Industry season 3 approaches its finale tonight with stiff competition from FX's Shōgun. Both have received acclaim, but Industry's latest season built momentum into its recent episodes with the quick-paced, unpredictable story of young investment bankers' lives.
Although Shōgun, the sweeping historical epic set in Sengoku-period Japan, has long ago cemented its status with 18 Emmy Awards, can Industry season 3 truly dethrone Shōgun tonight as the top drama of the year? Well, it's not that simple.
While Industry has a plot that leaves the viewer on the edge of his seat, eager for more, Shōgun gives out episodes that one cannot compete with easily.
Finishing off the finale in Industry could be enough to surprise or maybe evoke enough emotions to propel it to become the best show of the year. Shōgun, however, maintains its lead because of execution and artistic brilliance. Here, we break down the factors driving both shows and explore what tonight's outcome means.
Remember, this piece solely reflects the author's opinions.
Industry Season 3 draws in fans with relatable and modern drama
Industry season 3 built a reputation by showing the cutthroat world of London's finance industry. As critic Malcolm McMillan wrote for Tom's Guide, "It's a constant adrenaline and endorphin drip," with characters experiencing life-and-death challenges, from an imminent banking collapse to loss of personal connections.
The unpredictable plot, plus the relatable presentation of millennial ambition and downfall, is the main reason why this series hooked its audience. The Industry season 3 finale promises to be one of a kind, in which the storyline will elevate to an even higher level of tension with some characters' fate hanging by a thread.
From trippy magic mushroom adventures to paparazzi drama, season 3 has retained the most dramatic twists and turns and has seen viewers glued to their screens. Added to that, according to IndieWire, showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay have also perfected their storylines for three seasons now and learned to juggle character-driven plotting with serialized drama.
One of the strengths of Industry season 3 is its sense of timing. It comes at this financial meltdown and individual crises that resonate with what young professionals have had to face in present times.
When Harper, Yasmin, and the cast of characters move through their careers and relationships, it resonates with one's experience of dealing with pressures in such a frenzied and changing world.
Shōgun's Emmy-winning performances and crew
On the other hand, Shōgun stands at the topmost level as there is no comparison of the space of carrying audiences back in time and bringing them face-to-face with breathtaking authenticity.
The FX drama Sengoku Japan was recreated with minute detail and fantastic performances by the likes of Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, the FX drama gained a great deal of critical acclaim from the critics.
As Shōgun became the most successful show to sweep the Emmy Awards, it sealed its place in history as one of the greatest ever made historical dramas. One such signature moment came in 'Ladies of the Willow World,' which was widely hailed as a masterclass in both cinematography and storytelling.
The exquisitely crafted camerawork combined beautifully with a stand-up, emotionally charged monologue by Lady Mariko into one scene left viewers in a daze. Even those who prefer Industry will admit that the best episodes of Shōgun form among the finest television moments this year.
In addition, Shōgun also benefits from its much broader scope and epic narrative. Where Industry is intimate, Shōgun is grandiose, embracing power, honor, and cultural conflict. Sweeping machinations of politics and intense character development create a depth that few shows can offer.
Will the finale of Industry Season 3 be enough to dethrone Shōgun?
It ultimately is the plain virtuosity of the crafting of Shōgun that makes the job of besting it a hard one. While Industry may offer some of the most compelling television anybody has laid eyes on in recent memory, Shōgun's power to grip viewers through its art and emotional heft leaves the show in unmatched territory.
But, tonight's Industry season 3 finale can flip everything upside down. If the finale starts off on a high, then it easily surpasses Shōgun as the best show of the year. Fans are looking forward to seeing if the finale meets the promise and pace of drama and emotions that viewers have been through throughout the season.
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You can watch the Industry season 3 finale tonight at 10 p.m. ET on HBO Max, while Shōgun continues streaming on FX and Hulu.
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