The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up” Spoilers Ahead
Written by Julian Fellowes and Sonja Warfield, with stunning directing from Salli Richardson Whitfield, The Gilded Age delivers an emotional rollercoaster, brimming with exceptional performances in “My Mind Is Made Up.” Picking up immediately where the penultimate, “Ex-Communicated,” leaves off with George’s shooting, everyone’s rightfully concerned, and there’s very little giving the characters hope. Still, it ensures that Season 3 ends with the kind of compelling closer that makes the arc the show’s best to date, as it leaves us on the edge of our seats until Season 4 returns.
Society is changing, and these characters are thankfully changing with it. It’s a slow, steady climb to the top, and sometimes, as the tale as old as time goes, it’s deeply lonely at the top. In more ways than one, most of the characters are alone. But interestingly, the characters have simultaneously never been more united, and it’s gripping to see how this comes to pass in an episode that’s all about complex emotions battling for control.
The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8 Sets Up Another Roadblock for George and Bertha
Before the season began, my one plea was that George and Bertha wouldn’t get divorced. In many ways, I didn’t even want a separation of sorts because I wasn’t sure if it’d be done well enough to make the build-up or aftermath feel earned. Thankfully, that isn’t the case here because everything we watch unravel between George and Bertha is what makes the show’s drama exceptional. This divide isn’t spun out of thin air—it isn’t drama for the sake of drama, and despite the fact that none of us wants to see it, the performances and the writing are making it thrilling to continue rooting for them. It’s also easy to hope that we’ll see them on the same side again.
Ultimately, George and Bertha Russell love each other too much to divorce. They’re too alike to find another kindred spirit outside of each other. At the same time, the rift makes complete sense in every way we examine it. Yes, Gladys is surprisingly happy in her marriage, but George is still having a difficult time grappling with the fact that he walked her down the aisle. He can’t seem to forgive himself because he isn’t sure what he wants anymore, and that alone is his cross to bear. It’s not something Bertha can help with. It’s not something his kids can assist with. It’s his pain and his alone, because it’s not just the business that’s driving him to a point of agony, but it’s the demons within trying to grasp all the changes. Her ruthlessness is starting to look a bit different than his, and while it’s not as dark as he believes it to be, he needs to work on his headspace to be a husband again.
And in Season 3, George hasn’t exactly been a husband to Bertha. He’s been so caught up with the land purchases that he’s neglected to really hear her out when she’s proposed anything, and he hasn’t given her the chance to voice her side. He’s brushed off her intimacy, and he’s spent more time away than he has with her. George has been pushing himself away since the Season 2 finale because he’s too focused on everything that can go wrong as opposed to all the ways things can turn out better than imagined.
The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up,” explores his disconnect from Bertha through some of the most staggering performances from both Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector, allowing them to take their once sizzling chemistry to a point that continues to showcase what incredible scene partners they are, even as the characters are on different sides now. George’s eyes are no longer full of the love that was once bursting from him, and Spector touches on his pain with such astounding layers that the differences in how he delivers the beats after his recovery to this final blowout are downright incredible.
Does he know his wife’s heart better than most? Absolutely. He also believes her to a degree when she says that she’s ruthless for the people she loves, but it’s human to fight against what we believe to be true and what our anxieties try to feed us. And in Season 3, George’s anxieties have held the reins. He’s also dealt with so much of this alone, and not confronting Bertha or allowing her to bear his burdens, too, has contributed to the rift shattering them.
This isn’t about the absence of love, but it’s about fear having full control. We start the season with Charles Fane outright admitting to the fact that he’s fallen out of love, and we end it with a man fighting against every good thing because fear is doing all the talking. The different truths the show explores through various types of divorce are no small feat. It’s what makes this arc as compelling as it is.
It’s also unclear how much George remembers or retained while he was fighting for his life, but the way Bertha wept for him is going to haunt me for a long time. Because it’s in this very scene that Coon shows viewers that this woman would lose herself if anything happened to George. For someone who’s always standing strong, this is the one instant where she completely lets herself go. It’s the first time she truly fears for something, and no uncertainty has ever been worse than the moments when she feared for her husband’s life. No ball. No obligation. Nothing can compare to how much Bertha loves George, and it’s terrifying (but exhilarating from a viewing standpoint) that we watch her go through two different states of fear. Once in the beginning, and once in the very end.
