‘Industry’ episode 4 recap: ‘Sesh’

Harper’s booking mistake snowballs into a huge professional and financial dilemma.

November 30, 2020

Industry So Far

Gus begins with his new group and manages to impress his new manager. It also places him in closer contact with his secret lover and their relationship begins to deteriorate. Meanwhile Yasmin and Harper become roommates and their personal and professional lives become intertwined, which results in some cattiness in the office and at home. However, the two are able to work out their differences and continue with their living arrangements.

[Spoilers Ahead!]

Harper’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

The episode begins on a high note with Harper’s birthday. She, Robert, Yasmin, and Greg partake in an evening of booze and drugs filled with stoned rambling. Robert and the celebrant are having so much fun that they carry on until the next morning though things become slightly awkward when Robert rebuffs Harper’s sexual advances. He would be game normally, but doesn’t want to ruin his chances with Yasmin.

When the pair show up in the office, they look and reek of the previous night. While she’s just trying to make it through the day, Harper is informed of an error in the transaction last episode where she entered the wrong information. Rather than own up to her mistake, she puts the blame on others including the client for misremembering (the voice records show he’s correct) and Robert for getting her inebriated so she can’t think straight now (she was a willful participant), That doesn’t include all the insults she hurls at the poor middle management guy trying to make things right.

Harper is given an opportunity to correct her mistake but a fire alarm wastes much of the time she has. When she finally returns to her computer, she looks to make up her losses but her overconfidence prevents her from selling early and she finds herself in a six-figure deficit.

As a last resort, she contacts the client, Nicole, from the series premiere who made a pass at her with another proposal. They meet at a school play featuring Nicole’s niece. The client rejects the new, uninspired pitch and is taken back when Harper makes some advances. After being lectured, the young graduate departs seemingly empty handed.

After all her failed attempts, Harper finally comes clean to Eric about misbooking a trade at a great loss. During their conversation, Eric tells her he found out her secret when clearing things for her visa. Despite knowing the truth and of her current mishap, he still supports her because of their similar backgrounds. Also, Nicole ended up coming through so Harper actually made a profit that day.

Recruiting the Next Generation

Since Harper was in no condition, Yasmin takes her place in attracting a new class of graduates in the financial industry for Pierpoint & Co. She’s joined by Robert and there’s more tension than usual since he and Harper showed up at work with the foul stench of shame and sex even though they didn’t hook up.

Robert stumbles his way through pitiful flirtation attempts but it doesn’t matter since it’s clear both are into each other. Both of them find it difficult finding new talent since there’s still the negative aura around the company after Hari’s death. There’s so much animosity that they are attacked and hit with a paint bomb.

industry 1.4.3 — Photo: Amanda Searle/HBO

The shared experience only brings the two closer and Robert asks Yasmin out for a pint. She declines since she already had plans with her boyfriend but they find themselves at the same pub anyways. While Gus joins Robert at the bar, Yasmin comes along and discreetly slips her panties into Robert’s pocket without Seb noticing.

The Verdict

The fourth episode of Industry completely breaks down its main protagonist, Harper, to the point where she is no longer endearing. The shift to complete arrogance and abrasive behavior was so abrupt it didn’t seem consistent to the character so far. Add in her whininess and her willingness to sell he morals just to fix her problem and it makes her completely unlikable. It might show how much really wants this job with the lengths she’ll go to, but it is a real turn off witnessing her desperation.

“Sesh” did have some interesting developments such as Eric finding out that Harper is a college drop out and Nicole bailing Harper out. The former cements the relationship between the mentor and pupil. For the latter, is it a quid pro quo and is the big shot client expecting something further into the season? Although both these reveals are diminished in a way considering I no longer care about Harper.

There were some moving and funny call backs in the episode. Hari’s presence is still felt at the company with Gus donating to his charity and his appearance in the recruitment packet. Furthermore, he’s partially responsible for Yasmin and Robert becoming closer since his passing helped spark the paint attack. Speaking of the recruitment packet, it was a good gag to have Gus bump into the woman he shares the cover with at the pub since they were photoshopped together.

Even with some intriguing developments and entertaining callbacks, “Sesh” can’t overcome the sudden change in Harper’s character and demeanor which sours the entire episode.

Industry airs Monday nights on HBO.

Industry E 4: 'Sesh'

Even with some intriguing developments and entertaining callbacks, “Sesh” can’t overcome the sudden change in Harper’s character and demeanor which sours the entire episode.

Reader Rating0 Votes

Eric learning Harper's secret but still reaffirming his commitment to her.

Nicole bailing Harper out could lead to some interesting developments down the line.

Hari's gone but not forgotten.

Harper's abrupt change into an arrogant, abrasive, but desperate person is a huge turn off.

Average