In the summer of 2011, USA Network launched a legal drama that introduced fans to the Pearson Hardman law firm, quite a few fan-favorite characters, and an actor named Meghan Markle. Suits premiered on June 23 of that year and ran for nine seasons, becoming a hit with audiences for its quick wit, good-looking cast, and will-they-won’t-they relationships. 

If you haven’t gotten to watch the drama series yet, you’re in luck: Eight of those seasons are now streaming on Netflix. Here, we break down what happens in Suits Season 1.

First things first: What is Suits about?

The first episode of Suits introduces us to Mike Ross (played by Patrick J. Adams), a man with a photographic memory who gets paid to pass the LSAT for others, even though he’s never attended law school — or even finished college — himself. He’s hired as a first-year associate at Pearson Hardman by Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), who does have a law degree but still dabbles in questionable gray areas. Harvey knows that Mike isn’t an actual Harvard grad, but that’s the lie they’re selling to the firm. 

Rounding out the main cast of characters at the firm is named partner Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres); Rachel Zane (played by Markle), a paralegal who Mike meets on his first day; Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty), Harvey’s assistant; and senior associate Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman).

There’s never a shortage of drama within the walls of their New York City law firm. Each week they take on wealthy clients’ cases, as well as a few pro bono ones. Everyone there seems to push the limits of what is ethical and legal when pursuing a win. Sometimes it’s for the best interest of their client; sometimes it’s their own.

What happens in Season 1 of Suits?

It’s not just the case of the week that leads to arguments. There’s near constant tension with Louis and well… everyone. He’s always trying to upstage and/or oust Harvey in one way or another, and one of his methods is by blackmailing his associate, Mike. 

Louis doesn’t quite know what’s going on with Mike, but he knows that something isn’t quite right. At first, he just goes after him with a (fake) failed drug test. As a former weed dealer, Mike falls for the bait, but the inevitable result is Mike signing a client for the firm and getting praised by Jessica. After that fail, Louis tries to drive a wedge between Mike and his girlfriend, Jenny (Vanessa Ray).

When we first meet Jenny, she’s actually the girlfriend of Mike’s friend, Trevor (Tom Lipinski). He’s the one who actually convinced Mike to sell weed — and subsequently let him nearly get caught. After Jenny learned what Trevor was up to, she broke it off with him and began dating Mike not long after. That’d be fine if it weren’t for the chemistry he has with Rachel in the office. She worries she’ll never pass the LSAT because of her test anxiety, so he’s been helping her study. Over a late-night session, Mike and Rachel share a kiss, which Louis just so happens to witness. 

Never one to totally tip his hand, Louis mentions to Jenny that Mike and Rachel spend a lot of late nights in the office. This does make Jenny question Mike’s feelings for her. Instead of straight-out asking him about it — this is TV, after all — she suggests a double date so she can get to know Rachel better. On the date, Mike is looking too longingly at Rachel for just a co-worker. Afterward, Jenny asks him to make a choice, and he chooses her. 

Back in the office, Rachel is still flirting with Mike, but he puts an end to it. He asked Rachel on a date before he even started dating Jenny and she rebuffed him. Now that he’s with Jenny, it’s not fair for Rachel to lead him on this way. Rachel gets angry and says he needs to find a new paralegal to help him with casework. In the Season 1 finale, Rachel has a few too many drinks in the office with Donna and drunkenly dials Mike. She leaves a voice mail laying all her feelings on the line.

Who’s the traitor in Suits Season 1?

Throughout the season, Mike and Harvey do all that they can to ensure that their big lie stays a secret. At nearly every turn, it seems that one person or another (usually Louis) has found them out — and is about to reveal it. But somehow Mike manages to keep his secret hidden. That is, until the Season 1 finale. 

As the season ends, someone reveals Mike’s secret to his boss, Jessica. The implications of this are catastrophic: Not only could he lose his job, but he could be prosecuted. So, who’d be so upset at Mike to do that to him? 

Well, let’s back up a bit. After Jenny learns that Trevor is selling drugs and has hit rock bottom, Mike helps him get out of town. Trevor goes to Montana, gets clean, and comes back after getting a job in a law office’s mail room. He asks to stay with Mike, who lets him, but Jenny tells her current boyfriend not to tell her ex-boyfriend about their relationship. She’s worried that Trevor would get upset and expose Mike’s secret. (Do you see where this is going?) 

Mike wants to tell Trevor the truth, but he doesn’t get the chance. At Mike’s apartment, Trevor sees his friend’s phone light up with a voice mail from Rachel. Trevor listens to it and hears her talk about the relationship between Mike and Jenny (his ex and now ex–best friend). Enraged, he rushes down to Pearson Hardman and tells Jessica that Mike doesn’t have a law degree.

And that’s case closed on Season 1 of Suits, but fear not — there’s plenty more drama (legal and otherwise) still to come.

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