How To Get Away With Murder Review: What Did We Do? (Season 2 Episode 9)

Protect the ones you love at any cost. That’s the theme of this episode of How To Get Away With Murder, “What Did We Do?”

For several weeks, we’ve seen Annalise struggle to keep everything from falling apart and ADA Sinclair plotting against her. Generally, this works, but in the past weeks, this storytelling has become tired and repetitive. Luckily, the story changes with the winter finale, and it’s for the better.

“What Did We Do?” is all about breaking points, and it delivers that on several fronts. From the very beginning, it is clear that ADA Sinclair is going after Annalise, and the discovery of the Hapstall murder weapon only complicates matters. Add on the suicide of Asher’s father, and the scene is set for an unforgettable ending.

The beautiful thing about this episode is that using mental instability to show ADA Sinclair’s true colors and demise at the hands of Asher actually works. His breakdown pulls him into the murder children club. Until now, Asher has been on the fringes of the group, never quite understanding their actions and feeling that they shunned him from activities. In fact, the group was protecting each other and him from the from the truth of Sam’s death.

The focus on Asher this season finally makes sense. Given that the majority of the season’s events revolve around him, it is only a matter of time before he is going to join the ranks. The focus also reminds us that even the most unlikely of characters can be capable of murder. All they need is a little push, and they snap.

Their past deeds scar the group. To the point that they refuse to help protect Asher from the police. Even Frank and Bonnie want to wash their hands of their murderous ways.

Bonnie: We say we are just protecting ourselves. But there’s a point when we’re the ones people need to be protected from. And that’s what we’ve become.

Additionally, all of this plotting and emotional turmoil reminds us that this show is about getting away with murder and, ultimately, the obsessions and actions that led to the deaths of Sam, Rebecca, and ADA Sinclair. Even more, the show is about protection and the various methods Annalise, and subsequently the group, uses to protect each other. However, they have to work together for everything to work and, unfortunately, this time, it does not.

Annalise: Because all of this, everything that’s happened: Sinclair coming after me, using Asher, now this. It all started with what the four of you did.

Annalise hatches the plan that her getting shot will make their fake crime scene believable. It is a crazy move that turns into chaos. Bonnie and Asher flee the scene while Annalise begs Connon to shoot her in the leg. Connor (who arguably hasn’t been handling their murder cover up the best) seriously contemplates killing Annalise but runs away; Michaela quickly follows, and Wes and Laurel are left.

Annalise gets shot BY WES after pulling a Lady Macbeth and coming undone in front of him and Laurel. Viola Davis deserves another Emmy award for this scene alone. She portrays desperation, despair, and regret when she confesses that Rebecca is dead to get Wes to shoot her.

This scene! It showcases just how complex and messy Annalise is as a person. She wears her confidence like a veil, a carefully placed veil that when taken away. Leaving a wounded Annalise, alone on the floor of the mansion whispering the name Christoph.

This episode is able to give us unforgettable character moments and the resolution to at least one mystery. We finally know that Annalise does have a connection to Wes. Moreover, this small payoff made the weeks of disappointing plots worth it.

The writers have found their groove again; the characters are so much more interesting in this depressed state, and their actions finally make sense. The Keating Five would not have acted out if they were not under such immense pressure from their secrets! It will be exciting to see what mindset everyone is in when the show comes back in February.

Other Thoughts:

• The Hapstall mansion looks straight out of a Hitchcock film.
• Speaking of Hitchcock, did anyone else feel like the staging of the living room scene was a nod to the movie Lifeboat?
• I still don’t like Catherine, Philip, and Caleb.
• I miss Olivier. However, Eve is back!

What did you think of this episode of How To Get Away With Murder? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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How To Get Away With Murder  returns February 11th at 10/9c to ABC.