Suits LA Series-Premiere Recap: Et Tu, Rick?

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I’m captivated by how Hollywood seems to have a soft spot for re-heated nachos, with reboots and revivals filling our screens. It appears that even TV executives who seem too busy to explore fresh ideas can’t resist the allure of spinning the block, immersing themselves in a wave of nostalgia they can’t seem to get enough of. Every day, there’s a new Pop Base update that confirms my deepest apprehensions: the much-loved show I watched conclude with a satisfying finale might just return, losing the charm that made it unique and memorable in the first place.

Aaron Korsh, the mind behind Suits, is once again in charge, giving the storyline a fresh spin by placing it in the bustling city of Los Angeles. The original series, which captivated viewers with its rapid-fire dialogue and legal drama centered around intriguing characters, gained immense popularity years after its final episode aired, making it the most streamed show in the U.S. on Netflix. Its enduring appeal can be attributed to the engaging performances of its well-chosen cast. Gabriel Macht’s portrayal of Harvey Specter, a suave lawyer with more charm than any man with a quiff should rightfully possess, left an indelible mark.

In a change, Ted Black (portrayed by Stephen Amell) replaces the character in Suits LA. This new figure was previously a prosecutor, now turned high-profile attorney in the spotlight. Instead of being introduced in the current timeline, we encounter him in one of several surprising flashbacks, set over a decade back in New York City. In this instance, he’s up close with a witness, extorting information that implicates the city’s most powerful mob boss. If it were any other series, forcing testimony from a civilian could be unsettling; however, given that every character on Suits tends to view laws as optional guidelines, a privileged young man strong-arming his way through is quite typical within the Suits universe.

The unexpected event following something not usual is an explosion occurring as Ted departs from the witness’ residence. This event, though startling in a somewhat humorous manner, seems more akin to an episode of Arrow than the show’s refined predecessor. Afterwards, Ted awakens from a disturbing dream set in Los Angeles, where he resides with his brother Eddie (Carson A. Egan). This isn’t the first time Ted has had a nightmarish dream about the city or his past year there. The entity haunting him appears to be tenacious, as the show hints at the incidents that led Ted to quit his job frequently throughout the pilot. The law firm, Black Lane, which Ted co-founded with his friend and criminal defense lawyer Stuart Lane (Josh McDermitt), makes its debut. Unlike Pearson Hardman, which exuded sexiness through dark wood and pristine glass, the offices of Black Lane lack charm and allure. This could be one of the show’s shortcomings, as it seems to embody the show’s flaws in its lack of character. Some issues might stem from the fact that the entire setting is illuminated like a Dhar Mann video, but this is irrelevant to the discussion at hand.

At present, the company is navigating a challenging merger with a former associate’s office, an arrangement that Ted initially objected to but eventually accepted, bringing great joy to Stuart. Despite Ted’s strong dislike for criminal law, he and Stuart appear to work well together, excelling in their respective areas of expertise. The show tries to portray Ted in situations requiring elegance and confidence, but these scenes often come across as anything but. One of the most memorable instances is when we see him charming Hollywood actress Dylan Pryor (played by Victoria Justice) into allowing the firm to represent her, with Rick Dodsen (Bryan Greenberg) serving as a supportive partner in this endeavor. Rick’s character takes on the role of the enthusiastic and helpful dog to Ted’s more aggressive one in the meeting.

Rick is clearly overshadowed by Erica Rollins (Lex Scott Davis), his rival for the role of entertainment head at the company. They’re as different as night and day. Erica is a determined competitor who excels in negotiations and deal-making, whereas Rick is a diligent rule follower who consistently seeks extra opportunities to learn. Despite his lack of charm, he compensates with dedication, but I find myself wishing he wasn’t there whenever he appears on screen.

Erica is determined to secure that promotion and will go to great lengths to achieve it, a drive that significantly influences the latter part of the episode and positions her as Korsh’s beloved “tough attorney” stereotype. Tensions are mounting behind the scenes, and a complex corporate game is definitely in progress. As things stand now, Ted admires Erica and has respect for Rick, which inclines him towards giving his golden retriever the position; he questions whether Erica’s relentless dedication—what makes her an outstanding lawyer—would be effective as a leader. The arrival of Leah (Alice Lee), an associate who works under Erica, adds fuel to the notion that she is too self-centered to be trusted; Leah approaches Rick and requests to work for him instead, seemingly deterred by her superior’s ambition.

Meanwhile, as Ted persistently pressures Victoria Justice into hiring him as her attorney, Stuart is preoccupied elsewhere, handling a client who stands accused of murdering their partner during a night of celebration, drug use, and illegal shooting in the hills. Despite evidence like gun residue on his hands, the client claims innocence, an assertion that Stuart finds hard to accept. This revelation seems to upset the client, leading them to appeal to Ted for legal representation, despite Ted’s reluctance towards defending criminals. However, Ted remains firm in his decision.