The whiplash she experiences from realizing George is leaving her to learning that Gladys is pregnant also gives Coon superb material to work with, as it continues to touch on the layers that make her such an astounding character. Because Bertha’s thrilled for her daughter, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s still so unbelievably hard for her to mask the pain that George might not return, so much so that the last shot of her by the window is an award-worthy frame to exhibit how lonely the top is. And from a storytelling standpoint, it’s enthralling how The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up” plays on these heavy emotions with excellent writing and directing to emphasize the exceptional performances.
Related Content: Everyone Owes Bertha Russell an Apology
We Won’t Solve All Our Problems Tonight – Marian and Larry Are Okay!
Marian and Larry were always going to be endgame, and The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up,” proves this by giving them a moment to communicate like adults. They have to talk about their problems. They have to acknowledge their faults and each other’s. They have to acknowledge their fears. In a way, Larry is now understandably scared, too, because he’s questioning whether a misunderstanding in the future will force her to leave. He’s dealing with the shock of almost losing his father. It’s a lot to grapple with, and it’s easy to appreciate the series ending their arc with a dance and the realization that they aren’t going to solve all their problems tonight.
They’ve been it for each other since the very beginning, so the two of them concluding the episode with a dance together is a satisfying beat to showcase that they’ll continue to work on improving not only their communication skills, but their trust in each other. There’s also a good chance that Larry might carry more hesitations if he sees the aftermath of the rift between his parents. As Agnes states, a marriage isn’t just between two people—it’s about the families, too. The Russells and the Van Rhijns have been going at it for quite some time now, so it wouldn’t be shocking if we see more tumultuous waters before we get stillness with their unity. Their love hasn’t wavered; that much is undoubtedly clear, but possibilities are endless for the road ahead, and Season 4 already looks glorious if we are to judge by all the angst we see in this episode.
But more than anything, I love that Bertha finally sees Marian after her actions. We knew that she’d do anything for Larry and, to a degree, all the Russells, but after this finale, we have concrete proof of it. Carrie Coon shines throughout in this episode (and I’ll continue saying it), but the way she thanks Marian for playing a part in saving George’s life is something that’s going to stay with me for a while. She not only sees a woman who’s more than right to be with her son, but a woman who can stand on her own two feet as an equal. And this isn’t just with Larry. But Marian is the type of daughter-in-law that Bertha can be more than proud of to stand beside. All she’s had to do is get to know her more closely, and this time, when the two of them get engaged, it’s easy to hope that the whole family will be celebrating. (At least, I hope?)
The Gilded Age’s Season 3 Finale Brings Hope With Peggy and William’s Engagement
The sheer joy I feel for Peggy is indescribable. No one deserves love and a lifetime of joy the way Peggy does. After all those tears, the pain, and the heartache, Peggy deserves the chance to shine in a way that the whole world gets to see, too. The slow motion. The adoration bursting from both their faces. The way that we know their union is real and meant to last. (Julian Fellowes, don’t you dare ever touch them!)
To go from sobbing in her mother’s arms to gliding on the dance floor like the real-life princess she is? My heart. Nothing is more beautiful in The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up,” and there are a number of beautiful things in this single episode. Where one man’s marriage is unclear, another’s is crystal. The chemistry between Denée Benton and Jordan Donica has been gorgeous from the start, but everything we get in this proposal is full of something else entirely. It’s what romance dreams are made of. It’s a little angsty, full of yearning, deeply tender, and so infectiously joyous because William’s choice is transparent.
His character is the best addition to the series, and it’s incredible that we get an episode where his role is acknowledged in more ways than one. To start the season, where a white doctor refuses to treat a Black woman, and end it with a Black doctor risking his career and his life to save a Robber Baron, is a powerful detail that explores how fraught humanity is and why empathy and compassion are needed more than anything. The fact that George and Bertha see this is crucial, but so is this narrative in general. William isn’t just a good man, he’s an exceptional one—and to see a man like him with a woman like Peggy evokes so much hope for the goodness that can continue to exist in this show amid all the messy, complex parts.
