Not "Bad Faith" to Recommend SUITS

Article first published as Not "Bad Faith" to Recommend SUITS on TheTVKing.

This week's penultimate Suits of the summer, "Bad Faith," is an excellent installment. I say that not because of the backstabbing, brinksmanship, romantic drama, funny moments, and triumphant victories, of which there are plenty, but because of the way it serves nearly all of the major characters. This is an ensemble piece, and with each member of the cast fully able to pull their own weight, it's always gratifying when they get the chance to do so.

Right away, we have a magic scene between Donna (Sarah Rafferty) and Harvey (Gabriel Macht) discussing handbags. They've had a rough few weeks, and to witness the two getting back to what they are, seeing their relationship repaired, and the equal footing they really do stand on, is great.

The champion of "Bad Faith," though, is Louis (Rick Hoffman). The sometimes-despised man has both highs and lows, first screwing up a deal horribly, losing his cool when goaded by Nigel (Adam Godley), then saving the day, seemingly, when he not only swallows his pride in asking Harvey for help, but finds a way to land the firm a whale. This is Louis at his worst and his finest, and thank goodness the finest comes second.

Hoffman handles both ends of the spectrum in a sympathetic and layered way. Even when Louis screws up, fans root for him because we know why he does what he does, how often he is overlooked by his superiors, peers, and even inferiors, and we also know his heart is in the right place. This is a familiar type of person, someone who can work their hardest and try their best and still not be good enough. Yet, because he dusts himself off and does it again, he is noble and laudable.

Louis may be the most popular character on the show, and that is owed to both the material given him and the actor that brings him to life. While others are good or bad, sometimes both, depending on circumstance, Louis is only ever a typical man, neither evil nor perfect, his flaws realistically fleshed out. Whenever he is brought front and center, the result is rewarding, and "Bad Faith" hits those notes.

The fact that Darby (Conleth Hill) sends Nigel to negotiate, knowing the Jessica (Gina Torres) and Harvey are smart enough not to attend themselves, given their emotional investment in the process, shows just how intelligent Darby is. He is multiple steps ahead of our main players. They have met their match, even more so than in Hardman (David Constabile), with Darby.

Funnily enough, though, they may have defeated Darby if not for Harvey's own mistakes, proving that no matter great the foe, one is often one's own worst enemy. Because of how Harvey handled Ava Hessington (Michelle Fairley), Ava takes away her business, leading to misunderstandings and betrayal. It's a blow out of left field, one unexpected. There are too many pieces in play to keep track of them all at once, and a single oversight has huge ramifications.

This leaves negotiations between Darby and Jessica's firms at an impasse, with Scottie (Abigail Spencer) announcing the divorce is off. This leaves one wondering whether Pearson Darby Specter can somehow make a Hail Mary play that works at the last second, or sets up a fourth season even more embroiled in the serials arcs that make Suits so good.

Other great moments in "Bad Faith" are Mike (Patrick J. Adams) not realizing that his playing hardball with Robert Zane (Wendell Pierce) will hurt Mike's relationship with Robert's daughter Rachel (Meghan Markle), Mike asking Rachel to move into the apartment with him, Louis finally getting in on a Harvey / Jessica scheme, Harvey complimenting Louis sincerely, Katrina (Amanda Schull) playing cheerleader for Louis, and Donna pretending she just knows what's going on between Rachel and Mike. Excellent hour, all around.

Suits' season finale will air this Thursday at 10 p.m. ET on USA.