Suits LA Review: A Disappointing Spinoff of the Original Series

Image credits: David Astorga—NBC

The TV show Suits, a modest USA Network legal procedural from 2011, broke out as one of Netflix's biggest hits ever after it arrived on the streaming service. This led to the creation of a sequel or reboot, with original showrunner Aaron Korsh back for a West Coast version of the legal dramedy. The long-awaited spinoff, Suits LA, airs on NBC starting February 23, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to expectations. The show centers on Ted Black, the best entertainment attorney in Los Angeles, played by Stephen Amell, who is surrounded by a cast of characters that will be eerily familiar to fans of Suits.

One of the main issues with Suits LA is its confusing plot structure, which relies heavily on flashbacks to reveal character secrets. This device, which has been used in other shows like Paradise, Apple Cider Vinegar, and No Good Deed, can be effective in small doses, but in Suits LA, it becomes overwhelming and disorienting. The show's use of flashbacks is particularly egregious, with Ted's dream-memories throwing us directly into the action with scenes involving mobsters, a neglectful father, and an explosion, before skipping back to unrelated conversations in modern day. The experience is disorienting, and the chemistry between characters is lacking, making it hard to become invested in their stories.

The show's attempt to balance Ted's anger by occasionally casting him as a sad boi, evoking our pity by adding to his adversities, falls flat. Ted's character is too one-note, too unpleasant, and too damn angry to encourage our investment. The dialogue is stilted and almost exclusively exposition, and the supporting cast is as bland as a Dodger Dog. The show's failure to deliver a compelling narrative is a major disappointment, especially considering the success of the original series. The premise of Suits, which centered around Mike's lack of a law degree and his mentor Harvey's efforts to hide this secret, was a key factor in its success, and Suits LA's lack of a similar conceit is a major flaw.

Despite its flaws, Suits LA does settle down a bit by the second and third episodes, with cases to mete out, defendants' innocence to establish, and celebrities to name drop. However, the result is something closer to a generic procedural than the show that originally broke out on the USA Network. Amell is doing an admirable impression of Gabriel Macht's character, but it's still an impression. The show is a pale shadow of its predecessor, and its failure to deliver a compelling narrative and memorable characters makes it a disappointing spinoff. Here are some key points about the show:

• Suits LA premieres on NBC on February 23
• Episodes will be available on Peacock the next day
• The show centers on Ted Black, a entertainment attorney in Los Angeles
• The show's plot structure is confusing and relies heavily on flashbacks
• The chemistry between characters is lacking

In conclusion, Suits LA is a disappointing spinoff of the original series, with a confusing plot structure, lack of chemistry between characters, and too much reliance on flashbacks. While it may have its moments, the show fails to deliver a compelling narrative and memorable characters, making it a pale shadow of its predecessor. Fans of the original series may want to approach with caution, as Suits LA is a generic procedural that lacks the charm and wit of the original.