Who Will Be Mike's Best Man: Harvey Or Not?

Mike Ross and Harvey Specter's relationship in the TV show *Suits* is one of the most intriguing bromances on television. Their first meeting sets the stage for a unique and special friendship, with Harvey taking a risk on Mike, a genius with a photographic memory but no law degree. Their insane character similarities and mutual love of the law create an us against the world mentality in the cut-throat world of New York law. Harvey becomes a mentor to Mike, and their relationship develops into that of a protective older brother and a devoted, loyal friend. Mike is willing to go to prison for Harvey, and Harvey is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Mike at the firm, even if it hurts his position and credibility. Their relationship is tested but always prevails, and they become more like brothers as the show progresses.

Harvey and Mike's first meeting

Mike Ross and Harvey Specter's first meeting was something special. Mike, a brilliant but troubled young man, was looking to break into the legal world. He had an eidetic memory and a genius-level intellect but had never graduated from law school or any other post-secondary institution.

Harvey, a senior partner at the prestigious law firm Pearson Hardman, was conducting associate recruitment interviews at the Chilton Hotel. Donna, mistaking Mike for another candidate, Rick Sorkin, was impressed with Mike's quick wit and sent him to Harvey.

Mike, sensing an opportunity, continued to impersonate Rick until his briefcase fell open, revealing bags of marijuana. This put an end to his charade, but Harvey was amused and intrigued. He admired Mike's quick thinking and eidetic memory and decided to take a chance on him, hiring him on the spot.

From that moment on, the groundwork was set for one of the most fascinating friendships on television. Harvey, despite the risk of breaking the law, was willing to mentor Mike and keep his secret safe. Their first encounter laid the foundation for an unbreakable "us against the world" mentality and a deep, brotherly bond.

Mike's lack of a law degree

Mike Ross, a former lawyer and junior partner at Specter Litt, lacked a law degree. Despite this, he was hired by Harvey Specter, a senior partner at Pearson Hardman, as his associate lawyer. Mike's lack of a law degree was a well-kept secret, known only to a few trusted individuals. This secret created a significant amount of tension and risk for both Mike and Harvey, as they worked together at the firm.

Mike's expulsion left him without a formal education, but he possessed an incredible photographic memory. This unique ability allowed him to retain vast amounts of information and legal knowledge, compensating for his lack of a law degree. Mike's memory, combined with his natural intelligence and quick wit, impressed Harvey during their first encounter. Despite the significant risk of hiring someone without a law degree, Harvey recognised Mike's potential and took a chance on him.

The decision to hire Mike was a defining moment in their relationship and the development of their strong bond. Mike's lack of a law degree created a sense of dependency and loyalty between them. Mike was fiercely loyal to Harvey, often going to great lengths to support and protect him. Harvey, in turn, became a mentor and a father figure to Mike, guiding him through the legal world and helping him develop his skills. Their relationship extended beyond the professional realm, with Mike and Harvey becoming best friends and confidants.

However, Mike's lack of a law degree also created significant challenges and risks for both of them. In a highly competitive and cutthroat legal environment, their secret could be used against them. Trevor, Mike's former friend, was well aware of this secret and often used it as leverage, creating tension and conflict within the firm. Additionally, Jessica Pearson, a managing partner at the firm, also discovered Mike's secret and used it to exert control over Harvey and Mike. She even went as far as to blackmail Mike, threatening to expose him if he won an important case.

The consequences of Mike's lack of a law degree were far-reaching and impacted not only his career but also his personal life. It led to his arrest and imprisonment for conspiracy to commit fraud. Despite this, Mike's time in prison also provided an opportunity for him to reflect and re-evaluate his priorities. After his release, he decided to pursue a different path, choosing to work with a public interest firm in Seattle, marking a new chapter in his life.

In conclusion, Mike's lack of a law degree was both a blessing and a curse. It brought him and Harvey together, fostering a deep and unique relationship. However, it also created challenges, risks, and even legal repercussions. Ultimately, Mike's decision to move to Seattle and work with a public interest firm signalled a shift in his priorities, allowing him to use his legal skills and knowledge for a greater good, free from the constraints of his secret.

Harvey's mentorship of Mike

Harvey Specter's mentorship of Mike Ross is a key relationship in the TV show Suits. Harvey, a senior partner at the law firm Pearson Hardman, hires Mike, a genius with a photographic memory, as his associate, despite Mike's lack of a law degree. Harvey becomes Mike's mentor and the two develop a close friendship, with Harvey taking on a protective, older-brother-like role.

Harvey is impressed by Mike's wit and knowledge and takes a risk by hiring him. He becomes Mike's mentor, similar to how Jessica Pearson, Harvey's own mentor, guided him. Mike, who has never had any responsible paternal figures in his life, comes to regard Harvey as an older brother and a best friend. Mike is fiercely loyal to Harvey and often goes to great lengths to achieve the impossible on his behalf. Harvey, in turn, is protective of Mike and unfailingly comes to his aid, feeling responsible for his associate. Harvey also helps Mike with personal issues, such as when he is in a dark place and Harvey knows he has to save him. Their relationship is tested when Harvey takes a case against Mike, but they reconcile when Mike goes to Harvey for help after losing his job.

