Suits LA: A Séance Attempting to Summon the Spirit of Suits
Gather around, viewers, as we attempt to conjure the spirit of Suits, the show that once captivated audiences with its sharp wit, sleek suits, and a healthy dose of horniness. Suits LA, a spinoff premiering on NBC, feels less like a sequel and more like a séance—desperate to bring back the magic of its predecessor but struggling to capture its essence. The question on everyone’s mind is: Why does a show become a hit? And, more importantly, can lightning strike twice? The truth is, no one really knows the secret to creating a phenomenon. If they did, every show would be a blockbuster, and no series would ever face the axe. But in the world of entertainment, nothing nice can simply be enjoyed; it must be capitalized on. And so, Suits LA was born—a show that feels more like a business decision than a labor of love.
A Flat and Joyless Attempt at Revival
For fans of the original Suits, the première of Suits LA might feel like a letdown. Gone are the quick-witted dialogues, the sizzling chemistry between characters, and the unapologetic horniness that defined the original series. Instead, we’re introduced to Ted, played by Stephen Amell, a character who feels like a generic, brooding hunk with a chip on his shoulder. Within the first five seconds of the show, Ted growls, “My father left when I was very young, and I never respected him,” setting the tone for a character who is more gruff than charming. The absence of Meghan Markle is deeply felt, as the show struggles to recapture the same spark that made its predecessor so beloved. The flashbacks to Ted’s past as a federal prosecutor in New York, complete with a slimy dad and a brother with Down syndrome, feel tedious and overly sentimental, adding little to the narrative.
A Show Struggling to Find Its Identity
At its core, Suits LA tries to emulate the formula that made Suits a success, but it falls short in almost every department. The show’s creator, Aaron Korsh, originally conceptualized Suits LA as a series about a talent agent, only later reworking it into a spinoff. This lack of clear direction is evident in the show’s fuzzy understanding of the world of entertainment law. The characters are underdeveloped and lack the depth that made their counterparts in the original series so compelling. Ted, the show’s central character, is a far cry from the brilliant, roguish lawyer Harvey Specter. His disdain for criminal defense law is as confusing as it is uninteresting, and his dynamic with his underlings, Rick and Erica, feels forced and uninspired.
The Missing Pieces of a Once-Formulaic Success
The original Suits thrived on its ability to blend humor, drama, and a touch of risqué charm. It was a show that knew exactly what it was and leaned into its strengths with confidence. Suits LA, on the other hand, feels like a watered-down version of its predecessor—a diet version of something that was once full-bodied and satisfying. The show’s attempt to tackle the world of entertainment law is half-hearted, failing to explore the complexities and nuances that could have made it compelling. The characters are as flat as the dialogue, with Erica’s admission that she doesn’t care about film or television feeling like a metaphor for the show’s overall lack of passion. “The writer is never the one calling the shots,” she says. “The guy with the money is.” It’s a line that feels all too apt for a show that prioritizes profit over creativity.
A Show That Could Have Been More
There’s no denying that Suits LA improves slightly as it progresses, with a high-profile murder trial emerging as the most engaging plotline in the first three episodes. It’s a moment that hints at what the show could have been—a sleek, drama-filled series that combines the wit of The Good Wife with the charm of the original Suits. But these moments are few and far between, and the show ultimately fails to deliver on its promise. The characters are as uninteresting as they are underdeveloped, and the show’s inability to say anything meaningful about the world it inhabits makes it feel hollow and uninspired. Even the most ardent fans of the original series may find themselves checking their watches, wondering when something—anything—interesting will happen.
A Missed Opportunity to Recapture Magic
In the end, Suits LA feels like a missed opportunity—a chance to recapture the magic of Suits that was squandered by poor writing, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of vision. While it may appeal to die-hard fans of the original series who are desperate for more, it offers little to newcomers or those looking for a compelling drama. The show’s attempt to summon the spirit of Suits is admirable, but it’s a séance that fails to conjure anything more than a faint whisper of what once was. For a show that had the potential to be so much more, Suits LA leaves viewers feeling underwhelmed and unfulfilled. Perhaps it’s time to let the spirit of Suits rest in peace.
