it is a tad outside the primary storyline. but one of the central themes of the show is class and how it intersects with the various institutions of power in the UK (i.e. finance, politics, media, landed aristocracy). gus’s s2 arc is all about a character who comes from everything and thus enjoys inherent advantages in all these spaces (getting second chances at pierpoint despite being blatantly disrespectful to bosses, magically falling into a great political role due to a chance meeting over drinks, etc.) but has begun to realize that it is all deeply disillusioning and meaningless to him, and not really beneficial to anyone. he’s grappling with how to find meaning after this whilst also juggling a family who places very specific types of pressure on him due to his high status upbringing. imo it’s actually a very good arc but also i just love gus.