Suitshad 134 episodes across nine seasons, some of which laid out the foundation for the show’s success. WhileSuitsrecently became a streaming hitand brokeThe Office’s record for most streamed minutes in a year, the legal drama was already very successful during its original run.Suitswas on the air from 2011 to 2019, during which the show reinvented itself a couple of times.Jessica Pearson moving to Chicagoand Mike and Rachel starting a clinic in Seattle were only some of the major events that changedSuitsforever.
Some things happened inevery episode ofSuits, such as the characters lying to each other or Harvey doing something that should get him disbarred or in jail. That is why the best episodes ofSuitswere the ones that broke the show’s formula. That said, not all ofSuits’ greatest episodeshad major implications for the rest of the show. Likewise, a few not-so-great episodes ended up being more important than we imagined in the long term.
15Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”
Harvey Specter Meets Mike Ross
WhileSuitschanged a lotafter the pilot, it is difficult not to list the show’s first episode as one of its most important – and not just because it was the first.Many of the defining aspects ofSuitswere introduced or at least teased in the first episode, including but not limited to Harvey’s reckless behavior, Louis’ ambitions, Jessica’s strong leadership, and the potential relationship between Mike and Rachel. A 90-minute premiere,Suits’ first episode highlights howHarvey and Mikecome from very different worlds before they meet in the middle during the most bizarre job interview of all time.
14Season 1, Episode 12, “Dog Fight”
We Learn More About Harvey’s Past
Suitsseason 1 was very episodical, with Mike and Harvey working on a standalone case that would have little to no repercussions for the rest of the show every week. One notable exception was “Dog Fight,” during which Harvey is trying to get an innocent man out of prison. The twist is that Harvey was the one who put in there in the first place during his time working for Cameron Dennis as Assistant District Attorney.“Dog Fight” is the first time we substantially learn more about Harvey’s past before Pearson Harvey, particularly what caused him to leave public service.
13Season 2, Episode 1, “She Knows”
Jessica Finds Out The Truth
Suitsseason 1 ended on a massive cliffhanger – Trevor finds out Mike is sleeping with his ex-girlfriend and decides to expose Mike’s secret. Trevor goes to Jessica to tell her everything, yet we never get to se the conversation.Suitsseason 2 opens with Mike and Jessica having dinner, which was not at all what people were expecting to see after that season 1 cliffhanger. We then learn thatJessica is carefully calculating what her next steps will benow that she knows Harvey brought fraud into the firm. Jessica’s decision not to fire Mike would have longstanding repercussions.
12Season 2, Episode 16, “War”
Mike Tells Rachel The Truth
Suitsseason 2 opened with Jessica learning the truth about Mike and ended with another character finding out his secret, Rachel. After years of working as a paralegal at Pearson and failing to get to law school, Rachel still had not given up and wanted to pursue Harvard. Her complicated relationship with Mike seemed to be at a point of no return, particularly because Mike was keeping a secret from her.The episode ends with Mike finally telling Rachel the truth, after which they make out in the archive room. “War” is when Mike and Rachel truly become something serious.
11Season 3, Episode 8, “Endgame”
The Conclusion To The Ava Hessington Arc
The first half ofSuitsseason 3 was all about the Ava Hessington case. A long-time friend of Darby, Ava Hessington appeared to be guilty of bribe and murder, yet Harvey had to defend her. No longer trusting Jessica after she decided to merge with Darby, Harvey cut out a deal to get his name on the door and hers out. However, Harvey later realized Darby and his allies could not be trusted, especially Stephen.“Endgame” is the culmination of one ofSuits’ best arcsand confirms that Harvey and Jessica will always have each other’s back.
10Season 3, Episode 16, “No Way Out”
Mike Ross Is Arrested (But Not For Fraud)
Mike Ross is arrested at the end ofSuitsseason 3, but not for the crime we’ve always feared he would. Eric Woodall had made a name for himself at the SEC going after dirty lawyers, and his next targets were now Harvey Specter and Mike Ross. Believing they had colluded and bribery witness during the Ava Hessignton case, Woodwall set up a trap for Mike and Harold,“No Way Out” is one of the most intenseSuitsepisodes and highlights how Mike would always have a target behind his back.This causes him to leave the firm in season 4.
9Season 4, Episode 7, “We’re Done”
Mike Breaks Up With Rachel
Suitsseason 4 put Mike and Harvey on opposite sides during the Logan Sanders operation, but that was not the only challenge Mike had to face. In “We’re Done,” Mike learns that Rachel kissed Logan Sanders, with whom she had an affair a few years ago. Mike and Rachel were leaving together by then, but after learning what happened, Mike decides to leave. Between his failed new career and his relationship with Rachel falling apart, “We’re Done” was a major turning point for Mike Ross. Mike and Rachel eventually got back together, butthis remained one ofSuits’ most controversial storylines.
8Season 4, Episode 10, “This Is Rome”
Mike Makes A Huge Mistake
Louis Litt was fired after telling Jessica and Harvey of his arrangement with Forstman, which could jeopardize the entire firm. The fact that Jessica would not allow Louis to take certain clients with him created some animosity between him and the firm, although it seemed like Pearson Specter had the upper hand. However, at the end of the episode, Mike makes a mistake when not recognizing an object every Harvey student with his alleged grades should have. This is whenLouis finds out the truth about Mike and uses it to return to the firm, this time as a name partner.
7Season 5, Episode 1, “Denial”
Harvey Is Dealing With Panic Attacks
Louis and Mike worked things out during the rest of season 4. Additionally, Donna and Louis became friends again, with Donna later becoming Louis’ secretary after Norma died. Donna believed she needed to distance herself from Harvey, which Harvey only pretended to accept well. Between panic attacks and seeing a therapist, Donna working for Louis had a huge impact on Harvey.“Denial” was the first time Harvey partially acknowledged his feelings to someone else– his therapist – which is why this was such an important episode. Harvey’s character continued to get deconstructed throughout the season.
6Season 5, Episode 10, “Faith”
Mike Ross’ Secret Gets Out
Suitsseason 5 could have been the end of the show, except for the massive cliffhanger at the end. Harvey and Jessica managed to survive Daniel Hardman’s hostage takeover, which had been the main threat of the season. Mike, who was planning his marriage with Rachel, had finally made a decision regarding his future at the firm. Everyone seemed to be getting their happily ever after until, at the end of the episode, the police showed up atPearson Specter Littand arrested Mike Ross for fraud.Mike’s secret had been exposed, and the most importantSuitsarc had begun.
