Industry Season 4 Episode 6 Review: Dear Henry

On Industry Season 4 Episode 6, “Dear Henry,” Harper presents SternTao’s findings on Tender, while Whitney navigates growing suspicion.

“Dear Henry” comes out the gate dripping in tension as Yasmin greets Harper at the Tender offices. The two haven’t crossed paths very much this season, yet they’re both very much tangled in the other’s web. Everything up until this point hangs in the air between the two. 

Marisa Abela and Myha’la are so well-established in their rapport, they convey silent electricity between them as the two frenemies confront each other for the first time in ages. There’s so much to say but no need to say it. Both of them know exactly what the other is thinking and what their game plan is in this moment. 

Harper and Yasmin’s relationship grows more intricate and complicated with each passing second and “Dear Henry” lays it all on the table.

Both are fighting for stability and, depending on how SternTao’s findings are received, one of them will secure that for the foreseeable future. They both need the other to fail, thrusting their friendship into the most precarious position it’s ever been.

Harper operates under the pretense that she’s looking out for Yasmin and that is true to an extent. She knows that this information will ruin Whitney and that he’ll take Yasmin down with him. Harper goes on to lament that Yasmin’s lost her empathy; should Yasmin come out unscathed, her stability still comes at the expense of her humanity. 

Even though Yasmin and Harper know each other so intimately, there’s a severe lack of trust because of that intimacy. As much as the visit is a courtesy, Yasmin views it as a moment for Harper to gloat and blow up her own life. If she listens to Harper, she’ll have to admit her life is not as stable as she’s projecting.

Meanwhile, as Harper propels herself toward triumph, Eric meets a fiery demise after flying too close to the sun. He goes out, though, protecting Harper and SternTao with everything he has. 

With the exception of what Eric did to get blackmailed, this may be the most noble Eric’s ever been. In removing himself from the equation, he ensures that SternTao can thrive to its fullest capability. It’s an affirmation of his belief in Harper.

Industry is a tragedy at its core so it’s fitting to leave Eric and Harper in this state, at least for now. Even though Eric is acting in Harper’s best interest, it’s the ultimate betrayal to leave her after she finally opened up to him. It’s even more devastating that he won’t tell her why because he wants to preserve the image she has of him. 

Leung and Myha’la spent Industry Season 4 building to this moment and crack their respective characters wide open. After everything, these two love and value each other. It’s the kind of twisted, intricate dynamic this show does best.

Which brings us to Whitney, Henry, and Yasmin. Henry’s completely slipped through Yasmin’s fingers at this point, with Whitney controlling the strings now. 

The homoerotic tension coursing between Henry and Whitney is electric. Max Minghella and Kit Harrington pull us into this whirlwind. It feels dangerous and intoxicating, but differs greatly from the heated sparks that fly between Henry and Yasmin.

Whitney effectively drives the wedge between Henry and Yasmin, dismantling whatever relationship was left once and for all. In true Henry fashion, he doesn’t realize he’s in too deep until it’s too late. Henry’s implicated and no longer has Yasmin in his corner.

But Yasmin may not have been able to save him in the end given how tangled Whitney’s web is. Just when we think we understand this man, he pivots, and Minghella almost revels in the erraticism of the character. His steely magnetism devolves from hypnotic to sinister as the episode unravels, reaching new levels of despicable for the series.

In many ways, “Dear Henry” is about protection. We witness these characters go to great, albeit questionable, lengths to protect the people they care for as everything comes crashing down around them.

Whitney pulls Henry away from Yasmin, although he’s mostly focused on protecting himself. Harper and Haley seek to protect Yasmin from Whitney. Meanwhile, Eric blows up his life to protect Harper. 

Their care and protection for others, though, isn’t so simple. With Industry one can’t help but be wary of ulterior motives; these characters are always pivoting. Are these sacrifices and moves born out of genuine love and compassion, are they in service of a larger game, or are they killing two birds with one stone?

Stray Thoughts

• Harper nailed her speech. With all the chaos, it’s easy to forget how great she can be when she’s on top.
• The whole framing device of Whitney writing this letter to Henry was disorienting, dizzying, and impeccable. 
• Eric versus Whitney in studio was exhilarating. 

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Industry airs Sunday at 9:00 PM ET on HBO.

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