Barbara Nitke/HBO A recap ofThe Gilded Age's season 3 finale, which aired Aug. 10 Plus, all 31 thoughts this writer had while watching the drama-filled episode The Gilded Agehas been renewed for season 4 after setting record high ratings this summer Warning: This story contains spoilers forThe Gilded Age's season 3 finale. Another season ofThe Gilded Agehas come to an end. Theseason 3finale of Julian Fellowes' historical drama saw massive changes for our favorite members of elite New York society in the late 19th-century — and we're breaking them all down. Viewers discovered the fate of George Russell (Morgan Spector) after a shockingassassination attemptin the penultimate episode. There were more happy endings for pretty much every single character — unless your name is Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) or Mrs. Kirkland (Phylicia Rashad). Follow along as we recap how season 3 ended — and share what we thought along the way. Karolina Wojtasik/HBO https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf The episode began with Dr. Kirkland (Jordan Donica) and Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) rushing over to help Bertha save George's life after he was gunned down in his office. He pulled through (yay!) and recovered in time to make an appearance at the annual Newport Ball, which Bertha hosted. Bertha had taken it upon herself to end the social stigma against divorce by inviting Aurora Fane (Kelli O'Hara) and Charlotte Drayton (Hannah Shealy) — much to the chagrin of Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy), despite the latter being her daughter. After a bit of suspense over whether or not Mrs. Astor would attend, Mrs. Astor showed up as a sign of support, and Bertha's ball went off without a hitch. HBO The episode ended with Bertha's scheming finally catching up with her, as George — a changed man thanks to his brush with death — decided he was done with her plots at social ladder-climbing, especially when it comes to their children. He leaves Rhode Island to go back to the city, leaving their future uncertain. My thoughts: 1. I'm not saying to put George's life in danger every episode, but it was a nice treat to see him shirtless on a show where everyone is so dressed up all the time. Just sayin'.2. I need a whole side plot of the private investigator looking into who shot George, because I truly shuddered when George told him to look for Mr. Clay (Patrick Page) and "be as rough as you like." Yikes!3. Why did Bertha suddenly decide to take on the destigmatization of divorce as her new project?4. Will that pay off for her if she and George end up separating or, worse, divorcing?5. I'd love to know how much George paid Dr. Kirkland for saving his life.6. The one scene with Mamie Fish (Ashlie Atkinson) at the ball was simply not enough. Mamie is THAT girl, and I love her for it.7. George seems to have had an epiphany about his life, yet maintained that he's "ruthless in business" as if that's okay and that didn't just almost get him killed. But go off, king.8. The final shot of Bertha crying at the window of her Newport estate as George drives off in a carriage and dramatic music plays is exactly why I love this show.9. What are the actual chances that George and Bertha break up? These two are truly made for each other, and I mean that in the best way possible. It's their world, and we just want to be living in it. Karolina Wojtasik/HBO This season was a roller coaster for Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), who married Hector (Ben Lamb), the Duke of Buckingham, in what wasnot exactly the happiest wedding of all time. Seriously, she cried under her veil. But after Hector comforted her as they sailed back to England and stood up for her against his sister, Lady Sarah (Hattie Morahan), she seems to have warmed up to him (and so did I). Gladys and Hector arrive in Newport for Bertha's ball and greet the guests as they enter — at Bertha's request, of course. At the end of the episode, just after her dad leaves, Gladys delivers some big news to her mom: she's pregnant! My thoughts: 10. When Hector told Gladys that she had "brought a light to the place that was sorely needed" about her presence at his English estate, I swooned.11. Does this mean we won't see Lady Sarah again? I wouldn't be mad at that…12. How long does it take to get from England to New York? Because it feels like Gladysjustgot there, Bertha has already visited and come back, and now Gladys is returning for a visit. Isn't that a long trip?13. Will Gladys' pregnancy be something that brings her parents back together? Maybe they'll put their differences aside — or Bertha will change her ways — and they'll stay united for their grandchild's sake. Karolina Wojtasik/HBO It has been obvious from the beginning of the series that Marian and Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) are meant to be together. So when they got engaged earlier this season and almost immediately had a misunderstanding that threatened to ruin everything, it was only a matter of time before it was