Suits features a brilliant cast and writing, but while many of the best lines are credited to Harvey Spector, Mike Ross has his share of memorable quotes in the series. Suits rose to prominence on the USA Network after it began airing in 2011. Early on, the show found a solid fanbase thanks to the dynamic relationships and brilliant cast, alongside plenty of wit and charm in the scripts from start to finish.

The series is packed with brilliant characters who are full of incredible one-liners and sage wisdom when the occasion calls for it. From the comedy, to the legal jargon, and the dialogue that helped to build up relationships and see others shatter apart, the script and writing for the show is fantastic. While the writers and the show’s creator, Aaron Korsh, are certainly owed credit for this, the character of Mike Ross brings some of the best lines to life in Suits thanks to the outstanding performance by Patrick J. Adams.

10

“If I Hit This Button, I Call Michael Jordan.”

Suits Season 1, Episode 9: “Undefeated”

During Suits season 1, episode 9, Mike and Harvey are still getting to know one another. The world that Mike comes from is vastly different to that of Harvey Spector, but due to their circumstances, the pair are now thrown together. Harvey is a top lawyer in New York City, and as a result, he has certain connections. While speaking with Mike, his newly hired protégé, Harvey tells him that Michael Jordan is on his speed dial, which Mike is suitably distrusting of.

The idea that one of the world’s most elite athletes is on speed dial to the lawyer who just gave him a job is unbelievable. However, Harvey isn’t usually one to joke around when it comes to matters like this, and more than bragging about how well-connected he is, he is simply stating facts. The line helps to connect these worlds together and showcase the huge shift for Mike.

9

“I Thought You Liked It When I Breached Your Borders?”

Suits Season 4, Episode 2: “Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner”

Much later in the show, during the fourth season, when Mike started to get his life and career on a solid track, he found himself finally settling into a relationship with Rachel Zane. Mike and Rachel had chemistry from the first moment they shared the screen, but due to the secrets and challenges of working together while being romantically involved, they did not rush into a relationship. However, the connection was always burning hot, and they ultimately let themselves become romantic.

This relationship then needed to find a balance between life at the office and life at home. Both Mike and Rachel are talented individuals working at one of the world’s leading law firms, so they can’t afford to slack off. For this reason, Mike and Rachel try to set some clear boundaries about taking work home, and when they need to dedicate focused time to their cases, but this quickly becomes flirtation. Once again proving that their chemistry is their relationships’ greatest asset, but potentially a challenge for their careers.

8

“Whose Story Is Looking More Far Fetched Now?”

Suits Season 5, Episode 14, “Self Defense”

Suits often featured cases and trials where the primary characters would be deep in the trenches of a legal battle, but season 5, episode 14, stands out as one of the best. Harvey and Mike go head-to-head in a mock trial within their own firm, with Mike trying to prove the fact that he attended Harvard, and Harvey challenging the claim. Harvey is a skilled lawyer with decades of experience, while Mike is still a fairly new practitioner of the law, with almost no formal training.

However, in the mock trial, the pair fire off some excellent points that cause each other to fumble and stall. One of Mike’s best moments during the trial comes as he grills Harvey on the witness stand, and is able to make a clear play for why the idea he didn’t attend Harvard is absolutely ludicrous. This moment is a major step in Mike’s career, and the entire trial brings Harvey and Mike to a new level of respect and admiration for one another.

7

“I’m More Of A Burger Guy.”

Suits Season 1, Episode 4, “Dirty Little Secrets”

Early in the show, Mike is in a constant state of fear at being discovered in his lie. Despite being hired by Pearson Hardman, he never completed a degree at Harvard, or any other law school. During a late night quiz with Louis Litt and some of the other new talent, Mike is able to sail through most of the questions thanks to his eidetic memory. However, when Louis poses a simple question about where to get a square pizza on campus, Mike has no answer.

The fact is that Mike never studied at Harvard, and while he can memorize any number of details and facts he sees in books, he does not have the real-life experiences that others would have after attending college. In a moment of quick thinking and desperation, Mike suggests he is not a big pizza guy, and he prefers to study with protein. This line represents his skill for deceit, and his fear at being discovered.

6

“Hey Harvey, I Know I’m Not A Partner But Do You Mind?”

Suits Season 2, Episode 10, “High Noon”

One of the biggest elements of Suits is the power dynamics that constantly shift throughout the series. In season 2, episode 10, the partners at Pearson Hardman have come together in order to oust one of the name partners, Daniel Hardman. When the partners come together to vote on dismissing Harvey over his failure to submit to a drug test, the tables are turned on Hardman as Harvey, Jessica and Mike expose his illegal activities on behalf of the firm.

