Rob Can’t Win But He’s the Low-Key Hero of Industry

Rob Can’t Win But He’s the Low-Key Hero of Industry

As a reviewer who has spent countless hours observing the lives of characters on screen, I must say that Rob (played by Harry Lawtey) in Industry is a character who has grown on me immensely. Initially, he seemed like a bit of a lost soul, bumbling his way through banking and life, but as the seasons progressed, he transformed into a symbol of resilience and determination.


Poor Rob, it seems he’s constantly facing misfortune. The role of Industry‘s “Industry” character, portrayed by Harry Lawtey, didn’t receive as much attention as Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and Harper (Myha’la) in the third season of the show. Yasmin’s hidden truth about her father’s demise and Harper’s plot to undermine Pierpoint have cast a long shadow over their less-than-competent colleague, who keeps stumbling through his banking career and personal life.

Despite all this, Rob has experienced quite a bit of hardship. His mother passed away. The person who guided him at work also died. Worse still, his father chose another family over him. He was manipulated by an older woman he was working with. This abuser then perished beside him. Incredibly, the abuser’s daughter attempted to kiss him! He was compelled to testify against his client for misconduct before the government. In the course of this, he almost got blamed for a mess that, frankly, wasn’t sophisticated enough to orchestrate. To top it all off, he had a physical altercation with Jon Snow – or rather, his rich and privileged client, the charmingly named Henry Muck.

As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you, the Rob-Yasmin saga was quite a rollercoaster ride. I fell head over heels for Yasmin, the rich girl, just like a working-class kid chasing after his beloved puppy. I found myself in hot water when I acquired drugs for her, all while trying to stay clean and sober myself. Yet, even in my direst circumstances, I opened my home to her when she had nowhere else to go. And after what felt like an eternity of waiting, we finally shared a moment together – only to be left heartbroken yet again. This time, it wasn’t just any nobleman but the very one who had been implicated in the malfeasance that brought us all this misery.

It’s clear that Rob’s struggles haven’t been overlooked. Occasionally, viewers of the show express their support on Twitter, saying things like, “Today was a day Rob survived without anyone dying nearby. A big victory for him!

In each installment of “Industry,” I find myself thinking, “Rob seems to be at his absolute worst,” but it seems as though things continue to deteriorate for him even more. I’m left wondering just how much worse things could possibly get for him. 😪

— tabitha (@cinedruig) August 19, 2024

rob went one week without any life changing trauma.. im so proud of him #IndustryHBO

— #iloveayoedebiri (@riaslost) September 16, 2024

After almost three whole seasons, Rob finally found his voice and asserted himself – praise be! #IndustryHBO

— leslie (@lesliezye) September 23, 2024

At the outset, it wasn’t immediately clear that Rob would be the most relatable character within the Industry. In fact, he seemed rather pitiful at times, pining after Yasmin, struggling with work, and letting his personal life spiral out of control due to substance abuse. The viewers might have even grown resentful towards him, perceiving him as a person who was inexplicably rising through the ranks despite his apparent ineptitude in maintaining or attracting clients.

Initially, Harper served as a stand-in for the viewers, especially those from America. As a young African-American woman, she aimed to succeed in an environment largely controlled by affluent white men, many of whom had posh accents. However, over time, Harper has risen to become an authority figure, even when she’s relegated to the outskirts of Pierpoint. She’s adept at navigating financial markets, both legitimately and otherwise, matching the expertise of her peers.

Over time, Rob transformed into something greater than just a partygoer. As Mickey Down and Konrad Kay explored his character, they discovered a man grappling with class anxiety. Everyone around him seemed to have an advantage – Yasmin had wealth, Gus had connections, Harper was ambitious and ruthless due to her hidden secret. Rob, on the other hand, was just an ordinary middle-class white man trying to fit in with the wrong crowd. He felt fortunate to even be there. After his first big paycheck, he purchased a motorcycle and was quickly criticized for it.

Towards the close of Season 1, a superior colleague at the firm, Daria, scolds Rob for his drug-addicted lifestyle and reckless behavior. (Given that everyone else at Pierpoint appears chronically high, his ineptitude is the more significant issue.) Despite his best efforts to be productive since then, Rob has confessed in Season 2 that he’s petrified of dealing with clients – a task inherent to his position. The demanding nature of his profession drives him into dangerous situations, such as falling prey to a sexual predator in Season 1 and nearly becoming disposable for a potential startup CEO seeking to protect his own image. When compelled to testify at a government inquiry, he resorts to wearing obviously fake glasses in an attempt to seem intelligent. His foolishness is almost adorable.

It’s advantageous that Kit Harington’s character, Henry Muck (a somewhat shallow yet wealthier and more privileged counterpart of Rob), was introduced as Yasmin’s new love interest. This leaves Rob stunned and bewildered. However, he soon recovers and carries on. In comparison, Henry endures less hardship but reacts dramatically when faced with difficulties. By stark contrast, Rob appears to be the most noble and desirable gentleman in England.

Rob Can’t Win But He’s the Low-Key Hero of Industry

In a series where underhanded actions like betraying colleagues, engaging in illegal transactions, or passively watching as an abusive father drowns (as seen in Mallorca) are common, Rob is the only character who seems likely to come out of Pierpoint relatively unharmed. He’s the one we’re cheering for, as shown by the tweets praising even his smallest successes, such as confidently strolling down a hallway after receiving bad news at work, which could indicate he’s subtly distancing himself from his job (a sign of ‘quiet quitting’).

Initially, Rob serves as the stand-in for the audience, mirroring the growth of a show that has transcended banking cliches. The once-charming and privileged Rob has hit his luck’s ceiling in a world where social advancement is tougher than it seems. Even with his endearing goofiness, Rob’s lack of direction and innocence are not just relatable, they’re commendable. In an odd yet compelling way, Rob emerges as our unlikely hero.

We enjoy series such as Industry, Succession, and The White Lotus not only for their captivating storylines but also to marvel at the lavish yachts and private jets they display. However, it’s important to remember that these shows serve as cautionary tales. Regrettably, a significant number of characters meet untimely ends on those luxurious vessels and aircraft. Wealth has a corrupting influence. Characters who seem to have the potential to break free from the rat race are often the ones we root for the most.

Although Rob had a tough time this season due to Yasmin leaving him for a wealthier man, it turns out he ended up in a better spot. To be honest, their relationship was unstable and Yasmin didn’t seem to value Rob much. Given the circumstances, it’s probably best for him that they parted ways. He may have quit banking, but his enthusiasm for his ayahuasca business venture is more intense than any previous endeavor. Perhaps he’ll finally find a job he truly enjoys. And despite the fact that people close to Rob keep passing away, he continues to live and prosper.

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2024-09-30 06:06

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