'How to Get Away with Murder' Review/Recap: "She’s a Murderer"

By Nora Dominick ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Last week, fans watched as Sam Keating’s (Tom Verica) remains were discovered charred, disfigured and in a landfill. With only two episodes left until the inevitably heart pounding, jaw dropping season finale, How to Get Away with Murder kicked up the intensity once again with the latest episode entitled, “She’s a Murderer.”
Marcia Gay Harden steals the show in this episode. After showing up two episodes ago as Hannah, Sam’s sister, Harden has begun to pave a path of vengeance against Annalise (Viola Davis). One of her best scenes comes in the beginning of the episode when the police alert her and Annalise that Sam’s body has been found. Hannah stands on the front porch screaming to the world, “Arrest her! Arrest her! She killed my brother!” Harden’s intensity comes across on the screen effortlessly and she has created one of the few actors that make Annalise genuinely look frightened. Harden adds another flawless acting job to this already incredible cast, and goes head to head with Davis to create some of the best scenes on television.

By now everyone knows Viola Davis is the propelling force to be reckoned with on How to Get Away with Murder. Although some of her best work comes with scenes opposite Harden, the best sequence of the night comes when Davis stands on the staircase of Keating and Associates and towers over the police force searching her house. The music blares and she looks like the queen of the castle. Davis triumphs in this episode not only in full on screaming matches with Harden but also in the small moments that involve no dialogue. The aesthetic of this scene is exceptional and created a heart pounding moment even without dialogue. This is something very unique to How to Get Away with Murder, they have moments of simply stunning dialogue but they are also able to create the same quality with no dialogue and simply amazing music choice and acting.
In the last few weeks, Davis has had amazing scenes with Alfred Enoch as well however this week her favorite student was Connor (Jack Falahee). Falahee has become the biggest fan favorite character on How to Get Away with Murder and this week his amazing scene with Davis stripped away his hardened exterior and allowed audiences to see a scared student who needs some help. Connor, with tears in his eyes mutters to Annalise, “You said you would protect us.” Falahee has the extreme talent of breaking and seducing the audience in the same breath. He is one of the breakthrough actors of this show and it will be interesting to see where he ends up come seasons end.

Liza Weil. Everyone who watched the hit WB television show Gilmore Girls knew that Weil would end up doing something extraordinary, and How to Get Away with Murder is that extraordinary entity. Every scene she takes part in manages to rise in drama, if that’s even possible. This week Bonnie confronted Annalise in one of the most heart pounding sequences of the night. She busts into Annalise’s office and tells her she knows everything. That’s right, nothing gets past Bonnie. She knows the trophy was used to kill Sam and she is covering for the students. In a heart racing interaction Bonnie tells Annalise, “I know why you want to protect them, you didn’t do this they did. Don’t let them ruin you.” Weil does an impeccable job of creating moments of tension and she is one of few characters that give Annalise a run for her money. Here’s hoping Weil continues to play a major role on How to Get Away with Murder.
By episodes end, How to Get Away with Murder does not turn down the intensity. It does the exact opposite. Annalise goes to talk to the police and finds out they found Sam’s wedding ring in the woods. In a crazy, heart-pounding turn of events, viewers find out Annalise had Frank plant the ring in the woods with none other than Nate’s (Billy Brown) fingerprint on it. That’s right, Annalise has framed her boy-toy in order to save the Keating Four: Connor, Michaela (Aja Naomi King), Laurel (Karla Souza) and Wes (Alfred Enoch). Talk about an amazing twist! With only two episodes left until the season finale, there is no chance of slowing down especially with Cicely Tyson showing up next week as none other than Annalise Keating’s mother! Keep watching for every twist, turn and heart stopping moment on How to Get Away with Murder.
How to Get Away with Murder airs on Thursday’s at 10/9c on ABC
Overall Grade: A-