It’s Ted Black’s world, and we are all just living in it, or so it would seem, if you have been tuned into the recent debut and early episodes of Suits L.A. NBC’s newest legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, follows the life of high-powered west coast entertainment lawyer, Ted Black, as he finds himself forever in the midst of personal and professional crisis.
Settling into the third installment of the series, streaming also on Peacock, the pieces of who Ted Black is continue to fall into place — yet again, the past and present of the attorney’s life ping pong back-and-forth onscreen in various timeline sequences throughout the episode. These frequent flashbacks succeed in giving background into Ted’s significant relationships, most notably, with those of all of his former partners, it seems - Stuart (Josh McDermitt), his once love-you-like-a-brother law partner; Kevin (Troy Windbush), his former New York City right-hand man; and Samantha (Rachelle Goulding), his ex-girlfriend-turned-closest competitor.
As it stands, the focus of the show remains squarely on Amell’s Ted; and, as the nexus for all things Suits L.A., he also remains the only character, thus far, with a compelling backstory. A fact that is certainly not a deal-breaker for adequately engaging in the story, but has left one to fill in the blanks on the supporting characters’ lives with both speculation and innuendo about how they got here in present day.
Though for this episode, with our little blast back to the past, we do get a closer look at the early days of Ted and Stuart’s partnership that began when Ted sought the latter’s help with a high-profile mob case back in New York City. We also get a sense that in the wake of Ted and Stuart’s recently strained work relations, there is an undertone of envy that Kevin, Ted’s former federal prosecutor, now private investigator bestie, has resurfaced in Ted’s life in the present. Could there be competition for who is Ted’s best of the best friend, at least on Stuart’s part? Time will have to tell.
Running in the background as a through line for the series is the impending murder trial of movie producer Lester Thompson (Kevin Weismann), accused of killing his business partner, Simon. To thicken the plot, we learn that Lester’s wife, Valerie, had been having an affair with Simon. Needing Valerie to “stand by her man,” if you will, for the sake of the trial, Ted pays Valerie a visit to discuss, only to find that Stuart has bested him once again, this time by agreeing to represent Valerie in her divorce from Lester.
Livid, Ted confronts Stuart on his career choices, only to learn in yet another unfortunate twist, that Stuart was named in of all things as the executor of Ted’s late father’s will. But, that’s not all. The caveat of that dubious role comes with a distinct request for the patriarch to be buried next to Ted’s deceased younger brother. And, if you have been keeping up from episodes 1 and 2 of the series, you know that request is a pretty significant sticking point for Ted, underscoring the skeletons yet to be unearthed in the Black family closets.
Across town, Rick Dodson (Bryan Greenberg), once thought to be Ted’s protege at the former Black Lane firm, continues to find his way as he settles into his new role with of all people, Ted’s exes - Stuart and Samantha — and their new firm. But, wouldn’t you know it, in his first order of business and in an effort to prove himself worthy as the new Head of Entertainment, Rick is tasked by Samantha with determining which of the firm’s three current entertainment lawyers would need to be fired.
Oh, the games people play.
And, speaking of games — to bring you up to speed if you are just joining us, Stuart and Samantha went behind Ted’s back to cut him out of the merger that was to take their law firms global at the start of the series. Rick jumped ship when Ted would not commit to naming him a division head. So, as they say, with friends like these, who needs those enemies.
But, I digress, back to the story at hand…
Fun times around the negotiating table ensue when Ted and Stuart come to the table with their respective clients to iron out the terms of the couple’s divorce. Between both Ted and Stuart and Valerie and Lester, sparks fly, and not in a good way, between the foursome. With a lot of displaced anger bouncing off the tempered glass walls, it was hard to tell who was divorcing who, at times. Not gonna lie, I am hooked when they fight about the law.
It seems Kevin, Ted’s aforementioned former partner from his federal prosecutor days in New York, has remained in town to help Ted uncover the facts to prove that his client is innocent of the murdering his partner — that we now know was having an affair with the producer’s wife, Valerie.
An additional motive for the murder emerges when Kevin uncovers a photo of Valerie and Lester’s creative partner, Simon, canoodling at a special event, as evidence that Lester may have been aware of the affair. Knowing that a public show of support from Valerie was even more imperative given these new optics just hours from being released by the media, Ted demands that the fab four return to the negotiating table to put the details of the couple’s separation to bed. Pun somewhat intended.
In the episode’s B plot, Ted’s newest partner, Erica Rollins (Lex Scott Davis) and her associate, Leah, tag team to help the firm’s long-time client, Brian Baumgartner, who finds himself at a career crossroads. Name sound familiar? It should, Baumgartner is best known for his role as “Kevin Malone” on the uber popular NBC sitcom, The Office. Playing himself, Baumgartner has sought out Black & Associates’ assistance in making the fictional transition from comedic actor to one with a more dramatic flair, fearing that he will be typecast if he does not make the leap in cinematic genres. What Baumgartner is seeking is an opportunity to get a face-to-face with Tom Hanks to pick his brain on how the Academy Award winner made said leap — Baumgartner’s hope in coming to the firm is that his attorney can make that meeting happen.
Leah ever eager to get back into Erica’s good graces after her betrayal-of-confidence moment in the season opener, solicits Ted’s executive assistant Roslyn’s help to get the next best thing to Hanks — and, of course that would be, Patton Oswalt, playing himself, to talk Baumgartner off the dramatic ledge.
Leah, played by Alice Lee, has emerged as the humorous, yet grounded character of the firm. The ever present sidekick provides the balance on the other side of the desk to her more self-absorbed, career-driven boss, Erica — most especially because said boss is the one entertainment lawyer in L.A. who, ironically, knows “embarrassing little about television and movies.” Love the idea of that character conflict, but do not buy for one second Erica does not have better moves to a pull off a more convincing “Carlton” in an impromptu dance-off. You had to be there.
We close out the week’s episode with Stuart reaching out to Ted one more time to encourage him to attend his father’s burial. And, in what has become the series’ modus operandi, Ted stares off into the abyss as he weighs Stuart’s request. Encouraged by his brother, Eddie, to attend, as well — who by the way, has been appearing on screen as Ted’s ghostly character of conscience, Ted makes his requisite appearance at his father’s graveside, as a poignant piano solo fades the episode to black.
Thematically, the show continues to explore the similar plot points of loyalty, friendships, and the moral gray areas of law, much like its NYC show counterpart, of similar name. But, where the two series diverge is that the strength of the core characters’ relationship, namely Harvey Specter and Mike Ross, played by Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams, respectively, in the OG Suits was the dynamic hook that brought us back for more give-and-take each week.
Ted’s relationships are central to the narrative in this modern reboot, no doubt. And, Amell’s interactions with his supporting cast bring a tinge of authenticity and emotional weight to the storylines, allowing for subtle moments of connection and conflict. However, the lack of true depth for his fictional counterparts onscreen makes the relationships somehow feel, at times, one-sided and non-reciprocal, leaving the others on canvas without any substantial depth outside of their connection to Ted.
What has been a nice touch for the show is the use of real life actors and entertainers as clients of the respective firms. It is a great attempt to bring that authenticity into the storylines and give us yet another behind-the-scenes take on the entertainment industry. The thought of which truly does leave me eager to see who else will show up next on the 25th floor at Black & Associates.
New episodes of Suits L.A., which first premiered on February 23, will continue to air Sundays on NBC at 9 pm ET/PT and will stream on Peacock the following day.
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