The third episode of Suits paints the picture of how the rest of the season will go on. Power struggle is a running theme on the show, but it seems it will come to surface again; and together with how partnerships works, makes the episode one of the most interesting ones to watch.
For as long as I've been covering this show I've written about the characters dynamics and how the show answers a lot to the shifts in them. Until now this season has been delivering not only with its scripts, but with how the staging of it is working on its favor.
Harvey's struggle with himself will be the main plot alongside Jack Soloff's plan for this first part of season 5. No refills deals with these conflicts and the new forming alliances.
Last week's episode, set the ground for a new relationship between Jessica and Rachel, the writers not only moved further into this, but made Jessica acknowledge Rachel's potential. Them working together might exactly be what the show needed in terms of female development. Seeing Jessica as a role model and tutoring someone will be exciting. (Not to mention this might be the first episode of Suits that passed the Bechtel test)
Mike having Robert Zane as co counsel helps him to grow as a lawyer, and also to have his father in law knowing him better. Which might develop into another huge conflict near the end, but let's not worry about that yet. This additionally works to feed Harvey's abandonment issues that Jessica is not subtle to point out.
Harvey is a mess. His insecurities are right on the surface, and even if Gretchen has his back, and he sees his therapist again, it doesn't seem like a coincidence that the only one that isn't forging new alliances is him. Until the end, until he makes progress in his therapy session, and listens to Gretchen and her advice on panic attacks. Harvey's problem is that he doesn't open up to the people he cares about, so little statements of affection are steps into the right direction for him to live more fully. Which, I feel, is another recurring theme this season: life outside work.
Harvey's evolution this season might have felt off during the premiere, but as long as he keeps touching the traumas he has been avoiding his whole adult life it's easier to empathize with the character. The construction of the scene when he has his panic attack, the strangeness made by the lens of choice, accentuated by the photography and Macht's performance is the perfect example someone could you give in film school to express the inner conflict of a character.
Louis and Donna's relationship has been established. She's his voice of reasoning, and he's honest with her. He tries to back out from Soloff's war against Harvey, but he's been blackmailed, and at the same time the episode ends with Harvey giving him and ultimatum. If he ever goes after him again, Harvey we'll bury him. Harvey doesn't really learn that the hard way is not the way to make amends with Louis but he's not in a good place. It looks like that by the end of the season this will go the same way their fight with Hardman did; bringing the characters closer. If this happens I hope it stays that way in season 6. What about you, are you happy with how the plot has been developing so far?
Sidenotes
- There was nothing wrong with Rachel's dress.
- The firm should be called Pearson - I don't need a named partner, boys mess things up.
- Dr Agard and Gretchen might be just what Harvey needed to grow up.
- Harvey imagining Donna in his therapy session, and what she might answered made huge progress into their story line,being this the first time he sees things from her point of view.
- Robert Zane whispering I love you to Jessica. We all do Robert
- Rafferty's acting in the little screen time she got this week keeps fascinating me. The way she's standing when Harvey arrives before their confrontation says everything she then voices out.
- Harvey telling Mike he's having panic attacks, even if he was forced because of the situation, he needs someone to rely on.
Quote of the week
Dr Agard: Well, I may not be Donna, but I’m beginning to see what it’s like to be her.
Harvey: What the h**l are you talking about?
Dr Agard: I’m talking about, I’m a woman who you’ve been bullying to get what you want.
Harvey: Bullying? I’m paying you.
Dr Agard: And that doesn’t mean I exist to serve your needs.
Harvey: Well it goddamn well should.
Dr Agard: If you spoke to Donna that way, no wonder she left you. Because you don’t just pay people to be loyal.
