"Go" SUITS

Article first published as SUITS Review Season 4 on Seat42F.

USA’s SUITS does not do small and slow, so it will be no surprise that the fourth season premiere, “One-Two-Three Go…,” aptly named, starts out fast and loud. No, that is not a sex thing, though the opening montage does find multiple main characters in a bedroom setting, including one whose love life is revealed for the first time. From there, things only get more heated as the episode promises more shake ups to come.

Mike (Patrick J. Adams) isn’t doing so well three months into his new job. It seems the only career less suited to being warm and fuzzy than lawyering is operating a hedge fund. Mike’s tried-and-true strategy of finding a win-win scenario that makes people happy does not produce big enough returns for his boss, who cares far more about the bottom line than saving jobs. In true Mike fashion, he searches for a solution. He does find one, but he needs Harvey’s (Gabriel Macht) help to make it happen, and that part of it does not go as smoothly as one might wish.

The relationship between Mike and Harvey, while no longer being the primary focus of SUITS as it once mostly was, is still a linchpin of the larger dynamic. The issues that arise between them are not the fights of enemies, but rather the actions of two men trying to find a balance in new roles. Harvey isn’t quite sure whether to treat Mike as a friend or client, and the same can basically be said of Mike.

Before this fragile arrangement can even begin to work itself out, its very existence is threatened. I love that SUITS isn’t afraid of making big plays, such as having Mike quit Pearson Specter last winter, but at the same time, I worry the writers will go too far. I tell myself that I shouldn’t be concerned, as there’s never been any reason to doubt them, each episode of the three already-aired seasons being excellent examples of drama. Still, it’s hard not to feel the tension in this situation, seeing Mike and Harvey at odds so steep.

Caught in the middle of this is Rachel (Meghan Markle). She may be living with Mike, but she’s Harvey’s new associate, replacing Mike at the firm that she owes major debts to. Mike and Harvey are stand-up guys and neither would intentionally ask her to choose sides, but there are bound to be conflicts in this situation, including at least one that arises in “One-Two-Three Go…” What will be interesting to see is how Rachel deals with such power-wielding men, generally preferring a softer touch herself, though she does rise to occasion.

Louis (Rick Hoffman), for his part, overhears Harvey spouting some platitudes and decides to adopt this as his new business strategy. One cannot blame Louis for emulating Harvey. After all, their friendship is firmly established, and Harvey now has what Louis yearns for – his name on the letter head. What better way to try to reach that goal than by copying the master? However, what works for Harvey has never worked for Louis, and one can see right away that Louis may not be making the right decision.

I continue to be slightly flummoxed by the role of Katrina (Amanda Schull), Louis’s associate, in the series. Is there sexual tension between them, or is she Louis’ Mike? I feel like it’s a bit of both. Things between Katrina and Louis, at least on her part, don’t quite feel platonic. Yet, they are almost as hands-off as Donna (Sarah Rafferty) is with Harvey. Is this going somewhere other than the professional, or is it just a weird relationship?

As usual, the best parts of the SUITS premiere are moments between characters, rather than the bigger twists. Mike and his client (Michael Gross, Family Ties) have a typical Mike scene where the former lawyer pours his heart out. Dialogue involving Donna and Harvey, Donna and Mike, Donna and Jessica (Gina Torres), and Donna and Louis sparkles, proving once more that Donna has some of the best written lines, at least among those not involving movie references. Mike has an assistant that is his version of Donna; there might just be some staying power there. And there’s a sequence between Harvey and Jessica that is extremely touching and insightful.

Toss in D.B. Woodside (24, Single Ladies) in a recurring role sure to excite many fans, and SUITS has done it once again, delivering another powerful, beautifully acted episode with as much soap as any other scripted drama, but far less cheese and far more authenticity. SUITS is a near-perfect series, certainly the best thing on USA, past or present. I can’t wait to see what else the summer has in store for it.

SUITS airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

SUITS "Out" for the Season

Article first published as TV Review: 'Suits' - 'No Way Out' on Blogcritics.

USA’s best series, Suits, wrapped up its third season last week with “No Way Out.” Mike (Patrick J. Adams) decides to stay with the firm, much to Rachel’s (Meghan Markle) dismay, since this leaving for a new career is Mike’s way out from under his fraud. But then Eric Woodall (Zeljko Ivanek, Damages, Argo) of the Justice Department hauls Mike in for questioning on illegal collusion, and the whole situation becomes unpredictable and tense.

Although unrelated to Mike’s lie about being a lawyer, this twist really makes Mike evaluate his current path. He’s a great lawyer and he loves working for Harvey (Gabriel Macht), his best friend, but does he really want the threat of hard time hanging over his head forever? Not only that, but Mike’s actions could get Harvey and others he cares about in trouble. Woodall seems to be a wake-up call, a chance for Mike to take stock of himself.

Rachel’s frustration with Mike for wanting to stay is justifiable, but taking his decision personally is not. She tries to paint it as Mike choosing Harvey over her, but that’s not it at all. Mike loves the family he’s finally got and doesn’t want to throw that away. These are natural feelings. He solicits Rachel’s advice because he really does take her seriously, but in the end, he has to do what is right for himself. I hope she can forgive him for it.

Had Mike gone through with leaving early in “No Way Out,” before the Justice Department gets to him, Harvey would feel betrayed. Harvey tells Mike he should leave the firm, but he doesn’t want Mike to go. Their relationship could have been severely damaged, Harvey feeling like Mike is ungrateful for everything Harvey has done for him. Because of the events of the season finale, though, Harvey understands why Mike has to go, and their bond is stronger than ever, both having demonstrated their unconditional loyalty. Very clever story structure, Suits staff.

Could Mike ever go back to Pearson Specter? It doesn’t seem likely. It’s a huge shame that one of the leads, arguably one of the two most important people on the series, has to be away from the main group. He still has connections, living with Rachel, palling around with Harvey, and his new company being a client of his old. But it won’t be the same. The problem is, if Mike gets his law degree now, he risks exposing his past wrongdoings. And once he gets away from the guillotine, it’s hard to imagine he’ll want to stick his head back in. So he’s probably gone for good, unless there’s a non-lawyer job opening.

Jessica (Gina Torres) has to be relived that Mike quits. She and Harvey have an engrossing conversation about how they are becoming the man they both hate. They don’t want their firm to be one of lies and corruption. Jessica goes along with Mike for Harvey and because it’s too late to avoid exposure herself once she finds out. But not being close with Mike, this will be seen as a win for her, a chance to take control again.

Unfortunately, Harvey won’t see it that way. Losing Mike and his girlfriend, Dana (Abigail Spencer), in the same day is rough, compounded when the woman he trusts most, Donna (Sarah Rafferty), clearly doesn’t trust Dana. Harvey likely will think Donna is glad that Dana is gone, which could cause serious tension in their working relationship. The scene between Donna and Harvey early in “No Way Out” in which Donna asserts she just wants Harvey to be happy is stressful, not reassuring, and they are not on the same page here.

