How The Gilded Age Season 3 turns the tables: Ada Forte’s triumph and Marian’s decline, explained

Season 3 of The Gilded Age brings a major shift in its storytelling, especially around two central characters, Ada Forte and Marian Brooke. While Ada is finally starting to grow after years of being overshadowed, Marian seems to be falling apart.

What’s going on here? And why does it feel like the writers are forcing Marian into Ada’s old role of unlucky love interest? Let’s break it down.

Ada Forte, played by Cynthia Nixon, has always been the softer, more reserved sister, living quietly under Agnes Van Rhijn's rule. She’s been gentle, emotional, and often overlooked.

For most of her life, Ada didn’t get to make her own decisions. Agnes ran the house and, in many ways, ran Ada’s life too. That made Ada feel like a side character in her own story.

At the end of Season 2, Ada’s husband passed away. This threw her into deep grief. She didn’t know what to do, whom to turn to, or where to find meaning again.

In search of meaning, Ada joined the temperance movement. It gave her a cause, a sense of belonging, and a reason to get out of bed.

Still grieving, Ada began visiting a medium, Madame Dashkov, hoping to connect with her late husband’s spirit. She was looking for peace in any way she could.

In Episode 6, Ada realizes the truth: Dashkov is a fraud who feeds on people’s pain. This moment of clarity helps Ada begin to reclaim her power.

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A powerful scene with Agnes in The Gilded Age

Ada tells Agnes everything. It’s one of the most honest scenes in the series, and you can feel Ada’s pain and strength.

Instead of being judged, Ada is met with understanding. That moment shows how powerful it is to be vulnerable.

By opening up, Ada starts to heal. She’s no longer hiding in grief; she’s facing it.

Marian, played by Louisa Jacobson, began as the dreamer. She challenged social norms, wanted meaningful work, and valued independence.

Her past relationships, especially with Tom Rakes and Dashel Montgomery, ended with growth. The heartbreaks made sense and added depth to her journey.

Marian wasn’t just about love. She stood for choice, change, and courage.

At first, things looked promising. Marian and Larry were engaged. He respected her independence, and they seemed well-matched.

But then, out of nowhere, Marian ends it. No real conversation. No fair reason. Just gone.

She finds out Larry lied about going to the Haymarket and assumes the worst, without even hearing him out in The Gilded Age.

Marian used to be strong. Now she just seems confused and reactionary.

She’s not growing; she’s stuck in the same loop: fall in love, break up, repeat.

Unlike Ada’s story, Marian’s heartbreak doesn’t feel real or earned. It feels written for drama, not for character development.

Ada’s rising up. Marian’s falling apart. It’s like they’ve switched places.

Ada’s story is about healing from loss. Marian feels driven by pride, not pain.

It’s clear: Ada is moving forward. Marian is standing still.

Every season, Marian gets a new romance that crashes. It’s getting old.

There’s no learning. No new sides to her story. Just the same heartbreak over and over.

Her character had a heart once. Now she feels hollow.

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What makes Peggy Scott stand out

Peggy’s story mixes love, family, work, and social causes. It’s rich and layered.

She’s not defined by her love life. She’s defined by her passion and purpose.

Marian should have the same chance to grow beyond romance.

Let her get into art, education, or social reform. Something with purpose.

She’s smart, curious, and bold; give her something to fight for The Gilded Age.

She doesn’t need a man to evolve. She needs a mission.

The show The Gilded Age risks boring viewers if it keeps reusing old emotional beats.

Ada’s journey is slow and beautiful. Marian’s is rushed and messy.

Before Marian’s character is ruined completely, it’s time to reset in The Gilded Age.

Ada Forte is finally coming into her own, and we love to see it. Her quiet strength, her honesty, and her small but meaningful steps forward make her one of the most compelling characters in The Gilded Age. Meanwhile, Marian Brooke is being forced into Ada’s old shoes, and it’s not working. Her story feels rushed, shallow, and stuck in a loop.

It’s time the show The Gilded Age gave Marian a new purpose, one that doesn’t revolve around failed romances. She deserves more. And so do the viewers.

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