Suits - “Pound of Flesh” Retrospective. The Merchant of Louis.

Season 4, Episode 5

Air Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 9/8c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“Mike, you used to trust me. I need you to trust me right now.” – Harvey

Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Mike (Patrick J. Adams)

Mike (Patrick J. Adams) begins to question his alliance with billionaire financier Charles Forstman (Eric Roberts) as he continues to go head-to-head with Harvey (Gabriel Macht) to gain control of Gillis Industries. The two seem destined to go down a destructive path until Rachel (Meghan Markle) collapses at school. Will Rachel’s fall be enough to bring the two combatants together?

I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted from watching Mike and Harvey’s back and forth over the last five episodes. One of my frustrations with Suits is the writers never seem to know when to end a particular story line. We saw it with the Daniel Hardman (David Costabile) attempted takeover, as well as the Ava Hessington (Michelle Fairley) trial. Story lines that should have lasted two to three episodes are dragged out for the majority of the season. Unfortunately, the Gillis Industries story line is now on the list because watching Mike and Harvey go at it while Louis (Rick Hoffman), Rachel , Donna (Sara Rafferty), and others are caught in the crossfire, is no longer enjoyable.

The same goes for the Rachel/Logan Sanders (Brendan Hines) story line, which has also gone on far too long. Logan is a dirt bag, and if Rachel can’t see it by now, then she deserves to be with him. Adding to my frustration is the scene where Logan asks Rachel to marry him, which turns out to be a dream. I can’t stand it when writers use dream sequences to tease and trigger emotion. Sadly, Mike is oblivious to the amount of time Logan is occupying Rachel’s thoughts. Who will Rachel choose? Frankly, I don’t care; I simply want her to pick one of them.

Mike (Patrick J. Adams)

I have little sympathy for Rachel in “Pound of Flesh” because she is responsible for most of what happens to her. Let’s not forget it was Rachel who walked into Jessica’s (Gina Torres) office wanting to continue working at Pearson Specter while going to law school, and demanding the firm pay for it. It’s Rachel who took on additional work to help her ex-lover Logan. Harvey is a jerk when Rachel requests a day off, but given the situation Rachel has created, I think Harvey is justified with his harsh response. That doesn’t mean Harvey can’t feel guilty about it later.

I would love to talk to the writers of Suits someday to learn how they break down scenes. My dissatisfaction with the larger story line in “Pound of Flesh” is quickly forgotten, thanks to Louis and Donna . I don’t know if certain writers handle particular storylines that are then cut together, but the last few episodes where Louis and Donna are together are beautifully written and executed by both Hoffman and Rafferty.

Watching Louis and Donna practice The Merchant of Venice is a hilarious distraction from the testosterone-fueled bickering between Mike and Harvey. The moment Donna mentions another actor’s injury, I began laughing because I know where the conversation is going. As entertaining as Louis is helping Donna practice her lines is, nothing prepared me for the sight of Louis in full Shakespearean costume—with full head of hair—as he gets ready to take the stage.

All season long, there has been something special brewing between Louis and Donna that is based solely on friendship. You feel like you’re being included in private moments that are touching to watch. It’s hard not to get choked up when Donna reveals her ulterior motives to get Louis to perform. She confesses, “Sometimes, the best way to deal with disappointment in one arena is to accomplish something else.” My only question is, why doesn’t Louis move heaven and earth to attend Donna’s opening?

Harvey (Gabriel Macht)

I thought for sure Mike would take it out on Harvey when Rachel passes out at school and has to be taken to the hospital. Instead, it brings the two together. Watching the banter between the two protagonists reminds me of why I enjoy Suits, and makes me miss the happier times of seasons past.

The moment is short-lived though, as SEC investigator Cahill (Neil McDonough) shows up to confront Harvey, and accuses him of colluding with Mike. Cahill’s accusations, along with the stock move Jessica makes behind Harvey’s back, set up an interesting dilemma making it look like the firm is engaging in illegal activity. My hope is, just as Jessica was forced to let Malone (D.B. Woodside) join Pearson Specter as a way of protecting the firm, a similar move will be made, resulting in Mike’s return.

Jessica’s move also affects things between her and Harvey, both personally and professionally.

Harvey: “Jessica, I gave Mike my word.”

Jessica: “Harvey, I don’t care if you took a blood oath. Our duty is to our client, not a handshake with Mike Ross. And this discussion is over.”

Harvey seems just as frustrated with the fighting as I am, and not being able to keep his word to Mike seems to be the last straw. Somehow, I doubt the discussion between Jessica and Harvey is as over as Jessica would like it to be.

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

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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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.