It’s been enough time since Part 2 of Emily in Paris Season 4 has graced our televisions and screens…so if you’re reading this, you should be caught up by now. If not, there are spoilers ahead. And you probably already caught on from the title. Sorry.
Four seasons in, and it’s Christmas in Paris, finally…a harrowing reminder that this arduous production starring Lily Collins has stretched out every possible moment and only covered
four months in Emily-time.
But actually, this was
Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 2 jumping forward in time…so we’ve only technically covered like two months so far. From fall to Christmas, everyone’s lives seem to change drastically. And since there are a million different plots going on all at once, it seems like no one has it together.
Unfortunately, I tuned into
Netflix again. I know you all must hate this by now, I’m like a broken record. But, like any tragic accident, you can’t look away.
Emily in Paris Season 4 Part 2 Recap
If you recall from Part 1, Emily ends her relationship with chef (and client) Gabriel on a mountaintop because she’ll never come first over Camille. Camille has a secret of her own of course, because she’s
not pregnant with Gabriel’s baby.
So, as we head into the second part of the season, I’m already tense. Emily is now (A) single and (B) not going to do well at her job for a multitude of reasons…
again. Meanwhile, her boss Sylvie and boytoy, Laurent, have shacked up in Sylvie’s lavish apartment and all seems to be going well…
That is, until Laurent’s daughter, Geneviève , is arriving from the States to pursue a career in fashion…and Sylvie offers to get her a job with her competitor (who says no), so Sylvie ultimately decides to have her intern at her own company alongside painfully American Emily.
By working together, Sylvie learns that Laurent
may be seeing other people (cough-cough, his ex wife). So, in total French fashion, she starts seeing someone else on the side, too. But this isn’t Sylvie in Paris, back to Emily Dearest.
We see Emily struggle to get over Gabriel. One of their clients even proposes a baby rattle perfume bottle, which she gives to Camille as a peace offering. However, Camille then dishes
finally that she’s not actually knocked up and she thought she loved the idea of the life she and Gabriel could have had.
So, obviously Emily feels dumb, and what would be the correct thing to do here? Go to Rome. Exactly.
Meanwhile, Laurent’s daughter Geneviève starts doing everything that Emily is unable to: get through to Gabriel, be there for him in general, and yes, she even pulls a few moves on him. He gets his Michelin star, Laurent’s daughter tries to plant a smooch on him, and he realizes he misses Emily.
But Emily’s in Rome!! Yapping it up with a new rich guy and making someone else fall in love with her somehow. After returning from a whirlwind romance with some guy whose name is currently escaping me, and honestly, does it even matter?…the team sits down for a meeting.
Sylvie reveals that they will have to spearhead a permanent Rome office…and she wants it to be
Emily who goes.
Yes,
EMILY the American who actually is the least qualified of them all. Is going to lead their Rome team. And now she gets this hot new rich guy, too.
As we’ve noted, it’s only been four short months in Paris for Emily the Midwesterner. Now, after barely learning the language and culture,
somehow she’s relocating to a totally different European country. My suspension of disbelief is utterly broken.
The clear take away from most of Part 2 is that Emily is not prepared to lead anyone. If I made this many rash decisions that crazily, whackily,
luckily work out, I’d be fired. Not only does Emily quickly think she runs the place, but now…she actually does.
And, of course, this leaves Gabriel in the dust. Which honestly doesn’t bother me whatsoever. I feel absolutely nothing towards him. It’s all about Alfie for me.
Anywho, Emily will indeed trek to Rome for the next season of
Emily in Paris…which has indeed already been confirmed. To my delight (or horror?) we get to see yet another man fall in love with Emily in a foreign country known for its art, culture, cuisine, and fashion. Awesome.
It’s been rare — to say the least — when I’ve gone to a festival where the entire weekend revolved around one headliner. It was undeniable — the palpable energy at Sea.Hear.Now 2024 as the time to watch hometown hero — Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band — perform as the Sunday night headliner.
Spanning the two-day festival were iconic performances from the likes of Noah Kahan, Norah Jones, Trey Anastasio Band, and more…but it was clear from the beginning who this festival was about: The Boss.
From the first moments of this year’s Sea.Hear.Now, fans were decked out in their Bruce Springsteen merch. I’ve never seen a crowd so diverse in terms of age — longtime Springsteen followers and new listeners alike flocked to Asbury Park, New Jersey to see Bruce live.
