As a seasoned observer of the cutthroat world of finance, I must say that this latest season of “Billions” has truly lived up to its reputation as a gripping drama. The character development, particularly Harper’s transformation into a self-made boss, is nothing short of captivating. It reminds me of my own journey in the industry, where I too had to navigate the high and low roads before finding my footing.
Last night, I was chatting with my buddy about Industry, discussing what sets this season apart as truly remarkable. As I watched the final episode, it struck me that the season was flawless in its execution – the expression that comes to mind is “full throttle.” The writing and direction are bold, chaotic, fearless in delivering grand statements, compelling us to witness characters grapple with their darkest urges. This finale offers no easy solutions; each character makes a decision, either giving in to the momentum of their depravity or opting for change.
Let’s begin with the character Yasmin, who has been the focal point of this season, swirling like a dark vortex. However, it is important to first acknowledge Marisa Abela’s exceptional performance. I have admired her since the show’s debut, but this season has been particularly captivating as she skillfully portrays our once sweet heiress as disillusioned and weary, while still managing to convey her initial naive charm.
In just a moment, Yasmin contacts Henry Muck, whom she persuades Robert to drive and seek out for initial investment in his mushroom startup. I’m torn between thinking Yasmin is strategically manipulating Robert to regain Muck’s financial favor or genuinely assisting him. She seems unsure herself. Regardless, Muck, who is currently hosting a seminar on failure for business leaders and dealing with depression, accepts the investment offer and invites Robert and Yasmin for the weekend. It’s his uncle’s birthday, so there will be dinner and hunting activities. Yasmin declines, making jests about Henry throughout their chat. This move appears to serve multiple purposes, but I can’t quite decipher its intent. On one side, she seems to be winking at Robert conspiratorially. On the other hand, we know that Henry enjoys a firm, dominant approach. Yasmin, what’s your game plan here?
The next day, Yasmin descends the stairs to meet Lord Tabloid, Henry’s uncle. They engage in an open dialogue where they discuss Charles’ past actions towards women during his college years and how Lord Tabloid has been using his newspaper to coerce Yasmin into reconciling with Henry. Yasmin expresses her doubts about being able to save Henry, to which Lord Tabloid counters that she underestimates herself and is not just any ordinary girl. He also suggests that if Yasmin were part of the family, he would safeguard her, something Charles never did. In an unusual display of British behavior, Uncle Muck embraces Yasmin, causing her to feel overwhelmed. The scene becomes particularly poignant as Lord Tabloid appears to be offering guidance and a fatherly touch without any ulterior motives. To add to the strange atmosphere, it seems that Yas is wearing one of Uncle Muck’s shirts, as their outfits appear similar, and Yasmin mentioned the previous day that she didn’t bring extra clothes with her. This visual cue subtly hints at Lord Tabloid’s suggestion that Yasmin should join the Muck family.
What follows is perhaps the most beautiful sequence I’ve ever seen in Industry. The music turns choral, almost religious. Yasmin sits on Muck Manor’s staircase, dwarfed by its grandeur, deciding what to do. She knocks on a door, and as an audience member, we breathe a sigh of relief; she’s gone to get Robert, not Henry. The two stumble onto the grounds, laughing and playing. The couple finally consummate their years-long sexual tension on a bench. It feels as if this is Yasmin’s equivalent of Robert coming back from his mushroom trip; for just a moment everything is clear. Yasmin allows herself to give into the simple, straight path, which is to tumble into Robert’s waiting arms. This may be the only loving sex scene we’ve ever seen in Industry, though all of it is tinged with a pallor of sadness. Isn’t it obvious that Yasmin will never choose Rob? Obvious to everyone but Rob, that is.
