What Suits L.A.'s Premiere Should Learn From the Original Suits Pilot

The first episode of the upcoming Suits L.A. spin-off series, featuring Stephen Amell, has the potential to greatly benefit from following a key strategy used in the original series' pilot episode. Suits L.A. is not a reboot or revival but an entirely new series that will carry on the legacy of the acclaimed show. The casting of Stephen Amell as Ted Black, Josh McDermitt as his co-lead, and Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins has already generated excitement for the new series.

One of the major strengths of the original Suits series was its ability to effectively juggle a wide range of characters and storylines, while also delivering intense and engaging drama. Over its nine seasons, Suits captivated viewers by exploring the lives and challenges of lawyers, while continuously introducing fresh storylines and characters to keep things interesting. As Suits L.A. enters the pilot stage, it could replicate this successful formula from its predecessor to ensure its own success and carry on the franchise's legacy.

Suits L.A. Should Have A Feature-Length Pilot Like Suits

The hour-long format could give audiences the perfect amount of time to engage with the new characters and world.

Harvey and Mike in Suits Season 5 - The hour-long format could give audiences the perfect amount of time to engage with the new characters and world. - Suits L.A. Should Have A Feature-Length Pilot Like Suits

Suits has become one of the most popular shows, with a total of 3.1 billion minutes streamed by viewers on Netflix and Peacock. A key factor contributing to its success is the hour-long format of the pilot episode. This format is designed to attract a global audience on Netflix, while Peacock focuses on viewers in the U.S. The extended cut, which includes ten extra minutes of footage, captures the attention of viewers right from the start.

Suits L.A. should consider having a longer pilot episode to reintroduce the world and writing to older viewers while setting the atmosphere for newer viewers.

Having an hour-long pilot would allow Suits L.A. to properly set the tone, introduce the characters, and establish what's at stake without feeling rushed. Shows like The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones have shown success with longer pilot episodes due to the vast scope of the overall story.

By carrying the torch left behind by Suits, Suits L.A. has the potential to become a huge success with an hour-long pilot, just like its predecessor.

What Makes Suits’ Pilot So Good

Suits' pilot perfectly establishes the rules, tone, characters, and atmosphere without ever feeling bogged down.

Harvey and Mike walking in Suits - Suits' pilot perfectly establishes the rules, tone, characters, and atmosphere without ever feeling bogged down. - What Makes Suits’ Pilot So Good

The idea of a college dropout suddenly working at a top law firm after a dangerous encounter with drug dealers may seem far-fetched. However, the creators of Suits managed to make it work by taking a slow and steady approach in the first episode. This balance between drama and melodrama is what keeps viewers engaged. The dynamic between Mike and Harvey, played by Patrick J. Adams and Gabriel Macht, respectively, also adds an interesting element to the show as it explores the clash of their different backgrounds.

Suits L.A.’s Pilot Episode Can Make Or Break The Spinoff

Additionally, the pilot episode for Suits does what any great pilot episode should do, and that's setting up seemingly innocuous or insignificant plotlines early on that eventually go on to have bigger and greater consequences later on. Suits L.A. is likely to set up misdirections in its story, but endearing viewers to an entirely new batch of characters will take more effort, which would easily necessitate it following a slower and longer format. However, even if Suits L.A. follows a similar structure, it still faces some issues that Suits didn't.

Suits L.A. will already face unfair comparisons to the original series.

Louis yelling at Susan's parents in Suits - Suits L.A. will already face unfair comparisons to the original series. - Suits L.A.’s Pilot Episode Can Make Or Break The Spinoff

Suits L.A., on the other hand, faces the challenge of not only needing a strong pilot for its future success but also must appeal to the older viewers who followed the original series. Additionally, it must introduce new material to sustain its new direction.

The talents of Amell, McDermitt, and Scott indicate the show's high quality, as they have a track record of delivering strong performances in other acclaimed shows. The shift to a Los Angeles setting with a focus on entertainment law is also exciting because it allows for the exploration of new subjects not covered in Suits. Even though the pilot is still in development, the talented cast, the return of Korsh, and the fresh atmosphere could result in a compelling pilot for Suits L.A.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the potential success of the upcoming Suits L.A. spin-off series, highlighting the importance of following a key strategy used in the original series' pilot episode. It emphasizes the need for Suits L.A. to have a feature-length pilot, similar to the original Suits series, which allowed for effective character development, engaging storylines, and a strong establishment of the overall tone and atmosphere. The article also acknowledges the challenges Suits L.A. faces in appealing to both long-time fans and new viewers, while also introducing fresh elements to differentiate itself from the original series.

Overall, the article provides a well-rounded analysis of the factors that could contribute to the success of Suits L.A.'s pilot episode and the potential impact it could have on the overall legacy of the franchise. It highlights the importance of striking a balance between familiar elements from the original series and introducing new material to create a compelling and engaging experience for viewers.