‘The Gilded Age’ Needs To Bring Back This Character for Even More Drama in Season 4

The Gilded Age has no shortage of storylines set up for the upcoming fourth season, with Bertha (Carrie Coon) and George (Morgan Spector) having marital problems, Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) announcing her pregnancy, and Peggy (Denée Benton) now seemingly engaged. However, one thing the series should take the time to explore doesn’t involve anyone who appeared in the recently concluded Season 3. Julian Fellowes’ historical drama has no trouble holding on to its cast, but for those who have moved on, Season 3 shows how effective a character’s unexpected return can be. Maud Beaton (Nicole Brydon Bloom), who disappeared without a trace in Season 2, popped back up most recently, driving Oscar’s (Blake Ritson) development, which led to him forgiving her for her previous deceit and helping her find a new life.

With Maud Beaton proving how well this plot element can work, it’s time for The Gilded Age to bring back another character who could introduce some welcome drama: Mr. Raikes (Thomas Cocquerel). It’s been two seasons since he appeared on-screen, but Raikes played a major role in Marian’s (Louisa Jacobson) storyline in Season 1, and even in his absence, his impact is still felt. With so much potential left on the table, Season 4 should bring back this long-absent antagonist.

Mr. Raikes Plays a Vital Role in ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 1

Image via HBO Max

This seemingly kind but fiercely ambitious lawyer played a major role in Season 1. As one of the first characters introduced in the series, Mr. Raikes helps Marian in the wake of her father’s death, but he becomes more memorable after moving to New York and trying to break into society. Raikes seems to be a kind and gentlemanly man, but he later reveals himself to be an opportunist. He tests Marian’s relationship with her aunts, Ada (Cynthia Nixon) and Agnes (Christine Baranski), convincing the young woman to run away and marry him, only to leave her at the last minute for an heiress with better prospects. Though he nearly cost Marian her reputation, Raikes hasn’t been heard from since this dramatic event; however, Season 2 confirmed that he had since married.

Raikes is an important figure in Marian’s early storyline, as he represents the first major clash she has with Agnes, which sets the tone for their relationship. But more than that, his ambition and adeptness at climbing the social ladder make his continued absence from the series odd. New York society is small, and if his seemingly successful goal in Season 1 was to cement himself as a part of it, Seasons 2 and 3 seem to suggest that he failed. It’s convenient for Marian that she has been able to move on and keep her narrow escape out of the rumor mill, but it’s still odd to leave such a major character’s ending unexplored.

‘The Gilded Age’ Is Still Impacted by Raikes’ Season 1 Exit

While his face has disappeared, Raikes’ presence is still felt in The Gilded Age, even throughout Season 3. Marian is still dealing with the consequences of her choice to recklessly run away with him. Although the event has been kept secret, and she has not faced social repercussions, it has taken an emotional toll. In Season 3, she is in love with Larry Russell (Harry Richardson), but spends the first half of the season hesitating because of her history, afraid to trust her own judgment. Her reputation is still on the line, and though Raikes is just one of the marks against her, Marian’s experience with him comes up far more than her failed romance with Dashiell (David Furr), which was more recent. Marian was never quite as infatuated with Dashiell and broke their engagement off because of incompatibility on her part. Yet, Raikes led her on while also pursuing another woman, and that is the feeling that resurfaces for her in Season 3.

First, it is rumors of Larry’s past relationship that give Marian pause, and later, when she believes he spent the night of their engagement with another woman, she breaks it off because she fears he will leave her for someone else, just as Raikes did. Of course, the fact that Larry does lie to her doesn’t help his cause, but Marian’s immediate reaction is a trauma response. Marian’s lasting trust issues from Raikes sabotage her new relationship, showing that the past is still an open wound. Even though the character is no longer around, he haunts Marian’s story and her character development, proving that she still needs to heal, and what better way can The Gilded Age force her to tackle that head-on than by bringing Raikes back?

Raikes Could Bring Scandal to ‘The Gilded Age’ Season 4

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Raikes may not be a character fans long to see again based on his own merits, but his return could bring scandal to the series. For one thing, there is still the long-held fan theory that The Gilded Age will reveal that Raikes lied to Marian from the beginning, plotting to better himself by making her believe she had nothing when her father’s railroad shares would actually make her rich. Raikes’ return would be a perfect time to explore this idea, but even more to the point, it could reopen the drama of Season 1.

Raikes is one of the few who know Marian’s mistake and the likeliest candidate to spread the scandalous story, putting Marian’s reputation in danger and making it more crucial that she gets settled before she becomes a social pariah. Season 3’s finale left Larry and Marian’s relationship stalled. They are no longer engaged, but they are on friendly terms, leaving the possibility of their growth in the upcoming season. Yet, Raikes’ return could force them to reconcile more quickly, especially with Larry being one of the few to know the truth about what happened between Marian and Raikes.

Realistically, Marian and Larry need some drama for Season 4. They may not be on the way to the altar yet, but they have cleared some major obstacles to their relationship by gaining the approval of their respective families. Seeing Marian in the wake of George’s shooting, she gained respect for her and is now rooting for the couple rather than against them. Agnes also came around thanks to Ada’s gentle guidance, leaving nothing but their own argument in Marian and Larry’s way. However, if Raikes showed up spreading rumors that hurt Marian’s social standing, there would be a new complication for her romantic life, rushing Marian’s need to marry while she attempts to rebuild the trust between herself and Larry.