Ep 6. Privilege

Harvey Specter is now the managing partner at Pearson Specter Litt, one of the leading law firms in New York. With Mike Ross’ illegal credentials now a thing of the past, the show progresses with a more corporate approach. The fifth season of Suits focuses on the aftermath of Mike and Rachel’s engagement and the changes that come with it. The episode Privilege is centered around the rebuilding of Pearson Specter Litt, now known as Pearson Specter Litt Wheeler Williams, after the significant loss suffered at the end of season four.

The episode opens with Harvey Specter working out in his office with his personal trainer, Jonathan Sidwell, played by Scott Michael Campbell. Sidwell was recommended by Louis Litt, who after his brief stint as managing partner is now practising law again. In an attempt to improve the morale of the employees at Pearson Specter Litt, Harvey and Sidwell come up with a plan of having a firm-wide wellness challenge, which they set in motion immediately.

At the same time, Harvey is tasked with the responsibility of handling a case involving the CEO of a tech company, who is accused of insider trading. In an effort to avoid any conflict of interest, Harvey convinces Mike Ross to take up the case, despite his still relatively junior status as an associate. Mike, on the other hand, is not too pleased about being kept in the background while Harvey works to secure a new client for the firm. Meanwhile, Rachel Zane, Mike’s fiancée, is struggling to deal with the demands of law school and her job at the firm. With her career in law on the rise and her relationship with Mike moving to the next level, tensions start building up as Rachel begins to question her priorities.

The ongoing challenges at Pearson Specter Litt take a new turn as the firm discovers that a former employee, who, after he was fired, created a competing law firm called Folsom Foods, has been sabotaging their client base. Having gained access to privileged information while he worked at Pearson Specter Litt, he uses that knowledge to poach clients from the firm. The team at Pearson Specter Litt, led by Harvey, springs into action to find a solution to the problem, as the firm’s survival is dependent on being able to see off their competitors.

Elsewhere, Louis finds himself involved in a relationship with Tara Messer (Carly Pope), the architect for their office redesign. Louis, being a firm believer in following proper procedures, is strict about not dating subordinates, and this relationship poses a challenge for him, as he tries to keep it under wraps, while dealing with his feelings and the fast-paced, demanding work environment at the firm.

In this episode, the theme of privilege takes center stage. From the privileged information that the ex-employee has, to the competitive advantage this gives his company. There is also the fitness challenge, which excludes some employees with disabilities, highlighting the need for what may be considered small steps towards the goal of full inclusion in the workplace.

In summary, Suits season 5 episode 6, titled Privilege, showcases the efforts of the Pearson Specter Litt team to rebuild the firm, while battling with external and internal challenges. Along with that, the show continues to explore the personal lives of the characters, with Harvey, Mike, Rachel, and Louis all dealing with growth, change, and the ramifications of past decisions. The episode represents a significant development for Harvey’s character as he adapts to his new role as managing partner, and Mike is given more responsibility as an associate. Ultimately, the episode drives home the point that building and maintaining strong relationships, whether personally or professionally, remains a critical aspect of surviving in the highly competitive corporate world.