What I’m Watching: Industry (Season Premiere)

Industry: Season 2, Episode 1 “Daddy” (B+)

It’s interesting to see how this show has incorporated the pandemic into its narrative, with Jay Duplass joining the cast as Jesse Bloom, a wealthy investor nicknamed “Mr. Covid,” Harper working exclusively remotely from a hotel while everyone came back, and just one employee wearing gloves and a mask in the office while breath and particles are constantly floating around him. Eric is still firmly trying to help Harper, but that involves forcing her to get him coffee even though it wasn’t just if she was getting for herself anyway and suggesting that she get some therapy that clearly is of no interest. With Yasmin not at all interested in being on remotely good terms, Robert is currently the best friend she has, taking her back to her hotel room after she got very drunk at the drinks for Rishi’s engagement and refusing to engage with her in that state. This is a workplace where people absolutely air their grievances and launch psychological warfare on each other, and the new hire isn’t into that, something that got Yasmin very angry when she tried to enforce the same abusive behavior that she had been subjected to when she first started. Losing her biggest client is a problem, but she may have a new opportunity even after mistaking a high-powered colleague for a sex worker at the party. Eric was very rattled by the New York import likening him to George Clooney, and he may be able to help his position if Harper’s risky gambit with Bloom ends up paying off.