Suits - Denial - Review: Season 5 Premiere

Suits is back. 

The USA network procedural kick the season 5 premiere with a heavy emotional set up, finding the firm in a complete state of chaos after Donna leaves Harvey to work for Louis. 

The episode also found the working team that bring Suits to our screen at its best. The art and lighting department work mirrored where the plot was going. The main lead was in an obscure place and the clothing color palette and lighting was darker than it usually is. No vibrant colors to take the viewer out of the sadness reverie the story is taking us into. The only set that felt safe was Harvey’s therapist office, even if he felt like he was making a deposition, it was his decision to be there. 

The narrative in this episode is interesting, Suits has taken entire episodes to delve further into comprehending characters’ actions and feelings with the classic use of flashbacks, but “Denial” uses it as a reflection of what Harvey is telling his therapist; the course of actions that happened after Donna quits resulting into him having panic attacks. Going back to the present the viewer can see the evolution he makes in one month and half – more or less- 

Moving on

Harvey kicks Donna out when she offers to work and help him find her replacement. He has his first panic attack then, walking in a drunken state to the bathroom where, after throwing up, he composes himself. Donna isn’t ok either; Rachel sees her shaking, and Donna finally admits out loud that you can never go back. Rachel was happy to announce her engagement but instead keeps the rest of the episode being a figure of comfort to both Donna and Harvey. Sort of filling Donna’s shoes for one episode, and doing some secretarial work for Harvey, she leaves herself for last, missing deliberately a test. (Good thing Mike remembers she’s going to Law school, because sometimes everyone forgets this) 

Donna has to deal with Louis’ insecurities, he’s afraid this whole Donna replacing Norma is a faux and she’ll go back to Harvey. Harvey believes this himself. The rest of the characters seem to think this is a more permanent thing. 

Mike tries to talk to Harvey a few times; Jessica tries too, offering to undo whatever is happening. Telling him that whatever Donna and him had was as close as you can get to a person without being romantically involved, and that he hasn’t reacted like this ever before, not even with Scottie. He still believes she’s coming back. Until he asks for Donna’s help and she refuses, because she’s in trouble too, and clearly disappointed with how he reacted. (The whole can opener related scene and consequences was painful to watch)

What was interesting in this episode was not only seeing the parallels when the therapist talked as a mirror of what Donna might have said to Harvey, and seeing him react; but also the evolution path every character seemed to have taken during the episode. 

In the end, law related wise, Harvey and Mike save the day, quoting silence of the lambs in between, and Harvey accepting the problems that they had in the case were partly his fault. Louis gets that Donna is not leaving and that he needs to talk and work through his rejection issues with her, celebrating with cake the first deal they got together as a team. Finally, after a whole episode of him bargaining to get more anxiety pills, Harvey throws them down the toilet, he's getting in touch with this new side of him.

The last sequence was lighter than the rest of the episode. Donna and Rachel’s bonding moment, mirroring Harvey and Mike’s. 

Donna gives Rachel 2 gifts, one for her engagement and the other for the work she did for Harvey. Most of the conversations between Donna and Rachel might not pass The Bechdel test, but this particular scene showed the core of what female friendship is: addressing what we are feeling, selfness, understanding and some fun in between. Mike and Harvey does the same, not only showing part of the evolution Harvey is going through but also some of the old flow between them. Old Harvey would have bought a crazy expensive gift because of how he reacted to Mike’s engagement news. New Harvey is thoughtful, he finds the latest bride magazine, puts a bow on it, and invites him to a Nets game, he even addresses in his own way he didn’t reacted the way he should have. 

This season should be interesting with the new established dynamics for these characters. I hope we get to see more female presence, Harvey continuing this evolution to a man who accepts he has feelings, and that it doesn't necessarily mean a weakness. 

The two most important things I hope the writers work on are: 

- The "will they, won’t they" conflict between Donna and Harvey, this can’t be dragged forever after the season 4 finale and this premiere (Besides the network advertising campaign regarding this). The subtext of a romantic relationship between them is long gone and now everything is on the table.

- Louis’ growth as a person, with Donna by his side he might become a better man. The cheap outcomes this character has, need to stop; if he’s going to be flawed but a likeable character, be it. If he’s going to be the petty colleague you don’t want to have in your work environment, be it too. But enough with the back and forth with these two sides of him. Even, if Hoffman performance makes it worth to watch it. 

Suits premiere came back with a neat script and award winning performances by the whole cast. Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht scenes together always brought the best of them. Even if Macht’s style is more subtle and Rafferty's more histrionic, the way they use their voice and eyes, like a Photography Director might use lights, worked as a reflection of what the characters were going through, and for a show that most of the time is subtle about how the characters are feeling, the actors did a wonderful job of channeling their alter egos. In my opinion, when the viewer wants to reach for the TV and hug the character, it means everyone involve is doing a good job. How many times did you want to have a pep talk with these characters last night?

Here at SpoilerTV we are a big team. There are two Laura’s who are interested in Suits, and we don't necessarily share our opinions, but that’s why makes this site so great, plurality of views.

My ultimate favorite moment, besides the heavy and emotional scenes that plagued this episode, was Harvey’s therapist saying that Jessica is one hell of a woman. 5 seasons, we know it, we want more Jessica time. 

The other Laura (@laura_markus) has some thoughts of her own:

A pretty decent episode. I had the lowest expectations of all time after I read spoilers for this season. After hearing that “Mike and Harvey don’t always have to work together on cases”, I thought my favorite duo was doomed to have no screen time together. But this episode gave us enough to be satisfied. Certain moments felt like classic Suits/Mike and Harvey. I also enjoyed the flashback-style elements of Harvey’s anxiousness. I hope we continue to touch base on that because that could be some well needed depth for Harvey this season, if they do it well. I still hold out no hope for a truly AMAZING episode due to the expected lack of Mike and Harvey. But, as far as this episode goes, I am pleased. 

Positives:

• All the Mike & Harvey scenes! Especially the ending where the go on a date to the Nets game together.

• Harvey’s panic attacks (the way they did them was powerful).

• Donna and Rachel being adorable together.

• Mike not caring at all about Harvey and Donna’s romantic past. He spoke on behalf of me.

• Louis’s realization that Donna will soon go back to Harvey. The earlier we can accept that, the less time we have to spend on the soap opera.

• The quote-off with their client was a treat.

• Harvey and Jessica’s time together.

 Negatives:

• The goddamn soap opera.

• The fact that they forgot that Harvey can open up to Mike about his anxiety, because Mike too had panic attacks.

• Louis and Donna’s uncomfortable lunch date.

• Mike taking the blame for Rachel, therefore making Harvey mad at him.

• Harvey yelling at Mike.

• Louis’s ‘smug face’.

What about you? What do you wish for? Are you on team  "Can wait for Donna to go back to Harvey as his secretary?" or "Changes are good, let them move on, but together?" Talk to us in the comments.

About the Author - Laura M

Laura is a proud nerd, TV and movie enthusiast. She's a teacher, producer and does different free lance gigs in her country. In her free time she likes to write and hear what other people think about the media surrounding us.

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