Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6
There is no denying that Bertha (Carrie Coon) is a force to be reckoned with inThe Gilded Age. Throughout the series, she has followed her ambitions and pushed her way into society, but her daughter, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), has not shown the same drive. Though Bertha often talks about how capable Gladys is, she is largely steamrolled by her mother, who controls Gladys' every activity and even chooses her husband.
Since their introduction, the mother and daughter have been at odds as Gladys wants more freedom than Bertha allows, but their conflict comes to a head in Season 3 when Gladys tries to defy her mother and choose her own husband. In the end, Bertha overpowered Gladys, and it’s not exactly surprising. Yet, it’s disappointing that the Russell women have functioned more as enemies than a loving, like-minded mother and daughter pair. But finally,The Gilded Ageprovides a glimpse of a very different dynamic for them.
‘The Gilded Age’ Finally Explores a New, Loving Side of Bertha and Gladys' Relationship
InSeason 3, Episode 6, “If You Want to Cook an Omelet,” the series brings Bertha and Gladys together as they team up to solve Gladys' problem with Lady Sarah (Hattie Morahan), depicting a mutual respect and appreciation that has been missing.It’s a refreshing change as Bertha focuses on empowering her daughter rather than controlling her, providing hope for them despite their recent struggles. Though it is a shame it took so long forThe Gilded Ageto unite Bertha and Gladys, their new dynamic has a lot of potential as the series continues intoSeason 4.
Season 3 has created a major shift in their relationship, with Gladys' engagement toHector (Ben Lamb)causing a rift between her and Bertha, and the marriage moving Gladys to England. Since then, things have not been smooth for Gladys as she competes with Hector’s sister, Sarah, for control of the household. That’s where Bertha comes in. After George (Morgan Spector) receives a message from Gladys about the issues, Bertha drops everything and goes to England to help her daughter. The trip is especially notable asBertha faces problems in her own marriage, though making things right with Gladys is part of her solution. Once reunited, Bertha focuses on solving Gladys' issue, embarrassing Sarah at dinner, and helping Gladys strategize. In this way,Season 3 allows Bertha to put her formidable skills to good use, fighting for her daughter’s happiness rather than against it.
‘The Gilded Age’s Shocking Character Death Just Raised the Stakes Even More for Season 3 and Beyond
Look how they massacred our boy!
After everything they’ve been through,seeing Bertha in Gladys’ corner is an important stepin showing that there is more to their relationship than disagreements and hostility. By bringing them together, the episode emphasizes that, whatever mistakes she has made, Bertha truly loves Gladys and wants to help. Her faith in Gladys never falters, and Bertha makes sure Gladys knows that. For her part,Gladys recognizes Bertha’s good intentionsand even acknowledges Bertha’s impact on her, telling her that anything she knows about how to manage things comes from watching Bertha. The moment of appreciation between them goes a long way in repairing their relationship, and it’s none too soon. Gladys and Bertha were owed a heartwarming scene, and Episode 6 finally delivered.
Carrie Coon’s Bertha Empowers Gladys in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3
A generous interpretation of Bertha’s actions in Season 3 would suggest that her goal was to give Gladys more power than herself, though it’s hard to forget that in doing so, she raised her own social standing. Yet, finally, the latest episode allows Bertha to demonstrate that desire asshe empowers Gladys.While Bertha is not above embarrassing Sarah publicly, she doesn’t step in and fix Gladys' issue. Instead, she teaches Gladys to handle it herself. Advising her daughter to become indispensable to Hector,Bertha helps Gladys find a path forward, but the actual accomplishment is in Gladys' hands. Gladys educates herself about the estate and, with the encouragement of her mother, Gladys stands up for herself, humbling Sarah. In the end, Gladys earns Hector’s admiration, and Bertha only had to push her along. While there are certainly more obstacles ahead, if we can judge byher historic inspiration, Gladys comes out of Episode 6 much more prepared for the life ahead of her, thanks to Bertha.
As of now,Gladys and Hector are closer than ever, suggesting that they may be able to work things out after all. It’s difficult to forget that Gladys is only in this situation because of Bertha’s meddling, but this episode does more than repair things between the pair as it propels both Gladys and her relationship with Bertha forward. Bertha’s encouragement emboldened Gladys, allowing her to make a happier life for herself and fully assume her role as the duchess. While Bertha’s methods can be problematic,her support enables Gladys to make the best of her situationas Bertha passes on her wisdom.
‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Proves That Bertha and Gladys Are Better Together
This development is somethingThe Gilded Agedesperately needed. Yes, their relationship is imperfect, and the episode acknowledges that when Gladys calls Bertha out for pretending to care about her happiness, but they come a long way towards understanding each other in this episode. While her support of Gladys now doesn’t rewrite their history, it shows that a reconciliation is possible.Bertha failed Gladysfor much of the season, but finally she came through for her daughter, and that is an improvement from where they were. For much of the show, Gladys and Bertha have opposed each other. Though this provides plenty of drama, it doesn’t show them at their best. It’s when they come together that they manage to get things done quickly and efficiently.
The two Russell women working together should have happened long before. Gladys was under Bertha’s thumb for years, and she never took an interest in mentoring her daughter when it would have been an interesting story from the show’s beginning. The fact is, Bertha handled things by herself or with George inthe previous seasons, leaving Gladys ill-prepared to be on her own. Yet this storyline was worth the wait asit brings out both Bertha’s softer side as she looks out for Gladys and Gladys' hidden similarities to Bertha, proving that the Russell women are better when they are united.
New episodes ofThe Gilded Ageair on Sunday nights on HBO and are available to stream on HBO Max in the U.S.
The Gilded Age
A wide-eyed young scion of a conservative family embarks on a mission to infiltrate the wealthy neighboring clan dominated by ruthless railroad tycoon George Russell, his rakish son, Larry, and his ambitious wife, Bertha.
