The Greater Good

"If you didn't want to hurt me, you should have kept me or at least told me the truth about it."
"I couldn't do that. I couldn't tell you I was choosing the good of everyone over you."
— Samantha Wheeler and Judy O'Brien

The Greater Good is the thirteenth episode of the eighth season of Suits and the 121st overall. It first aired on February 6, 2019.

Synopsis

Harvey and Donna are caught in the crosshairs when Stu is blackmailed; Samantha revisits her past.

Plot

To be added

Cast

Main Cast

Recurring Cast

Wendell Pierce as Robert Zane
Rachael Harris as Sheila Sazs
Neal McDonough as Sean Cahill
Jake Epstein as Brian Altman
Erik Palladino as Kevin Miller
Ian Reed Kesler as Stu Buzzini

Guest Cast

Sasha Roiz as Thomas Kessler
Nancy Palk as Judy O'Brien
Damon Dayoub as Nick Pavonotti
Alison Louder as Susan Carter
Janet Porter as Prosecutor
Chris Tarpos as Business Trader (uncredited)

Major/Highlighted Events

Stu Buzzini is blackmailed by a trader at his firm, Nick Pavonotti, who has evidence that Stu manipulated the Teddy Doyle shares the year before. Since Specter Litt were the ones who had asked Stu to commit the crime, Donna Paulsen urges Harvey Specter to help Stu. Nick threatens to expose Stu to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission if Stu does not resign, prompting Harvey to ask Sean Cahill to drop the case, although Sean refuses, notifying Harvey that he is lucky he is not being arrested on the spot.
- Harvey asks Kevin Miller, now an investment banker at a top-tier firm, to hire Nick in exchange for Nick ceasing his blackmail on Stu, although Nick refuses the position.
- Nick eventually informs Sean of Stu's crimes, only for Sean to inform Nick that he does not like blackmailers and that he would be implicit in the crime as well if he officially reports it, prompting Nick to withdraw his claim, thereby allowing Stu to retain his position; additionally, Stu fires Nick as a result of his actions.
Following the victory, Harvey finds himself alone in his apartment. He attempts to call Donna and ask her out for drinks, although Donna, who is dating Thomas Kessler, is unable to; he then calls Mike Ross to have someone to talk to, only to get Mike's voicemail, saddening Harvey, becoming lonely as he has no one to spent time with.

Cultural References

Sheila mentions Peter Rabbit and Paddington Bear.

Trivia

Goddamn Counter: 1
Harvey refers to the events of "Inevitable" as having taken place "last year".

Quotes

Harvey: You're gonna have to rethink your choice to go after Stu Buzzini.
Nick: You're no fucking consultant.
Harvey: You're right, and if you pursue this, Stu's not gonna be the one in trouble, you are.

Nick: [to Alex] You don't call my bluff. I call yours. So tell Harvey, or Stu, or whoever the fuck sent you it didn't work, and get out of my firm 'cause make no mistake, come tomorrow, this place is mine.