Suits LA: A Sequel That Feels Like a Séance
A Familiar Spirit with a Hollow Feeling
"Suits LA," the latest spinoff of the popular series "Suits," feels less like a sequel and more like a séance—a desperate attempt to conjure the spirit of the original show. The original "Suits," which ran from 2011 to 2019, was a USA Network staple that found new life as a Netflix sensation in 2023. Now, with "Suits LA," the creators are trying to bottle the magic of the original series, but what they’ve produced is a show that lacks the charm, humor, and energy that made "Suits" a hit. The question on everyone’s mind is: Why does a show become popular in the first place? Unfortunately, "Suits LA" doesn’t seem to have the answer. Instead, it feels like a cash grab, capitalizing on the goodwill of the original without understanding what made it special.
Meet Ted: The Brooding but Uninteresting Hero
At the center of "Suits LA" is Ted, played by Stephen Amell, a character who feels like a watered-down version of Harvey Specter, the iconic protagonist of the original series. Ted is a former federal prosecutor turned entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, and his backstory is as generic as it gets. We’re told through tedious flashbacks that his father left him when he was young, and he’s still bitter about it. These flashbacks also introduce his brother, who has Down syndrome, in scenes that are meant to humanize Ted but come across as forced and emotionally hollow. In the present day, Ted is a self-proclaimed "badass" entertainment lawyer, but his tough exterior feels more like a pose than a genuine character trait. His underlings, Rick and Erica, are equally underdeveloped, and their interactions with Ted lack the witty banter and chemistry that made the original "Suits" so enjoyable.
A World Without Heart or Purpose
"Suits LA" struggles to define itself, not just in terms of its characters but also in its portrayal of the world of entertainment law. The show seems uncertain about what distinguishes entertainment lawyers from agents or managers, leaving the audience with a fuzzy understanding of what these characters actually do. Erica, one of Ted’s associates, is particularly uninspired. She’s a lawyer who doesn’t care about film or television and can’t even tell what makes a script good. Her philosophy? "The writer is never the one calling the shots. The guy with the money is." This cynical view of the industry is meant to be edgy but ends up feeling lazy and unoriginal. The show’s attempt to critique the superficiality of Hollywood falls flat because it doesn’t have anything meaningful to say.
The Flatlining Drama and Missing Spark
The first few episodes of "Suits LA" are underwhelming, though they do improve slightly as the series progresses. The most interesting plot involves a celebrity client’s high-profile murder trial, which feels like a pale imitation of the legal drama found in shows like "The Good Wife." While "Suits LA" tries to mimic the formula of its predecessor, it lacks the quick dialogue, sharp humor, and undeniable horniness that made "Suits" stand out. The characters are self-absorbed and unlikable, but unlike shows that successfully explore theives or morally ambiguous characters, "Suits LA" doesn’t use their flaws to say anything meaningful about the world they inhabit. It’s just a hollow shell of a show, trying to coast on the goodwill of the original without putting in the effort to create something new or compelling.
The Unanswered Question: What Makes a Hit?
At its core, "Suits LA" is an attempt to answer the unanswerable question: Why do some shows become hits? The original "Suits" was a modest success on USA Network, but its popularity exploded on Netflix years after its initial run ended. The creators of "Suits LA" are trying to replicate that success, but they don’t understand what made "Suits" special. The original show had a unique blend of wit, charm, and over-the-top horniness that made it a guilty pleasure. "Suits LA" trades all of that for a dull, joyless drama that feels more like a chore to watch than an entertainment. The show’s creator, Aaron Korsh, originally conceived it as a show about a talent agent before retooling it into a "Suits" spinoff. This lack of clarity is evident in the final product, which feels confused and unfocused.
A Missed Opportunity to Revive the Magic
"Suits LA" is a disappointment, but it doesn’t have to be. With better writing, more developed characters, and a clearer vision, it could have been a worthy sequel to the original "Suits." Instead, it feels like a lazy cash-in, trying to capitalize on the success of the original without putting in the effort to create something new and exciting. While some fans of "Suits" may find enough familiar elements to keep them watching, others will be left wondering why the show can’t recapture the magic of the original. For now, "Suits LA" feels like a missed opportunity—a hollow imitation of a show that once felt fresh and exciting. It’s a reminder that sometimes, you can’t bottle lightning twice, no matter how hard you try.