Following the events of last week’s episode, everyone at Pearson-Specter-Litt now knows Harvey Specter makes more money than everyone else because of the current compensation formula.
With his salary exposed, Harvey responds by stealing one of Jack Soloff’s clients with the help of famous NBA player, Charles Barkley. After learning that Harvey declared he will take her back, Donna Paulsen confronts Harvey and assures him that she will never return to him. This leads to Harvey having a panic attack and now has to deal with Jack, who just learned Harvey stole his client. As a desperate move, Harvey tells Jack that the wheels are in motion to take the rest of his clients. Mike Ross overhears the confrontation and Harvey tells Mike Ross that it was a bluff, but hopes Mike will make Jack fall for it. After the panic attack, Harvey once again decides to visit Dr. Agard.
While reluctant at first Harvey goes along with Dr. Agard’s role playing exercise, where he acts out an argument with Donna. During the exercise, Harvey gets into it and really believes he is talking to Donna and admits his immaturity in dealing with the situation. Despite his immaturity he says that Donna leaving him is like her stabbing him with a knife and twisting it. Harvey then realizes what Donna has been feeling when he is asked, “How does it feel to be on the receiving end for once?” (reword role playing exercise)
Realizing he made a mistake by helping Jack, Louis Litt tells Jack that he will no longer help him in his war against Harvey. Jack counters by threatening to tell everyone that it was Louis who exposed Harvey’s salary and Louis has no response. To add on to Louis’ dilemma, Harvey later tells Louis he will bury him if he ever helps Jack again.
Aside from helping Harvey, Mike is beginning to regret asking Robert for help on the medical insurance case when Robert takes over and runs things his way. Jessica Pearson eventually has to step in to mediate between the two and tells Robert to treat Mike as if he is her. Later, Mike is late to a preliminary hearing for their case and pisses Robert off. However, Mike makes up for it by telling the judge he remembers every detail on each page of the case, which is why Mike was late in the first place. After testing Mike’s knowledge, the judge decides to let the case go to trial and Mike earns Robert’s respect.
SUITS — Episode 503 — Pictured: (l-r) Charles Barkley, Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)
After dealing with Robert and Mike, Jessica asks for Rachel Zane’s help on editing a speech for Dr. Gwendolyn Barnes, first black female chief of surgery at a major New York hospital. The speech turns out to honor a hero that both Jessica and Rachel admire. The two bond together and to Rachel’s surprise, Jessica tells Rachel that she reminds her of herself and asks Rachel to attend the event with her.
Despite having a panic attack this episode, Harvey finally makes progress by admitting that he has not been handling the situation well. Since Harvey is known for not letting his emotions get to him, season five adds more depth by having Harvey’s emotions finally get to him. Harvey has now needed help twice from Mike and once from Gretchen. The combination of the heartbeat audio and Gabriel Macht’s perforance, Harvey’s panic attack is one of the best scenes of the episode.
Gretchen has proved to be a valuable asset to Harvey every episode since her introduction. Gretchen shows what kind of person she really is by telling Harvey that she never looked at his salary and anyone that did, should be fired.
After a power struggle, Mike earns the respect of his father-in-law and reminds us why he is a great lawyer, despite not having a law degree. Mike using his eidetic memory to his advantage is always a fan favorite and Suits does a great job of not overdoing it. He grows closer to his father-in-law to the point Robert tells Mike that he can call him dad.
Jessica in the meantime, reminds us how powerful she is by making Robert Zane, who is a name partner at his firm, stop undermining Mike and treat him as an equal.
Louis is finally taking the right steps to earn Harvey’s trust, but will have to deal with the blackmail from Jack. Louis is now stuck in a dilemma, either help Jack, crossing Harvey again, or not help Jack and be exposed as the one that spread Harvey’s salary and potentially be fired.
“You ever take sides with Jack Soloff against me again, I will bury you.”
– Harvey Specter to Louis Litt
