This week’s episode was much improved from last week and was definitely a game changer as new alliances were built, new characters (with great accents) were introduced, and Rachel ceased to be annoying during most of her scenes. I believe in small miracles.
We open as Mike stares appreciatively at Rachel from behind while she’s grabbing something out of a cabinet. They discuss their plans for the evening when Louis shows up and acts all snippy towards Mike. Mike tries to apologize, but Louis isn’t having any of his crap and delivers a monologue about the metaphor of non-dairy creamer. According to Louis, the creamer acts like it's real until you find out it's fake. Like Mike. Because Louis is mad at Mike. Did you guys get it? Because I’m not sure I would have gotten without that heavy-handed metaphor the writers somehow thought was necessary. Oh wait, that’s right, I did get it at the end of last week’s episode and that scene was completely unnecessary. Whatever, it’s Louis, so I’ll forgive him.
We cut to Louis in Harvey’s office. He assumes Harvey brought him there to apologize, but Harvey only wants to give him a case. Are you new, Louis? Harvey’s apologies come once a decade. Harvey flatters him into agreeing into taking part of the Hessington case. Harvey asks Louis if he’s considered taking another associate under his wing. Louis seems to think about it.
Copy room. Donna’s fiddling with the machine when Rachel walks in and the two trade quips. Donna says she never makes copies because she’s too much of a “badass.” Damn right she is. This leads to Rachel apologizing to Donna and all’s well between them. Rachel advises Donna to forgive Mike, and Donna reveals that she’s already done so, which is what prompted Harvey to do the same. Rachel points out that Mike doesn’t know that.
Harvey and Ava are out at lunch. Ava offers Harvey a job as her second in command in the oil business, but Harvey doesn’t seem too interested. Cameron Dennis interrupts them, and is it me or does his moustache get uglier every time he shows up? He’s there to arrest Ava on charge of conspiracy to commit murder. How long is this storyline going to drag out? Ava isn’t that cool or interesting and Cameron Dennis is really just annoying so can we find some new clients, please? CD claims that Ava killed the six individuals who were attempting to stop her from building the pipeline in the foreign country.
Mike meets Harvey outside the office and Harvey snaps at him that he can’t stop him from taking this murder case, but Mike says that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to win, regardless of Ava’s innocence. Whoa, what happened to Mike? He totally used to be the moral one in Season 1, and even Season 2. I’m actually really surprised he’s so willing to work for someone who’s probably guilty. Harvey approves, though, and invites him to go see Ava with him. Mike excitedly says, “Butch and Sundance are back!” I assume this is Suits’ Obscure Movie Reference of the Week, and this time it really is extremely obscure because I have zero idea what movie they’re referring to. Sorry I’m not a movie buff. I like my chick flicks and random indie movies, okay? I can smell your judgment.
We cut to Louis in his office, leaving a message for Norma about her wearing socks in the future. Hee! Are we ever going to see Norma? I hope so, she sounds hilarious. Katrina is finally back this season and comes into Louis’s office to give him some files to help him with the Hessington takeover. Katrina wants to work with Louis but Louis isn’t so willing to give her a second shot, especially after his rejection from Mike.
Mike is interrogating Ava about the accused murders and is doing a pretty good job. Ava gets pissed off though, and asks to speak to Harvey alone. She asks how they got into this mess and Harvey says he didn’t know about the murders. Ava asks if he thinks she had a part in it, but Harvey refuses to answer, though she presses him a few times. He says it’s irrelevant. Although he admits later in the episode that he does think she’s guilty, somehow I feel like she’s innocent. She admitted freely to the bribery yet vehemently denies knowing about the murders, so it seems like she would have admitted if she did commission the murders. Guess we’ll find out next week.
Back at the office, Katrina sneaks into Harvey’s room when Donna’s not at her desk and puts some files on Harvey’s desk. Mike walks in and they argue about Katrina’s place in the office. Donna steps in and comes to Mike’s defense, letting Katrina know that Mike is Harvey’s one and only, and that she should never come into Harvey’s office when Donna’s away. Katrina walks away chastened. Mike looks surprised at Donna’s defense for him and says thanks. She smiles and says she still expects exotic free coffees from him. Aw, glad these two finally made up.
Jessica, wearing a great blazer that I covet, is discussing the Hessington case with Harvey. They walk into the office where Mike’s waiting and talk about their strategy for the bail hearing in which they plan to take Cameron Dennis down.
We segue to the hearing, where Harvey convinces the judge that CD has a personal vendetta against him. The judge decides to give Ava bail for one dollar.
Suddenly, we see a fancy pair of shoes getting out of a fancy car, as a new face walks into the Pearson Darby office. He gives someone finger guns, which cracks me up. That just proves he is the epitome of wannabe-cool. He tries to get into Harvey’s office, but Donna asks what he’s doing. Hey, he’s British! That accent just won me over. Sorry, I’m weak and fickle. I like Darby pretty much only for his accent too (and because he watches Downton Abbey). He and Donna flirt, and she’s clearly impressed, although I think his flirting’s a bit lackluster, but hey what do I know. He does call her a “feisty ginger,” though, which makes me happy. Harvey interrupts their banter and says that he knows the Brit is “Darby’s fixer” and here to hijack his case.
