The Irresistible Chemistry Between Jacinda Barrett's Zoe and Harvey in Suits

Summary

The relationships that Harvey has had on Suits have frequently been cursed from the very beginning. This includes his unfortunate involvement with his ex-therapist and his complicated romantic entanglement with his coworker's sister.

Harvey's dynamic with his dedicated secretary, Donna, was complex. However, it was his unparalleled connection and undeniable chemistry with Zoe Lawford that truly captivated him. She challenged him in a manner that no other woman could, making her his ultimate romantic interest. Unfortunately, their relationship was abruptly ended, leaving fans pondering over the untapped potential that could have blossomed between them.

In Suits, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) may have ultimately chosen Donna as his partner, but it was Zoe Lawford (Jacinda Barrett) who captured his heart the most. Throughout the legal drama's nine seasons, Harvey had a reputation for both his brilliance in the courtroom and his complicated love life. He had various romantic interests, each presenting their own challenges and teaching Harvey valuable lessons about personal growth. Amidst this chaotic romantic journey, Zoe Lawford stood out as a fan favorite. Despite not ending up together, Zoe made a lasting impact on Harvey and proved to be his perfect life partner.

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Harvey's Love Interests Were Often Doomed

Harvey's romantic entanglements on Suits were often fraught with difficulties right from the beginning. In the seventh season, Harvey started a relationship with Dr. Paula Agard, his former therapist (played by Christina Cole), with whom he had spent the previous two seasons delving into his unresolved issues with his mother. This ill-fated choice not only went against the principles of the Hippocratic Oath but also had a disturbing undertone. Another questionable decision made by Harvey was his involvement with Esther Litt (portrayed by Amy Acker), the sister of his colleague and frenemy Louis Litt (played by Rick Hoffman). This messy affair resulted in a significant fallout between Harvey and Louis, leading to a physical altercation in the office.

Harvey's love interest in season 3 of Suits was Dana 'Scottie' Scott (played by Abigail Spencer), who was a slightly better match for him. They first dated while studying at Harvard Law School and rekindled their relationship later in season 3. However, their relationship became complicated when Harvey got Scottie a job at his firm, leading to power struggles and trust issues that ultimately caused them to break up. The original plan for Harvey's character was for him to end up with Scottie, but there was no comparison to the spark between Harvey and Zoe Lawford.

Similarly, Harvey's relationship with Donna Paulsen (played by Sarah Rafferty), his faithful secretary, was a terrible dating choice that seemed doomed from the beginning. In episode 10 of season 7, titled "Donna," they shared a passionate kiss that had audiences rooting for their relationship. However, despite their undeniable chemistry, their relationship faced numerous obstacles related to their work. It took eight seasons for Donna and Harvey's relationship to happen, but they should have remained as colleagues only. It was a mistake that both characters will likely regret in the future.

Why Zoe Was Harvey's Best Love Interest

Harvey Specter's love interest in season 2 of Suits was Zoe Lawford, who stood out as the perfect partner for the lawyer. They first met when Zoe joined his law firm years ago, but their initial romance did not last. However, they reconnected in season 2 when Harvey brought her on board as a jury consultant for a case against the firm, and their relationship picked up where it left off. Unfortunately, timing issues caused their reunion to be short-lived, but their chemistry was undeniable.

Zoe was able to challenge Harvey's playboy nature in a way that no other woman could. She matched his wit and their banter was on another level. Their relationship felt genuine and whenever they shared the screen, there was an electric energy between them. Among all the women in Harvey's life, Zoe was the most exciting and refreshing character of season 2. What makes it even more frustrating is that there was no real reason why Harvey didn't try to make it work with Zoe Lawford.

The chemistry between Harvey and Zoe Lawford was truly remarkable, fueled in part by the real-life marriage between Jacinda Barrett and Gabriel Macht. Their connection felt authentic and genuine. Although Harvey ultimately ended up with his long-time secretary and confidant Donna in the finale of Suits, this was a satisfying conclusion for the "Darvey shippers" fanbase. However, it would have been intriguing to witness the potential development of Harvey and Zoe's relationship if given more than just three episodes. It was a missed opportunity for the writers to not utilize Barrett and Macht's real-life romance, as their connection had the potential to grow into something more meaningful.