Warning: SPOILERS for Suits LA season 1, episode 9, "Bat Signal."There are numerous major developments in Suits LA’s ratings ranking rather low at the outset, the past couple of episodes have done more than their fair share to prove the series can develop interest.

In fact, the most recent episode introduces a potential new villain whose reach means that he could continue acting as a threat to both Stuart and Ted up until Suits LA season 2 and beyond. Notably, Suits LA’s newest villain might be just dangerous enough that it could take Stuart and Ted’s combined efforts to deal with him. He hasn’t completely tipped his hand just yet. But one subtle movie reference suggests just how antagonistic he may turn out to be.

Suits LA Episode 9’s “Shinebox” Goodfellas Reference Explained

Isaac Lets Stuart Knows Where He Stands

Joe Pesci’s Tommy DeVito isn’t exactly the most level-headed character in Goodfellas. He opens the movie by threatening to shoot someone for laughing at a joke and breaking glass over a manager’s head for asking him to pay a $7,000 tab. But none of that compares to his reaction when Frank Vincent’s Billy Batts tells Tommy repeatedly to go home and get his shinebox. The entire movie is based on the 1985 memoir Wiseguy, albeit with some of the names changed. And, much as it does in the book, Billy’s joke quickly results in his murder.

That’s because the joke is legitimately demeaning. The implication’s supposed to be that Tommy’s still as low-class as he was when he was shining shoes. So when ADA Isaac Adani repeats that same line to Stuart in Suits LA to announce he’s launching a murder investigation, it can be fairly assumed that he’s leveling a mean-spirited challenge. It carries the same antagonistic tone as if he had called Stuart a bottom feeder simply for giving alleged criminals their right to an attorney. However, it potentially gets worse when considering the facts of the case.

How Isaac Is Different & More Dangerous Than Elizabeth In Suits LA

The ADA Is Capable Of Way Bigger Crimes

It still isn’t clear how Louis Litt’s Suits LA appearance will occur, but it seems like it’ll now have to coincide with Stuart handling David Bowie’s murder investigation. And the best reason to bring in Louis at this point is that ADA Isaac Adani has revealed himself to be so underhanded that it’ll take another shady lawyer to defeat him. Stuart refers to Isaac as a friend, but Isaac has shown himself to be something far different. He takes far too much glee in the fact that he’s already arrested Bowie before informing Stuart about it.

When Elizabeth played games with Amanda, it felt somewhat justified by the fact the two had a long-standing rivalry. But Elizabeth could at least be described as a prosecutor who did her job, no matter the cost. It’s hard to judge her for that when the show’s protagonist recently blew up a car without consequence. But there’s evidence to suggest that Isaac may actually be the killer in his own murder case against Bowie, since he’s presumably the only other person who knew which whistleblower to kill. And if that’s true, he has the capacity to kill again.

Isaac Can Help Continue Mend Stuart & Ted’s Relationship

A Shared Enemy Can Bring Previous Foes Closer

Ted only recently dipped his toes into criminal defense, but he did so in part because he truly believed Lester was innocent. Since this isn’t a case in which Suits LA’s most unsung character is likely to play a role, it can be assumed that the united front against Isaac would consist primarily of Stuart and Ted. Ted sought Stuart’s advice in Lester’s case, and it seems reasonable that the reverse would happen now. After all, Ted can give Stuart fair advice on how prosecutors tend to think. Especially prosecutors who find it acceptable to go outside the law.

But even if Isaac doesn’t turn out to be the murderer, despite being the only named character who had means and opportunity (his motive remains questionable unless he just really wants to hang Bowie), he still wages war by basically calling Stuart a shoe shiner and keeping him out of the loop on his client’s arrest. Suits LA is gearing up to finish its freshman season. Topping things off with a villain as corrupt as Pellegrini would only make sense at this point.

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.

SIGN UP NOW