Springsteen had not returned to Asbury Park since 2010 — when he performed an invite-only set at the Carousel House. This was the first time he played a set in New Jersey to a paying audience in decades…and The Boss didn’t disappoint.
Sea.Hear.Now Day One: Noah Kahan Brings Stick Season To The Beach
We rented a place in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, a few miles from Asbury Park. Saturday we opted to take the train in because it runs almost directly into the festival itself. I’d highly recommend that anyone planning on going to next year's festival take advantage of public transportation.
As I entered the festival on Saturday, I did what all savvy festival attendees do: bee-lined for the merch stand before all the good stuff sold out. Since I’d arrived a bit late, I was already out of luck on a number of popular items.
I will always tell people to buy one piece of personalized merch at every concert you attend. It’s terrific memorabilia, and even better bragging rights. So, anything that states the festival lineup and location will do for me.
What I love about Sea.Hear.Now is that it truly showcases the beauty of Asbury Park itself. Once a struggling, rundown town, Asbury Park has rebuilt and transformed itself into a mecca for music, nightlife, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Festival performers like Joe P had amazing sets, where he performed classics like “All Day I Dream About” and “Off My Mind.” But Joe P also dropped in and played sets at local bars like Low Dive. Bruce Springsteen also played a surprise 30-minute set at the iconic Stone Pony that same Saturday night.
I quickly ate my go-to festival dinner — a pulled pork sandwich, which is never the best or worst attempt at barbecue I’ve had — and rushed to the VIP area for Noah Kahan’s headline set.
As always, Noah Kahan delivered a flawless performance. I’ve seen him perform his hit album, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), numerous times now and am constantly impressed by both his vocal power and humor.
But the VIP crowd was evidently there for Bruce. As I screamed the words along with Noah — to the horror of everyone around me — I discovered that many did not know a single song. That’s the worst part about VIP at a festival…it can be a bit stuffy.
Sea.Hear.Now Day Two: The Boss Is Back
The crowd at Sea.Hear.Now 2024 Nathan Zucker
By day two I was exhausted. No matter how small and cozy a festival is, there’s a lot of walking. My feet and legs ached as I woke up, but I knew I had more to go. But there was one factor motivating me, and his name is Bruce Springsteen.
This was my first Bruce show. Growing up in New Jersey, The Boss is an absolute superhero. It’s between him and fictional character Tony Soprano for top two New Jerseyans.
I’d heard many things about seeing the legendary E Street Band in person. Everyone knows that many artists wouldn’t be here without Bruce. And I knew what a big thing it was for him to play a hometown show for the first time in forever.
The anticipation was electric from the beginning, but Sunday in Asbury Park felt like Christmas came early.
Last year, the VIP section was flooded with people sitting in the food area, watching football games by the TV on Sunday. This year, the beach was packed by midday.
As soon as you entered the festival, everyone was wearing something Springsteen-related. While Saturday brought a few Noah Kahan-faithful, Sunday was solely for Bruce.
He popped into multiple other sets, like performing with the Trey Anastasio Band before his own headline performance. Bruce and his E Street Band were gifted a three hour slot — unheard of in most festivals.
But it was for entirely good reason. Bruce delivered an unforgettable performance that longtime fans know in their bones is once-in-a-lifetime. Many are saying that if they never see Bruce live again, ending with that performance would be perfect.
He played songs like “Thundercrack” for the first time since 2016 and “Asbury Park (Sandy)” for the first time since 2010. After a cover of “Twist and Shout,” he ended the concert with a piercingly resonant “Jersey Girl.”
The band may be aging, but you cannot tell by their onstage electricity and fervor. Springsteen turns 75 years old this week, but you’d think it’s the 80s by the way he’s playing.
And, consequently, he reminded the crowd that we cannot outlast the E Street Band. The lovemaking, earth shaking, groundbreaking E Street Band played their hearts out for three hours straight— with no break! — on the beach of Asbury Park.
All ages came together in that one glorious moment to experience an outstanding set. It was something special to gaze around at the crowd and see everyone, old and young, having the best night of their lives. That’s what music is all about, and that’s why Sea.Hear.Now 2024 was so special.
I know I say this often, so you probably think I’m a miserable person…but I promise I’m actually quite happy most of the time. There are a few things that anger me to my core — most of them revolving around television series — and I must speak up when it’s right.
