'How To Get Away With Murder' Review/Recap: “It’s All Her Fault”

Nora Dominick ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

After nearly 18 million viewers tuned into the pilot episode of How to Get Away with Murder last Thursday night, Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) and her band of devious, sexy and downright amazing colleagues and students are back with a plot packed episode entitled “It’s All Her Fault.”
This episode was filled to the brim with events, new information and surprising alliances about the murders of both Lila Stanford, a college student who was found dead in episode 1, and Keating’s husband Tom (Tom Verica), who through a 3 months flash-forward is found dead and being dragged and burned by Keatings prized students.
Through a series of flash-forwards we learn some information about where Wes’ (Alfred Enoch) alliances truly lie during the night of burning Tom’s body. New information on why Wes Gibbins (Enoch), Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King), Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee) and Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza) went back for Tom’s body, what Wes was doing in the convenience store the night of the murder and who they are protecting all came to light. By the episodes close, it turns out that Wes is protecting none other than his currently estranged neighbor, Rebecca (Katie Findlay). But is she involved in Tom’s murder? Or could this be a Shondaland classic of misdirecting the viewers? Only more episodes will tell.

Other important plot information came to light in this jammed pack episode about the murder of Lila Stanford, which was officially ruled a homicide. Annalise continues to believe her husband Tom was involved in Lila’s murder. She snoops through his phone only to find a string of emails between Tom and his dead student. Surprise, Suprise. Who else would Annalise turn to in her time of need? Of course her married boyfriend, Nate Leahy (Billy Brown). In a dramatic and brilliantly acted scene by Viola Davis, Keating breaks down to her boyfriend outside of his house about Tom’s possible affair with his student. Amidst the tears, Annalise pleads with Nate to find out where Tom was the night of Lila’s murder. This scene was the highlight of the evening in terms of Davis’ impeccable acting.
The biggest moment of the episode came when Wes came home after a long day in court to see the police dragging Rebecca out of her apartment. Later on the news, it is revealed that she is a notorious drug dealer at the bar where she works. She is currently the prime suspect for the murder of Lila.
Of course, the big murder case of the week involved a case involved Mark St. Vincent (Steven Weber) a creepy, hunting-obsessed husband of Marjorie St. Vincent who turns up dead. This case provided a perfect way to explore how far Connor, Michaela, Wes, Laurel and Asher (Matt McGorry) are willing to go for Annalise’s affection and attention.

The entire episode was a perfect second addition for this new drama. It allowed the characters to grow and provided enough plot points to set up the rest of the season. The highlight of the episode was Alfred Enoch’s portrayal of Wes. Enoch continues to flourish in this role. He is able to portray moments of weakness for Wes along with moments of intellect and anger.
How to Get Away with Murder continues to be the perfect ending for “TGIT (Thank God It’s Thursday)” on ABC. It will be interesting to see where the show will go from here after so much was revealed already in episode two. Now onto episode three…
Overall Grade: B+