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Gilded Age Season 3: Bertha & George Russell’s Marital Issues Explained

Warning: SPOILERS For The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 2 – “What The Papers Say”

The Gilded Age director Deborah Kampmeier elaborates on the escalating conflict between George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) regarding their daughter, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), and her potential marriage to the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). This situation is creating significant turmoil in their own marital relationship. George had made a heartfelt promise to Gladys that she could choose her partner based on love, but Bertha’s ambitious plan to marry her to the Duke threatens to undermine this promise, consequently leading to a growing divide between the couple.

In an interview with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender, The Gilded Age season 3, episode 2’s director, Deborah Kampmeier, discusses how Bertha’s arrangement with the Duke of Buckingham intrudes upon George’s “domain,” which is primarily focused on business matters. Kampmeier articulates that George and Bertha’s emotional paths are diverging, creating a rift in their relationship. This potentially foreshadows a deeper fracture in their marriage. Below is Kampmeier’s insightful quote:

ScreenRant: Despite promising his daughter he would prioritize her happiness, George appears to concede to Bertha at every opportunity. However, by the end of this episode, his expression upon realizing the arrangement his wife has made with the Duke hints at deeper issues brewing between them. How did you want to weave their tensions throughout the episode, and what implications does it have for the Russells in the future?

Deborah Kampmeier: In an earlier scene set in their bedroom, George expresses, “I just want to know when I get a say in our daughter’s life,” to which Bertha replies, “The day I’m in your boardroom.” This exchange highlights their understanding of societal structures—where decisions regarding their children fall under her purview while business decisions belong to him. However, the deal she brokered with the Duke encroaches upon his domain.

George acknowledges, on some level, the potential benefits of Gladys marrying the Duke. He encourages Bertha, saying, “Give him a chance. You can make the decision yourself, but give him a chance and see.” This shows that he recognizes the wisdom in Bertha’s perspective regarding the future for Gladys. Nonetheless, he has also made a solemn promise to her.

Throughout the episode, the buildup to that climactic moment is carefully crafted. The tension between the two actors is palpable, but the bedroom scene is fundamentally about exploring their emotional landscapes. For me, the focus isn’t solely on their conflict but rather on illustrating how their hearts are drifting apart. George’s devotion to his daughter’s happiness and his commitment to his promise contrasts sharply with Bertha’s passionate aspirations for the Duke.

I discussed this with Carrie [Coon] and we both felt that we were witnessing Bertha’s youthful dreams surface in her desire for the Duke. Her aspirations for Gladys echo her own unfulfilled desires, as in a way, George serves as her Duke. Bertha’s vision is imbued with a youthful, almost childlike hope that she is projecting onto her daughter. It was essential to delve into their distinct dreams and establish the growing chasm between them. This situation wasn’t about personal animosity, but rather about pursuing divergent dreams that are leading them in opposite directions.

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The Impact of Gladys and The Duke on George and Bertha’s Marriage Dynamics

Exploring Divorce as a Central Theme in The Gilded Age Season 3

George Russell had previously been comfortable managing his expansive business empire while allowing Bertha to navigate the complexities of domestic life and social ascent. However, George now feels increasingly excluded from Bertha’s ambitious plan to secure a marriage for Gladys with the Duke of Buckingham. The intense argument that unfolds between the couple in their bedroom starkly illustrates how George perceives Bertha’s actions as disregarding their daughter’s true wishes. This is particularly poignant given George’s prior promise to Gladys that she would have the freedom to marry for love, which Bertha’s strategy seems to undermine.

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Bertha is convinced that her actions will secure the best possible future for Gladys, thereby providing her with significant advantages in life. Deborah Kampmeier and Carrie Coon both concur that Bertha’s ambitions reflect her own desires for personal fulfillment. However, by entering into a business agreement with the Duke, Bertha has crossed a critical boundary, expecting George to fulfill their obligations without consulting him.

The Russells have historically shared the strongest and most supportive marriage depicted in The Gilded Age.

As the theme of divorce emerges in The Gilded Age season 3, the escalating conflict regarding Gladys’ future and the growing emotional distance between George and Bertha could jeopardize their marriage. The Russells have always been portrayed as having the most robust and supportive partnership within The Gilded Age, but the groundwork for potential irreconcilable differences between Bertha and George is being laid as the season progresses.

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Insights on the Marital Challenges Facing George & Bertha Russell

The Unlikely Yet Possible Scenario of Divorce for the Russells

George Russell is increasingly distancing himself from Bertha as he becomes consumed by the ambitious and risky endeavor of constructing a transcontinental railroad. Historically, George has preferred to maintain a supportive role, allowing Bertha to excel in her high-society pursuits. However, Mr. Russell is isolating his wife and partner from the mounting pressures he faces as he risks their fortune on this precarious business venture. This situation is at the core of Bertha’s grievances during their heated argument.

Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) and Charles Fane (Ward Horton) are heading towards divorce in The Gilded Age season 3.

George expresses a desire to have a say in Gladys’ life, but Bertha counters that such discussions can only occur when she is granted a voice in his business dealings. This dynamic suggests that George and Bertha’s marriage, which once thrived on partnership, is now fraught with disagreements, particularly regarding Gladys’ future.

Despite George’s typical deference to Bertha’s wishes, it appears that he may ultimately relent to her desires, raising questions about whether his promise to Gladys will be fulfilled. As the tension escalates, the possibility of George and Bertha facing divorce looms large in The Gilded Age season 3.

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The Gilded Age

7/10

Release Date

January 24, 2022

Network

HBO

Showrunner

Julian Fellowes

Directors

Deborah Kampmeier, Salli Richardson-Whitfield

Writers

Julian Fellowes

  • Headshot of Carrie Coon

    Carrie Coon

    Bertha Russell

  • Headshot Of Morgan Spector

    Morgan Spector

    George Russell

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Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.