'Suits L.A.' Season 1 Finale: The Rick & Erica Romance That Went Nowhere

Je-Ree
May 18
4 min read

A man in a gray suit gestures while talking to a woman in a light blouse. They stand facing each other in a room with abstract art.

The slow-burn that never lit the match - how Suits L.A. robbed us with a lackluster romantic cliffhanger.

If you tuned in week after week hoping Suits L.A. Season 1 would deliver a sizzling romance between Erica (Lex Scott Davis) and Rick (Bryan Greenberg), you’re not alone in feeling a little mad right now. After thirteen episodes of subtle flirtation, unresolved tension, and promising groundwork, the show left viewers (viewers meaning me in particular) hanging with no real payoff, no closure, and no clear direction for the show’s most teased relationship.

Now…

Suits L.A. Season 1 finale

Sure there is Ted and Amanda with their own drama and a possible love triangle with Samantha but been there done that; see Arrow: Felicity vs. Laurel. Erica and Rick were the draw for me.

The Setup: A Promising Rivalry Turned Romance

From the pilot episode, Suits L.A. set up Rick and Erica as ambitious power players battling for the coveted Head of Entertainment position at what would later become Black & Associates (after Stuart did the double cross and Rick joined him). The tension between them was electric, not just professionally but personally, especially when the show hinted they shared a romantic past. Even before the writers hinted, I saw these two and just knew something was up.

Man and woman in office setting, engaged in a tense conversation over a desk. Documents, books, and art visible. Professional attire. — SUITS LA -- "Old Man Hanrahan" Episode 102 -- Pictured in this screengrab: (l-r) Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins, Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson -- (Photo by: NBC)

The banter was sharp, the chemistry intriguing, and the question was clear: who would come out on top? The overachieving strategist or the charming favorite? The dynamic felt fresh, fun, and full of potential. This is all credit due to the actors because their scenes were so quick and far in between but the way they played it, you just knew.

The Slow-Burn That Burned Out

By midseason, I was invested. We saw late-night conversations, favors exchanged under the table, flirty glances and conversations, and moments that suggested a rekindled spark. But as the episodes went on, the spark never became a flame. Why?

Despite clear signs that Rick and Erica still cared for each other, the writers gave us zero clarity on why their relationship had ended or what was holding them back now. Why didn’t Rick’s alleged confession of love happen sooner? What is Erica’s “I can’t” really about? Instead of answers, the audience was left with speculation. Annoying.

And while slow-burn romances can be incredibly satisfying when done right (think Mike and Rachel in the original Suits), this one stalled out before it even got going.

Man in a suit and woman in a black top stand face-to-face in an office, city skyline visible through large windows, creating a tense mood. — SUITS LA -- "Bat Signals" Episode 109 -- Pictured: (l-r) Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson, Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

The Finale Fumble: One Kiss & No Payoff

After building the Erica and Rick storyline as one of the show’s emotional pillars, the finale delivered… absolutely nothing. We got a hot kiss but not a clear emotional breakthrough.

Rick claims he told Erica he wanted to be with her but we never saw it. Erica cries and says “I can’t,” but we don’t know what’s stopping her. The “big moment” is vague, lacking the emotional weight it needed to feel earned. For a series that built their dynamic as a cornerstone of drama, it was a baffling decision.

Why is Erica looking at old pics of her and Rick sobbing and struggling to call him? Why is Rick alone in his office playing the blues on a guitar? What happened to them?

Erica in the final moments, shows up on Rick's doorstep and he confesses that Dylan kissed him but he is too much in love with her to move on with someone new. With tears in her eyes, Erica kisses Rick and they have a steamy make-out session on the kitchen table. Awesome, but it ended with no clear understanding what is going to happen.

Missed Opportunity or Long Game?

Is the writing team trying to mirror Mike and Rachel’s legendary Suits love story? If so, they're off to a rocky start. Mike and Rachel had tension, yes but they also had clear emotional arcs, vulnerability, and scenes that made viewers root for them.

Erica and Rick, despite being gorgeously cast and well-acted, haven’t been given enough substance. The chemistry is too buried under vague dialogue and underwritten scenes to make their “will they, won’t they” compelling. And now, with NBC cancelling the show, we’ll never get the payoff fans were promised. Bummer.

Final Verdict: A Romance With Potential, Wasted

Two people in formal attire sit attentively in a courtroom setting. Cameras and audience are visible in the background. Serious mood. — SUITS LA -- "Dester" Episode 106 -- Pictured: (l-r) Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson, Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

Erica and Rick’s storyline had all the ingredients to become Suits L.A.'s emotional heart. But without proper development or payoff, it felt like filler rather than fire. I didn’t just want drama, I wanted resolution. Or at the very least, a kiss that made the slow build worth it. Damn.

Are you frustrated by how the Rick and Erica storyline ended? Do you think Suits L.A. deserves a Season 2? Drop your thoughts below or skeet us @thetvcave with #SuitsLAFrustration on BlueSky. Don't forget to vote in our poll! Let’s get the conversation going.