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The Gilded Age: Season Three (2025)
Rated TV-PG and TV-14

| Description

• Historical Drama Series

Ambition and scandal collide as the Russells take their place at the head of society, while the van Rhijn household is thrown into chaos, and the Scott family has a reckoning with the past—and the future.

| My Thoughts

I mean, seriously, I wasn’t sure whether to title this post with “all the feels” or “in our feelings.” Because if you’ve been a fellow member of The Gilded Age audience since Season One (particularly if you began watching back in 2022 and had been waiting since 2023 for the release of this third season), then it’s very likely that you’re in your feelings about the show as much as I am.

It’d be so much for me to try to comment on absolutely all the things. So I’ll do much like I’ve done before: revisit a couple of reflections I had after Seasons One and Two (S1 and S2) and now add my Season Three (S3) sentiments.

The Scotts

S1: I want to point out how glad I am that this historical drama doesn’t leave out the Black Elite of the place and period… [Black people don’t] exist on the fridge of existence somewhere [but are] whole people with real stories right in the center of life.

S2: I’m not exactly a fan of the way the show essentially does some backpedaling from critical developments in Peggy’s story from [Season One] to smooth her into a rather convenient position for [Season Two].

S3: Oh, my! Peggy Scott’s story, and that of the Scott family, hits quite a stride in this third season! And I’m not saying that only because of Peggy’s moment of pure magic in the season finale. Even when a new, critical conflict involving the Scott family (and the Kirkland family!) comes to a head in this season, it’s brilliantly handled.

A recap of where Peggy’s story begins…

I’ve also got to mention that while I liked Dr. William Kirkland well enough from his first appearance in Season Three, it wasn’t long before I needed more than simply “nice, polite, dignified guy” vibes from his character. I needed more evidence of the underlying fire and grit a man in his position would need to have. So, it’s good that we eventually do get to see more sides of Dr. Kirkland. And more of his professional expertise as well.

Getting Personal

S1: I didn’t get that emotionally attached or invested in any particular characters.

S2: My emotions certainly did get more involved at some key moments… [Moreover,] the “downstairs” groups and their stories in both the Russell and van Rhijn houses also develop further and become more interesting [in Season Two].

S3: In addition to having emotions about the events in general this third season, I think I can say the show has become more personal for me and that I’ve become emotionally attached to a few particular characters:

• Peggy Scott
• Dorothy Scott, Peggy’s mother
• Jack/John Trotter, inventor and van Rhijn household footman

Jack’s continued journey is what the “downstairs” aspect of this show really needed this season: a breakout story. I’ll admit I’m nervous about how green Jack is concerning the business world. But now I’m not just watching what happens to him; I’m really rooting for him, wanting him to press onward and upward! (And hoping a certain Miss Bridget gets to be a positive part of that. 😉 )

A clip of Jack from Season Two

I also have to say—I got closer to getting attached to Marian Brook. My respect for her as a woman of purpose went up last season, and some more this season. Plus, the readiness and downright mettle she shows during a high-action, critical Season Three emergency is fire!

But, alas, I feel like this season tries too hard in giving her an “imagine the worst and stubbornly refuse to seek a full explanation about what really happened” situation. Granted, I understand why, in this case, Marian isn’t as levelheaded as such a smart young woman could be. But I think her stubbornness here goes beyond what would feel more natural for her character at this point in her journey, to force heightened drama into the plot and to contrive and stretch out a “will they, won’t they” scenario.

Maybe better luck next season, Marian?

A recap of where Marian’s story begins…

Can You Feel the Feels Tonight?

Now, I could go on (and on!) about all that I think and suspect regarding the abundantly wealthy characters George and Bertha Russell. I’ve seen plenty of the show’s fans who are #TeamGeorge and plenty who are #TeamBertha this season.

On that front, I’m #TeamNeither. I’m not personally rooting for or emotionally attached to either of them. But do I have feelings (and convictions!) related to the conflict in their story this season? Definitely! Too much for this one blog post—though if anyone reading the post wants to comment on the matter of the Russell couple and their children, especially Gladys, we can talk. 😀

But a key thing that really strikes me is this: Although so many of us audience members don’t share the same feelings about each of the characters and what’s happening on this show, we have feelings.

The Gilded Age is making us feel. Not just about a bunch of fictional characters, but about the real-life issues the show is tackling through story. And I’m here for it.

If you want to get on The Gilded Age train, do start with Season One. And know that the show gets better as the train chugs down the tracks from one season to the next.

| Content Note

The series has an overall TV-MA rating, but that’s apparently on account of one scene in Season One that shows a woman’s bare chest. Otherwise, The Gilded Age is free of profanity and onscreen sex, and the occasional violence isn’t gratuitous.