Premise
Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) is the star attorney at Pearson Hardman. He’s great-looking, very smart, witty, confident, and to top all, he is the best closer in town. He can win in court, but he mostly doesn’t even let cases go that far. Unsurprisingly, he’s about to become a senior partner.
Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) is a different kind of genius. He has a photographic memory: once he reads something, he doesn’t even forget a comma from it. He’s street smart too: he’d be a great lawyer. Unfortunately, his best friend Trevor (Tom Lipinski) always gets in trouble dealing drugs, and his attempt to help Trevor gets Mike expelled from college, thus killing his dream.
Mike has, however, decided to cash in on his smarts: he enters the bar exam for other people, passes with flying colors and charges them for it. He also begrudgingly agrees to sell drugs for Trevor, one time, because he needs the money for his grandmother, who raised him after his parents died), as she needs looking after in a specialty home. Yep, Mike’s life is complicated.
When Pearson Hardman’s associate-hiring time starts, Harvey unwillingly agrees to hire a fellow Harvard associate. The problem? Harvey wants someone unconventional and exceptional like him. And he meets his match when Mike suspects the guys waiting for him at the hotel are cops and crashes Harvey’s interview. He ends up having to tell Harvey the whole story, impressing him. And when his knowledge of law surpasses Harvey’s, he gets hired, starting one of the most fun bromances on the screen, as well as creating one original conflict.
Of course Mike still has a lot to learn when it comes to practical stuff, and he is smitten by the smart paralegal Rachel (Meghan Markle), who gives him his orientation. They hit it off, but she doesn’t date anyone from work.
So Mike will now need to survive Jessica, annoying junior partner Louis (Rick Hoffman) who’s always jealous of Harvey, other associates, his feelings for Rachel and his anger with Trevor.
As Mike gets to learn how law and grey areas work, Harvey (occasionally) gets to show his more compassionate side, though he’ll never admit it.
And if the office politics might make you not want to be a lawyer, you’d still probably love to work with Donna (Sarah Rafferty), Harvey’s pretty and equally witty secretary.
Why Suits Is So Much Fun
– The exchanges and relationship between Harvey and Mike.
– Not that many courtroom scenes:
I read somewhere that Suits was the show about lawyers with the less amount of court scenes, and I tend to agree. But that gives the show its own vibe, and it’s consistent with the show’s premise as Harvey is “the best closer”. In fact, I was disappointed by Season 3, when we see the inside of a courtroom more often.
– Louis.
Like all brilliant men, Harvey might be tough to work with or for sometimes. It’s especially tough for Louis (Rick Hoffman), since he’s always been in his shadow. It doesn’t help he lacks the looks, the gentler touch when it comes to others and the wit. But he is still one of the best characters of the show, going back and forth between obnoxious and likable. Harvey puts Louis down any chance he gets, and Louis’ weirdness doesn’t help matters. So Louis is always looking for ways to stab Harvey in the back, though he could probably be won over easily with more kindness and compassions. Problem is, it’ s one of Harvey’s favorite hobbies to make fun of him. Whenever Louis is around, hilarity ensues. Good new is, he appears a lot.
Frankly, while I’d hate Louis in real life, I love watching Rick Hoffman playing him to the extreme, and I enjoy his character’s (occasionaly) honorable moments as well as back-stabbing attempts.
– Most movie and TV show references since Supernatural.
Harvey and Mike often exchange movie quotes and make movie/TV show references, so it makes it for a fun watch when your two favorite characters seem just as obsessed about these media as you are.
– Intelligent entertainment with great twists.
Suits is an intelligent, highly entertaining legal drama with more office politics, battles and changing power levels than you’ve seen in a legal drama (comedy.) It has its emotional moments too, and the cast pull off their roles brilliantly.
– Enough romantic tension: not more, not less.
The show doesn’t lack romantic tension and story lines, at least on Mike’s side. Harvey’s private life is colorful, though he’s not the one to be someone’s boyfriend. But worry not, we’re given an satisfactory explanation on why he’s the way he is.
– Jessica.
Go feminism, is all I can say. She’s tough, smart, mostly fair, respectful if you deserve it and a good ally. She makes one hell of an enemy, and would intimidate the hell out of any man. Frankly, I like her even when she’s working against Harvey. I just didn’t like the storyline with her ex husband. Worry not, it was all legal matters really. But he got far too much respect for a… Nope, not gonna tell ya. I ain’t spoiling anything.;)
– Donna.
She is like the Patrick Jane of legal secretaries; only she doesn’t have the baggage and revenge fantasies. She also doesn’t need to hypnotize or trick you to know things. She also has an awesome wardrobe. She’d be right at home working for Cal Lightman, really.
Suits has been renewed for season 5. The show was created by Aaron Korsh.
Please not that this raving review has been mostly for seasons 1 and 2, I’m not that crazy about season 3 – but that’s for another post.
Recommended Shows for Legal Drama/Comedy Lovers
The Good Wife starring Juliana Margulies (more drama)
Boston Legal starring James Spader and William Shatner (more comedy)
