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Mar 4, 2017

I'm watching suits 5x03 for the first time and Harvey's having a panic attack ! !!! and Mike's so concerned and he's looking at Harvey like he could lose him at any second and BABE TALK TO ME! IM CRYJNG ITS SO EMOTIONAL I haven't even seen the whole scene yet!!

#Suits 5x03

a-tangled-pineapple

Jul 9, 2015

Suits 5x03 Review

This week’s Suits episode was better for me than last week but I’m still finding this season not holding up to the promise of the first episode. Is it enjoyable to watch? Yes, because I love these actors and they are all turning in great performances. Is it frustrating to watch? Yes, because a lot of these plotlines are rehashing territory we’ve already visited and in some cases this is the third or fourth trip back to areas I never wanted to particularly see again.

So these are my mixed feelings about Suits 5x03 - No Refills under the cut.

In my spirit of renaming these episodes, No Refills could have easily been named Respect instead because that was what this episode was about. Which characters are earning it, which are asking for it and which are being given it. Respect has always been a big theme of this show along with trust and in this episode we returned to that.

Gretchen Bodinski - She is my new favorite character. I’m going to be heartbroken if we don’t get to keep her. Her scene where she told Harvey about the panic attacks and simply ended her story with because I don’t have them anymore was perfect. Already there is a great working relationship between her and Harvey that is a breath of fresh air in this show and I hope to see it continue. This episode saw Gretchen earn Harvey’s respect.

Jack Soloff - Remember last week in my review when I said I was excited to see where his character is going? I take it all back which is a shame because I love the actor. BUT we’ve been here before. So many times before and I have no desire to live through Hardman 3.0 or whatever we’re up to now. This storyline is tired and they have beaten it to death. Partner threatens to overthrow Harvey and Jessica, Harvey and Jessica with the help of Mike band together and defeat partner while celebrating their win after doing five or six illegal and underhanded things to get there. Did I miss anything? Unless they are about to throw in some big twist in the next few weeks to cause me to eat my words, I’m bored already.

Jack demanded respect from Jessica and got that thrown back in his face, threw Harvey’s gesture back in his face and learned Harvey never respected him at all. And we’ve seen all of that play out with Hardman and Louis in the past in various scenarios. Like I said, bored already.

Robert Zane - I loved Robert Zane in this episode. His scene with Jessica where they had a power struggle over the case and who was controlling it was great. Especially when she walked out at the end and he said “I love you.” which could possibly be my favorite line of this episode. Please give us more scenes of these two together because I could watch Gina Torres and Wendell Pierce play off of each other for hours.

Speaking of power struggles, Robert’s one with Mike in this episode was interesting too. He knew Mike was a good lawyer but he completely underestimated him and refused to give him the respect he deserved. Part of that is because Robert Zane has the ego the size of a small country and thinks he’s the best. Part of that, I’m sure is because Mike is marrying his little girl and there is always a power struggle in these shows between the father of the bride and the new husband to be. Which was exactly why it was so important to Mike that Robert respect him. He doesn’t care if Robert respects him for his own sake but he does care that Robert respects him as the man his daughter is marrying.

That said, Mike also doesn’t take things lying down. His mentor is Harvey Specter after all. So when Robert thought he could steamroll over Mike with his demands he was sorely mistaken but because Mike is the more sensible and reasonable one he also didn’t allow his personal feelings to destroy the case. Robert, however didn’t know that, so when he thinks Mike may have blown things for them showing up late in front of the judge and then watches Mike single handedly save their entire motion it was like you could see Robert’s whole perception of who Mike is change. A light went on in Robert and he looked a little in awe of Mike and even more so when Mike turned around afterwards and made it clear that the only one who can order him to do something is Harvey but that Harvey treats him like an equal. Robert’s peace offering and calling him partner assures that he won’t be underestimating Mike again anytime soon and that the respect Mike wanted was definitely won tonight for now.