So while I’ve harped on
Emily in Paris and My Life With The Walter Boys, I actually have a Mortal Enemy #1: Tell Me Lies. And it’s not that the show’s writing is weak, per se. It’s a much bigger issue because there is not one likable character.
But I’m getting ahead of myself here. No need to hate too early on, we have the entire article for that.
Tell Me Lies Season 2 just released on September 4, and with a weekly rollout on Hulu, fans can anticipate regular episodes.
The show is based on the novel by Carol Lovering, and to be fair, I have not read it. So I cannot attest to whether or not Lovering is behind the atrocities that occur in the show.
In case you completely forgot what happened in
Tell Me Lies Season 1, let’s recap why I’m angry and believe every character in the show should be imprisoned.
Tell Me Lies Season 1 Recap
I meditated before writing this article so I could level my emotions. It starts with Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White), who meet while at Baird College and embark on an eight-year-long, on-and-off, emotionally abusive, toxic relationship.
Lucy is a freshman when she meets Stephen — a junior — who asks her on a date. But before that can happen, Lucy’s roommate Macy is killed in a car accident. I wish the story ended there, but sadly, I’m forced to continue.
Turns out, Stephen and most of his friends are directly involved in the accident that killed Macy. Even worse? Lucy’s best friend, Pippa, knows about it. But this isn’t fully revealed until the end of season 1, so as you can imagine it only gets worse.
As the season progresses, we’re caught up in a web of will-they-won’t-they with Lucy and Stephen…who truly traumatize everyone in their path.
If you are entering your freshman year of college, heed my advice: do
not put yourself through emotional hell for a junior boy with no aspirations and multiple potential felonies. It’s not worth it. It’s rare that the boy you meet freshman year is “The One.”
But anyways, Lucy and Stephen can’t get it together over the course of season 1. Finally, Lucy finally discovers that Stephen was involved with Macy’s murder. Stephen was with Macy in the car and he got away with it by pushing her body into the driver’s seat and deleting all their messages. Here’s the freaking insane part: Lucy stays with him.
They go on a weekend trip to Stephen’s roommate Evan’s lake house for his birthday…where just about everyone is disrespectful to Evan’s parent’s mansion. This aggravates me simply because (at this point in the narrative) Evan is relatively harmless, but even he ends up disappointing me.
So Lucy writes an anonymous letter to Baird’s Dean of Students blaming Macy’s death on Drew. The school then launches an investigation and Lucy provides Stephen with an alibi.
But how does Stephen repay Lucy for all this? By cheating on Lucy at a party with his ex so he can get an internship with her lawyer father. And how does Lucy react? By hooking up with Evan, who is dating
her best friend, Bree.
Tell Me Lies Season 2 So Far
The show flashes forward 8 years later where a different picture is painted. Evan and Bree are getting married, so the gang is forced to reunite for the first time since college.
It also looks like Stephen’s now engaged to Lucy’s best friend from home — Lydia — which feels like another manipulation tactic. Throughout the wedding rehearsal dinner and festivities, there’s clear tension between Lydia and Lucy.
While the show flashes back and forth between college and the wedding, we discover that Lydia’s younger brother Chris went to college with Lucy. At a party, Diana finds Pippa unconscious in a room with Chris, who claims he was only using the bathroom.
Pippa comes to and is confused and embarrassed while Diana and Lucy take care of her. Pippa admits she doesn’t remember anything beyond kissing Chris. This could be the start of the rift between Lydia and Lucy, but that’s all on the case for now.
The entire show is dedicated to Stephen manipulating different people. For example, he knows that Wrigley hooked up with Stephen’s ex Diana when they were freshmen…but rather than telling Wrigley he’s upset, he enacts a plot of psychological revenge.
Oh, Lucy. I
want to feel bad for you, but I don’t. Because you committed multiple crimes for a boy who is an awful person. It’s one thing to be a doormat, but this just hurts to watch.
Tell Me Lies continues to build the tension between every character. We watch Lucy continue to break under the pressure of her affair with Evan…who confessed to Bree that he cheated, but didn’t reveal who it was with.
Bree then turns around and starts having an affair with Oliver, a professor at the college who is married. Again, we all know this is such a bad idea. At the end of the day, no one is a hero in this story.
In the meantime, Stephen’s tormenting Lucy for having feelings for him in the first place. So, Lucy threatens to tell everyone the truth if he keeps harassing her. I’m sure this will go well.
