Movies

Review: ‘Suits LA’ is a work in progress, but ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’ offers intrigue

BBG News

In the aftermath of what we’ve referred to as the “peak TV” era, where every streaming platform was vying for attention with their high-budget thrillers, I find myself appreciating the familiar comforts of traditional network television once more.

Indeed, our consumption of media has evolved significantly with streaming becoming prevalent, and arguably since people started using VCRs. Traditional network shows have essentially been merged into a vast sea of time-shifted viewing options. While some still opt for over-the-air TV as a cost-effective alternative to cable or subscription services, one must consider if having access to “Squid Game” significantly enhances life quality. In fact, it might be the opposite, as life is short and there are only so many channels one truly needs.

Despite this, network TV maintains its unique identity, possibly due to the need for industrial uniformity, each network having a distinctive house style. This is evident in shows structured around commercial breaks, those catering to a wider audience, and series that air weekly, often over extended seasons. Although broadcast television series may seem modest, they are not devoid of creativity, as their success on streaming platforms demonstrates (such as “Seinfeld”). Network TV remains unrivaled in the realm of multi-camera sitcoms, family comedies disguised as police procedurals, and essentially anything related to family matters.

Television

The creator of the “Suits” universe emphasizes that his primary focus is on achieving his own standards and the success of “Suits LA,” rather than what others might be thinking or expecting.

On Sunday evening, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) will debut two fresh series: “Grosse Pointe Garden Society,” a humorous and mysterious soap opera with a dark twist, and “Suits LA,” a reboot of the previously aired “Suits” series that originally ran on USA Network from 2011 to 2019 and gained popularity through its reruns on Netflix. For the record, “Suits” originated from cable television, but in essence, it’s just like regular TV with a few more adult-themed words.

The Grosse Pointe Garden Society” is situated in the affluent, or perhaps snobbish, Detroit suburb of the same name. Similar to “The White Lotus,” a murder mystery unfolds at the beginning as we find a corpse swathed in a blanket. However, the identity of the victim, the circumstances surrounding their death, and the motives remain concealed from viewers. The narrative progresses along two timelines: the present day and pre-murder events, as well as “six months later” post-murder. Scenes set in the future are given a chilling blue hue, and transitions between the timelines are marked by titles seamlessly incorporated into the decor.

The story revolves around a garden club named after itself, where Alice (AnnaSophia Robb), Brett (Ben Rappaport), and Catherine (Aja Naomi King) have banded together as a small group. Soon, Birdie (Melissa Fumero) joins them under court order, having damaged a city fountain with her car earlier. This isn’t your typical community service; it’s a unique one, much like the peculiar community itself. An extravagant fundraising event is approaching – one that unfolds in a future-oriented setting. It should be noted that Alice and Brett are not wealthy individuals.

In simpler terms, everyone faces challenges, and Alice, who’s married to Doug (Alexander Hodge), has literary aspirations but finds herself teaching arrogant students whose parents are equally entitled. She compares herself to a geranium, suggesting that it’s harmful to place something where it doesn’t fit naturally. This doesn’t mean she’s high-class or snobbish. Recently, her emotional state has become unstable due to the tragic loss and subsequent discovery of her beloved dog being murdered, though it’s not the actual dog’s corpse in the quilt.

Brett, Alice’s closest friend and emotional confidant outside of marriage, is a divorced father who operates a garden center and harbors ambitions to start a car restoration business. His main adversary is Josh Ventura, Melissa’s new spouse (Nora Zehetner), whom most people but Melissa perceive as trying to distance his children from him. Meanwhile, Catherine, a real estate agent struggling for her husband’s attention, is involved in an affair with a questionable coworker named Gary (Saamer Usmani), someone she believes might actually care for her. Oh, the naivete.

Initially portrayed as a boisterous character reminiscent of a troublesome social drunk – “a notorious lily of the valley, spreading uncontrollably, wild, and extremely harmful to anything it encounters,” as Alice describes – Birdie evolves into one of the series’ most compassionate figures. Despite being divorced and seemingly isolated, she considers her housekeeper a friend. Interestingly, she forms relationships under false pretenses with a teenager who was once given up for adoption by herself. Simultaneously, her compulsory garden club association gradually transforms into something more akin to genuine camaraderie.

The series, titled “Good Girls,” was conceived by Bill Krebs and Jenna Bans (known for “Good Girls” and previously for numerous episodes of “Desperate Housewives”). Unlike a brash satire like “Desperate Housewives” or a light-hearted production featuring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, this series presents a unique blend. It’s not your typical “beach read,” but it does carry a dark undertone due to the presence of death, making it a ‘dark comedy’. Characters grapple with complex relationship issues, yet there’s an unexpected cheerfulness or gentleness about the show, even when they confront the consequences of murder – almost as if in a small town like “Northern Exposure.” I found myself quickly drawn into their tales, rooting for them to achieve happiness: a peaceful home life and avoiding legal trouble.

In essence, “Suits LA” appears to continue its original’s theme of stylish individuals dealing with corporate law, each vying for status both inside and outside their legal firms. However, this narrative presents a dual perspective. The primary character, Ted (Stephen Amell), who was once a federal prosecutor and is now an L.A. entertainment and criminal defense attorney, grapples with emotional complications stemming from his father and an old friend and colleague, Stuart (Josh McDermitt). Yet, the episodes currently under review mainly focus on work and power dynamics.

Similar to the TV series ‘Suits’, created by Aaron Korsh, the initial episodes seem somewhat uninspired, giving an impression that the project was rushed due to contractual deadlines. However, it’s common for network television shows to find their footing only after they air, and while the pilot might set the stage, subsequent episodes can be adjusted – this is why some characters may disappear over time, while new ones might appear in later episodes. As the series progresses, it becomes a bit more engaging, though the main storyline about Ted defending a producer accused of murder, which carries significant professional implications for him, doesn’t hold much appeal.

On the periphery, in minor storylines and humorous scenes, there’s a recurring gimmick featuring real celebrities like Brian Baumgartner (Kevin from “The Office”) aiming to be a serious dramatic actor. Characters who don’t bear the weight of a hero’s role often exhibit sparks of interest. In essence, Hollywood is best explored through comedy. Characters such as Bryan McDermitt, Bryan Greenberg as lawyer Rick, and Alice Lee as Leah, the enthusiastic junior lawyer, are portrayed as enjoyable company, which explains why these series can sustain themselves for years, fostering a sense of familial familiarity.

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2025-02-23 14:31

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