Louis Litt - I don’t even care. I tried to muster up enough caring to write this part of the review but I’m going to be honest, I don’t care. Once again Louis has gotten in bed with someone by doing something illegal in a fit of anger in an attempt to prove he’s better than Harvey (which is never going to happen) that they can use against him. Then he regrets what he did and tries to defend Harvey only to have to save his own skin by betraying Harvey until eventually the truth comes out, Harvey and Jessica lose all respect for him and Harvey, Jessica and Mike have to save his ass. Yawn. Charles Forstman anyone? Lather, rinse, repeat. Like I said above, I’ll eat my words if the show surprises me but so far I feel like we’re repeating well covered ground here.

Donna Paulsen - I don’t even know what this show wants me to think about Donna this season. I was happy that she went in and told Harvey that even if she leaves Louis she’s not coming back to him because she needs to stand up for herself and I love she declared she isn‘t a trophy. She deserves respect and I’m glad she’s demanding it of Harvey even if he’s not responding to her demands at the moment. I thought Sarah Rafferty did an excellent job in the scene where she plays imaginary Donna in Harvey’s head and they argue too. But I wasn’t overly fond of her taking Mike’s head off for asking her a question about Harvey. I get she doesn’t want anything more to do with Harvey and I actually think that’s a good thing but Mike is still her friend and she could have been a little nicer and respectful of their friendship. And I definitely wasn’t fond at all of her scenes with Louis where she argued with him and then said she’s never leaving him because I guess I’m just wondering where is the advancement for Donna by trading Harvey’s set of abandonment issues for Louis’s set of abandonment issues?

Look, I’ll admit I’m being tough on Donna’s storyline this season in these reviews because I want more than the show is giving her character. Like a storyline that isn’t purely an extension of Harvey or Louis’s storyline. But I’m starting to feel like I need to accept that isn’t happening because to be honest? I don’t feel like the show itself is invested in Donna beyond her relationship with Harvey and Louis. When a show breaks up one of their staple relationships on the show like they’ve done with Harvey and Donna, you do that so both characters can grow and learn things about themselves. So far the show has set Harvey up to grow but has dismissed Donna for the most part and as much as I’d love for that to change I don’t see any indication that it is going to do so anytime soon. Right now I see Donna floundering in a plotline where instead of soothing Harvey’s issues over she’s doing the same thing for Louis and that is a shame for the Donna character.

Rachel Zane - It finally happened! Cue the chorus. If you’ve read any of my reviews you know I’ve been begging for what happened in this episode ever since last season. Jessica Pearson finally took Rachel Zane under her wing. It was perfect and everything I’ve wanted for these two characters. Where do I sign up for Team Jessica and Rachel because I’m so ready. I loved everything about their scenes. Jessica tricking Rachel into reading her speech, Rachel rewriting the speech and asking if she could work a case with Jessica and then best of all Jessica admitting that Rachel reminded her of herself. Rachel earned Jessica’s respect without even realizing it and sometimes that is the greatest compliment someone can pay someone else. Jessica respected Rachel’s opinion and sought it out and the two of them built a beautiful foundation for working together in the future in this episode.

That said, I’m being greedy now that the show has given me this because please, please, please let them work a case together. It’s going to happen, right? It has to happen. Rachel needs to soak up all of Jessica’s wisdom and they need to be like Harvey and Mike, out there kicking ass together in the legal world. Clearly I’m excited about this development, can you tell?

I also liked that Rachel warned Mike about her father and then backed off and let him work through things with her father without interfering after Mike pointed out that he was hoping to be arguing with her father about many things for many years to come. She needed to give them the space to establish their own relationship with each other and she respected that while also making it clear that she was worried about Mike getting hurt.

Also, Mike and Rachel were really cute in the scene where she came in and wrapped around him on the couch. I’m not overly invested in Mike and Rachel as a couple but the two actors sell me on it every single time it’s on my screen which isn’t easy to do all the time so kudos to Patrick J. Adams and Meghan Markle.