Harvey and Mike's relationship is founded on their character similarities. They are both driven and smart, and they understand and relate to each other in ways that other people can't. They become more than just co-workers or friends; they become brothers, bonded by their mutual love of the law, a confident nature, and numerous pop culture references. Their chemistry is evident from their first meeting, and they develop an "us against the world" mentality in the cutthroat world of New York law.

Harvey is integral to Mike becoming a world-class lawyer. Mike has an unbelievable ability to remember everything he has ever seen or read, but Harvey teaches him the intricacies and the finer details of the law. Harvey also helps Mike develop a ruthless streak, while Mike teaches Harvey to show his caring side more often. They become better lawyers because of each other.

Harvey and Mike's relationship is tested when Jessica Pearson and Louis Litt discover that Mike is a fraud. Harvey is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Mike at the firm, even if it hurts his position and credibility. Mike makes the ultimate sacrifice when he takes the fall for Harvey and goes to prison for fraud.

Harvey and Mike's mentorship and friendship are a key relationship in Suits, and their bromance is one of the most intriguing on television.

Mike's imprisonment

Mike Ross, a former lawyer and junior partner at Specter Litt, was imprisoned for fraud. Despite having a photographic memory and an incredible ability to retain information, Mike had never attended law school or graduated from any post-secondary institution.

Mike was arrested for conspiracy to commit fraud in the season 5 summer finale of Suits. Although the verdict was not guilty, Mike pleaded guilty before the official verdict and was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, Connecticut.

During his time in prison, Mike discovered a new enemy in Frank Gallo, an inmate with a lot of influence over the guards. Gallo tricked Mike into giving him Rachel's phone number and caused trouble for Mike and Harvey. Mike also met his cellmate, Kevin Miller, and was wary of being tricked again. He tried to stay out of trouble but got into a fight with Gallo that led to his visitation rights being revoked for two weeks.

Mike was eventually presented with a deal by Sean Cahill. He helped keep Frank Gallo behind bars and had insider trader William Sutter arrested, and as a result, he was freed from prison.

Mike and Harvey's friendship

Mike Ross and Harvey Specter's friendship is one of the most intriguing bromances on television. Their friendship is founded on their insane character similarities. Mike and Harvey are both incredibly driven and smart. They understand and relate to each other in ways that other people can't. Their characters mesh so well that, on their first meeting, you could feel that this was something special.

Harvey, a senior partner at Pearson Hardman, hired Mike, a brilliant but troubled young man, as his associate, and became his mentor. Mike, who never had any responsible paternal figures in his life, comes to regard Harvey as an older brother and a best friend. Mike is fiercely loyal to Harvey and often goes to great lengths to achieve the impossible on Harvey's behalf. This loyalty also comes with an element of dependency, both in a professional and emotional manner. When Mike makes mistakes, Harvey unfailingly comes to his aid, as Harvey feels responsible for his associate. In "Shelf Life," Harvey bails Mike out when he is caught looking through files of a rival firm, and in "Bail Out," he protects Mike from the threat of Trevor's moneylenders.

Harvey is protective of Mike in an older-brotherly way; when Jessica learns of Mike's fraud and demands that he be fired, Harvey refuses to do so. In "Blood in the Water," when Mike comes into his office with a black eye after being beaten by Tess's husband, Harvey demands to know who did it so that he can "kick his ass."

Mike is devoted to Harvey like no one else in the office, and their playful banter and teasing become a trademark aspect of their relationship. They have similar tastes in movies and often challenge each other to quote-offs. At times, Harvey becomes less of a father-figure or older brother and more of a friend. In "High Noon", he joins Mike in an evening of drinking and smoking, and the two even try to sabotage the office to get back at Louis.

In season 4, Harvey and Mike's relationship is put to the test again when Harvey takes a case against Mike in a takeover battle. But after Mike gets fired and finds out that Rachel kissed Logan, Mike goes to Harvey for help.

Though their relationship is tested by obstacles, their unbeatable teamwork and unspoken bond with one another prove to triumph again and again. At the end of season 7, Harvey attends Mike's wedding with Jessica noting that Harvey is the only family that Mike has. Although Harvey offers to make Mike a senior partner for saving the firm, Mike refuses as he's decided to move to Seattle with Rachel to take on Fortune 500 companies. In season 8, Harvey considers calling Mike for help on a case before instead figuring out a solution for himself by thinking about what Mike would do if he was there. In the series finale, after Mike and Harvey team up together for one last con to save the firm, Harvey decides to move to Seattle with Donna in order to work with Mike and Rachel, this time putting his talents to work helping the good guys. Before leaving, the two playfully reenact their very first meeting in reverse.

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