Suits - Season 2 Episode 2 - Recap - The Choice
After last week's premiere, there were a lot of questions about the relationships between most of the main characters. Furthermore, considering that this season's theme will be focusing on internal strife at Pearson Hardman, it is safe to assume that the new case-of-the-week-characters introduced from the firm will actually be significant towards the overall narrative of the show as the series progresses. Therefore, it was important that Suits had an episode like tonight, where it clearly defined where all of the main cast stood in relation to one another. In essence, "The Choice" was all about the audience and the original characters getting their bearing straight, at least before all Hell breaks loose. So in sticking with that theme, let's run through the cast and the new realities they are now having to confront.
Interestingly enough, it is not even Mike or Harvey's position that has changed the most, but Jessica's. Last recap, I talked about how Harvey's betrayal of Jessica would have huge ramifications for her and the show in general. Tonight, we saw the cracks in their once formidable partnership showing and the effect that is having on her. Honestly, you really just have to feel for Jessica. Within a matter of days, she goes from completely secure in power, to having her greatest rival return and her biggest ally letting her down multiple times. Of course, that does not mean she is not going to fight, and fight ferociously, for her position, which is fantastic for the show. Last year, I wrote about how I would love to see Jessica not so in control of everything. She needed to be challenged and pushed, otherwise her character eventually just becomes static and boring. As fantastic as Gina Torres is, there were only so many scenes I could watch her be intimidating without actually bringing down the hammer on somebody to make her point. Now, watching Jessica scramble should be highly entertaining, and really show why everybody fears and respects her so much.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Louis' star is starting to rise and quickly. I love me some Louis, because he is just the perfect kind of terrible person for television. Louis is easy to laugh at and root against, without actually making you hate him. He will make you groan and roll your eyes, even yell out "Jackass!" every once and a while, but never force you to turn of your television because he is so nauseating. Still, I cannot fault him for at least considering Hardman's advances. Louis has been pushed around the firm quite a bit over the years, with his hard work and dedication being taken for granted. Yeah he can be a dick, but he is fantastic at his job and a producer. By choosing to ignore him or only give him scraps for so long, Jessica has made a big mistake. I suspect Louis will make her pay for it at some point, but I do not see him going full team Hardman. I predict Hardman will play so dirty even Louis will eventually balk. Also, his scenes with Donna tonight were just the best. Everything about their dynamic is a win, and I could seriously spend an hour just watching them interact.
Speaking of Donna, she really had a standout night, didn't she? I really love how the writers have brought her character forward and and entrenched her in the story. In fact, Donna was the only person to deal with all of the other cast this episode. I always enjoy her banter with Jessica and Rachel, and like I said, her and Louis can do no wrong together. Also, her the motherly role she took on with Mike was very endearing; both when she scolded him for taking Harvey and his actions for granted, and when she helped him through breaking it off with Rachel. I always assumed Donna had something for Harvey at some point, and it was nice that she let Mike in enough to let him understand that she was being totally sincere in her advice. She is just fantastic, and pretty much my spirit animal. When she gasped (twice!) after Louis tried to bribe her with those tickets, I was dying.
I am also starting to see why Rachel appears so bipolar when it comes to dealing with Mike. I guess after noting how mature and smart she can be professionally, I expect her to carry that over into her personal life. Naturally, that is not always the case, which for me at least explains some of her erratic and hot-and-cold behavior with Mike. To be fair, I would have been totally smitten with him tonight too after that first kiss. Wow, that was all types of hot and romantic. Sadly, I do not know where Mike and Rachel can go from here. Like I commented on last week, it seems as if their relationship has been spinning its wheels, and that is truly because it has. They have reached the point where Mike has to either be totally honest or dishonest with her for them to progress further. There is no more room for grey between them, so everything has just stalled out. I suspect she will learn eventually about Mike's lack of EVERYTHING, and hopefully it will all work out, but I am glad all of this is going on the back burner for now.
As for Harvey and Mike, did we really learn anything new about them tonight? Harvey is still an ass who would rather cut of the nose to spite the face any day of the week when it comes to being right. He will not bend his code and beliefs for anybody, no matter how little it would actually hurt him and help those that are dearest to him. Mike on the other hand, has the compassionate side to do just that, hence why he let Rachel go for Harvey. In the long run, he sacrificed what he wanted for Harvey, because that is what you do for those you care about. In a lot of ways, that is what makes him a better person than Harvey, or at least more mature. We will see if Harvey will actually carry through on his statement to Jessica at the end of the show about being there for her, but I am not sure. A tiger does not change his stripes so easily.
Quick Hits:
The case of the weeks pretty much always get a big "meh" from me. It was nice to see the boys deliver the smackdown, but I would rather spend my our time at the firm.
Nobody was really shocked that Louis will not be looking elsewhere for work, right? Yeah he was considering it, but that would just expand the show's universe in a weird wow right now. Of course Hardman was going to court Louis, because duh
Man, Mike just has no ability to actually communicate with Jessica. That is two weeks in a row he has made a comment about her being black. The kid is killing me! Although, I loved him having Rachel's message on his iPod before that scene. And also lovedlovedloved his celebrating of totally nailing that kiss. Go on with yourself kid.
So Jessica has now lost Paul in Bankruptcy. I am really enjoying the fact that this season will allow me to write sentences like that. I cannot wait for Burt in Marketing and Jose in IT's episodes.
Does anybody else really enjoy the fact that they cuss? It so refreshing, because that is how people talk. To Hell with all of the euphemisms! When they want to tell a random banker she is about to lose a shit load of money, they just come out and say it. Like they should!
Things I missed: random movie jokes and Grandma Ross.
Things I did not: Trevor and Jenny.
It is great to see Mike keep pushing back on Harvey and his hypocrisy. The man is burning a lot of bridges lately, and from the sounds of it, he does not have that many to begin with.
Also, just in case you need to procrastinate on anything, here is Donna being amazing. You are welcome.
Hardman returns next week, so expect everything to start hitting the fan. ETA on Jessica slapping him? I give it until the middle of the season, at the latest.
