Suits Review: The Statue (Season 7 Episode 2)
Harvey is still figuring out what it means to be in charge on Suits Season 7 Episode 2, “The Statue.”
While he’s right to follow Jessica’s example in making a statement to the world about who’s leading the firm now, his choices are misguided and impulsive. Harvey is ready to take over, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s still going to be a learning curve.
In order to make that statement, Harvey wants to bring on a new client, dropping one of Jessica’s long-time clients in the process. The problem is he’s so desperate to make it happen that he agrees to bring a new lawyer to the firm and make him a named partner. (Oh hey, Dulé Hill!)
Notice all of the impulsive decisions Harvey is making: from agreeing to make Alex a named partner, to saying yes to Donna’s request without much thought, to going after a relationship with his former therapist — there’s more going on with Harvey beneath the surface than we might realize.
When Donna left him temporarily, Harvey spiraled out of control and had serious panic attacks. He’s not manifesting his stress in the same way now, but considering all the ways things are changing around him, it’s clear he still has some things to work through.
Luckily, he does hear it when people share their opinions, and though he doesn’t seem to listen at first, he takes what Katrina (and everyone else) has to say to heart.
It means going back on his word twice, but thankfully, both parties are still willing to be on his side. He tells Alex he can’t be a named partner after all, and he tells Donna than no, she can’t be a partner at the firm.
This is Donna we’re talking about, though, and what we learn is that she never imagined she’d be partner in the first place. So when Harvey tells her he can give her the title of Director of Personnel, she has a counter-offer: COO. And you better believe she deserves it.
This option makes more sense and still gives Donna the recognition she’s earned. Especially with the firm still very much rebuilding itself, the timing is just right, and had she waited any longer, she might have missed her chance.
Meanwhile, Mike’s case is immediately complicated by his past as a fraud, because of course it is.
We all knew it wasn’t going to be as easy as Mike just jumping right back in without that shadow hanging over him. I’m glad it’s something Mike is faced with right away — and that he manages to tackle right away.
He tries to do it the easy way by giving his case to Rachel, which doesn’t seem like a necessarily terrible idea, but Harvey won’t allow it.
Instead, he forces Mike to work even harder, and focus on changing the narrative.
Not only does Mike get a win for his client while also sticking it to the insurance company (I could spend forever talking about the case itself, quite frankly), but he’s also able to use it to turn his story around.
It’s Harvey’s idea, and of course, it’s a brilliant plan. Focus on the story of Mike’s redemption rather than on his dishonest past. I don’t think we can expect that to solve his problem completely, but it should at least make things easier on him — and on his clients — moving forward.
Then there’s Louis. While he’s still dealing with the heartbreak of losing Tara, he’s the most devastated at losing his chance to be a father. On top of those emotions, he’s also worried about losing his friendship with Harvey.
Louis is right about Alex, obviously, but aside from it being a logically bad decision for the firm, it’s one that Louis can’t help but take personally. He’s jealous, and he doesn’t like the idea of this old friend of Harvey’s potentially taking his place.
One of my favorite moments from this episode is Louis finally giving in to Harvey, complete with a flawed sports analogy that he worked hard to come up with. The good news is that Harvey had already made things right, but Louis having that willingness to be more open-minded shows some important growth on his part.
Other Thoughts:
- Dulé Hill is a great addition to his cast. I’m excited to see what he has to offer this season.
- Jessica returns just in time to give Harvey some much-needed advice, and she’s amazing, as usual.
- “Louis, your brain is not right.” Gretchen is so fantastic.
- Mike and Rachel having the opportunity to work together a bit is great too. I hope we get to see more of that in the coming episodes.
What did you think of this episode of Suits? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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Suits airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on USA.
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Ashley Bissette Sumerel
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.