Suits Review: Cairo (Season 9 Episode 4)

There’s a reason, several actually, why it had to take Donna and Harvey this long to get together.

It was clear in Season 1 that there was something between them, but with Donna as Harvey’s secretary, it not only wouldn’t have worked, but it would have been problematic and not entirely interesting to watch.

With Donna’s new position and the restructuring of the firm, though, they’re equal. But that’s where the conflict comes in on Suits Season 9 Episode 4, “Cairo.”

Faye has caught wind of their new relationship and informs Donna that because of it, she has to give up her right to vote. It’s insulting to Donna because it suggests that her worth is less than Harvey’s and diminishes her role at the firm. That’s the second time Faye has done this to Donna, with the first being when she asked her to go back and do secretarial work.

Donna stands up for herself on both occasions, but you can see it’s bothering her on such a much deeper level. Really, Sarah Rafferty’s performance on this episode is stellar.

She conveys all of these conflicting emotions with a single look. Donna loves Harvey, but she’s worked her ass off too, and she’s not giving up anything when it comes to her career. 

Again, that timing is so important. This would be an entirely different story if Harvey and Donna had gotten together in the early seasons of the series. 

Granted, Faye’s reason for why it should be Donna’s vote instead of Harvey’s (if it should be either) does make sense. He’s a named partner and a lawyer. Donna is not. So, okay. But that doesn’t make it any better. The whole thing feels vindictive.

Harvey finally finds out what’s happening there, as does Louis, and the solution involves two main themes that we know well from Suits: family and respect, both of which have other implications on the episode as well.

I don’t think there’s anything more satisfying than watching the named partners come together — as a family — to put Faye in her place with a plan that is 100% above board. 

Waiving the conflict altogether in the new “code of contact” Katrina has been tasked with creating is a bold move and a perfect one. For one thing, they finally demand that Faye respect them, which she hasn’t been doing in the slightest since she’s shown up.

Presenting that united front also has a deeper effect on Faye, it seems. There is the tiniest bit of vulnerability to her, and it’s what Donna’s already learned. Faye’s own relationship ended with a work conflict.

Speaking of family, Donna and Harvey take some next steps in their relationship by telling their parents of their big news. With Donna’s dad, it’s complicated, especially since Harvey still has a few things to learn about how he deals with other people. 

Seriously, it’s cringeworthy how Harvey swoops in with a way to help her dad on a deal when he’s supposed to be making amends. 

Some of this story is a bit clunky, and quite frankly, another episode or two to dig into it might have helped. Still, it’s nice to continue to see Harvey growing as a person, and it’s only appropriate that he’s doing that now with Donna by his side. 

The lesson here? It’s that he needs to show respect. That’s always been something that’s been important for Harvey to earn from others, but he doesn’t always have an easy time giving it, despite how much value he sees in it.

He’s learned some throughout the years, though. It’s his ability to show Louis respect that’s allowed their friendship to come so far, for instance. 

The last thing I want to note is how powerful it is that everything is coming full circle. Louis brings it all the way back to Mike when he yells at Harvey about whose fault all of this really is.

It’s not productive for them, but it is for the audience — because yes, all of this does go back to the very beginning to when Mike Ross was hired at the firm.

It’s only fitting that on the next episode, it looks like we’ll get to see his face once again:

Other notes:

• Alex’s past comes back to haunt him on this episode, and I love that Samantha jumps in to help the way she does. Their developing friendship is lovely to watch, especially if you think about how much liked each other when Samantha first showed up.
• Donna and Harvey have some cute moments together, especially there at the end. The awkward proposal/not proposal thing is one for the books. 

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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