Industry’s Trevor White on the Tragedy of Bill Adler

As a writer, I found it immensely satisfying to delve into Bill Adler’s character and portray his final moments with a sense of poignancy and raw emotion. His life was a testament to relentless ambition and unwavering dedication to his work, and in his darkest hour, he was confronted with the cold, hard reality that even such devotion could not save him from the merciless machinery of corporate America.

Spoilers follow for Industry’s third season through seventh episode “Useful Idiot,” which premiered September 22 on HBO.

The toll on the industry continues to climb. In the second-to-last episode of season three, titled “Useful Idiot,” Pierpoint’s struggles intensify. With mounting debts and poor choices coming back to bite them, Pierpoint is forced into a downward spiral towards being sold off to another financial entity. However, it is Trevor White‘s character, Bill Adler, who suffers a double loss – both physically and symbolically. Adler, who has long been Pierpoint’s problem solver, ultimately takes the blame for the bank’s disastrous Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) missteps.

White chuckles as he adds, ‘If I don’t return as Banquo’s ghost, that’s likely the end of it,’ referring to the potential removal of Adler’s character from the show during season two due to a Me Too narrative. He hints at proposing a flashback scene, possibly involving squash.

In this episode, Adler, who previously informed Eric Tao at Pierpoint that he has brain cancer, believes Eric is supporting him in preserving Pierpoint’s independence. As Adler becomes more frantic and offers Eric a promotion, sets up a meeting with Mitsubishi for investment capital, and references Michael Mann’s “Heat,” he remains oblivious to the fact that Eric has switched sides. When Eric discloses Adler’s illness during the Mitsubishi meeting and implies his health issues have led to errors detrimental to Pierpoint, Eric is essentially betraying his longtime associate, much like Harper Stern, Adler’s former protege, did to him.

It’s a full-circle moment typical of Industry, the emotional impact of which is directly tied to how White plays Adler. He’s stiff with shock at Eric’s betrayal, wild-eyed at his secret being exposed, and then resigned at being ousted from the bank to which he’d devoted his professional career. “It’s like raising kids. When it’s really great, you know it’s not going to entirely last. And when you can’t sleep for a week, you know it’s not going to last,” White says of Adler and Eric’s short-lived alliance. “On Industry, you definitely know when it’s like, ‘Oh, those two guys are getting along? This is looking good!’ It’s not going to be good.”

The industry’s origins trace back to Hari’s demise, and ever since then, it seems like Pierpoint consistently extracts a heavy toll from its workforce. Wasn’t it surprising how Adler’s storyline unfolded for you?

In simpler terms, you’re asking if the boardroom seemed biased against Bill before Eric revealed his health status. My interpretation is no, but I initially envisioned myself as a practical person like Bill Adler or Gordon Gekko in my career. I’ve actually traded and sold stocks, but I didn’t follow that path, and I appreciate the opportunity to portray such a character because it reminds me – particularly how it unfolds for Bill – why I chose not to go down that path. [Laughs]

There’s a significant difference between individuals from different generations when it comes to their work ethic, especially between Gen-Xers who have spent a lot of time in Japan, where the institution is highly valued over the individual, and millennials who prioritize themselves more in the American model. This shift isn’t necessarily bad, as people should not be expected to always sacrifice themselves for a company that may exploit them with excessive work hours and underpay them. Bill would be an example of someone who would dedicate long hours to his work, often working 14 hours a day, five to six days a week, without question. While this dedication can seem admirable, there’s a balance between practicality and romance that I find particularly appealing in him. I truly believe he strives for the best interests of the company, which also happens to align with his own goals.

The fifth episode mainly focuses on Bill and Eric’s relationship, their past rivalry leading up to Eric betraying Bill upon a CFO’s request. Could you tell me about your collaboration with Ken? Regrettably, our scenes together were filmed later in the production process, which was after we completed episode seven. It would have been beneficial for us to film those earlier, as it would have added an authentic touch when portraying the betrayal, but due to scheduling conflicts, that wasn’t possible.

For extended periods of nearly a week, we found ourselves ensconced within that boardroom. There was no need for us to feign exhaustion, discomfort, or irritation, given our 80-hour stint over five to six days straight. It’s not a spacious room, and with numerous individuals present continuously, the artificial lighting – there was no need to put on an act. I must admit, I find that atmosphere somewhat appealing. It instilled a sense of claustrophobia. The events unfolded as authentically as possible in real-time.

In Bill’s last moments, which were undeniably intense and challenging, what emotions were you hoping to evoke or bring forth?

In some scenarios, I might have shown even greater distress in the boardroom, but that wouldn’t align with the desired rebound in the elevator, which would be undercut as well. There were also variations where I was collapsing in the elevator or standing my ground more forcefully, which seems to be the approach they went with – a sort of “Take that, Eric.” However, a more subtle response might have been more effective, such as, “If this is the person you choose to be, then I wish you the best in dealing with yourself.” In this instance, less may indeed be more.

It’s possible to view Adler as a tragic figure who was also an unwitting contributor to the machine he helped create. On one hand, his philosophy of “nobody owes anybody a tomorrow here” seems to justify his current situation, yet it’s heart-wrenching to witness him being used as a scapegoat by the new CEO. Adler, who appears naive about the ruthless tactics employed by figures like Harper and Eric, may not fully comprehend the lengths they would go to in their personal and professional pursuits. Despite his role in creating this machine, it’s clear that Adler holds different values from those around him, such as prioritizing the institution over potential misconduct, which might have led him to overlook or minimize certain issues, like a Me Too incident, because he believed “Nobody got hurt. We’re good. The institution doesn’t suffer.

A documentary titled “The Corporation” originated from Canada. It delved into how corporations are regarded as individuals under the law, and when evaluated, they exhibit characteristics strikingly similar to a psychopath. Some characters in the show “Industry” also display traits that resemble sociopathy, disregarding human emotions or consequences for their own gain. However, I don’t believe Adler is like this. It’s all about the profit margin. If you don’t meet targets, such as selling the most cars, you risk being let go at the end of the month. Essentially, it’s Alec Baldwin in “Glengarry Glen Ross” personified—the embodiment of pure capitalism. I even thought about the quote from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” by Jessica Rabbit: “I’m not bad”—she says this, but she’s actually involved in shady dealings.

He’s naturally inclined that way, it’s not something he chose or is responsible for. Adler is simply a product of the same system that he fights against, a system which he believes is the only viable option.

In this episode, Adler references Michael Mann’s film “Heat” when he tells Eric that for him, “the action is the juice,” which made me shout out in excitement. What did you think about that reference to “Heat”?

2024-09-23 06:54

Industry’s Trevor White on the Tragedy of Bill Adler

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