Kobayashi Maru

The unwinable situation is an oft-repeated device in this series. Over and over again, Harvey and/or Mike are caught between a rock and a hard place with seemingly no way out. But then, bam! They find some detail of case law, or some new information, or get something to blackmail their opposition so they can win the case.

But the one thing they apparently can’t ever “fix” or find some loop hole or other miraculous solution for is Mike’s Big Lie. And. It. Just. Drags. On. And. On.

Mike’s secret = the castaways on Gilligan’s Island.
They can’t ever get rescued off the island, despite being able to build just about anything, and having a steady flow of visitors who always manage to leave. Mike and Harvey are able to come up with numerous miraculous solutions for everything except for Mike’s Big Lie.