History and fiction continue to combine in the most fascinating way in ‘The Gilded Age’ episode 5, titled ‘Charity Has Two Functions.’ Bertha (Carrie Coon) agrees to Gladys’ request for a lady’s maid and welcomes Archie Baldwin, the young man her daughter is interested in, to their home. Peggy (Denée Benton) limits her friendship with Marian (Louisa Jacobson).

Ward McAllister (Nathan Lane) appears for the first time in the programme, where he meets Bertha, Marian, and Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel). Clara Barton (Linda Emond) demonstrates her pragmatism and intuition. Here’s all you need to know about the episode 5 finale of ‘The Gilded Age.’ WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Recap of The Gilded Age Episode 5

Charity, according to Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), serves two purposes in polite society. The first is to raise finances for those in need, while the second is to serve as a social ladder for those who are ambitious. The truth is, everyone interested in these kind of undertakings is well aware of it, just as the people in ‘The Gilded Age’ are. Clara Barton has no illusions about why someone like Bertha Russell is interested in the Red Cross and comes to meet her in Dansville, New York, where she established the organization’s first branch in 1881. She also understands what Aurora stands to gain by introducing Bertha to her. She accepts the transactional parts of these transactions because they are ultimately beneficial to the individuals she is attempting to assist.

Gladys Russell continues to defy her mother’s restrictions in the Russell family. George (Morgan Spector) advises his wife that such a rigorous approach to their kid may be damaging to her safety, but he generally keeps out of it. Mrs. Bruce persuades Bertha to give Gladys her own lady maid, and Adelheid, a girl Gladys’ age, is elevated to the role.

Meanwhile, Oscar (Blake Ritson) and Ms. Turner (Kelley Curran) become acquainted and decide to collaborate in order to achieve their mutual goals. Bertha meets Ward McAllister for the first time at Aurora Fane’s residence. Marian and Raikes are also present to keep the discussion going. Everyone in the room quickly realises that Bertha and McAllister are cut from the same fabric. They are both ambitious, vicious in their own ways, and extremely realistic when it comes to money.

Marian and Peggy rekindle their friendship, but only after the latter establishes some ground rules. Peggy’s mother pays a visit to the Brooks and asks Marian to persuade Peggy to return to her own family in Brooklyn. Agnes sends Peggy with Marian to Dansville to meet with Barton. They accompany Bertha and Aurora, and Raikes joins the party as well. In Dansville, Barton gladly offers Peggy an interview. Later that evening, Marian and Raikes share a kiss, but it is cut short by Peggy before it can develop into something more.

What Happened in Millbourne, Pennsylvania, at the End of The Gilded Age Episode 5? What Concerns George and Bertha?

While the Russells are welcoming Archie Baldwin, George’s secretary, Richard Clay, receives a phone call from Millbourne, Pennsylvania, and rushes to his boss’s house. He enters just as Baldwin is about to leave. It is revealed that a train has derailed from the lines laid down by George’s company. According to preliminary accounts, three individuals have been killed and several more have been gravely injured. Richard informs George that unconfirmed information suggests that all three of the deceased are guys, but they can’t be certain.

George instructs his wife to notify Barton of what appears to be an accident and requests that she accompany him to Millbourne. He understands that this has the potential to be a tremendous disaster in terms of human lives lost and that it must be treated as such. Richard and the Russells resolve to keep the news out of the papers for the time being. Even in the nineteenth century, optics was critical to a company’s viability. George and the others were well aware that an accident was unavoidable as it is a sad feature of working in the train industry. And now it’s up to George to take charge of the storey and cope with what happened before those events ruin him.

Why does George pose a threat to Archie Baldwin? Is Archie willing to accept George’s offer?

Archie appears to be a suitable match for Gladys at first impression. He comes from a wealthy family and appears to have a promising career as an investment banker. More importantly, he and Gladys appear to like each other. Bertha, on the other hand, wants more for her daughter and persuades her husband to prevent Gladys and Archie’s relationship from progressing further.

When they are alone after dinner, George makes an offer to Archie. He will become a broker for the Seligman brothers if he promises to stop all contact with Gladys. If Archie refuses, George will make certain that he never works in the financial industry in the United States again. Although his decision is not displayed on screen, we may deduce that he accepts George’s offer based on the fact that he leaves quickly.