S07.E01: Skin in the Game

[yeswedo]

Quote

Mike returns to Pearson Specter Litt as Harvey takes the reins. Louis manages the new class of associates, while Donna and Rachel find their places in the new world order.

[Ashand11]

As if a corporate secretary has $500,000. Also, since when is a secretary a partner?

[Carolina Girl]

1 hour ago, Ashand11 said:

As if a corporate secretary has $500,000. Also, since when is a secretary a partner?

She isn't.  And considering the lavishness of her apartment and wardrobe I can't think where she came by half a mil    I'm sure the show will explain it.

And frankly Donna doesn't do anything more at that firm than I've done at mine for 15 years.   I can just see me telling the partners I'm equal to them.  

I think I may be out.  

[Ashand11]

41 minutes ago, Carolina Girl said:

She isn't.  And considering the lavishness of her apartment and wardrobe I can't think where she came by half a mil    I'm sure the show will explain it.

And frankly Donna doesn't do anything more at that firm than I've done at mine for 15 years.   I can just see me telling the partners I'm equal to them.  

I think I may be out.  

No kidding lol.  She annoys me.  The way she talks to her bosses would never fly in a real workplace.  There is absolutely zero reason she should be a partner.  Its not like she's been at the firm 30 years,, its only been 10.

[Carolina Girl]

20 minutes ago, Ashand11 said:

No kidding lol.  She annoys me.  The way she talks to her bosses would never fly in a real workplace.  There is absolutely zero reason she should be a partner.  Its not like she's been at the firm 30 years,, its only been 10.

And then to equate herself with the CEO's of Dentons, Sidley & Austin or Graham & James?   They have advanced degrees and run national offices with hundreds even thousands of attorneys.  She's nothing more than a glorified office manager of a boutique firm.   She should be a partner because she had Harvey's back?   Geez girlfriend that comes with the job.

[bros402]

4 hours ago, Ashand11 said:

As if a corporate secretary has $500,000. Also, since when is a secretary a partner?

Didn't they say in one of the episodes last season or the season before that Donna earns a *lot* more than the rest of the secretaries in the firm, and that Harvey was covering some of it from his pay?

I could understand if Donna got a promotion or new title or something, but... uhhhhh, partner? That's just a bit insane, even for this universe. I could even understand if she got to sit in on partner meetings as like... a support staff representative or something - but, uh, how, why did she become partner?

This episode, oh man, can whoever is writing Louis just.. stop? We need whoever has written the episodes that has had well written Louis to write more episodes.

At least we still have Gretchen?

[tessaray]

I had planned on just stopping after GT left but don't have any new shows at the moment, so I caved and watched my recording of Suits.  I don't look for spoilers and don't really care one way or the other, but was wondering if the show was planning on killing off Rachel?  There were a couple of potentially anvil-y lines that made me think they might be. 

Donna buying in to the firm, it's dumb but no dumber than Mike, the felon and non-law school graduate being an attorney at Spector Litt, so whatever.  

[Good Queen Jane]

I agree with all the negative comments about Donna being made a partner ( a senior one, no less). I also don't understand Rachel's role. Is she an associate now? If so, why isn't she in the bullpen with the rest of the associates? Finally, writers, a brief is the end product of all the work done by the associates, not the starting point. I can't imagine why Louis needed eight associates working 24/7 on what he said was HIS brief. The opposition's brief, yes, but not your own.

Reality issues aside, I did like the dialogues between Mike and Harvey. Those were fun! And USA, either let them say "fuck" or use another word. Those half-hearted bleeps were really annoying.

[OhTheHumanity]

I understand that "Suits" is really just a soap opera that happens to take place in a law firm, but seriously, it's just gotten too ridiculous at this point.  A secretary (even the secretary of the Managing Partner) would never, ever be made a partner, much less a senior partner.  And living in Manhattan, how would she have been able to accumulate half a million dollars as buy in.  And I agree with the previous poster that Rachel, as a first-year associate (didn't she just graduate from Columbia Law last season?) would never, ever be put in charge of anything, much less the associates program.  Ridiculous. 

 

I've got a fair amount of residual affection for Suits, but I'm on the verge, finally, of being out. 

