The Gilded Age season 3’s finale ended with what Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) thought was her greatest triumph turning into the most dire crisis her marriage to George Russell (Morgan Spector) has ever faced. As George recovered from a gunshot wound, Bertha hosted a successful Newport Ball with her daughter, Gladys, Duchess of Buckingham (Taissa Farmiga), and Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb) in attendance.

Bertha’s magnificent soirée saw her end New York society’s ban on divorced women, as she invited Aurora Fane (Kelli O’Hara) and Charlotte Dreyton (Hannah Shealy) to attend. Bowing to pressure and to honor her daughter, Mrs. Astor (Donna Murphy), swallowed her pride and attended the Russells’ ball. This cemented Bertha’s stature as the most influential new leader in New York high society.

Meanwhile, Peggy Scott’s (Denee Benton) heartbreak at her own Newport Ball turned to sheer joy as Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica) made the pivotal choice to deny his mother, Elizabeth Kirkland (Phylicia Rashad), in favor of his own happiness. With The Gilded Age season 4 officially ordered by HBO, here are the major happenings of The Gilded Age season 3’s finale, and what they mean.

George Russell Leaves Bertha Despite Her Being Right About Gladys & The Duke

George Can’t Forgive Bertha Or Himself

George Russell appeared no worse for wear at Bertha’s ball to support his wife in her moment of glory, never betraying the decision he had already made. The next morning, George dropped the bombshell that after his near-death experience, he can’t forgive Bertha or himself for forcing Gladys into an arranged marriage. Despite George admitting that Gladys and the Duke are happy together, George nursed his resentment of Bertha throughout The Gilded Age season 3.

Though they did not utter the word “divorce,” this may be where George and Bertha are headed in The Gilded Age season 4. It’s a devastating turn of events for what was the most ironclad marriage in The Gilded Age. Bertha argued that she is “ruthless for” the people she loves, while George claimed he’s only ruthless in business. Yet George’s animosity towards Bertha is in itself ruthless.

Dr. William Kirkland Proposes To Peggy Scott

Kirkland Defies His Mother For Love

Peggy Scott will become Mrs. William Kirkland as she accepted the physician’s proposal. William never stopped loving Peggy, and only needed time and perspective after his mother, Elizabeth, callously revealed Miss Scott’s past to break them up. Thankfully, William’s father, Fredrick (Brian Stokes Mitchell), told off his domineering wife and stopped her from interfering with their son’s happiness.

Dr. William Kirkland received an untold sum of money as a thank you from George Russell for saving his life.

Peggy needed this validation after wearing what amounted to a scarlet letter as an unwed mother who lost her son. Miss Scott deserves happiness, especially as she distances herself from her former employer, Thomas Fortune (Sullivan Jones). William has been true blue to Peggy all along, and they deserve to be together.

Gladys, Duchess of Buckingham, Is Pregnant

Gladys & Hector Are Truly Happy Together

Bertha’s master plan to wed Gladys to the Duke of Buckingham was callous towards her only daughter, but the Russell matriarch has been validated. After a difficult beginning and adjustment to life at Sidmouth Castle, England, Gladys and Hector’s marriage is a happy one, and she is now pregnant. This further ties the Russells to the Buckinghams, as Gladys will be the mother to Hector’s heir.

Gladys needed Bertha’s help when she first moved to England and was dominated by Hector’s sister, Lady Sarah Vere (Hattie Morahan). When her mother came to the rescue, Gladys found the backbone to stand up to Sarah and assert herself as the Duchess of Buckingham. Bertha also restored Adelheid (Erin Wilhelmi) as Gladys’ lady’s maid. But when The Gilded Age season 3 ended, Gladys didn’t yet realize her father had left her mother,

Agnes Van Rhijn Officially Makes Ada Forte Head Of The Family

The Torch Is Passed From Sister To Sister

Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) spent The Gilded Age season 3 coping with the loss of her money and stature, as her sister, Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), became the breadwinner of the Van Rhijn household. In The Gilded Age season 3’s finale, Agnes officially stepped aside out of love for her sister, so that Ada is now the matriarch of the family.

