In TV history there have been big cliffhangers, painful endings, happy endings, time jumps, time travel, etc. Then there's the Suits season 5 finale, it's not a cliffhanger per se, it's a clean slate.
The episode ended where it begun, Mike took a deal and while the whole episode was everyone offering to put themselves in line to save the rest and Mike himself, it closed with him taking the fall for the crime he committed, because he was guilty, let's not forget that.
The empty firm in that last sequence is the perfect metaphor to what the writers team have in their hands, and empty vase that they can shape up to the essence of what Suits was during the first few years, but sans Mike, or something better, a mix of the themes that plagued every season, and the fact that everything you do have consequences, and as Donna would say 'You can't go back'
Suits has always been a show that worked on cycling storylines, narrative wise it treasures its flashbacks and, most of the time, it's a fast paced show heavy of the dialogue, and not only every line is delivered perfectly, by the more than amazing cast it has, but every line has a consequence, it's classic storytelling of cause and effect.
If this episode had been the series finale the story would be different, because a lot of the storylines wouldn't have had closure, but it isn't. Only the main conflict of the show was closed and in some way, the premise isn't the same anymore and that's a bold and brave move.
The show is coming back in May, and it's looking like, besides season 6, there might be a season 7, so what does this mean? Enough time to pick up the strong points the show has, and that's the characters and their dynamics.
The episode ends with Harvey and Mike shortly reminiscing what happened since Harvey hired him, while Louis, Donna and Jessica are completely devastated after finding that everyone has left Pearson Specter Litt. Season 6 will surely become a season of new beginnings, completely uncharted, there's room to fulfill each arc of the main six characters.
Harvey's evolution is the most notorious one because he went for literally trying not to care because it would be a weakness, to trying to protect the people he loves. (Don't ask me how, I hope next season even, if he doesn't know how to say it, he will just come out and say it) He'll have to deal with the consequences of his actions, how they affected him, and the people surrounding him. He needs to address the personal problems he has and set new goals. As for Jessica, the one thing she fought for her whole life is gone, and the whole season was her choosing her work life instead of her personal one, just like Harvey. Now she has neither, the same happens with Louis. (Maybe he can take some time off in Argentina, dance Tango with Sheila on the colorful streets of La Boca?) We don't know what happened with Mitchell, if Donna does have a personal life or not, and Rachel is left heartbroken. The common theme in every one of the character's lives is that they thought they had everything, and now are left with absolutely nothing. This is the perfect chance to develop the journey of these characters fighting for their happiness and looking into their complexities. Finally but not least, Mike's in jail, and how he adjusts in there or how he can get out and not spend 2 years in prison might be another problem to resolve. Does someone know a good lawyer to help him? - Orange Is The New Suits jokes aside -
Season 5 is left with only the foundations standing, of the firm and the show itself, I actually can't wait to see how everything develops. Is it May yet?
Side Notes
- Donna I'm not trading you for Mike. Period.
- I was not worried about going to prison, I was worried about my firm. Oh, Jessica.
- Jessica's face when she's surrounded by the emptiness of PSL was heartbreaking. (Same as Louis and Donna's)
- Patrick J Adam's performed the emotion arc Mike went through outstandingly subtle and it was really amazing to watch.
(From @laura_markus)
- On another note, there were two outstanding scenes I have to praise. The beautiful and tragic scene of Harvey provoking Mike to punch to see if he can withstand prison roughness. Absolutely stunning, and I would be lying if I said I didn't cry my heart out. And the ending scene, with the juxtaposition of Harvey and Mike talking about their lives, Mike walking into prison, and Jessica, Louis, and Donna arriving at the now empty PSL. A clean slate was what they wanted, and they set that up quite nicely.
Are you excited about season 6? Do you have theories of what will happen? share them with us in the comments.
