Suits - “Tick Tock” Recap. The Defense Rests.

Season 5, Episode 14

Air Date: February 24, 2016, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“I don’t want to go to prison, Harvey.” – Louis

SUITS -- "Tick Tock" Episode 515 -- Pictured: (l-r) Patrick J. Adams as Michael Ross, Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter -- (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

The Defense Rests.

Mike’s (Patrick J. Adams) trial is in the hands of the jury after he calls only one witness. Will all the good Mike does for others help sway the jury or will they side with AUSA Anita Gibbs (Leslie Hope) and see Mike for the fraud he really is? I sure hope next week comes fast because I’m dying to find out.

As much as the second half of the season has been about Mike’s trial, “Tick Tock” serves as a time for reflection. With their careers hanging in the balance, many of the main characters find themselves wondering how things turned out so badly. Even the almighty Harvey (Gabriel Macht) starts to question himself, wondering if he’s really the bully people see him as?

Two years ago, I had some medical tests done and the doctor told me someone would call with the results in the next few days. While the testing wasn’t for anything life threatening, I found myself stressed because of the unknown. Your mind starts playing games and you feel helpless. Thankfully, everything was fine. But I can’t imagine what the stress is like waiting for a jury verdict that could send you to jail. Suits creator Aaron Korsh and the writers do a masterful job creating a somber tone during “Tick Tock” where, like Mike, the anticipation for a decision is nerve wracking.

Touching scene.

I was surprised by how short Mike’s trial is and hoped the writers would continue bringing back previous characters as witnesses. Instead, Mike only needs one—Gloria Danner (Donzaleigh Abernathy). Gloria is the mother of Clifford Danner (Neil Brown Jr.), Mike’s former friend who was wrongfully imprisoned until Mike got him released. Unfortunately, Clifford was later killed in a shooting. Gloria’s testimony is heartbreaking and when she pushes back at Gibbs’s line of questioning, I didn’t know if I should cry or cheer.

Rick Hoffman gives one of his strongest performances in “Tick Tock” as Louis’ desire for self-preservation conflicts with his loyalty to the firm. The way Hoffman uses facial expressions and body language, it is easy to see the emotional toll Mike’s secret has on Louis. In a powerful moment, Louis finally confronts Harvey, insisting the entire mess is Harvey’s fault. Harvey is quick to push back and points out some missing details to Louis. “I may have hired a fraud, but you’re the one who had the chance to turn him in. And you used his secret to get what you always wanted, so don’t come here at the eleventh hour trying to blame me for having to sleep in the bed that you made.”

Guilty or not guilty?

I don’t think I’ve ever been so conflicted over the use of a story line when Mike injects himself into a case involving a man who needs help, Mr. Diez (Jean Paul San Pedro), and a questionable District Attorney (Derek Webster). On one hand, I understand the reasoning because this is what Mike does, helping people in need, while lying about being a lawyer. Mike’s a saint, right? Taking the case also creates some interesting tension between Mike and Rachel (Megan Markle). The highlight of the story line is when Gibbs enters their courtroom and confronts Judge Knight (uncredited), whose response to her is absolutely awesome.

On the other hand, none of it was needed. The jury just saw the gut-wrenching testimony about how Mike is the only lawyer who cares enough to help Clifford; we see Mike in the courtroom doing his magic, showcasing his knowledge of the law. The scenes with Gloria are powerful but by jumping right into Diez’s case, some of the emotional impact gets lost. As far as tension between Mike and Rachel, it’s already there and well established. Other than using Diez as a comparison to Mike when it comes to turning over accomplices, the story line doesn’t add much to an already full episode, which brings me to my final point, “Tick Tock,” as the penultimate episode of the season, has way too much going on.

Between the trial, jury deliberations, various deals being offered, Louis deciding what to do, Harvey threatening David Green (Farid Yazdani), an attorney working for Gibbs, and more, “Tick Tock” at times feels all over the place. I often wonder if writers lay out the arc of a season at the beginning but as they get closer to the end, they suddenly find themselves cramming stuff in due to a lack of time. With the Suits season finale next week, I guess time is up—well until next season, that is.

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

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, 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.