2012 Suits first season rewatch redux
Jul. 14th, 2022 09:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
merryghoulStill going through my old LJ to make sure [LJ icon]firstname_bunchofnumbers doesn’t like my posts to lead me to an obvious spam-filled journal and/or everything is in Cyrillic. Stumbled across a rewatch of Suits I did nearly 10(!) years ago while the show was still on, the slash fandom for the show died (I still don’t understand what happened there), and one of the actors literally wasn’t a Royal at the time. I trashed some of the fandom and rambled about Yuletide in the original rewatch posts. I wanted to repost everything from the rewatches without the rambling off-topic and bashing stuff. I’ll still keep some of the wrong assumptions about the show from 2012, but that’s it.
Pilot
I like how Suits feels like there's a clear set up going on, like the showrunners know what direction they want to take the show in.
I really like the female characters in this show. I like Donna. Although she's less defined here than, say, now in the series, she's hilarious. And of course, there's no nonsense Jessica.
Then there's Rachel. She's still an awesome female character, even if she's destined to be with Mike. If anything, Mike/Rachel...let me put it this way: you just know they're going to hook up. They start off bickering, and usually that's one of the ways writers put together a couple at the beginning of the show.
This is the episode where Mike's "friend" Trevor sets him up to be arrested at a hotel. Mike figures up the setup because he reads books and retains the information from them forever. (After he escapes the cops, he accidentally lands a job with Harvey, and his accidental law career begins.)
I like the relationship between Mike and Harvey. I can see why people see it as slashy. But more than anything, I really like how pop culture knowledgeable the two are. I'd fit in with them.
Errors and Omissions
Wow, this episode's a clusterfuck. Harvey sets up someone by lying about sleeping with their wife and going through it for nearly the whole episode. Meanwhile, Louis attempts to set up a drug test for Mike which angers Harvey which leads to Louis admitting the drug test was a setup (as well as blackmail) which leads to Mike getting off the hook when he points out a loophole in Louis' plans.
It's sad to see the relationship pains between Mike and Harvey, but at least they get through their problems in this episode.
I really liked when Mike held up the elevator for minutes while Jessica put a binder in the door to keep it open.
Oh, and don't forget Louis' body. It's a temple, you know.
Inside Track
This is the one with the classic cars, Harvey's senior partner initiation and the client relationship that's not too botched beyond repair. (It doesn't matter who fixes it, Pearson/Hardman looks good.)
Other than a lot of "you don't get its," this episode really focuses on Mike. There's his chronic lateness, for one. Then you have his commitments all popping up in this episode -- Harvey's case, the freshman dinner, Mike's grandmother, and Trevor. And Mike's grandmother is right: Trevor was a toxic friend.
The relationship between Mike and Rachel is building up, thanks to a dinner date of sorts over the freshman dinner. You can see the beginning of Mike's everlasting girl troubles in this episode.
Dirty Little Secrets
And so many of them: Mike lying about Harvard, the pharmaceutical case, Jessica and her ex...
Really like how we're introduced to a part of Jessica's past. It really fleshes her character out.
I'm finding myself blogging more about Mike and Rachel for these recaps because their relationship is more and more apparent to me in this rewatch. In this episode, they go furniture shopping for the bedbug case also being dealt with in this episode.
They even looked at each other.
Bail Out
This is the episode with the cab driver case, and, of course, the DOLL TEA PARTY, lol.
Really hate the Mike + Trevor friendship. It's really toxic, and Mike keeps forgiving him. Eww.
Louis is desperate to eliminate Mike from the firm by all costs and fails yet again. Nothing new.
Also, the Donna and Harvey scenes in this episode in this one's awesome. Love their teamwork, and, for better or worse, it makes it easier for me to ship them later on in the series.
Tricks of the Trade
This is the episode where Mike and Harvey help out Gabby, a trader on Wall Street. Didn't write much about that subplot or the rest of the episode--I guess it didn't capture me like other episodes.
It's also the one where Mike is helping Rachel study for the LSATs. She finds out part of Mike's secret--that he used to take LSATs for other people. Rachel doesn't find out his other secrets (he was a weed dealer, is a stoner, that the LSATs were a way for Mike to make money without dealing in weed, that the money was for his grandmother and, most importantly, he never went to Harvard like most everyone in Pearson Hardman). It's that one secret that fractures their relationship temporarily. You know that Mike/Rachel will end up together, but this is one of those obstacles, and it's well done.
