'How to Get Away with Murder' Review: "There’s My Baby"

March 16, 2016

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Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "There's My Baby." Photo Credit: ABC/Mitch Haaseth

Nora Dominick ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Co-Executive Stage Editor
How to Get Away with Murder catapulted fans towards the season two finale with the latest episode entitled “There’s My Baby.” Last week’s heart-pounding episode ended with Annalise (Viola Davis) being attacked by Phillip (Jefferson White) in Wes’ (Alfred Enoch) apartment. With only two episodes left this season, How to Get Away with Murder answers some questions, but leaves fans with so many more.
How to Get Away with Murder picked up right where the previous episode ended with Annalise struggling against Philip and Wes in NYC visiting Eve (Famke Janssen). This event launches How to Get Away with Murder into one of the best episodes of the season. With Phillip on the loose after attacking Annalise, Keating & Associates are on lockdown. With all of the Keating Five secluded into one room, secrets are exposed in typical How to Get Away with Murder fashion. Janssen and Davis continue to work perfectly opposite each other. Eve promptly tells Annalise that she needs to talk to Wes about the Mahoney file and his mother’s involvement. She then offers for Annalise to come home with her to NYC. Of course, Annalise has bigger issues to worry about.
It’s no surprise that the videotape Philip sent would come back to haunt the Keating Five. The lawyer dealing with the Hapstall case decides it’s time all the people featured on video should be interviewed. This creates an interesting montage on How to Get Away with Murder. The short, quick cutting scenes allow each character’s characteristics to shine. Alongside Bonnie (Liza Weil), Wes appears calm, Michaela (Aja Naomi King) is preoccupied with Caleb’s (Kendrick Sampson) abduction, Connor (Jack Falahee) is trying to remain collected and Laurel (Karla Souza) is two steps ahead as usual. These short montages that are often scene in Shondaland shows help move the plot along and allow each character to shine.

Alfred Enoch, Conrad Ricamora and Jack Falahee in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "There's My Baby." Photo Credit: ABC/Mitch Haaseth — Alfred Enoch, Conrad Ricamora and Jack Falahee in the How to Get Away with Murder episode “There’s My Baby.” Photo Credit: ABC/Mitch Haaseth

Matt McGorry continues to bring his A-game to How to Get Away with Murder this season and it’s an amazing transformation for fans to watch. Last season, McGorry was simply the comedic relief last season and although that character is still part of Asher’s persona, the complexity of his character has grown astronomically. Asher starts to feel guilty for all the trouble he has caused by killing Sinclair. In a heartfelt moment, Asher tells the entire group, “I messed up and made you stick up for me and I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for protecting me.” McGorry has transformed Asher into a multi-faceted character and it’s wonderful seeing it on screen week after week. Of course moments after this admission, Asher is called into the lawyers office for questioning.
Another major plot line in How to Get Away with Murder this week deals with Connor contemplating whether or not he should tell Oliver (Conrad Ricamora) about everything that has happened. Falahee and Ricamora have created a stable, fan-favorite couple on How to Get Away with Murder and fans love seeing Connor trying to protect Oliver at all costs. While all of Keating & Associates is on lockdown, Laurel decides to truly test Oliver to see if he could handle all their secrets. The answer is…. No. He’s still a good person who would run to the police. The real question becomes, how long can Connor keep Oliver safe and in the dark?

Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "There's My Baby." Photo Credit: ABC — Viola Davis in the How to Get Away with Murder episode “There’s My Baby.” Photo Credit: ABC

Similar to previous episodes, How to Get Away with Murder’s best attribute continues to be the flashback sequences. Davis, Janssen, Tom Verica and Adam Arkin dominate these sequences and it’s really interesting to see what happened in the past affecting the future. Adam Arkin as Wallace Mahoney is a dark force to be reckoned with on How to Get Away with Murder. He proves to be a formidable foe for Davis. Although Arkin leaves his mark, it’s the revelation of what happened to Annalise and Sam’s child that strikes a powerful chord in the latest episode.
While driving to go protect little Wes, Annalise is involved in a massive car crash. She’s quickly rushed to the hospital. In a beautifully acted sequence, Annalise loses the child. Davis triumphs in this scene and fans feel Annalise’s pain with her. The tears pouring down her face are enough to reduce fans to a puddle. Davis further proves why she took home the Emmy Awards for Best Actress in a Drama last year and it looks like she’s gunning for another one. Fans then see see Eve nervously pacing the halls waiting for a prognosis. Of course, Sam shows up quickly and goes to be with his wife. Verica enters the scene as Davis cradles the child in her arms. Verica’s acting coupled with Davis’ impeccable work make this the best scene in the latest episode of How to Get Away with Murder. The pure heartbreak that encompasses this scene is immeasurable. Verica and Davis triumph in this scene and further prove why How to Get Away with Murder is one of the most talked about dramas on TV.

Viola Davis and Alfred Enoch in the How to Get Away with Murder episode "There's My Baby." Photo Credit: ABC/Mitch Haaseth — Viola Davis and Alfred Enoch in the How to Get Away with Murder episode “There’s My Baby.” Photo Credit: ABC/Mitch Haaseth

Back in present day, Annalise decides to kick everyone out of Keating & Associates so she can finally talk to Wes. This leads to several key plot points that will surely set up the season two finale. Laurel, Michaela, Asher, Connor and Oliver decide the best place to go is a bar and drink a lot. Alcohol and murdering law students doesn’t sound like a bad combination, right? Wrong. It’s here that some memorable storylines develop. Fans learn that Oliver has quit his job and wants to be hired by Annalise. Connor, of course, says he would never let this happen. Meanwhile, Laurel is pounding down shots and promptly leaves (we’ll come back to her). Michaela and Asher on the other hand, both down on their luck, drunkenly hook up in the bathroom in typical Shondaland style (Jackson and April in Grey’s Anatomy anyone?). Looks like the Keating Four and Oliver are creating some serious drama of their own and it will be interesting to see how their action affect the season finale.
Meanwhile, Annalise and Wes finally sit down for the talk that has been building since the mid-season finale. Davis and Enoch have always had unmatchable chemistry and this scene continues the trend. Annalise unloads all of her secrets and tells Wes all about Rose (Kelsey Scott) and her involvement in the Mahoney case. She says, “I blame myself for everything that happened… I wanted to win the case… I let the client get in my head… I let my ambition get the better of me and you lost your mother as a result. I blame myself for all of it.” Davis and Enoch continue to be the breakout stars of How to Get Away with Murder and this scene proves it.
Of course How to Get Away with Murder can’t end on this note. In the last five minutes Annalise also tells Wes that Wallace Mahoney is his father and he’s very much alive. Mind blown. Looks like Mr. Adam Arkin will be sticking around for next season of How to Get Away with Murder. If that wasn’t enough, a drunk Laurel comes stumbling into Keating & Associates and lets slip that Frank (Charlie Weber) killed Lyla! Yikes!
At episode’s end Annalise packs her bags and goes to visit her mother! That’s right, the great Cicely Tyson is back and is sure to make the season two finale interesting. The season two finale of How to Get Away with Murder is sure to bring more bombshells and with these new revelations, who knows how the season will end!