Jessica Pearson - I’ve already covered her flawlessness in her decision to finally take Rachel under her wing and teach her the ways of the legal world and how wonderful she was in her scenes with Robert Zane. I’m saving her scene with Harvey for his part of the review, so that leaves me with her scene with Mike which I really loved. Mike Ross gets under her skin but she also respects the hell out of him and even though she wouldn’t admit it when he pulls Harvey like stunts she’s secretly impressed. So I liked their back and forth when she found out that he went behind her back with the case. And I loved even more that she can yell at Mike all she wants but when she opens the door to her office she backs him a hundred percent. These two have come a long way and every since last season when he blew up at her about when she was going to respect that his dirty secret is her secret as well they had a shift in their relationship. Jessica accepts her part in keeping Mike around and she treats him like one of her own now, despite the risk he is to her firm and there was no greater show of that than her telling Robert Zane to think of Mike as being the same as her and to treat him as an equal.

Jessica’s only other big contribution to the episode was her fight with Jack Soloff, which was well acted by both actors, but nothing we haven’t seen before, like I complained about above. It’s a rehash of a plot that they’ve used too many times before. How many lawyers does Jessica have to destroy before they stop coming for her and her name on the door and show her some respect?

Mike Ross - Mike had a great episode. I enjoyed his getting to use his memory again in this episode to save the case, sometimes I feel like the show forgets he has that ability so it’s always nice when it comes back into play. I loved when he told Robert Zane about Harvey being the only one who could order him around and that they treat each other as equals. That whole scene from the point of Mike owning the other lawyers and the judge with his memory to his speech to Robert was one of the best scenes of the episode but to the surprise of no one I’m sure, my favorite Mike scenes were with Harvey in this episode.

After not getting anything between them at all last week, their interactions in this episode more than made up for that. I liked that Mike didn’t back down when Harvey came barging into his office demanding he drop everything. They have long since passed that point in their relationship and this case is important to Mike. But Mike also respects Harvey and their relationship and knew from Harvey’s harsh dismissal that he was upset so I also liked that he went to apologize and talk about it. Even if he didn’t get the chance before Harvey had a panic attack right before him. Mike’s own panic and then compassion and worry was beautifully played as he crouched down next to Harvey and offered him the glass of water. The quiet way he assured Harvey he would take care of everything was such a small moment but spoke so much of who they are together. Harvey was in trouble and Harvey had just shown Mike his weakness and trusted him. There was no way Mike was going to be anything less than respectful of that and despite what needed to be done for his own case he prioritized what Harvey needed from him and did what he promised, he took care of it for Harvey because these two always have each other's backs.

I also loved the scene at the end when Mike came to check and make sure Harvey was okay. Mike gets Harvey. He knows Harvey was scared he was jumping ship to work with Robert so the little throw away comments about jealousy and going out to dinner with Harvey was his way of assuring Harvey they are still them. Harvey respects actions more than words and Mike showed him just by being there at the end of the day and doing their normal banter back and forth that he isn’t going anywhere. Harvey isn’t losing Mike.

Harvey Specter - Harvey once again had a rough episode all around and let me first praise Gabriel Macht for the acting he did in the panic attack scene. He definitely sold that scene.

Of course I loved that the thought of losing Mike was what sent Harvey into a panic in this episode because I’m a sucker for all scenes about how much Harvey and Mike mean to each other. Jessica calling him out on that fear and dismissing Mike leaving basically as being ridiculous was a great moment, even if it didn’t work to calm Harvey down and only incited another panic attack.

