Industry Recap: Rule, Britannia!

As a seasoned trader with years of experience under my belt, I must say that episode was a rollercoaster ride, much like the volatile markets we navigate daily. Rishi’s storyline this week was particularly gripping, a tale of triumph and turmoil that mirrors the highs and lows of financial dealings.


Beginning this recap, it’s only fitting to acknowledge Sagar Radia, the talented actor portraying Rishi, for his outstanding performance. Initially introduced in season two as a comedic element, Rishi served as a catalyst for the main characters’ actions with his witty remarks. However, by the end of season two, Rishi transformed into a complex character I found myself developing a small crush on, thanks to Radia’s skillful portrayal of the arrogant trader concealing vulnerability beneath bravado.

Previously, our last encounter with Rishi was at his wedding, where he hastily engaged in a tryst with Harper the eve before marrying Diana, a well-to-do woman. Approximately a year afterwards, Rishi spends Christmas in Somerset alongside Diana’s family and his newborn, striving earnestly to blend in. One method he employs is the purchase and restoration of a cricket pavilion, which holds great significance for these affluent individuals. Similarly, it’s uncomfortable and disheartening to witness Eric grapple with his midlife crisis; watching Rishi strive to mingle with the upper-crust whites evokes similar feelings in me. I, too, have experienced such situations where I attempted to fit in with white people, finding myself trapped between loathing myself for adopting their manners and feeling that there’s no other way to navigate social interactions. Rishi appears to think that wealth is the key to accessing these elite circles of British society; however, anyone can see that with aristocrats, race and class outrank money every single time. It might not matter much in the end because, privately, Rishi remains the uncouth fraternity member we have come to know, as demonstrated by him urinating while holding his baby and watching an OnlyFans video (later discovered to feature SweetPea?!).

As a movie reviewer, I must confess that “Marital Maze” has left me utterly enthralled and slightly disturbed. While the film’s exploration of societal issues is compelling, it’s Rishi’s personal turmoil that truly grips my attention. His marital troubles, long anticipated by the audience, are exacerbated by an unexpected source: his wife’s recent maternity leaves him feeling uneasy.

At work, Rishi finds himself in a precarious situation. Not only has he established an illicit horse betting ring with his coworkers, which involves them supposedly pooling money for race bets – but in reality, the money is being misused and no actual bets are being placed. His actions echo those of a character from ‘Peaky Blinders’, where Tommy Shelby might have already taken drastic measures. However, what’s most concerning is his irresponsible behavior in business dealings. Let me attempt to clarify the financial aspects (trying to keep it simple).

In simpler terms, “Rishi is long sterling cable” means Rishi owns a large amount of British pounds (sterling) and believes their value will increase compared to the US dollar (cable) over an extended period. This is a long-term investment strategy that many people use when they invest in stocks or bonds for retirement, hoping these financial products will become more valuable by the time they retire.

As I sat down to pen my thoughts on Rishi’s investment strategy, I found myself grappling with an intriguing predicament. You see, dear reader, this fellow has amassed an astonishing quantity of sterling cable – a staggering nearly half a billion pounds! Such a colossal holding in sterling could prove to be either a golden ticket or a millstone around his neck, depending on the fortunes of the British pound.

Prior to addressing the matter at hand, Rishi is summoned by Pierpoint HR due to a Reddit forum sharing inappropriate comments allegedly overheard at Pierpoint. Although they can’t definitively prove that Rishi was responsible for any of these comments, HR seems to imply their suspicion towards him. This plot point is amusing given the running joke in the show where Rishi is often portrayed as saying outlandish things in the background. The fact that this casual jest has been turned into a genuine concern adds a level of self-awareness or meta humor to the storyline. Unable to remember making such comments, Rishi becomes agitated during his interaction with HR representatives.

Prior to resuming his work, Eric confronts Rishi privately and discusses the severity of the HR issue at hand, urging Rishi to moderate his speech. However, Rishi denies any wrongdoing, accusing Eric of betrayal by implicating him in the incident involving Harper. This allegation prompts Eric to reveal information about Rishi’s large sterling position. Eric then advises Rishi to cease his actions, but Rishi disregards him. Instead, he pursues Sweetpea to Starbucks, behaving disrespectfully and embarrassing her over her OnlyFans account. It is suggested that they had a past relationship, making the situation even more deplorable since it amounts to slut-shaming someone with whom he had intimate relations. Yuck! Regardless, Rishi receives the news he was anticipating: the premium tax reduction has been enacted. In a nod to the scene in It’s A Wonderful Life, where George Bailey returns home triumphantly, Rishi rejoices and struts back to the office as if his miracle had occurred.