quashed. Marian and Larry seemingly moved past the hiccup during a conversation at the ball, and we, as an audience, collectively let out a sigh of relief. Larry told Marian they won't solve all of their problems that night, and they danced. My thoughts: 14. Sorry, but this "will they, won't they" dynamic between Marian and Larry never had me worried.15. Marian might need some therapy after all her past failed attempts at love, but either way, she needs to realize Larry isn't those men.16. Marian told Aurora she wouldn't leave her side at the ball, then proceeded to do exactly that the minute she saw Larry. Not a good wing-woman, if you ask me.17. Can these two just get married already? Karolina Wojtasik/HBO After his mother revealed Peggy's (Denée Benton) past to her son, he finally got to speak with her after helping save George's life. While she thought he was about to propose, instead he said he needed time to think about things. Mrs. Kirkland (Phylicia Rashad) was finally put in her place. First by Mrs. Scott (Audra McDonald) in a dress shop when Mrs. Scott told her, "perhaps you should get off your high horse." Then, her husband Mr. Kirkland (Brian Stokes Mitchell), scolded her after she showed no remorse for trying to ruin her son's relationship with Peggy as he told her, "woman, you are not above reproach." Dr. Kirkland got a pep talk from his father about living his life for himself and, at a ball, asked Mr. Scott (John Douglas Thompson) for Peggy's hand in marriage. He then proposed in the middle of the ballroom floor, and Peggy said yes. My thoughts: 18. Give Phylicia Rashad another Emmy, because I have never hated a character more than Mrs. Kirkland, which means she did a fantastic job.19. Did anyone else worry that Dr. Kirkland wasn't going to reconcile with Peggy? Yeah, I didn't either.20. There's no read like a 19th-century read, and major props to Mrs. Scott and Mr. Kirkland for letting Mrs. Kirkland HAVE IT.21. Dr. Kirkland's proposal might just be the most romantic thing I've ever seen on this show. Karolina Wojtasik/HBO It seems Oscar van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) is getting over the death of his lover John Adams (Claybourne Eldeer) because right after his breakdown (here he basically came out to his family), he went right back to his dastardly ways. He got Enid Winterton (Kelley Curran), whose rich elderly husband just died, an invite to Bertha's ball and, there, gave her a proposition she couldn't dare refuse: marry him and pretend to be together in public while living their lives separately outside of New York City. My thoughts: 22. RIP John Adams. I'm still traumatized bythat carriage accident.23. I need to see Oscar happy and in love again after he moped around for the biggest part of the season. Line up, boys!24. I want to see Oscar, Bertha and Enid scheming together more, because they are all so diabolical.25. This lavender marriage is about to be the greatest thing we've ever seen on TV, I just know it.26. When Enid asked Bertha if they could be friends and Bertha replied that "stranger things have happened," I couldn't help but cackle. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Karolina Wojtasik/HBO We've seen a power shift between sisters Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon) and Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) this season, and that seemingly concluded this episode with Agnes being asked to join the New York Heritage Society as their vice president and her finally giving Ada the seat at the head of the table. My thought: 27. I would toast to these sisters finding harmony in their dynamic again, but is Ada still on her prohibition kick? I 100% side with Agnes there. Karolina Wojtasik/HBO John "Jack" Trotter has emerged as an underdog worth rooting for on this show, having sold his clock with Larry and making himself a rich man in the process. With Marian's help, he found an estate to purchase and cemented a spot in the upper class, but he felt lonely. In the finale, he had a sweet moment with Bridget (Taylor Richardson), who visited him at his new home. My thoughts: 28. Jack visiting his old coworkers is cute, but it's also kinda like a person who goes back to visit their high school after they graduate. Move on, kid.29. I blushed when Jack told Bridget, "It feels very safe with you here," when she visited him and he pulled out a chair for her at his table.30. I'm still reeling from the fact that Jackmade nearly $10 million in today's moneyfrom selling his clock invention. After this season broke viewership records, it's already been renewed forseason 4.The Gilded Age's third season had five weeks of continued growth (a 20% growth over last season) and also reached its highest-ever weekly viewership on HBO Max, when the fifth episode secured a series high of 4 million U.S. viewers, according to its Live+3 ratings. 31. I'm praying it won't take a year and a half before season 4 graces our screens. I need more scheming and gossiping — stat. The Gilded Ageis streaming on HBO Max. Read the original article onPeople
