Emmy-Worthy ‘Industry’ Episode Puts Rishi in the Stressful Spotlight

Warning: Spoilers for Season 3 of Industry.

Wall Street taught us that “money is a b—h that never sleeps.” In Industry, Rishi Ramdani (Sagar Radia) lives by this lesson in Sunday night’s episode, escalating the anxiety to new levels. If you thought Season 3 was intense, get ready because the stakes at HBO’s investment bank have just skyrocketed.

In Episode 4, Pierpoint is grappling with the downfall of Lumi, a green energy company now in administration, with the British government likely stepping in for emergency relief. Eric (Ken Leung) tries to minimize the gravity of the situation during a team meeting but later confides to Rishi that they are on the brink of a crisis. Yet, Lumi is only a backdrop to Rishi’s high-octane ride over the next 48 hours, showcasing Industry at its peak as its characters flail in their personal and professional lives.

The episode shows stress-inducing TV at its best, drawing comparisons to Uncut Gems.

Rishi’s aggressive behavior isn’t new; he once yelled, “I am violence! I am violence!” during a Lumi launch day disaster. But his growing personal debt and immense losses at work push him to an apparent breaking point. The episode keeps the camera glued to Rishi, capturing every frantic moment, even as he multitasks between work and personal life.

While Pierpoint teeters on disaster, the camera stays glued to Rishi through every ordeal. Even when he is multitasking—holding his infant son Hugo while watching Sweetpea’s (Miriam Petche) OnlyFans videos and getting a payment declined—the stress never eases. Rishi’s desperation is highlighted when he pays one of his debts by doing another line of coke at an otherwise calm holiday party.

The festive village where Rishi now lives looks like a sequel to The Holiday. But suburban life isn’t going smoothly. Rishi’s sizeable property investment clashes with the locals who resist renovations to their historical cricket pavilion. “It’s mine, but it feels like it’s theirs,” Rishi laments.

Nicholas (Al Roberts), an overbearing neighbor, still sees himself as the real owner of Rishi’s property. He’s also the man Rishi’s wife Diana (Emily Barber) lost her virginity to at Nicholas’ 18th birthday party. Nicholas intrudes further by renaming Rishi’s dog from Rajah to Roger. Rishi even gave up the pet, believing it caused his incessant back pain. Through these encounters, the colonizer vibes are unmistakable, especially when Rishi is accused of loitering during a late-night walk with a bookie, Vinay (Asim Chaudhry).

Maintaining appearances is tough when creditors make house calls. Rishi is deep in debt, owing over £230,000 across various credit accounts. Earlier, Rishi quipped, “Money is an illusion,” a statement that rings true for someone dealing with investments as mere numbers on a screen. Creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay crafted this gripping episode, proving you don’t need a finance degree to feel every tension-filled moment with Rishi.

After 15 years at the company, Rishi’s offensive language lands him in hot water with HR. The trader makes Succession’s Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) seem tame by comparison. Rishi defends his crude comments as “talking straight,” which Eric tries to downplay as “unadulterated” and “a little blue.” Robert calls Rishi’s phrasing “backward,” adding, “You make people uncomfortable.” Rishi’s safety net of making money is unraveling rapidly.

In Season 2, Harper (Myha’la) observed that Rishi never contemplates who he is, which remains accurate as he hits rock bottom. Sagar Radia portrays Rishi’s manic highs at work and the casino, then the lows after losing big and getting beaten up. This Emmy-worthy performance captures a man constantly chasing the next bet, even with a swollen face and blood-stained shirt.

Rishi gathers his co-workers’ money for a horse racing syndicate but uses it for his own gambling, revealing his mix of negging and sales tactics to get the £2,000 stake from hesitant colleagues. Anraj mentions needing to pay rent, Eric distrusts Rishi, and Robert is confused about why the buy-in has increased from £100. Like Robert, viewers are all in despite the bewildering financial jargon.

Venetia (Indy Lewis) quits her job, telling Rishi he’s a “five pump chump.” Despite this blunt truth, Rishi ends on a high as his gamble pays off. Anrah says, “You’re not even a good trader. You’re just lucky.” Rishi’s response? “What’s the difference?”

Back home, drowning in debt, Rishi regains confidence through a candid talk with his wife, who agrees to bail him out. The next morning, a rejuvenated Rishi demolishes the cricket pavilion and retrieves his dog, Rajah. Instead of stopping there, he calls Vin, wanting to place a new bet. “I’ve got a feeling, a great feeling like fate is shaving her c–t just for me,” Rishi says. How soon before fate turns against him?

Source: The Daily Beast