How To Get Away With Murder – We’re Good People Now

By: Alex Steele

“How To Get Away With Murder,” oh how we’ve missed your twisty and tormented ways. The Season Three opener entitled We’re Good People Now took the audience back to the beginning. By that, I mean back to the feel and theme of Season One. We had flashbacks, we had banter, we had Annalise (Viola Davis) in her powerhouse shoes and the Keating 5 were stressing and panicking. However, there was a new feel to the group, a somewhat more mature, grown up vibe that was very quickly put to bed whenever Asher (Matt McGorry) opened his mouth. At the top of the episode we watch a paramedic wheel a presumably dead body into the back of an ambulance – some might even presume it to be Wallace Mahoney (Adam Arkin). This is made even more possible when we watch Wes (Alfred Enoch) be questioned by two detectives after witnessing the murder of his father. He’s in shock, understandably, and tells the police he was only asking for directions when the gunshot was fired.  He’s released and picked up by none other than Annalise who stops him from talking until they are far enough away. Or should I say, deep in the woods. There, Wes informs Annalise that Frank (Charlie Weber) picked him up and dropped him off to meet his father. And after the gun shot rang out, Frank was nowhere to be seen. Without telling Wes the whole truth, Annalise insists this was Frank’s plan all along and that going to the police now would not work because Frank knows everything there is to know about Annalise Keating. So what do they do? Stand in the middle of the woods and scream to let everything go.

Meanwhile, we see Frank disposing of his clothes and shaving his face and beard. It’s one of those scenes where a villain is born and Charlie Weber, with the reveal of his sharp jawbone, fits the role perfectly. If I were Annalise, I’d be worried. Given our first flash forward, we reunite with Wes in September and it is four months later as he arrives back at school. His first interaction is with Laurel (Karla Souza) and it’s mighty awkward. Remember last season they shared that heated kiss? It seems as though there’s more to it. But low and behold the awkwardness comes from Wes having a new girlfriend, Meggy. As they make their way inside, to what we discover is pro-Bono clinic being run by Annalise, we see the Keating 5 together for the first time since last season. Connor’s (Jack Falahee) locks are longer and more luscious, Asher is still the lovable douche of the group. Meanwhile, Mikayla (Aja Naomi King) needs more sleep. It also seems as though they have a new adversary in the form of Mr. Drake who comes out swinging when he remarks that the only reason they’re in this clinic is because they work for Annalise. Asher does his best to smack him down, but instead Mr. Drake snaps back. Asher – 0, Mr. Drake – 1.

As class gets underway, after Annalise removes the “Killer” flyer from her blackboard, their case of the week involves Kareem Asef (Assaf Cohen). He’s pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and could possibly be deported for such an offense. Their job? To stop that. The students need to develop their own defense strategy and present it the next day. The prize? Being first and second chair for the case. Class finishes and the Keating 5 stick around to flip out about the flyer, and question why Annalise is not flipping out. She assures them that everything is fine and they’ve had no trouble all summer. She encourages them to repeat the phrase “we’re good people now” enough times until they believe it. It seems like a legit strategy, but does it really work? I guess we shall see. Annalise arrives back at her house where loyal Bonnie (Liza Weil) is waiting to offer her a case – one that involves Annalise getting paid. She insists that Bonnie not tease her with such suggestions. Making her way straight to the bedroom, Annalise reveals her burner phone. After a little text banter, she asks the mysterious individual in the other end of the phone if there’s an update. They respond that they’ve got a reliable lead. And so the mystery begins.

Flashback to May, Annalise is seen gardening. Laurel is there to let Annalise know she’s going to Mexico to visit her mom. Annalise doesn’t seem too upset and Laurel notices passionately stating, “He left me too.” It seems as though they are both mourning Frank leaving, maybe? The dynamic between these two women is my most favorite with Karla giving Laurel a vulnerability around Annalise like that of a child trying to prove themselves to a parent. It’s beautiful, in a haunting way, especially when Annalise gives her an ultimatum – it’s him or me? To which Laurel replies, “He’s dead to me.” Hang on though, flash forward to present time and she’s seen calling Frank again. So much for “dead to me” Laurel. It’s straight to work shortly afterwards as Laurel is the one tasked with questioning Kareem. He refuses to play the race card and seems to be hiding something when he insists she turn off the recording device.

In class, the students begin their defense statements all going for different directions. Asher is giving his when Laurel bursts in proclaiming that the pot wasn’t Kareem’s. In fact, it was his daughters and he’s covering for her. You would think this would win her first or second hair, but instead gets her kicked out of contention. Wes; however, states that family and friend character statements for Kareem would be the best direction to go. This wins him first chair, with snarky Mr. Drake taking second chair. After class, the Keating 5 come across (a lot) more flyers but Annalise remains sarcastically in tune when she states at least they chose a good photo. Flashback to June, when Connor is seen sunbathing in a mini pool a top a building when Annalise joins him. They have a conversation in which Annalise promises not to hire Oliver (Conrad Ricamora), ever. She reassures Connor that she won’t let it happen, she won’t let them ruin him.

