Amid their domestic quibbles, Agnes and Ada welcome the Scotts into their home. Bertha and George disagree about Gladys' future.
Bertha dictating the terms of Gladys' engagement is one of the ways in which she wields power. It's not the only way as was seen in the opera wars last season. She built her success in society. Now when rumors are reported about her family, people are interested. She fans the flames of the story. She is accustomed to getting what she wants. She makes things happen. Everything works out to her benefit because of the work she puts in. That's in contrast to Aurora who struggles to lie about where her husband has been. She is left embarrassed when Charles walks into the party. He has stated what he wants. Aurora refuses to accept the end of her marriage. That ends her good standing in society too. She is without control. Meanwhile, Bertha seeks to empower her daughter through her schemes. This is all about securing her future. Bertha had the ability to marry for love. She denies that for Gladys. The stakes are simply too high now. Bertha surrounds herself with people who prop her up. They encourage her impulses. The family is left behind to face what she decides is best. To her, Gladys doesn't know what the world is truly like. As such, she has to forge a path for her.
Gladys ran away like a petulant child. Bertha scolds her. She dismisses her concerns. She doesn't see Billy Carlton as a man worthy of marrying into the family. George made a promise. He returns to New York to see all that has unfolded in his absence. He has plenty to worry about himself. He has a vision of connecting the entire country through his railroads. It's a risky venture. One that requires more assets than he currently has. Banks are collapsing. The market remains volatile. Yet he has his eyes set on the future. He sees it clearly. Bertha continually blindsides him. He asks repeatedly if she has told him everything about her plans for Gladys. She continues to withhold information. She operates with the most influence and power. This is what provides her life with meaning. She must take ahold of the opportunity. She can't let it be wasted. George is willing to hear Billy's argument. In the end, Billy lacked the conviction to advocate for himself and Gladys. He faded away upon contact with this world. Gladys deserves someone who can stand up for what she wants. She relies on her father. Yet he remains in the dark too. It's not out of disinterest. Bertha simply remains a force of nature while plotting.
Bertha needs to mold Gladys into the most influential woman in the world. That's not what Gladys wants. Again, she doesn't factor that into her decision making at all. Moreover, Larry is given the freedom to pursue his own interests. He provides cover for Gladys when she needs to sneak away and be with Billy. That too ends in heartbreak. Larry is there as the supportive brother. This all remains very isolating. The figures of this family stand opposed to each other instead of in complete loyalty. Part of that is driven by the ambitions of the parents. Larry and Gladys are cautious about disappointing them. They seek to showcase their own maturity. It's often too late to do anything about what has already been done. Marian is the only guest allowed to the dinner welcoming the Duke. She shares with Ada her new love. It's very exciting. Larry takes any opportunity to spend a moment with Marian. She doesn't want to rush into things. The Forte household uplifts one another and their staff. That's a refreshing dynamic too. It's not perfect. Agnes and Ada butt heads over who is in charge. It's a lot of change for Agnes to accept. Oscar wallows in his misery. Yet they all support Jack and Peggy taking time off to pursue their passions. They don't hesitate in doing so.
Peggy's illness is serious. It's enough for her parents to question whether Agnes and Ada acted with enough urgency in a timely manner. They arrived at the appropriate response. Their response is genuine. They don't have ulterior motives framed by implicit bias. Yet that concern is still prevalent. Arthur demands respect as well as an acknowledgement of the truth. They were invited. So, it's only right to walk through the front door. Dorothy remains skeptical. She doesn't want to upset what has been a place Peggy enjoys going to outside of their home. She knows Agnes' understanding as a mother will overcome anything else. It's heartbreaking as Agnes recounts the time Oscar was ill. The doctors couldn't do anything to treat him. It's a moment of pure reflection and honesty. This household has faced its fair share of tragedy. Agnes lashes out at anyone who tries to upset her understanding of the world. She sees the simplicity in having manners and being polite to everyone. Yet she is cutting with her words towards Ada. Everyone dismisses Ada's support for the temperance movement. Her passion is obviously misplaced. It helps her feel connected to Luke. A lot has changed for her too. She is finding her voice. She has power to wield. She must do so responsibly. She can't be naive to the world. She can't expect things from others either. She should be firm in her convictions while understanding of those who face their own struggles without judgment.