Play the Man
The mock trial episode!
I haven't mentioned a lot about Jenny, but she's a sweet girl. Mike still has feelings for her. But he also has feelings for Rachel. He doesn't want to hurt Rachel. He can't date Rachel because they work together and Jenny, and yet. Ah, the good old love triangle. I understand, especially if Suits wasn't picked up for a second season (thank goodness it was), but it's so cliche. And yet I love it. Ha.
And, of course, there's Donna's awesome retort: "Am I Mommy?" lolz abound.
Identity Crisis
I didn't write many notes about this one, but it's nice to see Louis not fight with Harvey for once to get something done...even if it is one episode, ha.
Undefeated
The one where Mike is scolded for having emotions, unlike Harvey because apparently he can function without them, ha.
It's also the one where Rachel nearly leaves Pearson Hardman (because of being framed) and rightfully gives Mike, and, later, Louis, hell for it.
I guess I'll admit to shipping Mike/Rachel now, yes? Not a popular pairing, given the amount of Harvey/Donna (and slash, of course) fics, but still.
The Shelf Life
I wrote some other notes I don't think I can decipher, but there's a really huge focus on "animal" nature brought on by Louis, most notably to underscore the Mike/Rachel/Jenny love triangle.
But, Louis! His pheromones that smell like sausage! The way he talks about having sex with another woman! The photos of himself (of course) on his desk! "[Mike]'s probably still a virgin!" Hilarious!
Rules of the Game
The one with the crooked DA. Yeah, that one.
We're heading towards the end of Jenny/Mike, but it's unsurprising, since Mike doesn't know how to commit to people other than Harvey. I noted that both Jenny/Mike and Rachel/Mike seem awkward in this episode.
Dogfight
Moving on to the one with the framed client, and the last of the single episode cases usually solved in a brilliant way.
This was the season one finale, and a lot of things happen other than the framed client. Rachel calls Mike, but Trevor gets the call somewhat, leading to the end of Mike/Jenny. Trevor, good friend he is, tells Jessica about Mike because he's pissed off about relationship issues. Oh, and Mike almost was killed.
But what a great episode! Good setup to season two.
She Knows
Other than the dangling plot threads from "Dogfight," the beginning of civil war at Pearson Hardman starts here. Daniel's wife dies; it was the only leverage that kept him away from the firm, but now that she's gone, he comes back.
Louis starts to feel underappreciated by Jessica. Poor guy.
Jenny and Trevor leave in spectacular and well-deserved fashion, leading the way to on-again, off-again Mike/Rachel.
Jessica and Mike at the end of the episode are cute, as are Rachel and Donna at the start of the episode.
The Choice
The only note I wrote down here was "Jessica's office" -- where Daniel makes her office an actual taupe in the battle. If anything, this episode establishes Louis growing closer and closer to Daniel when he really shouldn't (e.g. getting upset about the Bruce Springsteen concert and squeeing over Daniel's gift of a recorder).
Meet the New Boss
Mike's grandmother is awesome. That's all I'll say.
Daniel, despite having some things that will eventually derail him trying to take over Pearson Hardman, is trying to essentially take over as lead partner. This episode marks his first moves toward that goal.
Louis is adorable in this episode. He's still trying to get senior partner, embarrassing the paralegals and assistants while doing so. And he even spars off with a female version of himself!
Oh, and there's Mike's secret, thwarting yet another Mike/Rachel hookup again.
Discovery
It's Louis versus Mike and Harvey and Louis deciding to be loyal to Daniel, despite his dishonorable intentions, and Jessica, who prefers Harvey, much to his chagrin, and rightfully so. It's also the beginning of the arc about the memo that affects the storyline from this episode on.
I know it's not a big thing, but Erika Alexander is in this, and I loved her in Living Single. I freaked out when I found out she was in this episode.
Break Point
Pearson Hardman gets a lawsuit, and because of a huge error on her part, Donna is let go.
