The seventh episode of The Gilded Age‘s third season, “Excommunicated,” proves the series is at its most compelling when its opulent world is on the verge of collapse. It masterfully builds tension around two distinct but connected forms of violence: the slow, methodical blade of social execution and the sudden, brutal roar of a gunshot. The result is a stunning hour of television that ends with the show’s most dramatic cliffhanger to date.
Social Execution by the Book
The episode’s narrative engine is the historical scandal of Ward McAllister’s 1890 tell-all book, Society As I Have Found It. The series cleverly captures the true nature of the controversy. The real scandal wasn’t sordid affairs, but something far more offensive to the elite: the demystification of their customs and, worst of all, an open discussion of money. Mrs. Astor’s fury is palpable as she orchestrates McAllister’s social demise. This provides the perfect opening for Bertha Russell, whose calculated power play—taking over Mrs. Astor’s ball while coldly informing McAllister he is not invited—is a chilling highlight.
Cracks in the Foundation
While society fractures publicly, the foundations of the great houses crack under private pressure. The once-unshakable partnership of George and Bertha shows visible strain under the threat of financial ruin, making his eventual triumph over his business rivals all the more potent. In the van Rhijn house, the episode finds its emotional core in a powerful scene between Marian and Ada. After Marian considers a life as a “spinster,” Ada delivers a devastatingly poignant monologue on the profound loneliness of such a life, urging her niece not to give up on love. It is a standout moment that adds immense depth to Ada’s character as she continues to grow into her new role as lady of the house.
From Heartbreak to Gunfire
The episode handles its most sensitive storyline—Oscar’s grief over the death of John Adams—with poignant sensitivity. His emotional breakdown in front of his family is heartbreaking, and the silent, dawning realization on Agnes’s face speaks volumes. It is a masterclass in subtle performance, suggesting a long-held secret is finally bubbling to the surface. But “Excommunicated” saves its most visceral shock for the final moments. After an hour of watching characters wage war with whispers and snubs, the sudden eruption of gunfire in George Russell’s office is jarring and brutal. The scene is a stark reminder that for all its decorum, the Gilded Age was an era of violent conflict, echoing historical events like the attempted assassination of industrialist Henry Clay Frick.
With George Russell’s life hanging in the balance, the series has set a new, perilous standard, leaving audiences to anxiously await the consequences of an age where fortunes—and lives—can be lost in an instant.
