They literally showed him stealing from his father.

Yeah, in which case they brought him back in the least satisfying, and least committal way possible.
'This hour, a beloved character from BrBa writes a mysterious letter, OR DOES HE?'

We knew Gus was going to show up already, because the first letter of each episode this season forms an anagram for 'FRINGS BACK', yet he barely showed up (if he did at all) despite all the hype.

'Ray's final moment with his son was spoiled by the ridiculousness of the idea that he constantly has that gigantic plastic cube with him everywhere he goes'

I figured that the hallucinations explained his reluctance to give up his suit. He survived his rough upbringing by putting all of his self-worth into maintaining a sense of dignity. That's why he didn't get sad when his dad was talking shit, and that's why he didn't give in to the demands of those disenfranchised…