Suits - Recap: Mike Ross Loves Rachel Zane
Under the harsh office lights of Pearson Darby, Mike Ross said those three little words to Rachel Zane on tonight's Suits. Cubicles and paperwork might not set the ideal scene, but it's the sentiment that counts! In other news, we have a murder trial to deal with, everybody, and it's not without a twist.
USA "Suits"
As Harvey and Louis simultaneously finished up their morning runs, the two headed into the firm’s office ready to meet in order to discuss the next steps in both cases involving Hessington Oil. Remember, Ava is currently on trial for the murder of civilians tied to her pipeline, which was bought through bribery. Louis, on the other hand, had been handling the case surrounding the turnover of power within the company. Would Ava lose her seat at the head to Tony Giannopoulos? Mike and Harvey attempted to bear with Katrina’s snide remarks at Louis’ side, while simultaneously dealing with Louis’ decision to go over their heads and book a public interview for Ava. Louis reasoned that Ava couldn’t keep her reputation in tact as a serious businesswoman if she never spoke up. Harvey, on the other hand, recognized that speaking publicly when on trial for murder only seems to further incriminate suspects. The interview, however, had been booked regardless, and Harvey had mere hours to put a stop to his client’s mistake in the making.
After Mike threw off the interviewer by posing as Ava’s assistant, bad British (?) accent included, Harvey, instead, met with Hessington in an attempt to reason with her. Ava Hessington is hardheaded but intelligent, and it was difficult for her to understand how silence could be a better tool than starting to vocalize her own innocence. Of course, who doesn’t claim to be innocent?
USA "Suits"
Louis, bursting into Harvey’s office in a fit of rage, was livid to hear of Harvey’s nixing of his plan. Thus, we begin to find out why Episode 4 is dubbed “Conflict of Interest”! With Jessica (Gina Torres) listening in and doling out advice as she saw fit, Harvey garnered support for his going above of Louis' head to prevent Ava from speaking. It seems to be simple protocol to prevent murder suspects from giving interviews, I’ve gathered. Louis, on the other hand, made it clear to remind Harvey that his client was not Ava Hessington, but rather, Hessington Oil. Jessica couldn’t help but back Louis in his suggestion to convince Ava to step down, cutting off the arm to save the patient. Ava’s fate within the company would subsequently end up in the air, but they’d assure that Hessington Oil, one of Pearson Darby’s biggest clients, remained tied to their firm, along with their $14 million/ year billings. Harvey, though, refused to toss Ava under the bus for money, and let’s not forget his alleged scheme to overthrow Jessica. As I’ve said in previous recaps, it’s about the heart of the win for Harvey, not the prize money. Ava getting what she wants, and subsequently handing Harvey Jessica’s seat at the top, is the win.
Jessica, furious that Harvey would use Darby’s 2% against her, flew all the way to Toronto to confront Darby in person, attempting to reason that his personal relationship with Ava was standing in the way of future earnings at the firm. Darby, however, continued to side with Specter, adding himself to the list of individuals at the firm who value people over money. Jessica and Louis, of course, love the law. Every one of these people love the game. When they’re forced to play together, on the same team, conflicts of interest subsequently occur, and they end up battling each other in the middle of a war.
USA "Suits"
A common enemy, however, was this Tony Giannopoulos fellow, who we’d yet again not get the chance to meet this episode. Nobody seemed to want Tony to end up in charge of Hessington Oil. Katrina partnered with Mike in order to sift through evidence stacked against the man. What first began as an attempt to keep each other’s superiors in the know regarding the opposing duo’s plans ended up evolving into an actual working relationship. Once Mike made a discovery that seemed game-changing, Katrina even gave credit where credit was due, filling Louis in on Mike’s lead. Of course, nothing on Suits comes without a tinge of an ulterior motive. Katrina suggested that Louis take Mike along with him to confront Giannopoulos regarding odd company ties and trade rights. Once Harvey, in the dark surrounding Katrina’s suggestion, demanded the same thing, Louis refused, exerting his power and sticking it to Harvey rather than seizing the opportunity to impress Mike. Remember, Louis is still burnt surrounding Mike’s decision to ditch Team Litt.
Unfortunately for Louis, the game plan to thwart Giannopoulos’ scheme to take over Hessington Oil backfired. A representative for the man assured Louis that connections had been made within The FTC and enough had been legally documented to ensure that any sort of strange connections Tony Giannopoulus had to Hessington Oil holdings in the U.S. were appropriately handled. Basically, this was an example of a scene, if you ask me, where Suits reminded us that these are meant to be Harvard-trained lawyers dealing with world class business professionals. Sometimes I find myself wondering if I’m supposed to keep up with folder after file after post-it of fact vs. fact. What’s important to note here is that Mike’s information came up short, and Tony Giannopoulos is looking like a tough target to topple. It probably won’t be destroying Tony’s reputation that wins them either case.
