I think it's quite a mixed-message episode in some ways. Or we could call it layered. Gates looks lovely, which kind of indicates good things are happening. I enjoy seeing a woman of a certain age being shown to have a love affair; it's got a lot of gothic campery in it. And yet, contrasting to all this is the abusvie relationship Bev has become victim to, that preys on her and has preyed on generations of her family, and separates her from her friends and her careers. It's an odd episode. I like it. I always have.
She was 45 when the show first aired. May I ask what it is you are trying to convey by saying "of a certain age"?
Otherwise, I'm totally onboard with your analysis.