As a movie enthusiast, let me recount the events in a more personal and engaging manner:
In a surprising turn of events, Harper, who was taken by Otto’s men at the end of the previous episode due to suspicions of using illicit funds for the Pierpoint project, finds herself face to face with Otto at a stream. Instead of harboring anger towards Harper, as expected, Otto seems more frustrated with Petra for informing on her. He recognizes a mirror image in Harper’s ruthlessness, acknowledging that he would have made the same decision she did given the circumstances. Otto then proposes Harper as his potential successor, offering her a recently gutted trout, a symbolic gesture laden with Biblical connotations. This proposition, while reminiscent of a pact with the devil, fails to stir much emotion within Harper. The truth is, despite being drawn to brooding father figures like Otto, Eric, and Jesse, Harper has no intention of becoming their heir. Instead, she aims to betray them from behind.
In the city, Otto encounters Petra and Harper, assuming they’ve gathered to negotiate peace between them. However, Petra and Harper decide to part ways with Otto, rejecting his help or financial support. As for Harper, she teams up with Petra and hires Sweet Pea and Anraj for Leviathan Alpha, leaving Rishi in a difficult position. Indeed, Harper seems to revel in Rishi’s predicament. Yet, the workplace they create together proves to be surprisingly harmonious. This transformation of Harper from an antagonist to a businesswoman with principles is something I had expected. However, I can’t help but feel a sense of letdown as I was captivated by the story of a young Black woman challenging the established white male industry. Am I content with watching Harper become a fair boss in a positive work environment? Not particularly. (More on this topic later!)
Following these events, we’re left with Eric in the spotlight. After successfully pushing Bill overboard and closing the deal that transfers Pierpoint to the Al-Miraj family, a wealthy fund disguised as private assets, he now faces the challenging task of pacifying all London traders after a turbulent night. Reminiscent of two seasons past, we find Eric in the Pierpoint amphitheater, a familiar stage where he once addressed Harper, Yas, Rob, and Gus when they were new graduates. At first, his motivational speech doesn’t resonate well with the traders, as he attempts to reassure them everything is fine. However, they are skeptical. He then tries to connect with them by discussing his immigrant background, but this approach fails too. In a bid to find common ground, Eric delves into the true essence of money – a topic that undoubtedly ties everyone together in their professional lives at Pierpoint.
Money has the power to transform wild nature into tranquility, civilization. It’s as if it’s the final chapter in a story – money. This is a quote from Eric, referring to a Denis Johnson tale titled ‘The Largesse of the Sea Maiden.’ In this narrative, the protagonist, an adman, recalls a successful commercial he made for a bank. The advertisement depicted a bear chasing a rabbit, but when the rabbit offered the bear a dollar bill, the bear stopped and became calm instead. This scene illustrates that money can even reverse the usual order of things – prey can outwit predators, if they can afford it.
In this particular instance, it appears that Eric is conversing not just with the traders, but predominantly with his own thoughts. This man, having weathered a midlife crisis following the near-collapse of an institution he’s devoted his career to, seems to be gathering his strength. Ken Leung delivers lines that, although I might question philosophically, are delivered in such a way that they resonate deeply and make one want to affirm, “Yes, indeed.” The traders echo this sentiment, finding solace in Eric’s words. In the end, Eric leads them through turbulent times. After his speech concludes, he seems dazed and somewhat bewildered, standing alone in an empty amphitheater as they all prepare for another day.
Moving forward a few months, Yasmin is in high society mode, organizing a wedding with the Obamas on the guest list. She’s living lavishly, even indulging in drugs like cocaine and alcohol during afternoons with her secretary, Alondra – a pregnant staff member from ‘Lady Yasmin’. In a moment of apparent intoxication, Alondra reveals to Yasmin that Charles and his friends have been accused of abusing young girls on their boat. The victims were as young as 12. She then adds that if Charles had abused her at such a tender age, it wouldn’t be Yasmin’s fault. This revelation leaves Yasmin shocked and overwhelmed, not with understanding or empathy, but with fear, anger, sadness, and terror – the fear of having her long-held illusions shattered. Instead of confronting Alondra’s allegations, Yasmin storms out and orders Henry Muck’s footman to dismiss the secretary. It’s unfortunate that she fails to recognize she is merely mimicking her father’s behavior: indulging in drugs, squandering others’ money, turning a blind eye to harm (even when it was inflicted upon her), and discarding those who dare to speak truth.