There’s still the question of if Dana is trustworthy. She pulls away from Harvey just when Harvey is being a good man, finally, though he does lie to her about Mike for awhile. Still, coming clean about the secret to her may not be wise. Harvey trusts that Dana won’t tell, but I’m not so sure. Their relationships has been rocky as of late. If she continues to date Harvey after leaving the firm, I will consider them fixed and Mike safe. If she moves on, as appears to be where Suits is heading, Dana could easily grow angry and bitter and want to get even with Harvey later.

The way Suits brings things back around when viewers least expect it is part of what makes the show so great. This season finale finds Mike arrested for something he did some time ago, not anything recent events have brought up.  Mike gets away with it, yet again, but there’s always a plethora of other shoes just waiting to drop from the things the characters think they’ve left behind.

It’s gratifying to see Harold (Max Topplin) not only return, but stick by Mike as a friend. Harold may be wavering in his resolve, but he is reigned in, and his first instinct is to toe the line. Part of me holds out hope Harold can come back to Pearson Specter, since he is unemployed again now, but another part doesn’t think the show will go that way, choosing a more realistic approach to situations over serving fans’ desire. Yet, this little taste of Harold makes me miss him greatly.

Louis (Rick Hoffman) also shines in the small parts of the episode he’s in, as he always does for Suits. Harvey asking Louis for help with the Justice Department is a meaningful, and Louis terrorizing Harold again is even better. Louis is the most interesting personality in a show chock full of interesting personalities, and I love that Suits keeps giving Hoffman the material to chew through, as the performer does such a stellar job of it.

“No Way Out” is full of character moments in a tense situation. It serves the plot well, but more importantly, it gives the players all chances to not only shine, but grow. This is actually quite typical for Suits, just ratcheted up a little for a season finale. It’s why I can’t wait until it returns again.

Suits will be back on USA this coming June.

The "Secrets" of SUITS

Article first published as The "Secrets" of SUITS on TheTVKing.

Some episodes of USA's Suits are more intense than others, with a lot at stake and emotions running higher. And then there are the more typical installments, like this week's mid-season premiere, "Buried Secrets." It may not be a memorable episode that will rank among the show's best, but it's a solid entry with terrific character development, and that's what's most important to keeping a series engaging week after week.

"Buried Secrets" finds the cast segregated, each dealing with their own things. First up is Harvey (Gabriel Macht), who has told Scottie (Abigail Spencer) that he wants to spend his life with her. Step one on that journey is finding her gainful employment in the city before she takes a job elsewhere. Harvey has his eye on bringing Scottie into his own firm, but managing partner Jessica (Gina Torres), wary of Harvey's messy personal life, resists, forcing Scottie into an abnormal contract to cover the firm's butt.

It's not surprising that Jessica goes to these lengths. I will refrain from calling her heartless, but she does have good business sense, and taking Scottie on poses a risk to the long-term security of the company. Having just been through rocky times, Jessica is likely more protective than usual of the organization she has poured her entire life into, and wanting to ensure its continued survival just makes sense to her. She's not a bad guy, and she raises good, logical points when negotiating Scottie's hiring.

That Harvey is the emotional one in "Buried Secrets" says a lot. In the past, Harvey has hurt those he cares about by putting the firm or himself first, so for him to fight so hard for Scottie either shows emotional maturation on his part or a deep love we've never seen from Harvey before. Either way, this is a great development for his character, and whether it lasts or not (I'm guessing not), it will be interesting to watch him go through it.

Scottie and Harvey are almost done before they begin when Harvey makes a move behind Scottie's back. The result is her taking the job and moving to New York, but she's not happy with the way he did it. Thankfully, Harvey is in an apologetic and honest mood, allowing them to work through their differences, rather than sabotaging the relationship. Their banter, including Scottie landing the client that Harvey couldn't, show how they are equals, making her worthy of him and vice versa. Both will have to make sacrifices and it won't be easy, but for now at least, the couple has a real shot at working.

Mike (Patrick J. Adams) and Rachel (Meghan Markle) are much more solid this week. Discussing moving in together, their biggest obstacle is furniture negotiation. Now that Mike's secrets are out and they have both committed to one another, they should have smooth sailing, romantically speaking, for the near future.

Which doesn't make them boring. "Buried Secrets" finds Mike facing the lawyer that handled his parents' death case. Mike has always hated the guy and convinces Harvey to let Mike on the case, which Harvey probably shouldn't do, but the elder lawyer is feeling soft because of the aforementioned plot. The result is a very enlightening story about Mike's past and his view of his family, and on the fringes, Rachel shows the type of support most people only dream about receiving from a partner. It's a good, rich story for Mike, made better by Rachel's presence in it. Rachel is Mike's family now, so this has to last.

The thing that might bring Mike down is his lie about having attended Harvard and actually being a lawyer. For awhile, it's been a stable situation, with all of the main cast knowing except for Louis (Rick Hoffman). Unfortunately, Louis is the one who can't be trusted with that information, and he really begins to get on the scent in "Buried Secrets."

I don't like when Louis is cast as the villain on Suits because he's such a great, layered individual, brilliantly acted. This premiere avoids labeling Louis so simply. He does bad things sometimes, but usually his heart is in the right place. Louis likely thinks he will be protecting the firm by exposing Mike, so as much as fans may not want Louis to uncover the full truth, it's hard to blame him for following the clues. And, of course, it shows much intelligence and persistence to piece together the bread crumbs as Louis does, showcasing some of Louis' best qualities.

Louis' story, which includes a look at his weird, wonderful relationship with Sheila (Rachael Harris) and some amusing exchanges with Donna (Sarah Rafferty), is probably the major arc this half of the season will deal with. It's also a fine example of great storytelling, with no right side or wrong side, a number of intricate, moving parts, and delicate balances which may fall apart. I look forward to how this will unfold, even while dreading Louis figuring out Mike once and for all.

Suits airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

SUITS Should "Stay" On My TV

Article first published as SUITS Should "Stay" On My TV on TheTVKing.

USA's Suits aired their summer finale, "Stay," this week. It was an emotional roller coaster, with character development at the forefront, and larger plots taking a back seat to the personal stuff. We see several characters make some very important decisions, and several come to terms with how they feel about a woman. Basically, Suits doubles down on the main players in the show, terrifically reaffirming that this is not your typical legal drama.

Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) is not soft. He has trouble with relationships because it's hard for him to open himself up. That's what ran Scottie (Abigail Spencer) away before, and it's what has made it difficult for him to have friends, save a select couple.

Yet, "Stay" sees his ice-cold heart crack and melt. Harvey offers Mike (Patrick J. Adams) as sound advice as he can, knowing he is not a relationship guru. He finds a way to connect to Ava Hessington (Michelle Fairley) emotionally, prompting her to drop her suit against Pearson Specter. And most importantly, when Travis Tanner (Eric Close) bullies and torments Scottie, he comes to her aid. This sets the stage for Harvey to not only realize his feelings for Scottie, but after some coaxing, admit that he wants her to stay and be with him.

