George Russell Owes Another Gilded Age Character For Saving His Life In Season 3

The assassination attempt on George Russell’s (Morgan Spector) was one of the biggest and most unexpected moments of The Gilded Age season 3, but his survival actually comes down to this forgotten character. After Mr. Russell was shot in his office, The Gilded Age season 3, episode 7’s ending left George Russell fighting for his life.

Mr. Russell has several enemies who could have ordered his death, but searching for his attacker came only after it was clear he would survive. Thankfully, Dr. William Kirkland (Jordan Donica) ensured that Mr. Russell lived through The Gilded Age season 3’s finale. However, another character who was integral to George’s survival was left unheralded.

George Russell Owes Bannister For Saving His Life In The Gilded Age Season 3

Dr. William Kirkland’s medical expertise saved George Russell’s life, since it was hours until George’s regular physician arrived at the Russells’ palace on 61st Street and 5th Avenue. However, Dr. Kirkland would never have known to go over to the Russell house if Alfred Bannister (Simon Jones) had not asked him to.

In a fortunate turn of events, Bannister happened to be watching just as Mr. Russell’s carriage pulled up to his house. After asking what had happened and learning of Mr. Russell’s condition, it was Bannister who suggested calling for Dr. Kirkland to help George while waiting for his usual doctor’s arrival.

Thanks to Bannister’s quick thinking, George Russell lived to see the end of The Gilded Age season 3. While Dr. Kirkland was rewarded with an unspecified amount of money for his services, Bannister simply slipped back into his daily life as the Van Rhijns’ butler. This behavior may be expected of a servant, but Bannister still deserves more recognition.

Bannister Needs More Focus In The Gilded Age Season 4

The Gilded Age‘s great ensemble cast means the series has a lot of very different characters to focus on. To me, giving equal importance to Jack Trotter’s (Ben Ahlers) alarm clock plot and Marian’s relationship struggles is what makes the show fun to watch, but Bannister hasn’t gotten a story of his own in quite a while.

Back in The Gilded Age season 1, Bannister’s feud with Mr. Church (Jack Gilpin), and Agnes Van Rhijn’s (Christine Baranski) fury at her butler, gave Bannister entertaining storylines. In season 3, however, Bannister largely faded into a background role Hopefully, The Gilded Age season 4 can change that by including a Bannister-centered plot.

Other members of the Russells’ and the van Rhijns’ staff have had their own plots and backstories, and it’s time to learn more about Bannister’s background. The Van Rhijns’ faithful butler is a gem of a character who must have an intriguing story that brought him from England to New York, and The Gilded Age should utilize Bannister more.