Unpacking the Intriguing Finale of ‘Industry’ Season 4: A Look at Kit Harington’s Impact

The fourth season of HBO’s “Industry” concluded with a lingering question mark, mirroring the uncertainty faced by Harper (Myha’la) after her successful takedown of Tender. Having achieved wealth and recognition, she finds herself on a private jet, contemplating her next move. Kwabena (Toheeb Jimoh) reminds her she’s no longer a solitary player, but part of a team she genuinely cares for, and even tentatively exploring real relationships. Has the season’s whirlwind of events truly changed her?

The moment is interrupted by a flight attendant’s simple question: “Are you done?” Harper’s slow, knowing glance upwards echoes a pivotal scene from the finale of “Mad Men,” a series that has profoundly influenced the creators of “Industry,” Konrad Kay and Mickey Down. They deliberately mirrored the iconic ending, recognizing the cyclical nature of ambition and desire.

A Nod to Continuation and Hidden Depths

Unlike the conclusive endings of Seasons 2 and 3, crafted as potential series finales, Season 4’s renewal for a fifth and final season was anticipated following a significant overall deal with HBO. Kay admitted they initially wrote Season 3 as a definitive ending, but the final image – Harper’s upward gaze – was a subtle hint at continuation.

But the intrigue doesn’t end there. Following the “Industry” logo, a fleeting frame appears, easily missed as a streaming glitch. However, it’s intentional. This single frame, taken from a deleted scene, reveals Whitney (Max Minghella) framed within a circular border.

“It’s Whitney looking through a glory hole,” Down revealed. “We shot a whole three-minute sequence…which was kind of beautiful, actually.” The scene, set in Lithuania, depicts Whitney interacting with a mysterious man, leaving the audience to question his intentions – a potential lover or a looming threat?

The Significance of the Glory Hole and Kit Harington’s Role

This imagery directly references Episode 6, where Whitney introduces Henry (Kit Harington) to a gay nightclub and leads him to a similar glory hole. Down had initially envisioned Judy Collins’ “Both Sides Now” accompanying this scene, mirroring the song’s use when Eric (Ken Leung) walks away, but rights issues prevented it.

“I wanted to put that Judy Collins’ song over that moment as well because he’s forcing and grooming Henry into that moment,” Down explained. “He’s pushing him into a glory hole, he’s whispering in his ear…I felt like that was some nice circularity of [Whitney] looking at that glory hole [in Episode 8] thinking, ‘Am I valid?’”

Kit Harington’s portrayal of Henry in this context adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, exploring themes of manipulation, vulnerability, and self-discovery. His presence in these scenes is crucial to understanding Whitney’s character and the show’s exploration of power dynamics.

For a deeper dive into the creators’ insights, listen to the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast (episode available March 2).