Season 3, Episode 1
Air Date: Tuesday, July 16, 2013, 10/9c on USA
Rating:
Will she tell everyone about Mike?
Let me start by saying dream sequences drive me nuts. Usually, they are teasers for something the audience wants to see or are used to shock them. In this case, we get both as it appears Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Mike (Patrick J. Adams) have made up only to have Rachel (Meghan Markle) announce to everyone Mike is a fraud. Then, Mike suddenly wakes up.
“The Arrangement” is a great way to kick off season three of Suits as it gives several quality scenes to some of the more minor characters. The stronger scenes are between Mike and Jessica (Gina Torres), who in the past haven’t gotten much alone time on screen. I love the dialogue between the two as Mike is given his own office and I’m left wondering if this really is a reward for his hard work or a bribe to keep him happy and quiet. What should be a happy moment for Mike is bittersweet because he can’t share it with Harvey, who is still mad at him for betraying his trust. Jessica tells Mike a story about her parents’ divorce and getting a new car because of it as an analogy to why Mike should enjoy the office. As Jessica is leaving Mike asks her:
Mike: “They ever get back together?”
Jessica: “No. No, they didn’t.”
Mike’s question really isn’t about her parents but more about his relationship with Harvey. It’s just an office, but to Mike, it is a bitter reminder that he betrayed Harvey.
How can you not love Louis?
The Uni-ball sequence has to be one of my favorites ever on Suits. I find myself chuckling just writing about it. Scenes with Donna (Sarah Rafferty) are always great but screen time with her and Louis (Rick Hoffman) is often hilarious. The look on Louis’ face when Donna suggests he simply buy his own pens is priceless. The Hitler gag, which has been done on screen dozens of times might offend some, but fits Donna’s character and isn’t too over the top.
While I admit to having a TV crush on Rachel, I feel a little put off by her in “The Arrangement.” I don’t blame her for her emotional reactions, yet at the same time, she comes off very pouty and bitter.
Rachel: “I have been trying to earn one for as long as I can remember. And you have one, and everything that goes with it and you didn’t do a single thing to deserve it.”
Mike: “You have no idea what I have or haven’t done to get where I am.”
Given that her dream was to be a lawyer at Pearson Hardman, which required her going to Harvard because that was the only place the firm hired lawyers from, isn’t that a moot point because of the merger? Did all the lawyers at Darby’s firm (Conleth Hill) go to Harvard?
Robin, still without his Batman
For two seasons the main focus has been the relationship between Harvey and Mike but right now Harvey wants nothing to do with Mike. This isn’t such a bad thing because it gives the writers time to strengthen some of the other relationships. I especially enjoy the superhero chat Mike has with Louis, who explains to Mike that Harvey is no longer Superman; he’s Batman, and Batman needs Robin.
If I have to have one complaint it rests with the Nigel (Adam Godley) character. I understand he’s there to be Louis’ adversary but I find it excessively childish and petty. I assume this is what the writers are trying to accomplish/put across/convey but it doesn’t work for me. I’d rather see more friction between Louis and Harvey or even Harold (Max Topplin), who often got under Louis’s skin.
While in TV time, only a few days have passed, it really seems like Mike Ross has matured. This is evident in his scenes with Jessica when he returns the office she gave him.
Mike: “I want to give this office back. I didn’t earn it, I don’t want it, and if there’s a chance it will help Harvey forgive me, I’m gonna take it.”
I love the facial expression on Jessica as Mike passes her by. She seems proud of Mike and his actions and I look forward to seeing where their relationship goes from here. Can Mike have a close relationship with both Jessica and Harvey or will he have to choose one over the other?
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: © 2013 USA Network, LLC, a division of NBC Universal. All Rights Reserved.
Greg Staffa
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