What I found most interesting in this episode is the start of Rachel/Louis. They start to get along so well, and it's all over Louis'...cat. You can sense Louis falling for her, not knowing that, using his dictaphone (recorder, I said earlier) to record Mike and Harvey, he's blown his chances with her, at least for now. It's really bittersweet to me, the more I think about it.
All In
In which Harvey saves a client by gambling. There are a lot of people in really nice outfits (Harvey and Mike in Atlantic City via Toronto, Louis and Rachel at the ballet to save a ballet company Louis is fond of).
As I said earlier, I do feel for Louis and his crush on Rachel, but he did try to stab Mike and Harvey in the back. Oh, well. At least he has his dictaphone for his English accent and saying "get Litt up."
Sucker Punch
The one where Harvey goes on trial (after punching a client) and goes way too far with a fired Donna on the stand.
It's kinda sad to see Harvey and Donna's relationship fizz out briefly after this.
Rewind
Framed around Harvey seeing his father's grave in the present, this episode teaches us that sepia can be used to signify a flashback sequence, unlike in a show where it may mean a country outside the US. This is a great flashback episode that focuses on all the characters equally well. If anything, Harvey realizes he can't work without Donna at his side.
We learn how Daniel was forced out of the firm and how Louis had a hand in it by accident, how Mike ended up taking LSATs for money and, probably the most heartbreaking of all, how Rachel made a promise five years ago that she'd be a lawyer at Pearson Hardman...and now, she's not.
The only thing more awesome on this show other than Harvey and Donna is Rachel and Donna. They're adorable together, especially when Donna calls Rachel her "new weird friend." So much love for them together!
Asterisk
The one where Jessica and Harvey try to win Louis over to their side despite their poor treatment of him, Mike's grandmother dies and Mike and Harvey work on a sportscaster case.
Really feel bad for Louis here--he works hard, but he's not as charismatic as Harvey is, which is why he gets so much shit. Also, he's lacking a Donna.
High Noon
Seriously, Mike, can't you give your dick a rest after your grandmother dies? Trying to hook up with a married woman and Rachel isn't going to help you get over your grandmother, geez.
Other than that, Daniel wins control of the firm over Jessica, causing Harvey and Donna to be moved some floors down in a shitty cubicle and Mike and Harvey to not work on cases together. All is lost until the two get stoned, something about the legendary can opener and they both stumble on Daniel possibly forging a document to set up Donna.
It's not revealed whether Louis actually voted for Daniel or not. For the six episodes coming up next month, let's hope he stayed loyal to Jessica. He almost died at the hands of Harvey!
Pilot
I like how Suits feels like there's a clear set up going on, like the showrunners know what direction they want to take the show in.
I really like the female characters in this show. I like Donna. Although she's less defined here than, say, now in the series, she's hilarious. And of course, there's no nonsense Jessica.
Then there's Rachel. She's still an awesome female character, even if she's destined to be with Mike. If anything, Mike/Rachel...let me put it this way: you just know they're going to hook up. They start off bickering, and usually that's one of the ways writers put together a couple at the beginning of the show.
This is the episode where Mike's "friend" Trevor sets him up to be arrested at a hotel. Mike figures up the setup because he reads books and retains the information from them forever. (After he escapes the cops, he accidentally lands a job with Harvey, and his accidental law career begins.)
I like the relationship between Mike and Harvey. I can see why people see it as slashy. But more than anything, I really like how pop culture knowledgeable the two are. I'd fit in with them.
Errors and Omissions
Wow, this episode's a clusterfuck. Harvey sets up someone by lying about sleeping with their wife and going through it for nearly the whole episode. Meanwhile, Louis attempts to set up a drug test for Mike which angers Harvey which leads to Louis admitting the drug test was a setup (as well as blackmail) which leads to Mike getting off the hook when he points out a loophole in Louis' plans.
It's sad to see the relationship pains between Mike and Harvey, but at least they get through their problems in this episode.
I really liked when Mike held up the elevator for minutes while Jessica put a binder in the door to keep it open.
Oh, and don't forget Louis' body. It's a temple, you know.
Inside Track
This is the one with the classic cars, Harvey's senior partner initiation and the client relationship that's not too botched beyond repair. (It doesn't matter who fixes it, Pearson/Hardman looks good.)