They walk into Harvey’s office and the Brit (sorry, I’m still working on a nickname) calls Donna a “bombshell” and he and Harvey discuss a woman they both ‘dated’ back in 1998/1999. I can’t wait for the time when Harvey becomes jealous of the Brit and Donna. Sorry, did I never mention I’m a huge Harvey/Donna shipper? I’ll try to keep the fangirling to a minimum. Anyway, they discuss the Brit’s motivation for being here and he claims he’s here to help smooth over the merger. Harvey doesn’t believe him and tells him to steer clear of him. Harvey ends their conversation with “Welcome to New York,” but says it more in the the tone of “Welcome to the O.C., bitch!” (Has anyone reading these recaps actually seen The O.C to get that reference? Do Suits fans and The O.C fans overlap? You should comment below if your TV tastes are as varied as mine).
Research Room. Katrina approaches Mike and apologizes to him, asking him if she can help on the case. He’s pretty mean to her but she dishes it right back, leaving with a smirk on her face.
Restaurant. The new Brit meets Harvey for lunch and Harvey tells him that he needs to know what he’s up to. The New Brit (TNB) tells him that he knows about his plan to take over the firm from Jessica, and wants to help. Cameron Dennis pops in at the restaurant, which he apparently loves to do (seriously, this is like the fifth time he’s randomly found Harvey at a restaurant, like, get a hobby) and shows Harvey evidence he has of witnesses who will testify that Ava knew about the murders.
Meanwhile at the office, Mike stops by Rachel’s office (who, by the way, is wearing a completely inappropriate crop top for the office although it’s pretty cute), and she lets him know that she asked Donna to forgive him, which is pretty mature of her, all things considered. Mike tells her that he and Donna are good. They discuss Katrina and Mike tells Rachel that Katrina called her his girlfriend, which he denied because they’re supposed to be keeping it a secret. Rachel passive-aggressives “good,” although it’s obvious she wants Mike to admit they’re officially together. Mike gets the hint and gets down on one knee to ask her to be his girlfriend. Even I’ll admit, it’s kind of sweet. They’re interrupted by a video that pops on Rachel’s computer. Mike’s face is stuck on a cartoon baby as it pops out of the womb, with a voiceover that says “I’m working with Harvey, my best friend…Harvey gave birth to me…I’m a dick.” HA!! That was so funny. Katrina is masterful. Is it wrong that I secretly want her and Mike together? The video pops up on everyone’s computer in the office. We see Katrina did this on behalf of Louis, and asks him for another chance to work for him.
We segue to Mike, Harvey, and Ava discussing the case and charges. Ava wants to bribe her way out of the situation so the witnesses don’t talk. The lady never learns, does she? If she’s this dumb, how is her company so successful? Harvey refuses to go along with bribery, and Ava fires him.
Next day at the office. Mike and Rachel are discussing revenge tactics against Katrina when Harvey comes in and tells Mike that they’re still working on the case, regardless of the firing. He also tells him to let the Katrina thing go. Harvey clearly sucks at following his own advice, because he sees Katrina and barges into her office, letting her know in his Harvey way that she’s done at the firm. Katrina tries to defend herself, but Harvey lets her know on no uncertain terms that if it happens again, she’s gone. Rachel witnesses the exchange and tells Mike about what Harvey did for him. They debate getting revenge even with Harvey’s disapproval, imagining what’s the worst that could happen, when something Rachel says gives Mike an idea about the case. He’s about to hug her when he realizes everyone’s around and gives her a high five instead. Heh. It’s cute.
Mike tells Harvey that they don’t need to bribe the witnesses, but need to get them to sue, and then settle. They spot The New Brit walking Ava out of the office, and Harvey assumes that TNB hijacked his client. TNB says that he convinced Ava to stick with Harvey. Harvey figures he owes TNB. Oh, his name’s Steven. Since I can’t think of a good nickname, I guess I’ll call him that.
Mike goes to Ava’s apartment to get all the paperwork signed, and she again asks if Harvey thinks she’s innocent. Mike says that he doesn’t know what Harvey thinks and that he wouldn’t say anything if he did know.
Donna is leaving the office to go home when Steven comes by in a car, asking her to take a ride with him. They flirt. Donna plays hard to get, so he drives away. I’m not sure if I like where this is going, but we’ll see.
Night at the office. Louis comes to Katrina, letting her in on his case, saying “Welcome to Team Litt.”
Harvey and Mike drink in Harvey’s office. They discuss whether they think Ava is really guilty of the murders or not, and both admit that they believe that she is. They both look a bit surprised at their mutual admission. I can’t believe that neither of them, Mike especially, find this troubling at all. I guess Mike’s ethics and morals disappeared about the same time he lost his backbone.
What did you guys think of the episode? Do you see Mike and Harvey as problematic for taking a believed murderer’s case? Comment below!