This is a big step forward for Harvey. He'll never become a teddy bear or lose his edge, but he does have room for multiple facets in his life, and Dana Scott brings out a side of him we haven't really seen before. Can Harvey make a true relationship work, or will he sabotage it, as he does so many other things? Does he have the capability to just be happy?

Mike sort of follows in Harvey's footsteps, almost screwing things up with Rachel (Meghan Markle) because he doesn't want her to go to college at Stanford, far away from him. It's not until he realizes how unhappy Harvey is and does some serious soul searching that he can be supportive of Rachel no matter what her decision. It's true that long distance doesn't work, and it probably won't for Mike and Rachel, either. But at least Mike handles things graciously and allows Rachel the space to make her own decision, setting the stage for an eventual reconciliation when she returns, after they eventual break up when she leaves.

Except, her leaving is not how this plays out. It's not completely unexpected; she is way too valuable a member of the ensemble to just send out for a few years. So instead, we see her make a deal with Jessica (Gina Torres) that will allow her to continue to work at Pearson Specter after she graduates in exchange for sticking her neck out for Mike and Jessica, then tells Mike she's staying to go to Columbia. It's comes across as a more sweet vibe than girl-giving-up-her-dreams-for-a-man-sy, but there could be resentment and regret down the road from this decision...

Louis (Rick Hoffman) also has to figure out how to be romantic when his arrangement with Sheila (Rachael Harris) falters. For Louis, their tryst is as much about business as she is about pleasure. Sheila, however, wants more. They have a strange dynamic, both being such similar people, and neither particularly prone to a traditional relationship. But I'm glad they make it work because Louis deserves happiness, and she seems a good one to give it to him.

Yes, this makes "Stay" sound like it's all a bunch of mushy stuff, but that just isn't true. Like the characters themselves, there are many layers to the show. Donna (Sarah Rafferty) saves the day when she uses Stephen Huntley's (Max Beesley) feelings for her against him. There are intense deposition scenes. Jessica tricks Donna into spilling some gossip, then goes after Mike and Rachel to protect her firm. And Louis uncovers a startling secret about Mike.

We know Mike faked his Harvard tenure, but no one ever got the chance to stick a paper file in the big file room at the school? It's completely keeping in what we know of Louis that, left alone in said file room, he checks for Mike's file. This overlooked snafu could unravel the whole charade.

The question is, what will Louis do with this information? He's shown a great ability to do the right thing, which protecting Mike may or may not be, depending on perspective, even when that is against his purpose, and sacrifice for the greater good of the business. He and Mike have even been friends from time to time, though not lately. So it's very conceivable Louis could get past this. However, it's also very likely he may make some very big trouble before he realizes what he should do, or this may be the straw that finally breaks Louis's back and makes him stand up, or he could convince Jessica that it's wrong to keep Mike on staff. It's hard to tell.

This development does bring Mike's original story full circle, with the last main character finally finding out about his deceit. Well, on his way to finding out, anyway. The beginning of Suits is long gone, and the show continues to grow. It's sort of a relief that this should be the last time Mike's falsification poses a real threat, at least from the inside, and now the story can move on to other things. But given how well Suits delivers drama and tension, I'm also in no hurry to see this played out, as it should make an amazing thread in the back half of the season.

Suits will return this winter to complete its third batch on USA.

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.

Make An "Arrangement" With SUITS

Article first published as SUITS Review Season 3 Premiere on Seat42F.

Grade: 90%

USA’s SUITS is back for a third season this week with “The Arrangement.” Taking place in the aftermath of last year’s finale, the employees at Pearson Darby (the firm’s new name) have to deal with broken trust and failing relationships. Everything is far from copacetic, or even status quo, as what has been shaken up has not yet begun to settle down.

The most painful split may be between the show’s two most central players from the beginning, Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Mike (Patrick J. Adams). Mike having betrayed Harvey for Jessica (Gina Torres), he will do just about anything to win back Harvey’s trust. This is not helped at all when Jessica gifts Mike an office.

What’s scary is that there is no clear path to come back from this. Usually, either Mike or Harvey has a brilliant idea that can save the day. But Mike fails to come up with anything more spectacular than a little research, which isn’t all that impressive to Harvey, and Harvey doesn’t seem to want to try. If Harvey is swatting away all of Mike’s olive branches, is there a point in even sticking them out?

It’s good that this has shaken Mike to the core, though. Mike can sometimes be a little too overconfident, and somehow skates by when anyone else would fall. Losing Harvey as a mentor and friend should be a wakeup call to make sure he keeps himself in check. Mike is a good guy, for sure, but it will not hurt him to take a step back once in awhile and think more about those closest to him.

Similarly, the rift could end up helping Harvey if it teaches him to embrace forgiveness. Harvey tends to hold a grudge, as evidenced in the way he treats Louis (Rick Hoffman), and especially in how he is now at odds with Jessica. Harvey likes to sort people into ‘friends’ or ‘enemies,’ and when a person is put in one box or the other, it is very hard for them to get out again. Maybe through making up with Mike, which surely must happen eventually, Harvey will be a better man, one more willing to let past faults go, his own as well as others’.

It’s sad to see Harvey and Jessica against one another, as cool as it is to anticipate a battle between gods of the legal world. Their clash will be epic, and yet, it is emotionally painful that they are against one another. It’s a situation where they just need to agree to disagree, and Harvey needs to see Jessica as his boss, which is what she is. Unfortunately, they are both too headstrong for peace to be found. Unlike with Mike, Harvey’s reconciliation with Jessica is not assured, as her character frequently verges on the edge of antagonist.

These warring factions make it all the more easier for Darby (Conleth Hill, Game of Thrones) to establish control. He is the one in charge now, above Jessica even, and while he sometimes takes a seemingly relaxed approach in dealing with the lawyers, there is cold resolve in his eyes. He knows what he is doing, and because Jessica, Harvey, and Mike are in no place to unite and stand up to him, he is easily able to put them in the places that he wants them in. For now, anyway.

I don’t know why I jump straight into thinking Darby is a bad guy. He helps the firm out when they need it, and he hasn’t done anything untoward to the beloved main characters. Darby even grants Harvey a favor in “The Arrangement,” something he certainly does not have to do. Maybe it’s because I’m remembering the unpleasantness brought on by the previous partner, Hardman, or maybe it’s because we expect Harvey to always get his way on his own terms, and Darby will stand in the way of that, but there’s something that keeps Darby at arm’s length.

