Entertainment

The Gilded Age’s Replacement For George & Bertha Russell Is Already Perfect After 1 Episode

Nairavoice · Nov 3, 2026 · 4 min read

Warning: SPOILERS for The Gilded Age Season 1, Episode 1 – “Ring The Bells”

The Gilded Age season 4 premiere minted a new power couple that’s already a perfect replacement for George (Morgan Spector) and Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon). The fourth season of The Gilded Age picks up about nine months after season 3’s ending, when Oscar Van Rhijn (Blake Ritson) proposes forming “a fighting pair” with his old ally, Enid Winterton (Kelley Curran).

For the first three seasons of The Gilded Age, Bertha and George Russell reigned as the most powerful and the happiest marriage in New York society. The new money tycoon and his ambitious wife were equally ruthless; George’s cut-throat tactics running Russell Industries were matched by Bertha’s single-minded pursuit of ruling status over society’s wealthy elite.

However, the tiny fissures in the Russells’ marriage became seismic in The Gilded Age season 3. George was furious at Bertha for essentially selling their daughter, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga), to Hector, Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), whom George also financially rescued. After George survived an assassination attempt, he separated from Bertha. They’re still an ocean apart when The Gilded Age season 4 begins.

Oscar & Enid Van Rhijn Are Already A Perfect Replacement For George & Bertha Russell

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    Image via HBO</figure>

The Gilded Age season 4 kicked off with something Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) feared she’d never live to see: her son Oscar getting married. Oscar and Enid officially became the new Mr. and Mrs. Van Rhijn. As they planned, it was a fusion of his family’s name value and power in society with the wealth she inherited from her late husband. Oscar couldn’t have asked for a better wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Rhijn were triumphant in The Gilded Age season 4’s premiere, and Oscar and Enid are as much fun together as audiences hope. Oscar is a charmer, but Enid also knows how to play the game and win over their admirers. The Van Rhijns also threw a better party with a younger crowd in Webster Hall. Enid and Oscar are a welcome infusion of chaotic revelry in The Gilded Age.

Oscar and Enid aren’t shy about gunning for the Russells and taking them down, having already heard about the cracks in George and Bertha’s marriage. Just as Bertha dazzled society with posh dinners and extravagant balls, Oscar and Enid decided to make their own mark by throwing cutting-edge salons for society’s youthful set, where they “can serve cocktails!” Oscar said excitedly.

With George Russell having found his would-be assassin, he still has no intention of living with Bertha, so their marriage doesn’t look to be repaired any time soon. Meanwhile, Oscar and Enid bring youth and style to society. As a couple, they have the raw ambition that George and Bertha used to have together. In just one episode of The Gilded Age, the Van Rhijns became the happiest new power couple in New York.

Will Oscar & Enid’s Happy Marriage Last In The Gilded Age?

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    Image via HBO</figure>

It’s early days for the new Mr. and Mrs. Van Rhijn, but thus far, their private arrangement seems to be working. Enid is fully aware that Oscar is gay, and wants to have dalliances at the lake house left to him by his dead former lover, John Adams (Claybourne Elder). Oscar has no intention of consummating his marriage to Enid.

There was a hint that the new Mrs. Van Rhijn may not always be satisfied with Oscar deferring his husbandly duties.

For her part, Enid indulges Oscar’s sexual preference, and is fine with their marriage as is. However, at the end of The Gilded Age season 4‘s premiere, when the Van Rhijns retired to their separate rooms in Enid’s palatial home, there was a hint that the new Mrs. Van Rhijn may not always be satisfied with Oscar deferring his husbandly duties.

Enid is still young and beautiful, and it’s understandable if she wants a romantic partner of her own, especially if Oscar is free to pursue other men. If Enid chooses a lover, it could shift the balance of power in her marriage to Oscar, since he is bound to be jealous. There’s also the question of what happens if Enid decides she wants a child, whether with Oscar or another man, who would inherit the Van Rhijn name.

Another wrench in Oscar and Enid’s marriage could be Agnes Van Rhijn, who confronted her new daughter-in-law about being Turner, Bertha’s lady’s maid. Enid placated Agnes by promising to finance her dinner with President Grover Cleveland (Jim Gaffigan). While Oscar and Enid seemed charmed and on the ascent right now, the Van Rhijns’ marriage could get bumpy as The Gilded Age season 4 continues.

New episodes of The Gilded Age season 4 premiere Sundays @ 9pm ET on HBO and HBO Max.