Whether you’re already a fan of the USA Network original drama Suits or merely intrigued by what you might have heard, this article is designed to catch you up on all the important bits before the mid-season two premiere on January 17.

First we’ll help you get a jump start on some character’s story lines if you want to start on season one, episode one. If you want to pick Suits up in January and don’t have time to watch all the aired episodes, head over to page two, but beware: spoilers galore!

Mike Ross

Former stoner, fake lawyer, Mike Ross is an associate at Pearson-Hardman and is one half of the show’s main relationship. Hired by Harvey Specter after unconventionally bursting into his interview room, Mike consistently has to keep up the Harvard-alum persona that has gotten him into trouble more than once.

His amazing mind can read something once and remember it verbatim for months afterwards. Wanting to do right by his grandmother – Grammy – who raised him, Mike does whatever he can to make her happy.
 

Harvey Specter

One of the best closers in New York, Harvey Specter doesn’t put up with anyone’s shit. He gets the information he needs to help his clients and sometimes, inadvertently, ends up hurting those who are closest to him (like his secretary, Donna, and, well, that’s it.)

Harvey always wears expensive suits and has an apartment that’s definitely as massive as one might imagine a fictional lawyer would have. Often Jessica’s right-hand man, she made him a senior partner at the start of the series. He does what is best for the firm, but that does have a tendency to backfire.
 

Rachel Zane

Always the paralegal, never the lawyer. Rachel’s test anxiety has prevented her from passing the LSATs for years, but throughout the past season and a half, we’ve seen her test herself like never before. Always up for any challenge the associates are given, Rachel is the woman they typically turn to for help when there seems like no other way out.

She and Mike have undeniable chemistry and while their flirtation has definitely built up to something, it is still unclear whether or not there’s a cliff on the edge of that hill as of yet.
 

Donna

Undoubtedly one of the best secretaries in New York. Donna is a smart as a whip, and along with Harvey she has a ten-year working relationship that has clearly been built on mutual trust and adoration for one another.

(Fun fact: Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht have been friends in real life for years – which has definitely helped their chemistry completely pop off the screen.)

Donna is exciting and highly intelligent, and she’ll quickly become one of your favorite of the female cast members.
 

Louis

The prick of the office that you just want to flick almost every episode but you know the show wouldn’t be the same without him. Sometimes the villain, sometimes the hero, Louis just wants to play with the big boys. A junior partner often looked down upon by Jessica and Harvey for being a conniving sneak, Louis does generally have good intentions somewhere deep deep down. Way down.

Louis is in charge of the associates, and he has a tendency to make Mike’s life a living hell at the most inopportune times. He’ll be the ridiculous boss you’ll love to hate.
 

Synopsis: Season one

Once the show’s premise is established, the firm focuses on open and shut cases while Mike and Harvey try their darndest to keep their little secret – Mike doesn’t actually have a law degree – from getting out and putting the entire company in jeopardy. Meanwhile: Mike’s friend from his old drug-dealing and weed-smoking life, Trevor, continuously tries to meddle in Mike’s life, and when Trevor and girlfriend Jenny break-up, she turns to Mike after discovering their attraction to one another.

Synopsis: Season two

Daniel Hardman (David Costabile) returns to the firm after mysteriously stepping down as acting partner five years ago, and he’s out for blood. Intent on taking the firm back, he is repeatedly torturing Harvey, Mike, and Jessica through any means necessary.

Check out page two if you who want to refresh your memory about the season two part-one finale and what we can probably expect for the last six episodes. [Spoilers]

Here we’ll be refreshing your memory about season two’s part-one finale and we’ll be speculating about what we can expect for the last six episodes when they air this January.

Recap

In an unexpected twist, Mike’s beloved grandmother, Grammy, died in the mid-season finale, sending him on a downward spiral and unsure of his future. With the introduction of an old friend, Jess, at the funeral, it is quickly established that she and Mike have a long history. Despite her being married, we see them in bed together just as Rachel knocks on Mike’s door to try to give their relationship another shot, leaving viewers shouting at their TV’s as the episode ended. Here’s to hoping there is a resolve of this messy triangle before the part-two finale.

Speculation

Patrick Adams, an avid tweeter, tweeted multiple pictures on the set of the show while they wrapped season two filming a few weeks ago. The images featured himself and Amanda Schull, an actress who is set to have a recurring role as an assistant district attorney who clashes with Harvey.

Hardman appears to have lost the war – but the question is: will he be back for the back-end of the season? That’s an answer we just don’t have for you yet. Louis, however, does seem to have seen the light and joined Jessica and Harvey in the fight to oust Hardman once and for all. Sometimes, you just have to love that sneaky man.

Are you ready for the January 17 premiere? If not, ask any questions in the comments and we’ll be sure to answer them!

In case you’re looking to catch up on shows you’ve been interested in but just haven’t got to watching yet, be on the lookout for more “Introduction to…” posts for the new shows that Hypable now covers!