Don’t know about you, but I found How to Get Away with Murder to be even better the third time around. Yes, that is correct…sometime this summer, I experienced the joy of binging on shows you’ve already seen, not too long ago. And no, I don’t feel any shame having seen both seasons a total of 3 times, because I felt I got more from the first re-watch than the original viewing. For instance, I know I watched each episode as it was released Friday morning on Hulu, but there were tons of details you don’t pick up or stories you won’t appreciate or stories behind the stories that go unnoticed. Like, did you know Michaela was adopted? I know! I’m freaking out with you right now. She mentions it twice – once when she’s telling Caleb Hapstall at his estate, and again when she’s advising the group not to contact the birth parents.
So, with the season premiere happening this Thursday [yes, tomorrow], I’ll give you a little refresher on things you may have missed, plus pick apart why this program is so important for society RIGHT. NOW. Maybe this will even convince you to watch it again before then… I don’t know! Totally your call.
- The episode on insider trading [I took note of the exact episodes hereafter, so bear with the fact this one isn’t numbered] – Mairin was a woman who made something of herself when she had nothing, by building herself from the ground up and pulling up those around her. There are many dialogues in entertainment and media of women’s empowerment, but How To Get Away Murder makes it consistent. Think of how many high positions are filled by women on the show, outside of the main cast – the judges, lawyers, clients, and hospital personnel. These little additions to the script make the mazed storyline, relatable.
- Let’s note the feelings of resentment Mairin’s assistant had towards her. So much so that he conspired with others in higher positions than he, to bring her down. The same woman who helped him when he had no one. And many of you can feel for Mairin, but if you’ve never been in a position where your life comes second as you ensure the life of another is running smoothly, you won’t understand. I work part-time as a house manager now, but have also worked as a personal manager for high-profile people. It’s very easy to feel justifiable resentment towards your employers as you labor away each day, getting older, hoping your big break will come. Hoping that your request for certain times off doesn’t lead to you being fired for not “being flexible.” Hoping you get home in time to not have to choose whether you will eat tonight or give your side project an hour of time. Hoping that they acknowledge when they’re dependency has started to border on laziness and inconsideration of your personal time. But most importantly, hoping that your resentment and their unconscious attitude never blinds either of you to a point where you intentionally, or unintentionally, maltreat one another.
- Can we commend the show for making ALL the women fervently sexual beings, that are in control of their choices? PLUS, making the relationship between Conner and Oliver not that of stereotyped homosexual partnership? Wait, this one needs its own number.
- Seriously, I’m sick and tired of seeing these programs where they have the “gay character” or coupling, and it’s feather boas and gay porn. Like, let’s stop it. First of all, Conner is insanely smart and only uses sex (as we have seen) to get the job done. And Oli, I mean…come on.. he’s a sapiosexual dream! I’ve met more remarkably successful, sane, non-flamboyant gay men and women than entertainment showcases. It’s time more people follow suit and make these changes immediately.
- I love how some of the male characters are in traditionally female roles ie. Frank as the assistant or associate. [Seriously, what is his title?]
- Not sure how many people would do this, but how beautiful was that small glimpse into the love and respect that Nate had for his wife when we found out he told her about Annalise, in season 1 episode 11? Now that’s something I’m sure few would do, but it really does take an objectionably honest person to do that. Think about it. Would you be ok if you were slowing dying of cancer, and your partner tells you about their new lover?
- Do you remember that episode where Sam sees Nate near his car at night, and jumps a bit? Nate called him out, but Sam could barely utter anything of value because Nate’s perception was right. Just because you’re married to a black person, doesn’t erase your internal or automatic prejudicial reactions to people of color in specific situations.
- We’re back to sex again. [P.S. I guess I didn’t notate episode by episode as much as I thought I did… but that’s ok. Just know most of that was from season 1…in case you feel like binging tonight. Again, totally your call.] Now, remember that conversation in the kitchen where the students were discussing women and orgasms? I think it’s important to note the mixed group it was occurring with since most times we talk about these things with our group of girlfriends or guy friends. Also notice how it didn’t happen in a manner that was awkward for the characters or the audience. It was a very matter-of-fact moment. Something that makes me giggle often, was discussed like any other normal conversation, because SEX IS NORMAL. [I actually just giggled a little.]
