'How to Get Away With Murder' Review/Recap: "He Has a Wife"

Nora Dominick ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

How to Get Away with Murder continues to push the envelope in terms of crazy, out of this world, dramatic storytelling and this week was no exception. The episode entitled “He Has a Wife” brought fans on an exhilarating ride as they get closer to finding out who killed Sam.
With only two weeks left until the mid season finale, this episode was sure to make a splash and boy did it deliver. The storyline brought fans up to the night that Sam (Tom Verica) was murdered. Viewers were able to see what each of the students were doing moments before Sam’s dead body appears in Keating and Associates. Michaela (Aja Naomi King) was getting into a heated argument with her soon-to-be mother in law about signing a pre-nup and stealing the trophy from Asher’s (Matt McGorry) house, who was throwing a party for the bonfire. Meanwhile, Laurel (Karla Souza), Wes (Alfred Enoch) and Connor (Jack Falahee) were about to study for their final exam when Rebecca (Katie Findlay) leaves and tries to link Sam to Lila’s murder. Let’s just say, all of them are in very compromising situations when the episode ends. The episode did a very nice job of putting all the characters in situations that will help set up their involvement in Sam’s murder.
You would be angry if your husband had an unborn child with a dead student, right? Well, needless to say Annalise (Viola Davis) was livid. This episode picked up moments after Bonnie (Liza Weil) informs Annalise and Sam that Lila (Megan West) was pregnant. In a heartbreaking and truly breathtaking scene, Annalise screams at Sam to not lie to her anymore. She is done with his games and wants the truth. He swears to her he knew nothing but, she is done forgiving him so easily. By the episodes close, Annalise informs Sam she has called the District Attorney’s Office and requests that every man in Lila’s life submit a DNA test to see if they are the father, including her teachers. Looks like Sam’s lies have finally caught up with him. Once again, Davis brings the vulnerability and strength to the character of Annalise. Through these eight episodes, she has evolved from a hardened law teacher to a vulnerable wife and lawyer. Davis has effortlessly created the most flawed character on television. She perfectly depicts a person’s struggle between standing by the law or her family and it is flawless.

The other star player on How to Get Away with Murder continues to be Bonnie. In this episode, Bonnie takes matters into her own hands and confronts Sam about the baby. He reveals to her that he knew about the baby and she reveals she met Lila the night she was murdered. And if that wasn’t crazy enough, Bonnie and Sam end up kissing. Does Sam sleep with everyone? Looks like it. Now, Bonnie is one of the smartest, most conniving characters on How to Get Away with Murder so she wasn’t going to take this information and hide it. In a truly remarkably acted scene, Bonnie breaks down to Annalise about Sam knowing about the baby, seeing Lila the night she was murdered and the kiss. Weil perfectly demonstrates Bonnie’s sensitivity as she sobs on the floor of the office. Annalise has no sympathy and in a shocking moment, fires Bonnie!  Weil has turned out to be the hidden gem in this ensemble of incredible actors. She has turned Bonnie from a background character into an amazing and integral main part of the show. Weil has demonstrated her impeccable acting skills and is the highlight of the episode.
Since the timeline of the show has caught up to the present day, this week, viewers were given a series of flashbacks involving Lila Stangard, the mysterious student who is at the center of everything crazy in this show. Viewers finally saw her friendship with Rebecca and how much she actually knew. These sequences were perfect and allowed fans to see into Lila’s life prior to her murder. They also saw her relationship with Sam blossom and how far it actually went. This was instrumental in the story of How to Get Away with Murder and was a perfect addition to this episode.
With the mid season finale next week, it is hard to believe the intensity can be increased anymore. How to Get Away with Murder continues to dominate the 10pm time slot as it leaves fans on the edge of their seats. Everyone grab a box of tissues, a friend to scream with, and something to throw and settle in for next week’s crazy mid season finale.
How to Get Away with Murder airs on Thursday’s at 10/9c on ABC.
Overall Episode Grade: A