Isabella Flores
In the TV show Suits, Harvey Specter, played by Gabriel Macht, has a duck painting that holds a lot of significance. The painting is first referenced in season 6 when Harvey's rival, Elliot Stemple, threatens to ruin his law firm unless he hands over the painting. The painting is one of Harvey's last remaining memories of his mother, with whom he has a strained relationship. In season 9, Harvey's love interest, Donna Paulsen, gives him a copy of the painting, and he is finally able to reconcile with his mother. While some viewers found the painting's backstory sentimental, others considered it silly and out of place. There is also debate about whether the painting depicts a duck or an alligator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Represents | A happier time in Harvey's life and his dwindling relationship and ultimate reconciliation with his mother |
| First referenced | Season 6 |
| Original owner | Harvey Specter |
| Stolen by | Elliot Stemple |
| Reason for stealing | To hurt Harvey |
| Returned by | Donna Paulsen |
| Method | She worked with Alex Williams to find a forger who replicated the painting, gave the copy to Harvey's adversary, and retrieved the original |
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What You'll Learn
Harvey Specter's difficult relationship with his mother
The duck painting in Harvey Specter's apartment plays a significant role in the TV show Suits, symbolising the complex and often difficult relationship he has with his mother. The painting is one of Harvey's last remaining memories of his mother before their relationship began to deteriorate.
Throughout the show's nine seasons, Harvey's relationship with his mother is strained, and the painting becomes a representation of their dwindling bond and, ultimately, their reconciliation. In season six, the painting is stolen by lawyer Elliott Stemple, who uses it to threaten Harvey during an intense rivalry. This loss hurts Harvey, and he eventually gets it back in a moving moment in season nine, episode seven, where Donna gives him the original painting.
The moment is emotional for Harvey, prompting him to reach out to his mother and have a conversation about their relationship and his father. This leads to a form of reconciliation, as Harvey has been through therapy and forgiven his mother, tying up the emotional turmoil surrounding their relationship.
The painting itself is a bit of a mystery, with viewers debating whether it depicts a duck, an alligator, or even a frog. Regardless of the animal, the painting represents a happier time in Harvey's life and his complicated family dynamics. It shows that, despite his tough exterior, Harvey needs his family and wants to hold on to happy memories of them.
The duck painting is an important plot device in the show, allowing viewers to glimpse Harvey's vulnerable side and understand his character more deeply. It adds a layer of complexity to his persona and showcases the value he places on sentiment and family, even amidst professional rivalries and legal dramas.
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The painting as a symbol of reconciliation
The duck painting in Suits is more than just a quirky piece of art hanging on Harvey Specter's wall. Over the course of the show's nine seasons, it becomes a symbol of Harvey's tumultuous relationship with his mother and their ultimate reconciliation.
The painting is first referenced in season six when Harvey faces off against Elliott Stemple, who steals the painting to hurt Harvey. This theft is significant because the duck painting is one of Harvey's last remaining memories of his mother before their relationship deteriorates. Despite their strained relationship, Harvey holds onto this happy memory, and the painting becomes a representation of his complex family dynamics and his desire for reconciliation.
In season nine, the painting takes on an even more profound role in Harvey's journey. After losing the original painting, Donna, a key character and Harvey's love interest, presents him with a copy. This act of thoughtfulness and devotion moves Harvey deeply, leading him to reach out to his mother and take a significant step toward mending their relationship.
The moment is an emotional one, as Harvey confronts his feelings about his family and his past. It showcases the power of sentiment and how even a seemingly trivial object can hold immense value for someone. The painting becomes a catalyst for Harvey's personal growth and a symbol of his willingness to let go of the past and forge a new path, both in his family relationships and his romantic life.
The duck painting, with its quirky and light-hearted appearance, adds a layer of complexity to Harvey's character. It reveals his softer side, his attachment to his family, and his desire for reconciliation. This contrast between the painting's whimsical nature and its profound significance in the show highlights the writers' ability to intertwine humour and emotion in the exploration of family dynamics and personal growth.
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Donna Paulsen's romantic gesture
The duck painting in Suits held a lot of sentimental value for Harvey Specter, played by Gabriel Macht. It was one of his last remaining memories of his mother before their relationship began to deteriorate. In season 6, the lawyer Elliott Stemple (played by Patrick Fischler) stole the original painting from Harvey's apartment to hurt him. This was a particularly devastating moment for Harvey, as the painting was a reminder of happier times with his mother.
