Suits Season 5

If you enjoy shows that emphasize law and the delicious scandals that ensue, you will love Suits. Suits reminds me, in a way, of the drama comparable on some level to The Good Wife series, which I also loved. Yet, Suits places more emphasis on the firm, its partners, and their associates. One associate named Michael Ross, played by Patrick Adams, is of particular interest. 

Unlike his peers, Michael never finished law school. Yet, most of his colleagues don’t know this. While Michael can crack a case like a pro, if his secret escapes, it could spell big trouble for for him, and he knows it. Watching Michael squirm as he jumps from one hot seat to another is enough to make me sweat.

Donna Paulsen, played by Sarah Rafferty, is caught in the middle. She runs the line between her friendship with Harvey and her boss, Louis Litt. While trying to remain uninvolved, she realizes her efforts are useless. She knows too much. Harvey refuses to agree to open up to Louis about his affair with Louis' sister. But, fate has its own plan and things unravel in the end. Donna finally admits the truth to Louis. This, of course, leads to disaster. Louis flies off the handle and makes a beeline for Harvey’s office immediately. 

I like what Sarah does with Donna. She still wants a friendship with Harvey. Yet, she’s torn between that, and maintaining a professional relationship with her boss. That makes Donna a kind of go-between for these two head-butting characters.

Harvey Specter, played by Gabriel Macht, has his own problems. He sees a therapist in private over anxiety issues. Yet, on the other side he is no stranger to women. Knowing Harvey’s tendencies towards women, Louis makes him promise to avoid his sister. Needless to say, Louis’ sister invites Harvey to indulge of her own accord. The temptation is just too great for poor Harvey. While they manage to keep the affair under wraps for a while, no one can keep a secret like that for long. It all comes out in season 5, sparking the fists to fly between Harvey and Louis.

With Louis spitting mad at Harvey over the affair with his sister, he is out for a little legal revenge. Harvey apologizes and confides in Louis about his therapy. While Louis seems to accept the apology, he has plans for Harvey. Those plans involve public humiliation before the other partners. Louis hopes for Harvey's unpaid suspension, but it doesn’t go quite as planned. While Louis wrote the discipline guidelines himself, he failed to read between the lines. Louis announces his decision to suspend Harvey. But, the partners are quick to remind him that this requires their vote as well.

Jessica Pearson, played by Gina Torres, is a woman with a mission. Gina plays a strong role with a no-holds-bar attitude. Yet, when you run a firm such as this, there is little room for amusement or pandering to others. Jessica wants what’s best for the firm. She is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the firms success. Knowing Michael's secret, she has to jump through hoops to maintain it. It’s all that she can do while trying to prevent the scandal from breaking loose and oozing out. Although, I have a feeling that there will come a time, when the hoop is too high of a jump, but what do I know. Now with Harvey in the hot seat, Jessica is trying to manage how best to deal with this nasty little surprise as well. I hope she has a balancing pole to walk the tightrope that rides the line between these two.

One of the things that I like is the increase in the show’s suspense, emotions, and drama during season 5. The fist-flying scene between Louis and Harvey was an intense, jaw-dropping moment. I am glad they opted to ramp the emotions up a notch. That’s not to discount the other scenes. Michael is walking a thin line himself. That line almost broke when he was nearly discovered by a client he once knew, Claire.  He had to pass his first case as partner off to his junior associate, and fiancée, Rachel at the last moment. Lest Claire discover him and break his secret wide open. Claire is no fool. She figures things out herself. When she realized Michael was behind her case, his secret was almost a lost cause. Rachel swooped in and saved the day when she begged Claire not to tell. What we don't know yet is whether Claire will hold to her promise.

My favorite part recently was when Harvey socked it to Louis, though. I find it satisfying to see a nasty character get what he (or she) deserves. While Harvey may have broken a promise, Louis mismanaged the situation as well. Then, of course, he had to take advantage of Harvey’s honesty later. In the most recent episode, we find that good ol’ Louis is still up to no good. It seems like nothing is ever enough. He’s a great character to despise. Yet, Harvey earns some sympathy as he works through all his problems.

Suits is a show that will keep you on your toes. There are still a lot of unanswered questions. There's also the conflict between Harvey and Louis, and Michael’s secret to contend with. If you’re looking for a juicy series to follow, Suits may be the one for you.