Suits (2011–…): Season 9, Episode 2 - Special Master - full transcript

Previously on "Suits"...

I got approached today
by the New York Bar.

The guy pretty much told me

if we don't take Zane's name
down, they'll do it for us.

If you can't tell me
who you are to him,

maybe you can tell me
who he is to you.

I just know that
he's somebody

that I can't seem to figure out
how to cut out of me.

I know exactly
what you two are doing.

Louis, before you jump--

You were up all night
trying to figure out



how you were gonna handle
the Zane situation.

You're my lawyer.
You knew something,

and you kept it
from me.

We've been over this.
The reason I--

What we haven't been over

is that I was forced
to lie yesterday.

The longer
we leave his name up there,

the more damage
we inflict on ourselves.

No, I'm not doing it.

The Bar tried to get me to
take over as managing partner.

You're here to tell me
you're taking over?

I'm here to tell you

that if they can do that,
what else can they do?

We need to
put an end to this.



What are you talking about?

I'm talking about
taking Robert's name down.

What's going on here?

If we don't do this,
this firm has no future.

If you do this,
you'll be lucky

if I don't go to the Bar

and tell them
what really happened.

This is a court order

granting me full control
of your law firm.

You can refuse, in which case
the Bar will suspend

every partner in this firm
for six months.

You up for another round?

You're probably
the only one here

who could give me
a real fight,

but I doubt a workout
is why you texted.

You always did
call me on my shit.

So what's going on, Lucas?

To put it bluntly,
I got fired.

What? Last I heard
the job was going great.

It was, but we just
missed out on a DOD contract.

Which means they're
letting guys go.

But only one
from my department.

And the guy they're keeping
is the CEO's son-in-law.

It's nepotism,
no two ways about it.

It's more than that.
It's a lawsuit.

I thought so too.

So you know any
hotshot lawyers

that might be interested
in my case?

I might.

Why don't we get breakfast?
You can fill me in.

Okay, but if you're buying,
it better show up on my bill,

because I didn't
come looking for charity.

It's not charity.
It's called pro Bono.

- Samantha--
- Lucas, we served together.

I'm not taking no
for an answer.

Harvey, Donna.
What a pleasant surprise.

Can I interest you
in some Weetabix?

Wow.
What are you wearing?

What do you mean,
what am I wearing?

It's my mankini.

- Your what now?
- It's a Speedo.

I wear it instead of underwear.

It's incredibly supportive.
Here, let me show you.

- Donna?
- Louis, as much as we would

love for you to show us how
supportive your underwear is,

Harvey and I are here
to share some news...

about why we were together
the other morning.

Yeah, I know why
you were together.

You were worried
about the firm.

Except the firm
isn't the reason why

Harvey came over
the other night, and it's...

definitely not why
he stayed over.

Wait, Harvey, you have
a problem with your plumbing?

'Cause if you need
to use my shower--

That's not what she's saying,
Louis, and...

I'm never gonna
use your shower.

It's got a steam feature!

Come on upstairs.
I'll show you.

Louis!

- Harvey and I are together.
- Yeah, I know you're together.

You're standing
right in front of me.

See?
This is what I'm talking about.

I mean, like, how did even
make it through law school?

No, no, no, no, no.

Harvey and I
are in a relationship.

- Oh, my God.
- [chuckles] Yeah.

And we didn't want
to tell you before

because it wasn't the right
time but we're telling you now

because we're happy

and we don't want
to hide that anymore.

Especially
not from our partner

and our friend.

I really appreciate that,
Harvey,

and I am so happy for you both.

But?

A proper celebration's
gonna have to wait

because I have some news too.

What is it, Louis?

We have a problem.

[suspenseful music]

How long
is she gonna be here?

I don't know.

Apparently, it's left
to the Bar's discretion.

Bullshit!

There's no way
I'm letting the Bar

move someone into my house
and tell me how to run it.

- What?
- You know what.

This never would've happened
if you just--

Don't even say it.

You don't even know
what I was going to say.

I can take a guess.
You were gonna say

this all happened
because of what Robert did.

It happened because
of your collective choices.

This is a private meeting,
Faye.

Well, it's also
the perfect opportunity

for me to introduce myself
to the firm's leadership...

such as it is.

- Such as it is?
- Ms. Paulsen,

when a firm's out of control,
that starts at the top.

And if you think you can
waltz right in here

and start throwing around
accusations--

Then how about
we throw around some facts?

You've had two
managing partners

disbarred in
as many years,

a junior partner
go to prison,

and if you think
anybody believes

that you weren't a party
to that fraud, think again.

But...

as of today...

I'm wiping the slate clean
of everything you've ever done.

You have no proof
we've ever done anything.

I have experience.

And when there's this much
smoke, there's always fire.

