As Gladys' wedding draws closer, Bertha deals with unwanted rumors in the press and the surprise arrival of her sister Monica.
The Russell family was completely unknown in New York society three years ago. And now, Gladys has become a Duchess. Bertha had a vision for what her life could be. She has achieved all her wildest ambitions. She feels like celebrating. She doesn't want anyone to take away from the joyous moment she has created. The wedding is a celebration of what she has built. It's not a culmination of what Gladys deserves. She spent days in her room refusing to come out. Once the terms of the engagement were negotiated, there was nothing left for her to do. The deal had been made. She couldn't back out. George would have supported her. She's past the point of no return now. She must follow through on the marriage whether she likes it or not. Gladys and the Duke don't really know each other. She cries while walking down the aisle and during the ceremony. She still ultimately agrees. She's prepared for her wedding night. She expects pain and misery. The narrative indicates what her future will be with the introduction of Hector's cold sister who depends on him for everything. The title of nobility was all that Bertha really wanted. She has delivered. This isn't the end of the story. It closes a chapter. One where Bertha has been vindicated for all she has ever done.
The city has also received a glimpse of Bertha's past. She came from humble beginnings. She belongs in society. She thrives in this environment. She doesn't want to look back to where she came from. George built a fortune. The financial sector believes that if his business goes down then their portfolios will never recover. That's why it's risky to invest in his new project. He believes it's a local issue. One concentrated to New York. It doesn't extend throughout the rest of the country. That's where his ambitions lie. He will achieve his goals one way or another. He's ruthless that way. He acknowledges it completely. He makes no excuses for it either. Bertha is equally as ruthless. She doesn't perceive her actions like that. She proclaims she wants what's best for Gladys. This marriage will provide her with an incredible life. One that would have seemed impossible many years ago. It's a victory for her. It's devastating to the rest of the family. Sure, everyone goes along. They follow the steps of this ceremony. No one is particularly happy. They see the turmoil all over Gladys' face. Bertha refuses to do so. She is blinded by her own drive. That's what this has always been about. She can't be humbled or embarrassed. She can't allow her sister to wear the same dress on multiple occasions. She didn't even want Monica to attend. George and Larry are the ones who came forward to try to mend this family.
The wedding dominates the episode. As such, the stories that aren't particularly connected to it feel more tangential than usual. Peggy and her family in Newport are a bit more isolated. It remains a fascinating story. Peggy continues to use her voice to inspire others. The family keeps clashing with Elizabeth. She makes her opinions known. She's disappointed that her son has fallen in love with someone who doesn't seem to prioritize being a wife and mother. Peggy has those ambitions. She doesn't want to limit herself solely to them. She has always operated with her own agency. She believes in the goal of one day being able to vote. Elizabeth is content with her life in Newport. She has the luxury of pretending the rest of the world doesn't exist. She's still informed by that past. The entire community is. Peggy offers something more. That's an exciting prospect. One that potentially channels ideals into actions. Aurora may view Newport as a place for those scandalized to live out the rest of their days. However, she still has connections and interests worth keeping her engaged in life. She has the potential to see the world differently. Everyone does. The narrative keeps the divides up. Yet the various aspects of the world build up to a more cohesive whole.
Everything can change in an instant too. Jack saw himself in the clock business for the rest of his life. His invention and patent are sold. He suddenly has more money than Ada. He no longer has to work as a footman. He doesn't know what to do next. He doesn't even know how to tell the rest of the household about the happy news. Mrs. Bauer is the only one who knows. She will keep the secret. It's unlikely to be hidden for much longer. Jack will have to figure out what to do next. His partnership with Larry actually worked out. Larry negotiated a solid deal for both of them. He wasn't distracted or out of his depth when the offer emerged. Change has worked out for him. Similarly, Bertha has started to see how useful Marian can be. She's still hesitant about accepting her as part of the family. The possibility still exists. Yet not all change is beneficial. Scandal falls onto Mrs. Astor when the paper reports on her daughter's husband challenging a man to a duel. It didn't actually occur. The scandal still fell on their house. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bruce declines Mr. Borden's proposal because she's already married. She can't abandon her husband while he's institutionalized. She's honest about that now. And finally, Ada's attempt to talk with Luke are thwarted by Agnes returning home early and kicking the medium out.
