Top 10 Savage Moments on Suits

“Identity Crisis”
It was tempting to just make this an all-Harvey Specter list. The lawyer and mentor to unlicensed associate Mike Ross has so many perfectly succinct remarks, including this one. Harvey tasks Mike with looking into a mystery involving biologist and hacker Lola Jensen. Except it went deeper than just gathering information. When Mike comes back with a detail about the name on her fake ID, Harvey is nonplussed, responding with [“I didn't ask you to explain the problem to me. I asked you to fix it for me.”]. Mike is understandably exasperated that his detective work has gone unacknowledged. But we can’t deny Harvey’s ability to reiterate instructions with maximum sass.

“Bail Out”
Harvey isn’t the only member of the Pearson Hardman family who has a special way with words. His secretary and friend, Donna Paulsen, can also craft a masterpiece out of just a few words. In this season 1 episode, Harvey’s driver, Ray, finds himself facing what could be a devastating lawsuit. He comes to the office, asking to speak to Harvey. Paulsen obliges his request. And he responds by making a well-meaning but arguably inappropriate comment on her attractiveness. Donna gets the last word in, though. There’s seemingly no limit on her verbal abilities, either.

“Uninvited Guests”
As managing partner of an esteemed New York City law firm, Jessica Pearson does not suffer fools lightly. The same goes for insults. When her former mentor and firm co-founder Daniel Hardman drops by, he offers an unwelcome remark, disguised as a bit of health advice. Even before he’s finished speaking, her face screams “done.” Fortunately, she has a snappy comeback right at her disposal. Now, it might be a bit of a cheap shot to go after his height rather than his dishonesty or his underhandedness.. But if Daniel is going to play dirty, then so is Jessica.

“He’s Back”
To put it mildly, Louis Litt is a complicated individual. As a partner at Pearson Hardman, Louis does everything he can to get his way, including some rather shady things. But any opportunity to get into his head is one worth taking. After Hardman plays both him and Donna, Louis goes to her, in hopes that they can get even. Donna recites the famous saying about success being the best revenge. However, Louis isn’t having this. It’s debatable what the best form of revenge is, or if revenge is justifiable. But this quote sums up Louis to a T.

“Undefeated”
If Harvey was more in touch with his feelings, he wouldn’t be himself. And he probably wouldn’t be such a successful lawyer, either. At least, that’s the best explanation we have for what makes him tick. On the phone with the rival counsel for a class-action lawsuit involving an energy company and a small town, Harvey insists they meet at the local high school. When asked why, he tells Max about the emotional potency of the location. This is questioned, but Harvey clarifies in true Harvey fashion. Say what you will about Harvey and his stance on emotions. But he knows how to get the job done.

“Rules of the Game”
It’s tough having conflict with someone at work. It’s even tougher when that someone is a higher-up. In this episode, Harvey and Mike go toe-to-toe with Louis in a case involving distribution of assets between two estranged sisters regarding their father’s estate. After Mike brings Louis their offers, which are turned down, he reminds him of his obligation to show them to his client. But Louis isn’t fazed, flexing his superior position at the firm. We’re not sure how many times Louis has employed this tactic in his professional career. But we’re guessing this wasn’t the first.

“Pilot”
He might not have as many quotables as his mentor, Harvey. But Mike Ross is still an essential part of “Suits,” as well as a very smart person. How smart? He has a photographic memory. As in, he can recite things he read years ago verbatim. Unfortunately, some bad decision-making led to his expulsion from college. He's since passed the bar multiple times, albeit never for himself. Though Harvey is intrigued, he’s also skeptical. Mike is understanding, which he expresses by shading the other applicants, and plenty of other people too. It’s not exactly tactful. But it did get him the job.

"Break Point"
If there’s one quote that arguably defines the character of Harvey Specter better than any other, it’s this one. When lawyer Allison Holt is hired for a fraud suit involving Harvey, she’s adamant about cutting a deal with the plaintiffs. Harvey, being Harvey, doesn’t want to go that way. He tells her his stance on legal battles compared to hers. Actually, this might apply to most of the conflicts Harvey’s involved in? However, the brash attorney does show some real growth later in the episode. Sometimes, “winning big” is as simple as displaying some humility.

“Dog Fight”
While Louis might like to think that he can play just about anyone in order to get what he wants, Jessica Pearson is not just anyone. Seeking senior partner status, Louis goes to the firm owner and demands an immediate promotion. But his insistent shouting doesn’t remotely rattle Jessica, who promptly puts him in his place and sends him out of her office without a moment’s hesitation. Louis might’ve felt like a badass before barging into Jessica’s office. But that’s probably not how he felt leaving. And trust us, when Jessica makes a threat, she makes it count.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Photoshopped,” "Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner"
Louis Might Be Abrasive, But He’s Abrasive With Pizzazz

“Too Busy Being Awesome,” “High Noon”
Awesome Is As Awesome Does

“Manly,” “Compensation”
As Harvey’s New Secretary, Gretchen Absolutely Lives Up To Her Predecessor

“Bail Out”
Let’s be honest: was there any possibility that we’d end this list without a quote from Harvey? It wasn’t easy deciding which one should be the topper. But we ultimately went with this beautiful bit of savagery. While fighting the case involving his driver, Ray, Harvey is greeted by Jessica with news of unflattering news coverage. When she asks him a loaded question, he replies the eloquence of a lawyer and the sassiness of a class clown. Even Mike has trouble stifling his amusement. Now, Harvey knows this kind of remark would assuredly not be allowed in the courtroom. But there’s a time and place for everything, right?