Suits Review: Managing Partner (Season 8 Episode 10)

It seems the firm has found the best possible resolution, and it’s not at all what I expected.

Suits Season 8 Episode 10, “Managing Partner,” moves a bit too slowly and feels clunky at times, but what it pulls together at the end is a thing of beauty.

Much of the problem comes with how unlikeable both Alex and Samantha are on this episode. Watching them go against each other should be exciting and a chance to flesh out both of their characters a bit more, but instead, it kind of falls flat.

Particularly for Alex — we have to get more backstory on him or find more of a reason to root for him soon. For Samantha, we get backstory that does show more of her compassionate side and, more importantly, the relationship between her and Robert.

She saved him once, and now he owes her. He’s also a father figure she never had.

That, I enjoy seeing. What I don’t enjoy seeing is both Alex and Samantha going to Harvey and Zane for help when they aren’t supposed to be, and all for a case that isn’t that interesting to begin with.

The pieces do fall into place in the perfect way, though. Donna sees how the competition is going to tear the firm apart, and worse, she finds out Robert is going to pull rank to help Samantha.

The solution begins with a new managing partner, and that’s Louis. It’s too bad this comes at the same time he finds out he’s going to be a father, but in some ways, that’s what makes him better fit to be a leader.

Louis deserves to be managing partner, and in what feels like the season of Louis Litt, things in his life are finally turning around.

It’s unclear how this is going to affect his relationship with Shiela and how they’ll raise the child they have on the way, but hopefully, things will keep going in this direction.

With Louis as managing partner, the decision is made about whose name will go up on the wall. The answer is the most obvious — both of them.

Of course, it’s Donna who sets that solution in motion, proving once again why she’s COO and why she’s so good at being a leader.

It’s a bit of risk, quite frankly, but she goes to Louis to propose that he take over as managing partner. She’s able to see the bigger picture, realize what’s best for the firm, and take charge of the situation when she has to.

I often spend a lot of time talking in my reviews about how Harvey and Louis have both evolved over the years, but Donna has grown a lot herself. She’s always been confident, but that confidence has only gotten stronger and her leadership has become critical.

It’s great to watch, especially when she commands the attention and respect of Harvey and Robert, neither of whom have any argument against her — or Louis when he stands up to them himself.

The final few minutes when all of this unfolds makes the entire episode worth it, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the firm will be like with Louis as managing partner (and Donna, since she’s certainly influencing him).

Other thoughts:

• Harvey’s reaction to Louis when he finds out he’s going to be a father is so sweet. He’s genuinely happy for him and gives him a real hug. I love how far their relationship has come.
• Sheila’s promotion and her eagerness to take it feel much more in line with her character than her focus on getting pregnant. It will be interesting to see how those things coincide now.
• Katrina and Donna’s friendship is something I’d love to see more of.
• Harvey and Donna have a cute moment right at the end, and Harvey seems so impressed by Donna.

Harvey: Holy shit. Are you saying you’re the real managing partner?

Donna: I’m not saying that. But I’m also not not saying that.

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

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Suits will return for the remainder of Season 8 in 2019.

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