Freakin’ Whack-a-Mole.

First off, I was in Philadelphia last weekend for a hot second, and it didn’t even occur to me that it was the city where How to Get Away with Murder takes place. You guys should really talk about cheese steaks more or something!

I thought this week’s episode was our best one yet. The case of the week was compelling. The Lila Stangard murder mystery felt well-interspersed throughout, and Asher finally got his chance to shine. I really hope we know for sure who murdered Lila Stangard before the mid-winter season finale, because juggling that with a case of the week, in addition to dealing with Sam’s murder, will be much too much.

Annalise

Annalise does her best this week to get David Allen, a man wrongfully convicted of murder 21 years ago, off of death row, and because she’s Annalise, she succeeds. Moments like when Annalise is yelling at corrupt State Senator Truco (the man who’s really responsible for the crime David Allen didn’t commit), saying that he tore a community and families apart based on the color of their skin, is where shows like Scandaland Grey’s Anatomy have shown through before. You don’t need Annalise to tell you “This affects me because I’m black,” but it’s there. The show doesn’t make explicitly make race an issue, but it doesn’t ignore it, either. Thanks to the skills of Viola Davis, Annalise was truly compelling to watch last night. We may never know exactly how close to home the David Allen case hit, but it was a start.

Asher A

Asher gets top billing this week after Annalise, because really, it was his episode. It opened with him dancing around his apartment, throwing money, and essentially acting like the caricature this television show has shown him to be. When he finds out that his dad presided over the original David Allen case and got his federal appointment by burying evidence, Asher uses the knowledge he gains from his dad to gain traction with Annalise AND manage to cover for his dad at the same time. It was an impressive power move—one that clearly gets Bonnie’s attention—because they’re in bed together by the end of the episode. I had in my notes “Bonnie and Asher are going to have sex, aren’t they?” and I was RIGHT. Point, Lana.

Laurel

Hey, Laurel, Bonnie clearly slept with her boss’s husband and is having sex with Asher, so you don’t have to listen to everything she says. Even if you’re a “rich girl” you can hook up with Frank if you want to, just break up with your boyfriend first. Like, so many songs have been written about this exact dynamic. Listen to “Uptown Girl” a few times and maybe you’ll change your mind. But either way, talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Bonnie’s the pot, Laurel’s the kettle, and both of them should try to find more appropriate men to become involved with.

Conner and Michaela

B-

Conner didn’t get to have sex this week, so there wasn’t much for him to do except look pretty, and Michaela has been pretty boring lately. She probably should develop a pill addiction or something, if she wants more attention.

Rebecca and Wes THE WORST

If Wes and Rebecca had more of an origin story, I’d totally buy it. They were childhood sweethearts (a la Revenge), and no matter what happens, they’re the other one’s rock and connection to who they used to be. NOPE. That’s not the situation here! They’re strangers in a strange city, and Wes is risking everything to protect Rebecca. Also, of course Wes is just getting out of the shower when Annalise comes over. The idea of letting a professor see me in just a towel is horrifying. It’s almost like showing up to class naked. They both get all uppity when Annalise has Frank plant Lila’s phone in Griffin’s car but like, do either of you have a leg to stand on? You’re both pretty shady.