Other than a lot of "you don't get its," this episode really focuses on Mike. There's his chronic lateness, for one. Then you have his commitments all popping up in this episode -- Harvey's case, the freshman dinner, Mike's grandmother, and Trevor. And Mike's grandmother is right: Trevor was a toxic friend.
The relationship between Mike and Rachel is building up, thanks to a dinner date of sorts over the freshman dinner. You can see the beginning of Mike's everlasting girl troubles in this episode.
Dirty Little Secrets
And so many of them: Mike lying about Harvard, the pharmaceutical case, Jessica and her ex...
Really like how we're introduced to a part of Jessica's past. It really fleshes her character out.
I'm finding myself blogging more about Mike and Rachel for these recaps because their relationship is more and more apparent to me in this rewatch. In this episode, they go furniture shopping for the bedbug case also being dealt with in this episode.
They even looked at each other.
Bail Out
This is the episode with the cab driver case, and, of course, the DOLL TEA PARTY, lol.
Really hate the Mike + Trevor friendship. It's really toxic, and Mike keeps forgiving him. Eww.
Louis is desperate to eliminate Mike from the firm by all costs and fails yet again. Nothing new.
Also, the Donna and Harvey scenes in this episode in this one's awesome. Love their teamwork, and, for better or worse, it makes it easier for me to ship them later on in the series.
Tricks of the Trade
This is the episode where Mike and Harvey help out Gabby, a trader on Wall Street. Didn't write much about that subplot or the rest of the episode--I guess it didn't capture me like other episodes.
It's also the one where Mike is helping Rachel study for the LSATs. She finds out part of Mike's secret--that he used to take LSATs for other people. Rachel doesn't find out his other secrets (he was a weed dealer, is a stoner, that the LSATs were a way for Mike to make money without dealing in weed, that the money was for his grandmother and, most importantly, he never went to Harvard like most everyone in Pearson Hardman). It's that one secret that fractures their relationship temporarily. You know that Mike/Rachel will end up together, but this is one of those obstacles, and it's well done.
Play the Man
The mock trial episode!
I haven't mentioned a lot about Jenny, but she's a sweet girl. Mike still has feelings for her. But he also has feelings for Rachel. He doesn't want to hurt Rachel. He can't date Rachel because they work together and Jenny, and yet. Ah, the good old love triangle. I understand, especially if Suits wasn't picked up for a second season (thank goodness it was), but it's so cliche. And yet I love it. Ha.
And, of course, there's Donna's awesome retort: "Am I Mommy?" lolz abound.
Identity Crisis
I didn't write many notes about this one, but it's nice to see Louis not fight with Harvey for once to get something done...even if it is one episode, ha.
Undefeated
The one where Mike is scolded for having emotions, unlike Harvey because apparently he can function without them, ha.
It's also the one where Rachel nearly leaves Pearson Hardman (because of being framed) and rightfully gives Mike, and, later, Louis, hell for it.
I guess I'll admit to shipping Mike/Rachel now, yes? Not a popular pairing, given the amount of Harvey/Donna (and slash, of course) fics, but still.
The Shelf Life
I wrote some other notes I don't think I can decipher, but there's a really huge focus on "animal" nature brought on by Louis, most notably to underscore the Mike/Rachel/Jenny love triangle.
But, Louis! His pheromones that smell like sausage! The way he talks about having sex with another woman! The photos of himself (of course) on his desk! "[Mike]'s probably still a virgin!" Hilarious!
Rules of the Game
The one with the crooked DA. Yeah, that one.
We're heading towards the end of Jenny/Mike, but it's unsurprising, since Mike doesn't know how to commit to people other than Harvey. I noted that both Jenny/Mike and Rachel/Mike seem awkward in this episode.
Dogfight
Moving on to the one with the framed client, and the last of the single episode cases usually solved in a brilliant way.
This was the season one finale, and a lot of things happen other than the framed client. Rachel calls Mike, but Trevor gets the call somewhat, leading to the end of Mike/Jenny. Trevor, good friend he is, tells Jessica about Mike because he's pissed off about relationship issues. Oh, and Mike almost was killed.
But what a great episode! Good setup to season two.
She Knows
Other than the dangling plot threads from "Dogfight," the beginning of civil war at Pearson Hardman starts here. Daniel's wife dies; it was the only leverage that kept him away from the firm, but now that she's gone, he comes back.
