This week on HBO’s The Gilded Age, two gentlemen entered into a heated confrontation over the woman they both adored…and it was undeniably intense. When Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) is unexpectedly reunited with her former flame, the notable historical figure T. Thomas Fortune (Sullivan Jones), her current beau, Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica), doesn’t hesitate to act. The two striking men engage in a physical altercation over Peggy in The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 5, titled “A Different World,” and it was particularly compelling.

**Spoilers for The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 5 “A Different World,” now streaming on HBO MAX**

Peggy’s initial romantic interest on The Gilded Age was none other than her editor, T. Thomas Fortune. Similar to several secondary characters on the HBO series, T. Thomas Fortune was a real person who operated a newspaper during that time. The Gilded Age showrunners, Sonja Warfield and Julian Fellowes, initially hoped to see Peggy eventually paired with Fortune, but they were hindered by the historical figure’s real-life marital situation.

“I believe that Julian and Sonja imagined Peggy and Thomas Fortune could have a more extended romance. But then we faced the reality that he was, in fact, married during that period. So they were like, ‘Oh, no!’” Denée Benton revealed at a Gilded Age Season 2 event in 2023. “I think they were anticipating we’d get to run off into the sunset, but history and Google [intervened].”

Peggy and Thomas break things off in The Gilded Age Season 2, opening the door for Dr. William Kirkland to swoop in during Season 3.

Peggy and Dr. Kirkland have been getting along great all season. The only issue in their relationship so far seems to be his mother’s own classism and colorism. However, Dr. Kirkland is all about Peggy. So when T. Thomas Fortune comes back into Peggy’s life in The Gilded Age Season 3 Episode 5, he’s not about to give up his lady so easily.

“Clearly Kirkland knows who he is, too, and so there’s an automatic respect that Dr. Kirkland has for him,” Jordan Donica said, emphasizing his own character’s status.

T. Thomas Fortune asks Peggy to return to her gig reporting for his paper, but the subtext is that he also wants Peggy to return to him. It’s an implication that Peggy wants to ignore.

“I feel like Peggy and Fortune also had this intellectual connection and I think that it’s easy for her to be like, ‘Well, why can’t I still do my work here? Maybe we’ve grown, maybe we’ve gotten past it,’” Denée Benton explained.

“And Marian is like, ‘Girl,’ and Peggy’s like, ‘Relax,’ and Marian was right!” Benton said.

When Peggy arrives at the train station to travel for her assignment, she’s surprised to find Fortune waiting to accompany her even though she made it clear that she was not interested in traveling with him. The good news is Dr. Kirkland has come to escort her…and assert himself as Peggy’s new love interest.

“As he says later, like, ‘I feel a certain way for you and about you and I have strong intentions with you so I’m going to set the boundaries. I’m going to make clear what I want of you. I’m willing to fight for that, no doubt.’”

In this case, a literal fight breaks out between the two men. It’s a quick battle that Dr. Kirkland wins.

“It was very fun, watching the fisticuffs, that was like…” Benton paused, before swooning, “More.“

“And it was a blast to film,” Donica said. “It was so much fun because I think I got to play with Kirkland’s fire. You get to see a little more than just this nice, gentle guy. Nah, but he’ll also fuck you up if he needs to. I know how to box. Lets go!”

“Peggy and her caramel kings,” Benton said. “That’s a hashtag we have to start.”

“Yes, you need to hashtag it, yeah,” Donica said.

Well, maybe it should just be Peggy and her one caramel king, Dr. William Kirkland.