So if you want me gone,

there's only one way
to make that happen:

convince me you people
can be trusted to fly right.

And if we don't?

You mean if you continue
to cross lines?

Then you'll be fired.

You don't have
the authority to do that.

Yes, I do.

As I have the authority
to approve new cases,

allocate resources, and just
about anything else I see fit.

And the first order of business

is doing
what you all should have:

taking Robert Zane's name
off that wall.

No.
That is not happening.

If you think
you have a say in the matter,

you haven't grasped
the situation.

If you so much
as reach for that name,

you haven't grasped that
I will find something on you.

And that mentality perfectly
underlines why I am here.

And leaving that name up
sends the wrong message.

It sends the message

that we don't throw our friends
to the wolves.

You want to throw your friend
a retirement party

or help him launch
a charter boat company

to show your support,
be my guest.

But that name comes down today.

I don't believe this.

You're just gonna
let her do this?

Samantha,
it's not our decision.

Well,
whether I stay here or not is.

So you can go to hell.

♪ ♪

Fortunately, I'm used
to reactions like that.

So as I said to Louis
when he signed off on this,

I suggest you start getting
used to doing things my way,

because this isn't
the Wild West.

And your days of operating

however the hell you want
are over.

♪ ♪

♪ Suits 9x02 ♪
Special Master
Original Air Date on July 24, 2019

♪ See the money,
wanna stay for your meal ♪

♪ Get another piece of pie
for your wife ♪

♪ Everybody wanna know
how it feel ♪

♪ Everybody wanna see
what it's like ♪

♪ I'll even eat a bean pie,
I don't mind ♪

♪ Me and Missy is so busy,
busy making money ♪

♪ All right ♪

♪ All step back,
I'm 'bout to dance ♪

== sync, corrected by elderman ==
@elder_man

♪ The greenback boogie ♪

Don't bother, Harvey.
I'm outta here.

This place is not for me.

Samantha, you can't quit.
We need you.

Well, she doesn't need me,

and she's the one
calling the shots.

And if you think just because

you gave me a client
I'm going to stay here--

Samantha, like it or not, the
world thinks Robert is dirty.

People also think that

the apple doesn't fall
far from tree.

So if you leave, it's not
gonna look like a protest.

It'll look like
what they all think is true.

I just don't have it in me
to roll over to her, Harvey.

I'm not asking you
to roll over.

I'm asking you
to wait this thing out.

Because the second she leaves,

we're gonna put his name
right back on that wall.

And what about the fact

she gets approval
over all new cases?

Because I met with an old
friend this morning.

He can't afford us, and there
is no way I'm not helping him.

Then as far as I'm concerned,
you met with him last night,

which means
it's not a new case.

She has a problem with that,
she can take it up with me.

- Louis, we need to talk.
- What is it?

You didn't mention that you
signed off on this whole thing.

What difference does it make?
I didn't have a choice.

Yes, you did.
You could've used her

to convince Harvey
to take that name down.

Which, thanks to you,
is happening anyway.

Thanks to me?

I don't see anybody else
in this room.

You weren't there last night,
Alex.

If I had refused, they would've
suspended everybody's license

for six months
right then and there.

So do you want to keep
fighting with each other,

or do you want
to start fighting her?

There is no fighting her.

Gretchen, please,
this doesn't involve you.

Well, maybe it should.

Since I'm the only one
who knows Faye Richardson.

- You know her?
- Worked in her firm years ago.

Back before she became
the Bar's special asshole.

Word was
when she was managing partner,

she found out her husband
crossed some kind of line.

She stripped his name
off the wall and fired him.

Damn.

A woman who could do that
to her own husband

isn't going to care
what we do to her.

But she'll care
what the Bar does.

You got something?

I might.

And just how long is
this woman going to be here?

Well, according to her, as
long as she deems it necessary.

What is it, Katrina?

This is exactly why

I went to Alex
to take Robert's name down.

Something like this
was bound to happen.

Well, I can understand
how you feel that way,

but at the time,
standing by Robert

felt like
the right thing to do.

- Am I interrupting?
- I was actually heading out.

- Katrina Bennett.
- Faye Richardson.

Pleasure to meet you.

Ms. Richardson.
Is there something you need?

Please, call me Faye.

I may be here
as a special master,

but it doesn't mean we can't
be on a first name basis.

Well, is there something
that I can do for you, Faye?

I understand as COO

you handle
administrative coordination?

That's right.

Are you looking
to get a secretary, or--

I'm looking to schedule
an exit interview

with Thomas Kessler.

And why would you want
to meet with Mr. Kessler?

Because this firm's troubles
started when it put

Mr. Kessler's interests
above another client's.

I don't understand why
someone they did that for

would suddenly leave.

And you think his reasons

might indicate
an underlying problem?

Do you think there's
an underlying problem?

