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Let’s Litt This Up. Retrospective: Suits – “Heartburn”

  • By

  • March 29, 2014

  • 6 mins to read

Season 3, Episode 14

Air Date: Thursday, March 27, 2014, 9/8c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“My advice is hold on tight and enjoy the ride.” – Harvey

Louis suffers a heart attack

After a passionate night with his girlfriend Sheila (Rachael Harris), Louis (Rick Hoffman) finds himself late for court and having to make a run for it. Arriving after the proceedings begin, Louis immediately goes into his closing argument when he suddenly collapses from a heart attack.

“Heartburn” is an excellent Suits episode filled with drama and humor, as well as some of the strongest character development this season. What makes “Heartburn” stand out is the writers’ use of Louis’ heart attack, causing many to reflect upon where they are in life. The seriousness of the heart attack also allows the audience to view a different side of the characters we have never seen before.

Louis’ heart attack also provides some great humor during what should be a somber moment.

Jessica: “I’ll send him flowers from all of us.”

Harvey: “No, he’s allergic.”

Mike: “To flowers?”

Jessica: “All of them?”

Mike: “How do you even know that?”

Harvey: “I used to send them to his desk every day when we were associates.”

Usually when Donna (Sarah Rafferty) has to deal with Louis, there is a sarcastic undertone between the two but when news of his heart attack reaches her, she is the first one to visit him. While brief, it’s a heartfelt scene to remind you that through all of the mocking, Donna really does care about Louis. The hospital scene also lays the groundwork for a touching moment between the two at the very end of ”Heartburn.”

Mike (Patrick J. Adams) continues to struggle with the realization of the imposed “glass ceiling” Jessica (Gina Torres) reminded him of in “Moot Point.” The struggle gets worse when Mike meets Jonathan Sidwell (Brandon Firla), a client who seeks Mike’s help and advice. Both men realize they are stuck in a job without the ability to go anywhere unless they make a change.

Jessica and Louis

Despite my crush, Rachel (Meghan Markle) has been one of the weaker links on Suits this season. It’s not due to Markle’s acting but because her character hasn’t had much to work with. That all changes in “Heartburn” as Rachel gets her first bill for law school, a fee Louis said the firm would pay in season one’s “Undefended.” With Louis in the hospital, Rachel goes to Jessica for the payment, and she tells Rachel  she was never aware of Louis’ deal. Furthermore, had she had known, she never would have approved it. Rachel confronts Jessica and Harvey (Gabriel Macht) later with a contract that also calls for the firm to pay for her schooling in a way all three can agree to. I really enjoyed how bold of a move it was and based on the look on Harvey’s face, so did he. I really appreciated watching Rachel’s evolution throughout “Heartburn,” especially as she comes out stronger.

The last two seasons of Suits have dealt mainly with internal conflict in the office, thanks to people like Hardman (David Constabile) and Darby (Conleth Hill). Because the tension was so high for so many episodes, character growth took a back seat to the drama. With the drama settled for now, “Heartburn” provides the characters with opportunities for some wonderful one-on-one scenes, giving us more character growth than we have seen all season. Scenes like:

  • Louis and Sheila discussing their future together, including a short-lived engagement
  • Rachel and Donna talking about Louis’ promise or betrayal, depending on how you look at it.
  • Jessica and Louis remembering old times, and how much Louis means to her and the firm.

Harvey and Mike

While those scenes are wonderful to watch, the exchange between Mike and Harvey is what really stands out in “Heartburn,” as Mike tries to find a way to go legit. Countless times we have witnessed Harvey and Mike conversing but “Heartburn” is the first time in a long time we have seen them really talk. Adding to the pressure, Mike gets a job offer from Sidwelll—not as a lawyer but an investment banker. Are the offer and the thought of no more lying too good to pass up?

“Heartburn” spends most of its time focusing on the relationships between the characters and in doing so, I found myself appreciating and understanding them even more. The writers of Suits have done a wonderful job over the last three seasons creating characters the audience cares about. “Heartburn” also serves as a reminder of why I enjoy Suits so much.

Despite “Heartburn” being a great episode, from the final moment of the last scene you feel like some big changes are coming to Suits. Donna seems overly concerned about Harvey’s relationship with Scottie (Abigail Spencer), which seems to be doomed. And just how will Louis handle his breakup with Sheila? The real question is how can Mike even think about turning down Sidwell’s job offer? With only two episodes left in the season, it looks to be a fun ride.

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “Heartburn.”

For more on the show, go to http://www.usanetwork.com/series/suits/.

Follow Suits on Twitter, as well as some of the cast: <Mike> Patrick J Adams, <Harvey> Gabriel Macht, <Rachel> Meghan Markle, and <Louis> Rick Hoffman.

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Photos: © 2014 USA Network, LLC, a division of NBC Universal. All Rights Reserved.

 

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!