Instead of saying “Except it isn’t because the pound is trending down when Rishi returns to his desk,” you could say “Contrary to what might be expected, the pound is decreasing when Rishi resumes his work.”

The following scene at the Pierpoint Christmas party underscores Rishi’s deceit more than anything else. Vinay shows up at work, prompting Rishi to dart around the festivities and attempt to scrape together the funds owed to Vinay. He pretends he needs money for horse betting (poor Anraj, unwittingly giving away his rent), eventually passing the cash to Eric as if it were a winnings payout. In a generous spirit fueled by holiday cheer and alcohol, Eric returns Rishi’s money to gamble on more races. The expression on Eric’s face makes me think he might not be aware of Rishi’s scheme and feels sympathy towards him. Later, as they drive, Rishi slips Eric’s cash into his coat and claims he can’t pay Vinay. Instead, he offers Vinay his watch as a temporary solution to the debt.

In simpler terms, this story portrays a night out gone wrong for Rishi. He uses his Christmas drinking money in the casino, wins big, then heads to a club with his winnings, ignoring his family’s Christmas celebration. This isn’t the first time he’s made such a choice – it happened earlier that day when the top tax cut was announced.

The following day at work, things appeared to be worsening, with Sterling trading particularly poorly. Additionally, Rishi was being belittled at his desk by an enigmatic Egyptian salesperson who Bill Adler had left on Eric’s floor. Even Robert, our troubled noble, was receiving subtle jabs. However, just when things seemed bleakest, Harper phoned to ask if Rishi could sell her some pounds. Rishi felt there was more to Harper’s request than met the eye; a change was coming that would benefit his long position. And he was correct – the U.K. Chancellor changed their stance on the top-rate tax, causing a frenzy among those wanting to buy pounds at a premium rate. He made a profit of 18 million across various banks’ ledgers and became a hero, whether through skill or chance. However, this was not the positive reinforcement he needed.

Instead of wrapping up there, the story unexpectedly delves into Rishi’s personal life at home. This shift in focus recalls the main theme of the season, questioning the characters and their developments. While Rishi successfully sold his GBP stash, he still finds himself deeply in debt and trapped in an unhappy marriage. His financial manipulations are reminiscent of his gambling habits; despite a different form, he’s still stuck in a rut. At home, a heated argument between Rishi and Diana unfolds, revealing that he’s been in this type of financial trouble before. It appears that Rishi has an addiction issue that requires professional help. The altercation culminates with Diana confessing to an affair.

Remarkably, the revelation of the affair sparks a change in Rishi, leading him to reconcile with Di. It’s intriguing how a surprise like this can sometimes bring hidden conflicts to light, making the situation clearer. Although I may joke about British emotional reserve, I must admit that I understand the dynamic – introducing a sudden shock often clarifies the gravity of the situation. In Rishi’s case, Diana remains one of his few allies despite being a significant factor in his relentless pursuit of wealth. To put it simply, Rishi and Diana patch things up after their confrontation.

The final scene here is one of the most unabashedly joyful things I’ve seen in Industry. Rishi takes a bat to the cricket pavilion he’s meant to be renovating and destroys it. It’s cathartic, a release of all of the tension that’s been building all episode; it’s symbolic, Rishi flipping off the societal hierarchy that’s getting him down; it’s also just plain fun. I would have really loved it if the episode had ended here, but no. Rishi takes these triumphs and decides he’s feeling lucky, placing a call to Vinay to take out another loan to gamble away. I quote my notes: NO DO NOT TAKE THAT 50,000. UGHHHHHHHHHHH NO NOOOOOOOO RISHI; NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Loose Change

• The Overheard at Pierpoint leak was Venetia! I love the idea of her trying to undermine Rishi and secretly hating him the whole time. Her final parting blow to him in the elevator is also gold. I hope she finds happiness somewhere else.

Perhaps due to my recent role as a new parent, I find myself incredibly worried about Hugo and what sort of life awaits him. Additionally, it’s quite emotional for me since I sense that Rishi truly adores his child, even though he might be perplexed by the duties associated with parenthood.

How can we interpret Sweetpea? Initially, she came across as shallow and naive at the start of the season, but in this episode, she appears to be growing more complex. Her creation of an OnlyFans account, her demand that Rishi discuss her work beyond sexual pursuits, and her astute questioning about the bank’s future during the team meeting all suggest a level of intelligence and insight that was previously unnoticed. Reminds me of a scene from Legally Blonde, where the attractive girl everyone underestimated is actually quite intelligent and resourceful.

• Leviathan Alpha is an even sillier name for a hedge fund.

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2024-09-02 06:54