The Gilded Age Would Make a Big Mistake Posing Bertha As The Main Villain

Summary:

• The Gilded Age is an HBO period drama from The Downton Abbey ’s creator Julian Fellowes.
• Bertha and George Russels are one of the central couples of the show.
• Bertha’s ambition to settle down in society leads her to be wrongfully perceived as evil.
• Judging by the second season’s finale, fans are afraid of Bertha being painted as a villain in an upcoming season 3.

No period drama would survive without a good dose of romance and a good dose of intrigue. If all the characters were nice to each other, not only would the shows be too boring to watch, but they would also be completely untrue to human nature.

Coming from different backgrounds and having different personalities, people tend to become competitive and even hostile towards each other. Especially when there is a lot to lose.

For the men and women of American society in the 1880s, their reputation was definitely one of the main sources that opened every door and gave them access to all the best things imaginable. No matter how much money they made, they still had to prove themselves to society, and that's what The Gilded Age's Bertha Russel struggled with the most.

Bertha and Gladys In The Gilded Age Season 3

From the beginning, it was clear that Bertha was domineering over her daughter's wishes and ambitions, using her as an instrument to advance her family. Although she is not portrayed as a particularly good mother, she never shows any real cruelty towards Gladys. That was until she made a deal with the Duke.

Promising her daughter to the Duke under some sort of condition that would help the Russells climb even higher up the social ladder is something very much in character for Bertha. Following through with that decision would be a more difficult question.

So far, she's been portrayed as a complex, gray character who has some morals but isn't afraid to turn a blind eye to immorality in order to support herself. Coming from humble beginnings, she desperately wants to become part of the community that rejects her, so her willingness to go to great lengths to do so is understandable.

However, making her ruthless enough to give up the last ounce of relationship she has with her own daughter is the line that viewers don't want to see the writers cross. While some are still hoping and praying that Bertha, smart as she is, has already come up with a plan to save Gladys from marriage, others are hoping that George will take care of it.

Unfortunately, there would be no way to avoid the conflict between the show's power couple. But if that conflict is what it takes to keep Bertha a consistent and interesting character, the audience will be willing to accept it.

As of now, there are no details on the production of The Gilded Age season 3. To see where the show will take the Russel family in the future, stay tuned for all the news and behind-the-scenes updates!