It may not have had a perfect debut, butThe Rainmakerproved thatSuits LAcould have worked, had it only aired on the USA Network. Adapted from theJohn Grisham novelof the same name,The Rainmakerfollows a young lawyer named Rudy Baylor, played by Matt Damon in the 1996 film and Milo Callaghan in the 2025 series.
The USA Network’s newest version of the tale comes mere months afterSuits LA’s unfortunate cancelation. Yet, while NBC’s failed spinoff stood out for all the wrong reasons,The Rainmaker’s pilot episode promiseslegal dramas aren’t a lost art. Furthermore, despiteThe Rainmaker’s disappointingRotten Tomatoesscore, most viewers are already hooked— a featSuits LAnever managed to achieve.
Unlike Ted Black, Rudy Baylor Is Immediately Effective As A Protagonist
Undeniably, one of the biggest contributors toSuits LA’s failurewas its main character, Stephen Amell’s Ted Black. In the dog-eat-dog world of law, it’s typical to have morally grey characters or full-blown antiheroes. Unfortunately, Ted rarely gave the audience a reason to root for him.Suits LAcould never justify Ted’s position as the hero, leaving most viewers unconvinced.
In stark contrast, Rudy Baylor is an instant underdog, scrappy with a heart of gold and low impulse control. He’s far from perfect, but the first episode ofThe Rainmakerestablishes one vital truth: Rudy Baylor stands up for the little guys (especially considering he’s one of them). Meanwhile, Ted Black never shied away from blackmail, extortion, and general manipulation.
There’s a simple explanation for why Rudy resonates far more than Ted:people want David to win, not Goliath. Out of theUSA Network’s most iconic characters, the majority have been flawed but, unlike Ted Black, had clear values and lines they wouldn’t cross. Ted succeeding always felt too easy, whereas Rudy succeeding would feel like a true triumph.
The Rainmaker Handles Dark Pasts With The Nuance Suits LA Needed
Of course, that’s not to say Ted had everything handed to him on a silver platter. Thescathing early reviews ofSuits LAhounded the spinoff for its egregious use of flashbacks, typically filled to the brim with grueling exposition. Ted being haunted by his dead brother, neglectful father, and explosive breakup never went below the surface, however.
At times, it felt as thoughSuits LAdidn’t trust the audience to read between the lines, instead opting for lines that practically spelled out Ted’s every thought and feeling.The Rainmaker’s pilot episode ironically includes many similar conflicts, including a dead relative. Nonetheless, there’s a glaring difference between the seemingly analogous storylines that giveThe Rainmakeran obvious leg-up.
Suits LAtried to drag out Eddie’s (Carson A. Egan) death, but it was immediately clear how, when, and why he died. Furthermore, the impact of his passing was almost entirely centered on Ted and his perceived culpability. Conversely, Rudy’s deceased relative— though still visibly painful for the young lawyer— serves a broader purpose based onThe Rainmaker’s first episode.
The Rainmakeris wisely keeping its cards closer to its chest, not revealing much aside from the most pertinent details: his name was John, he was going to be a lawyer, and his childhood room has been preserved, reflecting his mother’s lingering grief. WhileThe Rainmakercan build on John’s storyline, Eddie was literally dead on arrival inSuits LA.
Suits LA Lacked The USA Network’s Effortless Mix Of Comedy And Drama
On the most general level,Suits LAfailed as a spinoffand a standalone legal drama. Unsurprisingly,what made the originalSuitssuch a delight was the USA Network’s unique approach to television during its Blue Sky era, which peaked around the 2010s. Sadly, the acerbic wit, humor, and sense of style was lost inSuits LA’s transit to NBC.
Suits LAwas heavy-handed with its drama and trauma, but the comedic elements were introduced far too late to offer any relief. Granted,The Rainmakerhas only aired one episode so far, but the tone— while admittedly disjointed— already makes for a more pleasant viewing experience. In fact, humor isThe Rainmaker’s biggest departure from theFrancis Ford Coppola film.
The USA Network’s iteration ofThe Rainmakerwill have thriller elementsthat align with the source material, but there is still real personality and rough-edged humanity that barrels through. Rudy and Deck (PJ Byrne) share awkward but endearing banter, and even the villains are awarded a one-liner or two, adding dimension to what could have otherwise been a melodramatic drag.
The Rainmaker Is Starting Off Stronger Than Suits LA Finished
Perhaps the biggest credit to the USA Network is that,unlikeSuits LA, most people are excited to see whereThe Rainmakergoesfrom here. NBC’s failed spinoff had an abysmal start and spent months trying to regain its pre-premiere momentum. In the end, however, most people only rememberSuits LA’s missed potential.
It’s still too early to tell whetherThe Rainmakerwill herald in anew golden age for the USA Network, but it’s easy to sit through and interesting enough to hold your attention for more than five minutes— no small accomplishment these days. Plus, if the pilot isThe Rainmaker’s worst, the future looks bright for Rudy Baylor and friends.
