SUITS -- "Character and Fitness" Episode 616 -- Pictured: (l-r) Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane, Patrick J. Adams as Michael Ross -- (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network) Suits Season Finale Review: Character and Fitness (Season 6 Episode 16)

Suits Season Finale Review: Character and Fitness (Season 6 Episode 16)

Ashley Bissette Sumerel Reviews, Suits

Everything is as it should be.

While much of Suits Season 6 Episode 16 feels like we’re still going around in the same circles over and over, the ending couldn’t be more perfect.

Thanks to a surprise visit from Jessica Pearson, Mike passes the bar, and will now be a legitimate lawyer.

Honestly, it’s exactly what I hoped would happen. Mike got caught, went to prison, managed to get out, managed to actually become a lawyer, and now, with any luck, we’ll get one more season of watching him do what he does best alongside Harvey.

As a bonus — it’s a bit of Jessica Pearson magic that makes it all possible.

Her arrival alone is enough to make me sing praises of the season finale, and it’s nice seeing their group all together one last time.

The look on Mike’s face when he gets the news that he passed is even better. Because despite how much Mike probably doesn’t deserve this, we’re all still rooting for him. And Jessica’s point that the world could be a better place with Mike as a lawyer is part of the reason why.

We’ve seen how smart and how skilled he is, and we’ve also watched him gain perspective. Mike’s time in prison helped him grow up a little (though he still does have some work to do), and there’s nothing more satisfying that watching a story of redemption.

SUITS -- "Character and Fitness" Episode 616 -- Pictured: (l-r) Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane, Patrick J. Adams as Michael Ross -- (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)
SUITS — “Character and Fitness” Episode 616 — Pictured: (l-r) Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane, Patrick J. Adams as Michael Ross — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

Mike still wants to be the kind of lawyer who can truly help people, and Harvey offers him the best of both worlds. Because of course he does. As part of their negotiation, Mike asks for Harvey’s office.

Poetic, right? It’s not to displace Harvey, but instead, Mike suggests it’s time for Harvey to take over for Jessica once and for all. The episode ends with the two of them shaking hands, which, if you’re paying close attention, feels pretty symbolic.

It’s a shot we see through the window of Harvey’s office, which feels similar visually (though not in tone) to the shot of Harvey and Donna holding hands on the mid-season finale. In that scene, Donna and Harvey are heartbroken. In this one, it’s a resolution, a happy ending, and another connection between Harvey and someone close to him.

Before it’s all said and done, it seems like we’ll be seeing the name of the firm changed to Specter Litt Ross. Or maybe, just Specter Ross.

Which brings me to Louis.

Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.

I don’t know if I’ve ever felt as terrible for a fictional character as I do for Louis Litt. He’s a flawed man — obviously. He’s even a villain in the early episodes. But deep down, Louis is good. We’ve gotten the chance to see that over the years, and this man deserves happiness.

His breakdown as Rachel tries to comfort him is painful and powerful. Heck, I’d have liked to jump through the screen and give the man a hug myself. All he wants out of life is the most basic desire — love. And family.

Now, thanks indirectly to Mike, he’s lost another chance at that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Louis turns against everyone now.

Donna and Ben’s product also implodes, and though that storyline has seemed to be frivolous, it gets at something deeper with Donna’s character.

She explains it to Harvey, admitting that she wants something more. The look in Harvey’s eyes shows he knows what she means, and I think the final season will also mean a change for Donna’s career.

SUITS -- "Character and Fitness" Episode 616 -- Pictured: Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen -- (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)
SUITS — “Character and Fitness” Episode 616 — Pictured: Sarah Rafferty as Donna Paulsen — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

Harvey already lost Donna as his secretary (read: partner) once, but this time, it could be different. Harvey’s dream on Suits Season 6 Episode 11 could actually become reality. Because that’s always been the deal — Donna won’t work for Harvey and be in a relationship with him at the same time.

If she makes a change in her career and starts working toward her own goals, though, it opens the door for the two of them to be together.

Other thoughts:

  • Anita Gibbs is horrible. Thank goodness Harvey doesn’t sacrifice himself for Mike thanks to her suggestion.
  • Rachel is such a rock star. One of the most impressive moments is seeing her spout off all kinds of knowledge to that committee.
  • Wise words from Donna to Harvey: “Enough is enough. Go do what you do.”
  • I hope Oliver winds up working at Pearson Specter Litt.

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

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Suits returns this summer to USA.

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Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.