Suits: LA Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Seven Days a Week and Twice on Sunday

Six years after its predecessor said its final goodbye, NBC is hoping to attract original Suits fans, as well as a new set, with their latest series, Suits: LA.

Suits: LA Season 1 Episode 1, “Seven Days a Week and Twice on Sunday,” introduces us to Ted Black and his team in the ever-changing entertainment law world.

Portrayed by Stephen Amell, Ted is a former prosecutor from New York who turned into a big-time hotshot in Los Angeles, taking care of anybody who’s anybody while simultaneously dealing with the grief of past actions. Throughout the episode, we get bits and snippets of what led him to leave New York through flashbacks.

Meanwhile, as Ted navigates his continued nightmares and inability to come to terms with past familial conflicts, he’s also faced with the impending merger of his firm with his ex-girlfriend, Samantha.

Ted’s team initially begins with Stuart Lane (Josh McDermitt), a criminal defense lawyer; Erica Rollins (Lex Scott Davis), a rising star at the firm fighting to be head of entertainment; and Rick Dodsen (Bryan Greenburg), another entertainment attorney under Ted, fighting for supremacy against Erica.

As the episode progresses, secrets emerge, and the hierarchy of Ted’s firm breaks overnight. Instead of facing the impending merger with unity, Stuart and Rick place their bets on their careers and longevity by believing they’re better off together than under Ted, taking the entire 25th floor of their office with them.

“Seven Days a Week and Twice on Sunday” is an underwhelming beginning to a series that is clearly trying to capitalize on the continued success that Netflix has seen with acquiring Suits. While there are some more compelling aspects at play, most of the episode is so fast-paced in an attempt to fill as much plot as possible in its first outing, which hinders the episode’s performance.

The most emotion-provoking scene comes from Ted’s revelation in the final moments that his brother, who he communicates with often throughout the episode, actually died when he was 17.

In an episode dedicated to cramming as much as it can in 40 minutes, it’s the only moment solidifying any real attachment to any of the characters at hand.

Amell excels in roles where he can flaunt his masculinity, rough exterior, and strength. However, it’s instances such as his portrayal of Ted in the episode’s final moments that highlight his ability to get to those emotional depths, and, for me, it always takes the story a step further.

Is Amell the ideal replacement for Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams fans? Outpour from the audience online indicates a mixed review on the matter. But only time can tell if we’ll see Amell successfully pick up the reigns and provide a worthy addition to Suits’ legacy.

Outside of Ted, there is relatively no background information provided for any other characters, leaving the audience with no emotional connection with the players at hand.

Hopefully, the audience will not suffer through an unbearable number of episodes before breaking down other characters’ backstories, such as Erica and Amanda. So far, these two women have provided the most intrigue. I can’t wait to see their characters fleshed out as the series progresses.

Other Thoughts:

• Having John Amos guest star as himself is a nice addition that puts a little bow on the new series’ dedication to entertainment law. However, it would have been more substantial if he had more screen time.
• The interactions during Ted’s flashback of him and Kevin in the hospital are one of the more frustrating moments. While this is television, a mere 1 to 2 minutes more dedicated to the scene would have made it ten times more believable and less like a fleeting moment only included for exposition.

What did you think of this episode of Suits: LA? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Suits: LA airs Sundays at 9/8c on NBC.

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