Editor’s note: The below contains spoilers for The Gilded Age Season 3.
It’s no secret that the Russells have hit a rough patch inThe Gilded AgeSeason 3, and not the kind that can be smoothed over with some railroad tracks. Gladys' (Taissa Farmiga) forced marriagehas driven a wedgebetween Bertha (Carrie Coon) and George’s (Morgan Spector) previously iron-clad partnership, and on top of that,the railroad tycoon’s ambitions are finally outspending his fortune. Burning through cash he doesn’t have for his project to unite America and running out of options due to the recent betrayal of his longtime secretary, the great empire of George Russell appears to finally be crumbling, setting up a seismic shift inThe Gilded Age’s long-running social dynamics. That said, the Russells haven’t lost everything yet, and it’s becoming increasingly likely thatthe family’s salvation will ultimately come from the unlikeliest of sources.
Specifically,a popular fan theoryhas been making the rounds online that Marian (Louisa Jacobson) will ultimately be the savior of the Russells' future and fortune. The closest thingThe Gilded Agehas to a main protagonist, the honorary Van Rhijn’s history in HBO’s hit series may not make her the likeliest candidate for a financial rescue mission, but there’s good reason to believeshe may be exactly the trump card the Russells need. Despite her lack of personal fortune and reliance on her Aunt Agnes' (Christine Baranski) good name to remain out in society, Marian has something that could be more precious than gold inThe Gilded Age’s faltering economy, a potential treasure trove first teased in the very first scene of the series.
Revisiting the immediate aftermath of her father’s death, this theory argues that Marian’s inheritance is not as worthless as we’ve been led to believe throughout the past three seasons. Or, more specifically, thatthe speculative railroad shares Marian’s father purchased prior to his passingare now going to reappear in the narrative, playing a decisive role in securing George Russell the land and influence he requires in order to realize his vision. While these shares are initially said to be worth less than the paper on which they’re printed in Season 1,The Gilded AgeSeason 3’s focus on America’s failing banksmeans the economic tides are shifting, opening the door for a stunning reversal that could actuallysee the blunder of Marian’s father pay off for her in a big way.
It’s also important to remember that the man who first assessed Mr. Brooke’s railroad investments was none other than Mr. Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel), who, as fans already know,should not be trusted with any emotionbeyond suspicion and disdain. Moreover, while Marian’s initial discussion with her backstabbing lawyer doesn’t reveal the exact nature of her inheritance, neglecting to say whether she owns stock in a specific railroad company, land on which to build railroads, or shares of railroads that have already gone bust,this ambiguity actually makes Marian’s assistance more likely. Without tying her to a specific financial portfolio,The Gilded Agehas left room forone of its most likable charactersto rescue the Russells in any number of ways, undoubtedly boosting her own connection to the family in the process.
Marian’s Assistance Would Solidify Her Place in the Russell Household in ‘The Gilded Age’
Despite being one of the few members of high society to accept the Russells immediately and remaining by the family’s side throughout the series, Marian’s relationship with her close neighbors remains only half-complete. While George supports Larry’s (Harry Richardson) love for her and has been nothing but supportive of the match so far, like most things inThe Gilded Age,Bertha has made no secret of her displeasure. Wanting Larry to have the kind of life she has already given to Gladys, George may be drivennot to repeat his failureto save his daughter from Bertha’s machinations, but that doesn’t mean Marian has been fully accepted as a future Russell yet either. However,were Marian to salvage the Russells' financial situationby completing George’s railroad project, he would undoubtedly overrule Bertha and leave no room for argument.
The result would be an even closer relationship between George and Marian, one that builds off the boost she previously—if unwittingly—offered George’s company when she helped to resolve the aftermath of Season 1’s train crash crisis. Likewise, Marian being accepted intoa future with the Russells that Bertha didn’t planwould deliver a happy ending to a chapter of the character’s lifethat has otherwise been plagued by betrayal and confusion. As Aunt Agnes bluntly states earlier in the season, Marian has now suffered two strikes in high society, once with Mr. Raikes and the other with Season 2’s Dashiell Montgomery (David Furr). Not only would a third worsen her social standing, butit would also repeat what is quickly becoming a tired story structureof Marian spending an entire season ofThe Gilded Agechasing love, just to lose it by the end.
“There Will Be Hurdles”: ‘The Gilded Age’ Producer Dishes on the Complicated Romances of Season 3
The Julian Fellowes drama series returns to HBO this summer.
This Marian Theory Is More Likely Than It Might Seem in ‘The Gilded Age’
Of course, there are plenty of reasons not to buy into the theory that Marian will effectively buy the Russells' future. As with any fan theory, possible plot holes and narrative stretches abound. Audiences can’t be certain of what kind of portfolio Mr. Brooke left Marian, and moreover,the latest episode ofThe Gilded Agesees Marian seemingly end her engagement to Larry based on what is hopefully a misunderstanding about his visit to a brothel. Even so, the reason this theory still feels so likely is thatit embodies the optimistic toneThe Gilded Agehasn’t shied awayfrom in past and recent episodes. Just asthe newfound riches of both Jack Trotter(Ben Ahlers) and Aunt Ada (Cynthia Nixon) represent wins for wholesome characters who deserve to live comfortably,Marian’s own good fortune is long overdue.
What’s more, since the Russells have exhibited a skillful tendency to evade one crisis after another,it’s unlikely George’s most recent troubles will be any different, especially since his problems have been spiraling prior to a season finale that can resolve his scheme entirely. On the other hand, sincethe real-life socialite on whom Bertha is basedended up getting divorced from her husband, it is also possible that the Russells' problems are more than Marian can fix by herself. In that case, fans ofThe Gilded Agemay get to see Marian flex her independence in the future, withher father’s folly ultimately turning into a fortunethat secures her the resources to continue her charitable schoolwork without any need for romance at all.
The Gilded Age
