7 Things To Remember Before The Gilded Age Season 4
The Gilded Age returns for season 4 on the heels of the huge changes to New York’s upper class at the end of the third season. Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes’ historical drama became a full-fledged cultural phenomenon in season 3, garnering record ratings. The Gilded Age season 4 premieres Sunday, November 1st, on HBO. Season 4’s 8 episodes will premiere at 9 pm ET.
Season 4 of The Gilded Age includes a time jump that will bring the saga to 1886. The opening of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor will be a major historical event depicted in The Gilded Age season 4. Real-life figures who will encounter The Gilded Age‘s characters will include President Grover Cleveland (Jim Gaffigan) and oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller (Neal Huff).
However, a pair of characters who have been part of The Gilded Age since season 1 will not return: Richard Clay (Patrick Page), who was George Russell’s (Morgan Spector) cruel former secretary, and T. Thomas Fortune (Sullivan Jones), Peggy Scott’s (Denee Benton) ex-love interest and newspaper editor, have exited the series.
If you haven’t been able to rewatch The Gilded Age season 3, here’s what you need to know going into season 4.
7
Gladys, Duchess Of Buckingham Is Pregnant
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Image via HBO</figure>
Now the Duchess of Buckingham, Gladys Russell (Taissa Farmiga) told her mother, Bertha (Carrie Coon), that she is with child. Gladys’ pregnancy will play out in The Gilded Age season 4. If it’s a boy, Gladys’ son with Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), will be the future Duke.
Bertha arranging Gladys’ marriage to the Duke of Buckingham, as well as George financially supporting Hector, was a focal point of The Gilded Age season 3. However, Bertha’s ruthless ambition for Gladys turned out to be right. After a rocky start in England, Gladys and her Duke are happily married and planning their future together.
6
John Trotter Made A Fortune As An Inventor
John Trotter (Ben Ahlers) is The Gilded Age‘s embodiment of the American Dream. A true rags-to-riches story, the Van Rhijns’ footman invented a better alarm clock. Thanks to his business partner, Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), John sold his clock patent for $600,000, netting Trotter half of that tidy sum.
$300,000 in 1886 is roughly equivalent to $10 million today, adjusted for inflation.
Now a gentleman of means, John reluctantly moved into his own townhouse and must learn how to navigate society in The Gilded Age season 4. Meanwhile, Bridget (Taylor Richardson), the Van Rhijns’ maid whom Jack was sweet on, also feels the same but is now out of place in Trotter’s new life.
5
Agnes Van Rhijn Became Vice President Of The Heritage Society
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Image via HBO</figure>
Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) ended The Gilded Age season 3 with a boost in status she sorely needed. Thanks to her newly wealthy sister, Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), Agnes was named the Vice President of the Heritage Society. In The Gilded Age season 4, Agnes’ new position comes with a great honor: hosting a dinner for President Grover Cleveland.
Season 4 will continue the tug-of-war between Agnes and Ada.
In The Gilded Age season 3, Agnes ceded her position as head of her household to Ada, who is now the family’s financial power broker. Agnes was humiliated by her son, Oscar (Blake Ritson), being swindled out of the Van Rhijn family fortune. Season 4 will continue the tug-of-war between Agnes and Ada, whom the elder sister is counting on to fund President Cleveland’s gala.
4
Oscar Van Rhijn & Enid Winterton Agreed To Marry
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Image via HBO</figure>
At Bertha Russell’s Newport ball in The Gilded Age season 3 finale, Oscar Van Rhijn renewed his season 1 alliance with Enid Winterton (Kelley Curran). Oscar proposed marriage to become “a fighting pair” with the widowed Enid. The plan: with Oscar’s connections to elevate Enid in society, and the Winterton fortune backing their ambition, they could “bring New York to its knees.”
In The Gilded Age season 4, Oscar and Enid will likely become Mr. and Mrs. Van Rhijn and launch their campaign to be New York’s new power couple. Interestingly, Oscar and Enid share a grudge against George and Bertha Russell. Meanwhile, how Oscar secretly being gay will affect his personal dynamic with Enid will be fascinating to see play out.
3
Marian Brook & Larry Russell Didn’t Rekindle Their Engagement
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Image via HBO</figure>
Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) and Larry Russell broke off their engagement when she learned he lied about visiting a house of ill repute. Although nothing happened, Miss Brook didn’t believe Mr. Russell, and it created a chasm between them that wasn’t healed by the end of The Gilded Age season 3.
Larry and Marian’s trajectories in The Gilded Age season 4 isn’t clear, and whether they reconcile to renew their romance remains to be seen. For Marian, who now has three broken engagements in the past three seasons of The Gilded Age, time is running out for her to get settled into a respectable life outside of her Aunts Agnes and Ada’s home.
2
Peggy Scott & Dr. William Kirkland Are Engaged
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Image via HBO</figure>
Peggy Scott did get engaged to Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica) at the end of The Gilded Age season 3. Miss Scott and Dr. Kirkland didn’t have a smooth courtship, thanks to the meddling and machinations of his disapproving mother, Elizabeth (Phylicia Rashad). However, Peggy and William’s love won out.
Peggy and William will likely get married in The Gilded Age season 4, but it still may not be smooth sailing for them. Peggy’s writing career will climb to new heights, but Dr. Kirkland receiving a job offer in Washington, D.C. will test their relationship further. Also, Dennis Haysbert joins season 4 as Dr. Reginald Harris, William’s mentor.
1
George Russell Separated From Bertha & Is Still Looking For His Attempted Murderer
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Image via HBO</figure>
The strongest marriage in The Gilded Age broke apart when George left Bertha at the end of season 3. George resented Bertha’s ruthlessness towards her family, and hates himself for allowing Gladys to marry the Duke. Bertha being right about the Buckinghams only fueled George’s anger at his wife. While they’re not formally divorced, the Russells are living apart.
Meanwhile, George is also driven by vengeance for his attempted assassination. “Who Shot Mr. Russell?” will be answered in The Gilded Age season 4 as George hunts down his would-be killer. Mr. Russell also meets his match in business in John D. Rockefeller, who becomes his nemesis. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil could bring the entire Russell empire crashing down.
The Gilded Age season 4 premieres Sunday, November 1st, on HBO and HBO Max.
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