In a fortunate turn of events, Harper is tired of living the luxurious lifestyle. She arranges a meeting with Otto, informing him that she’s reconsidered his proposal and only desires his financial backing, not his legacy. Her ambition is to establish a hedge fund focused solely on short-selling stocks and plans to return to New York for this venture. Surprisingly, Otto consents to these terms. Although it seems puzzling that a hedge fund could operate exclusively by shorting stocks, the concept of Harper engaging in underhanded business dealings and corporate espionage throughout another season is quite captivating from a dramatic perspective. Unlike Yasmin, who has morphed into her most reprehensible self to survive, or Robert, who has withdrawn from the financial sphere to stay alive, I perceive Harper’s transformation this season not as a linear progression but rather an introspective deepening. She now has a better understanding of herself. She’s tested both the high and low paths in life. Now, she yearns for genuine independence and intends to use unscrupulous methods for honorable purposes. I don’t believe she envisions herself as a banking Robin Hood. Instead, I think she’s honed in on what she cherishes: the excitement of the pursuit, the rush of victory. She desires to take down big corporate targets, and she wants their fall to be painful. Thus, the short-only fund appeals to me!
After that, we have the former school, now known as Al Miraj – Pierpoint. Wilhelmina replaces Eric, leading the bank to shut its London trading floor. This decision has been hinted at for two seasons – remember Eric’s anxiety last season when Adler and DVD tried to relocate everyone to New York? Perhaps that’s why he appears less surprised upon hearing about his dismissal. In the ruthless environment of Pierpoint, even Eric’s desperate attempt can’t keep him in control. In the end, Eric takes his baseball bat to the deserted floor and bids farewell to the shoe-shine man, shedding a few tears.
Above all, he receives a call from Harpsichord, expressing gratitude for his endorsement on her Forbes 30 under 30 feature. Money seems to have softened any past tension, Eric suggested, and perhaps it was the sizeable severance package Pierpoint gave him, or the newfound freedom Harper experiences, but their conversation is cordial, subdued, even tinged with nostalgia. I find myself questioning if this marks the end of their relationship, yet I struggle to imagine how they’ll cross paths again. When Eric bid Harper farewell, it stirred a sense of sadness within me. There remains affection, or at least admiration, between them.
Loose Change
I left it out of the complete summary because I wasn’t sure how to fit it in, but RISHI, OH MY GOODNESS! The ending was heart-wrenching and strongly evoked memories of “Uncut Gems”. Poor Diana didn’t deserve that fate, and I can’t fathom what Vinay is planning. How on earth will he recover his funds now?
• There are some things I am wondering if we’ll pick up next season: I assume Rob having unprotected sex with Yas means there could be a possible illegitimate Rob-Yas baby? All the Jesse Bloom callouts make me think we might get a return of Jay Duplass, who remains one of my favorite characters to date. Will season four be in New York, following Harper? (And can we have more Harper, please? Myha’la is such a good actor; I would like to see her do more on-screen next season.) Finally, please consider this my plea for Yasmin’s wedding to be shown in the season four premiere.
In the turbulent “Double Gemini” mode, I ponder if we’ll abandon our current characters altogether in season four, and instead introduce a fresh group of newcomers joining Al-Miraj Pierpoint, reminiscent of the cast dynamic in “Skins”. Alternatively, could we leap forward several decades, with a younger version of Hanani-Spearing learning the ropes on the trading floor?
It’s been a blast watching this season alongside you! I truly hope you had as much fun as I did. As we impatiently await season four, I must confess that I am optimistic we’ll continue enjoying it together when it arrives. Thank you for joining me in this shared experience and for your active participation.
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2024-09-30 06:56