In simpler terms, Ted initially praises Stuart as an exceptional criminal defense attorney whom the client should rely on. However, it’ll become clear in the upcoming plot twist that Stuart, contrary to his image as a loyal friend, has been manipulating Ted all along. He’s been secretly poaching Black Lane’s top legal talent and clients to establish his own law firm, using the merger as a disguise for his deceitful actions.

The series portrays this pivotal moment as one of betrayal, yet true betrayal requires prior development. By this stage in the plot, we’ve barely witnessed much interaction between these two characters beyond a single dinner scene, when they sealed the merger deal over drinks. Since Stuart hasn’t been well-established as a character, his actions don’t seem particularly deceitful to me. I don’t feel invested because I haven’t had enough time to care about Stuart, and Ted either.

The central relationship between Mike and Harvey was one of the key strengths of Suits, contributing significantly to its appeal. Unfortunately, in this new scenario, the writers seem to eliminate any chance of creating a comparable dynamic duo for viewers to root for right from the start.

The unexpected aspect of this scenario is that the writers decide to use the plot twist where a friend betrays the protagonist not once, but twice in the same episode. In this instance, Stuart – who is both slim and capable – sets up Rick and Erica with an appealing proposition: if they decide to leave the firm and betray Ted, he promises them leadership roles at his new company. Erica contemplates her actions by testing her associate’s loyalty by informing her of her supposed departure to gauge Ted’s reaction. Predictably, Leah betrays Stuart by telling Ted about her boss’s plan, revealing herself as untrustworthy and a snitch.

Among all scenes, Ted appears the most alive and engaged during his interactions with Erica. Whether it’s their confrontation where he mistakenly suspects she’s betrayed him (which turns out to be unfounded, leading to her getting promoted to partner by the episode’s end), or a later scene where he inquires about why she chose to stay, it’s evident that Ted and Erica share an unusually strong connection compared to other characters on the show.

The show Suits has an intriguing dynamic with its black characters. Jessica Pearson (played by Gina Torres) was a perfect embodiment of a strong, competent woman, both fashionable and authoritative. Despite this, the writers chose to have her sacrifice herself to shield Harvey Specter, demonstrating a pattern in the series. Robert Zane (portrayed by Wendell Pierce) experienced a similar fate, losing his license in a plan to safeguard Harvey from attorney/client privilege breach consequences. Their ethnicity was recognized, yet seldom explored, something I found both appealing and concerning. This was particularly noticeable when they were written out at the end of the series to protect the white lead characters.

They portray Erica’s character in a more authentic manner. She shares an incident from her past at the law firm, where she overheard a discussion between Stuart and Ted, which occurred a few months into her tenure. Legal Quiff had intended to limit her clientele to diverse cases and mold her into a BIOPIC-focused specialist, using her as a symbolic figure. However, it was Ted who questioned this notion: “If I had known she could only represent people of color, I wouldn’t have hired her,” he stated. He expressed his faith in her success as a lawyer and promised to work tirelessly for her, stating that he would be willing to do so seven days a week and twice on Sundays, although the exact meaning behind this statement remains unclear.

Her presence beside him and her assistance in securing clients helped stem the damage caused by Stuart’s stunt, with only one significant hurdle remaining. To maintain his primary source of income, Ted must overcome his aversion to criminal defense. He takes on this challenge and approaches Stuart’s alleged murderer client from earlier, attempting to persuade him to change lawyers, which he does. It feels gratifying when Stuart is compelled to witness his client switching attorneys and abandoning him in court for Ted. However, Amell lacks the charisma or star quality that makes him entertaining to watch, so it’s somewhat awkward. Instead of forcing him to be cool, Ted might become more appealing if they focus on making him less cringe-worthy.

The show delves deeper into the strained relationship between the main character and his father, hinted as one of his key personal issues. This is subtly shown through strategically placed flashbacks that offer glimpses into their past in New York. Matt Letscher’s appearance adds an interesting twist, creating a mini crossover with the Arrowverse. Later on, we see Ted rushing to the hospital following an explosion, hoping to find out if the crucial witness he was blackmailing survived (unfortunately, he didn’t). In a desperate attempt to buy some time, Ted convinces the doctors to falsify the witness’s death record.

It’s clear that the man is eagerly awaiting his father, and it’s hard not to wish for this troubled individual’s demise given their strained past. Their relationship is marred by darkness, stereotypes, and regret: a deadbeat dad who neglected his children and may have played a role in one of their deaths. Harvey struggled with these issues for quite some time; it seems that a dysfunctional parent-child bond is a recurring theme in Aaron Korsh’s work. In the present, Ted’s father is close to death, which brings a sense of fulfillment to Ted. A shocking revelation unfolds as Ted talks near his dying father’s bed: Eddie, the sibling Ted often interacted with at home, turns out to be nothing more than a figment of memory, having passed away years ago. The episode concludes with a heartbroken Ted crying over a photograph of him and his late brother.

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2025-02-24 08:54