I get the feeling
you're really asking

whether I'd tell you
if I thought there was.

And what if I were?

Faye, if you know anything
about me, you'd know that

I have a reputation for solving
problems, not hiding them.

Which is why I already sent
Mr. Kessler our exit survey,

so when I get his responses,
I will forward them to you.

Oh, please do.

In the meantime, I'd appreciate
you setting up that interview.

- I just explained--
- I know.

I just find face-to-face
meetings much more informative,

don't you?

I certainly do.

- I'll set that up.
- Wonderful.

Anytime tomorrow
should be fine.

[tense music]

♪ ♪

- Harvey, we need to talk.
- We sure do.

And I'm sorry, Donna.
I know you're gonna

disagree with me, but--
- That woman needs to go.

- Now.
- What?

What do you mean, what?

- That's what I was gonna say.
- So?

So you're not gonna try
and talk me out of it.

That's so unlike you.

Hmm.
That is unlike me.

Maybe you're not going to try
and talk me out of it

because you're less uptight
since we, uh...

Since we...what?

Nothing.
Since we nothing.

That's right.

Because if anybody was uptight,
it was you.

But I'm the one
acting consistently.

Okay, maybe I was uptight.

Or maybe I've had it
with Faye's bullshit.

I prefer my own take here.

Well, I prefer that
Faye not find out that

it wasn't Robert who broke
privilege; it was us.

Wait, what are you
talking about?

She just asked me to schedule
an exit interview with Thomas.

Donna,
we can't let that happen.

- Thomas won't lie for us again.
- I know!

So the question is,
how do we stop it?

[sighs]

Well, if we can't ask Thomas
to lie again,

there's only one way out.

Make it so he doesn't have
to talk to her at all.

Sorry to keep you waiting,
Ms. Wheeler.

- Now, what's this about?
- Let's see.

How about nepotism
and wrongful termination?

You're here
about Lucas Hodges.

That was fast.

Well, he's the only person
we've let go recently

and we were perfectly justified
in our decision.

Why don't we let
a judge decide that?

You might want to
get your facts straight first.

The facts are
you needed to cut someone loose

and you chose to keep
your son-in-law

over a more qualified employee

who happens to be
a two-tour veteran.

- I know what he is.
- Then you should know

if you don't reinstate him,

I'm gonna wrap Lucas up
in a flag,

put him in front of a jury,
and then we'll see

exactly how many
government contracts you get.

Then we'll wrap you
in time cards

and the
medical bills we footed

for an employee
that Lucas injured.

- What?
- Lucas was...

far from perfect, Ms. Wheeler.

He missed work at crunch time.
He didn't always even call in.

Says the man trying
to get out of a lawsuit.

You don't have a lawsuit
because we had cause.

And if you don't believe me,

ask my secretary
for his records.

They'll show that
he was erratic;

he was impossible
to work with.

For God's sakes,
one day someone startled him,

he practically
attacked the man.

And if that's true,

why didn't you bring this up
when you let him go?

Because I like Lucas,
so we said

it was because of that contract
to give him a soft landing.

But the truth is, we were gonna
fire him no matter what.

So I'm sorry
that he lied to you,

but the suit has no merit.

You can show yourself out.

[tense music]

Louis, if you're here

about changing our default font
back to Helvetica,

I already told you--

I'm not here about that,
Benjamin.

I'm here because
of Faye Richardson.

I just set up
her firewall this morning.

- What about her?
- She's an intruder.

And she just fired a shot
across our beloved bow.

- Give me an order, Captain.
- It's Admiral.

And I want you to find
a loophole in the Bar's bylaws

that I can use
to force them to remove her.

But the Bar's bylaws are,
like, 1,000 pages long.

[thud]
3,000.

And somewhere in there
is a technicality

that'll get rid
of that woman,

and you're going to build
a program to find it.

Louis, I don't know
if I can do that.

Benjamin...

our home is under attack,
and I can't defend it alone.

I need you to do this, and
I need you to do it quietly.

Now, can I count on you or not,
sailor?

- Aye-aye, Captain.
- It's Admiral.

- Admiral, whatever.
- That's right.

♪ ♪

I can't believe they're using
those days I missed against me.

They're using them
because they constitute cause.

The question is,
why didn't you tell me?

It was a couple days
here and there.

Lucas, I never saw you
be late to one exercise,

one training session--
- So what?

So you know what.
The absences, the aggression--

all worse during
high-stress periods.

- Samantha.
- You have PTSD, don't you?

No, I do not.

Check my medical records.
There's nothing in them.

Because you never
saw a doctor?

- Of course I saw a doctor.
- And why was that?

Because
I had trouble sleeping.

Because of nightmares,
flashbacks?

I don't wanna talk
about this.

Well,
we're gonna talk about it

because I can't defend you

if you're not
being honest with me.

Honest about what?

