
Eric Tao has left the high-stakes world of finance. Once a managing director at Pierpoint, he had a complex relationship with Harper Stern, recognizing a bit of himself in her. He initially mentored her, then tried to undermine her, and ultimately lost his job partly due to her actions. Surprisingly, he later went into business with her, forming the fund SternTao. Played by Ken Leung, Eric is a fascinating character – both manipulative and surprisingly sympathetic. He’s a man constantly striving for more, but unsure of what he’s actually seeking. He appears as a wise mentor, but is deeply lonely, and also a product of the very capitalist system he once strongly believed in. While climbing the corporate ladder, Eric damaged the lives of others, only to discover that reaching the top didn’t bring him fulfillment. He initially focuses solely on winning, but eventually craves recognition – both as an individual and as a partner – and this desire ultimately leads to his undoing.