Suits Review: Divide and Conquer (Season 7 Episode 4)
There’s nothing quite like seeing this team pull together in a time of crisis, and that’s exactly what happens on Suits Season 7 Episode 4, “Divide and Conquer.”
What we don’t realize until the end, though, is that Jessica has a hand in it. It’s foreshadowed a bit during her conversation with Harvey, and though the result it what she expects will happen — bringing the divided house together, unifying them with Harvey as a leader — such an act feels pretty extreme.
Jessica, not Stephanie or anyone else, is the one giving away the secrets, allowing Bratton to start poaching clients from Pearson Specter Litt. Talk about a twist.
Jessica: You came to me saying that your house was divided, and whether you like hearing it or not, Harvey, nothing unites a divided house like an attack from the outside.
Her plan works perfectly, in large part because she knows her firm so well. Harvey and Louis are often at each others’ throats, but when it matters, the two of them know how set aside their differences and pull together — and the rest of the team does as well. Donna, Rachel, Mike, and the newest member of the firm, Alex, all come together to fight against the outside enemy.
Mike helping out is actually a surprise to Harvey, since Mike is busy with a pro-bono case. Even if it’s only brief, it’s nice to see the two of them working together and having some banter.
Otherwise, the dynamic between them has already changed with Harvey in charge and Mike focusing on pro bono work, just as we knew it would. And that’s fine, it has to happen, and it’s the natural progression of the story, but it’s going to make me cling to the “Batman and Robin” moments.
There’s still a secret we don’t know about Alex, and I’m certainly curious what it is. For now, though, he’s put himself on the line to help his new firm, proving himself to be one of the team.
As for Harvey, I’ve been saying all season that he’s struggling more with Jessica being gone than he’s letting on, and I think his trip to see her makes that even more apparent. It’s not just that he’s adjusting to taking her place, but he’s having trouble letting go of having his mentor nearby.
Meanwhile, Mike is off being Mike. He’s trying to do the right thing, but it’s probably going to end up causing more harm than good. Because we couldn’t be without Mike living in a cloud of secrecy for long, could we?
He wants to help with what is now Oliver’s case, and he’s smart enough to be able to offer him good advice. The catch is that he’s not supposed to have anything to do with it, and he signed a document stating as much. He also knows Oliver can’t do it on his own because he doesn’t have the resources.
There has to be a better way though, right? Better than Mike helping out in secret, and basically betraying Harvey and the firm?
It’s a grey area, because the case needs to be fought, and Mike knows he can help, but Mike is still a naive guy to think this is what he should do. Patrick J. Adams mentioned this our interview recently, that Mike would be struggling with being “pulled between two sides” this season, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing.
Meanwhile, Rachel and Mike are so focused on their work that their wedding plans are being set aside. Rachel’s father is worried about it, but for these two, it seems to make sense. What’s nice is that the two of them are so supportive of each other’s careers, and they truly feel like they are equals in their relationship.
Other Thoughts:
- Donna is worried about letting Harvey down, but thankfully, he assures her she’s done no such thing.
- Robert Zane is wonderful in this episode, especially when he’s going through Harvey’s apartment.
- I really enjoy seeing Louis bond with Alex. Maybe that’s the friend Louis needs by his side.
What did you think of this episode of Suits, and how do you feel about the season so far? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and be sure to give the episode your own rating.
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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.