My favorite Harvey moment tonight, however, was a small one. It was a simple scene but it showed a lot of growth for his character. It was right after he had the panic attack and told off Soloff. Mike asked if he was okay and he answered no. Harvey, who hates showing any sign of weakness, who hates not being in control, let his defenses down and trusted Mike to see him that way and admitted the truth. He wasn’t okay. He didn’t have a choice in Mike seeing the panic attack, he couldn’t control Mike finding out about them because he needed to stop Mike from calling 911. But after he regained control he could have blown Mike off with an “I’m fine,” instead he answered truthfully and let Mike take care of him. That was such a small moment but at the same time a big moment for Harvey. He leaned on Mike when he needed to and that was a good thing. Harvey needs to learn, really learn, that he doesn’t have to keep his defenses up all the time. It’s okay to ask for help.

That said, while the above was a good moment for Harvey growing a little, I also loved when Harvey’s psychiatrist called him on not respecting her and bullying her like she’s sure he did Donna and that she put down boundaries about her time and the way he can interact with her. Everyone in Harvey’s life should practice a little of that. I love Harvey, he’s my favorite character but Harvey can be a bully and Harvey has shown a complete lack of respect for a lot of people in his life. I’m glad the show is finally blatantly dealing with this issue.

I especially love when imaginary Donna brought up the issue of him paying her salary again and accused him of doing so to control her. Harvey needs to understand that wasn’t okay because it wasn’t. It may have seemed on the surface to be a nice gesture but it was a way of controlling her and that was my big issue with it when it came out last week. Harvey does manipulate and control Donna a lot and it shows a lack of respect for her as a person and I‘m glad the show started to address that in this episode. It doesn’t matter that he cares for her and does a lot of what he does out of fear of her leaving. Caring doesn’t excuse his actions.

There were two things that came up in the imaginary Donna conversation that left me a little confused on what the writers wanted me to take away from it. The first being when he she accused him of leaving when she wanted more. Here’s my problem with that. There is a gigantic pink elephant in the room that the writers are purposefully avoiding. Does Harvey have romantic feelings for Donna? Because people can speculate back and forth but until the show answers that question definitively it’s been left purposefully so the show can go either way with it. If he does than it validates somewhat Donna’s anger at him for being too scared to act on it and expecting her to stay around anyway. If he doesn’t than Donna has no reason to be angry with him about pulling away because if he doesn’t feel the same he’s doing that to spare her feelings. That said, if he doesn’t than he also can’t blame Donna for removing herself from a situation where she’s working closely with someone she’s in love with who isn’t in love with her. Harvey can be upset that the situation came to this and she left but he can’t blame her because if he does truly care about her he should want what’s best for her and if he can’t return her feelings than he should want her to move on for her own sake.

Which leads me to the second questionable moment of the episode for me. When Harvey said he when he wanted to twist the knife right back when someone twists a knife in his gut. This childish need for revenge and the way the writers have written these last two episodes between Donna and Harvey are walking a fine line that once crossed they can never come back from. It already appears as if Harvey has no respect for Donna and, if he seeks to punish her for leaving him and siding with Louis and goes too far with it, it will be very hard to ever repair the Donna and Harvey relationship.

Right now I’m coming away from these last two episodes with all the reasons Donna and Harvey should never be together instead of seeing the show setting up a pathway for those two characters to go back to each other. There is a point where the show can take that too far if they don’t back up soon. I suspect that a problem is a lack of commitment once again this season on whether or not Donna and Harvey are going to become romantic or stay platonic. Sooner or later the show has to pick a lane and if they wait too long they may have damaged too much of the road.

The only other thing in this episode to say about Harvey was that he once again went into destroy mode with Jack Soloff and Louis but we’ve been there and seen that with Harvey before, so I can’t say I’m excited about those plotlines.

So there is my, as always, long review and thoughts on this episode. It was such a mixed bag. I loved half of the episode and spent the other half wondering how many times we were going to retrace the same ground with some of these plots that have been done before. Maybe the show will surprise me and I’ll be taking it back next week but right now I’m a little disappointed that it’s not living up to the potential the first episode showed this season. So far the promo for next week isn’t filling me with hope but we shall see then.

Thanks for reading! See you next week.

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