‘Suits’ Ruined Its Best Character in This One Scene

Movies


The big picture

  • Donna Paulsen's rapid promotion from secretary to COO
    dresses
    it felt forced and unrealistic.
  • The rapid rise of Donna's character arc neglected the opportunity to show her overcoming obstacles.
  • Donna's accelerated promotion diminished her exceptional skills as a legal secretary and undermined the essence of her character.


In a television series, character development is often a delicate balance between consistency and evolution. It's a fine line to tread, and sometimes a single misstep can spell disaster for even the most beloved characters. Across genres, controversial creative decisions surrounding character development have sparked debate among fans. For example, Skyler White (Anna Gunn) of Breaking Bad she has been criticized for her drastic development, from becoming the show's moral compass to becoming involved in Walt's drug empire. game of thronesFan favorite Jon Snow (Kit Harington) went from a warrior whose loyalty was to protect his people, to a romantic willing to do anything for his girlfriend, drawing sharp criticism. In dresses,Donna Paulsen's meteoric rise from secretary to COO stands out as an example of how even the best intentions can erode a character's integrity.


dresses

On the run from a drug deal gone bad, college dropout Mike Ross finds himself working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's top lawyers.

Publication date
June 23, 2011

creator
Aaron Korsh

Main genre
drama

seasons
9


Donna is one of the best characters in 'Suits'

One of the attributes that makes Donna (Sarah Rafferty) without a doubt the best character dresses it's how she perfectly shows her wit and cunning through the many interactions she has with other characters as a corporate secretary. On paper, we see how he interacts with those in the company, regardless of where they are in the hierarchy. It's a role that defines her, and the phrase “She knows” exemplifies her all-knowing status in the company. When she quickly becomes the COO, it's a confusing change that makes us question the authenticity of her character arc. While it's natural for characters to evolve and grow, this sudden jump felt forced and unrealistic.


It's Donna's exceptional skills as a legal secretary, her ability to read people and her support of the team that make her such a standout character, and making her COO feels like a forced move . His new role takes him away from the interactions that used to make his character thrive. she The story would have been more compelling if it had focused on her growth organicallywhich would have provided better interactions with other characters instead of a quick promotion to the top.

Donna moves from secretary to COO at 'Suits'


To recap, in the dresses episode where Donna becomes COO, asks her love interest and boss, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), for a promotion to Senior Partner of the law firm. Harvey is hesitant, since she's not even a lawyer, but agrees to consider her request later he makes his case about the sacrifices he has made for both Harvey and the company. With the day gone and no response from Harvey, she is nervous and approaches Gretchen (Aloma Wright). Gretchen tells him that he should have shown his commitment by giving Harvey a check, which is a requirement to become a senior partner.

We later learn that she gave Harvey the check from her conversation with the insensitive Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman), where he is asked to cede control of the associates. This angers Louis, who has just learned of the promotion, and makes him protest. Harvey learns of the argument and defends Donna, saying that he is the one who makes the decisions at the company after Jessica's (Gina Torres) way out. They leave the scene with Louis accepts Harvey's decision to promote Donna to senior partner.

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However, when Katrina (Amanda Schull), who joined the firm hoping to become a senior partner, tells Harvey that Donna's promotion takes the shine off the position, Harvey rescinds the promotion. When he informs Donna of his decision, she asks him for the role of COO. She pleads her case, Harvey finally agrees, and, in a matter of hours, Donna goes from secretary, to senior partner, to COO. Although dresses remains captivating for the rest of his run, this particular scene tarnished the organic developments of one of the show's best characters.

Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) together and smiling at the end of the series, "One Last Con" from the ninth season of Suits
Image via USA Network


Characters' journeys are often marked by challenges and struggles that shape their growth, and these redemption arcs endear them to viewers. Donna's upward push to COO has no such evidence. Despite having worked at the firm for a long time and his undeniable contribution, his rapid rise neglects the opportunity to show his overcoming obstacles, which would make his character arc more meaningful. This omission made it difficult for viewers to accept this move in his character development. Additionally, in his role as COO, Donna's exceptional skill as an incomparable legal secretary is diminished. She loses some of the traits that made her so adored to begin with. Even when he reverts back to the old Donna a bit, it's not nearly as satisfying to watch as it was when he was rising through the ranks as an underdog before his accelerated promotion.

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Donna's promotion also comes at the expense of her authentic relationships and offers nothing new to challenge it. Immediately after securing the senior partner's promise, she confronts Louis, telling him that as an equal, he can no longer bully her. Instead of seeing her face a worthy contest, it's Harvey who comes to her rescue. As COO, she has no significant challenge to test herself against. You would expect that with this promotion, his character's challenges would grow with his new responsibility. That didn't happen, causing his character arc to fall flat. While it's not uncommon to see beloved characters on television undergo changes that enhance their arcs or leave them tarnished, Donna Paulsen's rapid promotion from secretary to COO unfortunately falls into the latter category. It's a tale that demonstrates how even the best intentions can derail a character's journey.


dresses he is not alone in this aspect. Emblematic shows like Friends experienced similar pitfalls in introducing divisive storylines for beloved characters. The infamous romance arc between Rachel and Joey shows how even the most successful shows can fail when they push characters into contrived scenarios. Likewise, the abrupt elevation of Donna Paulsen to COO within dresses it's a reminder that character development is a delicate art. Although the intention may have been to show his growth, the the rushed progression undermined the very essence of Donnaeffectively ruining one of the show's best characters.



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