Why The Gilded Age Fans Need to Give Bertha Russell a Break

The Gilded Age returns on November 1st, and fans are still debating the controversial choices of Bertha Russell. Carrie Coon brings incredible intensity to the role, particularly regarding her push to marry off her daughter, Gladys, to the Duke of Buckingham. While many viewers see this as cold and calculating, there is a strong case to be made that Bertha is simply playing the game by the only rules that existed for women in her time.

Looking at the historical context of the period, love matches were incredibly rare among the elite. Bertha knows exactly how precarious life can be, especially coming from a background of poverty. She is not just seeking status for fun, she is trying to secure a future for her family that cannot be taken away by financial swings or societal slights. By aligning Gladys with someone like Hector, she is providing her daughter with a level of influence and security that very few women in the 19th century could ever achieve.

Bertha understands that in a sexist society, a woman's choice of husband is the most significant decision she will ever make regarding her personal agency. She vetted the Duke personally and believes she is setting her daughter up for a life of power, rather than just a life of luxury. It is a ruthless approach, but one born from a deep understanding of how the world works for women in her position.

As we head into the new season, it is worth reconsidering whether Bertha deserves the hate she gets from her own family and the audience. She is a woman who refuses to be a victim of her circumstances, and she is determined to ensure her children never have to worry about the poverty she once faced. Whether you agree with her methods or not, Bertha Russell remains one of the most compelling characters on television.