Why Trask, not Peterson? Because PT was supposed to be filled with fascinating parallels and opposites. Seeing a Trask pop up in a parallel present day is like chocolate cake. Look! It's Trask!!! And he's subserviant! Seeing a Trask pop up in a storyline, those are among the best DS moments.
After the cool novelty wore off, though, there was nothing more to the character. I imagine JL fuming off camera about how he was wasted in this storyline.