Myha’la and Ken Leung Discuss the Journey of SternTao from Start to Finish
In a dramatic turn in the latest episode of *Industry*, titled “Dear Henry,” Harper Stern, played by Myha’la, confronts Eric Tao, portrayed by Ken Leung, about the dissolution of their firm, SternTao. Harper’s emotional plea, “I will always remember you like this,” underscores the fracture of both their business and personal ties following the sudden collapse of their fund.
This episode follows a previous installment where characters Sweetpea and Kwabena travel to Accra to expose Tender’s questionable operations. With SternTao poised to succeed in its short selling strategies, Harper struggles with the abrupt loss of her estranged mother while Eric faces his shortcomings as an absentee father.
During a pivotal moment at a financial conference, Harper passionately discusses Tender’s dealings, leading to a moment of pride for Eric, who feels a paternal connection to her success. However, Eric’s previous indiscretions come back to haunt him, as he receives a troubling video related to his past interactions. This atmospheric tension points to the precariousness of their triumphs in the morally questionable landscape of finance.
In a recent interview, both Myha’la and Leung reflect on the dualities of their characters. Leung articulates that Eric and Harper, in their relentless pursuit of success, share an intrinsic drive to climb the corporate ladder, yet it often comes at a significant personal cost. “To climb this business ladder, they had to summon a certain type of courage and resilience,” he noted, emphasizing that their pride stems from moments of achievement in a morally ambiguous environment.
When discussing the characters’ eventual fall from grace, Leung reflected on Eric’s choice to protect SternTao by dissolving their partnership through a proxy, which Harper interprets as betrayal. “He’s protecting Harper’s baby… the most giving he can be,” Leung explained. Myha’la added that Eric’s decision feels cowardly and deepens Harper’s isolation, especially following her mother’s death.
As the season progresses, uncertainty surrounds Eric’s future, with the closing sequences suggesting a finite chapter for his character. Leung expressed that the ambiguity of Eric’s departure allows the audience to speculate about his fate, stating, “The walking away is the story.”
In their discussion on character dynamics, Myha’la highlighted the introduction of Whitney, a character who serves as both a rival and a reflective surface for Harper’s own ruthlessness. “He’s actually insane,” she said, noting that Whitney’s unsettling behavior heightens the tension in her professional interactions.
Ultimately, the episode encapsulates the struggle between ambition and personal ethics, raising pertinent questions about the nature of success in high-stakes environments. As the story unfolds, viewers are left to ponder the intricate web of relationships and the inevitable consequences of their character’s choices.
