'Suits' season 9 episode 3 review: Evolution is the theme with Louis, Harvey, and Donna as the NBC show prepares for a tearful goodbye
Spoiler alert for season 9 episode 3 of 'Suits'
NBC's 'Suits' has been very self-aware about the fact that it is inching towards the series finale this season, giving everyone a chance at full circle moments. In the most recently aired episode 3 of season 9 titled 'Windmills', we see a sense of evolution in the trio that has been a part of Zane Specter Litt Wheeler Williams [for the moment] since the beginning of the series.
We see everyone at the firm dealing with the repercussions of having Faye Richardson (Denise Crosby) breathing down their necks, and no one sees it as much as Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman) who has been forced to step down as managing partner. We see him seething in anger but also thinking about loyalty when a better opportunity comes his way, by way of a judgeship – something that has been a part of his life plan for as long as he can remember.
Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty), meanwhile, has to struggle with her ego and letting go of her need to be the best at everything, which is something we actually see her accomplish. Happy with Donna's work, Faye asks her to take over as her personal secretary. Needless to say, Donna who has fought teeth and nails to be a part of the management is not happy with the decision.
However, she has no say in the matter. Instead of letting her ego take over or show off her skills, Donna chooses to do whatever work she can and enlists the help of a friend to ensure that her date night with Harvey (Gabriel Macht) is not canceled. She finally puts her personal life above the professional one and is okay with the consequence of seeming unprofessional in Faye's eyes.
Harvey too turns a new leaf this episode by being patient with Louis and not letting anger drive his actions, which is something he had done far too often, especially when it comes to the man who wants nothing more than to be best friends with him. Even though he asked Donna to personally ensure Louis is doing okay, he had gone over to try and get Louis his old role in the firm back, but in vain.
When Louis calls Donna before making the decision on whether he wants to leave the firm or not, he tells his girlfriend not to pick the call right then, because their date had to be put above whatever office issue Louis was facing. Unknown to them, Louis was outside the restaurant watching them, and as is customary with him, he believes that they ignored him on purpose and were making fun of him.
Louis decides to become a judge and his visit to Harvey's office to inform him of this decision does not go over well. Despite Harvey's initial bout of anger, he explains that he stayed away because he was trying to get Faye to back off, and he asked Donna to not pick his call because they wanted to keep their personal lives separate from work, and they were laughing for a completely unrelated reason.
There are two remarkable things about this scene – Harvey apologizes to Louis, he takes the effort to explain his side of things, and he makes amends; Louis goes to Harvey instead of acting behind his back, he accepts Harvey’s apology and decides that his decision made out of anger is not the one he is going to stick by.
'Suits' is giving meaty character arcs ahead of the series finale later this year and we are definitely thankful for it. We can see the family uniting ahead of the final showdown with Faye.
