Warning! Spoilers ahead for Suits LA episode 1, "Seven Days a Week and Twice on Sunday."The series premiere of Suits LA’s cast combined, so their partnership was expected to drive the story forward.

However, when Ted returns to the office and finds it largely deserted, it’s clear that this merger was a false setup. This isn’t necessarily the most grave of Suits LA’s plot twists, but it certainly carries a lot of weight at the moment and affects most of the episode’s plot moving forward. Thanks to one line repeated twice in the episode, however, it’s more explainable than it may at first appear.

Stuart Cutting Off Ted From The Law Firm Merger Explained

Ted Started A War Without Even Realizing It

At the beginning of Suits LA episode 1, it appears that the merger is going well. One scene shows Ted and Stuart celebrating the impeding merger, drinking at a high-end restaurant and cracking jokes about George Clooney’s wealth. It’s also clear that Ted and Stuart have a long-lasting relationship, as Stuart references an old hangout of theirs. Apparently, however, Stuart had long been planning to cut off his former partner. Ted's ex, Samanta explains that Stuart actually planned on betraying him.

Stuart feels like Ted hung him out to dry while undermining his authority in front of their colleagues.

It comes down to one moment in which Ted referred to Stuart as a flea (while referring to himself as a lion) in a roomful of people during legal negotiations. Amell's character excuses this as a negotiation tactic, but Stuart feels like Ted hung him out to dry while undermining his authority in front of their colleagues. Poaching Ted’s employees reasserts Stuart’s authority. But since Stuart’s use of the expression “hung out to dry” implies there may be more to this story, Suits LA’s emphasis on flashbacks in episode 1 means the entire story will likely receive additional context.

How Stuart’s Betrayal Sets Up The Rest Of Suits Season 1

Stuart Could Be Responsible For Some Major Plot Reveals

When Stuart first its his plans of betrayal, he alludes to Ted hiding certain details about his move from New York to Los Angeles. This means that Stuart could easily be the one who reveals Ted’s currently mysterious backstory. Ted does suggest at the end of Suits episode 1 that he has dirt on Stuart as well, but this mutually assured destruction between the two doesn’t mean that one of them won’t out the other’s secrets at a seemingly opportune time. The battle between them will likely make up the bulk of Suits LA’s first season.

The series could also draw this storyline out in hopes of ensuring a Harvey Specter’s Suits return will have something to do with Ted’s past, so it may play into whatever Stuart is holding against his now arch-nemesis.

Can Stuart & Ted Still Reconcile After The Merger Betrayal?

At Least One Of Them Still Has Professional Respect For The Other

There’s no guarantee that Ted and Stuart will come to by the end of Suits LA season 1. Stuart's betrayal is massive, but it's also clear that his grudges against Ted have been bubbling for a while now. Even if they continue to be pitted against each other through their cases, Ted and Stuart could forge an alliance at any point moving forward. It seems they both want to continue with the plan to focus on both entertainment law and criminal defense, so they have a valid reason to see value in each other.

Even though Ted says this before Suits LA reveals Stuart’s betrayal, that level of professional respect doesn’t go away overnight. Whether leading into future seasons or simply the rest of season 1, Ted or Stuart may reach a point where they rely on the other’s help to keep one-half of their respective firms going. When that time comes, it's curious how they will handle their forced partnership. Even if this is done begrudgingly at first, the interplay of their old friendship in lieu of their latest rivalry could form the backbone of the series for seasons to come.

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