About how there are nights
I'm afraid to close my eyes

and days I never get
out of bed?

Listen to me.

You have nothing
to be ashamed of.

There are literally
thousands of people

going through
the exact same thing

and once we get you diagnosed,
we can--

I'm not getting diagnosed.

- Lucas, it'll protect you.
- Samantha, I told them

I didn't want
to be diagnosed back then.

I'm not getting
reclassified now.

That's the end of it.

Wait a minute, you told them?
You told your psychiatrist?

I didn't go
to a psychiatrist.

I went to an MD.

I begged him
not to put it in my record.

He put it down as anxiety
and gave me pills.

And they kept me going
through my tour.

And once you got out?

I thought it would
get better.

- But it didn't.
- No.

- It got worse.
- Well...

if your employer won't pay,
maybe someone else will.

Harvey.

Thomas, do you mind
if I come in?

I really don't think
we have much to talk about.

Well, unfortunately, we do.

Because as a result
of that hearing,

the Bar installed someone
to watch every move we make.

And now she wants
to ask you why you're leaving.

And you know
I'm not gonna lie again.

Which is why I'm here
to ask you not to leave.

You've gotta be joking.

Just hear me out, please.

You've been with us
a long time.

And in that time
we've tripled your business,

we've taken you public--

And completely
betrayed my trust.

No.

I betrayed my own client
for you.

I lost my friend
and my partner for you.

And if I'd done
the technically right thing,

you'd have lost your expansion.

Now, I'm not saying
we didn't make mistakes,

and I know I need
to earn back your trust.

I'm just asking you
to give us a chance to do that.

[sighs]
Let me ask you this.

Who is Donna to you?

She's the most important
person in my life, Thomas.

And she knows it.

When?

The night I was cleared.

Okay.

Okay.

I'll stay with your firm
on one condition.

From now on you're my lawyer,
not Alex.

Thomas, I'm not sure
that's the best idea.

Well, it's the only one
that's gonna work for me

because I don't trust him
anymore.

And you were
just honest with me

about the most difficult
question I'll ever ask.

And you didn't flinch.

Okay...but now that
you know the truth--

I can get past all that.

Are you sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

♪ ♪

[elevator door rings]

Samantha, there you are.

Whatever it is,
the answer is no.

Well, that's too bad,

because I just heard
you assigned an associate

to subpoena military records
for a new case.

- So what if I did?
- So...I want you to drop it.

- Excuse me?
- As I mentioned this morning,

I have approval
over all new matters,

and this one has red flags
all over it.

Well, I don't see
any red flags,

and I'm not hanging my friend
out to dry.

The fact that he's a friend
is the red flag,

because if you start to lose,

you may not fight
the right way.

That's the dumbest thing
I've ever heard.

But it doesn't matter,
because this case isn't new.

I took it last night.

You don't think I know
a cover story when I hear one?

I don't care
what you think you know.

I told Harvey about the case
when I took it,

which means,
according to your own rules,

you don't get a say as
to whether I drop this or not.

Well, I do get a say
in the use of firm resources,

in particular on the cases
that pay us nothing.

So if you pursue this,

you do this without
your expense account,

our associates,
and anything else.

And if I find out otherwise,
I'll drop the client myself.

[tense music]

♪ ♪

Let me get this straight.

You want my help
to go after the military?

Yes, but first I need access
to your expense account.

Why?

Because if I'm gonna
get them to settle,

I need to hire PIs,
expert witnesses--

No, I mean why do you need
my account?

Because Faye banned me
from using firm resources.

So you don't
just want my help,

you want me to defy
a direct order?

If we do it right,
she'll never know.

Samantha, it's the military.

There's no way they'll ever
give in before Faye finds out.

Fine, I will use
my own money for expenses,

but I can't do it all
on my own.

I'm working without
an associate myself right now.

Katrina, it's not easy for me
to ask for this.

And it's not easy
for me to say no.

Don't you get it?
I cannot let him down.

Lucas and I didn't
just train together.

We served together.

And after my four years, he
asked me to stay, but I didn't.

I got out.
He did two more tours.

And in his head,
he is still there

while I wear $2,000 dresses and
negotiate million dollar deals.

All right.
I'll help you.

On two conditions:

we do it on the up-and-up,

and we pick a fight we can win.

I know things are rough,
Harvey,

but shots for breakfast
with my Scotch?

One of them is for you.

And they're not because of
bad news, but because of good.

Then lay it on me.

Because it is past time
I heard something good.

I got Kessler to stay.

He's gonna come in today and
sign a new engagement letter.

No shit.
That is good.

I'll call him right now,
set up a meeting.

That's the thing, Alex.

He wants me to represent him.

- You?
- Yes.

And before you say it,
I was surprised as anyone.

