'How to Get Away with Murder' Review/Recap: "We’re Not Friends"

Nora Dominick ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

How to Get Away with Murder continues to dominate the 10pm time slot on Thursday nights. Last week the show posted some of its best numbers yet and more and more people are becoming hooked on this scandalous, sexy and downright addicting drama. The stakes are raised once again with this week’s episode entitled “We’re Not Friends.”
This episode continues to follow the trial of Lila Stangard and Sam Keating’s (Tom Verica) involvement. After Annalise (Viola Davis) finds naked photos of Sam on Lila’s phone, she confronts him and demands to know the details of the affair. An important moment of the night comes when it’s revealed that Annalise was one of Sam’s mistresses previously. He has been married once before and cheated on his first wife with Annalise. She breaks down and begins crying after telling Sam to leave. This scene showcases the extreme character development that has already occurred in simply five episodes. In episode one, she was a tough law professor who rarely showed emotion. Now, Annalise is vulnerable as she sobs and no longer wears her “armor,” which consists of her makeup and wig.
Viola Davis creates the greatest moments of drama on How to Get Away with Murder time and again. Throughout this episode, Annalise flashes back to her conversation with Sam about Lila which affects her on several levels. With her husband lying to her face and her boyfriend, Nate (Billy Brown), yelling at her, there is no one left in Annalise’s life she can trust. Davis effortlessly creates moments of empowerment, when she is in the courtroom, and moments of sensitivity when she cries over Sam’s betrayal.

How to Get Away with Murder is ruled by women. Annalise and Bonnie (Liza Weil) are forces to be reckoned with. They dominate the law firm, often leaving the other associate Frank (Charlie Weber) in the dust. When Annalise confronts Bonnie about ratting Nate out to the police, she accuses her of being loyal to Sam instead of her. Cue the drama. Liza Weil and Davis are the two stars in this weeks episode and they command the courtroom with grace.
Although he was more of a background character this episode, Connor (Jack Falahee) once again is a highlight of the show. Falahee seems to be the breakout, fan-favorite star of How to Get Away with Murder. The character of Connor is sexy, conniving and mysterious and Falahee plays it flawlessly. With such a big cast chock full of well-known actors, Falahee has done the impossible and managed to sneak into the forefront of the seductive Shondaland hit. Could he be the new and improved McDreamy? Only time will tell.
The biggest twist of the night came in the last five minutes when Wes (Alfred Enoch) returned to Rebecca’s apartment to find all of her stuff gone. When he calls her to see where she has run off to, Rebecca tells him not to trust Annalise because she is working with Lila’s killer. Wes travels to Annalise’s house to find that the wallpaper in her room matches the photo taken of Lila’s “mystery man.” In a scene of sheer brilliance, Wes sees Annalise in her natural state and proclaims that Sam is in fact Lila’s boyfriend. Davis and Enoch have incredible chemistry on screen and their scenes together continue to be some of the most dramatic. Enoch blossoms as an actor in this role and continues to be one of the most memorable characters.

The flash-forward sequences in this episode focus primarily on Laurel (Karla Souza) and her more-than-friendly relationship with Frank. Laurel takes one for the team when she volunteers to take the trophy (the murder weapon) back to Asher’s (Matt McGorry) house. Her relationship with Frank blossoms when she goes to him for help. Although this flashback sequence was not as strong as last week’s about Connor, it provides more insight into the character of Laurel. However, Laurel is not one of the most notable characters so it made sense.
How to Get Away with Murder continues to ramp up the intensity each week with Viola Davis as it’s shinning star in a part that seems to have been written specifically for her. There is so much information jammed into one hour and it’s hard not to keep coming back for more.
How to Get Away with Murder airs on Thursday’s at 10/9c on ABC.
Overall Episode Grade: A-