Suits: LA Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Old Man Hanrahan

Ted goes to new lengths to prove Lester’s innocence on Suits: LA Season 1 Episode 2, “Old Man Hanrahan.”

In his quest to prove that Lester didn’t murder his partner, Ted turns to Kevin for help. Much to his dismay, Kevin agrees to help Ted. But, the prosecutor in him doesn’t allow him to provide much defense.

Instead, Kevin does what he can to ensure Ted is adequately prepared to potentially go to bat for a murderer in court. This series of events provides enough entertainment as information about Lester starts to paint him in a bad light.

Their quest for answers reveals Lester was stealing money from his partner. Meanwhile, Lester’s partner was sleeping with his wife the entire time.

As the episode progresses, it’s brought to light that Lester did begin paying back some of the money he stole. Nonetheless, it’s not enough to prove he had no motive.

The storyline so far is enough to keep the audience’s interest but hasn’t provided the material needed for Troy Winbush or Stephen Amell to give a noteworthy performance.

While Ted’s nose is buried deep in Lester’s case, Erica is left to helm the office and do what she must to keep Dylan Pryor as their client. Thus comes the impending one-on-one battle between her and Rick.

As Dylan works to get out of obligations she agreed to with an indie project, it provides the perfect battleground. Erica signs a waiver to allow Rick to help Dylan, so it isn’t technically poaching, and it’s officially on.

Their back-and-forths and quick quips toward one another are enough entertainment to steal the episode’s spotlight. Not only does it bestow significant character progression for Erica and Leah, but it also highlights the morals and characteristics that Rick holds dear to him.

Rick is no longer under the illusion that Ted walks on water and sees behind the bravado, but he doesn’t allow it to change who he is. Despite Stuart’s advances to poach Dylan from Erica to earn his title of head of entertainment, he finds a way for it to be morally correct while still showcasing his talents as a lawyer.

Ultimately, Rick emerges as the winner, and Dylan is his new client. However, losing the battle gives Erica the ego hit she needs to have an emotional and truthful transaction with Leah.

Erica apologizes for not listening to Leah when she voices having a potential option that would make everyone happy. Afterward, Erica admits she doesn’t watch TV or movies, so she can’t tell a good script from a bad one. She only became an entertainment lawyer because that’s where the action in LA is.

Erica’s vulnerability encourages Leah to admit she’s always wanted to be a TV writer. Being a first-generation Korean American, however, she knew it wasn’t allowed, so she became a lawyer.

Suits: LA‘s second outing is a far more engaging piece of television, but not due to its protagonist. Instead, the most captivating elements of the series come from its female characters, who provide the audience with the most significant appeal.

Even with her brief moments of screentime, Amanda is one of the characters who immediately draws the most intrigue. That sentiment reigns true as she continues providing the necessary drama and mystery in her encounter with Elizabeth in the episode’s final moments.

There will never be another series to live up to the original Suits, but Suits: LA slightly resembles the original with its enthralling women countering the men who govern with an iron fist.

Arguably, one of the most entertaining aspects of Suits was Sarah Rafferty, Gina Torres, and Meghan Markle, and the natural essence of excellence they exuded. That same essence is followed by Lex Scott Davis, Maggie Grace, and Alice Lee.

Other Thoughts:

• I don’t often mind a series that deals with many flashbacks to do the storytelling of a character’s backstory. However, it will be unfortunate if we have to suffer through bits and pieces of information through each episode all season long to get an accurate telling of what transpired between Samantha and Ted. 
• Leah deserves more screen time, and I hope we see more of a bond forming between Erica and her moving forward.
• Another Harvey mention! I am eagerly awaiting his three-episode arc to begin.

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

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

Follow us on X and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!