Hardman’s vote fails to pass, and with new evidence exposing him as a liar and fraud, a new vote to dismiss Hardman is raised. As the partners raise their hands in support of Hardman’s dismissal, Mike quickly asks Harvey for permission to join in, albeit, not that his vote carries any weight. This action by Mike is fun and shows his excitement and passion for what they have achieved, and the relationship between Harvey and Mike.

5

“You Put Your Interests Above Mine, And I’m Putting Them Back Up Next To Yours”

Suits Season 1, Episode 1, “Pilot”

The pilot episode for Suits is one of the best episodes of the series as a whole. Mike and Harvey establish a rapport, and Mike lands a job that he is completely unqualified for, but more than capable of. Throughout the episode, the tensions and lies which are being created to secure Mike his place in the firm are revealed, and the relationship between the central characters is established.

Harvey admires Mike for his incredible intelligence, and he believes, in his own hubris, that he can mold Mike to become a great lawyer despite his lack of qualifications. Mike proves his skills, and his abiltiy to match Harvey in moments like the above, where Harvey fires Mike to protect himself, and Mike turns the tables, which immediately earns him his position back. There is great back and forth between the pair, and their wit is perfectly matched.

4

“When The Hell Does This Become Your Dirty Little Secret?”

Suits Season 4, Episode 11, “Enough Is Enough”

Returning to season 4, Suits sees other characters become entangled in the web of lies being made by Harvey and Mike. One such individual who becomes a coconspirator is Jessica Pearson, one of the name partners at Pearson Hardman, and someone who is expected to maintain and protect her firm from risks. However, despite learning about Harvey and Mike’s secret, Jessica agrees to go along with the lie, and aid the pair at times.

Despite this, Jessica is more than willing to hold this secret over Harvey and Mike’s heads, constantly using it as leverage. But after some time with the secret, Mike grows tired and bored with Jessica’s toying, and confronts her. The reality is that Jessica has joined in with the lie in the same way that Harvey and Mike did, using them to her advantage, and allowing Mike to practise despite being aware he has no license.

3

“I Don’t Want To Lie To You”

Suits Season 2, Episode 3, “Meet The New Boss”

Before Mike and Rachel are able to confidently move forward with a relationship and become involved, Mike tries to keep his distance. The fact is that his lie is much bigger than himself. If the truth comes out, he could face jail time, those who helped him could lose their licenses, the firm would be liable to get sued, and cases he worked on could be thrown out.

Knowing this, Mike does not want to share the details of his lie with Rachel, in an effort to protect her and keep her away from the situation. After all, Rachel wants nothing more than to be a lawyer, earning her place on her own merit, and stepping out of her father’s shadows. When the two argue, because Rachel doesn’t understand why Mike keeps being distant, Mike simply reiterates why he can’t take things further with her.

2

“When You Go After Harvey, You Go After Me.”

Suits Season 3, Episode 9, “Bad Faith”

By season 3, Harvey and Mike have become a powerhouse pair of lawyers. With Harvey’s charm, wealth of experience, and his knowledge of how to work the system, he is an elite lawyer all on his own. However, when joined by his protégé, with perfect recall and equal brilliance and intelligence, there is very little they can’t accomplish.

While Mike is out with Robert Zane, Rachel’s father, he finds himself in the middle of a stand-off. Zane is not a fan of Harvey, and wishes to make his life difficult. However, Mike lets him know that it is not a good idea for Zane to go down this road. Mike and Harvey are a team, and the implications and fallout that could come back to Zane may not be worth the trouble.

1

“Sometimes I Like To Hang Out With People Who Aren’t That Bright, You Know, Just To See How The Other Half Lives.”

Suits Season 1, Episode 1: “Pilot”

However, the best line from Mike also comes in the pilot episode when he convinces Harvey to take him on as his new associate. Mike Ross may not have a degree, but Harvey is not someone who exclusively wants highly educated kids to come in and become generic talent. Harvey has always struggled with the fact that he is the best lawyer he knows, and when he wants something done to his standard, it means he needs to do it himself.

In finding Mike Ross, Harvey found more than an associate or a protégé, he found another him. Mike is quick-witted, charming, brilliant, and able to not only absorb knowledge, but understand and apply it to Harvey’s high standards. While debating with Mike about whether he should hire him or some other graduate candidate, Mike rebutts with the above. This ultimately has the desired effect, as it pushes Harvey to hire Mike on the spot, and spawns the entire relationship that would build Suits as a series.