"Love Is Never Easy," the third episode of The Gilded Age Season 3, aired on Sunday, July 6, 2025, delivering a pivotal installment that sets the tone for the rest of the season. The episode centers on the complicated fate of Gladys Russell, whose future is being shaped against her wishes by her mother, Bertha Russell, in a relentless push to secure a marriage with Hector, the Duke of Buckingham.
Gladys, once hopeful to marry for love, finds her dreams slipping away as Bertha's ambitions escalate. Initially, George Russell, Gladys's father, had promised his daughter she could choose her own path. However, negotiations with Hector and his lawyer, Dobbs, reveal a different reality. George, who initially resisted the Duke’s demand for a larger dowry, ultimately relents under pressure. He agrees to increase the dowry to Hector’s requested sum but cleverly stipulates that the additional money be set aside specifically for Gladys. Hector, unimpressed, dismisses this as useless, leading to a breakdown in talks.
Despite this setback, Bertha’s determination does not waver. She invites the father of Gladys’s apparent romantic competition—the De Lancey heiress—to gauge his intentions. Learning that he prefers his daughter to remain in New York, Bertha regains confidence in her plans. Meanwhile, George’s business ventures face turmoil as Clay returns from Morenci seeking funds to finalize a deal. In a risky move, George reallocates the money originally intended for Gladys’s dowry to support his business, ignoring Clay’s advice.
Gladys, believing she has escaped the unwanted match, is soon confronted with the harsh truth. Her suitor, Billy Carlton, has been driven away permanently by Bertha’s threats, leaving Gladys feeling betrayed and lost in matters of love. When Hector returns, unable to secure a better offer, Bertha persuades him to finalize the engagement by emphasizing the financial benefits of shared assets in marriage. George and Hector reach an agreement, and despite feelings of betrayal, Gladys agrees to meet Hector. The Duke admits they hardly know one another but promises honesty and a desire to make her happy. Under significant pressure, Gladys consents to the engagement, which Bertha proudly announces as "the wedding of the century" at the unveiling of her daughter’s portrait by John Singer Sargent.
However, the celebration is tinged with unease. Gladys, visibly nervous, repeatedly tugs at her pearl necklace during the announcement until it snaps, spilling the pearls—a potent metaphor for the fragility of the Russell family’s carefully constructed world. This moment foreshadows the unraveling drama that will engulf the family as the season progresses.
Elsewhere, the episode explores other storylines that echo the central theme of losing control. Marian Brook and Larry Russell’s secret romance is exposed when Bertha’s maid, Miss André, catches them kissing. Marian, worried about her reputation, confides in her aunt Ada Forte, who assures her that marriage to Larry would protect her standing. However, Bertha’s discovery of their relationship adds another layer of tension, especially given Marian’s two previous failed engagements and Larry’s rumored past affair with an older woman, Mrs. Blane.
Agnes van Rhijn grapples with her declining social status after losing her wealth, feeling invisible as Ada garners attention through her temperance campaign. Ada’s push for the household to sign the temperance pledge meets resistance, with only Armstrong, a staff member, having signed. Feeling disheartened, Ada seeks comfort from Mrs. Bauer, the cook, who offers a surprising suggestion: a way for Ada to communicate with her late husband, Reverend Luke Forte. This hints at a supernatural turn for Ada’s storyline, possibly involving a seance, adding a new dimension to the series’ exploration of grief and loss.
Meanwhile, Peggy Scott enjoys a rare respite, vacationing in Newport with her mother, Dorothy, and cousin Athena. Her health restored, Peggy receives a letter from Dr. William Kirkland, who treated her previously and now seeks to call on her again. The family attends a party at the Kirklands’ home, where Peggy’s father, Arthur, faces cold judgment from Elizabeth Kirkland, William’s mother. Elizabeth’s disdain stems from Arthur’s background as a former slave and self-made businessman, starkly contrasting with her family’s long-established wealth and social standing. This prejudice, coupled with Elizabeth’s concern over her grandchildren’s sun exposure—a subtle nod to colorism—casts a shadow over Peggy’s budding romance and highlights the complexities of race and class within the Black elite of the era.
Back at the Van Rhijn household, Jack Trotter’s efforts to find investors for his innovative alarm clock continue with mixed results. Despite some setbacks and moments of self-doubt, Jack impresses with his technical knowledge during meetings arranged by Larry Russell. Encouragement comes unexpectedly from Armstrong, who reminds Jack that progress is measured by persistence and that he has already made significant strides in a challenging business environment.
Bertha’s relentless pursuit of power and status is a driving force throughout the episode. Her frustration grows when she sees Hector socializing with the De Lancey heiress at the opera, a blow to her carefully laid plans. She confronts George, arguing that success in business and society are intertwined and that this defeat could be disastrous. Yet George remains pragmatic, revealing that Mr. Delancey lacks the funds to support a duke, an insight that momentarily eases Bertha’s concerns. Still, Bertha’s meeting with Mr. Delancey hints at future schemes, particularly involving her son Larry and the Delancey daughter, suggesting her influence will continue to ripple through the season.
As the episode closes, the portrait unveiling scene encapsulates the precarious balance of ambition, love, and societal expectations that define The Gilded Age. Gladys’s shattered necklace is a haunting symbol of the personal sacrifices and hidden turmoil beneath the glittering surface of high society. With the Russells at the center of the unfolding drama, the season promises to delve deeper into the consequences of their choices, where the pursuit of power may come at an unbearable cost.
Streaming on Max in the U.S., The Gilded Age continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling, complex characters, and unflinching portrayal of a transformative era in American history. Episode 4, set to air on July 13, 2025, is eagerly anticipated as the season reaches its midpoint, promising further twists and revelations in this masterful period drama.
