Suits Review: "Shadow of a Doubt"

SPOILER ALERT!  Only read if you've watched the most recent episodes.

Rachel/Mike relationship status: Still together (but I was worried)

Three words: Pearson-Darby-Specter
That's right, Jessica has given Harvey his name on the door.  Basically, this elicited a scream from me.  I did not see this coming in the least.  The biggest surprise of the season- possibly the show- by far.

Here are the five other things you should know from this episode:

1. Nigel and Louis bond over a cat
2. Mike meets Rachel's parents (and he makes a good impression)
3. Mike and Rachel fight because Rachel might be going to Stanford
4. Donna tells Harvey about her and Stephen (and there's a moment where you think there's something more between them) and later Stephen and Harvey but heads
5. Rachel and Mike work a case together

Episode Rating: *****4 3/4 stars*****
Season Rating (so far): *****4 1/2 stars*****
Series Rating: *****5 stars*****

TV Review: Suits "Conflict of Interest"

Warning: There are SPOILERS ahead, so be careful what you read.

Mike/Rachel Relationship Status: Still Together!

And not only are they still together, but at the end of the episode they both said "I love you"!!  And I must say, I was afraid for them in this episode.  Katrina is back and, perhaps, getting along with Mike.  They were both forced to work together but started bonding over The Wire which lead to some soft music in the background and a major "Oh, no!" feeling.  No worries, by the end of the episode, when Mike finds out what Louis did he's not very happy with her.  And then, quickly following, the "I love you" part happens.  Not so worried anymore.

Speaking of couple's, Donna and Stephen are in an "arrangement" which basically (in Rachel's words) means "hot and steamy affair".  So yeah, that finally happened.  And while it was happening, Donna didn't think about Harvey.  Didn't even think to tell him.  When she does start to tell him he completely crushes her and it now remains a secret.  It was an "ouch" moment.  And a complete surprise.  I didn't think Harvey would be so mean to her so soon after what happened last season.  Yeah, he has a lot on his plate, but it's Donna!

Another surprise: Ava isn't guilty.  I was just as taken off balance as everyone else.  I'm glad because now she doesn't feel so much like a villain and doesn't feel so cold.  Her character seems to be sticking around for the remainder of the season and it's nice to not hate her.

Finally Jessica and Darby came to blows.  Sort of.  Definitely another nail in her coffin now that she took the company away from Ava.  I am starting to feel bad for her, though.  She was trying to do what was best for Pearson-Hardman (now Pearson-Darby, which is still strange to say) and it looks like she'll be leaving.  Can't wait to see how that pans out.

As always, I'm dying for the next episode.

Episode Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Season Rating (so far): 4 3/4 stars
Series Rating: 5 stars

TV Review: Suits "Unfinished Business"

Warning: There are SPOILERS ahead, so be careful what you read.

Mike/Rachel Relationship Status: They're still together!  And they are just an adorable couple.

So I decided to use Suits Sync while I was watching this episode just to try it out.  I've never done this with anything before and I'm still getting a feel for it, really.  At first it was a little distracting, going from watching to reading and possibly missing something crucial, but once I got the hang of merely just glancing and absorbing while keeping an ear open I enjoyed it.  I'll give this a few more tries before I make my final decision, though.

So, the Hessington Oil case continues- but with a new setback.  Ava may be (and in my opinion is) involved with some murders.  It's something I didn't see coming (and neither did Harvey).  Apparently, the people she bribed later shot and killed six people who were against the pipe line.  She claims not to know anything about it and that she wasn't involved, but as we learn at the end of the episode, both Harvey and Mike doubt that.  Which brings me to the fact that I'm soooo glad they're being friendly.  In fact, I feel like Harvey finally really appreciates Mike.  At the end of the episode they have drinks for the FIRST TIME.  New milestone in the show.  At the same time Harvey broke the news to Mike that he's planning a coup (but now I'm getting ahead of myself).

Stephen Huntley (Max Beesley) a.k.a. British Harvey finally makes an entrance today.  He leaves an impression on the viewer (I don't think Harvey should trust him) and an impression on Donna (she has a crush!).  He's Darby's fixer and has come under the guise of helping the two firms meld together.  Equality.  Really, he's there because Darby sent him to help take down Jessica.  At first he and Harvey don't get along (Harvey is especially hostile) but after proving he's on Harvey's side they seem to get along fine.  I really like this character and can't wait to see how he plays out.

