‘The Gilded Age’ Season 3 Episode 5 Spoilers: Gladys Struggles as Secrets Mount

As “The Gilded Age” season 3 hits its midpoint, tensions are rising and storylines are converging in major ways. Episode 5, titled “A Different World,” promises more change for Gladys Russell and escalating drama across Newport and New York. From society scandals to strained relationships, the HBO series shows no signs of slowing down.

Gladys Faces Her New Life as Duchess

Episode 4 ended with Gladys Russell, played by Taissa Farmiga, reluctantly going through with her marriage to Hector, the Duke. Despite hesitating and locking herself in her bedroom, Gladys ultimately caved to the pressure from society, her family, and her own heartbreak. “At the end of the day, it was just the pressure of everybody,” Farmiga told Decider. “Even her father is like, ‘You should have said, “No,” sooner.'”

Morgan Spector, who plays George Russell, echoed that sentiment, saying, “I think he’s still trying to sort of play the good guy a little bit. I actually don’t think it’s really fair what he does in that scene.”

In Episode 5, Gladys struggles to adjust to her new life and the influence of the controlling Lady Sarah. While she sails off with her new husband, her true feelings remain unclear, and fans are left wondering whether this marriage will last.

What Else Does the Season 3 Episode 5 Synopsis Reveal?

Meanwhile, Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) continues to thrive professionally. In Episode 5, she attends an event with Dr. Kirkland and receives a new opportunity from a familiar face. Her storyline continues to be one of the season’s most compelling arcs.

Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), fresh off a series of professional wins, encounters a blast from the past that may disrupt his momentum. And drama bubbles over at Mrs. Fish’s infamous Newport luncheon—a setting ripe for scandal and gossip.

Although Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon) isn’t mentioned directly in the official synopsis, will always be a main character. As always, her presence looms over every episode, especially as George faces challenges that could threaten everything they’ve built.

Midseason Trailer Promises Secrets, Lies, and New Conflicts

The “weeks ahead” trailer that premiered after episode 4 teases even more tension to come. “It turns out I didn’t know Larry as well as I thought,” Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson) says. Elsewhere, Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon) laments running a crumbling household, and Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) warns, “I feel there’s a spy around every corner.”

Peggy navigates new suitors, and Gladys adjusts to duchess life, even as secrets swirl around her new marriage. The trailer also hints at growing tension between George and Bertha, with questions about trust, ambition, and betrayal taking center stage.

New episodes of “The Gilded Age” air Sundays on HBO.