Harvey, surprised is what you
feel when you come home

and your friends are there
for your birthday,

not when you find out your
partner's taking your client.

Look, I know it's not ideal,
but what do you want me to say?

This is his condition
for staying.

I don't want you
to say anything,

but I also don't want you
to come in here

and try to tell me
this is a celebration.

You're right.

It's not a celebration.

But Faye wanted to ask him
why he left,

and we can't have that.

♪ ♪

Ms. Bennett...

I'm not one for small talk,
so I'll jump right in.

I saw you added yourself
as attorney of record

on Ms. Wheeler's case.
- I did.

And did she inform you

that I specifically forbade her
from using firm resources?

Yes, she did.

Which is why I worked
on my own time,

and I won't be attending a
deposition scheduled for today.

I respect that.

It shows a willingness
to work within the rules.

But I'd like to explain why

I didn't want her
to take that case.

Because she's
emotionally invested.

And you're worried
she'll be tempted

to do something
that she shouldn't.

And if you understand that,
I'm sure you'll understand

if you really want
to help Ms. Wheeler,

you'll help her avoid
doing just that.

♪ ♪

How did Alex take it?

He didn't love it,
but he'll live with it.

So...Thomas is
coming here today?

Because Faye's gonna be asking
about that interview,

and we need him to have signed
that engagement letter.

Donna, he gave me his word.

Great, then that means
that he'll be here.

What's going on?

Are you sure
this is the best idea?

You representing him?

I mean, what happens the first
time he doesn't like something

that you've done, or you think
that he's being short-sighted?

How long before one of you
brings up what happened?

Donna...he's a grown man.
It was his idea.

If he thinks
he can make it work,

I'm gonna trust him.

How is it that you always

make it feel like
everything's gonna be okay?

Because I'm Superman.

No, you're supposed to say,

"I was just thinking
the same thing about you."

But Superman wouldn't
say something like that.

He'd just expect Lana Lang
to get it.

Well, in case you haven't
noticed, I'm not Lana Lang.

I'm Lois Lane.

You have the best of both
because Lana was a redhead.

Is that mushy enough for you?

'Cause I've got to go
save Metropolis.

[funky music]

Save Metropolis.

You don't even know
your own phone number.

Okay, people!
Listen up.

As you may know a new attorney
has joined us, Faye Richardson.

And I would like you all
to give her a very,

very warm welcome,
but don't bother her.

Just give her a wide berth.
Any questions?

Yes.

You want us to make her feel
welcome by avoiding her?

Excellent question, Susan.

The answer is yes.
Yes, I do.

Um, why?

Another good question, Susan.

Because as your leader,
I know what's best--

and make no mistake,
I am your leader.

- Um, okay, but--
- No one likes a talker, Susan.

Any other questions?
No?

- Great.
- I have a question.

Why is she here?

Is she heading up
a new division or something?

Sort of.

She's actually
an ethics expert.

In light of recent events,
I thought it would be wise

to bring someone in to
buttress the firm's reputation.

Actually, truth is,
she was reluctant to come--

Oh, don't let me interrupt,
Louis.

You were saying
I was reluctant to come here.

- Maybe not reluctant--
- But it was your idea.

Isn't that what you said?

And you would never lie
to your associates, would you?

Framing things in context
isn't lying, Faye.

Then let me ask a question
that needs no context.

The Bar's leadership had doubts

about your ability
to follow the law,

and that's why I'm here.

Isn't that the case?

Yes.

Thank you for helping me

get off on the right foot
with the associates, Louis.

I appreciate it.

[dramatic music]

♪ ♪

- Alex, not now.
- Yes, now,

because Bromwell just told me
they're being sued again.

- Shit, we just got them off.
- I know that.

And to make matters worse,
we drew Judge Dorsey.

Goddamn it!
What?

Louis, do you have a minute?

Because I've hit a snag
with our new...server problem.

Cut the code.
Alex is on our side.

In that case,
I need a digital copy

of the Bar's bylaws,
but they're password protected.

- Scan the ones I gave you.
- I tried that, but--

Are you shitting me?

You can't even scan a simple
document without screwing up?

It wasn't my fault.

Well, it isn't my fault
that we're in this situation,

but here I am, busting my ass,
getting humiliated.

And the one person
that I ask to help me

can't even tie
his own goddamn shoes.

So I don't care what it takes,
get that copy and get it today.

- But--
- Benjamin...

give us a few minutes.
- [sighs]

Okay, Louis.
What's going on?

- You know what's going on.
- Yeah, I do.

Because I bit my own
secretary's head off

three seconds after getting
off the phone with Bromwell.

- Not to mention--
- Not to mention what?

Nothing.
It's not important.

What is important is
you and I are going out,

and we're going out right now.

Alex, I don't need to--

Yes, you do, and so do I.

Because if we
don't blow off some steam,

one of us
is gonna kill someone.

