'Industry': Eric's Beastly Turn Leaves Viewers Shocked, Is It His End Or Will He Redeem Himself?

After Season 3, Ken Leung was unsure about returning to Industry for another season. The reason being, he felt 'Eric Tao's' aec had come to a "closed circle". However, he told the show's creators he could be persuaded if the character was given a meaningful difference. Industry creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay considered the possibility and drew inspiration from a Samuel Johnson quote about "becoming a beast". 

The same quote gave birth to 'Eric's' story in Season 4. However, in Episode 6, he discovered that 'Dolly' hired by 'Whitney' is only 14 years old. How does the scandal impact 'Eric' and why does he end up taking the blame? Let's find out.

'Eric's' misguided hope makes the fall worse

'Eric' is known for his cruel plays, similar to how he used 'Adler's' tumour against him in Season 3. However, for Season 4, the makers needed something that would truly uncover his 'beast-like' image. And for viewers, that revelation came with the fact that he had been sleeping with a minor, 'Dolly'. Nonetheless, Ken wanted the impact to be brutal, so instead of playing 'Dolly' as just another fling, he imagined her as someone meaningful to 'Eric'. She became the beacon of hope that helped him rediscover his humanity. So, when the truth is revealed, the destruction is greater, as it isn't just about his collapse, but also about realising he misjudged everything.

'Eric' goes full Eminem in the CNN battle before collapse

While things were going out of control, 'Eric' gave the last blow with his CNN appearance, channelling his inner Eminem. The writers called it his 8 Mile moment, referring to the rapper's character winning by exposing his own flaws. Instead of letting 'Whitney' have the satisfaction of destroying him, 'Eric' owns up to her plot, protects 'Tao Stern' and manages to turn the attention back to the need for an audit. For Ken, the scene allowed him to briefly feel the ruthless 'Eric' of the earlier seasons. However, after the revelation, 'Eric' feels emotionally destroyed, and his breakup with 'Harper' shows a hollowed-out man. A scene that even the writers have found hard to write.

What are the deleted scenes in Industry Season 4?

In Industry Season 4, a key deleted scene showed 'Eric' arguing with his daughter about her nose ring. While the nose ring echoes 'Harper's' look from Season 1, it ends up triggering 'Eric'. He lashes out at 'Lily' but instantly regrets it and leaves. The exit would have directly motivated his final walk, giving it a clear emotional context. However, it was removed. Ken later revealed that several scenes with 'Lily' were cut, creating a "shadow season" that shaped his character's arc. Mickey and Konrad revealed that while they saw 'Eric' trying to redeem himself, especially with 'Harper', most of his actions were father-driven and about 'Lily', including his return to London.

The last shot and 'Eric's' exit

Judy Collins' Both Sides Now was intended to be the soul of the episode. While creators originally thought it would be perfect for 'Henry' and 'Whitney's' glory hole excursion, they also knew it would be an immaculate fit to set the emotional tone for 'Eric's' end credit walk. Talking about his exit from Industry, Ken shared:

"The answer is 'Yes' and 'Yes,' The way it lives in what we see, I think it's where me playing Eric ends, and where the actor plus you, the viewer, are together in what that means. I don't think its my province to say. It's so dreamy, and formless, we don't see his face. It's not really about him. It's not about how he's feeling. It's not about even where he is going. It's about the walking away. You're just as in that scene as I am."

Kondrad Kay also reflected on the use of the song and 'Eric's' exit. He shared that Arthur Miller's definition of a "tragic figure" was something he and Mickey Down kept in mind as they concluded 'Eric's' Season 4 arc. He shared:

"Self knowledge arrives, but it's too late,' and I think that's Eric. The choices you've made have led you to a point where things can start to come into focus, regret can start to really weigh in, and you can start to know simple, true things about yourself and feel ready to access those things, but you're past a point in your life where it's actually going to make any difference. That's the essence of a tragic figure, there's no way back."

Is this the end for 'Eric'?

Now with the final walkout, some fans are still curious if 'Eric' will find his way back to Industry Season 5. During a recent podcast, Konrad Kay and Mickey Down reflected on the topic and cautioned against drawing a connection between 'Eric's' Episode 6 exit and the fact that 'Gus' and 'Robert' did not return to the series. Konrad was quoted as saying:

"When characters have found some kind of redemption, they've extricated themselves from the world of 'Industry' and the operating system which it propagates. They don't belong in the universe anymore."

What are your thoughts on Industry Season 4 Episode 6? 

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