“Suits,” the legal drama that captivated audiences with its sharp wit, charismatic characters, and intense courtroom battles, reached a pivotal moment in Season 5’s “Tick Tock.”
This episode is one of my favorites and one of the best in the series. It’s the episode where Mike Ross faces the music for practicing law without even having graduated from college.
Legal Battles, Loyalty, and the High-Stakes Case
As is customary in “Suits,” legal battles are woven seamlessly into the narrative. Loyalty and betrayal play supporting roles in this episode, which focuses on Mike’s high-stakes case that puts the law firm’s reputation on the line.
While Mike awaits the verdict on the outcome of his trial, he overhears a conversation between a man caught in the crossfire of the state’s case against him and the prosecutor trying to railroad him into taking a plea. Mike interrupts the conversation and takes on the man’s case.
This subplot to the episode’s main storyline weaves nicely into the narrative and further demonstrates Mike’s character and the defense on which he is banking to bring back a not-guilty verdict.
While real-life prosecutors may not go out of their way to assist pro se defendants— defendants who represent themselves—the episode accurately captures the intense negotiations and pressure tactics used to secure the best possible outcome for the prosecution. Mike’s observations on the flaws in the case and the prosecutor’s potential for improvement resonate well with the legal intricacies presented.
Prosecutors will indeed put the screws on the defendant and not offer them the best deal possible. That’s where Mike’s character gets it right, pointing out the flaws of the prosecution’s deal and, more importantly, that the prosecutor can do better by offering a fair deal and not taking advantage of the defendant, which he is doing in this case.
The Jury Nullification Debate
The episode’s main focus, Mike’s trial, centers on the theme of jury nullification, a controversial legal tactic that, in this instance, proves pivotal.
Jury nullification preys on the jury’s emotions. It asks jurors to disregard the facts or not apply the law, as is their sworn duty. Mike does a brilliant job of putting emotions over facts during his closing arguments in his own defense.
The confrontation between Mike and the prosecutor over jury nullification introduces a compelling layer of tension. Acknowledging its inappropriateness emphasizes the legal boundaries that even skilled attorneys must navigate. The prosecutor’s powerful gesture of pointing at Mike with disdain adds a touch of courtroom drama. It’s every prosecutor’s go-to move, showcasing the adversarial nature of legal proceedings.
It’s powerful.
Absurdity of the Jury Verdict Hampers This Episode’s Credibility
The subsequent revelation in the episode that follows “Tick Tock” that the jury would have returned a not-guilty verdict raises questions about the realism of such an outcome.
It’s absurd to think a jury of 12 people would come back unanimously for not guilty over the factual issue of whether Mike committed fraud by practicing law for years despite dropping out of college and never passing the bar exam.
Moreover, he admitted to it in front of the jury, essentially asking for forgiveness because he always wanted to be an attorney. Yeah, well, I always wanted to be an astronaut. Mind if I borrow this spaceship and take it for a spin?
A not-guilty verdict that overlooks the facts and relies solely on jury nullification, given the gravity of his actions, is unrealistic.
Mistrial Misgivings Cast Shadows Over Facts
The focus on mistrial issues, while a clever legal maneuver, prompts skepticism about its real-world implications. Law firm partner Harvey Specter’s suggestion that a mistrial could save Mike raises doubts about the practicality of a state’s attorney’s office choosing not to pursue a retrial.
Realistically, the legal system’s commitment to upholding justice, especially in a high-profile case, makes the scenario less plausible.
I don’t believe for a moment that a state’s attorney’s office would decide not to try and prosecute an individual illegally practicing as an attorney simply because the initial case resulted in a mistrial due to some manufactured jury tampering. There would be few costs associated with the retrial, and failing to act on the public’s behalf in such a well-known and sensationalized case would not be an option.
While this powerful episode is realistic, there are some things I didn’t like, simply because they stretch reality a bit too far in the quest for dramatic storytelling.
Let’s be honest. Despite his legal battles, Mike might be a decent person. But putting aside his concerns about a verdict that might send him to prison for seven years, to start representing a total stranger out of the goodness of his heart is a bit of a stretch.
While the portrayal of the legal intricacies in this episode of “Suits” is commendable, some aspects of the episode stretch reality for the sake of dramatic storytelling. Despite these misgivings, “Tick Tock” remains a powerful and memorable episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, even if some elements venture into the realm of legal fantasy.