Suits Review: Pecking Order (Season 8 Episode 2)

Mike may be gone, but he’s certainly not forgotten on Suits Season 8 Episode 2, “Pecking Order.”

The client seeking help from Harvey comes directly from Mike — he’s one of Mike’s old clients, and now he’s in need of the kind of magic only Harvey Specter can make happen.

It’s not quite that simple, though, thanks to new dynamics at the firm. Those new dynamics are giving Suits new life and new energy that may end up making Season 8 one of the best seasons we’ve seen in a while.

Robert oversteps a bit in his concern over how Harvey plans to deal with a client, putting Samantha on the task of helping Harvey while keeping an eye on things.

It’s honestly surprising to me that Harvey doesn’t show more anger over this than what he does, especially considering that he’s also now adjusting to having stepped down from the managing partner position to let Zane take over.

Putting Samantha in that situation works well, though, and it gives us a chance to see what she can really do. It gives Harvey that chance, too, and he actually winds up being impressed, though that doesn’t come easily.

Samantha certainly ruffles some feathers, including Donna’s — and that’s never going to go over well. (Harvey is having none of that.) Donna starts looking into her, with help from Gretchen and Katrina (love this group of women!) and they don’t come up with concrete answers.

You know, Mike’s secret of not being an actual lawyer is what began the series and was the conflict that carried it for several seasons. Something tells me Samantha has a secret that could have a similar effect.

Whether or not that’s the case, we do get to see a more vulnerable side to her, if only just a little. And as much I like the dynamic between her and Harvey and the way their personalities sort of match one another, I may wind up liking the dynamic between her and Donna more. There’s potential for some interesting stuff between those women.

Meanwhile, Louis is fighting his own battle. Sheila believes he should be the one to take over as managing partner, but Louis doesn’t really want it. What he wants, instead, is to have been considered. As is always the case, what he values and needs from his colleagues is respect.

He earns it with a monologue that puts Harvey and Robert in their place, and it’s the best moment of the entire episode.

In fact, the entire plotline with Louis is great, because he’s learning more about himself and he finally has someone to support him in the way he needs. He may misunderstand Sheila’s intentions at first, but her support of him goes a long way in giving him the confidence he needs.

So does, by the way, his continued therapy sessions. Can we take a moment and talk about how great Louis’s therapist is? He’s even helpful to Sheila, ultimately, who comes to see him pretending she’s someone else. Good thing he figures that out quick.

The clock that Harvey and Robert send over to Louis is a sweet gesture, and it speaks volumes about how far Harvey’s relationship with Louis has come over the years.

I hope we get to see Louis be happy like this for a while. Sheila’s surprise, that she’s actually willing to try for a baby, could certainly do the trick.

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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