Through the first three episodes, Suits has proved it’s one of the best shows on television. For me, it’s right up there with Homeland, Game of Thrones, and Fringe. I didn’t think it was possible for Suits to top its first season, but it has. The reveal of Mike’s secret and the return of Hardman have allowed the show to grow beyond being the Harvey and Mike Show to allowing the previous supporting roles to shine.
I still love the Harvey and Mike relationship, but many of my favorite moments involve other characters. I can’t get enough of Donna and Rachel. Their womance has been a blast to watch from the premiere’s bathroom chat about the kiss to this week’s bar outing (Harriet Specter and Michelle Ross). Donna can be both a professional mentor and the friend that Rachel needs.
In “Meet the New Boss,” the big surprise of the episode was Louis. After previously being sidelined by Jessica and buttered up by Daniel, Louis stepped up his game. He overcame his feelings of being under-appreciated and finally stood up for himself. His interactions with the She-Louis opened his eyes and gave him the push he needed.
Louis proved his value to the associates and more importantly to himself. On my podcast last week, I mentioned that I wanted to see Harvey give Louis the credit he deserved and not jokingly. To see the two of them reminisce about their time as associates, and then for Harvey to validate Louis was touching to watch. Harvey owed that to Louis. And, that Louis recorded, “You’re the man.” makes it all the sweeter. I hope the recording comes up again.
Between the encouragement from She-Louis, Harvey and even Jessica, Louis was able to tell Jessica what he needed from her. I can’t wait to see how she decides to challenge him. If she does, he will be on her side over Hardman’s permanently.
The war has begun at Pearson Hardman. Daniel made his presence known before he even arrived, but his first battle was with Harvey. The two of them play a similar game — manipulation. Only Harvey showed he was better by at looking at the nurses’ demands and potential strike strategically. While Daniel understood the law, Harvey instinctively understood the player, which is how you win a negotiation. Even with Daniel blocking his every move, Harvey was able to win.
The big loser was Mike. He was the pawn in Daniel and Harvey’s battle. It was a bit surprising to see Mike go off on Harvey. Would you talk to your boss that way? Harvey deserved it though and since they have a unique relationship Mike was able to get away with it. Ultimately, Harvey made it up to Mike by telling him the truth about Daniel. Trust. Harvey and Mike have an extreme level of trust with each other.
It’s a shame that Mike can’t have that same level of trust with the woman he loves. Mike’s honesty when helping Rachel with her match.com profile was telling. He adores her. When she showed up at his apartment, it was difficult to watch. She knows him so well that she figured out why he really wouldn’t be with her. My heart broke for both of them during their conversation in the alley. She desperately wanted him to let her in on his secret and he wanted to tell her, but just couldn’t. Will knowing this make it easier or more difficult for Rachel to let him go? I know for me, it would make it more difficult. I’d want to figure out what was keeping me from that person.
At least something good came out of her relationship with Mike — she took the LSAT! She has to pass it; she just has to!
At the end of the day, Daniel apologized to Jessica and Harvey. Do you buy it? I sure don’t. They have to see he is manipulating them still, right? The whole tea set thing was crazy. Even if you missed your wife, why would you take back a gift she gave to someone else? I don’t believe it. He was just using his wife to get sympathy. Don’t believe him, Jessica!
Unfortunately, we have to wait two weeks for more Suits. Hopefully, you still have the first three episodes on your DVR and can watch them over and over to help you through the holiday break.
A review of the quotes I collected reflect how different Suits is from other USA Network shows. I find the word choices to be authentic to the characters, rather than being gratuitous. Do you enjoy the cutting language? Or, do you find it unnecessary and distracting?
What was your favorite line? It’s a close decision, but I have to go with the “shit rainbows” line. That cracked me up!
Way too many Suits quotes from “Meet the New Boss”
“At least do it with a little authority. Someone’s going to think I raised a pussy.” — Mike’s Grandma
“I want you to convince this woman that Pearson Hardman makes you shit rainbows.” — Louis
“Would you like me to thank your face with my fist?” — Harvey
“There’s two of them.” — Harold
“I think Louis is attracted to female Louis” — Mike
“Do you think that if they touch the world will cease to exist?” — Harold
“I don’t want to think about them touching.” — Mike
“You may be a dick, but the associates have it pretty good.” — Harvey
“Thank you, Harvey, dick part aside.” — Louis
“Louis, I’m only going to say this once, so you better enjoy it. You’re the man.” — Harvey
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not porn, it’s match.com” — Rachel
“Once I tell you, I can never take it back. This is my everything.” – Mike
“That’s bullshit. It’s a win because you beat Daniel.” — Mike
“If you really heard me in there. You’d know that I give them the chance to rise to the occasion. And, I just wish every once in a while you’d do the same for me.” — Louis
“Do you trust me?” — Mike
“That’s why I wanted you to know.” — Harvey
Clacked by Carla Day 
on Jun 29, 2012 @ 03:10 EST5EDT
Suits is that glorious kind of TV series where writing shapes the characters and the actors speak the words effortlessly. Plus, the cast knows just how good they have it. No car chases, gun fights or supernatural interventions. Just people involved with the law interacting with the wealthy and they themselves sharing in some of that wealth. We get to excape, the purpose of any good TV show or
movie, from our lives and live in theirs for a time. Plus, the best dressed cast on TV.
I really love these reviews. I’m not usually a commenter but I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated the level of thought you put into these analyses.
I’m still getting used to Rachel as this love struck girl. It’s such a stark contrast to her character at the beginning of season 1. I just don’t like it; so weird to me.
I love this show but my respect for Harvey dropped several notches in this episode. As I understand it, the nurses were working unpaid overtime to make sure that the meds for the patients didn’t get screwed up, thereby avoiding any patients dying from the wrong meds. Now they won’t do that any more because they could get fired if they do. Nor should they have to do unpaid overtime to save Prescott.
Harvey may have saved Prescott some money now, but if they get sued because of a medication mix-up, that could be even bigger bucks they have to pay out.