Suits - “Blowback” Retrospective. Club Fed.

Season 5, Episode 11

Air Date: January 27, 2016, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“I’m Assistant US Attorney Anita Gibbs and unlike you, I’m a real attorney.” – Anita Gibbs

Will Mike get out of this mess?

When we last saw Mike (Patrick J. Adams), he was being perp walked through Pearson Specter Litt after being arrested for conspiracy to commit fraud. Will Harvey (Gabriel Macht) be able to find a way to get Mike out of this legal mess? Meanwhile, everyone wants to know who sold Mike out.

Following the mid-season finale, I was convinced Mike’s arrest was a misdirect by the writers, and the “fraud” in question related to some other irrelevant case. The discovery of Mike’s secret has been a running story line for several seasons now and feels like a crutch for the writers. But having Louis (Rick Hoffman) or Rachel (Meghan Markle), for instance, discover Mike isn’t a real lawyer is much different from having the government investigate Mike’s past. At the time, I thought it was too big of a story for the show to handle. If “Blowback” is any indication of how the rest of the season will play out, my concerns were unwarranted. The real questions are whether Harvey and Mike can find a way to win this case, and if they do, will that put the Mike Ross secret to rest once and for all? I hope so.

Who exposed Mike and why is interesting but at this point, the damage has been done. Suits loves internal office conflict and while many know Mike’s secret, few are aware of the hacking details. So, here’s my theory — while Donna (Sarah Rafferty) is shocked by the news of Mike’s arrest, she is also stunned at the realization she may have been the cause by unintentionally or unknowingly revealing Mike’s lack of a law degree to the wrong person. Mike and Harvey’s continued efforts to search for the rat while Donna is consumed by guilt makes for some heartbreaking television especially now that she has an obsessive need to make things right. I hope I’m wrong about Donna being the culprit.

SUITS -- "Blowback" Episode 511 -- Pictured: (l-r) Wendell Pierce as Robert Zane, Patrick J. Adams as Michael Ross -- (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

Will Robert ever forgive Mike?

I’m sure I was as shocked as Mike when Rachel’s father Robert (Wendell Pierce) shows up and AUSA Anita Gibbs (Leslie Hope) introduces him as Mike’s lawyer. I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy Pierce’s portrayal of Robert and wished we could see more of him – until now. Seeing the disappointment on Robert’s face made me nauseous, almost as if I had done something wrong. Without even saying a word, Pierce’s expression conveys all we need to know. Watching things become physical between the two men is painful because you don’t know who to feel more sorry for. The discovery of Mike’s secret has a ripple effect not only with Robert’s personal life with his daughter Rachel, but with his professional ties with Jessica (Gina Torres). It’s hard not to empathize with Robert as he appears willing to do anything to protect Rachel. With Robert’s connections weaving through this crisis, it will be interesting to see whose side he is on when the dust settles or whether he will be standing alone. After all, it’s possible Rachel will lay down the law and force Robert to choose.

One of my complaints over the seasons has been the use of internal conflicts to set up story lines; for instance, Harvey’s constant battles with Louis, and Harvey fighting with Daniel Hardman (David Costabile). Over the past five seasons, Suits creator Aaron Korsh has done a masterful job of creating strong characters that you care about so when the troops rally together to protect one of their own, you find yourself emotionally invested. I was especially moved by Louis’ realization that he has to let Donna go so she can help Harvey and Mike.

Will she stand by her man?

My only criticism about “Blowback” is how easily Rachel and Mike’s relationship goes from good to bad to good again. This isn’t the first time the writers have created a rift between the couple simply to add drama. Having Federal Marshal Ron Da’Mico (Conrad Pla) plant the sliver of doubt about Rachel’s loyalty in Mike’s head feels like a lazy way to increase the already tension-filled episode only to have it quickly resolve.

That said, “Blowback” is one of Suits strongest ensemble episodes of the season, if not the series. While much of the focus is on Mike, many of the secondary characters, as well as a few returning surprises — like Mike’s former best friend, Trevor (Tom Lipinski), and Harvey’s love interest, Dana Scott (Abigail Spencer) — have their moment to shine. The writing on “Blowback” is sharp and I love the use of Mike’s eidetic memory throughout the episode.

Suits has always created great antagonists—Trevor, Hardman, and billionaire douchebag Charles Forstman (Eric Roberts). While Gibbs is the current opponent, the writers face a difficult challenge because unlike the other adversaries who have faced Mike and Harvey, she’s in the right. Not only is Gibbs justified in what she’s doing, the audience knows it. It will be interesting to see how the writers find the right balance between keeping the story line credible and finding a resolution that will satisfy the fans. I suspect Professor Gerard (Stephen Macht) will make a return to Suits sometime soon and play an important role in possibly clearing Mike.

Regardless of what the outcome will be for Mike, Suits will forever be changed. There’s no going back to the way things were even if Mike and Harvey are able to get out of this mess. With five episodes left this season and season six already announced, I’m curious to see how Mike’s arrest and subsequent resolution will fundamentally change the series; I also can’t wait to see how the rest of this season plays out.

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

Tune in to Suits Wednesday at 10/9c, only on USA Network.

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

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Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.