Working in parallel somewhat, present day events seen Oliver in Annalise’ office interviewing for a job. She rejects him saying they aren’t looking for anyone, but when he comes clean about deleting Connor’s Stanford acceptance letter and the fact that he too, can do bad things. Annalise seems intrigued. Surprised even. Meanwhile, Connor and the crew are drowning there first week sorrows in cocktails when Oliver arrives home. Talking about relationships, Laurel is single and seemingly pining after Wes. Asher and Michaela share a weird dynamic still and Wes leaves to work/see his girlfriend Meggy (Corbin Reid). On the topic of relationships, we see Nate (Billy Brown) for the first time this season in all his glory. He’s giving Annalise a foot massage, shirtless. Annalise is distracted though, consistently looking over her shoulder to where the burner phone is. We’re given our next flashback straight after and it involves a panicked Asher asking Annalise for a loan. Apparently, he’s broke and her sympathy has run dry. She refuses to help him out, encouraging him to get a job like everyone else.

Returning to present day, we finally discover that Asher and Michaela are still sleeping together. But are they official? Exclusive? It seems not. And it also seems as though as his new position at dormitory supervisor is getting in the way of their sex life. It’s the day of the court case, and Wes delivers a rousing (corny) opening statement and no sooner has he finished does Mikayla burst in. She knows how to win. How you ask? Kareem’s defense attorney didn’t warn him of his possible deportation therefore that’s grounds for a mistrial. As Wes and Michaela stall, with the help of Bonnie, Annalise and Connor convince the attorney to sign the new plea. Arriving just in time with the new plea, all seems positive for their case when the judge asks for time to think on it. In the meantime, Annalise informs Connor that she will be hiring him; it’s safer to have him on their side then against them and ensures Connor he’ll be buried in paperwork. Connor feels betrayed, momentarily, but surprisingly takes Annalise’ word for it. Talk about growth.

Gifted our last flashback for the episode, Michaela is seen on the side of the road surrounded by police cars. Annalise arrives and tells her to get in the car, but what ensues is a very mother/daughter like argument. Michaela doesn’t want her help and she’s trying so hard to be normal, she just wants to be normal. But like Annalise says, they’ve never been normal and if she can get through having a horrible family, she can get through anything. It’s this exchange, in which Annalise reveals she never worried about Michaela because she believed her strong enough, that we see another example of Annalise’ care and devotion to the Keating 5. Not only that, she’s happy being their friend too to the point of demanding that next time Michaela drink she does it with her as she does have a full liquor cabinet after all. With the episode, now moving towards its conclusion, Kareem unfortunately gets sentenced to deportation, a result neither positive or negative. There’s no outburst or disappointment from Annalise, just understanding and support. She’s most certainly turned over a new leaf.

What follows is probably the most emotional scene of the episode; as Connor arrives home to an anxious looking Oliver the audience is predicting an argument, especially after Annalise revealed Oliver’s dishonesty. But instead, what we get is a highly emotional break up. Connor surprisingly forgives Oli, which weirdly Oliver doesn’t accept. He should be angry, but instead he’s understanding and calm. Jack Falahee is a pillar of anguish and pain as Oliver breaks up with Connor, stating that he needs space to find out who he is. I, for one, didn’t see this coming and neither did Connor. Elsewhere, Laurel and Wes finally have it out when she demands he talk to her. Even though he wants too, and believes how sorry she is for what Frank did, he can’t help but associate her with him. It’s gut-wrenching but at the same time telling as the chemistry between these two is evident with just a look. Thankfully, before anything naughty happens, Meggy interrupts and shares a joyous introduction with Laurel.

Back with Annalise, her and Bonnie share a ritualistic vodka as she attempts to ignore the now paper articles being written about her suspected killer status. They talk briefly about Frank’s status, with Annalise emotionally admitting that she’s no killer and God forbid she let Frank turn her into one. Speaking of Frank, when Annalise makes a call to her mystery colleague via the burner phone we finally see a face and that face has tracked Frank to a hotel. With this news Annalise is rendered speechless and before she is able to give an order her henchman is captured by Frank, whose last seen holding a knife to this man’s throat. Followed quickly with a scene 2 months in the future, we return to the first scene of the episode. This time; however, we watch as Annalise frantically breaks through the police barrier and demands to look at the dead body. Her reaction is harrowing and confronting, she crumbles and is inconsolable, evidently indicative of a death quite close to our leading lady. Not only that, the Keating house is in the background burning down. Talk about wow! “How To Get Away With Murder” has certainly started their third season with a bang. And now, the question is, who is dead?

Other key notes:

– Annalise was demoted (fired) from professor hence why her clinic is pro-Bono

– the Keating 5 are ranking in the bottom 10%