[Carolina Girl]

40 minutes ago, OhTheHumanity said:

I understand that "Suits" is really just a soap opera that happens to take place in a law firm, but seriously, it's just gotten too ridiculous at this point.  A secretary (even the secretary of the Managing Partner) would never, ever be made a partner, much less a senior partner.  And living in Manhattan, how would she have been able to accumulate half a million dollars as buy in.  And I agree with the previous poster that Rachel, as a first-year associate (didn't she just graduate from Columbia Law last season?) would never, ever be put in charge of anything, much less the associates program.  Ridiculous. 

 

I've got a fair amount of residual affection for Suits, but I'm on the verge, finally, of being out. 

Sorry, but Rachel "leading" the associates is like the blind leading the blind - I don't care how many years you were a paralegal.  There's a big difference between doing research and having your name in the caption.  You'd be better off putting GRETCHEN in charge of them.  And since apparently in Pierson / Specter world, secretaries can become senior partners, it makes as much sense as anything else.  

At another site, it was said that her half mil buy-in came from her profits from "The Donna."  Which was another plot line I couldn't figure out.  Deleted from my DVR.  

Edited July 13, 2017 by Carolina Girl

[marcee]

I, too, am disappointed in the plot choices made in this episode. But I shall watch to the bitter end. For fuck's sake, I'm still watching Grey's Anatomy.

Why do I do this to myself?

[tessaray]

I'm rationalizing some of the episode choices by assuming that after the firm almost went under, the survivors formed a bond that transcends the normal hierarchy.  Rachel taking over the associates to save the firm and Louis from himself seems almost normal in that context.  (Although I agree that even Gretchen would  have been a better choice.)         

The only thing this show gets right is Harvey and Mike. They bring out the best and the worst in each other. They are the OTP.

Oh - and the distillery scenes were kind of cool.  Not the acting, the equipment! 

[Carolina Girl]

4 hours ago, OhTheHumanity said:

I understand that "Suits" is really just a soap opera that happens to take place in a law firm, but seriously, it's just gotten too ridiculous at this point.  A secretary (even the secretary of the Managing Partner) would never, ever be made a partner, much less a senior partner.  And living in Manhattan, how would she have been able to accumulate half a million dollars as buy in.  And I agree with the previous poster that Rachel, as a first-year associate (didn't she just graduate from Columbia Law last season?) would never, ever be put in charge of anything, much less the associates program.  Ridiculous. 

 

I've got a fair amount of residual affection for Suits, but I'm on the verge, finally, of being out. 

I agree.  It was one thing to ask me to "suspend my disbelief"; It's quite another to completely insult my intelligence.  

I had to laugh - another legal assistant came up to my desk this a.m. and said "did you SEE 'Suits' last night?  What a crock of absolute SHIT!!"  Then she laughed that maybe we should ask our Global CEO for "a seat at the table" since we'd been at the firm over 10 years.  

[Carolina Girl]

16 hours ago, bros402 said:

At least we still have Gretchen?

You betcha!  I'd rather watch Gretchen.  The relationship she has with Louis is far closer to the reality of the relationship I have with MY lawyers than Donna has with anyone.

[Joimiaroxeu]

As ridiculous as it may be, at least they're letting Donna and Rachel step up into more authority in Jessica's wake. I don't think it's going to be enough though. Harvey and Mike are going to turn that firm into a frat house in a skyscraper.

Last night's episode made me think the name of this show should be changed to "Another Stern Talking To" since every five minutes somebody was getting read the riot act. Then the last ten minutes is everybody kissing and making up. It really started to get silly to me.

Edited July 14, 2017 by Joimiaroxeu

[PumpkinPK]

Since when does a disteller pay for real estate in NYC or its environs?

Hate Donna.  Hate that the writers gave Gretchen that gross comment.  Loathe Mike's sappy girlfriend whose name I can't remember.

Followed a previous poster's lead and deleted this from my Tivo.  

[CaptainCranky]

Wow what a tough crowd. The premise of this show from day one was fantasyland. Believable of course not but there's enough interesting stuff for me to watch. Hey I use to watch Jerry Springer for my dose of reality.

Frankly 99% of TV commercial and cable is not based in the real world so enjoy it as entertainment. I will.

[dr pepper]

Last season's ending was a good one. and frankly i didn't see what more they could do. but i tuned in just to see. ok, donna's move opens up fresh possibilities. i'm dubious, but i'll stick around a bit longer.