The episodes end in present time, when everyone goes home to their significant others. Pippa, now in a clandestine relationship, finally reveals her lover is none other than Stephen’s ex, Diana.
Now that we’ve recapped the entirety of the show, can you understand why it’s so hateable?
Finally, some good TV. MAX, the artist formerly known as HBO, is back to dominating my Sunday nights with its highly addictive, highly stressful brand of terrific television.
After
The Idol flopped so badly, I worried that MAX wouldn’t ever live up to its glory days. But Industry, which was a compelling quarantine-watch that I feared might fizzle out in its third season, has proven itself to be the streamer’s latest juggernaut — and possibly one of the best shows of the year.
Move over prestige period dramas and fantasy epics – the hottest show of the fall is all about the cutthroat world of high finance. HBO's
Industry has quietly become must-see TV for its potent cocktail of ambition, excess, and anxiety that capitalizes on our love for “eat the rich” dramas.
It’s like
Succession and The White Lotus had a baby, except instead of the quiet comedy of the former or the slow, sleepy thrill of the latter, Industry is an anxiety-inducing feat of stress and success. While The Bear’s third season was just a flash in the pan, thanks in no small part to its immediate release of all of its episodes, Industry is coming out one episode at a time and really allowing us to sit in the stress it creates. And I love every second of it.
Industry, like all the beloved shows du jour, revels in depicting the bad behavior of the obscenely wealthy. But unlike overly didactic versions of this like Blink Twice or even Don’t Worry Darling,Industry follows a cohort of young finance hopefuls, exploring how a generation raised on social media and economic instability navigates the rarified air of high finance. The result is a show that feels both timeless in its examination of power and greed and painfully specific to our current cultural moment.
What is Industry about?
Simply put,
Industry is about investment banking. But what an antidote to the “looking for a man in finance” song that went viral this summer. If these are the men in finance, keep them away from me! Industry follows a group of analysts at Pierpont, a fictional London investment bank. But it spins all stereotypes on their head.
There’s the spoiled
nepo-baby heiress Yasmin (Marisa Abela); the prototypical Oxford boy who turns out to be a sensitive scholarship kid; Rob (Harry Lawtey), the privileged Nigerian golden boy suffering from disillusionment; Gus (David Jonsson); and our main anti-hero Harper (Myha’la), a Black woman from a state school who is both a prodigy and a fish out of water.
Now in its third season,
Industry has solidified its place as the rightful heir to the anti-hero drama throne once occupied by titans like Mad Men and The Sopranos. But instead of 1960s ad men or New Jersey mobsters, we're following viscous Gen-Z frenemies It's a world of obscene wealth, ruthless competition, and morally bankrupt decision-making. And though Harper, — called a “diminutive Black woman” in a recent episode — might seem the opposite of my beloved yet deeply flawed Don Draper, she’s a talented outsider struggling to make it in a world of wealth. And talk about an underdog we hate to love rooting for.
The cast makes each of their characters so compelling we can’t look away — even when they’re making a trainwreck of their lives. Myha'la anchors the show with her complex portrayal of Harper Stern, bringing a fierce intelligence and vulnerability to a character who could easily have become a caricature in less capable hands. Marisa Abela's Yasmin Kara-Hanani has become a fan-favorite for her portrayal of a woman navigating the intersection of wealth, privilege, and gender politics in the boys' club of finance. “I got a surprisingly large gay following,” she says in one of her opening scenes this season — and I get it.
But it’s not just the charm and quotable quips. What sets
Industry apart is its unrelenting pace and frenetic energy. In an era where prestige TV often favors measured storytelling and slow burns, Industry hits like a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart. Honestly, it shares more DNA with the anxiety-inducing rhythms of The Bear with an upper-class flair.
Admittedly, the middle of the second season dragged. And with all the finance jargon and plotlines heavily contingent on the ups and downs of the market, sometimes it’s tough to follow. Sometimes I call up my friends who are deep in the trenches at Goldman or J.P. Morgan to simply translate whatever I just saw — and to provide a lens on what’s
actually realistic. I worried that the third season would let me down. But instead, it ratcheted up the show to a level of intensity that shows Industry at its best.
