Industry Power Rankings: “How Are You In Finance And So Broke?”
Where Pierpoint’s finest hold sway after episode 304.
You can find last week’s rankings here, but tonight’s rankings has destroyed Brunette Man Empowerment.
Major Spoilers for Industry’s “White Mischief.”
Just a week ago, Industry sparked my urge to hop off a plane at LAX with a dream in one hand and my cardigan in the other, all to see Augustus Sackey. This week, I now want a vacation as much as Rishi walked into a door. Anyway, let’s get into it (yuh):
Harper Stern
Harper continues to successfully run her hedge fund, Leviathan Alpha, alongside Petra Koenig, and has access to some promising resources. When Rishi Ramdani reaches out for an update on Goldman’s situation, Stern reveals that they are not just shorting cable; she’s also now connected with—wait for it!—Daria. (I can afford to win her approval now.” Harper tells Rishi in 304.)
Sweetpea Golightly
Although Sweetpea might not be raking in huge profits on the trading floor, she still garbs Bottega Veneta with elan, works on her risk analysis, and seems to be the sole individual in the room posing wise questions about the bank’s future. Golightly (no waist found tonight) also runs an OnlyFans account. However, if Pierpoint faces any more trouble, we can be sure that Sweetpea will be just fine.
Robert Spearing
Robert, darling, you get to exhale now. Forgive me for not having much trust in Spearing at first, but he has come through yet another episode without a scratch and without any trauma to bear. Could this be the final moments of Robert’s peace? Maybe, but for now, let's take a moment to celebrate this wee victory. Woohoo!
Ali El Mansour
I have always kept an eye on the mysterious Egyptian salesperson that Bill Adler left on Eric Tao’s floor…But could Ali rank to the top of my echelon so soon? I was skeptical—until he playfully teased Ramdani, who later had a shiner, and offered him a firm piece of advice: “You’re in my personal space.” El Mansour could potentially walk away with everything (more Versace).
Venetia Berens
Venetia initially seemed as pure as fallen snow to Pierpoint, but that doesn’t mean she would exit quietly. As the episode unfolds, we discover that the bank’s subreddit leak was orchestrated by none other than Venetia herself. The mere idea of her attempting to sabotage Rishi and delivering a final jab at him before leaving is gold. This revelation not only indicates that she’s engaging in the same tactics as her peers but also highlights Bergens’ capability to be a formidable player in the game.
Anraj Chabra
Anraj is undoubtedly being prepared to take over from Rishi, yet he faces ongoing mistreatment from Ramdani. During the Christmas party, Rishi pressures Anraj and tricks him into giving up his rent money, claiming he needs it to “bet on horses.” The next morning, Anraj’s book runs an extra $300 million because of Rishi. He then confesses that he regularly feels anxious about going to work due to his concerns about Ramdani’s manner of speaking to him. Right now, if anyone could use a warm embrace, it’s surely Chabra. I can hardly believe his scalp hasn't turned grey yet!
Rishi Ramdani
…and How Stella He Got His Groove Back (1998)?
Poor Rishi and his poor shiner and his poor, poor blood-stained button-down. What a tough situation for him! Ramdani kicks off this week feeling completely unmoored. He’s lost touch with reality, oblivious to the fact that his own schemes are the very things bringing him down. At Pierpoint, he’s part of an illegal horse betting scheme with his colleagues, claiming to place their bets while secretly keeping their money, as none of the bets are winning. If this were a scene from Uncut Gems, Phil would have shot him by now, but Rishi is in debt to Vinay, his current lender.
Things get worse when Pierpoint’s HR calls him in about his inappropriate comments that were overheard. Ramdani claims he doesn’t remember saying anything and ultimately loses his cool with the HR staff and Eric. When Tao returns the betting money at the annual Christmas get-together, Rishi hides it in his coat and instead gives Vinay his watch to buy some time.
Ramdani then takes the dough to a casino, bets it all, and hits the jackpot. As soon as he can finally walk away with a win, Rishi ends up partying to celebrate, kissing another man’s girlfriend, and getting beaten up by an irate boyfriend who utters racial slurs throughout the scuffle. To compensate for his bruised ego, he gathers up the profits and makes his way back to the casino, risking it all for the SECOND time before just departing with a black-and-blue visage. The following day, his remarks continue to haunt him, leading to further defeat. However, when Stern calls with a pound request, Ramdani cleverly uses her insights to make trades, racking up $18 million across the books. This triumph does little to ease tensions at home, though. His wife, Diana, confronts him about his gambling, his quest to fit in, and her revelation of infidelity. Despite the turmoil, she remains one ally in his corner, paying his debts in savings.
Rishi appears to smile through his crash out, but the reality is stark: he is a man grappling with addiction and in need of help. He even reaches out to Vinay again, seeking another loan to fuel his gambling itches. I will say, though, that it is quite satisfying to witness Ramdani be the one to call out Eric for letting Harper go after viewing her as a threat. Normally that would earn him ten more points in my book, but all I can give him is a modest 5.5. The one guy who should be addicted to porn while making egregious bets and surrounded by racists is Drake, no shade! What’s next a finsta account? Oh, don’t piss me off. Rishi is waiting to embarrass you. Perhaps we no choice but to respect it.
See y’all next week!