If you thought “The Gilded Age” was a slow cruise through New York’s most manicured parlors, Season 3, Episode 7 just threw a grenade into high society—and we’re still picking our jaws up off the drawing room rug. The penultimate episode of the HBO Max series has everything: secrets unraveling, fortunes shifting, characters excommunicated, and in true Julian Fellowes fashion, a last-minute gunshot that could change the Russell dynasty forever.
Betrayals, Bombshells, and That Game-Changing Cliffhanger
The latest episode, fittingly titled “Ex-Communicated,” leans all the way into the series’ growing strength: high-stakes drama fueled by the collision of old money, new ambitions, and secrets no fortune can keep hidden. Oscar Van Rhijn’s storyline steals the early spotlight—blindsiding his family with the depth of his grief over John Adams.
In a scene as tightly wound as a corseted ball gown, Oscar comes closest yet to outing himself in front of his mother Agnes, mourning John as more than just a friend and leaving the whole household shaken.
But it’s not all heartbreak in Manhattan’s stateliest mansions. On the Russell side, Larry’s successful copper gamble rescues the family’s finances from the brink (take that, Merricks!). Unfortunately, Marian delivers heartbreak of her own, ending their engagement with no explanation and sending Larry spiraling—while Bertha and George’s parental ambitions push their children further away.
Yet none of this compares to the episode’s final gut-punch: After regaining control of his railroad empire and outmaneuvering his rivals, George Russell gets shot in the closing moments. We’re left not knowing if the railroad kingpin survived or who pulled the trigger, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale that could upend the entire Russell dynasty and shake up Newport’s social ladder.
What Does This Mean for the Season 3 Finale of The Gilded Age?
Let’s be real: Fellowes is setting us all up for a finale where anything goes. With John Adams already unexpectedly killed off last week, absolutely no one is safe—not even the show’s biggest players.
The shooting of George leaves power plays, vendettas, and simmering family tensions on a knife’s edge. Is this the end for George? Will Bertha’s grip on society finally crack? And has Oscar’s truth finally pierced the stifling decorum of his family for good?
On top of all this, the revelation-filled roman-à-clef scandal rocks the city’s elite, courtesy of gossipy Ward McAllister. Old alliances break down, Mrs. Astor excommunicates former friends, and anxious whispers swirl about who’s next to fall from grace.
Meanwhile, Peggy and Marian’s suffrage efforts run into fresh setbacks, reflecting the intersection of personal heartbreak and societal change that’s made this season a vibrant ride.
Final Word: The stakes have never been higher, and with a record-breaking cliffhanger, “The Gilded Age” is finally matching its lush looks with juicy, unpredictable storytelling. Buckle up for the finale—because in this world, no secret stays buried for long and no fortune is ever safe!
