Episode Title: “The Arrangement”
Writer: Aaron Korsh
Director: Christopher Misiano
Previously on “Suits:”
“Suits” is a show about lawyers, but the titles of several episodes from the series’ first two seasons, such as “Dogfight,” Normandy” and “War,” might give you a different impression. Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) may look the part of well-bred Harvard educated lawyers, but they’re every bit as ruthless and calculating as cold-hearted killers in their war for control of the firm. And it doesn’t look either party is ready to hug it out as season three begins.
Wanting out of the post-merger firm and his non-compete clause, Harvey makes a deal with Edward Darby (Conleth Hill), whose assigned him a case involving oil company exec, Eva Hessington. If Harvey can get Eva off the hook for bribery charges, Darby will let him leave the firm.
While Harvey gets his exit strategy in place, Mike (Patrick J. Adams) is doing everything he can to get back in with Harvey. Mike’s been in and out of the doghouse so many times with his mentor that it can be hard to keep track. But this time, it’s going to make more than digging up dirt on the opposing team and their clients to earn Harvey’s forgiveness.
“The Arrangement” keeps up the nasty infighting between Jessica and Harvey, but it’s the lessons both Mike and Louis (Rick Hoffman) learn about playing nice that make this episode a great season opener. As the official mouthpiece for Harvey Specter’s emotions, Donna (Sarah Rafferty) reminds Mike it’s his loyalty that matters most to Harvey, not his talents. Mike gets pretty much the same lecture from Rachel (Meghan Markle), who feels like she has no idea who Mike Ross really is. And as viewers, we can relate; Mike’s precarious position at the firm has forced him to make some choices he might otherwise not have.
That may change with Rachel. Mike stops by her apartment one night and offers to tell her everything. Of course, this happens after she advises him to quit before he gets caught. How far Mike is willing to go to keep his gig at the firm? We’ll see, but he’s definitely willing to risk it to be with Rachel. Their “coupling” at the onset of this season will surely lead to some entertaining complications going forward.
Always entertaining is Louis Litt and things aren’t looking up for the firm’s most underappreciated overachiever. After screwing over his British counterpart, Nigel Nesbitt (Adam Godley), Louis makes a deal with Darby to secure the position of “Quartermaster,” ensuring himself an endless supply of Uniball pens and Bran bars. Little does he know, the deal means he’ll be giving up his role overseeing the associates to Nigel. If there’s one thing Louis loves more than his Uniballs, it’s busting balls. And what’s worse than gloating and boasting Louis? Sad and sniveling Louis. Hopefully, he can find a way to take control of both the Uniballs and the associates.
Indeed, there are lots of “arrangements” made in “The Arrangement,” as Mike comes clean to Rachel, Darby makes deals with both Louis and Nigel, Mike makes friends with Ben, the IT guy after threatening to get him fired and plays his trump card with Jessica by proving that the letter she wrote outing him as a fraud can be traced back to her. But the biggest deal in this episode is the one that’s broken, or rather reversed. Harvey tells Darby that if he wins the Hessington case, he doesn’t want out but in, as in managing partner. Darby accuses Harvey of wanting to take Jessica down and Harvey doesn’t shy away from admitting it. And with that, this season looks to take “Suits’” legal backstabbing and verbal bitch slapping to a whole new level of nasty goodness.