- Jill and her husband. Yeah, you remember that douche hwo abused his wife because of her secret? No one knew but him, so he held this over her for control, until the day Jill could take no more. It’s important to comment on how the police reacted to Jill being transsexual at the crime scene, as well as note the fear displayed when the idea of being sent to a men’s prison crossed her mind, in the interrogation room with Annalise Which is actually a real issue. There was a case where a trans woman witnessed her aunt try to kill her uncle, not knowing he’d already died from too much alcohol. Because she didn’t turn her in, and tried to help her get rid of the body, she was convicted and sent to a men’s prison – after living in the world as a woman for about 15 years. [It’s an episode of SNAPPED or DEADLY WOMEN, so check it out.] Anyway, this is highly dangerous for many reasons, but also very inhumane.
- “That was an appropriate explosion,” Michaela to Conner when Catherine calls out the judge for not judicially acknowledging the racial bias. Most times it’s people of the same race calling each other out. This time it was an Asian-American calling out a Black-American, which brought attention to two things. A.) People of color doesn’t only mean black people. People of color means anyone that is non-white. So if you’re Egyptian? You’re a POC. Blond haired, blue eyed Venezuelan? P-O-C! Half-white and half-black? POC! Christian Kuwaiti with “white” skin? Boo, don’t try it… You’re a person of color. B.) Even in the court of law racial bias, ethically, can’t clout your judgement for rulings. Even if that means tossing out evidence that you know will crack the case.
- Annalise does the most annoying guilt trips. Many times it seems to calm her own paranoia, but other times it seems it’s to be an evil psychological game. Like when she remind them of what she is doing for their safety under the guise of a class lesson ie. United States v. Mahoney. The Keating 5 know how it relates to them suffering internally while their other classmates are like, “Wow! What a great case. I’m learning so much.” Ha… if you only knew.
- White man’s rage. It’s real y’all and just because you convince yourself it’s not, or that it’s because they had a rough upbringing so they are few and far between, doesn’t make it non-existent. We’ve had how many shootings led by white men in the last year that can all be pinpointed to WMR, and not mental illness? Yeah…think about it. [Michaela mentions this when talking about Philip Jessup.]
- MAP = Mexican American Princess. Did NOT know this was an acronym. [What Frank calls Laurel when they are doing a stakeout for Philip.]
- Ok, back to sex one last time! Promise. S2E8 – When Nate yells for Annalise to, “Come over HERE!” Annalise puts her foot down by saying she wouldn’t spread her legs as some sort of forgiveness payment. In many cases, women are too afraid to go against barked demands when they want to be forgiven or feel guilty. This was definitely a light bulb moment of, “Wait, it is MY body and I CAN say no!”
- S2E9 – When Annalise is trying to convince her students to shoot her and she says, “Laurel, you’ve been through worse with your father.” Then in S2E12 where she and Wes are in Ohio to find out about his mum, she talks about how Frank is exactly like her dad. “To the point that everything we’ve done with Annalise…yeah there’s a reason why I haven’t been as messed up by it as everyone else.” Ummmmm, what does she mean? What could be worse than SHOOTING someone because they ask you to? It can’t be another molestation story! Or did she witness something her father did? Or did she have to cover up something?! Or did she partake in something?! This needs to be addressed come season three… like the first episode!
- And you know what else needs to be addressed… Michaela and her upbringing. I remember that clapback her ex-future-mother-in-law swung her way during dinner. Yeah, you can’t drop that shade and not expect tea to be spilled.
- And this [gif below]. Ummmmmmmmm, so was Annalise there the entire time?! I’m still very confused. How did no one, but Wes see her? Unless they all saw her, and we just don’t know that?
Ok… that is it. If there were other things you noticed, please, please, please let me know. There are a few things I left out, but there will be a season three to dissect very soon! ::throws head back and laughs maniacally:: So, you know, I’ll be back with more.
Until next time,
xTillie
P.S. I didn’t forget about the young black man who was killed, and how all his mother wanted was to be there for the murderer. I just can’t discuss right now.