Industry: Season 1 Episode 1 “Induction” [Series Premiere] – Recap/ Review with Spoilers

Industry’s manic energy is enticing as a viewer at first but grows tiresome as you wait for that one character to truly hook you in and make the hour committed worth it.

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Creator	Mickey Down, Konrad Kay
Director(s)	Lena Dunham
Writer(s)	Mickey Down, Konrad Kay
Aired (HBO)	11/9/2020
Genre	Drama, Young Adult
Introduced This Episode
Robert	Harry Lawtey
Yasmin	Marisa Abela
Harper	Myha’la Herrold
Gus	David Jonsson
Hari	Nabhaan Rizwan
Clement	Derek Riddell
Eric	Ken Leung
Daria	Freya Mavor
Nicole	Sarah Parish

This content contains pertinent spoilers.

“Induction” Plot Overview

In the series premiere, we’re introduced to Robert, Yasmin, Harper, Gus, and Hari, all new at Pierpoint, an investment company. One that, for each of them, offers opportunities, but not at the same level. For Yasmin, as an example, she struggles since she has taken on an almost assistant role in getting people food and coffee, and whether she can break out of that is in question. Following her is Robert, who wants to be liked by his boss Clement, but the struggle is utterly real.

Following that is Gus, who is calm, cool, and collected in a way you don’t expect someone new to be. Especially after a conversation that noted within 6 months, the possibility of unemployment is real. This could be why his office neighbor, Hari, feels the need to compete and even sabotage Gus. Yet, in the end, the pressure gets to Hari, despite what he tries to do, and he dies – assumingly by accident, but possibly by suicide.

Either way, while Gus is tranquil, and the others are trying to break out the mold people have placed them in, Harper is doing alright. A man named Eric, who is a permanent employee, has taken to her, her line manager, Daria, who isn’t necessarily fond of her, does take her to a client dinner, and while she is assaulted by said client, Nicole, she does make money off of her.

But, don’t see this as everything coming up Harper. There seems to be something wrong with her educational background, and with that, she has a liability. Leaving you to question, will she be able to show through sales she deserves her seat, or will the lie about her background destroy all she’ll work for?

Review

Highlights

All Of The Graduates Draw You In [84]

The groundwork is laid so that nearly every single graduate, and some mentors, you’ll want to latch onto. Be it Robert and his attempt to win people over through partying or his relationship with Gus. Which, by the way, considering Gus is this dude who seems so sure of himself, seeing a Black, possibly gay (could be bi or another orientation) is different – in a good way. Add in Gus seeming like the only one who isn’t going to get fired when RIF day (Reduction in Force) hits, and it makes him feel like a secure character to follow. Meaning, something stupid is going to happen.

Though I must admit, the women are especially interesting. Yasmin has somehow fallen into the fetch it role, and every time someone looks at her, you are left hoping we’re going to get her point of view. Yet, while there is a short conversation in the bathroom about Harper, she remains seen but not heard.

Which is the opposite for Harper, who borderline feels like the main character. I mean, between being talked about by Yasmin, Robert seeking acceptance and friendship from her, Eric mentoring her, and Daria seeming almost jealous, all eye are on her – and Herrold handles it like a G. Not to the point of overcoming the note below, but I genuinely believe this could be a breakout for her, depending on her agent.

On The Fence

It’s Exhausting To Watch [74]

You ever watch a period drama which, yes, has these eccentric personalities running about, but something about it seems so dry it loses you? That is the problem with Industry. Be it that finance, even if it is investment banking, is a bore, or watching Robert party, it just doesn’t bring anything new to the game. Rather, as you watch Robert struggle and Hari have a mental breakdown, it makes you wish this was a half-hour show so it could cut itself off before it overstays its welcome.

Because, truly, we adore these characters, it is just the pacing and story they give them is just exhausting to watch. Making it so, while Hari’s death feels like a mercy killing since he was the most draining of them all, there is this fear that the issue wasn’t that the show is bloated, but the writers don’t know how to utilize the talent and characters to their fullest potential.

Overall

First Impression	Divisive
Score	79
Summary
Industry seems like the kind of show many would say had a rough season but got better in season 2. For with the pacing and the stories presented thus far, it feels too familiar and not in a way that we usually see. Meaning, previously, all of these characters would have been white. Instead, it feels like a rehash of something recently released, with new characters, but lacking that certain oomph so that it doesn’t draw comparisons to a show or movie that within one or two years had the same foundation.