Suits: Bad Faith (3x09)

This episode sort of hits you over the head with its message, but in a good way. All the story lines had something to do with each other, and they all reinforced a similar idea: even though the law is supposed to be impartial, people use their personal baggage and feelings in order to manipulate others. Let's take a look at the plot.

The Pearson-Darby merger is splitting up, and both sides are trying to get a larger portion of the revenue. I'm not a lawyer so I'm not clear on the specifics, but the idea is pretty simple: each side wants more money. Harvey, Louis, Mike, Jessica, Katrina, Donna, basically the entire firm are all working to achieve this goal. On Darby's side, you've got Scottie and Nigel. I was really happy to see the return of Scottie, and Nigel is always an interesting character.

Due to time constraints I won't go into too many specifics, but basically Louis was sent to negotiate for Jessica, but Nigel uses his cat to get into Louis' head. Louis messes up, and it looks like Darby has won. To be honest, this was the biggest weak spot in this episode for me. It fits with the theme: things getting personal. But it felt so out of the realm of professionalism that I couldn't quite believe Louis was actually that weak. On the other hand, he did make it up in a big way by ultimately coming up with the solution to the problem, which I'll talk about in a second.

But first, Mike goes to Robert Zane to try a different angle. He ends up using Rachel's name to get what he needs, which doesn't make Rachel too happy when she hears about it (Robert thought it was great). It was another example of the episode's theme. Mike used his personal relationship with Rachel to further his business-related goals.

Since Mike had just asked Rachel to move in with him, this brought some new tension. The scene where Mike brings Rachel to the apartment he bought for his grandmother was... it was unbelievably sweet. Cheesy, but the good kind. Rachel doesn't know what to do, and Mike is freaking out. There's a lovely scene with Donna where she tells him that Rachel needs time, and says one of the best lines in the episode: "Just because you made some romantic gesture doesn't mean all reason goes out the window!" I wish more TV shows understood this one.

Then, enter Scottie. She appeals to Harvey's emotional side and gets him to agree not to include Zane's client (Folsom Foods) in the paperwork, effectively putting the two clients on equal footing again. But then... Donna delivers the bad news to Harvey that Hessington Oil has fired them. He blames Scottie, without even talking to her. Yet again, personal emotions are coming into play over business decisions.

Enter Louis, with an amazing idea to get Gianapoulos to increase business with the firm. Here's the best part: Louis' solution is only going to work if a big player approaches Gianapoulos about it. Louis isn't impressive enough. Harvey is. Louis lets go of his pride and tells Harvey this, and while Harvey had previously told Louis off for his screw up, he actually genuinely says this to Louis: "I respect you. You're an excellent attorney. A valuable member of this firm."

It was such a powerful moment. I especially loved it because it was coming from a named partner to a senior associate, just as much as it was coming from Harvey and Louis. Jessica has been doing a good job of teaching Harvey all about his new job. Harvey brings Louis with him to talk to the client, instead of Mike, another sign of his growing respect for Louis. (Mike had an adorable moment when he heard this: "Is he mad at me?" I love that no matter what, Mike always assumes he'll be the one with Harvey.)

Rachel reveals that she got into Stanford, which was shocking. Mike looked pretty heartbroken in the moment after she said it. I wonder what the future holds for them now? And then we get the much bigger shock of the episode: Scottie had nothing to do with Hessington Oil suing them. Ava did that all on her own. And... she's suing the firm!

As our episode ends, the merger is still in place, and Pearson Darby Specter is facing a very large lawsuit. What a way to end it!

As I mentioned earlier, I thought that Louis' screw up was a bit of a weak spot. Katrina's presence in this episode also felt pretty unnecessary. I was warming up to her when she and Mike sort of bonded, but in this episode she was relegated to Louis' cheerleader. Donna didn't have a ton to do this week but dispense relationship advice (Rachel and Mike, Harvey and Scottie...) but I think it's okay for her character to take a backseat this week, given how essential she has been through most of this season thus far.

I know I didn't go into a ton of depth, but that's all I have the energy for at the moment. The few weak spots notwithstanding, this was a fantastic episode.

8.5/10