How To Get Away With Murder – There Are Worse Things Than Murder

By: Alex Steele

Has anyone figured out yet, who’s underneath the blanket? Well this week, we’re given another clue as to who it is NOT. Entitled There Are Worse Things Than Murder, the episode begins on the night of the fire. Annalise (Viola Davis) has calmed down a little bit, now sitting in the ambulance remnants of tears and snot running down her face. She’s being questioned by the police officers, which she obviously finds ridiculous because really, how can she be a suspect? She says she was at her clinic at the time of the fire, yet her are hasn’t moved from the house all day. And with that, she loses it, screaming at the officers to arrest her if they are that sure she’s a suspect. We then flashback to two months earlier and Nate (Billy Brown) is concerned about the dreams Annalise is having (talking in her sleep, etc.) but she assures him she’s okay. Urging him to shower, Annalise quickly makes a call from her burner phone and much to her shock Frank (Charlie Weber) answers. He’s inconsolable, insisting he had no choice. He’s referring to snapping the neck of Annalise’ henchman and it somewhat looks like he’s telling the truth, especially with the state of his face, beaten and cut and bloodied. Annalise doesn’t speak, hanging up the phone at the sight and sound of Nate. Plus, her “real” phone is ringing. It’s the President of Middleton calling.

At the college, Annalise is meeting with the President who informs her that they are launching a full scale investigation into the flyers around the campus. Annalise doesn’t seem fussed either way, stating that it’s just him trying to cover their asses. As Annalise is leaving, Wes (Alfred Enoch) rides up beside her. Lying to him about the nature of her meeting, in the same breath she asks him to move out of his apartment and in with her – um, okay? Wes is a little taken aback, and graciously says no with his main reason being he has a girlfriend. Elsewhere, Laurel (Karla Souza) arrives at the Keating house to see the locks being changed (security measures in full swing, we see). Bonnie (Liza Weil) is there, filing ferociously as Annalise isn’t taking on any paying clients and she’s not too happy about it. So when Laurel asks about the progress in the Mahoney case, the audience is not surprised at how short and annoyed Bonnie becomes. She reassures Laurel that Eve (Famke Janssen) is on it and that Wes is not a suspect but Frank (because Bonnie doesn’t answer) possibly is. Thankfully, Annalise interrupts the exchange with Laurel lying, blatantly, to her mentor. Not good Laurel, especially when Annalise goes straight up stairs and takes a hammer to the burner phone. We all know not to cross her or lie to her.

Elsewhere, Frank has run a car into a tree and is disposing of the henchman and all the evidence; blowing the car up sure is one way to do so. Cutting to the newly broken up, but still so adorably cute together Connor (Jack Falahee) and Oliver (Conrad Ricamora), the latter is getting ready for his first day of work with Annalise. The former, has started the hunt for an apartment but what’s interesting is the remaining chemistry between the two – they flirt, they banter and they joke. The two arrive at class and share the news of their break up. Connor seems to be the most “okay” with it. Asher (Matt McGorry), Michaela (Aja Naomi King) and the like are upset and annoyed that Connor cheated, which he notes is not actually the reason.

This week’s case involves Irene Crowley, who was convicted of her husband’s murder 16 years earlier. She’s up for parole and their job is to successfully get her paroled. Before setting them their task, Annalise reveals a key piece of evidence that wasn’t mentioned in the original case – Irene was physically and sexually abused by husband. Now, the Keating 5 are tasked to propose a parole strategy to Irene and they have one minute to do so. Everyone seems unable to connect with her; however, much to his surprise Connor is picked as first chair.

Still a little shocked by Annalise’ proposal to move in, Wes questions why once again. She admits to being lonely, but that’s the extent of the conversation as she’s due to be at Nate’s. Arriving there soon after, she asks for his help to find Frank. Initially annoyed that she has waited till now to mention anything, Nate (of course) agrees to help. Elsewhere, we’re gifted with our first Meggy (Corbin Reid) and Wes scene. She’s seen the articles about Annalise and isn’t too happy about them. Wes would rather not talk about it. Instead, he’d much rather feed his new girlfriend strawberry ice cream in the most adorable way possible. The next day, Connor nervously, leads the class in forming Irene’s parole case, with distractions so childish you can help but laugh. I’m referring to Asher lifting his legs, spreading them and farting. Yeah, Michaela, that’s him. Connor breaks them up into pairs with Michaela and Asher tasked with finding witnesses to testify for Irene and while also discussing the status of their relationship. Wes and Laurel are partnered up and tasked with talking to Irene’s sister-in-law. It turns out there’s nothing they can say to get her to testify on behalf of Irene and can we blame her? She was the woman who killed her brother. Meanwhile, Connor returns to the prison to prep Irene for the hearing, but she doesn’t want to testify and she’s not opening up at all. Why should she bother especially when they’re just going to say no again?

