Suits: Character and Fitness (6x16)

Yay!!!! Just... yay!!!!

Cons:

This episode could have felt like a finale for the whole show in many ways, in that Mike and Harvey have resolved their central plot lines, and both are very, very happy. If it weren't for Rachel and Mike still not being married, and the unfinished plots of Louis and Donna, I would almost want this to be the end. The problem is, the dangling plot threads are the weakest ones on the show right now, and as such their lack of completeness annoys and distracts me from the happiness going on in the main plot. Rather than being worried, intrigued, and anxious to find out what will befall Louis in his love life, or Donna with her future, I'm just rolling my eyes.

So, Donna and Benjamin learn that The Donna is too similar to a preexisting patent. When Louis tries to negotiate for them, it turns out that the other side won't make a deal. They threaten to sue, but eventually offer a buy-out. Everybody encourages Donna that taking it is the right thing to do, but she's not in this for the money. She wants more. Harvey asks her what she means by that, and she says she doesn't know.

The infuriating thing about this plot thread is that the emotions behind it, the character development it seems to offer, is exactly what I've always wanted for Donna. But the actual reality of the plot is just absolutely stupid in every way. Benjamin and Donna have essentially created life. I mean, that AI is seriously impressive. This whole plot thread feels like it belongs in a different TV show entirely, and it hasn't gotten any easier to take seriously over the past few weeks. I want Donna to come to a realization that she wants more out of life. I want her to be ambitious, and to stand up for what she wants. But this framework is too stupid!

After Louis and Tara's big fight, Tara tells Louis that she needs time to make a decision about whether she can be with him. As the episode ends, Louis listens to Tara's voicemail, while Rachel stands by. Tara breaks up with Louis, and Rachel holds him while he sobs. I'm sort of torn about this one, because of course as I've said in the past, I find the Louis/Tara relationship to be ridiculous. But ending that relationship suddenly doesn't really work for me either. It's like the show tried so hard to convince me that I'm supposed to take Louis and Tara seriously, and then it all meant nothing. I'm not going to miss Tara, and I'm still struggling to forgive Louis for everything he's done over the years... so where does that leave me? I'm not sad to see her go, but I'm not happy about this either. It's just sort of... meh.

Anita Gibbs is a bit of a conundrum for me on this show. She's a worthy adversary in the sense that she certainly doesn't give in easily. But what is her deal?! What is with her vendetta against Harvey and Mike? From the very beginning, it's felt personal. I guess I've always wanted more from her - more of an understanding of why she, of all people, is so single-minded in her desire to screw Mike and Harvey over.

Pros:

Rachel Zane is a great character. As torn as I am about the Louis/Tara thing, I did love the scene at the end, with Rachel comforting Louis. Rachel didn't have a ton to do in this episode, but everything she did do just reinforces what an amazing person she is. She's there for Louis in his time of sadness, even though by all rights she should be celebrating with Mike. And she's there for Mike when he has to fight against Gibbs at the Character and Fitness hearing, helping him research precedent to combat Gibbs' dirty attempts to deny Mike his chance, and standing up for him when he falters during the hearing.

Mike and Harvey end this episode as happy as I've ever seen them. They both have everything they want. Ordinarily I might actually complain about something like this - what's the point in continuing a story if your protagonists have everything they want? - but, actually, after everything that's happened from the moment Mike was arrested, it's about time they get a solid win. There's something so satisfying about seeing them both get exactly what they wanted. Mike passes the bar. Harvey convinces Mike to come back and work at the firm, but on Mike's terms - he gets to partner with the clinic and really help people, instead of going back to being a corporate lawyer. Mike even helps Harvey to acknowledge what he's been avoiding since Jessica left: it's his turn to take the reigns and really lead the firm. I didn't realize how much I needed this resolution until it happened. After everything, after all of the pain and doubt, we get to start off Season Seven in this really good place. Rachel and Mike both lawyers. Both working for PSL. It's a great baseline from which to jump off into new stories, and get back to some of that great quippy fun that we used to get from the earlier seasons of the show. I'm so excited.

Let's talk a bit about Harvey, though. At one point, in his desperation to get Mike through the bar, he goes to Anita Gibbs and offers her the Liberty Rail case. Gibbs says that there's only one way Mike is getting through: if Harvey falls on his sword. If Harvey can get Mike to admit to the Character and Fitness committee that Harvey knew Mike was a fraud while he was working for PSL, then Mike will pass the bar. Of course, Harvey will likely get disbarred when the truth comes out, but dear old Mr. Specter wants to do it anyway. It's just... it's so sweet. Harvey is willing to give up his entire career for Mike. Obviously Mike won't stand for it, but it breaks Harvey's heart to not be able to get Mike what he so desperately wants.

I also have to point out that before Harvey even tries to convince Mike to go for Gibbs' deal, Harvey goes to Louis. He tells Louis what's going on, saying he wants to discuss it with his partner before he makes any rash decisions. Louis is of course completely against the idea of Harvey trading himself for Mike, and when Mike shows up, he agrees with Louis. I just really love that this half of the season has seen both Harvey and Louis really doing their best to work together and build something they can be proud of.

And of course, then there's Jessica. The queen of my heart. She returns, albeit briefly, and in the most awesome, bad-ass way possible. She shows up at Mike's hearing, admits that she knew Mike was a fraud, and she reminds Anita Gibbs of a time when she gave a young woman a chance after this girl was caught stealing subscription drugs. That young woman is now a doctor. Jessica basically comes in to give Anita what she asked for: proof of somebody else's guilt, and then tops that off with a reminder of Anita's own compassion. As our core group of characters stand around waiting for the decision to come in, Mike and Harvey both know that Jessica's words are going to be the deciding point.

Jessica, you are the BEST. I just love everything about that scene where they're all sitting around and waiting. Harvey gets the call, looks at Mike, and just says it: "you're in." And then everybody's smiling, and hugging, and celebrating, and Mike thanks Jessica, who says she wouldn't have missed it for the world. Harvey and Jessica share a hug, which was a wonderfully cathartic moment. It felt like a real passing of the baton, like Jessica reinforcing the fact that this is Harvey's time.

The final moments of this episode were perfect in every way. I already talked about how Mike and Harvey get everything they want, but what I didn't mention is that they do so by hanging out in Harvey's office and having the most adorable little negotiation session. Harvey basically dares Mike to deny that he wants to work at PSL, and Mike only takes Harvey's offer after making Harvey agree to all sorts of conditions. It's adorable, because Harvey is practically giddy to be negotiating with Mike, and he seems utterly delighted that Mike is making him double his first years' advanced salary. Mike also says that he has full control over which clinic cases PSL will take on, and who he brings from the clinic to work at PSL. Finally, he gets Harvey's office. Why? Because Jessica's gone, and Harvey should take her office, thus taking ownership of the firm once and for all. They shake on it, and that's it. The boys are back.

I'm giving this episode high marks. Not because I think it's the best this show has ever done. I'm giving it high marks in spite of the fact that Donna's plot thread is silly and Louis' love life is uninteresting. This episode was a triumph in the face of a lot of pain and hard work. Just think - we ended last season with Mike going to prison. Now, we've got Mike becoming a lawyer, surrounded by the people that matter the most to him. Does he deserve this? Well, if he were a real person, I'd probably say no. But as a character on a TV show that we've all been rooting for for the past six years, I say hell yes!

9/10