USA "Suits"
Meanwhile, Donna’s storyline is taking off in a much lighter fashion. Following some coy office flirting, Donna inevitably ended up taking Stephen up on his offer to, you know, help him “take care of things” while he’s in town for the next few work weeks. In other words, Donna agreed to work for, among other things, the second Harvey, no secretarial work necessary. Rachel, of course, recognized the signs of a looming torrid affair. I like the fact that Suits played with this common “Did I just unknowingly offer sex?” arc by having Donna relish in the fact that she probably did. After getting dressed to the nines in the office bathroom, Donna would accompany Stephen to that showing of Macbeth he’d invited her to during last week’s episode’s close. Needless to say, they didn’t even make it through the door of the play. With a dinner date with Daniel Day Lewis on the horizon at 10:30 p.m., these two had business to attend to…
Mike and Harvey sat Ava Hessington down for a mock deposition in an attempt to convince her to see things their way. Ava, beginning to boil, refused to keep her mouth shut during her own future murder trial, failing to recognize the power of Cameron as an interrogator. Funny enough, the duo’s plan would backfire. Ava had an emotional breakthrough, tearing up while mentioning the fact that she’d spent nearly $100 million extra to ensure that families harmed by the construction of her pipeline, like those who’d lost homes or jobs, would be compensated. In addition, she confirmed that this same pipeline she’d pled guilty to bribery charges for would be shut down. The murders sickened her, plaguing her with sleepless nights in addition to her current legal woes. After she’d stormed out of the conference room, Harvey and Mike sat in silence, flabbergasted. Ava Hessington… is innocent.
USA "Suits"
Unfortunately, Louis had his own agenda during Episode 4, and it involved convincing Jessica that he could be her “black swan.” Meaning, he intended to partner up with Jessica as a legal assassin of sorts; quietly doing the dirty work, hitting below the belt, tossing sand in the eyes of their enemies, etc. In other words, Louis is always willing to bend the rules to the point of breaking. Jessica wouldn’t have to get her hands dirty if nothing ever directly tied back to her. Louis, remember, revels in being the best and playing a cunning game. For example, after finally earning Jessica’s blessing following her coming up short with Darby, Louis “bumped into” one of Ava’s fellow board members on the street, covertly solidifying a deal to keep Tony Giannopoulos away if it meant Ava stepping down in order to save the firm’s relationship with their company.
USA "Suits"
Even Katrina couldn’t deny the recorded evidence. Katrina, who’d originally been quick lay Ava’s guilt on the table, ran to Louis with news of Ava’s innocence. Louis, who does indeed have a heart, as we’ve come to learn through three seasons of this show, couldn’t in good conscience destroy Ava’s career and reputation if she was, indeed, innocent. Jessica, on the other hand, refused to go back on her unspoken deal with Louis, still choosing to protect the firm’s interest over the woman’s life and reputation. As Harvey was quick to point out, Jessica has taken this to a personal level. Unfortunately, it would be Donna that he’d choose to take out his aggression on, choosing to harp on the fact that she’d spent too much time in the copy room, with Stephen, rather than making herself available to him. I love the idea of this storyline; Donna caught between the two Harveys. With Ava Hessington voted out as head of her own company, Harvey would call in the big guns… Darby.
Jessica might claim that she’s let things get to a personal place because she’s been pushed to it, and maybe she has, but a rift with Darby will only spell more trouble for her. After the two clashed, yet again, in her office, it became clear that Jessica was keeping score, and the 2% of their partnership he’s held over her head was disregarded by her entirely.
USA "Suits"
The legal failures this week were not viewed without a silver lining. Having made amends with Katrina, Mike found himself with a slightly jealous girlfriend on his hands. Rachel, having witnessed a shift in the chemistry between Mike and his peer, admitted to her envy, only to have Mike finally say those three little words— under harsh office lights and between office cubicles, but still— Mike Ross loves Rachel Zane.
What did you think of Suits Season 3 Episode 4, “Conflict of Interest”? Will Harvey set things straight with a furious Ava? Is Donna now caught between the two Harveys? Are you happy to see Mike and Katrina making amends? What about Mike and Rachel taking things to the next level? Is Jessica in power or on the outs?
Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of Suits Season 3 Episode 4, “Conflict of Interest”!