Perhaps the most surprising development in “The Arrangement” is Donna (Sarah Rafferty) turning on Mike. It shouldn’t be a shock, given Donna’s absolutely loyalty to Harvey, and the fact that, in essence, Mike betrays her, too, but I didn’t see this coming. Donna is previously Mike’s supporter, and the surest thing to convincing Harvey to give Mike a second chance. But if she wants to shut Mike out, Mike has an even steeper climb back into good graces.

Mike’s hope for fixing things with Donna are his compassionate heart, which Donna does notice, though maybe not this week, and his relationship with Donna’s friend, Rachel (Meghan Markle). I will not spoil where Mike and Rachel end up in their dance in the premiere, but suffice it to say, both their strong feelings for one another and Rachel’s extreme disappointment in Mike are major factors. Where they land could definitely mean something in how Mike and Donna interact going forward.

Other things that are great in this wonderful episode are the scene where Donna gently questions Harvey about his feelings for Scottie (Abigail Spencer), a guest appearance by a second Game Of Thrones alumni, and Louis engaging in a battle of wits with the scorned Nigel (Adam Godley). Best of all, none of these things are resolved in the first hour, so there’s a lot to anticipate in the coming run, and fantastic guest stars will recur.

What SUITS does well is to build large, character-driven arcs. It is not at all a procedural or typical lawyer show. It is about people who all do what they think is best, and sometimes there can be more than one right side to an issue. SUITS operates in shades of grey and in nuance, rather than broad strokes or permanent us versus them labels. “The Arrangement” takes what has built over the first two years and matures it into the next natural step. Very exciting.

SUITS airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

Suits goes to "War"

Article first published as Suits goes to "War" on the TheTVKing.

The characters in USA's Suits have had a rough season, what with Daniel Hardman (David Costabile) returning to the firm he helped found, trying to wrest control away away from the current partners, and then other firms smelling blood in the water and circling. In the season finale, "War," though, the biggest threat comes not from the outside of Pearson (Hardman?), but from the inside.

It's hard to tell which person the threat lies with. Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) thinks the best course for the firm that she runs is to merge with a British company run by Edward Darby (Conleth Hill, Game of Thrones). However, Harvey (Gabriel Macht) disagrees, and does his best to thwart the arrangement.

Does Jessica have the firm's best interests in mind? Or is she just trying to put Harvey in his place? She's right that he acts like he has equal ownership in the place, so she has a point in wanting to humble him. But if Harvey truly believes that combining forces with Darby would be a mistake that will cost them all, then he might have good intentions, too. It's likely both Jessica and Harvey are motivated by selfishness and pride, as well as their stated purpose, so it all comes down to differing viewpoints, and not being able to back away from a confrontation with each other.

When combined against a common enemy, Jessica and Harvey are on the same page. Now, they clearly are not, making the workplace not nearly so harmonious. Is it because they do believe different things, or because they have been in fight mode for awhile, and are having trouble getting out of it? They still have aggression, and without Hardman or someone to direct it against, they end up turning on each other.

I worry about how things will progress in season three. By the end of "War," it seems that all trust between Jessica and Harvey is gone, both having cheated and played dirty to get what they want, with Jessica coming out on top. Harvey appears to be willing to play her game and get along, but it could just be a show, with him biding his time and plotting his next move. And maybe Jessica assumes that is what he's doing, so she's wary of him. There is a lot of tension there, and until the air clears, there will much discord between two characters, both beloved by fans.

What is very much up in the air is how Brady will fit into the chemistry. Will he be hands off, leaving Jessica to run things as she sees fit? Or will he interfere, meaning that Harvey is right, and Jessica will have to make up with Harvey to throw off the yolk of yet another dictator? Will he try to broker peace, or let them fight it out?

Sadly, the way Jessica wins is by using Mike (Patrick J. Adams), blackmailing him into turning on Harvey, his mentor and friend. Harvey takes the betrayal very personally, trying to fire Mike, who is now protected be Jessica, but who doesn't want to stay there that way.

Mike is put in a very difficult position. Jessica is his boss's boss. Mike can be forgiven for confiding in her initially, since he's seen Harvey support her all this times. Mike tried to find a way out himself, with double blackmail, but it didn't work. I don't know if Harvey could have protected Mike had Mike refused Jessica's orders. Surely, at some point, Harvey has to realize this. On the other hand, if Harvey thinks Mike put self-preservation above loyalty, understanding isn't going to do a whole lot of good, one way or the other.

We see just how bad things are for Mike in the file room at the end of "War." He is near tears, feeling like he has lost everything, and in a way, he's right. Adams does a superb job handling the roiling emotions, and it's a terrific scene for the actor, dealing with the fall out from a no-win scenario.

Then Rachel (Meghan Markle) comes in, mad at Mike for dodging a favor, and it's just too much. I've long been wanting Mike to tell Rachel the truth, and in this moment, if he doesn't, he could lose her forever. And so he spills his guts, and it results in hot sex, which they both need right then. They may be in dark places, professionally speaking, but at least they have each other, and that will help them. It's a bright spot on the horizon, one that will hopefully last this time.

I'm glad Mike and Rachel get the happy romantic scene, since Harvey's admirer, Scottie (Abigail Spencer), is tossed to the curb. Or is she? At Donna's (Sarah Rafferty) advice, Scottie sends a pretty clear message to Harvey about her interest in him. Even though Harvey is skeptical at first, it's enough to spur him to convince Brady not to fire her.

But will Harvey choose to work with her in New York, or send her to London? I'm guessing London, which would effectively end things between them. However, Harvey has shown some signs this year of maybe wanting to settle down, and if Scottie is a possibility, this could make for a whole other Harvey in season three, maybe one who is willing to extend an olive branch and an apology to Jessica.

Of course, Harvey could also be interested in Donna. Yes, I am glad the show doesn't go there because it's such a predictable move, but one of these days Donna is going to have to give a straight answer, while looking the questioner in the eyes, about how deep her feelings for Harvey go.

I would be remiss is I did not mention Louis (Rick Hoffman) in discussing "War." Not only does he have an amazing scene with Donna early in the episode, and we see him be a friend to Harvey, and he does the right thing in regards to Rachel, but he also has his own subplot with a potential new friend working for Brady, whom Louis sabotages a fledgling relationship with because he can't sacrifice the pride he has in his job.

I don't know if I like Louis more for sticking to his guns, even if it costs him a comrade, who I really hope pops up again, or am frustrated that he doesn't show his compassionate side here. We know he has one, and the interactions he has with each of the other cast members are phenomenally good. I do believe Hoffman's performance this year to be Emmy-worthy. Yet, Louis is a frustrating man, and it's hard to know when to love him or loathe him sometimes.

I have heard that opinions on this Suits finale have been mixed. For any detractors, I recommend watching again and just looking for the character moments. The movie and TV references are funny (nice Downtown Abbey one this week), and the cases are intriguing, but the leg up Suits has over its peers is just how well defined and performed the people featured are. These actors are doing incredible work, surely backed up by some truly smart writing. The moments that soar are the ones that display honest communication between any two of the main characters. This is why I love Suits, and will defend it vigorously.