Well, then,
what do you suggest?

Because there's no opera today.

I have not gotten my mud
membership card back yet.

And unless there's a cat fair
that I don't know about,

we have got nothing.

I have just the thing.

Mr. Daly, how many
of your employees are veterans?

I'm proud to say
anywhere from 30% to 40%

at any given time.

So it's safe to say

you're familiar
with the struggles

many veterans face.

I'm afraid you'll have
to be more specific.

Post traumatic
stress disorder.

Is that specific enough?

Yes, I'm familiar,
but what's your point?

My point is, do you think
Lucas Hodges suffers from PTSD?

My client's
not a psychiatrist.

He's the one who said
he's familiar with it.

That doesn't
necessarily mean--

You had his
office furniture rearranged

so his back wouldn't
face the door, Tom.

And the only reason you would
do something like that

is if you suspected the truth.

- Suspicion is not knowing.
- Answer the question.

Did you or did you not
suspect PTSD?

Are you sure you want me
to answer that question?

Because if you do,
I'm going to say, "Yes, I did."

And then I'm gonna demand proof

that he is a member
of a protected class,

which means
an official diagnosis

on his permanent record.

Is that really what
your client wants, Ms. Wheeler?

We didn't think so.

Which is why we're prepared

to offer a sealed settlement
of $25,000.

That isn't even a third

of what he was
gonna make this year.

That's the best
you're gonna get.

Take the deal,
and let everyone walk away,

or he can turn the camera back
on and answer your question.

[tense music]

Our offer stands for 24 hours.

♪ ♪

All right, so what, I just
roll this thing down there

and knock over the sticks?

Pins.

How have you
never bowled before?

Fourth grade,

Joshua Hirshheiser
had a bowling birthday party.

Before we even started, I got
my fingers stuck in the ball.

They called me sausage fingers
till eighth grade.

So what do I do?

I just throw--
how do I throw it?

Just walk to the line,
release it.

[bowling pins clatter]

That's okay.
Happens to everyone.

Just...try to keep
your arm straight.

Oh.

Shit!

Maybe we should
try some bumpers.

No!
This is so stupid.

If it weren't for the shoes,

nobody would play
this ridiculous game at all.

Okay, let's try granny style.

Oh.
Okay, yeah.

No problem.

Goddamn it!

This is worse than when I lost

the junior wrestling
championship!

- You wrestled?
- I don't know if

you know this about me, Alex,
but I have a lot of rage.

Wait a second.
Rage. That's it.

Louis, I want you
to imagine Faye's face

on all those pins.

Imagine she's taking your firm
and laughing at you.

Of course I'm taking
your firm, Louis.

Because you're weak
and ineffectual,

and you don't deserve it.

Because you're nothing.

You're a
sausage-fingered failure!

[bellows]

[upbeat rock music]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

[clears throat]
Excuse me, miss,

I'm here to sign
an engagement letter.

Perhaps you could help me?

Thomas!
Right on time.

What can I say?
I'm nothing if not punctual.

Well, Louis always did say

that it was one
of your many stellar qualities.

Oh, really?

And what were
some of my others?

Loyalty.

Integrity.
Height.

[chuckles]
Height?

What can I say?

Louis prizes
what he doesn't have

and the fact that you've
got that full head of hair?

That makes you
practically a god.

Well, as much
as I could talk

about my stellar qualities
all day, um...

If we do that,

then this engagement letter
won't sign itself.

No, it won't.

Well, all you have to do
is sign it,

and I will make sure
that Harvey gets it right away.

Oh, it's okay, Donna.
I can drop it off.

He and I have some business
to discuss, anyway.

It was good to see you,
Thomas.

It was good to see you too.

I can't believe
you bowled a perfect game!

I can't believe
they didn't have rosé.

So I see you went
with piña colada instead.

Never disappoints.

Thanks for bringing me here,
Alex.

I haven't felt
this relaxed in days.

It's like ever since
you got here,

I've been on the outside
of my own firm.

Believe it or not, Louis,
I know exactly how you feel.

When I first got to the firm,
I thought Harvey and I

were going to be like
Stockton and Malone.

But, for whatever reason,
that didn't happen.

Then I thought I was
getting my name on the wall,

and I found myself
in a death match

with Samantha instead.

- I was no picnic either.
- Mm-hmm.

No, you were not.

But the thing is,

all that happened,
and I'm still standing.

And, Louis, when this is done,
you'll be standing too.

We'll be standing.

So...

about this wrestling thing.

Not many people know.

When I told Harvey, he got me
a onesie for my birthday.

- [chuckles]
- You ever wear it?

That's not the point.

Well...

since we're talking about
things people don't know...

I tap.

No way.

Holy shit!
How? When?

[sighs]

My mom made me take lessons
when I was a kid.