Watch the Industry Season 3 trailer here:
Why Industry Season 3 is a game changer
This latest season doubles down on the show's stress-inducing tendencies, with the most recent episode drawing comparisons to the Safdie brothers'
Uncut Gems for its relentless tension. The last time I was this stressed watching an episode of television was during The Bear season 2’s famous episode “Fishes.” If you know, you know that episode was a departure from the Season’s quiet meditations on its characters. It was the epitome of a chaotic family Christmas. And it was critically acclaimed for a reason. Similarly, White Mischief breaks from the narrative to focus on giving us heart palpitations.
Rishi has been a character on the sidelines who delivers some of the best — though sometimes pretty vile — one-liners. But in this episode, we get an unprecedented spotlight on Rishi as he navigates an even more chaotic Christmas than Carmy’s family. From work to home and back again, the episode takes us through a harrowing 48-hour period of gambling, drugs, and increasingly risky trades. And though it takes such a narrow focus compared to other episodes of the show, this episode exemplifies everything that makes
Industry so addictive.
Season 3 has upped the ante considerably, with the addition of Kit Harington (of
Game of Thrones fame) as an unstable — and perpetually shirtless — tech CEO disrupting the lives of our beloved Pierpoint characters.
But what exactly is the point of
Industry, beyond giving viewers weekly panic attacks over concepts they barely understand? At its core, the show is an examination of ambition and its costs — literally and metaphorically. Through its characters' struggles and their differing axes of identity — the rich trying to get richer and the poor trying to be just like them — it asks how far we're willing to go to succeed in a system that may be rigged from the start. Through its ensemble of deeply flawed but magnetic characters, Industry explores the toxic allure of power and wealth and the toll it takes on those who pursue it relentlessly.
As we head further into Season 3, fans are on the edge of their seats to see how the various plot threads will interweave and resolve. Will Harper's risky plays pay off and allow her to rebuild the glory she tasted for a moment at Pierpont, or will her house of cards finally come crashing down? Can Yasmin successfully navigate the minefield of office politics and her complicated personal life? And where the hell
is her father? Will Harry get his emotions under control and deal with his grief instead of drinking it away? And just how long can Rishi's luck hold out before everything implodes spectacularly?
I mean, we all saw the ending of
Uncut Gems…
These questions — combined with the show's sharp dialogue and on rushing pacing — have made
Industry appointment-television for all of us who tuned in to watch Succession and White Lotus. It's the kind of show that demands to be watched in real-time, lest you fall behind on the water cooler — or, more accurately, Slack channel — discussions the next day. In a television landscape often dominated by IP-driven content and safe bets, Industry feels fresh and unpredictable.
The week between each episode feels unbearable. But if you’re like me, the best way to distract yourself from the wait between good TV episodes is to watch
more good TV.
Now, if you like
Industry, you’ll like these shows — and vice versa. From timeless rewatches to new favorites, this is what I’m watching while waiting for the next episode of Industry.
1. Mad Men
For the
Industry fan craving another dose of high-stakes professional drama, Mad Men is the ideal binge. Set in the cutthroat world of 1960s advertising — March 1960 to November 1970 — this AMC classic shares Industry's fascination with ambition, power, and the moral compromises we make in pursuit of success.
Jon Hamm's Don Draper is the OG antihero who paved the way for
Industry's morally ambiguous leading characters. Like Harper Stern navigating Pierpoint's treacherous waters, Draper's journey from mysterious outsider to advertising titan is a masterclass in reinvention and survival. Mad Men may swap Industry's glass-and-steel offices for wood paneling and cigarette smoke, but the underlying tensions feel remarkably familiar. Both shows excel at exploring workplace dynamics, gender politics, and the psychic toll of constant performance.
With 16 Emmys and universal critical acclaim,
Mad Men set the gold standard for prestige TV. Its influence on shows like Industry is undeniable, from the meticulous period detail to the complex character studies. The type of stress it creates is different and more simmering, as you wonder if Don Draper is going to get away with his indiscretions and if his company will retain their accounts. But it’s just as thrilling. For viewers who appreciate Industry's incisive writing and nuanced performances, Mad Men offers seven seasons of equally riveting drama.
2. Succession
HBO's critically acclaimed drama about the dysfunctional Roy family and their media empire shares
Industry's fascination with wealth, power, and the corrupting influence of both. Where Industry focuses on hungry young graduates clawing their way up, Succession examines what happens when you're born at the top — and the constant fear of falling. Both shows excel at depicting the often absurd world of the ultra-wealthy, balancing sharp satire with genuine pathos.
