How To Get Away With Murder – She Hates Us

By: Alex Steele

“How To Get Away With Murder” gives us the best kind of whiplash. When we think the story is headed down one road, it hits a U-turn and turns right back around. This week’s episode uncovered truths, gave voice to some relevant social issues and once again made us question whether we love or hate Annalise Keating (Viola Davis).

This week saw the episode swap between real time and ten years prior – to a heavily pregnant Annalise and previous “Keating Five” (including both Frank and Bonnie). We open on a discussion where softly spoken Bonnie (Liza Weil) outshines the others. Seems nothing has changed (apart from her hair). We also get a little glimpse into the life of Sam (welcome back Tom Verica) and Annie as they prepare to welcome their son into the world. Not only that, a heavily pregnant Annalise needs to fly into Ohio for a case. Why Ohio? What case?

Meanwhile, back to the present day, Wes (Alfred Enoch) and Annalise are both seeing a doctor. Wes isn’t sleeping and is looking for a bit of help. Please give this boy some pills or something to help him forget all the crazy just for a little bit. Annalise; however, seems to be healing relatively ok – she’s been enjoying not working and taking naps. Both are recommended therapy – it could help – and both refuse. Wes objects more so and goes as far as threatens to shoot himself. Bad move buddy, bad move. Asher (Matt McGorry) is still crashing at Connor (Jack Falahee) and Oliver’ place much to the disapproval of Oliver (Conrad Ricamora). We expect nothing less than a little immaturity as Asher rises and when he greets them with a little morning air (fart), we see where Oliver is coming from. Cut to the courthouse where the Keating team are waiting for their fearless leader, anxiously, believing that she hates them. As Annalise arrives, the discord between the entire team is evident. For the first time in two seasons the cracks are beginning to be so much bigger than cracks.

The case of the week follows Jason, a young man who is being charged with the second degree murder of Tyler Robinson. It is a story of ultimate forgiveness in which the mother of the victim pushes for a restorative justice hearing – a hearing where both sides talk to one another, tell their story and apologise. Neither side of the case are keen for this option, but the mother is grieving, in shock and the Judge empathises. We then flashback and discover Frank (Charlie Weber) has not changed that much at all – he was still hitting on interns back then as well. As Annalise breaks it up, she calls upon him to book her flight and in typical, hilarious Annalise fashion she insists he is too distracted as he “thinks with his big head instead of his little one.”

As everyone continues to prep Jason for the hearing, the differing opinions start to boil to the surface. With Asher still coming to term with his actions, many of the group forget this fact by stating things such as “people just snap.” It is obvious that Bonnie still is very much in love with Asher, but the entire situation is way too complicated to add another too it. Elsewhere, Laurel is attempting to break Wes out of the psych ward (pretending to be his girlfriend) with no success. As Bonnie 2.0 goes straight to Annalise to fill her in, she is shocked when Annalise refuses to do anything about Wes – “leave him there.” This relationship between Annalise and Wes is insidious and volatile to say the least, but what is obvious is the care and concern Annalise has for him (even when she is trying to hide it).

Downstairs, Makayla (Aja Naomi King) and Caleb reunite for a bitter conversation where the word “whore” is thrown around. Both evidently hurting from the current situation, Makayla does a brilliant job of hiding her emotions but as Caleb leaves the expression on her face says it all. Those words cut. Cut to a younger Annalise suffering from bad sciatic pain, enter Bonnie. As Bonnie saves the day even then, her and Annalise share a short exchange into how Bonnie is going. How is therapy with Sam? These flashbacks have given a solid insight into the evolution of these key players and the depth of the relationship they still share. In present time, the Keating Five has left Annalise to her own devices. They have all walked out on her, could this be the beginning of the end? They all reconvene back at Connor’s abode where they, thinking Asher is out of ear shot, discuss the fact they feel sorry for him, that he needs somewhere to stay. Uh-oh, too bad Asher does hear everything.

Wes is still in the psych ward, but is making some progress. He is discussing his childhood – (his mother’s suicide, growing up poor, etc.) to try and satisfy the doctors concerns. He is fine, he just needs sleeping pills. Too bad she knows exactly who he is, that his teacher has just been shot and that inadvertently has triggered some level of PTSD.

We transition to Annalise and Sam during the ultrasound of their baby (Did anyone else get the feeling she was thinking adoption?) and she gets the all clear to travel to Ohio. And once she arrives in Ohio, we meet Rose (Christophe’s Mom). As she sits down, Annalise hands her a file, inside of which are files regarding a murder trial. Rose is understandably shocked, standing to leave, but Annalise assures her can help. So, what is the story there?

The case of the week is a brilliant parallel to Wes and Annalise. The theme of forgiveness, the act of unselfishness and the ability to put someone else before your own needs trickles through into all character arcs this week. Quietly as the case of the week closes, Jason being sentenced to life in jail, but the mother of his victim promises they are in it together. We learn that forgiveness and closure is possible if you’re able to put your wants and needs aside. Maybe it’s trying to tell Annalise something. Maybe it’s time for her to put aside what she wants?

We close out the episode with everyone having some solid bro-time. The Keating Five are reunited after Wes gets out of the psych ward. As they all pile into the same car, Asher comes clean about eavesdropping on Connor earlier. That he knows they are just doing what they are doing out of pity. Connor does a brilliant job of talking himself out of this scenario, and ultimately, serves up a nice dose of sentimentality and genuine care of one another (Makayla isn’t having a bit of it). Laurel and Frank share a pretty intense moment. The lies, the deceit and the mind games are all becoming too much. Karla Souza is phenomenal in this scene and had me questioning constantly whether Laurel was being genuine with her emotions or was she just trying to play Frank, manipulate him. Either way, it works because as she admitted to covering for Wes and was about to leave, Frank admitted to killing Lila. Bravo Charlie Weber, the subtle emotion in those last few seconds, genius. Wes arrives home to find a package left for him, the files of the case Annalise was working involving his mother. And Nate, well he was waiting hopelessly at Annalise’ front door. Talk about sad puppy dog eyes. As we begin to breathe again, Annalise receives a phone call. It’s Connor. He’s been sent a video from the night Annalise was shot. Is Philip back?