'How to Get Away with Murder' Review/Recap: "Freakin’ Whack-A-Mole"

Nora Dominick ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

How to Get Away with Murder continues to pack a gut-wrenching punch on Thursday nights. This week’s episode entitled “Freakin’ Whack-A-Mole,” showed just how incredible the writing and storyline development is on this show. This episode was exciting and mysterious down to the last five minutes.
This episode takes a small step back from the over-arching, Lila Stangard case and focuses on a death row case near and dear to Annalise’s (Viola Davis) heart. This is the case that made Annalise look at the criminal law system and realize bad people do not always get the justice they deserve. In an astonishing performance in the courtroom, Davis delivered one of Annalise’s most moving monologues to date when she was blaming the Senator of being involved with the murder case. She says “But the thousands who were displaced in the name of lining your pockets. The majority of whom are poor, powerless and didn’t bear the color of skin desirable to your business interests.” This one line sends Annalise on a whirlwind rampage that is simply empowering. Davis continues to reign supreme on this show as she continues to peel back the layers of Annalise.

Wes (Alfred Enoch) had a very interesting storyline this week too as he continues to fight for Rebecca. He blackmails Annalise into getting Rebecca (Katie Findlay) back, except Annalise has her own plans. She enlists Frank (Charlie Weber) to plant Lila Stangard’s phone in her boyfriends, Griffin O’Reilly (Lenny Platt), car. He has now been arrested for Lila’s murder. How long will this last until the police are hot on Sam and Rebecca’s trail again? Enoch continues to flourish in this role as Wes becomes a key player. His relationship with Annalise continues to blossom. Wes no longer takes orders from Annalise, he gives the orders. This interesting switch in roles will hopefully play out nicely as audiences get closer to Sam’s inevitable death in the flash-forward sequences.
This episode also focused heavily on Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry) and his father, Judge Millstone (John Posey). When the team finds out that Judge Millstone was the original judge presiding over the death row case they are overturning, Asher spirals into thoughts about his father’s true motives as a judge. In a perfectly acted scene, viewers see Asher sitting in his living with his father. He confronts his father about the case. His father replies by kicking him out of the house. Most people would then throw their good old Dad under the bus and move on, but not Asher. He returns to Keating and Associates only to say that his father is not to play a role in their investigation. This won’t be the last time we will be seeing dear old Judge Millstone is it? Revealing more information about Asher and his wealthy, prevalent family was perfect. Viewers now have a small backstory on each of the students. This is how character development works successfully and more shows should take some tips from How to Get Away with Murder.

The true puppet master of this show has turned out to be none other than Bonnie (Liza Weil). She knows everything about all the character’s personal lives right down to Frank and Laurel (Karla Souza). Weil plays this character perfectly as she suddenly sneaks into the background of scenes. She is a force to be reckoned with and even rivals Annalise’s power in the law firm. Her increased involvement in every character’s life is increased when during a flash forward sequence it is revealed that she is sleeping with none other than our favorite little rich boy, Asher Millstone. Team Basher anyone?
The flash forward sequence this week focused on Asher and his involvement in the fateful night. Viewers already knew that Asher was not with the other students as they roll up and burn Sam’s body, So where was he? Turns out he was getting it on with Bonnie. His present day storyline could have been stronger but the last five minutes made up for it in the end. It would have been nice to see more of Asher in the flash-forward sequences overall.
How to Get Away with Murder continues to turn up the heat on each of its characters. The storylines are getting better week after week as Annalise and the gang continue to get into some less-than-legal situations.
How to Get Away with Murder airs on Thursday’s at 10/9c on ABC
Overall Episode Grade: A-