'How to Get Away with Murder' Review/Recap: "It’s Time to Move On"

Nora Dominick ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Assistant Stage Editor

Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "It's Time to Move On." Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell Haaseth
Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode “It’s Time to Move On.” Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell Haaseth
How to Get Away with Murder revved it into high gear with the season two premiere entitled, “It’s Time to Move On.” Following Viola Davis’ historic Emmy win for Leading Actress in a Drama Series, fans could not wait to see what Annalise Keating will be up to this season. How to Get Away with Murder didn’t skip a beat and season two is already shaping up to be a crazy, wild ride. All viewers can say is “Thank God It’s Thursday.”
How to Get Away with Murder concluded its first season back in February 2015 and fans have been waiting with baited breath for the hit drama to return. The episode began with Frank (Charlie Weber) and Annalise attempting to hide Rebecca’s body. These scenes were contrasted with present day where the Keating Five are trying to get back to normal. Emmy Award winner Viola Davis hit the ground running in the season two opener of How to Get Away with Murder. This episode further solidifies her place amongst elite actresses as she continues to expand her character even more. Some of her strongest work continues to be her scenes opposite Alfred Enoch as Wes Gibbons.
Last season, Enoch exceeded all expectations and created a complex character that fans are still trying to pin down. In the season two opener of How to Get Away with Murder, Wes continues to rid the fine line of shady and trustworthy. He’s arguing with Annalise in class and searching relentlessly for Rebecca (Katie Findlay). One of the best scenes between the duo happens when Annalise decides to figure out what Wes knows regarding Rebecca’s whereabouts. The duo continue to ride the thin line between a teacher/student relationship and possibly something more. With Annalise cooking and Wes helping, he reveals that he didn’t let Rebecca go. Enoch and Davis continue to take these characters to new and exciting heights and with this only being the first episode of the season, it’s time to hold on tight.
How to Get Away with Murder stars Matt McGorry, Karla Souza, Aja Naomi King, Alfred Enoch, Jack Falahee, Viola Davis, Liza Weil, Billy Brown and Charlie Weber. Photo Credit: ABC/Bob D'Amico
How to Get Away with Murder stars Matt McGorry, Karla Souza, Aja Naomi King, Alfred Enoch, Jack Falahee, Viola Davis, Liza Weil, Billy Brown and Charlie Weber. Photo Credit: ABC/Bob D’Amico
How to Get Away with Murder also saw a new addition to the cast in this episode. Famke Janssen (X-Men Series) made her first appearance as Eve Rothwell, Annalise’s friend from Harvard Law School. She enters the episode as the lawyer Annalise tells Nate (Billy Brown) to hire for his trial. Janssen integrates smoothly into How to Get Away with Murder and helps add another layer to the mysterious Annalise Keating. When Eve fails to take Nate’s case because she believes Annalise framed him, Janssen delivers one of the best lines of the evening saying, “You [Annalise] don’t get to use people and hope they stick around…There is nothing good inside you and shame on me for expecting more…”
One of the many plot twists How to Get Away with Murder fans definitely did not see coming was when Annalise goes to Eve’s house after a fight with Bonnie. Viewers watched in awe as they learn that Annalise and Eve used to be lovers. That’s right How to Get Away with Murder fans, another flawless layer has been added to Annalise Keating and it’s time to buckle up. It will be interesting to see how this relationship unfolds in the upcoming episodes, but it’s safe to say that this added character trait is one fans are excited to explore.
One of the other major questions on the brains of fans was who exactly killed Rebecca? When the show closed on season one, Frank and Annalise found Rebecca dead in the basement. How to Get Away with Murder doesn’t waste anytime in revealing that the killer was Bonnie Winterbottom (Liza Weil). She reveals to Annalise, “I did what you would’ve done for me… I did it for you.” Everyone who watched Gilmore Girls knew that Liza Weil would end up doing something extraordinary and How to Get Away with Murder is that extraordinary entity. Every scene she takes part in she manages to heighten the drama, if that’s even possible. Fans cannot wait to explore this new, bad side of Bonnie as she continues to grapple with the consequences of her actions.
Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "It's Time to Move On." Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell HaasethVIOLA DAVIS
Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode “It’s Time to Move On.” Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell HaasethVIOLA DAVIS
Other characters on How to Get Away with Murder are also dealing with the fallout from last season. Oliver (Conrad Ricamora) and Connor (Jack Falahee) are dealing with Oliver’s diagnosis of HIV, Laurel (Karla Souza) keeps snooping around Rebecca’s disappearance, Michaela (Aja Naomi King) desperately wants to figure out who “Eggs 911” is and Asher (Matt McGorry) is spying on Keating and Associates. The ensemble of How to Get Away with Murder is one of the strongest on television. Each character continues to expand with every episode and fans cannot wait to follow each of their storylines.
This premiere of How to Get Away with Murder was a dramatic filled episode from start to finish, but nothing could’ve prepared fans for the bombshell that was dropped in the last two minutes. In a two-month flash forward, Wes appears to be running from the mansion of Katherine and Caleb, the current clients of Keating and Associates, and it’s revealed that Annalise has been shot and is bleeding out on the floor! Talk about an ending to an already killer episode of How to Get Away with Murder.
How to Get Away with Murder continues to surprise fans and create some of the most talked about, Twitter exploding moments on television today. Viola Davis continues to be the queen of dramatic acting as she leads an incredible ensemble in one of the best TV shows. “Thank God It’s Thursday” because How to Get Away with Murder is back and it’s time to buckle up for a crazy season.

How to Get Away with Murder airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC as part of TGIT.

Overall Rating: A

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