica), a Black physician. Agnes initially refuses care, forcing Peggy’s parents to intervene. Kirkland not only restores her health but is drawn to Peggy’s intellect and spirit, a promising new romantic thread for her arc.
Oscar’s Hidden Grief (Spoiler)
The episode reveals the tragic death of John Adams, Oscar van Rhijn’s (Blake Ritson) secret lover, who is struck by a horse-drawn carriage. Oscar, just opening up emotionally, is shattered, continuing the show’s controversial trend of sidelining queer characters through tragedy.
Why It Matters
This episode deepens the emotional stakes across the upper and lower classes, highlighting class, gender, and racial tensions with sharper clarity.
Gladys’s yearning for autonomy and Larry’s integrity point toward evolving family dynamics that challenge societal norms, while Peggy’s arc, supported by Kirkland, brings authenticity and fresh layers to the show’s treatment of race and class.
Oscar’s personal turmoil underscores a disturbing pattern: queer storylines culminating in sorrow, drawing criticism from fans and critics alike