Unveiling the Hidden Chemistry: The Intriguing Secret Can Opener Ritual of Harvey and Donna in Suits

Summary

The Suits can opener and thumbtacks ritual was a running gag in earlier seasons but was abandoned as the show became more serious and serialized.

The origin of the can opener ritual between Harvey and Donna was unveiled in season 3, episode 6. After their previous whipped cream ritual was spoiled, Harvey spontaneously proposes using a can opener as a replacement ritual.

The creators of Suits deliberately chose not to provide an explanation for the can opener ritual. They believed that this mystery heightened the allure of the show and encouraged viewers to formulate their own interpretations.

Suits season 9 concluded in 2019 without addressing the show's biggest enigma: the significance of the Suits can opener ritual and thumbtacks. The pre-trial tradition of Harvey and Donna, which used to be a popular topic of discussion among fans during the early years of the legal drama, faded into the background as the series progressed. As a result, the finale of Suits season 9 left this unresolved Harvey and Donna mystery. However, with Suits now enjoying renewed popularity on Netflix, there is a growing curiosity among viewers about the reasons behind Harvey and Donna's secretive can opener ritual before each case.

In the earlier episodes of Suits, Harvey and Donna's ritual served as a recurring joke and helped define the complex, romantic nature of Macht and Rafferty's characters' relationship. The Suits can opener and thumbtacks tradition gradually faded away in the later seasons, perhaps because the show shifted its focus towards more serious storylines and moved away from its original procedural format. While it was initially assumed that the new ritual had a sexual connotation, similar to how their previous one was abandoned after they slept together, the explanation for the Suits can opener gag turned out to be much simpler and ultimately unsatisfying in unraveling the mystery.

What Is Harvey And Donna's Can Opener Ritual?

The Suits can opener ritual was introduced in the early stages of the show. In the first season, Harvey and Donna had an esoteric running joke involving a can opener and thumbtacks. The exact purpose of this peculiar combination was never explicitly stated, but it had been a longstanding tradition for Harvey and Donna even before their transition into the world of corporate law.

Initially, it was revealed that Donna and Harvey began their careers at the District Attorney's office, where Harvey was gaining experience in the courtroom before joining Jessica's firm. They initially used whipped cream for their ritual, but after a night together using it, they were no longer able to enjoy it, which led to the creation of their bizarre can-opener routine.

Suits' Can Opener Ritual Explained

In season 3, episode 6 of Suits, it is revealed that the unique pre-trial ritual between Harvey and Donna originated from a random decision made in a diner. They realize that their previous whipped cream bit is no longer suitable since they are no longer romantically involved. Wanting a new ritual, Harvey jokingly suggests using a can opener that he takes from a nearby waitress. Donna expresses her disbelief, calling it the dumbest idea she's ever heard.

This explanation is fairly simple, offering no deeper meaning or justification for choosing the can opener as their ritual object. Additionally, the purpose of the can opener ritual itself remains unaddressed. However, various online theories speculate on its significance. One particularly intriguing theory (via Quora) proposes that the can opener was used as an audience for practicing opening statements. In season 9, episode 9, titled "Thunder Away," Donna suggests that Harvey practice his statement on her instead of the can opener, lending weight to this theory.

Why The Suits Creators Never Revealed The Can Opener Ritual

Although the ongoing joke has become synonymous with Suits for dedicated viewers, the on-screen portrayal of Harvey and Donna's can opener tradition remains elusive. This is a major factor contributing to its immense fascination. Given the highly specific nature of can openers and thumbtacks, the exact purpose behind Harvey and Donna's pre-trial rituals remains remarkably enigmatic. The intentional decision by the creators of Suits to keep it undisclosed may prove frustrating for some, but it is a choice that Aaron Korsh, the creator of Suits, firmly supports.

With the surge in popularity of Suits on Netflix during the 2020s, numerous new viewers turned to platforms like Twitter to discuss the enigmatic can opener ritual. Many directed their inquiries towards the show's creator, Aaron Korsh. Korsh, who takes full responsibility for Harvey and Donna's actions involving the can opener and thumbtacks, opted not to provide an explanation. When questioned on Twitter by a viewer who had made it to season 7 without answers, Korsh responded simply: "Because I'd rather you want to know than know. That's why."

While his answer is concise, it offers a glimpse into his creative perspective. Korsh, along with the other imaginative minds behind Suits, recognized that leaving the mystery of the can opener ritual unresolved was far more satisfying. This intentional decision became one of the show's distinct selling points. The enigma surrounding the can opener ritual contributes significantly to the viewing experience of Suits, surpassing any potential explanation. As the legacy of Suits, including Harvey and Donna's ritual, continues to grow, it is evident that Korsh made the correct choice by never fully revealing its nature.

Why It's Good The Suits Can Opener Mystery Was Never Fully Explained

Ultimately, Suits never fully disclosed the purpose of Harvey and Donna's use of the Suits can opener, and that is actually a good thing. By leaving this ritual unexplained, the show allows viewers to develop their own theories, regardless of how extraordinary or ordinary they may be. This approach is even more captivating than providing a clear and illustrated explanation.

In fact, Suits may have already delved too much into the backstory of the can opener, as the diner scene diminishes some of its charm by revealing that it was simply a random choice rather than a significant one. Harvey and Donna's relationship dynamic was one of the standout aspects of Suits throughout its 9 seasons, and the can opener serves as a memorable and enriching symbol of their partnership, both romantically and professionally.

Why Suits Shouldn't Have Revealed The Can Opener Ritual's Origins

While some Suits viewers enjoyed learning about the origin of Harvey and Donna's can opener ritual, others were unhappy with the explanation. The charm of the ritual for long-time fans was the fact that it remained a mystery. Revealing that they chose a can opener because they had ruined whipped cream took away from this charm, according to some. The can opener became a divisive element in the show as it progressed. In fact, there were critics and fans who believed Suits should have ended after season 7. The running gag of the can opener worked precisely because it was never explained. Despite a shift in the show's tone towards the end, loyal viewers still appreciated the unexplained pre-trial warm-up between Donna and Harvey.

For many viewers, the revelation of the origins of the can opener ritual stripped away much of its charm and uniqueness. This, in turn, noticeably affected the overall viewing experience of Suits. Ultimately, the true nature of the can opener ritual remains a mystery, as the show has already concluded. Considering the mixed reactions to its explanation, it is perhaps best that we are left to imagine what Harvey and Donna truly did with the can opener and thumb tacks.

How Gabriel Macht And Sarah Rafferty Explain Suits' Can Opener Ritual

The Suits can opener ritual and the mysterious actions of Harvey and Donna with this utensil have left many curious. Surprisingly, no one from the production team has revealed any information about it so far. However, Gabriel Macht (Harvey) and Sarah Rafferty (Donna) finally disclosed details about the ritual in an interview with BuddyTV. They assured fans that the flashback episode would provide some clarification on this intriguing subject.

Rafferty and Macht discussed the distinctiveness of Donna and Harvey's relationship during the formation of the ritual. This sheds light on its quirkiness. "Their circumstances back then were different from what they are now, so they had a more relaxed banter and enjoyed each other's company," explained Rafferty.

This explanation aligns with the personalities of Harvey and Donna and is likely simpler than what fans expected. The carefree dynamic between Suits' Donna and Harvey plays a crucial role in the creation of the silly Suits can opener ritual. As the interview progressed, Macht promised that the origins of the ritual would be explored further, which turned out to be somewhat true.