Jeremy Strong's Kendall Roy could easily be a glimpse into the future of
Industry's most ambitious characters, What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted, only to discover that it's not enough? The ensemble cast, including Brian Cox, Sarah Snook, and Kieran Culkin, delivers performances as nuanced and compelling as anything in Industry. With 13 Emmy wins and counting, Succession is the definitive show about wealth and power in the 21st century. Succession's razor-sharp dialogue and complex character dynamics will feel instantly familiar to Industry fans.
3. The Sopranos
HBO's groundbreaking mob drama paved the way for the complicated anti-heroes that populate shows like
Industry. Both shows excel at exploring the psychological toll of existing in a world of constant pressure and moral compromise. The Sopranos may focus on organized crime rather than high finance, but the themes of loyalty, power, and the American-Dream-gone-sour resonate strongly with Industry's explorations of late-stage capitalism.
The Sopranos set the template for the kind of nuanced, morally complex storytelling that Industry excels at. For viewers who appreciate Industry's deep character work and unflinching look at a cutthroat world, The Sopranos offers 6 seasons of unparalleled drama. Each time I watch Industry, I can relate to Tony’s panic attacks.
4. The Bear
If
Industry is the adrenaline rush of a million-dollar trade, The Bear is the heart-pounding intensity of a dinner service in the weeds. FX's breakout hit about a high-end, fine-dining chef taking over his family's struggling Chicago sandwich shop shares Industry's frenetic energy and exploration of high-pressure work environments.
Jeremy Allen White's Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto — like
Industry's Harper Stern — is a talented but troubled protagonist trying to prove themselves in an unforgiving world. Both are prone to panic as much as moments of pure genius; we can’t help but root for them while hoping they finally get out of their own way.
Both shows excel at depicting the toll that constant pressure takes on the characters, balancing moments of triumph with crushing setbacks.
The Bear swaps financial jargon for kitchen slang, but the underlying tension feels remarkably similar. The Bear has quickly established itself as one of TV's most exciting new dramas, finding moments of connection and humanity amidst the chaos.
5. The Fall of the House of Usher
For
Industry fans seeking a different flavor of high-stakes drama, The Fall of the House of Usher offers a gothic twist on tales of wealth and corruption. Based on Edgar Allan Poe's works, Mike Flanagan's Netflix limited series shares Industry's fascination with the dark side of ambition and power. Bruce Greenwood's Roderick Usher — the patriarch of a pharmaceutical dynasty — can be viewed as a cautionary tale for Industry's young strivers. Both shows excel at exploring the moral rot that often accompanies great wealth and influence.
Where
Industry finds horror in plummeting stock prices, Usher leans into supernatural terrors. Yet both understand that the most frightening monsters are often the ones we create ourselves while in pursuit of success. It's too new for major awards, but Flanagan's track record (including the acclaimed The Haunting of Hill House) suggests Usher will be a contender.
For
Industry viewers who appreciate that show's psychological depth and examination of familial legacy, The Fall of the House of Usher offers a compelling, horror-tinged alternative.
6. The Morning Show
Apple TV+'s
The Morning Show shares Industry's fascination with high-pressure work environments and the often murky ethics of corporate America. Swapping finance for broadcast journalism, The Morning Show offers another perspective on ambition, power, and the price of success. Jennifer Aniston's Alex Levy and Reese Witherspoon's Bradley Jackson — like Industry's Harper and Yasmin — navigate a cutthroat world where personal and professional lines are constantly blurred.
7. Good Girls
NBC's
Good Girls offers a fresh spin on the high-stakes world of finance that Industry inhabits. Both shows explore how financial desperation can drive people to cross lines they never imagined they would. The stress in Good Girls is more visceral and violent, but the underlying question is the same: what would you do for money?
Where
Industry finds drama in legal (if ethically dubious) financial maneuvers, Good Girls dives into outright criminality. Yet both understand that in a world driven by money, the line between legitimate business and organized crime can be surprisingly thin.
8. Severance
Apple TV+'s
Severance shares Industry's interest in the dehumanizing aspects of corporate culture — albeit through a surreal lens. This sci-fi thriller — about employees who surgically divide their memories between work and personal life — offers a different flavor of workplace anxiety. Adam Scott's Mark Scout, like many of Industry's characters, grapples with the all-consuming nature of his job. Yet both understand that in our late-capitalist world, the boundaries between work and life are increasingly blurred.
