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‘The Gilded Age’ Officially Replaces Bertha and George Russell With a New Power Couple
The Season 4 premiere of *The Gilded Age* shifts attention from Bertha and George Russell, who remain separated, to newlyweds Oscar van Rhijn and Enid Winterton. Their marriage is presented as a strategic partnership that could make them a new force in New York society.
Oscar knows Enid’s working-class past, while his family name can strengthen her social standing. In return, her inheritance helps him deal with substantial debt. The pair plan to host an exclusive art salon, and their shared ambitions and willingness to defy convention set them apart from the Russells, whose influence has depended on success in different spheres.
In short
- Oscar and Enid marry in a strategic arrangement.
- Enid’s inheritance helps Oscar with his debts.
- The couple plan an exclusive art salon.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Making Oscar and Enid the new focus gives the series room to explore a different kind of power: a marriage built on mutual advantage, shared ambition and willingness to challenge convention. Their art salon and combined resources could bring fresh energy to New York society, while the Russells’ separation creates space for another couple’s story.
The case against
Shifting attention away from Bertha and George risks sidelining the established relationship and social rivalry that have anchored the series. Oscar and Enid’s marriage is presented chiefly as a strategic arrangement involving status and money, so viewers may find their ascent less emotionally compelling than the Russells’ hard-won influence.
Explained simply
The Gilded Age is a historical drama set among New York’s wealthy families in the late 19th century, when old social dynasties competed with people whose money and influence were newer. Bertha and George Russell have been central figures in that world, building power through social ambition and business success.
Oscar van Rhijn comes from an established family, while his new wife, Enid Winterton, has a working-class past and an inheritance. Their marriage brings together social connections and money, and their planned art salon gives them a way to attract influential guests. The shift in focus reflects the different ways people could seek status and influence in New York society.