Suits - “Respect” Retrospective. Team Player.

Season 4, Episode 12

Air Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2015, 10/9c on USA

Rating: ★★★★★

“Welcome to the real world, professor” – Harvey

Going head to head.

While “Enough is Enough” marked the official return of Suits, things finally return to normal in “Respect.” What makes this episode seem like classic Suits is summed up in one word—banter. The dialogue between Mike (Patrick J. Adams) and Harvey (Gabriel Macht) is as sharp and witty as ever. I wish I could watch the rehearsal for their scenes as the timing has a fluidness to it that goes with Mike and Harvey’s subtle jabs at each other.

In my review of last week’s “Enough is Enough,” I mentioned I missed seeing Mike and Harvey taking on an antagonist. I think the writers must have been listening because that’s what we get when Harvard Professor Gerard (played by Gabriel’s real life father, Stephen Macht) shows up unexpectedly asking Harvey to represent him in an upcoming case that could have far-reaching effects on his career. The animosity between the two is entertaining to watch but I would have appreciated seeing more of a build-up other than what we got in “Yesterday’s Gone,” the only other episode that establishes their dislike for each other.

Like father like son.

Shame on me for thinking Jessica (Gina Torres) had finally put Louis (Rick Hoffman) in his place, forcing him to become a team player going forward. Thankfully, Louis is dialed back somewhat in “Respect” as he was a little too much for my taste in “Enough is Enough.” As much as Louis‘ attitude strikes a nerve with me, I can’t help but feel sorry for him as he was the only one who didn’t know Mike’s secret. Hoffman and the writers have done a wonderful job pushing the character just enough so the audience despises him, yet not enough for us to have given up on Louis.

Suits doesn’t get enough credit for the strong female characters on the show. I was surprised during “Enough is Enough” as Donna (Sara Rafferty) and Rachel (Meghan Markle) took the brunt of Louis’ verbal attacks, and appeared almost like the damsel in distress, helpless to do anything. Turns out they were simply letting Louis get it out of his system. It looks like they’ve had enough as they come back fighting in “Respect.” Both Rafferty and Markle have emotionally charged, very powerful scenes as they put Louis in his place. Rafferty’s performance, in particular, stands out as first she confronts Harvey about his attitude, and then tries to convey the meaning of the word “team” to Louis.

Louis: “What I want is respect.”

Donna: “Then get out of your own way and get on the god damn team.”

Louis: “You mean the team that kept Mike’s secret from me?”

Donna: “No Louis, I mean the team that protected its own because that’s what teams do.”

Putting Harvey in his place.

As someone who has visited New York City on several occasions, it kills me that Suits is filmed in Canada. White Collar, another USA Network series, was filmed in New York and the city became a character of its own. I would love to be able to say the same about Suits. While Vancouver has tall buildings, it’s no New York. That said, it’s a welcome change to see “Respect” leave the confines of the law firm and shoot some scenes at places like the building’s rooftop and coffee shop. While it’s not a huge issue, it’s pleasant to see some different environments.

Just when I thought the story line revolving around Mike’s secret had been laid to rest, Professor Gerard figures things out. The scene between real life father and son is riveting to watch. My only complaint is I wish I felt more of a connection to the characters’ past, which is mostly only referenced. I would enjoy seeing more of the elder Macht, and with the Harvard connection, I think the writers would have a lot to work with. I wonder whether Gerard learning the truth about Mike will have repercussions down the road. What do you think?

With Fink’s song “Yesterday Was Hard on All of Us” playing during the final scene of “Respect,” Suits again finds the perfect song to help convey the emotions felt throughout the entire episode. What I appreciate about the music used on the show is that the writers know when to let the music’s lyrics do the talking. Who needs characters talking with lyrics like, “Where do we go from here? Where do we go? If it’s the same as yesterday, you know I’m out, just so you know, because our paths they cross. Yesterday was hard on all of us, on all of us, Who can we trust from here?” Trust appears to be the big theme going forward and I can’t help wondering whether this carefully chosen song foreshadows someone’s departure. Could they be growing tired of all the infighting at Pearson Specter Litt?

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “Respect.”

For more on the show, go to http://www.usanetwork.com/series/suits/.

Follow Suits on Twitter, as well as some of the cast: <Mike> Patrick J Adams, <Harvey> Gabriel Macht, <Rachel> Meghan Markle, and <Louis> Rick Hoffman.

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Greg Staffa

I provide testosterone to the site. You won’t be reading about how nice a actress looks in a dress or how much of a hunk Matt Bomer is in my reviews. I describe colors using words like brown, not taupe. My twitter name is @staffaroadtrip because I love road trips and have done two different 48-state road trips since 2008. My favorite show is White Collar.