Our jaws are still on the floor over the ending of the last episode of The Gilded Age. (And not totally in a positive way.) However, there is no more time to recover because this HBO and HBO Max period drama is barreling forward. The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 7 is an example of how the writers have developed the best kind of angst this season. And it delivers another ending that will make you gasp.
“Ex-Communicated” begins in the wake of the shocking death of Oscar’s (Blake Ritson) lover, John Adams (Claybourne Elder). That tragic accident in the final moments of the previous episode is an image that will linger for a long time. There wasn’t a lot of hope to be found in other storylines either. George (Morgan Spector) is on the verge of losing his enormous fortune, while Marian (Louisa Jacobson) plans to end her engagement with Larry (Harry Richardson) because she found out he visited an infamous gentleman’s club the same night they got engaged. The only bright spot is that Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) stood up for herself against her sister-in-law, Lady Sarah (Hattie Morahan).
The heartbreak doesn’t let up in The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 7. But it’s the kind of drama that is character-driven and well-executed, and the actors perform everything superbly. Major relationship arcs and brief subplots all move the season forward toward the finale.
MORE: Our review of The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6 will catch you up on how the characters got here, in case you missed it!
“We’ve all done things we regret.”
The title of this episode refers to Ward McAllister (Nathan Lane). The real-life arbiter of taste in Old New York has written a book revealing all the scandals of the upper class. This actually happened in real life, though not until 1890, and this season is taking place in (roughly) the spring of 1884. Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy) immediately gathers the leading women of society to agree to exclude him. Ward’s power over society gave him arrogance, which is now his undoing. Lane, of course, plays this excellently, broad Southern accent and all.
This plot point seems like a commentary on the central conflict between George and Bertha. She overplayed her hand by trying to control too much. Now her marriage is in jeopardy. Bertha helped Gladys take action to make her marriage happier, and Bertha thought that would prompt George to forgive her, but this episode shows it won’t be that simple. Bertha’s ambition has crossed a line for George. Though he is ambitious too, George only risks money, not people’s emotions. Winning him back, into the house and into their marriage, won’t be easy or quick.
MORE: If you don’t remember all the drama of The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 5, our review will help you out!
“When was the last time you asked any of us what we wanted?”
Their son Larry questions whether his mother had something to do with Marian ending their engagement, too. Bertha vocalized her disappointment at the match in an earlier episode. However, Larry created this situation himself when he lied about where he was going. And he lied just to avoid an argument? Nah, that sounds a little out of character for the Larry Russell we know. Thankfully, he apologizes and admits his mistake when Marian finally confronts him. Marian still doesn’t forgive him. It’s the most painful moment the shippers of this couple have endured so far. I am still sure that these two are endgame, though, and they will be together for good eventually. This episode supports that belief when Jack (Ben Ahlers) tells Marian he was with Larry the whole time at the club. “He is innocent,” Jack assures her. Sounds like Julian Fellowes should start bringing them back together to me.
Other moments in this episode also prove that Marian has a lot to learn when it comes to love. Oscar’s grief over John brings the household closer than ever to acknowledging his sexuality. Marian supports Oscar and offers him comfort despite not being worldly about these things, as she admits. Besides that, Marian and Ada (Cynthia Nixon) share an important conversation before Marian confronts Larry. Marian says she’d be better off as a spinster, but Ada sets her straight. “There’s a profound loneliness in the life of a spinster. It hurts whenever you see couples together. You mask the pain with a smile, but you don’t deceive yourself,” she says. Speaking for all spinsters, I can tell you this is heartbreakingly accurate.
MORE: Read our review of The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 4 if you want a refresher on the wedding episode!
“Nothing is more perilous than to overestimate your own power.”
The title of this episode could also apply to what Elizabeth (Phylicia Rashad) tries to do to Peggy (Denee Benton). Elizabeth has never approved of Peggy as a match for her son, William (Jordan Donica), but now she gets ammunition to separate them. She learns that Peggy had an annulled marriage and a child that was given up for adoption in her past. Of course, she wastes no time telling her son, hoping to end their romance. William does what Marian couldn’t in a similar situation and goes to talk to Peggy about it immediately. The writers have developed this relationship well, and we are rooting for them, so William’s willingness to listen is the right balance to this angst.
Again, Gladys’ storyline provides the rare positivity in this episode. Hector (Ben Lamb) tells his sister he doesn’t want to send Gladys back if George can’t pay her dowry. He also gives Gladys irises because she said they were lovely, and he tells her not to worry if her father doesn’t send the money. He even finally tells Sarah she should move to her own home. Thank God. I think the Duke is falling in love with his wife! The arranged marriage trope usually works for me, so I am here for this one. Gladys deserves it. More good news comes when Larry’s discovery of copper in the Arizona mines saves the Russell fortune. But this is TV, and angst can never be too far away, right? The cost of George’s good luck comes at the end of the episode. A gunman shoots two of George’s colleagues and then him. The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 7 certainly sets the stage for a game-changing finale next week. And I’m seated for every second.
The Gilded Age airs on Sundays at 9 PM on HBO and is streaming on HBO Max.