Fans of Donna Paulsen (played by Sarah Rafferty) and Harvey had been hoping to see the pair rekindle their romance since the first season of the show. In a touching moment at the end of season 8, episode 7, Donna gave Harvey the duck painting, revealing that she had worked with Alex Williams (played by Dulé Hill) to find a forger who could replicate the painting exactly. She then gave the copy to Harvey's adversary and got the original back for him. This romantic gesture helped Harvey reconcile with his mother and finally move past the resentment he had been holding onto.
The moment was clearly an emotional one for Harvey, who reached out to his mother at the end of the episode. In a phone call, he talked about his relationship with his father and the grudge he had held against her. This scene marked a turning point in Harvey's character arc, allowing him to let go of the past and open himself up to the possibility of a serious relationship with Donna.
The duck painting continued to be a significant symbol throughout the show, representing Harvey's complex family dynamics and his journey towards reconciliation and self-discovery. It served as a reminder that, despite his tough exterior, Harvey valued his family and cherished the happy memories associated with the painting.
The painting also sparked debates among fans, with some questioning whether it depicted a duck or an alligator. This added to the intrigue surrounding the painting and further emphasised its importance in the show and in Harvey's life.
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The painting as a plot device
The duck painting in Suits is a plot device that serves as a symbol of Harvey Specter's relationship with his mother. In the show, Harvey has a difficult relationship with his mother, and the painting is one of his last remaining memories of her before their relationship deteriorates. The painting is first referenced in season six when Harvey faces a rivalry with Elliott Stemple, who steals the original painting to hurt Harvey. This theft sets up a plotline where Harvey eventually gets the painting back, which represents a happier time in his life. In episode seven, Donna, with whom Harvey has a romantic relationship, gives him the actual painting after working behind the scenes to get it back. She has a copy made and gives it to Harvey's adversary, allowing her to retrieve the original for Harvey. This moment is emotional for Harvey, who reaches out to his mother at the end of the episode.
The painting also appears in a flashback during season two, episode eight, "Rewind." After learning of his father's death, Harvey looks at the painting, and his shocked expression turns into a smile, indicating that the painting holds a deeper meaning for him.
While some viewers found the painting's backstory sentimental, others considered it silly or lame. Some debated whether the painting depicted a duck or an alligator, with one source clarifying that it is, in fact, a depiction of "Gaylord Gator," an Avon kids' soap dish. Despite the debates and varying interpretations, the duck painting serves as an essential plot device in the show, allowing viewers to glimpse Harvey's softer side and his desire to reconcile with his family.
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The painting's subject being a duck, an alligator, or a frog
The painting in question from Suits season 9 holds a lot of significance for the character of Harvey Specter. It is a memento of happier times with his mother, with whom he has had a difficult relationship. The painting was first referenced in season 6 when Harvey's rival, Elliott Stemple, stole the original painting to hurt him.
There is some debate about whether the painting depicts a duck, an alligator, or even a frog. Some viewers thought it looked like an alligator, while others believed it to be a duck. The artist herself clarified that it was an alligator, specifically 'Gaylord Gator', an Avon kids' soap dish. However, in the show, Elliott refers to it as a duck painting, perhaps to show his indifference to Harvey's sentimental attachment to it.
Regardless of the animal it portrays, the painting symbolises Harvey's complex relationship with his mother. After losing the original painting, Harvey was gifted a copy by Donna Paulsen, a romantic interest and colleague, who had it replicated exactly by a forger. The moment was emotional for Harvey, leading him to reach out to his mother and begin repairing their relationship.
The painting also serves as a plot device, creating tension and an opportunity for Harvey to regain the painting and overcome his adversary. It is a reminder that, despite his tough exterior, Harvey values his family and is willing to work towards reconciliation.
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Frequently asked questions
The duck painting is a symbol of Harvey Specter's dwindling relationship and ultimate reconciliation with his mother. It was one of Harvey's last remaining memories of his mother before their relationship began to deteriorate.
After losing the painting in a feud with another lawyer, Elliot Stemple, Harvey eventually gets it back in episode seven of season nine in a moving moment. Donna Paulsen gives Harvey a copy of the painting, which he then loses to his adversary, and she is able to get the original back for him.
The painting is first referenced in season six when Elliot Stemple steals it from Harvey. It is revealed that the painting holds sentimental value for Harvey, representing a happier time in his life.
