Suits Review: Harvey Channels His Mother in “Hitting Home”

By Lewis Richards

Are you still reeling after the events of last night’s Suits episode?

Let’s recap those key events that led to Harvey’s explosion, Jack’s apparent U-turn, and that offer Mike can’t refuse … or bring himself to accept.

“Hitting Home” kicks off with Harvey, who seems to finally be making progress in therapy. We see a key flashback from his childhood as he recalls a specific memory of his mother cruelly manipulating him to cover up her promiscuity. She tells Harvey “Let’s not tell Dad about cousin Scott okay?” As he catches a stranger in her bedroom with her. Agard commends Harvey on his progress.

Meanwhile back at PSL Headquarters, something smells fishy for Mike as a newly reformed Soloff reaches out to him with a case. Mike refuses on the grounds he is unable to trust the other man. Is Soloff really trying to build bridges? Or is this just another part of an evil scheme to get at Harvey and Louis?

Gretchen notices a permanently clear Wednesday in Harvey’s calendar and guesses it’s his birthday. This prompts Harvey to attempt to reignite the #Darvey flame with a traditional dinner. Harvey looks completely at ease and is smoother than ever as he manages to talk Donna into a “just like old times” rendezvous to mend their damaged friendship. Getting his mother issues off his chest seems to have unleashed a cool, fresh and calm Harvey. As much as we enjoy the ruthless lawyer fighting the good fight, it’s great to finally see him find some peace.

Pictured: Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

A familiar face returns in the form of Daniel Hardman this week, but he is immediately confronted by Jessica who suspects he is colluding with Soloff to damage the firm. Hardman plays innocent (as usual) but admits he knows someone at the firm is leaking information regarding Jessica dropping Fletcher Motors, (it’s that familiar fishy smell again. Soloff?) Hardman reveals he is back in New York for good as he leaves for his new office.

Jessica then confronts Soloff directly about the information leak. Soloff pleas his own innocence in a very similar way to Hardman and insists he is trying to make amends.

Harvey confronts Louis about his mishandling of Dominic Barone and McKernon motors. Louis sets Harvey straight and catches him up on Soloff’s betrayal in the McKernon/Tanaka deal. He reassures Harvey all parties are happy and McKernon is in good hands as he is a great lawyer. Harvey hears Louis out all the way and accepts his word.

Pictured: John Pyper-Ferguson as Jack Soloff — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

Esther the proverbial spanner in the works returns. She’s is being sued by a customer who allegedly suffered a very public allergic reaction to a supposedly nut-less cupcake. She wants to discretely approach Harvey in order to avoid hurting Louis’ feelings. Harvey respectfully and graciously points her in Louis’ direction and advises her to trust him, even going so far as to tell his sister Louis is “a damn good lawyer.”

Esther pushes for Harvey to represent her and Harvey obnoxiously refuses, claiming she just wants to get closer to him. Ego much? No, not ego much, just more genius from Harvey Specter. Boom. Esther realizes Harvey’s egotistical refusal was in aid of the greater good and she goes to her brother for help. Louis is humbled and thanks her for not approaching Harvey instead. Awkward.

Harvey enjoys a light snack in Jessica’s office as she catches him up on current affairs with Jack Soloff. Queen Jessica reveals Mike is acting as her mole to find out if Jack’s reform is genuine and how deep his meetings with Hardman actually go.

Mike and Jack, now bound to work together by the puppet master that is Jessica, have a disagreement on how to approach their case. When Mike’s cockiness appeals to Jack, he agrees to try it Mike’s way. However when Mike’s plans backfire, Soloff undercuts him and agrees to not press criminal charges in exchange for a quicker solution to their problem. Mike is angry at first but apologizes when he realizes Jack’s play gives them a new angle and an even more solid case than they initially had.

Pictured: Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

#Darvey is having a seemingly delightful time at dinner, when Donna reveals her Donna sense is tingling! She asks Harvey outright about Esther and how Harvey has broken his promise to Louis. Harvey gently asks Donna to stay out of his business without breaking a sweat.

After being humbled and honored that his sister has come to him for help, Louis does the exact opposite of his sister’s instructions and files a counter lawsuit and in turn kicks up a fuss. After an argument, Esther reveals that she approached Harvey first and that Harvey more or less forced her to go to Louis instead. Louis becomes teary when he hears of Harvey’s praise for him. He asks Esther to trust him and Esther agrees. Someone’s about to get LITT UP!

It’s crunch time for the whole team and everyone is on top of their game. Mike plays Jack at his own game when he claims to have obtained the deleted evidence legally only to reveal he got them illegally in the conference room. Jack is angry at first but catches on to Mike’s plan and helps deliver the final blow. It wouldn’t take much to make one of their employees to reveal the evidence was deleted. In another twist of events Mike later reveals that the emails were fabricated and he purposely didn’t let Jack know because he needed him to be genuinely angry. Another lesson learned from Magic Mike’s play book. Jack is genuinely impressed and praises Mikes genius, so much so that Soloff recommends Mike for Junior Partner, a position that is impossible for Mike to take due to his fake law degree.

Pictured: (l-r) Meghan Markle as Rachel Zane, Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt, Amy Acker as Esther — (Photo by: Shane Mahood/USA Network)

Meanwhile Louis gets down to business and shows exactly why he’s a “damn good lawyer” Esther gives Louis a heartfelt apology after witnessing him at work, Louis and Esther share a touching sibling moment and arrange dinner the following night, and Donna is invited.

Just as everything seems to be coming together for team PSL, things start to unravel. Soloff is seen trying to cut ties with Hardman in an effort to genuinely reform himself. Hardman doesn’t respond well and starts to play mind games with Soloff. This is definitely not the last we have heard from Hardman.

Donna confronts Harvey about breaking his promise to Louis. After Harvey confides in Agard about the argument with Donna and the promise he broke, she accuses Harvey of emulating his mother’s deceptive ways.

A now furious Harvey is left stewing in his office when Esther enters and asks him out. Harvey, now not looking so peaceful, brutally shuts her down, horrified that their “sneaking around” has made Donna complicit in something less than above board. A heartbroken Esther cancels dinner with Louis and Donna. Louis notices just how upset Ester is. After doing the maths, a furious Louis confronts Harvey about breaking his promise. Harvey tries to explain but everything he says falls on deaf ears as Louis’ rage gets the better of him. Harvey is taunted into punching him then throwing him THROUGH his glass table.

What have you done Harvey? is this the end for team PSL?

Suits continues Wednesdays (9-10 p.m. ET)  on USA Network.