On "Suits" "Blood in the Water," Mike (Patrick J. Adams) is back to his old workhorse self, and he's ready to fight. It's a good thing too, because on the Jan. 24 episode, the sharks are circling Pearson Hardman, because everyone knows they've just been through a civil war. But Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Mike, at the very least, aren't going to stand idly by.
One shark in particular is trying to take all the great talent she can: Allison Holt (Diane Neal), who Hardman previously hired to represent the firm during the infamous buried evidence case with Donna (Sarah Rafferty).
Of course, Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman) isn't making things any easier on "Suits," like when he fires Harold (Max Topplin) for losing a client when it was hardly Harold's fault. In fact, Harold is, surprisingly, a really great worker -- except Louis constantly intimates him.
During this whole fighting with the shark Allison, metaphors abound, like Harvey saying, "And the law of the jungle says the weak get eaten." Or Rachel (Meghan Markle) randomly telling Mike, "Some people choose any port in a storm." The metaphors are a bit distracting, unlike the show's usual one-liners, like Donna trying to jump start some witty banter at the beginning of the episode. Still, the plethora of metaphors hardly takes away from the cut-throat tension of the rest of "Blood in the Water."
As for the story of the week, it's all about Trent, another client who is considering jumping ship and heading to Allison's firm. But as Harvey and Mike always do, they come up with a solution by asking themselves: what's in it for Trent? He thinks his company will merge with another, and he'll rival Google. But that's too good to be true, and Harvey wants to prove it.
But that proof comes in a roundabout unlikely way. And before it gets to that point, Harvey and Louis have the blow-out that's been coming ever since "Suits" season one. "You're the one who got the gun, and pointed it at my face," Harvey yells at Louis, and tells him that he can never trust him again. "As far as I'm concerned, you don't work here anymore."
That's exactly when Louis has had enough. He approaches Allison, and Jessica (Gina Torres) can break the non-compete agreement, if that's what Louis really wants. "My loyalty does not sway with the end," Louis still claims, because for whatever reason he loves Pearson Hardman (and, no, a decision has not been reached about the firm’s name) even if he thinks it's time to leave.
But then Jessica gives him the one thing he's always wanted on "Suits": recognition that he's a great lawyer and deserves the senior partnership. And then something even weirder happens. After Mike gets beaten up by Tess's husband, he stumbles into the office, where Louis takes care of him, in a way that's hard to imagine Harvey ever taking care of his associate.
"Let's just say actions have consequences," Mike says in way of explanation of why he's all bloodied and bruised. Louis knows that lesson better than anyone, but Mike thinks he can redeem himself: "Maybe actions can redeem you."
And that they do. Louis helps Mike with the Trent merger financials, and voila, Trent's company would be broken up and sold for pieces, because, in an ironic twist of fate, Allison just wants Trent, and he has a non-compete. Harvey and Mike couldn't have done it without Louis -- but will Louis stay?
In perhaps the best moment of "Blood in the Water," Harvey walks into Louis's office. No words are exchanged. Harvey simply tears up Louis's resignation letter, and Louis suddenly relaxes. He's not going anywhere.
"Suits" is back, and it's going to be better than ever. The dramedy airs on USA Network Thursday nights at 10 p.m. EST.
© Elizabeth SanFilippo 2013
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