Suits LA: Will It Rise or Fall Like Its Predecessor?

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Just as Harvey Specter put it, “Initial impressions matter greatly; if you’re starting from a disadvantageous position, it can be difficult to catch up.” Suits: Los Angeles faces the challenge of living up to its predecessor, but it has an opportunity to rectify its forerunner’s most significant oversight.

As a gaming enthusiast, I never anticipated the unexpected journey of Suits. When it shuffled off the airwaves in 2019, many (including myself) thought it had breathed its last – but it was just taking a nap. Fast forward four years, and it experienced an astounding comeback on Netflix and Peacock. To my surprise, Nielsen reports that it was streamed for over 57 billion minutes in the year 2023.

The show presents an unlikely scenario: it follows Mike, a laid-back dropout prodigy with an exceptional memory who unexpectedly lands a position as a lawyer’s assistant. The storyline is filled with courtroom battles, romantic entanglements, and deception. Despite the absurdity, it’s remarkably well-written; it offers a compelling, intelligent, and humorous legal drama with appealing, good-looking characters and straightforward plotlines.

At first, things were one way, but they ultimately turned out differently. Just as Suits somehow flipped Harvey Specter’s mantra, it initially was one thing, but it ended up being something else entirely. It’s crucial for Suits LA to avoid repeating the same mistake.

This was Suits’ biggest mistake

Towards the close of Suits, the narrative felt exhausting; it relied heavily on dramatic flair instead of authentic feelings, became excessively cheesy, and ultimately seemed hurried. The plot points of Harvey marrying Donna and departing the firm to rejoin Mike held some logic, but beyond effectively employing Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’, it lacked the impactful resolution expected. Instead, it simply ended abruptly.

It’s worth noting that the shift from essential viewing to more casual background watching for the series occurred well before its final season. This transformation was noticeable particularly when Mike’s secret was unveiled and he was sent to prison. The issue wasn’t the disappearance of the central conflict, but rather how weakly the show addressed the aftermath and repercussions of this revelation within its own universe, with the exception of Louis’ reaction, which is one of the greatest TV moments in my opinion.

From that point on, things gradually worsened for Mike. Following a lengthy side plot involving a hostile informant, Mike was released from prison prematurely. He eventually rejoined Pearson Specter Litt, only to depart later with Rachel. This was largely due to Meghan Markle’s marriage to Prince Harry and the fact that Patrick J. Adams felt Mike’s narrative had reached its conclusion.

This was quite disorganized, suggesting a challenging period for Seasons 8 and 9 as they seemed to struggle with maintaining their unique identity beyond typical legal drama. A common consensus among fans is that Seasons 1-4 are exceptional, but there’s a general decline in quality from then on (even though it remains somewhat engaging).

Suits LA needs to know when it ends 

From the get-go, Suits needs to deliver as its pilot episode left quite an impression and continues to do so. Even a brief 30-second sneak peek on Netflix is enough to pique my interest for another viewing.

Instead, Suits LA doesn’t immediately grab your attention with a captivating storyline. The series focuses on Ted Black (Stephen Amell), a man who used to be a prosecutor in New York and now works as a lawyer in the entertainment industry, specifically in Los Angeles.

In summary provided by NBC, when his company faces a critical juncture, he is compelled to assume a position he had despised throughout his career. Simultaneously, events from the past gradually unfold that prompted Ted to abandon everything he knew.

The proposition seems harder to pull off than the plotline in Suits. To make it successful, Aaron Korsh should have a well-defined start, progression, and conclusion in mind. While some flexibility is acceptable, especially if he’s aiming for another long-running series, Suits managed to last by relying on a strong concept until it needed to innovate – Suits LA needs to be more robust or at least more consistent.

There are two main factors at play here. Initially, it’s found itself in a weak position. While some spectators, including myself, find it fascinating, others, who are more critical, question its very validity.

Its beginning can be traced back to Suits’ popularity on Netflix, but this doesn’t automatically mean there will be enthusiasm for the spinoff. Some viewers consider Harvey Specter’s appearances as more of a nod to past glory rather than genuine interest.

Additionally, it’s important to note that Suits LA doesn’t share the same market as the original Suits. The initial series was a hit before streaming became popular, airing during an era when seasons often consisted of nearly 20 episodes and held strong ratings throughout the year. Television was still the primary source of entertainment at that time, and Suits was broadcast globally, further boosting its appeal even during periods of lower viewership.

In an era arguably overflowing with television content, the latest series is debuting during what might be the most crowded period in TV history. The surge of streaming services has left many households drowning in a sea of new shows. Each week brings numerous premieres that viewers are eager to watch, such as “Severance” and “Squid Game,” but with limited time available, cancellations have unfortunately become a frequent occurrence.

Today’s audience tends to be more discerning and critical. They might give a fresh series a try, but if it doesn’t capture their interest right away or resonate with the current cultural trends, they are less likely to continue watching (as evidenced by the viewership numbers for The Acolyte, Rings of Power, and Skeleton Crew).

On the contrary, “successful individuals don’t blame others when they play the game.” In essence, Los Angeles should aim for more than just being satisfactory; it should strive for excellence.

Make sure you check out what’s dropping during TopMob’s We LOVE TV & Movies week too.

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2025-02-13 12:49