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Agnes giving her sister the validation she deserved was because Ada secretly supported Agnes to become the new President of the New York Heritage Society. This restored Agnes’ stature in society without disclosing the loss of her fortune, which Ada is secretly compensating financially. Agnes and Ada united in The Gilded Age season 3’s finale was a heartwarming moment that was truly earned.

Oscar Van Rhijn & Enid Winterton Renew Their Alliance

They’re “A Fighting Pair”

Back in The Gilded Age season 1, Oscar Van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) allied with Enid Turner (Kelly Curran), Bertha Russell’s lady’s maid, when he tried, in vain, to marry Gladys. In The Gilded Age season 3’s finale, Oscar and Turner, who is now the widowed and wealthy Mrs. Enid Winterton, renewed their alliance with a new twist: to marry and become “a fighting pair” in New York high society.

Oscar’s former lover, John Adams (Claybourne Elder), was suddenly killed in The Gilded Age season 3, episode 6, but left Oscar with a cottage to serve as his private sanctuary.

In Enid, Oscar gets what he always wanted: a wife with money and status in society who will look away from the fact that he is gay. For Mrs. Winterton, who was merely a servant just a short time ago, Oscar has the connections she lost when her elderly husband, Joshua (Dakin Matthews), died. The resumption of Oscar and Enid as partners is an exciting development going into The Gilded Age season 4.

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Jack Trotter Welcomes Bridget To His New Home

In Jack’s House, Bridget Is Not A Servant

Jack Trotter (Ben Ahlers) earned $300,000 and became a self-made wealthy man from his alarm clock invention in The Gilded Age season 3. Yet, despite now owning his own home with servants, Jack still visits his friends at the Van Rhijn household. When Bridget (Taylor Richardson) came to Jack at his home, he welcomed her as his guest, setting up a possible romance.

In The Gilded Age season 1, Jack fancied Bridget, but she didn’t want a relationship, alluding to trauma from her past. Jack attempted a love match with the Russells’ servant, Adelheid, but she rejected him and resented Jack’s ambition to rise in society. Now, Bridget sees Jack with new eyes and a new appreciation. Perhaps Jack will marry Bridget in The Gilded Age season 4.

Larry Russell & Marian Brook Reconcile, But Don’t Marry (Yet)

They Need Time To Solve Their Trust Issues

Larry Russell (Harry Richardson) and Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) seemed like an ideal couple before a misunderstanding led to Marian breaking off their engagement. Larry, in turn, was hurt by Marian’s lack of trust and willingness to immediately walk away without explanation. Harry was also offended that Marian believed Jack, her ex-footman, instead of taking him at his word.

At Bertha’s ball, however, Larry and Marian tentatively reconciled, although they stopped short of resuming their engagement. Maturely, Larry and Marian recognize they have problems that they need time to solve. After Gladys’ wedding and Peggy Scott’s proposal, The Gilded Age season 3 backburnered Larry and Marian’s potential nuptials, but perhaps Marian will become Mrs. Russell in The Gilded Age season 4.

The Gilded Age Season 4 Has A Big George Russell Mystery To Resolve

Who Shot George Russell?

The Gilded Age season 3 ends with the shocker of George Russell walking out on Bertha, but it left another matter unresolved: Who tried to have George killed? A man burst into Russell’s office and shot him at the end of The Gilded Age season 3, episode 7, “Ex-Communicated.” Someone gave the order, but no answers were revealed in The Gilded Age season 3’s finale.

A robber baron tycoon like George Russell has many enemies, and his former assistant, Richard Clay (Patrick Page), tops the list of George’s haters. No doubt, Mr. Russell will eventually find out who tried to have him assassinated, and the answer is one of the many twists and moments audiences greatly anticipate in The Gilded Age season 4.