Suits Season 2 Episode 8 - Rewind

Harvey and Mike reflect on events from five years ago, particularly Harvey's promotion after his father's death, which brought mixed emotions. Amidst ongoing turmoil at the firm, they contemplate the consequences of their past decisions and how they have shaped their present situation.

Harvey's father tries to reach him, but Harvey is too occupied to answer and promises to call back later. Donna informs Harvey that his father keeps asking about his promotion to partner. Jessica alerts Harvey to internal theft within the firm and asks him to discreetly identify the culprit. In return, Harvey proposes that Jessica promote him to partner if he succeeds, and she agrees.

Monica Eton, a senior associate, faces sexual harassment from Louis Litt, the newest junior partner. She forms a friendship with Rachel Zane, a paralegal who recently joined the firm. Rachel informs Monica about legal protections against harassment, but Monica expresses her belief that she shouldn't need the law to protect her from Louis and considers leaving her legal career.

Harvey convinces Zoe Lawford, a fellow senior associate, to let him access her laptop temporarily. He aims to trace the money being stolen from their client's accounts, suspecting Louis at first. However, Jessica discovers that Louis is not the culprit and reprimands Harvey for providing incorrect information.

Harvey seeks Louis' assistance again, obscuring the names in the files and presenting them as data from another firm dealing with embezzlement. With Louis' help, Harvey uncovers that Daniel Hardman, the former managing partner, is the one stealing from the firm. Jessica confronts Daniel, who confesses that he embezzled $500,000 to pay for his wife's cancer treatment.

Donna befriends Rachel, who reveals that Monica takes long lunches every Tuesday. Donna overhears Harvey's intercom conversation about Hardman's similar long lunches on Tuesdays and suspects the money is being used for an extramarital affair. She informs Harvey, who catches Hardman and Monica together in a hotel room. Harvey blackmails Hardman into signing a resignation letter, with Jessica becoming his successor.

Jessica fires Monica, claiming that her expensive trips imply she was aware of the embezzled money, despite Monica's protests of innocence. Jessica argues that no jury would believe Monica's claims. Monica is further humiliated when instructed to submit her resignation to Louis.

With Hardman gone, Jessica takes over his office and promotes Harvey from senior associate to junior partner, granting him her former office. Donna informs Harvey of his father's passing from a heart attack.

Realizing that Harvey prioritized removing Hardman and securing his promotion over mourning his father, Zoe decides to quit her legal career due to the responsibility and ethical concerns associated with being an attorney at the firm.

In the present day, Mike works as a bike messenger and lives with Trevor, indulging in recreational marijuana use. While on a date with Nikki and Jenny, Mike and Jenny develop feelings for each other. Nikki asks for Mike's help after Trevor reveals his intelligence. She offers Mike $1,000 to take the LSATs for her, which he initially declines. However, when Mike's grandmother has an accident, he realizes she needs full-time care and asks Nikki for $5,000, which she agrees to provide.

After Nikki recommends Mike's LSAT services to her friends, Mike decides to pursue a career in assisting others with the LSAT. Meanwhile, Harvey takes a day off to visit his father's grave on the fifth anniversary of his death. Mike is tasked by Harvey to deliver a lawsuit to Monica Eton, suggesting that Pearson Hardman will represent her in a sexual harassment case against Hardman. However, it turns out to be a ploy to provoke Hardman and Jessica, ultimately leading to Mike publicly exposing Hardman and Eton's affair within the firm to weaken support for Hardman.

In an agreement to oust Hardman once again, Harvey informs Jessica of his intention to rehire Donna at the firm. As the vote for managing partner approaches, Harvey decides to take time off but assigns Mike a task. The story then transitions to events from five years ago, with Harvey as an associate and Hardman as the managing partner. Jessica is aware of the plan involving Mike and Monica from the beginning, and Harvey expresses his determination to bring Donna back to the firm.

Harvey's train ride out of the city triggers a flashback to five years ago, highlighting his busy schedule and his reluctance to call his father back, as well as Jessica assigning him an urgent task to catch the employee stealing from escrow accounts. The flashback also shows a scruffy Mike working as a bike messenger and meeting Jenny for the first time at a bar. Jenny develops an interest in Mike rather than Trevor, her initial date. The storyline suggests a justification for the subsequent relationship between Mike and Jenny.

As Harvey struggles to solve the escrow mystery, he enlists Louis' help, who quickly identifies Daniel Hardman as the true culprit. Daniel, who was the managing partner at the time, admits to embezzling the money to pay for his wife's cancer treatment. Jessica confronts Daniel about the theft, revealing her shock at his wife's diagnosis. However, Harvey remains skeptical of Daniel's explanation. Meanwhile, in the present day, Mike meets with Monica, who has faced hardships since being fired from Pearson Hardman and now works in retail. Mike offers to file a wrongful termination lawsuit on her behalf, assuring her that Jessica is unaware of their meeting.

Certain aspects remain unchanged over the past five years. When Harvey encounters difficulties, he turns to Louis for assistance. This time, he enlists Louis to help expose Daniel's affair with Monica, intending to use it as leverage against Hardman. Jessica subsequently fires Monica, accusing her of aiding Daniel's embezzlement. However, the victory is overshadowed by the news of Harvey's father's passing from a heart attack.

In the present day, Louis informs Daniel about Mike meeting Monica, which could have implications for the upcoming partner vote. Harvey returns to the firm after his visit to the cemetery, announcing his intention to bring Donna back. Jessica publicly reprimands Mike for delving into the history of Daniel's affair with Monica, ensuring that everyone in the firm learns about the affair and potential lawsuit. Harvey's final words before leaving were, "I'm getting Donna back."