If you would like to read my review of the last episode of How to Get Away With Murder, click here.
Synopsis: Connor and Oliver attempt to secure a church for their wedding to appease their moms; Annalise and Nate continue their quest for justice in the face of endless obstacles; Annalise begins to doubt the governor’s dedication to her cause. (TV Guide)
Writer: Maya Goldsmith
Director: Eric Laneuville
Rating: TV-14
Running Time: 43mins
Airs: Thursdays at 10pm on ABC (United States)/Fridays at 9pm on CTV (Canada)
Annalise vs. Birkhead is going to be epic.
The episode started with Annalise attending a press conference with the medical examiner sharing the findings of her investigation into Nate Sr.’s death which was now a month ago. The story was that Nate Sr. attacked a pair of officers with seemingly exemplary records who were transporting him and they defended themselves. Fortunately for the officers, there were no witnesses and the security cameras were malfunctioning. He also apparently wasn’t taking his medications. Nate Sr.’s death was ruled a justifiable homicide.
For the students, Annalise kept cancelling class. She wanted Birkhead to launch an inquiry into Nate Sr.’s death. but Birkhead was stonewalling her, dismissing her claim as a conspiracy theory and affirming that it was for the greater good. Annalise confided in Tegan that she believed that she was being played by Birkhead. Annalise blamed herself for not seeing it. She wanted Tegan’s help to get her back in with Caplan & Gold. Meanwhile, Nate asked Miller for another inquest. Miller was worried about the optics though Nate convinced him to do the right thing. Still pissed at Nate, Bonnie tried to stop him and failed.
Connor and Oliver met with a minister. Their religious act didn’t last long when Connor was pressed about why he wanted to marry Oliver. He told the truth and why he was going along with everything for Oliver. To the church’s credit, the minister was more than thrilled about marrying them. With Miller ordering an inquest, Annalise wanted her students to work on it though Oliver wanted to take their minds off how depressing the world is, however, Connor wanted to work. Gabriel showed up, much to Laurel’s dismay. Laurel wanted Frank to tell Annalise about Gabriel who Frank believed to be her worst nightmare but Frank thought that she already had enough on her plate.
Caplan & Gold were looking for a replacement for Annalise but Tegan thought that Carver should rehire her. She was bringing in business but Carver attacked Tegan for Antares which wasn’t exactly her fault. Annalise brainstormed with her class about the inquest. Getting Annalise to question the guards and looking into the jury were no-goes so they decided to look into the officers. One of the officers happened to have a history of beating her husband. Miller attacked the officer on the stand and failed. Annalise wanted Miller to put her on the stand, however, Miller refused.
Annalise met with Birkhead who told her that Annalise’s new job wouldn’t happen. Annalise straight out accused her of ordering a hit on Nate Sr. in an attempt to take her down but Birkhead countered with a background check with potentially damaging information involving an adoption. Annalise wasn’t willing to back down and vowed to take Birkhead down. Bonnie was worried about Annalise, believing that she was drinking again which she was.
Laurel and Frank had been watching Gabriel and since Laurel wasn’t interested in him, Gabriel moved on to Michaela. Frank tried to call Annalise but Bonnie answered and told him about her drinking. Bonnie may have convinced Miller to put a damaged Annalise on the stand. Annalise defended him and grandstanded about racism and a blatant coverup. Unfortunately, the inquest also found nothing criminal about Nate Sr.’s death. Michaela comforted Nate afterwards.
Tegan believed Annalise about Birkhead and got dirt on Carver and his misconduct. Meanwhile, Oliver had that night out that he wanted. Annalise confronted Carver and instead of blackmailing him, she offered to help him fight it. Connor fought a man who called him and Oliver a gay slur. Michaela snuggled up with Asher before heading next door To Gabriel for whatever reason. She was skeptical of his motives but eventually gave in to him. Annalise and Nate vowed to work together to fight Birkhead and make her suffer. Meanwhile, Bonnie walked in on Frank and Laurel watching Gabriel and Michaela and arguing about Gabriel.
In flashforward news, Bonnie got up from the body in the snow and told someone off-screen to compose themselves and to get rid of the body.
Overall, this was a great episode that firmly established this season’s antagonist in Birkhead who is definitely up to no good. What more has to be said about Viola Davis? Her showdown with Birkhead and her courtroom scenes were standouts. Most of the episode was spent on dealing with the fallout of Nate Sr.’s death to which we got no real answers. Annalise put on a strong face but she took it especially hard, going back to drinking. The episode could have been clearer on where Bonnie stood as she was half going against Nate and half helping Annalise. Despite everything, she got her job at Caplan & Gold back though it means she would have to help Carver which is yet another chapter. Why is an adoption so damaging to Annalise? Then there’s Gabriel who I think may be Wes’ brother wanting revenge. How’s the wedding going to figure into this? We won’t have to wait long to find out.
Score: 9/10
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.