Suits Review: Shame (Season 7 Episode 9)
While much of Suits Season 7 Episode 9, “Shame,” feels lackluster, it has several high points.
For starters, the drama between Mike and Harvey is over, and now we get to see them working together on a case — something that’s been missing for a while. We’re even treated to some of their classic banter.
This case, however, isn’t just any case. It’s one that quickly turns personal, because the prosecutor once worked with Harvey and is now determined to damage his reputation.
Something I’ve really enjoyed about Suits Season 7 is that it’s made so many call backs to earlier seasons. Those details aren’t being forgotten — instead, they continue to flesh out the story and flesh out the characters. Even bringing in Paula Agard this season has served that purpose, and now we’re going back to the time Louis made things personal with Donna during a mock trial.
He’s got to do that again now, not only to help Harvey, but to make sure Donna is fully prepared for what’s coming.
I do take issue with the idea that Donna needs to be protected. Everyone is so upset at the idea of putting her through this, but it’s not as though Donna is fragile. This is also the very thing she needs from Louis, and everyone knows that.
We’re also exploring Donna’s feelings for Harvey on this episode, and it’s not all positive. She revisits why she left Mark, and as she tells Rachel about seeing him, Rachel asks if she regrets putting Harvey over Mark.
Her realization? She regrets putting Harvey over herself.
Now that she’s COO, Donna has gotten her “more” in terms of career. But I can’t help but think that the “more” that she was craving goes deeper than that.
Meanwhile, Rachel and her father work together on a pro-bono case, which is a new dynamic I hope we get to see more often. Zane and Zane are awesome team, and not only do they work well together, but we get to see more of their father-daughter relationship.
Rachel has always wanted her father to be proud of her, and working with him side-by-side allows them both to open up — including Robert finally being honest about why he’s so invested in this pro-bono case in the first place.
Plus, it’s so enjoyable to watch Rachel in court. We’ve watched her grow from a talented paralegal to an even more talented lawyer. Her father even admits that he’s glad Rachel and Mike have put off the wedding for now — not because he doesn’t like Mike, but because he’s glad she’s taking the time to focus on her career.
As for Louis, he’s continuing to spin out of control. Now that he’s slept with Sheila — who is currently an engaged woman — his conscience is getting the better of him.
He imagines everyone in the office chanting “shame” at him, and that’s only the beginning. He continues having these delusions, and he’s having them during important moments.
Thankfully, Louis has Gretchen, who turns out to be my favorite part of this entire episode. She puts Louis in his place when he goes off on Brian, but then turns around and tells Brian to grow up and clean up his messes. She’s not afraid of anyone, and she knows what’s best for everyone around her.
After she goes off on Louis, leaving him stunned, she takes care of him by rescheduling his appointment with his therapist, and even seeing to it that Dr. Lipschitz comes to the firm for their session.
That session inspires Louis to do something good, and to foster what looks like it’s going to be an important friendship. He visits Brian and offers to help with the baby, allowing Brian to get some sleep. Granted, it feels a little odd, but not if you really consider Louis as a character.
Is Brian going to be Louis’ Mike? There was a time when Louis wanted to be Mike’s mentor — and he almost was. Maybe that’s the kind of relationship Louis actually needs right now.
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.