Suitsis one of the most iconic legal dramas of the 2010s, but even its biggest fans would admit it wasn’t the most consistent show on TV. Its early seasons were undeniably sharp, stylish, and packed with chemistry between its leads. Still,Suitsalso had moments where the writing wobbled, and the once-snappy dialogue turned sluggish.
There’s a common consensus thatSuitsbegan to slip in its later seasons, and many fans place the blame squarely onthe departure of Mike Ross. While his exit at the end of season 7 undeniably changed the show, it wasn’t the real moment everything began to go wrong. In truth,Suitshad already set itself on a downward path before Mike ever left.
The actual turning point came during a narrative arc that drastically altered the show’s dynamic, one that centered around a long-time fan-favorite character. It wasn’t about who left the show, but rather who got elevated to a position they were never meant to hold. Mike leaving may have harmedSuits,but not as much asDonna’s promotion to Senior Partner.
Suits Gave Audiences Several Flawless Seasons, But Couldn’t Maintain Its Own Quality
The Show Started Strong, But Its Sharpness Faded As The Seasons Went On
In its prime,Suitswas razor-sharp. Theearly seasons ofSuits(especially 1 through 4) offered a near-perfect blend of legal drama, office politics, and personal relationships. Viewers were drawn in by the electric chemistry between Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), the wit of Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), and the steady, unshakable presence of Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) and Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres).
What madeSuitsstand out wasn’t just the legal cases, but the slick, character-driven storytelling. There was a sense of rhythm to the dialogue, an almost theatrical confidence to each scene, anda core chemistry that made everything click.The Pearson Hardman offices weren’t just a setting - they were a stage for emotional and professional battles that were always compelling.
However,asSuitsprogressed, cracks began to appear. Characters were constantly promoted, demoted, and shuffled around in ways thatfelt more like forced drama than organic development.The same office where once every scene crackled with tension and charm began to feel like it was going through the motions. Relationships that used to add depth became repetitive, or worse, flat.
The show leaned harder into melodrama, sidelining its original spark for heavy-handed emotional arcs and contrived conflicts.
Part ofwhat madeSuitswork was the balancing actbetween power and vulnerability, charm and cutthroat ambition. As seasons wore on, especially after season 5, the tone started to shift. The show leaned harder into melodrama, sidelining its original spark for heavy-handed emotional arcs and contrived conflicts.
While the series still had high points in its later years - and the final season had moments of closure that fans appreciated -Suitsnever quite recapturedthe magic of its early days. Too many elements that once felt fresh became stale. Promotions, betrayals, and rivalries began to feel likecopy-pasted versions of better storylines from earlier years.
Ultimately,Suitswas a victim of its own success. Its slick formula was so effective early on that when the writers started straying from it, the whole show felt off. And that shift in tone and consistency didn’t happen all at once - it started when the internal office hierarchy was thrown off balance by one particular promotion.
Donna’s Promotion To Senior Partner (& Later Coo) Made No Sense
Donna’s Sudden Career Jump Clashed With The Show’s Established Logic And Tone
Suit’sdepiction of women in power was one of its strengths.Jessica Pearson was a commanding figurewho exuded confidence, competence, and strategy. Rachel Zane (Meghan Markle) carved out a believable arc from paralegal to lawyer. Katrina Bennett (Amanda Schull) was a late but worthy addition who held her own. However, Donna Paulsen’s rise through the ranks defied all logic.
Giving her a senior-level title based on instinct and loyalty felt implausible.
When Donna was promoted to Senior Partner in season 7, it felt likea jump the show hadn’t earned.Donna had always been Harvey’s right-hand woman - sharp, resourceful, and endlessly charismatic. However, her skills were rooted in emotional intelligence and behind-the-scenes finesse, not in managing clients or practicing law. Giving her a senior-level title based on instinct and loyalty felt implausible.
In a show that once prided itself on power dynamics grounded in credibility, this moment broke the illusion.Suitshad spent years establishing how hard it was to climb the ranks of a law firm. YetDonna skipped every rung of that ladderbecause she “deserved it” - arationale that felt shallowcompared to the usual grit and struggleSuitsonce demanded.
More than that, the promotion shiftedDonna’s character into uncomfortable territory. She went from being the show’s emotional compass to someone who made power plays with little consequence. The Donna who once delivered biting comebacks with a smirk now made decisions that often felt arrogant or tone-deaf. It was a transformation that stripped away the charm that made her beloved.
The move also undermined the messageSuitshad previously sent about competence. Characters like Louis and Rachel had to claw their way to recognition. However, Donna’s sudden elevation felt like an indulgent, fan-service decision rather than a logical progression. It disrupted the office dynamic, damaged her rapport with Harvey, and pushed the show into unconvincing territory.
Donna Being Senior Partner Led To A Whole Host Of Issues
The Show’s Balance And Chemistry Collapsed Under Donna’s Unearned Authority
Donna’s promotion wasn’t just a one-time misstep - it triggered a domino effect that haunted thecareful character-balance ofSuitsthrough its remaining seasons. Her elevation to Senior Partner reshaped the firm’s power structure, and not for the better. Suddenly, everyone had to treat Donna like an authority figure, even though she lacked the credentials or experience to back it up.
Although the quality varied in its later seasons,Suitsmaintains an impressive 91% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
This created obvious tension in the show’s logic. A firm that once prided itself on being elite and cutthroat now had to justifywhy a secretary with no legal background was making executive decisions.Donna’s skill set had always been unique, but when she began asserting herself in boardroom meetings as if she were on the same level as Louis or Harvey, the illusion broke.
Worse, her promotionwarped her relationship with Harvey.Their flirtation and mutual respect used to be the emotional heart of the series. However, once she became a Senior Partner - and later COO - that dynamic became murky.Their eventual romantic relationshiplost its spark because the balance of power between them had become forced and artificial.
Donna’s move to COO in season 8 made even less sense than her first promotion.
Donna’s move to COO in season 8 made even less sense than her first promotion. She bypassed qualified candidates and assumed a role with undefined responsibilities. It was a title meant to elevate her importance, but instead,it made her character harder to root for.She became more of a plot device than a believable, grounded character.
Fans noticed this shift, and it’s part of why manypoint toSuitsseasons 7and 8 as the weakest in the series. Donna’s elevation took away what made her special in the first place: her ability to influence things from the sidelines with elegance and wit. By forcing her into a leadership position,Suitsdisrupted its best dynamics - and it never fully recovered.
