The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6 Review: ‘If You Want to Cook an Omelette’

The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6, “If You Want to Cook an Omelette” Spoilers Ahead

Compared to last week’s “A Different World,” The Gilded Age delivers a heartbreaking doozy, in multiple forms, in “If You Want to Cook an Omelette.” Full of goodbyes, a painful death, and very little hope left on the horizon, viewers are likely in for a wild ride during the season’s upcoming penultimate and finale. 

First, the truth about Larry’s whereabouts the night of his and Marian’s engagement comes to light, forcing a miscommunication front and center. A devastating death occurs right in front of Oscar after things are finally starting to look up for him. Jack leaves the Van Rhijn/Forte estate while Bertha sets things straight with Lady Sarah in England. And George? Well, he’s not having a good time at all.

The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6 Comes With a Heartbreaking Death

In the final few moments of the episode, Oscar’s happiness is cut short by the horror he witnesses right in front of his eyes as John Adams is trampled to death. Literally, in one of the most gut-wrenching and unexpected scenes in the show’s history. As the two men part before a meeting where it finally feels like maybe things will be better for them, a carriage hits John, killing him instantly. In the year of our lord 2025, I thought we were above burying our gays. He’s important to the show, to the audience, and especially to Oscar. If Julian Fellowes absolutely needed a death to up the series’ stakes, there are other characters who wouldn’t have been as missed. And it’s certainly a horrific message to send out. 

In addition to this, what’s the point of giving Oscar more grief than he’s already experienced? What’s the point of finally giving him the closure he has with Maud only to bring this heartache to him now? And right in front of him, too, because it’s not enough to bring him pain, let’s add trauma to that equation as well. Thus far, every decision in The Gilded Age Season 3 has made perfect sense except this, which stops the season from being truly extraordinary.

Miscommunication Trope Incoming 

Oh, Marian—use your words, babe—in person. Wait. Ask questions. But in all seriousness, as frustrating as it is that Marian is jumping to conclusions about Larry being a brothel, it makes complete sense. It also makes sense why he lied, but it’s understandable how that’s something that can make it difficult to trust someone, given her past experiences with the men in her life. 

Still, it’s frustrating that she’s quite literally ending the engagement with a letter. It’s safe to assume that the two of them are endgame, so we’ll likely see a reconciliation of some kind, but this is just slightly annoying and a hindrance we didn’t need on top of everything else that’s happening. 

Bertha Makes Matters Right, Meanwhile George Reaches Another Halt 

Back in England, Bertha Russell isn’t having it with Lady Sarah acting like she’s the woman of the house when the position rightfully belongs to her daughter. Despite the unfortunate wedding Gladys never wanted, it’s easy to appreciate how The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6, “If You Want to Cook an Omelette” gives the mother and daughter a means to maybe understand each other better. Bertha might have forced a marriage without love, but that never meant that she didn’t want her daughter to be on top and respected. It’s quite literally the opposite of why she did it. So, the fact that she stands up to both Sarah and Hector is a brilliant thing to maybe make Gladys’ time in England more bearable.

And for what it’s worth, Hector seems to be all for Bertha’s ways, so there’s a plus there. He, too, is a little put off by his sister’s behavior and believes that as duchess, his wife is now the lady of the house. He just can’t seem to stand up to her, but A+ for effort as he tries in Bertha’s presence. What’s especially fascinating in this episode is the tears prickling in Bertha’s eyes as she says goodbye to her daughter. Yes, she’s solved the problem, but are things really okay? She clearly isn’t, and Carrie Coon is so great at showing it tiny layers that make up Bertha’s confidence. As for the rest, only time will tell.

However, what isn’t okay is George’s state of affairs and the fact that secrets are starting to surface in places where they aren’t supposed to. And back in Arizona, Larry isn’t exactly making great progress either, so it’s stressful to think about where the Russells might be at the end of the season if things continue as they are.

Peggy and William Continue to Make Us Swoon

At another Suffragettes meeting, William’s mother continues to try to overstep, but that’s thankfully not how her son feels. In fact, he’s so smitten by Peggy that all he wants is to know everything about her. And the fact that she feels comfortable enough to tell him about what happened between her and Mr. Fortune is a big deal.

He’s all in on their relationship, and so are we. It doesn’t seem like he’s anything like his mother given the way he consistently wants Peggy to shine, so it’s beautiful that we get to watch every little moment with them as it blooms into something bigger.

Everything Changes at the Van Rhijn/Forte House With Jack’s Exit 

A grieving Ada and Agnes finally learn how much money Jack made by selling the clock and decide that it’s time for him to step down as their footman. On paper, I get it. But my heart shattered at his heartbreak and the realization that the only family he has will no longer be his. It’s clear that wherever Jack goes from here will still be comfortable, but I don’t particularly love the idea of him being all alone and away from the people who’ve been in his found family. The goodbyes were some of the show’s saddest moments, and Ben Ahlers is so good at making my heart ache with his poignant performance.

The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6, “If You Want to Cook an Omelette,” makes noticeable changes with the jaws it manages to drop and the decisions writers make on behalf of the characters. There’s a lot of heartbreaking lingering, likely more to come, and almost every character seems to be thinking of themselves first. It’s understandable on so many levels, but it hurts a bit. And where we go from here is bound to change things even more. 

Stray Thoughts

• I want the pastries they’re making at the Russell house.
• Bertha is v unhappy that Lady Sarah is choosing Gladys clothes and I’m all for this.
• Oscar forgiving Maud really breaks me.
• JP Morgan continues to confuse the daylights out of me. Quick, someone explain math like I’m five.
• John T accidentally makes it sipsicuosu where they were 
• “Our footman seems to be the topic of all discourse in this house.”
• Agnes can’t catch a break.
• Oscar doesn’t want her to do this.
• “Which is precisely why no one is asking you.” Agnes, never change.
• I know we get the briefest scene with Larry this week, but it’s important to acknowledge that Larry’s curls are CURLING.
• The look Bertha gives Gladys when she stands her ground? Oh, she’s big proud.
• I’m so glad we’re done with Ada and this medium.
• William and Peggy are so so cute. I can’t handle this. 😭
• So we’re basically kicking out Jack? I hate it here:
• I’m so sad???
• Jack is depressing me. WTF.
• Jack 😭😭😭😭😭
• Guys, can you tell I’m upset about Jack? The way they were all saying goodbye to him? The fact that he gives the investment money? My heart.
• And hey, can George not stress me out? This is a lot.

Now streaming on HBO Max: What are your thoughts on The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 6, “If You Want to Cook an Omelette?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Photograph by Karolina Wojtasik/HBO