This article by current editor Jennifer Griffin originally appeared in ScreenSpy Magazine (the online publication she created and directed for over 12 years), on March 2, 2015.
This Wednesday USA Network’s Suits is headed towards an explosive finale when Harvey Specter clashes once again with insidious corporate raider Forstman (Eric roberts) and dogged SEC investigator Sean Cahill (Neal McDonough).
But in order to put his nemeses behind him for good, Harvey will be forced to revisit his own past and his guilt over younger brother Marcus.
Just how is Marcus involved with Forstman, and what morally dubious act did Harvey carry out on his behalf?
And what fallout from last week’s “I love you Donna,” will our favorite will-they-won’t-they couple suffer as a result of Harvey’s declaration?
ScreenSpy sat down with Gabriel Macht to talk about what’s in store for Harvey Specter on Wednesday.
Read on for full highlights from our call.
Q. You directed the mid-season premiere this year. Tell us about your experience.
Gabriel Macht: What can I say? So we shoot 16 episodes straight through. We have a week here or there, or sometimes a month here or there, as far as hiatuses go for the writers to keep up with the show. One of the hiatuses gave me a week in advance where I wasn’t working as an actor to prep for my director’s episode.
It was great. The stakes were so high. Louis had gotten all this information. He worked it out that Mike’s a fraud. It allowed all of us to work in this insular space where it was really all about the characters and how our loyalties stay true to each other – or didn’t. And that’s why Louis kind of went crazy on all of the characters [laughing].
I thought it was one of the most creative experiences I’ve ever had. The actors along with the crew were incredible with me. They were so collaborative. It was really a special time for all of us to just trust each other, and we had a great episode as far as the writing goes. I think it came out amazing. Just the experience, the process of it and the product at the end, I thought it looked great. I was happy with my director’s cut as well, which maybe one day people will see.
Q. Would you do it again?
Gabriel Macht: If it works out with the hiatus, and works out with the episodes I would love to do it again.
Q. We heard Harvey say to Donna “I love you.” Does that mean he’s ‘in love’ with her?
Gabriel Macht: Y’know, everyone is going to have their own interpretation of that, which is what makes art such an incredible medium. I think that there was a lot at stake in this last episode. Of course, she means so much to him. I think it’s really in the eye of the viewer to take away what they think. I know the producers and writers and some of the actors all have different ideas about that moment.
It was a very complicated moment. I think it was something the fans really wanted to see. It blew some people away in many ways. The fallout of that moment happens in the next episode. We’re going to see how that all manifests.
Q. How do you interpret that moment?
Gabriel Macht: As far as I’m concerned? I actually find it really hard to answer that question. I think it’s a complicated thing. They’ve been together for so many years. They did have that one time. They decided not to move forward with an intimate relationship. I have always looked at it in a similar way to Bond and Moneypenny. She is his better half, but I don’t know if she’s the one, y’know? I think it’s complicated, and we’ll see what course it takes over the next episode for sure, and season 5 – if it brings them closer or pushes them away. [sing-song voice] We’ll have to see-ee! [laughing].
But honestly? Just as you feel you’re not really in the know? I am in the exact same place as you. I don’t know where they’re going. I have no idea. I haven’t talked to anybody. The powers that be have not told me “Hey this is where they’re going!”
Q. Talk us through that scene in Donna’s apartment.
Gabriel Macht: There was quite an emotional stake there. These guys are talking about their feelings and Harvey’s not really one to talk about his feelings. He really holds it close to his chest. I think in that moment, he was trying to do everyting that Donna has been telling him to do, either with Scottie or Zoe or whover, which is to bring his shield down.
We tried a million different versions of “I love you Donna.” One was super light. It was like “Oh, you know I love you, come on, sheesh!”
They happened to pick that one and we’ll see how it manifests next week.
Q. Can you talk a little about your great chemisty with Sarah Rafferty?
Gabirel Macht: I think it’s a combination of a million things. I think our relatioship is definitely a part of it. We’ve had a ton of life where we’ve both been present for each other. There have been births and deaths and friendships that have failed. We’ve just been in the mix for 20 years. It’s a real friendship and I think that really helps.
In addition to that I think it comes back to the writing. I think Aaron [Korsh] has really written these two characters very specifically. The way they interact with each other is very entertaining. They’re just two sides of a coin.
Sara and I have a different process for how we each work, and I think we’ve both been really supportive of each other’s processes and figuring out how we can get each other to the best place. And, at the end of the day, we can make each other laugh. That makes it a lot more free and open. I think we’re just really comfortable with each other and it shows.
Q. What can you tease about this season’s finale?
Gabriel Macht: I think it’s what people are going to want. I think that Aaron and the cast and everyone is on the same page. We’re giving the fans what they want. I say that with the caveat that some people want what they say they want and some people want the opposite of what they say they want if that makes any sense.
What was very interesting to me was that I read some review of last week’s episode “Intent” and there were some comments beneath. Someone was making predictions about what was going to happen in the next episode, and I don’t know if this person was involved in Production but boy! They nailed it! They said ‘This is gonna happen, and this is gonna happen, and THIS is gonna happen.’ It was like BANG! That person just got it. A lot of others tried their hand at it too and they just failed miserably.
In next week’s episode, our finale, we’re dealing with a lot of things in the present. Some of the stuff that happened at the end of episode 4×10 comes back to haunt us as far as Forstman goes. Željko Ivanek’s character is involved, and we have to get to the bottom of that threat. Forstman poses, what I have felt in all four seasons, as the largest threat.
We also delve into a flashback of how we first meet Forstman, and what kind of influence he has on Harvey. In one of the episodes at the very beginning of the season, Mike makes a deal with Forstman, Harvey says ‘No, no you can’t go there,” because of what he’ll do. That story is exlained in 4×16. And it’s a flashback. We’ll see Harvey early on. That’s when we’re actually going to meet Marcus, who is Harvey’s brother. Billy Miller and I had a good time working together and I bet in season 5 we’re going to explore that relationship more. He was excellent.
Q. What can you tell us about Harvey’s relationship with Marcus?
Marcus has had some gambling issues. Harvey feels super responsible for influencing him in betting and gambling. Harvey is Marcus’ older brother and I’m sure it started off with them betting on everything when they were kids, and it just got out of hand.
It became a problem, a problem that Harvey was able to work out and deal with, but for Marcus it became a really big problem.
What you’ll see is Harvey making some moral sacrifices. He gets involved with Forstman and it creates problems for his brother and the two of them. That guilt has lasted for many years. So we’re dealing with some of that and how Harvey is really protective of his brother and sensitive to what his brother’s needs are.
Billy was just great, and a great match for me. He’s got a little bit of that tough guy thing that we’ve created with Harvey, so I think there’s going to be some good stuff for us to play together in the coming years. So we’ll see. We’ll see how it turns out.
The Suits season 4 finale airs Wednesday at 10/9c on USA Network.
