The "Suits" episode "Meet the New Boss" shows a new side of several of the characters. Louis (Rick Hoffman) has always been the character whom fans love to hate. We see a slightly more likable side of the character in the episode, while realizing that Hardman (David Costabile) may be even worse than fans had originally thought. Fans also get to see a less likable version of Harvey (Gabriel Macht), at least initially.
A new side of Louis
Jessica (Gina Torres) warns Louis that Harvard may pull Pearson Hardman's Harvard recruiting because they rank second to last in recruit happiness. While Louis is upset that one other company "beat him" in recruit unhappiness, he would be even more unhappy to be unable to pull recruits from Harvard.
He goes to work, trying to get the current batch of Pearson Hardman Harvard associates to act as if they love their jobs for a visiting Harvard rep, Sheila Sazs (Rachael Harris). He realizes this is unnecessary when she turns out to be the "female Louis" (as Mike puts it).
She points out, however, that the associates feel that they work harder than Louis, and that he offloads all of his work on them. This is where Louis shows a better side of himself. He works all night to complete all of their work to prove to them that they simply don't know enough to be able to get the work done quickly "without breaking a sweat." The associates suddenly come to life and scramble for more work. He thus, for the first time, has brought out the best in his associates.
Hardman the snake
Hardman proves to be much more nefarious than anyone at the firm had thought. Only Harvey and Jessica know his true nature. He tries to slither his way into Harvey's next case. Hardman even attempts to bring Mike (Patrick J. Adams) to his side, which actually works for a short while. Hardman may be an actual sociopath, putting on a kind exterior while hiding his sinister interior.
Harvey's apparent betrayal
Mike uses his grandmother (who knows what he's doing) to help Hardman with Harvey's case after realizing that Hardman seems to be on his side. Harvey looks like the mean guy when he steps in on a meeting apparently acting irrational and contemptible for no reason. He also uses the information obtained using Mike's grandmother to use against the very woman Mike was trying to help, which Mike sees as a betrayal.
Mike initially believes that Harvey and Hardman are simply trying to beat each other and putting him in the middle of the fight. It is only later when Harvey explains his actions that he tries to get Mike to understand Hardman's true nature. Fans will have to wait and see whether Mike really gets it.
Image source: SUITS -- "Meet the New Boss" Episode 203 -- Pictured: (l-r) Rick Hoffman as Louis Litt, Rachel Harris as Sheila -- (Photo by: Christos Kalohoridis/USA Network), Airdate: Thursday, June 28 on USA Network (10-11 p.m. ET), © NBC Universal, Inc.