Suits will return for a third season this summer on USA.

Suits is "Blind-Sided"

Grade: 94%

USA’s SUITS returns this week with “Blind-Sided.” Hardman’s name is being scraped off the office door, and that chapter of the firm’s ugly history is over. So everything is now copacetic. Or is it?

The following does not ruin the ending of the episode, but does contain major spoilers, as it is pretty difficult to talk about the series without mentioning what is going on. You have been warned.

Louis (Rick Hoffman) is excited by the return of Sheila Sazs (Rachael Harris). Not only is she there for Louis sexually, but she also has a business prospect for him – an associate named Maria Monroe that he can hire for himself, now that he’s a senior partner.

But Jessica (Gina Torres) shuts Louis down, shaming Louis, the little power he now has ripped from his grasp, made even worse when Jessica’s excuse, that they are in a hiring freeze, is proven immediately false as Harvey (Gabriel Macht) hires a new associate of his own. It’s incredibly frustrating for Louis, and it definitely hurts things with Sheila. Does Louis really deserve to be treated like this?

More than that, is it dangerous to the firm for Jessica to act this way? Jessica’s motivations might not be vindictive, but she is fine with Louis believing that they are, and that could prove to be a problem for her down the road, should Louis ever find someone else to side against Jessica with. Jessica’s overconfidence may be her undoing, believing that she can handle anyone that threatens her position.

The real purpose behind Jessica’s act, of course, is to protect Mike (Patrick J Adams). Maria is a force to be reckoned with, as is immediately obvious, and Donna (Sarah Rafferty) tells Harvey, who in turns tells Jessica, that Mike’s secret will be threatened by Maria’s presence. If word gets out that Mike isn’t actually a lawyer, it could threaten the whole firm. Mike’s secret is the gift that keeps on giving, to paraphrase a quote from the show.

Unfortunately, in “Blind-Sided,” Mike is beset by personal issues, and is not earning his keep. Jessica isn’t happy that she has to bend over backwards in the first place for Mike, but because Harvey thinks Mike is worth it, she usually does. Now, with even Harvey tired of Mike’s shenanigans, how much time does Mike have before he is kicked to the curb? He doesn’t seem the sort that would blackmail Jessica and Harvey to keep his job, so if he stops being useful, he could easily be gone.

“Blind-Sided” sees Mike at his worst. Not only has it been just one short week since his grandmother’s death, which he is still dealing with, but he’s continuing his affair with a married woman, Tess (Elisabeth Hower), is back to smoking pot, and memories of his parents’ death are dredged up by the case he works on. We have never seen Mike this erratic, and while there is definitely still sympathy to be felt for the guy, we need our heroes to overcome their obstacles, not allow themselves to take the low road, as Mike is doing.

Can Mike get himself back on the right path before it’s too late?

Harvey also crosses a line in this episode, engaging in bribery to help the case. This is in stark contrast to the soft, warm side of Harvey we see during his date with Zoe (Jacinda Barrett) earlier in the hour. So which is the real Harvey? Is he ready to open himself up and settle down? Or is he still someone who will do whatever it takes to win in court?

Both Harvey and Mike do right and do wrong in “Blind-Sided,” and yet, Harvey comes off as a good guy, while Mike is painted as bad. No matter how much Mike insists, there is no strict right or wrong, and circumstances color viewers’ opinions. What SUITS doesn’t show is just as important as what it does, a subtlety that makes the rich layers of the installment all the more memorable.

That’s why SUITS continues to be USA’s best show. What happens on the surface, and the dialogue delivered, do not tell the whole story. Instead, we get these brilliant characters whose decisions affect others, not just themselves, and who won’t always agree on the course of action. Their complicated chemistries and interactions build on one another to make this a smart serial, not a common lawyer procedural.

There’s also a fair amount of romance tossed in, with Mike still on shaky ground with Rachel (Meghan Markle), who claims to not be the goody-goody she comes across as, and Harvey and Louis’s affections for Zoe and Sheila, respectively. “Blind-Sided” allows all of the main guys to tend to matters of the heart, but also reveals that they can’t necessarily control how these things play out, a nice, realistic touch. When will it be the ladies in the cast’s turn to get wooed?

The trademark charm and witty dialogue that have become a hallmark of SUITS continue, with great one-liners delivered by Donna, Harvey, and Louis, in turn. It’s fantastic to have compelling plot, but add to that some zingers that stand out, and it raises the overall quality of the thing considerably.

You won’t want to miss SUITS, returning to finish their second season January 17^th at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published on Seat42F

"High Noon" for Suits

USA's Suits ended its summer run on a high note; "High Noon," to be precise. The votes are in, and Daniel Hardman (David Costabile) is the new managing partner at the firm. Jessica (Gina Torres) appears to accept these events, while icily plotting her revenge. Louis (Rick Hoffman), at Hardman's urging, begins goading Harvey (Gabriel Macht), trying to force him into quitting. And Mike (Patrick J. Adams) doesn't deal very well with the death of his grandmother (Rebecca Schull).

The ten episodes of Suits this summer have been amazing, and "High Noon" is no exception. Seeing the game of politics and intrigue the characters play at a very high level is impressive, and while Hardman winning the battle is slightly surprising, what comes after is not expected at all. One might think that Suits would let Hardman stay in charge awhile. But the seeds were planted for a masterful conspiracy, and it takes Harvey, et al. very little time to bring the giant crashing down.

Is this the end of the line for this story? Hardman swears to return, and he probably will. But will that be the arc for the second half of the season, beginning in January, or merely a tease of a future story line, not yet planned or scripted? Costabile is a brilliant actor who did a terrific job in this role. Any chance to see him return would be most welcome, not least of all because it makes the central characters, whom viewers adore, step up their game and prove their worth.

Every hero must have a villain to vanquish. Suits understands this. But Suits, more than most stories, also understands that heroes are seldom always noble, and villains may have justifiable motivation. Harvey does some low down things in his quest for the win, and by the end of "High Noon," viewers may believe Jessica is capable of almost anything.

The odd man out is Louis. He turns his back on Jessica and Harvey, not without just cause. Though we still don't know for sure if he voted for Hardman or Jessica, it doesn't matter. Louis stood by Hardman, and relished the changing of the guard. While Hardman is gone from the firm, Louis must stay, at least for now. Will Harvey and Jessica be able to look past their anger and begin to treat Louis the way he deserves to be treated? Or will their coldness make him the next Hardman, the next great foe? Either scenario would be cool. Personally, I would like to see the writers put Louis in a clear antagonist position, and then make the viewers root for him against Harvey and Jessica. It's certainly possible.

The other major story in "High Noon" is Mike dealing with his grief. It is only with the help of a very patient Rachel (Meghan Markle) that he is sober and clean enough to show up for the funeral. Burying himself in his work, as Harvey allows Mike to do until he crosses a line, is not what Mike needs. Avoidance cannot replace feeling the loss. Rachel understands this, exposing a flaw in Harvey's character, and several for Mike.