After an unsuccessful day on all fronts, the Keating 5 join forces to make “AK’s Enemy List.” It’s hilarious and shocking in the most perfect way. Speaking of Annalise, she returned to her residence to hear the news that Laurel has been calling Frank. Bonnie assures Annalise though that she’ll take care of Laurel. Cut to the next day and the time has come for Irene’s trial. It starts off rocky with Irene refusing to testify to the abuse and Connor not being able to stand back and let it happened. Jack Falahee delivers a rousing monologue is his clients defense, passionately stating that it’s high time she gets justice for the life long pain of abuse and prison. It seems though he may have jeopardized their chance of winning but Annalise, in her role as mother and caretaker, instructs Connor to breathe. Not only that, she offers a huge compliment to the young lawyer that he may be the first man in Irene’s life not to disappoint her. Speaking of disappointment, there’s some just around the corner for Asher who takes the next opportunity he has alone with Michaela to continue their conversation about “relationship status.”

Michaela, with all her “don’t mess with me, it’s my way or the highway” attitude, lays down the law that they aren’t a couple. She’s not his teacher and if he can’t accept that he’s just her meat stick then she’ll leave right away. Asher, obviously not wanting it to end, settles for it. Elsewhere, Annalise gets news from Nate that Frank is in Wichita before using her ever persuasive powers on Irene’s sister-in-law (turns out she was abused too), subsequently changing the sister’s mind as she doesn’t show up to give testimony. It turns out they didn’t need it anyway because after a pep talk from Connor (in which he admitted to killing someone) Irene testifies to the abuse – chillingly recounting how it happened and how she lived through it. It’s heartbreaking yet completely empowering. It’s also enough to win her parole hearing. Back at case headquarters, Laurel is caught by Wes checking out the Mahoney case. He doesn’t approve, reiterating that he’s trying to move on or at least he’s attempting it. The heart eyes these two give one another are adorable and when they bond over the fact that Wes vetted Meggy before they began dating the cuteness scale just goes up.

With the episode in its closing stages, Asher continues to struggle with Michaela’s opinion of their relationship, but more specifically him as a person. Can you blame him? Once again, Matt McGorry navigates our lovable douche bag Asher with such nuance and depth; he’s not just a meat stick Michaela. After the success with Irene, Annalise gets some bad news. It seems the university has decided to suspend her as they are worried about optics following the flyer saga. But hasn’t anyone learned that you don’t mess with Annalise Keating?! She’s a victim within this whole situation so there is no way they’re suspending her. Back with Connor, he arrives home to an elated Oliver cooking dinner. Aren’t they broken up? Obviously not because when Connor kisses Oliver they seem very much like they’re in a relationship. Connor makes one last plea, stating that he needs Oli right now. But Oliver stands strong and through the tears, urges Connor to let him go. With that, Connor goes to pack a bag. We next see him on Michaela’s doorstep asking for a place to crash. Surprise, surprise, Asher is there and what better time to reveal that “they’re screwing.”

Somewhere across town, Bonnie is kicking Laurel’s ass at pool while also getting her drunk. We all know alcohol is basically truth serum and that said, Bonnie reveals her and Frank have never had sex. To that, Laurel responds with the truth. She’s been calling Frank. Bonnie urges her to stop, even though Laurel may know about the murders Frank has committed. Trust Bonnie, there’s a lot worse. And with the theme of a lot worse, Nate unfortunately tells Annalise that he lost Frank but reassures her that everything will be okay. Of course it will when you have someone like Nate sleeping over. Oh and not to mention Wes bringing pizza over. He may not be moving in, but he can at least keep her company. What happens next is two big twists as we see Laurel drunk dialing Frank, begging him to come home. As the camera continues to move, it reveals Bonnie and Annalise there as they’ve orchestrated the whole thing. What’s next Laurel asks? You’ve gotta go see your father. Excuse me, what? Stay tuned for what happens with that one people. Oh and flash forward two months and we find out who the first survivor is… It’s Oliver. Even with how frantic he is, Annalise hands him her phone instructing him to wipe the whole thing moments before she’s arrested and taken away.