Warning: SPOILERS For The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 7 - “Ex-Communicated.”
The Gilded Ageseason 3 introduced a secretive new enemy to Bertha Russell, and now episode 7 has finally revealed their identity. Bertha faced several challenges inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, both from outside forces and within her own marriage, creating plenty of drama for Carrie Coon’s character.
As Bertha’s conflict with her husband, George Russell, intensified throughout The Gilded Age season 3, her family’s secrets consistently appeared in the newspapers. Luckily, the Russells' staff have been tireless in their desire to findBertha’s new enemy, andepisode 7 has finally revealed who the leak isand why they sold the Russells' secrets.
Bertha’s Secret Enemy In The Gilded Age Season 3 Was Her New Lady’s Maid
Miss André Was Selling The Russells' Secrets
Bertha Russell has had enemies before inThe Gilded Age, but typically, they have been people she can see and make a plan to defeat. From beating Mrs. Astor in the opera war in season 2, to helping Gladys outsmart Lady Sarah inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, episode 6, Bertha knows how to get what she wants.
In contrast, the unknown leak inThe Gilded Ageseason 3 posed a challenge for Bertha and the rest of the Russell household becausethey had no idea who to fight. The leak was sharing very personal information with the newspapers, though, so it became clear that it was someone within the Russell household, ultimately revealed to be Miss André.
The Russell household staff eventually figured out that it had to be Bertha’s lady’s maid, Miss André, who was selling the family’s secrets. After following her to a meeting, Mr. Church, Mrs. Bruce, and Mr. Borden confronted Miss André, and she admitted to the betrayal, officially marking her exit from the Russells' home.
Before leaving, though, Miss André shared why she chose to betray the Russells. The lady’s maid claimed that, despite liking Mrs. Russell and the staff, the money was too lucrative.She was paid $40(over $1,300 today) each time she sold information, giving her a sizable nest egg for the trouble.
Bertha Was Betrayed By Her Lady’s Maid For A Second Time
Turner And André Both Went Behind Bertha’s Back
Miss André’s betrayal of Bertha and her family is undoubtedly disappointing for the Russell household, but this isn’t the first time Bertha has been betrayed.Miss André is now Bertha’s second lady’s maid to be fired for betraying herafter Enid Turner did so inThe Gilded Ageseason 1.
Turner was after money as well, but in a very different way. She hoped to seduce George Russell, gaining money and power at the same time. George and Bertha were a stronger team then, but the repeated betrayal of Bertha’s lady’s maidshighlights the risks people are willing to take for a chance at money and power.
Turner is now Mrs. Enid Winterton after she married and moved up in New York society.
Perhaps Bertha and Mrs. Bruce’s vetting system for lady’s maid candidates is simply not great, but it does make the show more interesting. As with Turner in season 1, Bertha ultimately triumphed over her lady’s maid’s betrayal, but it is far from her only problem inThe Gilded Ageseason 3, as Miss André’s revelations made public.