Sadly, and a bit predictably, Mike screws things up. Not with Harvey, whom Mike shares some of the best moments of the series with in this episode, really reaching a level of friendship that belies their job titles. But it's Rachel whom Mike wrongs. On the brink of finally getting together, Mike thinks she rejects him and falls into bed with an old flame, setting the couple back quite a ways. In the classic "we were on a break" Friends style, Suits sets up this romantic dance to continue on for much longer. It's a shame, even if year two is a bit early to form any lasting romantic bond.

And what of Donna (Sarah Rafferty)? Hints were dropped at a possible love of Harvey, even if she swears she's not in love with him. I think these two will take much longer to get anywhere, if ever, a possibility shippers would be very disappointed in.

But the thing is, Suits hasn't jumped as much into the romantic arena the way other dramas have, and this is kind of a welcome change. It knows what it is, and how to do it supremely well. Add to that some of the wittiest dialogue on screen, and running jokes about can openers and balls, and it begs the question: Why mess with near perfection?

Suits will return to USA next January.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! Originally posted on TheTVKing

An Interview with Suits' Sarah Rafferty

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with USA SUITS star Sarah Rafferty. Sarah plays Donna on the series, Harvey’s almost perfect assistant, who is usually right. But recently, Donna was wrong, and her action resulted in her being fired by the head of the firm, Jessica.

Having met in Sarah in Toronto a few months ago, I can attest you would be hard-pressed to find someone more gracious and warm than her. This feeling was formed in person, and was certainly reaffirmed by this phone interview.

During our conversation, Sarah talks a little about being a mom, and mostly about Donna and what is coming up next on SUITS. After exchanging some very nice pleasantries, we got down to business.

The first thing I want to ask you is, did you know if, when Donna got fired, you were going to stay with the show? Did they tell you ahead of time that this was happening?

They did tell me ahead of time. It was kind of funny how I found out. We all went out to dinner, the cast, all the producers and all the writers, before going up to Toronto to start shooting. As I was on my way out the door, Aaron Korsh, our creator, and David Bartis, our executive producer, stopped me because, at the dinner table I had said something like, “Well, Donna’s always right.” Then all the writers kind of started laughing. I’m a little bit a paranoid. I’m like “What are you guys smirking about?” And so, after the dinner was over, they told me that Donna was going to get fired and I actually started to shake. I was seriously nervous on her behalf.

Did they make you doubt your job security at all?

To be honest with you, yes and no. They made a joke that could have made me feel concerned about my job security, but they were just messing around. Before I left for the evening, I knew that Donna would return.

Of course. She’s such a popular character, losing her would just kill the show.

Well, you have that initial adrenaline rush when they first told me, like “What? Oh my god!” I was getting nervous as if I was being told I was getting fired, in a weird way.

So you have quite a bit of personal connection with the character?

Yes I enjoy my job. I don’t want it to go away.

Did you enjoy having your week off when they were filming this past week’s episode?

Yeah, it flew by. With two kids at home, a week off is not a week off. Sometimes I feel like going to bed is more of a break.

What do you think Donna was up to during her time away?

It kind of comes up in the next episode, which airs this Thursday. She definitely was working out and having some meetings. She may have had to reach out to a lawyer on her own, because, you know, she’s in real trouble.

Do you think she’s more sad at the turn of events, or do you think there’s some anger there, especially directed towards her co-workers at the firm?

I think she’s angry and disappointed in Harvey. I think she understands why Jessica had to do it. She’s not stupid. She knows how bad it was. But I think a lot was silently said at the elevator bank between Harvey and Donna. She knows she messed up, she feels horrible about what she did, incredibly guilty. She’s worried about Harvey, but she also has to be worried about herself. She may have expected Harvey to fight for her.

Have you talked to Gabriel [Macht, who plays Harvey] at all about how he felt about this plot?

Oh, well, Gabriel and I have just talked about it in terms of how funny and cool it is. We’ve been hashing out the scenes we’ve had as a result. They scenes that are actually coming up bring up a lot of questions about their back story, their past. So we’ve had conversations about that, too.

Are we going to get to see some of their past here soon?

We are going to get to see some of their past because we get to have a flashback episode, which is so fun! You get to see everybody five years earlier. We see Mike well before he was at the firm. We see Harvey before he was a senior partner. We see Jessica and Hardman when they were there running the firm together, before he exited the first time, which is cool. And Rachel when she’s just starting out.

Neat! I’ve enjoyed Donna getting to interact more with Rachel, and there were some great scenes with Mike in the first few episodes this season. Are there some good Donna and Louis scenes coming up?

Yeah! I’m always hoping there are Donna and Louis scenes coming up. I think that the way that they mess with each other is really fun. Rick [Hoffman, who plays Louis] and I have a really great time with that. Coming up, it’s much more serious. This season, as you can already tell, having seen the first six episodes, things are more complicated, and a little bit darker, and a little bit messier. For Donna and Louis, it’s not comfortable for the two of them in the next few episodes.

As much as one might wish for their character to have a happy life, do you look forward to those tough scenes, those difficult scenes, where things get really uncomfortable, just because it allows you to stretch as an actress and really show your skill?

Absolutely. It’s so fun to collaborate on those scenes with the other actors in the cast. I mean, that’s what was so exciting for me when I heard from Aaron that Donna was going to get fired, and that the relationship with Harvey was going to become messier. Basically, season two would be about things getting uncomfortable and messy and darker. I think we’re really excited about that because you can really dig in to something juicy.

Do you think after this darkness, there’s going to be a little levity to wash away the storm clouds?

(laughs) I really wonder. I’ve only read through episode ten, so there’s six more after that. Episode ten is a bit off a cliffhanger, and I’m really wondering what’s going to happen. There’s an opportunity for things to get deeper and darker, but I do think the show will always have that lightness to it. There’s always a place for that. That’s just part of the formula of the thing, and part of who the characters are. They have that wit about them.

Have you got on the internet and read any of the feedback about your character’s plot and what’s going on this season?

I saw a couple of things. I’m on twitter [@sarahgrafferty], and I don’t get a chance to read everything, but I saw a few protests to Donna’s exit. I saw an open letter to the Suits producers that was like “I’m not OK with this Donna situation.” That was really funny. And there was the hash tag #savedonna. I just thought that was so cool.

Do you have any other projects coming up that you want to talk about, besides SUITS?

Nope. I’m just doing SUITS right now. That’s pretty much all I can manage. I had a baby at the end of January, and then went back to work seven weeks later. And I have a four and a half year old, so things are pretty busy right now.

That’s probably project enough right there.

(laughs) I’ve got the Parenting Project going on, and SUITS, so I’m pretty happy. Pretty happy and pretty tired.

