Suits Review: She’s Gone (Season 6 Episode 11)

If only Harvey’s dream had been real!

Suits Season 6 Episode 11, “She’s Gone,” begins with what we quickly realize is a dream, but that it’s one that’s significant in many ways.

First, it serves as a reminder about Harvey and Donna. No matter how much we might want to see these two together, crossing that line would mean a drastic change for their working relationship.

On a deeper level, though, the dream is about Harvey’s realization that everyone is leaving him. Even though that’s not literally the case — Mike is pursuing what he thinks is right, and Jessica is doing what she believes is best for her — Harvey has always struggled with abandonment.

That showed when Donna left him before, and he found himself having anxiety attacks. It showed with how personally he took Mike going to prison, too. Now, Jessica is gone, Mike isn’t coming back (yet?) and he’s watching everything crumble around him.

As usual, it’s Donna who gives him the advice he needs — starting with the fact that he should be supportive of what Mike wants to do with his life rather than being upset that he won’t come back. She also suggests it’s time he makes amends with his mother.

This is the root of everything we know about Harvey’s character. His estrangement from his family has shaped him in so many ways, and as Donna points out, no one is going be able to fill that void in the same way his real family can. Not even his family at the firm.

While Harvey is dealing with the emotional loss and running all over town trying to help Mike (an effort which backfires), Louis is doing everything he can to prove he should be managing partner.

In the process, he proves he shouldn’t be — except that he does manage to get a new group of associates, so it isn’t a total failure.

Harvey, as is usually the case, is too hard on Louis. Louis is an easy target, and sometimes he deserves to be put in his place, but watching Harvey lay into him this time is almost unbearable.

The worst part is that Louis knows Harvey is right. Mostly, anyway.

Thankfully, Louis has Gretchen, who I love more and more every time I see her on the screen. She has a way of knowing more about what’s going on at that firm than anyone else — well, maybe not more than Donna, but she’s intuitive and sharp, and she manages to be there for Louis and lift his spirits just when he needs it.

More Gretchen, please!

Then there’s Mike. Oh, Mike, how you infuriate me these days! I appreciate that Mike wants to do good in the world, make amends, and all of that. I even appreciate his reluctance to return to the firm. But his decisions and his overall attitude are becoming insufferable — especially when he lashes out at Harvey.

There’s a parallel in the way Mike lashes out at Harvey and the way Harvey lashes out at Louis, and both scenes are difficult. But somehow, I’m more upset with Mike.

In all Harvey’s efforts to help, not just now, but all through this process, he’s only caused more problems. But he’s trying desperately, and whenever something he does causes a problem, it’s the kind of thing you couldn’t see coming. I just find it unbelievable that Mike’s reaction is so harsh.

What’s more unbelievable, though, is Mike’s short stint as a teacher. Sorry, but I don’t buy this at all. It makes sense that Mike would go to Father Sam, and even that he might find some help in doing so, but the teaching job is unrealistic and a little cliché, especially with the way the students react to Mike.

It feels like Mike is just going to flounder for a while as the series moves forward, until finally, there’s a way for him to return to Pearson Specter Litt (will it be Specter Litt?) or settle into a new career.

As Mike’s hope of being a lawyer who does some good in the world fades, Rachel’s chance at becoming a lawyer draws nearer. I hope that the character and fitness test doesn’t pose a problem for her.

I have a feeling that it will, but for now, it feels hopeful that Louis (thanks to some sound advice from Gretchen) is smart enough to offer her not just any position at the firm, but one as a second year associate.

If anyone deserves that, it’s Rachel. Of course, that’s likely to put a new strain on Mike and Rachel’s relationship, for Mike to watch Rachel in a job he once had.

What did you think of this episode of Suits? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Here’s a look at the promo for Suits Season 6 Episode 12:

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Suits airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on USA.

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