Surprisingly, Harper has landed on her feet, now working for a hedge fund investor but as a glorified secretary. Although she’s a bit cowed, we see her step into her confidence and wear poise like a bespoke suit. It is a significant transition for Harper. No longer the insecure newbie getting used due to her naïve ambition, she parlays her high-risk tactics into sharp positions and shrewd new alliances. Meanwhile, Harper has what feels like her first real moral quandary when weighing business versus friendship loyalties. Once again, we will see her on the precipice of facing consequences, only to out-maneuver danger. As the dark heart of the show, Harper manages to make you simultaneously cheer and cringe.
Eric’s having ethical crises as well. His personal life has fallen apart – he’s separated from his wife, and she’s attempting to get custody of their twin girls. He cut ties with Harper because she didn’t align with his values, and this season, he doubles down by saying she’s a bad person. But he wrestles with his ambition, need for job security and status, and towing the company line shortly after being made a Pierpoint partner, which sees him having to service Harper as a client.
Yasmin is now working for Eric and has her bank account for the first time, finally separate from her family’s money. She lives with Harper and Robert at their flat and feels the pressure of filling Harper’s work shoes. Despite her legally dubious market behavior, Harper made money for Pierpoint’s hand over fist, and Yasmin just doesn’t have the same energy or performance. Adding to her troubles are the sins of her missing father, Charles (Adam Levy). His embezzlement’s legal and social fallout besieges Yasmin in his absence; paparazzi hound her. A leaked photo of her on her father’s yacht turns up in a tabloid, causing speculation on her knowledge of her father’s crimes and giving her an image problem at work. The story of Yasmin on the yacht (named, tellingly, The Lady Yasmin) is knotty and scandalous, teased out over the length of the season.