Thank you so much, Sarah, for taking the time to speak with me, and giving us the scoop on Donna!

Suits makes a "Discovery"

Last night's Suits on USA was called "Discovery." Mike (Patrick J. Adams) mouths off to Harvey (Gabriel Macht), and in retaliation, Harvey assigns Mike to Louis (Rick Hoffman). Working a case together, Mike actually comes to respect Louis, forming a pleasant bond. That is, until Louis plants a recorder in Harvey's office and hears the pair calling him pathetic. Meanwhile, Harvey asks Donna (Sarah Rafferty) to dig into an old case when he is accused of forgery by Tanner (Eric Close, Without a Trace).

"Discovery" has some of the best Louis scenes of the series so far. Here he is, exposed and raw, and at his best, professionally. Mike gets to see how talented he is, and also how much it hurts Louis to always be put down, never getting his due. It opens up a vein of sympathy, really making Louis a sympathetic character in a way that he has never been. He may be a dick, but he's good a reason for being that way.

Sadly, Mike's relationship with Louis is over almost before it begins. This isn't really Mike's fault. Mike is smart enough to know that Harvey isn't going to listen to a flat out defense of Louis. Thus, Mike finds himself agreeing with Harvey's negative comments just to get a little bit of a good word in. Louis doesn't realize this, focusing just on the bad stuff Harvey and Mike say.

The thing is, Harvey doesn't trust Louis for a reason. While viewers get to see Louis as a good man, Harvey knows the depths that Louis can sink to, and also his limits. I mean, Mike does, too, confronting Louis about his bad behavior. But while Mike still tries to look past that, Harvey has no patience left for that. In this, Louis has made his own bed, and has no one to blame but himself for the way he is treated.

Louis isn't the only one with insecurity, though. Harvey feels pretty righteous standing up for himself against Tanner, but he is vulnerable. Whether he purposely acted in the wrong or not, there is something here that seems to be Harvey's fault. And with Tanner determined to bring Harvey down, viewers certainly haven't seen the last of this story. Which is fine, because it's cool to see a less confident, not quite so smooth, version of Harvey.

The question is, how much support does Harvey have? Because he's going to need all he can get. Jessica (Gina Torres) is with him, of course, but now Hardman (David Costabile) is in the loop, too, because Louis tells him everything he overheard to get even. Hardman claims that he will be working on Harvey's behalf. And he may, if only to protect the firm. But by showing this weakness to Hardman, especially is Hardman helps beat it, leaves Harvey, and by extension, Jessica, vulnerable to further manipulation from the returned partner.

Hardman is the possible bad good who is seemingly on the good side, for now, while Donna is currently the good girl who did wrong. She discovers an incriminating paper in the files, and her name is signed to the document. This might mean that Harvey is culpable for fraud, and it's Donna that left him exposed. This is her worst nightmare, and she will do anything to make up for it. But how will she tell Harvey this, knowing how bad it looks, and is there anything she can do to protect him and herself?

Despite the seriousness of this discovery, the file search does lead to a wonderfully funny moment featuring Donna and Mike. As Harold (Max Topplin) catches them, they pretend they have had sex to cover for it. While amusing, this opens up an interesting pairing. Any chance Suits might ever consider going there? Donna may be a bit older than Mike, but she's still extremely attractive, and he would be lucky to have her. Then again, this would seem a bit wrong, so it's probably not a good idea.

Equally disturbing is Harold's worship of Rachel (Meghan Markle). There is a very sweet moment when Harold hits on Rachel in "Discovery," but the two are so mismatched that everyone knows it will never happen. Well, everyone but Harold. His earnestness is charming. Hopefully he will find love. Just not with Rachel.

Another excellent entry for one of the best shows running this summer! Catch Suits Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Suits articles! First published as Suits makes a "Discovery" on TheTVKing.com

"She Knows" about Suits

USA's Suits returned tonight with a game-changing premiere called "She Knows." Whereas season one is a two man show that often feels like a procedural, it's clear immediately that season two is a serial with a much more dynamic plot. More twists are packed into this episode than one would expect, and some really cool new stories are set up.

First, the title of the installment must be addressed. Jessica (Gina Torres) is the epitome of cool as she deals with the revelation of Mike's (Patrick J. Adams) secret. Her conversation with Mike, fishing for info before ordering his termination, is a wonderful scene between two fantastic performers. She is smooth and guarded in the best possible way. The follow up to this, deciding to see just how good Mike is, is just as classic. Both moments send chills down fans' spines, especially those that have admired Torres for years, through her previous work. It's a triumphant hour for her as an actress.

Jessica understands that keeping Mike employed at Pearson Hardman threatens the entire company that she has poured her heart and soul into, especially now that "She Knows," so she demands that he be fired. No one can blame her for this. The firm is sort of like the child she never had. Her reaction is completely understandable, even if firing Mike would kill the series. Thus, the plot twist necessary to keep him around.

What is more painful for Jessica than learning Mike's secret is hearing of Harvey's (Gabriel Macht) betrayal. This is someone that she trusts implicitly. Harvey may not always do what she'd like him to do, but she is sure that he has her best interests at heart, and that he cares about her. This belief seems to be gone now. For Harvey to go behind her back like this makes him loathsome, and it will take a long time before he can start earning back her trust.

Yet, in the same episode we discover such an ugly part of Harvey, we also observe how good he can be. Tasked with firing Mike, of whom he has become very fond, Harvey can't bring himself to do it. Harvey has connected with Mike in a way that he never has with anyone else. For the first time, Harvey has found someone worthy of his mentoring. Which is why the scene where Harvey can't fire Mike not only redeems his character, but is just as memorable as the Jessica/Mike stuff.

One thing some might overlook is how Donna (Sarah Rafferty) handles the entire situation. She knows that Harvey must fire Mike, and doesn't try to stop him. But she is supremely proud of Harvey for not being able to go through with it. She also neglects to listen in on Harvey and Mike's conversation, very unusual for her, because she, too, has formed an attachment to Mike, and it would be too painful for her to hear it. This reveals another, softer side of her character, and one that is most welcome.

Speaking of Donna's sides, her conversation with Rachel (Meghan Markle) in the bathroom is something new. Donna and Rachel start to form a bit of a friendship in season one, but now they are really confiding in each other. It's nice to see such a strong, healthy bond between gals on television, a medium which doesn't always handle these types of relationships so well. How thrilling to be in on the ground floor as the pair get to know each other!

Most of this review has been about Mike's secret and how that plays out. But the truth is, there is a heck of a lot more going on in this episode, and that pushes Mike to the back burner. The series' ability to make Mike's story not the most important thing in the episode is a testament to Suits' great writing, especially since Mike's secret was a huge cliffhanger at the end of season one.

