One of the great things about living in the age of streaming services is that they often provide us with new shows to watch in between all the movies and other content as well. On the other hand, one of the fun things about streaming services is that they also revive old favorites for entirely new generations of viewers to appreciate. One kid who embodies this phenomenon is suit, A show that became hugely popular as a network show on The USA Network and became even more successful years after its end when it later became one of the most watched shows on Netflix ever.
suit
- release date
- June 23, 2011
- Seasons
- 9
Much of this enduring success is due to Harvey (Gabriel Macht) and Donna (Sarah Rafferty) and the constant romantic tension between them on the show. Although she and Harvey were mostly preoccupied with relationships with other characters throughout most of the show, by the final season, fans finally got what they wanted as the duo finally found their way back to each other. However, before that, through constant prediction throughout the previous seasons, we were often teased that they had been together before.
What was most interesting were the vague references to something the duo did together with a can opener. The way the can opener ritual was used on the show and constantly referenced while dripping in hints, had many fans always wondering; what exactly did Harvey and Donna do with a can opener in suit?
Can opener, detailed explanation
The now-infamous can-opening ritual was a recurring joke and long-running mystery on the show, especially during earlier seasons. It often accompanied much of the romantic tension between Harvey and Donna, and gave viewers their first clue that the pair had indeed shared a romantic encounter. On the show, where Donna initially played his ever-trusty legal secretary, part of her job as star lawyer Kid was to help him prepare for trials.
The can-opening ritual began as a superstitious practice that was supposed to bring good luck—especially during the many high-stakes legal matters Harvey handled for his high-profile clients. As a recurring theme between them, the can-opening ritual was often referenced but always portrayed as some sort of inside joke between them. The presence of a physical can opener that one or the other often kept in the office only added spice to the mystery.
However, despite all the hints and innuendos that came with it, the show never revealed what the duo actually did with the can opener or what its actual significance was to them. All we know is that it dates back to their time together at the DA’s office when Harvey was an assistant district attorney. Despite how difficult the mystery is for fans, the show’s creator, Aaron Korsh, has confirmed that he would prefer to never reveal what the show is about.
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What are some theories that others have come up with?
Everything we know about the unboxing ritual comes from a few clues scattered here and there throughout the show. These include:
- It's actually a pre-trial ritual that was mentioned in season one.
- We later learned that it somehow also involved other elements such as nails.
- It serves as a source of psychological comfort for the couple before heading into high-stakes matters.
- It likely evolved from another ritual involving whipped cream.
- It also serves as a bonding device between them, an inside joke, and something that reinforces their closeness and basic romantic interest in each other.
On the other hand, there were many theories among fans about what this ritual might entail. While it is known for certain that it is a pre-trial ritual, many fans were quick to note how the whole thing always seemed to have a flirtatious aspect to it.
Some believe it may simply involve opening a can of something, eating it together and then using pins as a game to see who can throw the most food into the empty can as a way to relieve stress and calm nerves before a big trial. A can of peaches might make sense in this theory, and might even explain why cream is also part of it.
But given the mention of the cream, another theory is that it has to do with a sexual encounter that we know for sure the couple shared earlier, perhaps after staying up late at night working on an old trial. They may have shared a can of something at that time, too, but they ended up winning the case—making it a good-luck habit forever after, except for the sleeping together part, of course.
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Suits Cast and Character Guide
The lawsuits particularly followed the lawyer duo Harvey Specter and Mike Ross as they took on a series of colorful cases at their New York law firm.
There’s another, more in-depth theory that suggests it may have been a confidence game between them. In this theory, it’s thought that they may have done something like blindfold each other and take turns trying to open a can without spilling its contents while the other guided them. With the likes of Louis and Rachel unable to figure it out (although Mike was eventually told the secret), and Harvey and Donna being met with shame whenever the subject was broached, the truth is we may never know.
Was this all just a big waste of time then?
Given how frustrating it is to be mocked for the idea of a can opener without revealing it, many fans think the whole thing was just a waste of time. However, it depends on your point of view. For those who wanted a literal answer, it may seem disappointing.
In reality, though, it did have a purpose, as there were devices like the entire mysterious narrative around it that created closeness between the characters and set their bond apart from any that Harvey was able to establish with the string of other women he dated on the show.
In a way, it was the end of why he settled with Donna and why she was the only one all along. The show's original network, The USA Network, summed up some of what made them such a great couple. In the end, it doesn't really matter what the can opener was really about, because what we know for sure is that they were perfect for each other.
However, there was love between them. Harvey confides in Donna about personal matters that no one else would know. She is one of the few people whose opinion he cares about. At the same time, she does her best to protect him before he realizes he is in trouble.
with suit With the series likely heading for another long-awaited spinoff and possibly a revival movie soon, here's a look back at how the original show ended and why some people think it never had a proper ending.
