I love how much costuming, hair and makeup tell a story. In Season 1, we saw Harper in braids, which made her look youthful. In Season 2, she was often wearing a tightly wound bun, likely indicative of the high stakes for her. But in Season 3, she has a no-nonsense pixie cut contrasted by a lax work attire. It’s leaning more mature but also giving chameleon behavior, like she’ll contort to fit her needs.
It looks like Harpsichord has been demoted to personal assistant at Anna Gearing’s green-friendly company, which is wild considering we know how brilliant she is, but hey, she gets to stay in London. I’m fascinated by Anna’s insistence on feigning as though her employees aren’t her employees, people on her payroll. Hot take: It is fine if your colleagues aren’t your closest friends. — Ruth
Ruth, yes, I’m so glad you pointed that out about Harper’s hair and costuming! It was jarring to see Harper with this cropped haircut, but I quickly realized that it totally makes sense for her character in this moment. Who among us hasn’t chopped off their hair after an earth-shattering transition – be it a break up, job loss or other big moment. I also kept analyzing her interactions with her colleagues. She seems like she is truly dying inside. To go from trading on the floor in high-intensity moments to moving her boss’ car, presumingly because of some parking laws? What a fall. — Erin
But we know Harper is ambitious, and she’s already making moves in this first episode: striking up a conversation with Petra (Sarah Goldberg), who is clashing with Anna on whether the firm’s investment strategy is sound. I clocked the line when Anna says to Harper that “gross incompetence” isn’t going to expedite her being able to get back into trading, and when Harper asks to meet with her to cast doubt on whether investing in Lumi and these “ethical” companies is the right move. Harper is hungrier than ever, and we shall see where that leads. — Marina
Also! I love that this show makes me laugh at the most mundane things. There’s a moment when Harper is still at her computer late at work. And the lights go out. She tries to wave her hands in the air, hoping the motion sensor will realize the lights need to come back on. That has definitely happened to me at work before, and so many times at a doctor’s office. — Erin