Bertha's New Enemy In The Gilded Age Just Became An Even Bigger Threat

Warning: SPOILERS for The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 4 – “Marriage Is a Gamble.”

Bertha Russell is a driving force in The Gilded Age, and season 3 has given her an unexpected enemy that is growing more troubling by the episode. Bertha Russell has always set her sights on being at the top of New York’s high society, and The Gilded Age season 3 has now seen her achieve that goal.

The Gilded Age season 3, episode 3’s ending, saw Gladys Russell accept Hector, Duke of Buckingham’s proposal, meaning that Bertha is even tied to nobility now. While her actions have cemented her as one of The Gilded Age‘s most powerful characters, even Bertha has run into trouble thanks to a faceless enemy.

Why Bertha’s New Enemy Became An Even Bigger Threat To The Russells

The Leaks In The Papers Are Becoming More Intrusive

At the beginning of The Gilded Age season 3, news of Gladys Russell’s potential marriage to the Duke of Buckingham began to appear in New York’s newpapers, despite the couple not actually becoming engaged yet. From there, various new rumors about the Russell family’s lives, particularly Gladys’, began to circulate more frequently, with the mystery gaining importance in each new episode.

Carrie Coon as Bertha wearing an embroidered red cloak in The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age Season 3 Secretly Introduces A New Enemy To Bertha

Someone is spilling Bertha and the Russell family’s secrets to the newspapers in The Gilded Age season 3, but who is this mystery insider?

With the initial brief mentions of Gladys and the Duke in the papers, my theory was that Bertha herself was behind the leaks. After all, any press and public speculation about Gladys and the Duke would bring favorable attention to the Russell household. However, The Gilded Age season 3, episode 4 now makes that theory very unlikely.

While the papers did get everyone talking about the Russells and Bertha did not seem too bothered by it initially, The Gilded Age season 3, episode 4, shows that she is just as confused and angry about the information as everyone else. Additionally, the intimate details about Gladys’ wedding preparation mean that Bertha is now out to catch the culprit.

Who Is Leaking Bertha Russell’s Secrets To New York’s Newspapers?

There Are A Few Suspects Who Have Access To The Information

Now that it seems very unlikely that Bertha Russell herself is behind the leaks, that opens up many possibilities about who the source could be. There are many people who could wish Bertha or George Russell ill and are looking for revenge. There are just as many people who could wish to use their gossip to profit.

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The Gilded Age season 3 episode 3 ends on an accidental moment for Gladys Russell, but is it an ill omen or a sign of things to come?

At the beginning of The Gilded Age season 3, Gladys Russell herself seemed a possibility, as she was clearly unhappy about being forced to marry the Duke. Perhaps by leaking information, Gladys hoped to stop her mother’s plan, but her decision to marry the Duke at the end of the episode ruled her out as well.

Taissa Farmiga as Gladys and Carrie Coon as Bertha in The Gilded Age

Why Carrie Coon Backs Bertha’s Controversial Gilded Age Season 3 Choices

Bertha Russell plans to marry her daughter to the Duke of Buckingham in The The Gilded Age season 3, and Carrie Coon explains Bertha’s rationale.

Larry Russell and George Russell are also potential suspects, though they both seem unlikely as well. Larry and George have expressed that they are not happy with Bertha’s decision to force Gladys to marry the Duke. However, neither has ever been strong enough to completely go against Bertha, so it would be surprising if either was the leak.

The most likely source of Bertha Russell’s leak is a member of the Russell household staff, but the question is who.

The most likely source of Bertha Russell’s leak is a member of the Russell household staff, but the question is who. The leak would need to have intimate knowledge of Bertha and Gladys’ lives in particular, so it seems possible that either of their lady’s maids, Adelheid or Miss Andre, is selling information in The Gilded Age season 3.