I don't believe it.
You have cats, you dance.

You might be the manliest man
I've ever met.

Well, what do you say we keep
my manliness between us?

Oh, please, say no more.

I've had to downplay
my masculinity

in front of Harvey
for years.

I'm sure you have, Louis.
I'm sure you have.

- Well?
- Well, what?

- How did it go?
- Shitty.

They offered us $25,000
and then said if we want more,

we'll have to go on record
with an official diagnosis.

Okay,
if they're offering that,

we can probably
get them up another 25.

$50,000 isn't enough.
I want 500.

Samantha,
that's never going to happen.

- We have no leverage.
- So we'll get some.

You're going
to blackmail him?

I'm gonna do right
by my client.

And if you think
extorting a settlement

is doing right by your client,
then...

Faye was right; you shouldn't
have taken this case.

[scoffs]
I don't believe this.

- She got to you.
- No, Samantha, I got to me.

And what you're talking about
is exactly the type of thing

that got us handcuffed to her
in the first place.

And if you think
I asked for your help

so you could be
little Sally Girl Scout--

I think you're letting
your guilt blind you

to what Lucas really needs,

which is treatment
for his condition.

You don't think I know that?

I tried,
but I can't make him get help

any more than I could...

Samantha, I understand
what you're feeling.

But this isn't the way
to help your friend.

[soft music]

[sighs]

Donna, there you are.
I was looking all over for you.

Listen, I wanted to tell you

how sorry I am
about the other morning.

Am I missing something?

What do you have
to be sorry about?

Well, you and Harvey came
to me with wonderful news,

and I got so caught up with the
firm situation, that I really

didn't get a chance to say
how happy I am for you.

Oh, that's really thoughtful
of you, Louis,

but I completely understood.

All the same.
You're my friend.

Monumental thing
happened for you, and...

I want to hear all about it.

- You mean girl talk?
- You know it.

Which means I want
to hear how it happened.

I will tell you.

- When it happened.
- All the details.

What was it like?

Okay, I'm shutting this down
right now.

No, Donna,
I don't mean like that.

I just want to do
a side-by-side comparison

of Harvey's style to mine.

- What is wrong with you?
- Okay, fine.

I'm sorry.

What I mean to say is...

I'm thrilled for you.

- I'm even happier for Harvey.
- Oh, really?

And why is that?

Because you're the best thing
that's ever happened to him.

And he finally knows it.

That's the sweetest thing
you've ever said to me.

Does this mean
you'll reconsider

describing Harvey's
technique to me?

All right,
then we'll do it later.

You are not gonna believe
what Louis just tried to--

Thomas backed out, Donna.

What?

He said he thought
he could handle it,

but he couldn't.

Harvey, I--I told Faye
that he was signing with us.

- This means that he's gonna--
- I know what it means.

She's gonna want to go back
to interviewing him.

No.
She won't.

'Cause I'm gonna
tell her the truth.

Donna, what can I do for you?

You can listen.

And hopefully understand.

Understand what?

Why Thomas Kessler left.

I was under the impression
it didn't matter

when you told me
he was coming back.

He's not.

And the reason he's not
is the same reason he left.

Thomas wasn't just a client.

He and I were
in a relationship.

- Were?
- Yes.

We ended it a few days ago,

and you can ask him
about it yourself,

but you would just be
making him reopen a wound

that he is trying to close.

Why didn't you
tell me this before?

Have you ever
been in a relationship

that you thought would last
but didn't,

and when it ended
there was collateral damage

that you never could've
anticipated, but...

still felt responsible for?

[soft music]

♪ ♪

That's why.

You can cancel the interview,
Donna.

And thank you
for telling me the truth.

♪ ♪

What's that?

It's a settlement offer
for $25,000.

I don't want a settlement.
I want my job back!

Lucas, listen to me.

It took me a long time to admit
that sometimes I need help.

And right now
you need professional help.

You're not gonna get out
of this hole without--

- Damn it, I told you!
- I know what you told me.

But you're my friend.

You're still living back there,

and I am not
gonna leave you behind.

What do you know about this?
You weren't even there!

And I will feel guilty about
that for the rest of my life.

But what I'm not gonna do

is let you leave here
without signing this job offer.

What?
I thought you couldn't--

I can't.

I created a corporation.

That is a contract
between you and SW Industries.

To the world, you have a job.

One year, the pay is $100,000.

I can't take your money.

It's not charity.

If you don't
get the help you need,

that contract is null and void.

Lucas, I have only ever told
one other person this...

I was beaten as a kid.

And it took admitting
that I needed professional help

to get over it.

You've been to war.

♪ ♪

[sniffs]

I told myself
I could handle it.

You can.

You just can't do it alone.

[solemn music]

♪ ♪

Mmm, that looks delicious.
Mind if I have some?

