Warning: SPOILERS for The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 2 – “What the Papers Say”
At the beginning of The Gilded Age, Gladys Russell was more afraid of her mother’s control, but throughout seasons 1 and 2, she has gained more agency, leading her to have a surprising new boyfriend at the beginning of season 3. While Bertha Russell may have promised her daughter to Hector, Duke of Buckingham, at the end of The Gilded Age season 2, that has not stopped Gladys from forging her own relationship with Billy Carlton, creating tension between mother and daughter.
The Gilded Age season 3, episode 1, wasted no time in introducing Billy and Gladys’ relationship and emphasizing how strong their connection was, even hinting that he was planning to ask for her hand in marriage. However, as always, The Gilded Age‘s characters are nothing if not dramatic and plotting something, especially Bertha Russell. Upon learning that her daughter was at Billy Carlton’s house overnight, she quickly came to retrieve Gladys in episode 2’s opening, leading Billy to later make a very surprising decision.
Why Billy Carlton Unexpectedly Dumps Gladys Russell
Their Relationship Seemed Strong In The Previous Episode
Though their connection seems unflappable at the beginning of The Gilded Age season 3, episode 2, by the end of the hour, Billy decides to break up with Gladys Russell. Gladys had other suitors before, who left abruptly after realizing that they were never going to get her father George’s approval, but Billy Carlton seemed different. He was far more determined than Archie Baldwin in season 1 and far more interested in Gladys than Oscar in season 2, so it seemed like he might try to stick out the initial disapproval of Gladys’ parents.
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Instead, Billy’s decision came so quickly and feels so permanent that after just two episodes, it seems he is already out of the picture for good. Though Billy Carlton did truly seem to have feelings for Gladys, there were a few factors that played a role in his disappointing decision. The biggest factor in Billy’s sudden behavioral change is likely due to the conversation between Billy’s mother and Bertha Russell at the beginning of The Gilded Age season 3, episode 2. While Mrs. Carlton seemed to think that Billy and Gladys were on a path to marriage, Bertha had other ideas.
Bertha Russell immediately makes it clear to Billy’s mother, who in turn tells Billy, that she expects Gladys to marry the Duke of Buckingham. She also tells Mrs. Carlton that she could have her husband, George Russell, ruin any future prospects for Billy if he still chooses to pursue Gladys. In addition to Bertha’s very open threats, Billy is also too nervous to approach George at a party they both attend. Billy realizes that he will never be able to be as rich and powerful as Mr. Russell, and that, to an extent, he is unworthy of Gladys.
The Duke May Want More From George & Bertha Than Marrying Gladys Russell
His Reappearance Seems To Come With High Expectations
While George Russell was willing to hear Billy Carlton out if he wished to formally ask for Gladys’ hand in marriage, that prospect seemed to come to an end at the close of The Gilded Age season 3, episode 2. Immediately after Billy arrived at the Russell household and broke up with Gladys by coming to the back door, Gladys went back upstairs for dinner, only to find that the Duke had arrived.
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The end of The Gilded Age season 2 did set Gladys and Hector up to be engaged in season 3, but his appearance was a shock nonetheless, both because of Gladys’ recent heartache over Billy and because of a very strange comment that he made upon entering. The Russell family and the Duke were set to have a formal, enjoyable dinner, but just after greeting the family, Hector noted that he brought his lawyer with him, implying that his business in New York is perhaps more complex than a traditional engagement would be.
Bertha’s plan with the Duke still felt rather flexible and unconfirmed for Gladys.
Bertha welcomes the Duke easily into the dining room, but both George and Gladys Russell are far more skeptical of his intentions and confused about what exactly he means. The Gilded Age season 3, episode 2 ends on that note, leaving audiences to wonder as well, though it will certainly have an impact on the coming episodes. Bertha’s plan with the Duke still felt rather flexible and unconfirmed for Gladys, but episode 2’s ending hints that her future may be more settled than she hoped and that the Duke may be up to something more.
The Gilded Age
7/10
- Release Date
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January 24, 2022
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Julian Fellowes
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Carrie Coon
Bertha Russell
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Morgan Spector
George Russell