9. Billions
For
Industry fans craving more high-stakes financial drama, Showtime's Billions is the natural next step. Following the chess match between a hedge fund king and the U.S. Attorney determined to bring him down, it shares Industry's fascination with the ethical compromises and psychological warfare inherent to the pursuit of vast wealth.
Where
Industry focuses on young graduates entering the world of finance, Billions examines those at the very top of the food chain. These aren’t messy college kids living in a house flat who don’t know what to do with their money. These characters have far more to lose — but they’re playing equally fast and loose with their love and money.
What I love about Netflix is how sometimes they really don’t care. Take My Life With The Walter Boys for example: tacky plot, bad acting, no relatability…but a smash hit nonetheless. Sadly, these cheesy teeny bopper plotlines are all the rage. I’m looking at you, Emily in Paris.
You see, I didn’t catch Emily in Paris at first. I didn’t want to. I knew what was coming and I didn’t like it one bit.
But, at the end of the day, I’m not fully a free thinker. If something gets mentioned enough on social media — whether it’s a positive or negative review — I have to watch. And I was even far more interested when it seemed like people loved and hated Emily with equal fervor.
Starring nepo baby Lily Collins as Emily, this car wreck of a show follows an American actually making it in the Parisian fashion world. On the surface, this sounds great. But once you watch, you realize it’s a disaster.
We rarely follow a plot line. For a good part of the show, the main character Emily is torn between moving home and staying in Paris. She left her humdrum fiance in the American dust and moved on to a bunch of hotties in Paris. What a dream.
Not only does Emily win over these Parisian dreamboats — Alfie, I would treat you better — she does it wearing the worst possible outfits. Paris, France is the fashion capitals of the world…and with a show about working in fashion, you’d think Emily’s style would eventually mirror that.
It doesn’t.
Four seasons in and Emily is still trying too hard, mixing heinous prints, and applying bright red lipstick on her drab little lips. These past two seasons, she’s even added bangs.
I get angrier as I write this…but season four of Emily in Paris is out on Netflix.
Emily in Paris - Season 4, Part 1 Review
Honestly, going into this season, I remember nothing. I don’t know the characters’ names except for Alfie (and this seems to be the right choice). I forget most of the plot (if there ever was one). And it’s like I’m watching a whole new, awful show. Fun!
But this season, the writer’s decided to throw in every single plot line they could possibly think of and cram it into four episodes. If you don’t want spoilers, skip ahead.
We’ve got Emily’s boss — Sylvie — accusing industry titan Louis de Leon of sexual assault. There’s Camille — who got dumped by her girlfriend and moved next-door to her ex, Gabriel — only to find out she isn’t pregnant with his baby and he’s actually back with Emily.
Then, of course, we have Emily who has to forge a relationship with Alfie in the name of business. What a hard life she lives, truly. Imagine I wore the most atrocious outfits and had all the attractive men in France still think I’m cute. I, too, would never leave.
All the while, Emily’s boyfriend Gabriel is aiming to add a Michelin Star — or 3 — to his restaurant. There’s a lot to keep track of here, especially since the Netflix writers are trying to tie up a bunch of loose ends. Even they know there are far too many plots, but I’m not done.
The other crazy plot line they’ve decided to throw in there is a corporate issue: the marketing firm is selling a viral glass skin face mask…The only catch? Emily finds it’s actually just lubricant packaged in a fancy container.
This is one of the times I outwardly groaned. Seriously? This is what they could come up with? Was the Writer’s Strike really that bad?
On August 15, I sat down to watch the first four episodes of the season. If you think that means Netflix left us on a major Bridgerton-esque cliffhanger, you’d be wrong. We’re currently left wondering what’s going to happen to the lube face mask.
Why Emily in Paris is so bad it’s good
The phenomenon is that social meida has come together and collectively agreed: the show is so bad…but we won’t stop watching.
Maybe it’s for lack of better television right now, I know my options are bleak. Or maybe we crave a disastrous series that distracts us from our real life problems. But no matter about that, it’s working.
For those of you saying that Emily in Paris is a Golden Globe-nominated show — honestly, all that does is make me question the legitimacy of the Golden Globes.
Either way, unfortunately, I’ll be seated when Emily in Paris Season 4, Part 2 comes out on Netflix on September 12.