[Dakisela]

On 7/13/2017 at 9:05 AM, Good Queen Jane said:

I agree with all the negative comments about Donna being made a partner ( a senior one, no less). I also don't understand Rachel's role. Is she an associate now? If so, why isn't she in the bullpen with the rest of the associates? Finally, writers, a brief is the end product of all the work done by the associates, not the starting point. I can't imagine why Louis needed eight associates working 24/7 on what he said was HIS brief. The opposition's brief, yes, but not your own.

Reality issues aside, I did like the dialogues between Mike and Harvey. Those were fun! And USA, either let them say "fuck" or use another word. Those half-hearted bleeps were really annoying.

Here in good old PA, the USA Network actually let them air the word fucking. I was astounded.

[Utpe]

I sincerely hope that this is the last season.  I even said it before; the sixth season finale would have been a perfect way to end the series.  But, I suppose the ratings say otherwise.

I'm a little sick of Donna myself.  Louis is back to being his normal, grouchy self.  Harvey is taking over as managing partner (saw that coming from a mile away).  Mike's finally a legitimate lawyer.  I honestly don't see how they can keep dragging it out.

[suzyq8017]

Funny that many of you are clearly people who work in law firms and are incredulous about Donna's partnership. Don't get me wrong, I am too. But I'm over here steaming over the therapist falls in love with her client and it's all okay for them to date trope. I'm a psychologist and everything about that storyline drives me insane. I agree with the poster above who said this has always just been a fun soap opera, but this is so far gone from the original fun, albeit ridiculous premise, that I just can't suspend my disbelief in any enjoyable way anymore. And every sentence uttered is. Just. So. Dramatic. 

Edited July 15, 2017 by suzyq8017

[bros402]

44 minutes ago, Utpe said:

I sincerely hope that this is the last season.  I even said it before; the sixth season finale would have been a perfect way to end the series.  But, I suppose the ratings say otherwise.

I'm a little sick of Donna myself.  Louis is back to being his normal, grouchy self.  Harvey is taking over as managing partner (saw that coming from a mile away).  Mike's finally a legitimate lawyer.  I honestly don't see how they can keep dragging it out.

I really hope this is the last season too.

Or that next season is the last one.

Or to put it in Suits-ese:
If this season isn't the last one, this better f---king end in some kind of apocalyptic shit for the firm and they goddamn better deal with it and the repercussions of it the the 8th season.

 

oh no are they going to kill Rachel and have it drive Mike the entire 8th season?

 

4 minutes ago, suzyq8017 said:

Funny that many of you are clearly people who work in law firms and are incredulous about Donna's partnership. Don't get me wrong, I am too. But I'm over here steaming over the therapist falls in love with her client and it's all okay for them to date trope. I'm a psychologist and everything about that storyline drives me insane. I agree with the poster above who said this has always just been a fun soap opera, but this is so far gone from the original fun, albeit ridiculous premise, that I just can't suspend my disbelief in any enjoyable way anymore. And every sentence uttered is. Just. So. Dramatic. 

I'm just a client of a therapist and all of the stuff with Harvey dating the therapist just gave me the heebie-jeebies. Like I could understand if they met like a few years down the road and decided to go out.

But 2 weeks after the time period stated in the ethics ends? Ew.

[ItCouldBeWorse]

On 7/12/2017 at 9:36 PM, Ashand11 said:

Also, since when is a secretary a partner?

 

On 7/12/2017 at 11:43 PM, Ashand11 said:

There is absolutely zero reason she should be a partner.  Its not like she's been at the firm 30 years,, its only been 10.

 

On 7/13/2017 at 0:10 AM, Carolina Girl said:

She should be a partner because she had Harvey's back?   Geez girlfriend that comes with the job.

 

On 7/13/2017 at 2:25 AM, bros402 said:

I could understand if Donna got a promotion or new title or something, but... uhhhhh, partner? That's just a bit insane, even for this universe. I could even understand if she got to sit in on partner meetings as like... a support staff representative or something - but, uh, how, why did she become partner?

 

On 7/13/2017 at 3:20 AM, tessaray said:

Donna buying in to the firm, it's dumb but no dumber than Mike, the felon and non-law school graduate being an attorney at Spector Litt, so whatever.  

