Suits Season Finale Retrospective - “No Way Out.” Goodbye Mike

Season 3, Episode 16

Air Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2014, 9/8c on US

Rating: ★★★★★

“We have exposure.” – Harvey

Attorney Eric Woodall (Zeljko Ivanek) and Mike (Patrick J Adams)

After all the infighting between Hardman (David Costable) and Darby (Conleth Hill), the second half of season three of Suits focused on family. In “No Way Out,” relationships are put to the test as Mike (Patrick J Adams) is arrested for his questionable actions in the Hessington settlement. But attorney Eric Woodall (Zeljko Ivanek) isn’t really after Mike; it’s Harvey (Gabriel Macht) he wants. Will Mike turn on his mentor, and will this investigation expose Mike’s secret?

I miss Harold (Max Topplin) and am glad the writers keep finding ways to bring him back. I wish they would do it more often, though. Harold brings some added comic relief that I really enjoy. Woodall pitting him against Mike to see who cracks first is fun to watch, although my money was on Harold. I especially enjoyed Louis (Rick Hoffman) stepping in to be Harold’s lawyer, much to Harold’s chagrin. Remember how much Harold despises Louis? I laughed when Louis gets the two of them out of jail and Harold sheepishly asks, “Hey Mike… how’s it going” almost as if he’s oblivious to the seriousness of the situation. With Harold being fired from his law firm, could we see him back at Pearson Specter?

Harold (Max Topplin) and Mike

I have been very impressed with what the Suits writers have done with Harvey this season. When he first became a named partner, I didn’t think we would see much change in him. I was wrong because Harvey has really matured this season. He seems to be working on his relationships with the people around him. As much as I enjoy watching Harvey and Louis at each other’s throats, it is equally entertaining to watch them working together for the common good. I could watch those two bantering with each other while riding in a car for hours.

My love/hate attitude towards Rachel (Meghan Markle) continues in “No Way Out” due to her apparent need to get what she wants. Mike sums things up perfectly when he tells her, “You said you were afraid if you told me your opinion I’d hold it against you, but now that I’m not doing what you told me to, you’re holding it against me.” Maybe it’s just me but I see some rocky times ahead for these two.

Max, Louis (Rick Hoffman), Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Mike.

Even with my frustration with Rachel, I enjoyed her very heartfelt scene with Jessica (Gina Torres) because she is presented in a way we have never seen. For much of the first two seasons, Jessica considered Mike more of a burden, often referring to him as “that goddamn kid.” In “No Way Out,” Jessica is protecting her “family’ and not just saving her skin. Even Rachel seems surprised by Jessica’s actions. Who knows, maybe Rachel will learn a few things from her next season. I laughed towards the end of the episode when Jessica asks Harvey, “Did you remember to pick up the kids like I asked?” I guess Mike will always be a kid in Jessica’s mind.

I have never been a fan of Scottie’s (Abigail Spencer) and agree with Donna’s (Sarah Rafferty) observation that Scottie keeps finding ways to be pissed at Harvey. Spencer’s character was an experiment by the writers to create a female version of Harvey but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to have worked. That said, Harvey’s scene with Scottie when he tells her he doesn’t want to lie to the people he cares about anymore is powerful to watch. Will any of his confessions to Scottie come back to bite him later?

The second half of this season focused on the relationship between Mike and Harvey, which has grown in ways I never thought possible. It is stunning to watch Harvey offer to take the fall to protect Mike in “No Way Out.” It’s one of those scenes that a casual viewer might think of as a kind gesture but long time fans realize it represents a monumental change in Harvey’s personality. Moreover, it represents the power of Mike and Harvey’s friendship. Gone is the Harvey of season one; I can’t wait to see more of Harvey’s transformation next season.

While I enjoyed “No Way Out,” it lacks some of the intensity promised in the commercials leading up to the episode. I never felt worried for Mike or Harold because I knew Harvey and Louis would step in and save the day. I do find Mike’s departure from the firm interesting because it fundamentally changes the professional relationship between Mike and Harvey. It also means Harvey won’t always be there to save Mike. Will season four be somewhat of a series reboot focusing on Mike’s new job and new coworkers while the people at Pearson Specter take a back seat? Or, will the writers find enough of a balance to give us the best of both worlds? I guess we will find out this summer when Suits returns for season four.

Tweet me @staffaroadtrip or leave a comment below to let me know what you think about “No Way Out.”

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.