Hardman (David Costabile, Breaking Bad, Damages), as in Pearson-Hardman, the firm at the center of the series, decides to return to work. This may have been an entirely preventable turn of events. Harvey and Jessica practically panic when they learn Hardman's wife is dead, thus negating the blackmail they have used to keep him away for the past five years. But it's their aggressive plays to keep him on the sidelines that bring him back into the fold. Would he have returned if they hadn't acted? It's impossible to know. However, there is little doubt that what they decide to do certainly hurries this along.

Hardman threatens the firm even more than Mike. He used to be the boss. We don't yet know what he was like, or how he will be, as he is seemingly changed, upon his return. Too many main characters distrust him to be fooled, and there has to be secrets here. Hardman will definitely shake things up in ways that cannot be foreseen. Plus, there is now the threat of him finding out about Mike, which could ruin Jessica and the others.

Interestingly, Suits still manages to squeeze a case-of-the-week story in among all of these other happenings. Mike goes against the firm to help out a struggling author, only to learn some deeper truths. The screen time devoted to this story is miniscule, and what is spent on it is more about Mike's character than the case itself. As such, this isn't nearly enough to make this a procedural episode, and actually comes across as a very intriguing tale.

There are numerous twists and turns in "She Knows," as well as wonderful moments for each of the principal characters, including Rick Hoffman's Louis and recurring player Max Topplin's Herald, to shine. This is a fantastic hour of television, and one that certainly heralds, excuse the pun, Suits rising to a whole other level this year. Anyone who watches this episode would be hard pressed to dismiss the series with any negative comments now.

Suits airs on USA Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Suits set visit articles! Article first published as TV Review: Suits - "She Knows" on Blogcritics.

An Interview with Suits' Sarah Rafferty

Sarah Rafferty plays Donna on USA's Suits, a legal drama that prizes exploration of morality and character drama over case-of-the-week procedural. Donna is Harvey's right hand (wo)man, who knows everything about him. Harvey may be a slick hot shot with an ego, which is well deserved, by the way, but Donna relates to him better than anyone, providing moments that humble and ground Harvey. She has a quick wit and a kind heart. She also serves as the gatekeeper, keeping the world away from her boss.

Rafferty is nice, too. This is her day off, and she makes the trek to the studio, anyway, just to speak with us. She isn't done up to look like Donna, perhaps giving the impression, more than the other interviews that day, that she is a real person, not just the character she plays on TV. She is frank and open, excited to share her passion for the series that she loves being a part of.

The first thing Sarah reveals is that Donna has a huge story coming up in the fifth episode of the season. It turns out, Donna is not always right. I'll give a moment for you fans of the show to digest this, as it simply doesn't seem possible that her character could ever be wrong. But it's true. It thoroughly confuses Donna, as much as it will viewers, and will take several episodes to play out. Donna likes to put on masks, and they will fall away with this development. According to Sarah, after episode five, “That lingering confusion and doubt and remorse are there.”

Rest assured, though, Sarah says, "It's good wrong. It's right wrong." Whatever that means. But the bottom line is that Donna will be knocked off of her perfect pedestal, which, as beloved as she already is, should make for a more well-rounded character.

Rafferty is pleased with the way Donna's role is expanding this year, allowing her to be a more complicated person. In an effort to make Suits more of an ensemble piece, and a less predictable formula, Donna isn’t just interacting with Harvey this year. Right away, in the season two premiere, Donna has a great scene with Rachel, with whom she is forming a friendly bond. There may be some friction in future episodes, but for now, it's great to see the gal pals palling.

Suits is good to its female characters. Rafferty likes that the women on this show, Donna included, are strong, multi-layered, complicated, and real. They are not stereotypes. They are not just romantic interests or supporting players. They are every bit as important as the male characters, and will have plenty to do in the upcoming episodes.

Part of this dynamic shift, away from the two-man show that was much of season one, can be credited to bringing in Hardman, whose name is on the door, but has been unseen til now. Hardman is played by the fantastic David Costabile (Breaking Bad, Damages). Sarah says, "Introducing Hardman makes all of the relationships more dynamic. It’s really exciting to have David here. He’s amazing.” But Hardman is also a mysterious character with a past, and his relationships with each character, as well as the power he seeks to wield over them, throws everything out of balance.

How will Donna deal with Hardman's intrusion? Rafferty says “Donna is intensely loyal and brave in her loyalty.” She understands Harvey better than anybody, because she has always worked with him, even before he came to Pearson Hardman. Her loyalty will be tested this season, and “she goes as far as she possibly can to protect him.”

Donna also has a relationship with Harvey's protege, Mike, played by Patrick J. Adams. Rafferty thinks that Donna likes what Mike brings out in Harvey, which definitely colors her fondness for the young man. After all, she wants the best for Harvey, and if Mike can help him be at the top of his game, she is all for it. Plus, Donna and Mike, because of their unique, close relationships with Harvey, can now be confidantes.

It's no mystery to Sarah why people are connecting with Donna, besides her devotion to Harvey, of course. She thinks that they like her wit, and how quick she is. She works in a man’s world, but isn’t competing with men. It's a great, bold character, who certainly stands out as unique in this television landscape.

When asked how much of herself goes into the role of Donna, Sarah doesn't take much credit. She says that many scenes are written with very specific beats. All of the writers have strong ears for the voices of the characters. Donna and the others have been extremely well defined from the first episode. So mainly, she just tries to play what is on the page, saying she has no input into where the character is going. Many will agree, she plays the part quite well.

That doesn't mean that the actors aren't allowed to take risks. Sarah reveals that they are encouraged to improv after they get the script filmed as written. It's a great experience that helps hone the craft, as well as really gets under the skin of the part.

She further compliments the writers with their bravery, especially in season two, where plots move along at a very rapid pace. She says they can stuff a ton into an hour because they have so many other ideas on where to go from here. There is no sense of stretching anything out, or making the fans wait for the best developments. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and if the season two premiere is any indication, the story has, indeed, moved into the fast lane this year.

The question many fans of Suits want to know is, will Harvey and Donna be hooking up? After all, there is definite chemistry between them. Sarah laughs, and chalks that up to her long friendship with Gabriel Macht, who plays Harvey, that spans two decades. She professes that their children are friends, and it would be very awkward for her to play with him in that way. She also thinks it might be a "jump the shark" moment for the show. Many will disagree with that, but she may be right.

Now, Rafferty isn't against Donna getting a love interest on the series, at least one who is not Harvey. Her suggestions for the role include George Clooney and Brad Pitt, which are definitely realistic for a cable television show. Not. But she says, "when that day [to find a love interest] comes, you can be sure that I will be in on the casting."

Sarah Rafferty admits that she would like to be more like Donna. Donna is thoroughly unneurotic, easygoing, and confident, the latter of which is really challenging for the actress. Rafferty admires those traits. Also, Donna is a much better dresser. Sarah says she has learned a lot about how to shop for herself from the costume designer. So on that front, they two may be becoming a bit more similar.

Great insights! Thank you, Sarah, for your time today!

Suits begins its second season tonight at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

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