Fans are well aware by now of all the great one-liners that Harvey has served up over the years. But one other important thing to remember is that Harvey can be incredibly harsh when he wants to be. Throughout the duration of Suits, Harvey has lashed out at many of the main characters.
But there have also been moments when fans can’t help but feel bad for Harvey, usually around the times when he loses those closest to him. It seems as though under that tough, zero-tolerance exterior, there can also be a humble man who feels emotion like everyone else.
Hated Harvey – When He Shouted At Louis
Everyone who watches Suits will know that Louis usually lets his emotions get in the way of his decision making, and season 3 episode 9, ‘Bad Faith’ is no different. After Louis becomes obsessed with Nigel’s cat, Mikado, he finds out that no one has been reading her his letters.
When Harvey finds out that this is the reason Louis ruined the negotiation, he goes off the rails and screams at Louis. Even though he was right that Louis had been overreacting, there are usually better ways to resolve the situation.
Felt Sorry For Harvey – When He Lost Mike
After season 7, Mike and Rachel leave to start their life together. In season 7, episode 16, Harvey and Mike have one (second to) last goodbye after Mike accepts a job in Seattle.
Even though Harvey knows Mike is ready for anything life throws at him and that it’s for the best, there is no doubt Harvey is about to lose his brother and best friend.
Hated Harvey – When He Shouted At Rachel When She Asked For A Day Off
In season 4, episode 5, ‘Pound of Flesh,’ Rachel asks Harvey to have a day off so that she can work through Law school as she has been juggling her work between the establishments for months without asking for anything in return.
Harvey being Harvey doesn’t accept it lightly. In fact, he doesn’t accept her request at all. Given that Harvey has never taken a vacation from work, he finds it hard to believe that Rachel needs the day off and says as long as she works for him, she should learn to manage her time better. A tad harsh, even for Harvey Spectre, considering it’s Rachel asking.
Felt Sorry For Harvey – When He Had Panic Attacks
In season 5, episode 3, ‘No Refills,’ after Harvey has lost Donna. he suffers panic attacks. After speaking to Jessica, he has another one about Mike leaving him too. As Harvey walks back to his office dazed and on the verge of fainting, Mike instantly realizes what is wrong.
What makes the situation worse is that Jack Soloff enters the office with a document about Harvey’s compensation. Harvey plucks up just enough strength to have the final word before Jack leaves the room. Even for the great Harvey Spectre, anxiety can be too much.
Hated Harvey – When He Lashed Out At Katrina
After losing his mother in season 9 while dealing with Faye Richardson, Harvey yells at Katrina for crossing a line and jeopardizing the case. Katrina makes the valid argument that she would not have done anything if she, as a senior partner, was kept in the loop of what was really going on.
During Harvey’s outburst, he reveals that he wants to talk to Mike as he is the only one who knows what it’s like to lose a parent. Was Harvey right to shout at Katrina for only trying to help? Probably not. While fans can perhaps give him a pass since he just lost, it’s not fair for him to lash out at other people.
Felt Sorry For Harvey – When He Lost His Mother’s Painting
One of Harvey’s greatest nemeses is A. Elliott Stemple, who returns in season 6, episode 2, ‘Accounts Payable,’ and notices that Harvey has a painting of a duck in his office. Stemple figures out that the only reason Harvey would keep it is if it meant a great deal to him and blackmails Harvey to give it to him in return for him dropping his objection.
It is later revealed that the painting was done by Harvey’s mother and it was the last happy memory he had of his mother before she cheated on his father.
Hated Harvey – When He Threw Louis Into A Table
In season 5, episode 7, ‘Hitting Home,’ Louis catches on to Harvey and Esther’s relationship and goes to confront him in his office. After a heated argument where Louis calls Harvey a serial womanizer, Harvey hits Louis. When Louis goes for him, Harvey throws Louis into the table.
Fans certainly aren’t on Louis’s side either, but neither characters were in a great position and there are always better ways to resolve issues than to throw a colleague into tables.
Felt Sorry For Harvey – When He Lost Donna
At the end of season 4, Donna quits being Harvey’s assistant and goes to work for Louis after she loses touch with the lawyer. Two of the most important women in Harvey’s life are Donna and his mother, and after having a troubled past with his mother cheating on his father, Harvey almost can’t bear to lose Donna too.
After Donna goes to work for Louis, this triggers his panic attacks as he has always had Donna by his side. Gretchen enters as Harvey’s assistant, who fans loved, but she was no match for Donna.
Hated Harvey – When He Subpoenaed Mike
After an almost two-season gap, Mike Ross returns in season 9 and reconnects with Harvey. Harvey and Mike go for a drink but then after the two catch up Harvey serves Mike with a Subpoena which outrages Mike.
And rightly so. There was a time and a place to do your job, and after fans finally have the reunion they wanted with Harvey and Mike, Harvey immediately causes a rift between them. Fans only want to see them get along like they used to.
Felt Sorry For Harvey – When He Lost His Mother
This was without a doubt the biggest loss for Harvey throughout the show. Although fans never saw too much of Harvey’s mother, she was mentioned numerous times and at her funeral in season 9, it’s clear that Harvey regretted all the years he spent hating her.
Harvey conjures up just enough energy to get through his speech about her without crying until the end. A brilliantly delivered scene by Gabriel Macht.
