SPOILER ALERT: A Summary of Season 3 Finale of The Gilded Age

The highly anticipated season 3 finale of HBO's drama series, The Gilded Age, has left fans reeling with a shocking twist. After the joyful celebrations following Gladys' marriage, the curtain falls on a cliffhanger that sets the stage for the next chapter in the lives of the wealthy and influential Agustín McCullough family.

A Celebration Turns Sour

The season finale picks up where the previous episode left off, with Gladys (Carrie Coon) finally tying the knot with her beloved Agustín (Jack Lowden). The lavish wedding celebration has brought together friends and family from all corners of New York society. As the champagne flows and the music plays, it seems as though everything is perfect.

However, beneath the surface, tensions simmer. The newlyweds' happiness is short-lived, as a series of events begins to unravel their seemingly idyllic marriage. One of these events involves Gladys's long-lost brother, Lawrence (Bennett Siler), who has returned from his travels and is seeking financial assistance.

A Glimpse into the McCullough Family's Dark Past

Throughout season 3, viewers have been privy to glimpses into the troubled history of the Agustín McCullough family. The family's patriarch, George McCullough (Morgan Spector), has a reputation for ruthlessness and cunning.

As the series progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that this legacy of deceit and corruption runs deep within the family. The season finale drops a bombshell: Lawrence's return is more than just a coincidence. He has come to exact revenge on his family members, whom he holds responsible for past betrayals.

A Web of Deceit and Betrayal

The revelation that Lawrence's true intentions are sinister sets off a chain reaction of events that exposes the dark underbelly of the McCullough family. Alliances are tested, and relationships are strained to breaking point.

In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Agustín's involvement in his father's shady business dealings may be more than just coincidence. The family's patriarch has been using their wealth and influence to manipulate those around them, including their own son.

Gladys at the Center of the Storm

As the dust settles on the McCullough family's dark secrets, Gladys finds herself caught in the midst of a maelstrom. Her marriage to Agustín is put to the test as she struggles to reconcile her loyalty to her family with her love for her husband.

In a stunning turn of events, it becomes clear that Gladys's past is not as clean as she had initially seemed. A shocking secret from her childhood threatens to upend everything she thought she knew about herself and her place in the world.

A New Chapter Unfolds

The season 3 finale ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager for more. As the camera pans out, we see Gladys standing alone, her eyes fixed on some unknown horizon. The screen fades to black, and the audience is left wondering what the future holds for this complex and intriguing protagonist.

Will Gladys find happiness with Agustín? Can she reconcile her family's dark past with her own values? And what secrets will be revealed about Lawrence's mysterious return?

The answers to these questions and more will have to wait until season 4, when The Gilded Age returns to HBO.