Louis starts to feel underappreciated by Jessica. Poor guy.
Jenny and Trevor leave in spectacular and well-deserved fashion, leading the way to on-again, off-again Mike/Rachel.
Jessica and Mike at the end of the episode are cute, as are Rachel and Donna at the start of the episode.
The Choice
The only note I wrote down here was "Jessica's office" -- where Daniel makes her office an actual taupe in the battle. If anything, this episode establishes Louis growing closer and closer to Daniel when he really shouldn't (e.g. getting upset about the Bruce Springsteen concert and squeeing over Daniel's gift of a recorder).
Meet the New Boss
Mike's grandmother is awesome. That's all I'll say.
Daniel, despite having some things that will eventually derail him trying to take over Pearson Hardman, is trying to essentially take over as lead partner. This episode marks his first moves toward that goal.
Louis is adorable in this episode. He's still trying to get senior partner, embarrassing the paralegals and assistants while doing so. And he even spars off with a female version of himself!
Oh, and there's Mike's secret, thwarting yet another Mike/Rachel hookup again.
Discovery
It's Louis versus Mike and Harvey and Louis deciding to be loyal to Daniel, despite his dishonorable intentions, and Jessica, who prefers Harvey, much to his chagrin, and rightfully so. It's also the beginning of the arc about the memo that affects the storyline from this episode on.
I know it's not a big thing, but Erika Alexander is in this, and I loved her in Living Single. I freaked out when I found out she was in this episode.
Break Point
Pearson Hardman gets a lawsuit, and because of a huge error on her part, Donna is let go.
What I found most interesting in this episode is the start of Rachel/Louis. They start to get along so well, and it's all over Louis'...cat. You can sense Louis falling for her, not knowing that, using his dictaphone (recorder, I said earlier) to record Mike and Harvey, he's blown his chances with her, at least for now. It's really bittersweet to me, the more I think about it.
All In
In which Harvey saves a client by gambling. There are a lot of people in really nice outfits (Harvey and Mike in Atlantic City via Toronto, Louis and Rachel at the ballet to save a ballet company Louis is fond of).
As I said earlier, I do feel for Louis and his crush on Rachel, but he did try to stab Mike and Harvey in the back. Oh, well. At least he has his dictaphone for his English accent and saying "get Litt up."
Sucker Punch
The one where Harvey goes on trial (after punching a client) and goes way too far with a fired Donna on the stand.
It's kinda sad to see Harvey and Donna's relationship fizz out briefly after this.
Rewind
Framed around Harvey seeing his father's grave in the present, this episode teaches us that sepia can be used to signify a flashback sequence, unlike in a show where it may mean a country outside the US. This is a great flashback episode that focuses on all the characters equally well. If anything, Harvey realizes he can't work without Donna at his side.
We learn how Daniel was forced out of the firm and how Louis had a hand in it by accident, how Mike ended up taking LSATs for money and, probably the most heartbreaking of all, how Rachel made a promise five years ago that she'd be a lawyer at Pearson Hardman...and now, she's not.
The only thing more awesome on this show other than Harvey and Donna is Rachel and Donna. They're adorable together, especially when Donna calls Rachel her "new weird friend." So much love for them together!
Asterisk
The one where Jessica and Harvey try to win Louis over to their side despite their poor treatment of him, Mike's grandmother dies and Mike and Harvey work on a sportscaster case.
Really feel bad for Louis here--he works hard, but he's not as charismatic as Harvey is, which is why he gets so much shit. Also, he's lacking a Donna.
High Noon
Seriously, Mike, can't you give your dick a rest after your grandmother dies? Trying to hook up with a married woman and Rachel isn't going to help you get over your grandmother, geez.
Other than that, Daniel wins control of the firm over Jessica, causing Harvey and Donna to be moved some floors down in a shitty cubicle and Mike and Harvey to not work on cases together. All is lost until the two get stoned, something about the legendary can opener and they both stumble on Daniel possibly forging a document to set up Donna.
It's not revealed whether Louis actually voted for Daniel or not. For the six episodes coming up next month, let's hope he stayed loyal to Jessica. He almost died at the hands of Harvey!