It’d be unfortunate if we don’t see his mom come around next season, but we can at least be certain of the fact that William’s promise will remain steadfast. He might’ve needed time to grapple with Peggy’s news, but his love for her never dwindled as he weighed the truth and the timing. Throughout the entire season, William has seen Peggy in a way no one else has because he’s chosen to acknowledge that her role is irreplaceable, which in turn has allowed him to grow even stronger, too. He isn’t arrogant or in this to overrule a woman, but he wants a true partnership where they can both grow together, learning from one another and challenging each other to become better versions of themselves. And if his mom doesn’t see that? Her loss.
The Start of Ending the Shame Around Divorce
How The Gilded Age Season 3 begins and ends with the topic of divorce is no small feat. I’m utterly in awe of how the women have treated Aurora, and the full-body chills I got when Bertha welcomed her into her home using her first name is also something that’s going to stay with me for a long, long time. Kelli O’Hara has done such an extraordinary job with Aurora’s heartache this season that the small glimmer of hope we catch in her eyes as she’s welcomed into a society function and greeted by her first name is something else entirely. Change is already here, and Bertha Russell is partly responsible for it. Women like Agnes, Ada, and Marian proudly standing beside Aurora and valuing her as opposed to scorning her for her husband’s faults is everything.
In many ways, shame centered around divorced women still exists in 2025. It’s not as harsh or as isolating, but the judgment hasn’t fully stopped. And we might never fully get rid of it because the world is too closed-minded to accept that men and women can be equal. It’s certainly not the same as it was back then, but it’s here nevertheless. It’s dark at times. Yet, this moment in the show is one of the strongest displays of community, and for it to occur after Mr. McAllister’s book tried to tear him into shreds is pretty neat.
A Different Kind of Proposal
Oscar broke me in “Ex-Communicated,” and this week, it’s just…well, slightly questionable. Do I get the point of two complex characters getting “together” to maximize their joint “slay?” Sure. Do I like it? I’m not quite sure. But I’m certainly intrigued, and I need to see how Agnes is going to react to see how I’ll feel about it. It’s like I need her to give me the okay to see that this arrangement can indeed be good for them both because I don’t think I’ll ever fully trust Turner/Winterton again.
She’s just—something. But if Bertha can move past things to allow her back into her ball, even as she no longer has a connection, then maybe I can move forward, too.
For Mothers and Daughters
Thematically, The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up” shines in its means of showcasing the love between mothers and daughters. Between Mrs. Scott and Peggy, Mrs. Astor and Charlotte, and Bertha and Gladys, this is the episode that reminds us of how much mothers sacrifice. (I immediately thought of Barbie, and the “we mothers stand still so our daughters can look back and see how far they’ve come” line.) This sentiment is especially true for Mrs. Scott and how she has stood beside her daughter throughout the season, ready to be her rock at every point. It certainly helps that Audra McDonald is a powerhouse of a performer, and she has a way of consistently evoking hope, but the conversation on the stairs still gutted me.
William’s mother has done colossal damage to Peggy’s spirit by taking away her agency and breaking her spirit. In a show like The Gilded Age, it isn’t every mother who loves her daughter as fiercely as Mrs. Scott loves Peggy. She knows her daughter’s worth, her strengths, her heartaches, and her heart, but most importantly, she knows how to uplift her. She knows how to be the kind of mother whose daughter can trust her with everything. She knows how to be her strength, so it’s not only gratifying to see it in terms of the message it sends out, but also for the brilliant performances McDonald and Benton consistently deliver when they share a scene.
At the same time, Mrs. Astor does the most shocking thing—not by showing up, no—but by acknowledging that her daughter is more important than the society that’s determined to scorn her. Her daughter is more important than her reputation, and the simple declaration of “you are my daughter” nearly made me cry, which is so shocking because of all the characters, I never expected Mrs. Astor to do this. It’s such a riveting showcase of how far the characters have come, who they are, and where they’re headed. There’s a lot riding on their reputation, but The Gilded Age Season 3 finale proves that at the end of the day, nothing matters more than the people beside you—the ones who stay in the quiet moments, away from all the glitz and glamor.
