Episode Title: 'The Choice'
Story:
After their recent kiss, Mike (Patrick J. Ross) gets a voicemail from Rachel (Meghan Markle) saying she can't stoping thinking about it, although she knows he's with Jenny. Mike catches up with her at work and the two kiss again. Meanwhile, Jessica (Gina Torres) arrives to find Hardman's office being renovated for his return. Concerned about her future with the firm, Jessica tasks Harvey (Gabriel Macht) with convincing Paul Porter, the head of the bankruptcy department to back her.
Harvey meets Paul at his golf club and offers to help with one of his clients in exchange for backing Jessica. With Mike by his side, Harvey meets with the restauranteur Paul is trying to convince to file for bankruptcy. The man refuses, for fear of doing damage to his family franchise as well as hurting the contractors he's hired. Mike suggests they meet with the bank which financed the project but the meeting goes nowhere.
Mike tells Harvey that the property is the centerpiece of the block, which includes several developments funded by the same bank. The two meet with the bank president again and accuse her of leveraging the foreclosure to obtain a prime piece of real estate for themselves.
That night, Louis (Rick Hoffman), feeling marginalized at Pearson Hardman, meets with a recruiter for drinks. Elsewhere, Mike and Rachel go on a first date. Afterwards, Mike drops by Harvey's place and lets him know he plans to tell Rachel the truth about his non-existent law degree. Harvey says it will take down the entire firm and threatens to fire him if he goes through with it.
Later, Jessica shows up at Harvey's to tell him she got a call from the bank involved with Paul's client. She orders Harvey not to tell the restauranteur about the bank's plan for fear of upsetting Paul. Instead, she tells Harvey to urge the man to file for bankruptcy.
The next day, Donna (Sarah Rafferty) tells Mike that Harvey went to bat for him and thus he should break up with Rachel. In a meeting with Paul and his client, Harvey tells the man about the bank situation despite Jessica's mandate. While the client is thrilled, Jessica later tells Harvey that she feels he betrayed her.
Mike meets Rachel outside the office and tells her he needs to end things, as he's concerned it will hurt his job. She in turn tells Mike he think's she's not good enough for him, before walking off.
That night, in need of an ally, Jessica apologizes to Louis for brushing him off, but he is no longer interested in her approval. Later, Harvey brings Jessica coffee and tells her she's not alone in this.
Breakdown:
It looks like Harvey Specter might just care about his clients, after all. Or maybe we're just mistaking heart for ego. Either way, Jessica's not happy with Harvey's undermining of Paul Porter's case. With Hardman back on the scene, the Pearson half of Pearson Hardman needs boosters and Harvey just scared one off. But like his protege, Mike, Harvey's great at finding alternative means to the same end.
As for Mike, it's surprising that someone as cunning as he is would risk everything (and everyone) with such haste. He's only just started seeing Rachel and though she's been on his side since his early days at Pearson Hardman, letting her know that he's not the next Perry Mason is clearly a bad idea. It creates some necessary tension at the onset of 'Suit's' second season but seems too contrived for Mike's character.
What was nice about "The Choice" was the subplot about Louis' allegiance to the firm. He may be obsequious and sniveling but he's also loyal – something Jessica may have figured out too late. Louis also harbors a love of Broadway shows and a somewhat feminine affectation, which the episode had a little fun with during his suggestive rendezvous with the recruiter. If we're to believe Louis was swayed by Donna's cleavage, he's not the Sal Romano of 'Suits' but they sure do like to make us think so.
With Harvey on the outs with Jessica, Mike on the outs with Rachel and Jessica on the outs with Louis, season two is getting off to a nice, rocky start. It may be called a law "firm" but right now, everyone's standing on less than solid ground making for a promising second season of legal drama.