- You want some prunie?
- I would.

In fact, why don't you
pour another glass

and we could take it
down to Benjamin?

He's been working so hard.

- Benjamin?
- Mm-hmm.

Yeah, I was having
a little trouble with my email,

so I went to get him,
and wouldn't you know it,

I found him hip deep
in the Bar's bylaws.

Well, you know,
Benjamin is an avid reader.

Especially when he's given
an assignment...

by the managing partner.

I don't believe it.
He told you.

That's what
you're concerned about?

You people!

I come here and give you
a chance to clean up your act,

and inside of two days,

not only am I openly defied
left and right,

but I find out the managing
partner wants me gone so badly,

he ordered someone
to hack the New York Bar!

Bullshit, I didn't order
Benjamin to do that!

Are you saying
he's lying to me now?

I'm saying I told him

that I didn't give a shit
what it took.

I wanted the bylaws.
I didn't mean for him to--

To hack them?

Well, that's what
he took it to mean.

Because you gave him an order.

Said you didn't care
how he accomplished it.

And you know what?
As far as I'm concerned,

you're lucky I'm not
letting you go right now.

You can't talk to me
like that.

That's the problem
with this place.

You're a bunch of wild dogs
running around,

defecating all over the legal
standards you swore to uphold.

You can bet your ass

I'm gonna put a leash
on every one of you.

[tense music]

♪ ♪

- Well?
- It's done.

We're off the hook.

- Then she bought it.
- It was the truth, Harvey.

There was nothing to buy.

Hey, what do you say
we break out the can opener?

Whoa,
that is a pretrial thing,

not a we-just-got-out-
of-trouble thing.

Who says it can't be both?

The can opener
says it can't be both.

You can't argue
with the can opener.

- Hey, I'm not the bad guy here.
- You might not be the bad guy,

but that doesn't mean that--
- I hate to interrupt,

but you need to
get yourselves over to IT,

and you need to do it
right now.

♪ ♪

What the fuck did you do?

Louis, you don't understand.

She knew
before I even told her.

Bullshit. She knew
because you told her.

You betrayed me.
You betrayed this firm--

I tried to hide it, I swear.

Save your pathetic excuses,

and get the hell
out of my firm.

You are fired.

- Louis, stop!
- Stay out of this.

She's not staying out of it,
and neither am I.

What the hell is going on here?

I asked this traitor
to help us get rid of Faye.

Instead of doing it,
he ratted me out.

Louis,
what was I supposed to do?

She found out about the hack.

What hack?

He asked me to find
a loophole in the Bar's bylaws

that he could use
to get Faye out.

Louis, you had no right
to ask him that.

Bullshit, I had every right!
I'm the managing partner.

Just like I have the right
to fire him.

No, you don't.
There's three of us here.

I'm calling it to a vote.
I'm against.

You can't do that.
He's support staff.

It's not subject to a vote.

The hell it isn't!

Right, Harvey?

Right.
Louis--

Okay, this is horseshit.
You're just agreeing with Donna

because you don't want her
to be mad at you

now that you're
in a relationship.

Louis, that's ridiculous.

Harvey would never side with me
just because of that.

Yeah, I knew it.
Which means it's my call.

Benjamin's gone.

No, he's not.

Because this shows
an utter lack of judgment.

And I'm not letting it stand.

No, you're just
going to come in here

and publicly humiliate me for
the third time in as many days.

Well, forgive me

if I don't feel like
sticking around for your party.

Bowling?

[chuckles]
He's already telling people?

No, I went by
his office earlier

to see how he's doing
with the whole Faye thing,

and Gretchen told me
where you two were.

Well, if you want
to know how it went,

the man's actually a natural.

- I'm not surprised.
- You aren't?

No, once he puts
his mind to things,

Louis is an incredibly
quick study.

- You really do know him.
- I do...

which is why I know

he's going to need his friends
now more than ever.

You were there for him today,
and I appreciate that.

Well, I'll be there
for him tomorrow too.

We all will.

What are you doing here?

I heard what you said
about humiliating you,

so I'm coming to you in private
to say what I have to say.

What is it?

Well, for starters,
Benjamin is staying

because he doesn't deserve
to be punished

for doing something
you made him do.

I told you,
I didn't make him do anything--

And Wells Fargo

didn't make its employees
open those fake accounts.

But pressure from the top
is hard to withstand.

Well, then why don't you have
that engraved on a paperweight?

Because you may be
special master,

but I'm managing partner.

- That gives me certain rights--
- Not anymore.

What?

Because I went after
your bylaws,

you think you can
go after mine?

Good luck.
They're airtight.

I meant you're not
managing partner anymore.

Effective immediately.

You're stripped of your title

and all the duties
that go with it.

You can either accept this
or resign.

♪ ♪

== sync, corrected by elderman ==
@elder_man