Episode Title: “Conflict of Interest”
Writer: Daniel Arkin
Director: Michael Smith
Previously on “Suits:”
Episode 3.03 “Unfinished Business”
For Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres), the Hessington Oil case is all about the firm’s bottom line and which play will benefit it the most. But for Edward Darby (Conleth Hill), defending Eva Hessington is about personal history and loyalty. And as this episode demonstrates it’s a “conflict of interest” that could cause the firm to implode.
Up until now, Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Mike (Patrick J. Adams) assumed Eva was guilty of murder – and really, she didn’t give them much reason to think otherwise. Team Specter thinks that it’s in the beleaguered oil baroness’ best interest to keep her mouth shut, but Eva insists on making a statement proclaiming her innocence. Team Litt backs Eva and arranges an interview with the Wall Street Journal, which Mike sabotages using a pseudo-English accent that’s faker than his law degree. And thus begins a legal version of speed chess that’s at times exhilarating (a momentary coup for Louis as Jessica’s “Black Swan”) and maddening (Eva’s last-minute deposition, revealing that she is, indeed innocent).
“Conflict of Interest” adheres to a number of “Suits”-specific tropes, like another round of Team Litt versus Team Specter, numerous arguments about “making it personal,” and “You’ve Been Served”-type comebacks and dress downs. That’s all fine and good, but it’s not what makes this episode shine.
Instead, it’s watching Donna (Sarah Rafferty) and Stephen (Max Beesley) verbally feint and parry their way into an “arrangement” aka “hot, steamy affair,” Mike and Katrina (Amanda Schull) bond over their mutual admiration of “The Wire’s” Clay Davis (wait until Katrina finds out Rachel’s father is “Bunk Moreland”) and yeah, Mike’s ridiculous attempt at a British accent. Yes, “Suits” is a great legal drama, but sometimes it’s the comedy that makes an episode. And though there wasn’t much of it in this hour, which was very much concerned with which faction of Pearson Darby would get their way in the Hessington Oil case, the lighter moments were an appreciated reprieve from all that bickering.
But about that bickering, the problem with Pearson Darby seems to be the left hand doesn’t know what the right’s one doing – or rather doesn’t like it. Also, the left hand is in England and has a majority stake in the firm. So when Louis offers to be Jessica’s “Black Swan” and do all the dirty work in ousting Eva from Hessington Oil, she ultimately agrees. Jessica’s logic is that guilty or not, Eva is on her way out, but that doesn’t mean the firm should lose Hessington Oil once she’s gone. For Harvey, it’s not about saving Eva or those hefty billings Hessington Oil brings in, it’s about ousting Jessica. If Eva stays, Jessica goes, per Harvey’s arrangement with Darby.
With Jessica’s blessing, Louis (Rick Hoffman) convinces the Hessington Oil board members to go forward with ousting Eva. Shortly after, Katrina gives him the videotape of Eva’s rehearsal deposition, in which she proves herself innocent. Louis tries to go back on the plan to remove Eva, but Jessica won’t let him. The next day, Eva’s out and pissed at Harvey, Darby’s pissed at Jessica and Louis is nowhere to be found.
We know Louis wasn’t comfortable with causing an innocent woman to lose control of her company; which makes you wonder if Team Litt will save the day in next week’s episode. Or did Louis go on some kind of mud bath bender in order to deal with Jessica’s cruel mandate?
Though questions like the above one remain, “Conflict of Interest” does establish two very important thing; Jessica and Darby hate each other and the gauntlet has most definitely been thrown. And Mike and Rachel (Meghan Markle) love each other and aren’t afraid to make out in the associates pool (after hours, of course). Yeah, it’s a little sappy, but there’s got to be a silver lining to the day-to-day nastiness that goes on at Pearson Darby. Or will it be just “Darby” when the dust clears after Edward and Jessica go to war?