Speaking of characters- Katrina is back.  I hated her last season (something that doesn't happen often) and this season is really no different.  At first I felt a little pity for her, she really was strung along and then dumped hard, but that all changes when she posts a humiliating video of Mike (animated; you should really see it to get the full wrathful feeling that comes along with it) in a quest to gain Luis' help/trust.  It succeeds and I am a little grateful because it seems to help Luis.  Luis, however, didn't get very much screen time this episode, which is probably due to the fact that the casts of characters is expanding.

Oh!  And guess who's name came up!  Harold!  I miss him, but after realizing I completely forgot about him and haven't been feeling his absence in the show, I must say I think it was a necessary evil.

Going back to Mike & Rachel.  There were a couple scenes between them that were just adorable.  At one point they're talking and Rachel asks whether she's his girlfriend or not.  She seems a little flustered and worried and a teeny bit upset at the fact that he didn't say "yes" right away.  And then Mike gets down on one knee and asks her, very formally, to be his girlfriend.  Very cute.  Later when she says something that helps Mike come up with a brilliant plan to help Ava he's about to kiss her and then realizes where they are and they just high-five.  Great stuff.  My one complaint?  We really don't see Rachel working very much this season, so far.

One more thing: Donna completely chews out Katrina in way of apology to Mike.  It was awesome.  Go Donna!

(can you tell I'm a big fan of the show?)

Episode Rating: **** 4 Stars ****
Season Rating (so far): **** 4 1/2 Stars ****
Series Rating: ***** 5 Stars *****

TV Review: Suits "I Want You To Want Me"

SPOILER ALERT

Oh.

This episode was a game changer.  Quite a bit happened.  You should be warned now, there will be spoilers ahead.

Harvey is planning a coup and, no surprise, Donna is OK with it.  Actually, speaking of Donna, I'm a little disappointed with her this season.  She's fighting with Rachel?  Actually, I feel like, no matter how much she trusts and is on Harvey's side, she should also be the one there to ground him and tell him that, yeah, maybe he does need Mike.  Which, she does at the end of the episode, but I feel like she should have done it sooner.

So, yeah, Mike does get back with Harvey, finally.

And in doing so, he broke Louis' heart.

I love Louis because he brings the humor and because his character isn't really that bad once you get to know him.  He really is a good guy.  With the way the last episode ended, leaving him without his associates, you can't help but hurt in your heart.  At the beginning of this episode Jessica lifts his spirits by letting him choose any one associate and mentor them personally.  Knowing about Harvey and Mike's "breakup" he recruits Mike.  Together they win an unwinnable case (yay!) and Mike finds that he actually had a good time with Louis.  He agrees to become his associate when Harvey walks in and takes him back.  Louis has, meanwhile, gone to get a cake to celebrate his and Mike's new partnership.  You feel even worse, now, watching Louis' heart just break because now he's like a kicked puppy.

Harvey wins his case (although the next episode previews show there are storms coming anyway) and nearly comes to blows with Jessica.  She tries to solve their problems, inadvertently signing her own death sentence.  This also opens the opportunity for Harvey to bring Mike back.

One other thing of note, Rachel and Mike's relationship is still, remarkably, intact.  I want them to last forever, have their very own happy ever after, but I'm so afraid it will crumble any second.  Crossing fingers that it won't!

Like any episode in the series, you shouldn't miss this one.  I was laughing, cringing, hiding my face in the cushions (the mud bath scene is equal parts hilarious and awkward) and getting me to care like few other shows really can. 

Episode rating: 4 1/2 stars
Season rating (so far): 4 1/2 stars
Series rating: 5 stars

TV Review: Suits Season Three Premier

This is how you start off a season.  Not only did it refresh my memory and reconnect me with all the characters it lit a bomb that's bound to go off with a loud bang.  Both new and old characters created the wonderful mosaic of law, friendship, romance, utter solitude, backstabbing natures, and humor.  I cannot wait to dive into the rest of this series (which still remains one of my all time favorites).

The season starts two or so days after the last one ended.  Mike wakes up to a nightmare and immediately goes to Rachel's where they talk and she is still trying to work her mind around the fact that he didn't go to Harvard.  At work, Harvey is doing what he does best, but because he's unhappy with Jessica she's keeping a close eye on him.  Harvey is still p****d at Mike and won't talk to him; the same goes for Donna.  Harvey also makes up with Scotty, even though he had her sent back to London.  Lewis is busy dealing with his own problems, namely Nigel.  He gambles and loses big.  Mike works on getting Harvey to befriend him again and his relationship with Rachel becomes even more intimate.

That pretty much sums up the episode.

This season promises to be darker (and a little more mature) then the previous two.  The characters are certainly growing throughout the course of the show.  I, personally, felt like yelling at some of them in anger (the good kind) and it has me biting my nails for what will come.