George Russell’s Crisis: The Gilded Age Season Finale Shakes Marriage & Ambitions

The Gilded Age’s George Russell Is Facing His Toughest Battle Yet—And It’s Not Just Business

If you’ve been watching The Gilded Age, you know the Russell family has had their share of ups and downs this season. But George Russell, played by Morgan Spector, has had perhaps the most intense ride of all — and the season finale shows him confronting more than just external troubles. As Spector puts it, “What’s at play there is somebody who’s really in an existential crisis.”

The Season That Shook the Russells

From the jump, the Russells have been through it. Bertha (Carrie Coon) forcing Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) into marrying the Duke of Buckingham was just the beginning. George, who usually carries the weight of the family’s business empire with a cool, calculating hand, had to sign off on his daughter marrying a man she didn’t love. That’s a hard pill to swallow, and it sets the tone for the growing tension in both his family and his business.

At the same time, George’s once-solid financial empire is crumbling. He’s caught in a fierce battle over mining interests out West, fighting to keep his business afloat. But that’s not all—he makes a major mistake when he fires his longtime confidant and right-hand man, Richard Clay (Patrick Page). That choice isn’t just about losing an employee; it cracks open the foundation of his marriage to Bertha and shakes the entire family dynamic.

The Business-Marraige Collision

George’s usual approach is all about strategy: he’s “calm, very cool-headed,” able to assess situations and decide when to press on or when to back off. But this season, he bulldozes ahead despite better judgment. The cost? Losing Clay and endangering his marriage.

Spector explains it like this: “There’s something about where he’s gotten in terms of his own business success that has driven him a little crazy.”

And that craziness spills over into home life. The business stress makes George more sensitive and reactive in his marriage. He openly accuses Bertha of being ruthlessly ambitious, even though, as Spector notes, “Of course, it’s hypocritical.” George expects the home to be a sacred place, free of ambition, but for Bertha, the domestic sphere is the arena of her ambition.

This clash of values is at the heart of their conflict.

Clash of Values: Bertha vs. George

Bertha’s ambition is fierce, but it’s fueled by love — love for her family and their future. She pushes Gladys into a strategic marriage not just for social status but to help George’s business interests. Carrie Coon, who plays Bertha, sums it up perfectly: “Everything Bertha has done for Gladys is actually out of love.”

Bertha’s vision is complicated. She’s playing the long game to solidify their place in society, which in turn supports George’s business goals. But she fails to realize how far apart they really are emotionally. “It’s not purely ambition,” Coon says. “She feels profoundly misunderstood.”

On the other side, George insists, “I’m ruthless in business but not with the people I love.” Bertha counters sharply, “I’m ruthless for the people I love.”

The space where George sees sanctuary, Bertha sees as her battlefield. Neither fully understands the other’s viewpoint, and the result is emotional wounds that cut deep.

The Shooting: A Turning Point

Then comes a shocking moment that escalates everything — George is shot at point-blank range in the penultimate episode. The assailant? It appears to be a man hired by Clay, adding layers to the betrayal.

The season finale brings a tense surgery scene as Dr. Kirkland (Jordan Donica) works to save George’s life. The bullet is removed, and George survives.

You’d think this near-death experience would bring some clarity and healing. Bertha is determined to save their marriage. Gladys is happily married and expecting a baby. Marian and Larry are reconciling, and Bertha even welcomes Marian as a potential partner for Larry at her Newport Ball.

But George’s reaction? It’s complicated.

George’s Existential Crisis

Despite the seemingly peaceful surface, George is spiraling internally. At the Newport Ball, he makes it clear he’s only there to protect business interests — not because he’s emotionally invested. Then, without a word of goodbye, he rides back to town with Larry, leaving Bertha behind.

Why isn’t Gladys’ happiness or Bertha’s apparent change enough for him?

Morgan Spector sheds light on this: George’s near-death moment makes him question whether he’s truly living by his values. “Does the way I actually live my life accord with my values?” That question haunts him. He’s wrestling with failing to live up to his own moral code.

Spector adds, “It shakes him about his relationship with himself. That’s what’s at play there — somebody who’s really in an existential crisis. It’s not just his marriage.”

Bertha’s Relentless Fight

If you’re betting on Bertha to just throw in the towel, think again. Carrie Coon promises, “Bertha is pretty relentless.”

Having come close to losing George, Bertha is more convinced than ever that their future is together. “That experience has solidified her belief in their inevitable future,” Coon explains.

But heartbreakingly, as the season closes, George walks away from her—an ending that Spector calls “really sad.”

What’s Next for the Russells?

Thankfully, The Gilded Age has been renewed for a fourth season. That means the story isn’t over. Will George and Bertha find their way back to each other? Will their marriage survive these seismic shifts?

Spector is optimistic about exploring that journey: “It’s going to be a process. I would love to see a season where we chart that difficult journey back to each other.”

So, buckle up. The Russells aren’t done fighting — for love, for family, and for their legacy.

Quick Recap: What You Need to Know

• George Russell survives being shot but enters an existential crisis, questioning his marriage and values.

• Bertha is pushing ahead with social ambitions for the family, but George struggles to reconcile business and home.

• The firing of Richard Clay fractures George’s business and personal life.

• Gladys is happily married and pregnant, Marian and Larry reconcile, but George remains unsettled.

• The season finale ends with George distancing himself from Bertha despite outward appearances of peace.

• The show has been renewed, promising more drama in season four.