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<i>Suits</i> “She’s Gone” Recap. Good Will Mike.

Season 6, Episode 11

Air Date: January 25, 2017, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“You better put that dog on a leash.” – Robert Zane

Will they see eye to eye?

Harvey (Gabriel Macht), Louis (Rick Hoffman), and Donna (Sarah Rafferty) prepare for life without Jessica (Gina Torres) now that she has stepped down and walked away from Pearson Specter Litt. With the firm in turmoil the last few years, especially after the world learned of Mike’s (Patrick J. Adams) secret, two questions come to mind. Will there still be a law firm once the dust settles, and will Harvey and Louis find a way to put their differences aside in order to honor Jessica’s legacy?

Mike’s prison stint might have fundamentally changed Suits going forward but Jessica announcing she was stepping down in “P.S.L,” the season six mid-season finale, is what has me worried about the future. Sure, Mike and Harvey’s friendship is an integral part of Suits but Jessica was the glue that held everything together. She wore many hats—mentor, boss, peacemaker, and cutthroat leader—and her absence creates a huge void. I worried with Jessica gone, Harvey and Louis would be at each other’s throats. Turns out, I wasn’t the only one thinking that as Robert Zane (Wendell Pierce) shows up to talk to the boys. But is he there to take advantage of the situation or help?

As the firm braces for change, Mike starts to adjust to life as an ex-convict. I don’t know about you but for me, there’s something symbolically refreshing about seeing Mike back on his messenger bike as he looks for a job. His interaction with Darryl (Scott Edgecombe), the legal clinic custodian, isn’t important to the story per se but it serves as a great reminder of why fans love what Mike stands for. As much as I miss not seeing Harvey and Mike together, especially on good terms, it’s riveting to see Mike in a new environment reminiscent of the film Good Will Hunting. His scenes with Father Walker (Scott Michael Campbell) are heartfelt and inspirational as Mike tries to figure out what to do with his life.

I was thrilled to see Father Walker, plus Robert, Professor Gerard (Stephen Macht), and Katrina Bennet (Amanda Schull)—all familiar faces—in “She’s Gone.” Even Anita Gibbs’ (Leslie Hope) appearance didn’t damper my enjoyment.

How can you not love Gretchen?

And let’s not forget about Gretchen (Aloma Wright), who surprisingly picks up the leadership void left by Jessica. Gretchen has been one of my favorite characters since first appearing in “Compensation,” and “She’s Gone” makes me love her even more with Wright’s outstanding performance. Every time she appears in “She’s Gone,” the emotional impact increases ten-fold.

My only complaint about the episode is its opening. Anyone who has read my reviews of various shows knows how much I despise dream sequences. They’re a cheap way for the writers to tease the audience by creating scenes the fans are clamoring for only to snatch them away with no consequences to the characters.

That said, “She’s Gone,” directed by Adams, is one of my favorite Suits episodes. In many ways, the mid-season premiere has the markings of a rebooted pilot as we are reintroduced to familiar characters who are starting over. Even Harvey finds himself in a position he’s never been in before and must figure out what to do next.

What really stands out in “She’s Gone” is what Donna tells Harvey when referring to Mike’s future, “Maybe, instead of telling me why he’ll never be able to accomplish his dream, you should be figuring out a way to help him do it.” The line gives me goosebumps every time I hear it because hopefully, it lays the groundwork for Mike and Harvey’s future.

I never thought a show could go through as many changes as Suits has over the years without losing itself in the process. Who knows what the future has in store for Suits but one thing is for sure. With Donna forcing Harvey to finally face his past, the series will definitely involve another Specter. How that will affect Harvey remains to be seen but I truly can’t wait to see what happens next.

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “She’s Gone.”

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

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, <Louis> Rick Hoffman.

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Photos © 2016 USA Network, LLC, a division of NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

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.

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.