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

October 3, 2015

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Nora Dominick ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Assistant Stage Editor

Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "She's Dying." Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell Haaseth — Viola Davis in the *How to Get Away with Murder* episode “She’s Dying.” Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell Haaseth

How to Get Away with Murder kicks it up into high gear in the second episode of this season. After a stunning, sexy, triumphant return to TGIT last week, How to Get Away with Murder continues it’s reign as one of the best dramas on television in the latest episode entitled “She’s Dying.”
Last week, How to Get Away with Murder dropped one of the biggest cliffhangers to date. As the episode came to a close fans watched as Annalise (Viola Davis) was seen bleeding out on the floor of Caleb and Catherine’s mansion in a two month time jump. This episode of How to Get Away with Murder doesn’t waste anytime and picks up with Wes (Alfred Enoch) running from the mansion and meeting Laurel (Karla Souza) and Michaela (Aja Naomi King) in the yard. Meanwhile, Connor (Jack Falahee) is hovering over Annalise appearing to help her. How to Get Away with Murder is masterfully intertwining the present with the future once again in season two.
Although two court cases were going on in this episode of How to Get Away with Murder, most of the dramatic scenes came from Annalise and her interactions with Bonnie (Liza Weil) and Eve (Famke Janssen). One of the best moments on How to Get Away with Murder this week came in the second half during a triumphant scene between Annalise and Bonnie. If anyone could go toe-to-toe with Emmy Award winner Viola Davis it would be Liza Weil. Weil continues her triumphant reign on How to Get Away with Murder and this scene is Emmy-Award worthy for the young actress. In a heated debate Bonnie tells Annalise, “You say you want me to be like you, but you don’t. You want me like this. So, I don’t forget what I owe you. I don’t forget Annalise. Ever. You saved me.” Weil delivers her lines with such heart and drama that viewers can’t take their eyes off the screen. After Bonnie’s admission to Annalise, it’s Annalise’s turn. She return the thought by saying, “I ruined you… I didn’t [save you]. And the worst part is you still think I did. No, you needed to be saved from me. That’s what you all need. So maybe today was a good thing. Lock me up, at least that way you’ll all finally be safe.” Davis and Weil play off each other’s dialogue and acting effortlessly as they create one of the best dramatic pairings on primetime television today. Weil shines and Davis triumphs in a How to Get Away with Murder scene for the ages.

Famke Janssen and Billy Brown in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "She's Dying." Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell Haaseth — Famke Janssen and Billy Brown in the *How to Get Away with Murder* episode “She’s Dying.” Photo Credit: ABC/Mitchell Haaseth

In this week’s episode, Eve is representing Nate (Billy Brown) during Sam’s (Tom Verica) murder trial. With D.A Emily (Sarah Burns) hot on Annalise’s tail, the trial quickly shifts to an interrogation of Annalise. Davis continues to give it her all in these epic court sequences as she fights for her life. One of the best quotes from Davis, that is delivered with a perfect mixture of sass and conviction is when she tells the court, “I did not put my hand on this court’s Bible to be burned at the stake.” With the trial already taking a turn for the dramatic, Eve steps up and roasts Annalise so that Nate can be sent home and the trial can be halted. Davis and Janssen are already turning into a beloved power couple on How to Get Away with Murder and fans cannot get enough.
After last week’s bombshell that Annalise and Eve used to be lovers, this week’s episode kept their relationship in the forefront, which was spectacular. Eve is a character that has the ability to bring out a softer, gentler side of Annalise, which is something that was missing in season one. By episodes end, fans watch as Annalise and Eve sleep together and Eve bids farewell for now. Davis and Janssen have unmatchable chemistry and continue to push their characters to new and exciting heights. Here’s hoping Janssen comes back to How to Get Away with Murder soon.
The other couple that took a beating this week was Connor and Oliver (Conrad Ricamora). The duo became a fan favorite couple last season on How to Get Away with Murder and now they are dialing up the intensity. This week fans watched as Oliver became angry when he found out Connor has told all his friends about his diagnosis. Falahee and Ricamora have the rare ability to go from moments of pure hatred to irrevocable love in just a single glance. By episodes end, Connor makes Oliver finally tell him how he contracted HIV. Oliver then delivers a crushing story about how he slept with some random guy in a bar after Connor cheated on him. Falahee delivers one of the most devastating scenes in this episode when he tells Oliver, “It’s all my fault” with tears in his eyes. Falahee continues to soar in How to Get Away with Murder and might be the breakout star of this new season once again.

How to Get Away with Murder strapped fans into an emotional roller coaster once again this week. With twist after twist coming it’s hard to believe it’s only the second episode of the season. Although this episode was jammed packed with information, nothing could’ve prepared fans for the last minutes as they watched Connor plead with his friends to help save Annalise the night she is shot. If that wasn’t devastating enough, as the Keating Four are fleeing another murder scene, fans come across D.A Emily dead outside the mansion. With this only being the second episode of the season, How to Get Away with Murder is dialing it up to 100 and locking fans in for a crazy ride.