And that’s precisely what makes this season so brilliantly engaging. The nuances we get into examining each character’s complexities and their role in society are a big deal, but it’s all about the characters who show up. It’s about the people who risk everything to stand beside you, whether they’re mothers and daughters or future in-laws. It’s about the people, which makes this season the best yet.
Two Houses, Two New Heads
The Gilded Age Season 3 begins with no one in the Van Rhijn household knowing who’s in charge, but ends with Agnes finally changing her seat and giving it to Ada. Ada Forte is now head of the house, and Agnes is surprisingly okay with that, giving her the kind of wink that Christine Baranski is so perfect at it accomplishing, it deserves acknowledgement. But that’s not all, it’s the fact that their footman also has his own house where he’s the master, and our little clock twink is doing pretty okay for himself, even if his cook isn’t as great as Mrs. Bauer.
There’s a sense of community in The Gilded Age Season 3 that hasn’t been present before, and it’s what makes this season so gripping. These characters are still very much at each other’s throats, and they consistently get annoyed, but there’s a real sense of family in their interactions, like the fact that Jack moving away doesn’t mean he isn’t part of the family anymore, or Agnes recognizing that Marian’s relationship with Larry is real. The drama is more exciting because the characters’ intentions aren’t malicious, and it makes every change feel earned.
Stray Thoughts
- I will singlehandedly run Carrie Coon’s Emmy campaign for this season because the way she said “stay with me, my dear” has literally haunted my dreams. My notes are just a bunch of exclamation points and screaming because MY GOD THIS WOMAN!!!!
- The way her voice breaks!?!?!?!?!? I’M NEVER GETTING OVER IT.
- Like, wow, Hector and Gladys actually being cute!!?!?
- “You’ve brought a light to the place that was sorely needed.” HELLO!?? Everyone apologize to Bertha Russell.
- “There can only be one duchess.” EXACTLY.
- “Love doesn’t disappear in an instant.” Mrs. Scott is delivering facts.
- “You are worthy of a husband who understands and cherishes you.” Can I sob?!?!
- Peggy, my heart 😭
- Oh, there’s so much to dissect about the fact that Agnes doesn’t remember much about her marriage and doesn’t want the same for Marian.
- Bertha and George thanking Marian personally? Help, I’m crying again.
- “Don’t give up on him.” Railroad Mommy, please stop making me cry!??
- “I saw you soaked in blood and helping to keep George alive. I knew then you were no feeble debutant. In that moment, I saw you through Larry’s eyes. The two of you can have a bright future, won’t you fight for it?” WHAT A LINE.
- Jack coming to visit his family!??? Guys, what if I never stop crying!? 😭
- Agnes saying she never apologizes because she’s never wrong!? How do I become her when I grow up!? “I don’t need to. I’m never wrong.”
- The New York Heritage Society wants Agnes to be vice president!!!!
- OH THAT WINK
- “I’m a servant” “Not in this house.” Guys, my eyes will be swollen if I keep crying like this.
- GET IT, CLOCK TWINK.
- “It feels very safe with you here.” 😭 Oh, this deserves a scene breakdown. I love Jack and Bridget so much.
- Aurora, my babe,
- “You’re very welcome here, Aurora.” THE EMPHASIS
- Mrs Astor is making me cry?!!!!!!
- “You are my daughter.”
- “You must weigh disagreements with what brings you together.” Oof, another excellent line.
- S C R E A M I N G
- C R Y I N G
- T H E S L O W M O T I O N
- She’s like a princess!!!
- PEGGY BABY 😭
- “Will you walk out on me again?” Guys, what if I never stop crying??
- “She’s not unhappy, George.” EXACTLY.
- George is going back to NY.
- “And I am ruthless for the people I love.” I want this playing for mother’s Emmy reel.
Now streaming on HBO Max: What are your thoughts on The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 8, “My Mind Is Made Up?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Photograph by Karolina Wojtasik/HBO