The SUITS season 6 premiere picks up virtually right where the previous season’s finale left off: Mike Ross is going through prison intake; back at Pearson Specter Litt, there’s virtually no firm to return to. Fans may be wondering whether the same SUITS they’ve known and loved will be back, and now having seen “To Trouble,” I can equivocally answer in the affirmative.
It doesn’t matter where Mike Ross is — whether by Harvey Specter’s side in the courtroom or learning the rules of life in prison the hard way — or how many people walk the halls of that upscale New York law firm that’s undergone name partner change after name partner change. All that matters is that SUITS still shows the inner workings of this rather unlikely family of lawyers and staff while continuing to build those characters and their relationships. And if the season 6 premiere is any indication, that’s exactly what the series is going to keep on doing.
“To Trouble” is an episode of transitions if ever there was one. For most of of the episode, the action at Pearson Specter Litt is more about Jessica, Louis, Donna, Harvey, and Rachel reacting to the shock of finding the firm a virtual ghost town than anything else. While they do become aware of some major legal battles brewing — not the least of which is a class action suit for “every case Mike Ross has ever touched,” which has been hinted at in the new season’s promotional materials — the team spends much more of its time hashing out differences and trying to heal some old wounds than actually making any forward movement with regards to business. For there’s no point in forging ahead without everyone understanding exactly what they’re fighting for and getting to a place where they feel strong enough to do just that.
Would it be best to just let Pearson Specter Litt fall apart after this latest blow, especially since the situation is far bleaker than it’s ever been? That’s a question that’s raised in various ways throughout the SUITS premiere; and the reasons for potentially answering “yes” are the result of humbling, sometimes nearly crippling, introspection.
Related: Patrick J. Adam teases season 6 of SUITS
Meanwhile, somewhere across town, Mike Ross is learning what it means to be inmate 53296. SUITS fans will get to witness his prison admittance, as well as his introduction to some new characters that will, undoubtedly, play a major role going forward. As intelligent as Mike may be, he has to learn quite a lot the hard way. But this is no prison movie and (thankfully) looks like it won’t be accordingly littered with prison cliches.
If all of this sounds rather dark and depressing, though, fear not: this is SUITS, which means there will be an opportunity for comic relief, even in what might be the worst of times. Aside from the humor, though, the chances for relationship growth are many and will leave viewers with a sense of heart that, most likely, would never have been possible in the first season.
The thing is, even with Mike Ross behind bars, his contribution to his fellow Pearson Specter Litt members’ growth is still very much present and very much likely to help them get through this tough time.
Here’s some more of what to expect from the SUITS premiere:
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As always, the title matches a line of dialogue from the episode. “To trouble” is, at best, bittersweet.
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Jessica Pearson lets her guard down in a way virtually unseen to date, and it’s one of the most brilliant scenes of this SUITS episode or any other. One should not be surprised by hearing this, but Gina Torres continues to be far more talented than any human being has the right to.
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Meanwhile, be prepared to see Louis Litt as you’ve never seen him before; there’s a season 5 episode where he was offered something…and he finally takes it here. That’s all I’ll say about that.
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Donna Paulsen continues to be the only person on the planet who can keep Harvey Specter from making stupid mistakes. Well. Every stupid mistake but the one he made at the end of season 4.
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I’m often tough on her, but aside from one foolish move, Rachel Zane is the strong version of herself — the hero we all deserve.
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The film references are still everywhere, even if Harvey and Mike are unable to share them just now.
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It is with great satisfaction that I can say Harvey almost comes to blows with someone…Because of reasons.
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Even while he’s going through something very new and different, Mike’s story just fits opposite the firm’s. The switches between the A-story of what’s happening at Pearson Specter Litt and the B-story of Mike’s introduction to prison life (or you can switch the A and the B, if you’d like) feel just as natural as any other A-to-B flip on SUITS. As always, there’s something tying the whole plot together.
Are you ready for more? Make sure to watch the SUITS season premiere on Wednesday, July 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET on USA!
