For causes nobody can fairly decipher, the authorized cleaning soap “Fits,” which aired on USA from 2011-2019, has grow to be the present of the summer time. Whereas it was widespread sufficient when it aired, I’ve learn extra “Fits” articles in the previous couple of weeks than throughout the present’s whole run.
The present is a success on Netflix, however if you’re in your “Fits” journey proper now, notice that the ninth and closing season is in reality not on Netflix — although it’s on Peacock and Amazon.
Maybe you’re pondering, “Wow, if solely there have been a derivative to ‘Fits,’ certainly everybody would need in on that.” Properly, there’s a spinoff to “Fits,” referred to as “Pearson,” which follows Gina Torres’s character, Jessica Pearson, on her subsequent authorized endeavor. However in an ideal snapshot of the inane and hostile world of streaming, “Pearson” isn’t streaming on any platform. Make it make sense!
However we come right here to not gripe however to savor. I believe “Fits” is a ton of enjoyable for some time after which peters out large time; precisely the place this decline begins is within the eye of the beholder, however for me Season 3 is on shaky floor and Season 4 begins a marked decline.
In case you really feel you’ve gotten what you want out of “Fits” and wish one thing else that maintains the bracing abundance of company air-con, listed below are some follow-ups.
I would like one thing … higher.
‘The Good Spouse’
The place to observe: Freevee and Paramount+.
“The Good Spouse” does plenty of what “Fits” does, solely smarter and extra grownup: There may be fixed and wonderful sexual stress amongst all characters, everyone seems to be stylish and sensible, and far of the authorized maneuvering occurs within the workplace and never simply the courtroom. (Each reveals additionally vastly overestimate the intrigue of the companions taking part in musical chairs, of who will begin their very own agency, of whose identify is on the blah blah — I don’t care.)
Additionally like “Fits,” “The Good Spouse” has a derivative that follows the feminine associate of the large agency (Christine Baranski) on her new journey, although “The Good Battle” is richer than “Pearson.”
“Spouse” has much more to say than “Fits” does, and it’s extra overtly political and a bit darker. However ye gods, the smoldering stares, the standing-too-close-in-the-office-library moments, the delayed gratification of will-they-won’t-theys — if that’s what you crave, there’s greater than sufficient of that right here, too.
I would like one thing extra outrageous.
‘Scandal’
The place to observe: Hulu.
In case you like the attractive loyalty that binds all of the characters at Pearson Hardman, you’ll love the murderous devotion all the workers of Olivia Pope & Associates show.
The officewear is even snazzier on “Scandal,” and the stakes are lots larger: The present, starring Kerry Washington, is ready at a Washington D.C. disaster agency, and most of the crises contain the president. “Scandal” has a ton of torture and violence, and in that method could be much less soothing than “Fits,” however it is usually bantery and juicy, and secrets and techniques abound. The reveals share affection for luxurious wine goblets, reverence for one’s mentors and velvety dress-downs that maybe begin with a strong individual telling an underling, “I such as you …,” earlier than unleashing viciousness.
“Scandal” and “Fits” have been contemporaries, and I bear in mind on the time reveling in how way more story “Scandal” was prepared to burn by way of, how briskly its metabolism was compared to the foot-dragging that finally drove me loopy on “Fits.” Every present ran out of steam in its personal methods, so persist with a “watch it till you get bored with it; know that there isn’t any late-game resurgence” method. (Season 1 begins gradual, so think about simply beginning with Season 2.)
I would like one thing goofier.
‘Psych’
The place to observe: Amazon and Peacock.
“Psych” is among the many USA brethren of “Fits,” and it shares a “cute, cocky white man does a convincing social fraud” as its spine. On “Fits,” it’s Mike (Patrick J. Adams) pretending to be a licensed lawyer when he’s really simply an autodidact; on “Psych,” it’s Shawn (James Roday Rodriguez) pretending to be a psychic to assist the police resolve crimes when he’s really only a eager observer.
“Psych” is much less glam than “Fits” however extra poppy and shiny, and there are 120 episodes plus three motion pictures, so there’s the same “I’ll by no means run out of those!” Zen.
One of many appeals of “Fits” is that it punches above its weight class — smarter and zippier than chuga-chuga lawyer reveals. “Psych” is analogous. Loads of reveals adopted the “Monk” and “Home” components, however not many are as humorous as “Psych,” or as inventive. “Psych” has an entire “Twin Peaks” spoof episode!
I like when a person yells, ‘Donna!’
‘The West Wing’
The place to observe: Max.
“Fits” is quintessential food plan Sorkin; a few of its banter particularly echoes “The West Wing” and “The American President.” Extra concretely, “West Wing” and “Fits” each have central duos of a vaguely obnoxious boss (Gabriel Macht in “Fits,” Bradley Whitford in “West Wing”) and his painfully devoted assistant named Donna (Sarah Rafferty, Janel Moloney), whom he protects and reveres but in addition typically scolds.
Each reveals additionally love Ivy League credentials, although “West Wing” likes fancy education in a extra normal sense — the president (Martin Sheen) is a Notre Dame alum, for instance — whereas everybody on “Fits” has a tiresome and laughable obsession with Harvard and Harvard solely.
