Warning: SPOILERS for Suits LA episode 2.Suits LAhas had trouble finding its footing as the newest title in Aaron Korsh’s legal franchise, but episode 2’s romantic revelation may have just given us our new Harvey and Scotty. AlthoughSuits LAcomes 6 years after the originalended, there are many aspects of the spinoff that are meant to be reminiscent ofSuits, from the background music to the ubiquitous theme song,“Greenback Boogie.”While at first it seemed like Ted Black (Stephen Amell) was the stand-in for Gabriel Macht’s Harvey Spencer, the West-Coast successor’s most compelling protagonist is a more junior lawyer.
For all the critiques about the spinoff’s characters, the silver lining withinSuits LA’s poor initial reviewswas the work of Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins. Erica stayed behind after Stuart Lane’s (Josh McDermitt)betrayal of Ted inSuits LAepisode 1, becoming the Head of Entertainment at the firm despite not being interested in movies and television (a secret which may harken back to Patrick J. Adams as Mike Ross in the original run). Yet, her shark-like ambition and impressive people skills make Erica more like Harvey, especially with her latest romantic development inSuits LAepisode 2.
Suits LA Episode 2 Sets Up Erica & Rick As Its New Scottie & Harvey
Their Romantic Past Predates The Series
Though theending ofSuitssaw Harvey marry Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty), wrapping up their near-decade-long slow-burn, his most prominent fling in the series was with Dana“Scottie”Scott (Abigail Spencer), a competing lawyer with a ruthless disposition.Harvey and Scottie first got together beforeSuitseven began, with their flirtation dating back to their college days at Harvard. By the timeSuitsintroduces Scottie for the first time, she and Harvey already have a lengthy sexual history.
Suits LA Episode 2 Gave Ted Black A Superpower & It Makes Me So Frustrated That He Refuses To Use It
Suits LA’s main selling point is Ted Black’s connection to Harvey Specter, but his days as a New York Prosecutor could be his greatest strength.
Similarly, arguably the biggest twist inSuits LAepisode 2 was that Erica and her work rival, Rick Dodsen (Bryan Greenberg), have a history of their own. While the pilot episode set them up as professional frenemies with the potential to be the spinoff’s will they/won’t they couple a la Mike and Rachel (Meghan, Duchess of Sussex),Suits LAepisode 2 reveals Erica and Rick were already together romantically. Though their affair ended poorly given their tiff over why they stopped“doing what they were doing,”it’s clear the two lawyers were more than colleagues and still lack closure.
Why Suits LA Recreating Scottie & Harvey Is Good For The Show
There’s Room To Build Something New
Admittedly, the spinoff pales in comparison to the original series on most fronts, but that’s not to saySuitswas without its own missteps.Harvey and Scottie’s dynamic was wasted inSuitsafter the legal drama broke them up following Scottie’s uncharacteristically strong reaction to learning Mike’s secret. Though Scottie was undeniably the most seriousgirlfriend Harvey had inSuitsprior to his marriage, their breakup left something to be desired, and each subsequent appearance of Abigail Spencer seemed like it might finally tie up the loose ends. Unfortunately,Suitsnever achieved a satisfying end to Harvey and Scottie’s story.
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By setting up a similar plot with Erica and Rick,Suits LAcan pick up the original’s slack and potentially make its preexisting relationship more interesting with a twist. Erica and Rick are already in a unique position, as they went from battling over the same promotion to having the same role at two competing law firms. The reveal that they had a past relationship and are still not on the same page is yet another complication that offers the spinoff the engaging conflict it needs to establish itself as a great standalone title.
Can Erica & Rick End Up Together In Suits LA?
Better Yet, Should They?
Erica and Rick’s romantic history may be an interesting angle for the spinoff, but that doesn’t mean they should reconcile inSuits LA. Given their similarity to Harvey and Scottie,it may be detrimental forSuits LAto give Erica and Rick a love story. If Erica and Rick feel like a copycat Harvey and Scottie,Suits LAcould suffer for its similarities to the original series. Still, Erica and Rick have the best chemistry in the entire show so far, andSuits LAwould be foolish to ignore that. Consequently, theSuits LAhas a tough line to walk.
If Erica and Rick feel like a copycat Harvey and Scottie,Suits LAcould suffer for its similarities to the original series.
Even still, there are pros and cons within the narrative itself.Erica has proven herself to be the true lead ofSuits LA, which makes any relationship she has immediately more important than if she were a supporting character. Erica’s relationship with Rick already drives the overarching plot, and they don’t even work in the same building anymore. That kind of magnetism could be a great asset toSuits LA, but the relationship could easily flounder if it isn’t handled correctly.Suits LAmay have succeeded in echoing one of the best Suits romances, but its work isn’t over yet.
