Suits Review: Inevitable (Season 7 Episode 13)

If you needed a reminder of how amazing Suits could really be, then Suits Season 7 Episode 13, “Inevitable,” should be it.

It’s the intricate storytelling and the focus on character that keeps this show grounded, particularly when it comes to Harvey.

Paula has been filling a space that was necessary for Harvey. When he first approached her with a romantic interest, it was essentially a reaction to Jessica leaving. Add to that the fact that she had been his therapist — someone he could open up to, someone who understood him in a way many wouldn’t, and it all makes sense.

Adding Harvey’s mother into the mix is even more interesting. They’ve recently reconciled, and he brings her to dinner with him and Paula. That’s all fine and good until his mother, who still has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to her son’s life, assumes that Paula is the “special person” who encouraged Harvey to make amends.

So not only are we pointing to some of Harvey’s more deep-seated issues by reminding us of his difficult relationship with his mother, but his mother also serves as the catalyst in some ways for the end of his relationship with Paula.

Listen, you can’t blame Paula for feeling insecure. But to ask Harvey to basically fire Donna? Come on.

It’s problematic that Harvey tries to find a way for Donna leave, even if he does do it by getting her a new job. That’s not the point, as Donna clearly points out.

She even appeals to Paula as a woman, making sure she understands how hard she’s worked and how much she deserves the job she’s in. But that little pause that Donna takes when Paula asks if she can be sure nothing like that (referring to the kiss) would ever happen again is enough to make her stand her ground.

At that point, what should be more clear to Paula is simply that she and Harvey aren’t right for each other. It’s ridiculous for her to accept that Donna could lose her job over this.

Because Donna does deserve her position, and yes, it’s been hard for Harvey to adjust to it, but she’s too important for him to let her go in that way.

But Harvey is so afraid of losing people he cares about that he grasps sort of desperately to hang on. He’s done it with Donna, he’s done it with Mike, and for a moment, he does it with Paula.

That is until the more important person to him resigns.

What happens when he reads her letter speaks volumes.

First — and that in itself is important — he goes to Paula and breaks up with her. It’s not easy — he does care about her. But she’s put him in an impossible position and no, he cannot give her what she needs.

Then he goes to see Donna.

As much as I’d like to see these two end up together romantically, what I appreciate most about this is that it comes from a place of respect.

She deserves the job she worked for, and Harvey needs to be loyal to her. On top of that, we’ve seen before what it’s like for Harvey to lose Donna, and dealing with that loss again would be more painful to him.

Donna: Are you okay?

Harvey: Will you come back?

Donna: Yes.

Harvey: Then I’m okay.

Meanwhile, we get the joy of seeing Harvey and Mike working together, which is bittersweet and has just a touch of foreshadowing.

Their banter is natural and fun, and the way they work together shows such a nice change in their dynamic. Here also, we’re talking about mutual respect. I’m getting sad just thinking about the fact that we won’t see them working together for much longer.

Mike: You’re right. I do leap tall buildings in a single bound. Good call coming to me for help.

Harvey trusts Mike so much now, and Mike has very much come into his own in this position.

The foreshadowing though — it guts you a little.

Harvey: Someday, you’re going to miss me, buddy. Trust me.

Mike: Am I?

Harvey: Nothing lasts forever.

Of course, there’s focus on other relationships, too. Mike and Rachel have their own struggles, but ultimately, those struggles are positive.

Mike isn’t clear on what he wants from the future, and he’s worried about being “locked in.” But when he and Rachel actually communicate about it — which ultimately isn’t that difficult for them to do — it feels like they’re going to be on the same page no matter what comes next.

And finally, there’s Louis, who quite frankly, I’m really, really worried about.

He’s acting in a way that goes against who he is, and though temporarily it’s good for his confidence (at least that’s what he says to Rachel) is essentially self-destructive.

Far worse is that he’s really just playing out a fantasy, but that fantasy comes crashing down when he comes face to face with Shiela’s fiance. Because deep down, we know what he really wants is to have a meaningful relationship with her.

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

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Suits airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on USA.

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