‘'How to Get Away with Murder' Review: "What Happened to You Annalise?"

February 16, 2016

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Karla Souza in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "What Happened to You Annalise?" Photo Credit: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Nora Dominick ’17/ Emertainment Monthly Co-Executive Stage Editor
How to Get Away with Murder returned with another crazy, shocking, series altering episode. The mid-season finale of How to Get Away with Murder saw Annalise (Viola Davis) get shot by Wes (Alfred Enoch) as Keating and Associates continues to deal with the Hapstall case. This week’s episode of How to Get Away with Murder entitled “What Happened to You Annalise?” kicks it into high gear and proves why How to Get Away with Murder is one of the best dramas on TV.
Viola Davis continues to prove why she has taken home 2016 Emmy and SAG awards for her portrayal of Annalise Keating on How to Get Away with Murder. Her work goes above and way beyond expectation in the latest episode. Following her shooting, Annalise begins the episode coming home from the hospital. She appears to be the mere shell of her former self as Bonnie (Liza Weil) escorts her home. Davis does the incredible job of showing her range of acting in every episode. Her work on How to Get Away with Murder will no doubt continue to push the envelope as season two progresses.
Annalise and Bonnie’s relationship took center stage this week as Bonnie takes care of Annalise. Liza Weil is one of the MVP’s of How to Get Away with Murder as she continues to steal every scene that she’s part of. One of the biggest moments in this week’s episode comes when Annalise hallucinates a woman giving her a baby boy. The hallucinations are so bad that she tells Bonnie to take care of the baby. It was an interesting dynamic this week to see Bonnie in a place of power over Annalise. The first half of the season focused heavily on Annalise and her power over Bonnie, so this shift in power was a great parallel to 2A. Weil and Davis are the perfect duo on How to Get Away with Murder and seeing how far both of them have come in the two short seasons is truly remarkable. We’ve said it before, but we are jumping on the Liza Weil Emmy Train right now!

Matt McGorry, Jack Falahee and Aja Naomi King in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "What Happened to You Annalise?" Photo Credit: ABC/Kelsey McNeal — Matt McGorry, Jack Falahee and Aja Naomi King in the How to Get Away with Murder episode “What Happened to You Annalise?” Photo Credit: ABC/Kelsey McNeal

One of the other relationships showcased in How to Get Away with Murder this week was Wes and Laurel (Karla Souza). Wes and Laurel grew closer in the beginning of season 2, but this episode takes their relationship to a whole new level. In a flashback, fans learn that Laurel took the blame for shooting Annalise with the other students. This sets their new relationship in motion where Laurel is constantly protecting Wes. How to Get Away with Murder picks up with Wes being depressed over his actions with Annalise. Laurel is there to bring him back to the real world and show him that he is needed. Karla Souza has been a surprising force on How to Get Away with Murder and based on this first episode it looks like she will be intricate to the back half of season two. Souza triumphs in her role of Laurel as she steals the spotlight in every scene she takes part in. The Wes and Laurel dynamic is going to be interesting to see as the duo both deal with the repercussions of Annalise being shot.
Wes isn’t the only person Laurel has grown close to over the break. Laurel and Annalise seem to be working together even more after the shooting. In the beginning of season 2, Annalise told Laurel that she could be the next Bonnie and boy was she right. Souza and Davis are forces to be trifled with in their scenes together. In a flashback, How to Get Away with Murder reveals that Laurel went to see Annalise in the hospital after the shooting. Annalise point blank asks Laurel why she took the blame for Wes to which Laurel replies, “I got scared and they already blame Wes for Sam, he would just fall apart if they blamed him for this too.” Souza has expanded the character of Laurel astronomically and this intimate moment opposite Davis is where she truly shines. Davis continues to bring out the best in every actor or actress she shares the screen with and that is especially true with Souza in this episode. In the end, fans learn that Annalise told Laurel to keep watching Wes and make sure he’s safe.

Charlie Weber and Matt McGorry in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "What Happened to You Annalise?" Photo Credit: ABC/Gilles Mingasson — Charlie Weber and Matt McGorry in the How to Get Away with Murder episode “What Happened to You Annalise?” Photo Credit: ABC/Gilles Mingasson

One of the big events the latest episode of How to Get Away with Murder is centered on revolves around Annalise having to testify against Catherine (Amy Okuda). It turns out Annalise’s plan to frame Catherine for her shooting worked perfectly and now Catherine is on trial for her life. Unfortunately, Annalise didn’t think about her competence for testifying when coming up with this plan. When Annalise appears in court things go less than smooth. She begins bleeding from her wound on the stand. This is a rare moment for fans as they see Annalise crack under the pressure. This scene showcases the many layers to Annalise’s character that Davis does an impeccable job of portraying. In the end, Annalise decides to let the court know that Catherine did not shoot her and this leads to Catherine throwing her estranged brother Phillip under the bus. And you thought your family was messed up!
The final scenes of How to Get Away with Murder this week deal with Wes and him coming to terms with Annalise. Wes has been broken to the point where he is hiding a gun in his apartment. Alfred Enoch has grown so much over the last two seasons of How to Get Away with Murder and it’s astounding for fans to see this. At the end of the episode, Wes storms Keating and Associates and finally confronts Annalise. In an emotional moment, Wes asks Annalise what she knows about his mother. Davis and Enoch are the heart and soul of How to Get Away with Murder and their relationship continues to grow week after week. In a shocking moment, How to Get Away with Murder takes fans back 10 years to Annalise meeting Wes’ mother, Rose (Kelsey Scott), and seeing little Wes playing on a playground. If this wasn’t shocking enough, fans see Annalise pregnant! Talk about a plot twist.
How to Get Away with Murder continues to tug at fans heartstrings and send them on the very definition of a roller coaster ride. With Wes grappling with his decision and Annalise dealing with her gunshot wound and the sins of the past, How to Get Away with Murder is already starting its steep climb to the season two finale. Sit tight TGIT fans, it’s going to be crazy!