 

On 7/13/2017 at 9:14 AM, OhTheHumanity said:

A secretary (even the secretary of the Managing Partner) would never, ever be made a partner, much less a senior partner. 

 

On 7/14/2017 at 2:33 AM, iheartET said:

I am happy for Donna, but I am surprised that she is allowed to become partner without even being a lawyer.

That's because in all 50 states it is forbidden for an attorney to partner with a non-attorney.  Only D.C. permits it, but "a New York attorney who is also licensed in the District of Columbia may not join a D.C. firm that has nonlawyer owners under arrangements that require him to either handle cases as a New York-based partner or manage a 'wholly-owned subsidiary law firm' in the state."  https://www.bna.com/ny-ban-nonlawyer-n17179922088/

In other words, except in DC, a  US lawyer cannot partner with non-lawyers. The CEO's Donna referred to were not in the US but the writers glided over that.  Non-lawyers are not subject to the same code of of ethics that lawyers are. A non-lawyer can't sign checks on escrow accounts.

On 7/15/2017 at 2:33 AM, suzyq8017 said:

Funny that many of you are clearly people who work in law firms and are incredulous about Donna's partnership. Don't get me wrong, I am too. But I'm over here steaming over the therapist falls in love with her client and it's all okay for them to date trope. I'm a psychologist and everything about that storyline drives me insane.

I completely agree. Mike can't be an attorney and Donna can't be a partner, since she isn't an attorney, either.  Donna actually has a better shot at becoming a lawyer than Mike, since she isn't a felon who faked being a lawyer!  The psychologist admitting that she fantasized about Harvey while treating him and yet continued to treat him demonstrates that she is not a good therapist.

On 7/15/2017 at 2:39 AM, bros402 said:

I'm just a client of a therapist and all of the stuff with Harvey dating the therapist just gave me the heebie-jeebies. Like I could understand if they met like a few years down the road and decided to go out.

But 2 weeks after the time period stated in the ethics ends? Ew.

She knows all his secrets. There remains very little for her to discover about him. It's almost as if she is his parent and he is a child who needs her guidance. "Ew" is right.

Edited July 19, 2017 by ItCouldBeWorse

[NaughtyKitty]

I've been waffling on this show the past few seasons.  It has gotten too ridiculous...I'm out.

I laugh and roll my eyes when they forcefully say "God Damn It" to each other.  So laughable!

[grommit2]

Curious story lines and performances.  Some observations:
1) Apparently the administrative secretaries are the real experts in this law firm.   In fact, it appears the women are the only level-headed thinkers.  Yup...makes sense to me. 
2) Also, the leading men all need a woman to straighten them out.  Ok...that makes sense. 
3) Every lawyer (and new COO) has an office with a spectacular view.  Reminds me of the Customs House in downtown Boston.  (Of course, the views are faked with curtains...but so what?)
4)  How does Harvey drive that sports car through New York streets with absolutely no traffic?  Ah yes...willing suspension of disbelief.  I got it now.   Or, it is actually shot in Toronto...but same question. 

[Cthulhudrew]

Hahahaha!

Harvey walks into the executive washroom. "You two better get your s#@$ together, because right now I've got some things to take care of." Then he proceeds to walk away, in the opposite direction of the bathroom entrance.

Either there are two ways into that bathroom, or else he just made a big dramatic exit on his way to #2. 

"Things to take care of" indeed.

[Roseanna]

On ‎14‎.‎7‎.‎2017 at 9:33 AM, iheartET said:

Comments:

1) I like the idea of Harvey and his therapist being a couple. They are a good match.

I can understand that many women could fall for Harvey, but her therapist who has seen what a child he is - never! 

[Roseanna]

On ‎13‎.‎7‎.‎2017 at 6:39 PM, tessaray said:

I'm rationalizing some of the episode choices by assuming that after the firm almost went under, the survivors formed a bond that transcends the normal hierarchy.  Rachel taking over the associates to save the firm and Louis from himself seems almost normal in that context.  (Although I agree that even Gretchen would  have been a better choice.) 

Yes, they are constantly talking how they are "family". But that's not a good way to lead the firm. It's hard to evaluate objectively about family members' work, and even even if it succeeds, those who aren't considered "family", don't believe in objectivity.

We have also seen how envious Louis was of favor Jessica gave to Harvey.  

Edited June 13, 2018 by Roseanna
correcting grammar