Suits Review: Self Defense (Season 5 Episode 14)

While this week’s episode of Suits does bring us some real courtroom drama, it also brings us a mock trial, and some unanswered questions.

Like will Louis take Anita’s bait? Why does Donna freeze up? Is betting on a mock trial really the adult way to deal with their argument? And, why does Rachel always think she’s right? So let’s get right into shall we?

Great.

Let’s start off by just giving a great big round of applause to Patrick J. Adams for directing this episode, entitled “Self Defense” while being in almost every scene. The episode has a different feel to it, a more intense feel, and I love it. I love his style and the scene where Harvey comes to see Mike to tell him the trial has been moved up, is done beautifully.

Speaking of Harvey, “Self Defense” is the first episode in a very long time where we get to see Harvey and Mike butt heads. They’ve gotten into arguments before, and there was that one time that Harvey even fired Mike- and this time was just as uncomfortable as the last time. Yes, Harvey is just looking out for Mike, but it is funny that the only way he knows how to do that is to bully him into believing he’s right. And Mike’s no better; he’s stubborn and sometimes childish, but this time he does have a point.

The best way to convince the jury that he’s a lawyer, is for him to be a lawyer. They jury doesn’t necessarily have to think he’s nice lawyer. They just have to believe that he knows what he’s doing- which is ironically what Harvey ultimately decides should happen.

Which is why when Rachel just decides that Harvey should represent Mike, because the jury “can hate Harvey” but not Mike, I was upset. What upset me more, is the scene of Donna and Rachel talking in the washroom, pretty much hating on Harvey. I really do not care for Rachel’s opinion about this, but Donna? Really? This isn’t even about my #Darvey heart, it’s about how she completely forgot about the way Louis interrogated her in a mock trial and made her cry. Someone needs to tell Donna that Harvey wasn’t being unpleasant with her when she left him for Louis. He was having panic attacks, and going to therapy and just seemed to almost give up on the world; but in the end, he just wanted her to be happy. Even if it was with Louis.

Louis.

Louis Litt. I’m really hoping that the last scene of Gibbs trying to bring Louis over to the dark side is only there so we can see Louis not betray his team and perhaps show an ounce of loyalty. Because my heart cannot handle another betrayal from Louis. It can’t. I need character development from this guy. I need him to be dynamic and I need him to be one of the guys I cheer for- even when he’s doing horrible, horrible things.

Because they all have; done horrible things, I mean. We hate Anita Gibbs for doing all these horrible things, and stalking everyone at PSL- when really, she’s the female Harvey. Harvey has done some incredibly shady things in the past, as has Mike now (you know, other than practicing without a law degree). She’s relentless, and that’s not good for our guys.

No matter how this trial goes — whether Mike ends up in prison or not, what will be interesting is to see what happens in season six. Once this is all over, whatever happens, I can’t wait to see all the consequences and after effects.

Things to think about:

1. Rachel’s fake dream wedding is as boring as her personality
2. Trevor was not as sucky this episode. Even while he told the truth, I could almost tell he did not want to
3. When did Donna lose her backbone? Why couldn’t she lie on the stand? Even if she didn’t want to lie- why did she freeze up and get all tongue-tied? It seemed insanely out of character to me

What did you think of “Self Defense”? Tell us in the comments below!

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Suits airs Thursdays at 10/9c on USA.