ABC's How to Get Away With Murder - Episode 1.04 "Let's Get to Scooping"
Annalise and her students uncover a shocking truth while investigating the case of Marren Trudeau, founder and CEO of a major brokerage firm, who has recently been arrested for insider trading. Meanwhile, Wes discovers a cell phone hidden by Rebecca whose contents reveal an unsettling clue in the Lila Stangard murder case.
It's interesting that How to Get Away With Murder likes using sex and intimacy as a weapon. It's that kind of connection that gets people to put their guards down. It's a feeling that they can confide in someone and have it mean something much bigger than anything they can possibly be by themselves. Annalise kept being committed to her marriage to Sam even though she still fears that he is connected to the Lila Stangard case. Annalise is a strong and confident woman. She is fine with however her students and associates get evidence for her - as long as it helps her clients.This week that client is Marren Trudeau (a delightful Elizabeth Perkins) who is accused of insider trading. Marren sees her business like a family. She trusts the people who work under her and will help them should they need it. She has a long-standing relationship with Annalise. She has required her services before. And yet, she still is a trusting person. Conversely, Annalise doesn't have anyone with whom she can be open. She has the facade of a working marriage. But underneath, it is full of suspicions. And then, there are her five students working with her. Asher still hasn't had any meaningful relationships on the show; Michaela is too focused on her schoolwork this week; and Laurel is basically the object of desire for two guys. More importantly though are the relationships that Connor and Wes have been forming.
Connor has been using Oliver to get whatever tech-based information the firm has needed since the very first episode. It's been a reliable relationship for him - with some sexual benefits too. Connor's M.O. is to use sex to get information. He does that again during the case-of-the-week to learn that Marren's assistant was a part of a conspiracy to get her sentenced so others can steal her clients. That ends tragically when the assistant flings himself out a window when he's caught. That does shake up Connor a bit. It would appear that he's not as disconnected from sex as he lets on. On some level, he does care. He claims that he doesn't want to hurt Oliver. But he does that anyway once Oliver hears the full tape. This hour really does add a lot of depth to Connor. He has always been enjoyable in the flash-forward sequences as the kinda loose cannon of the group. And now, that angle takes a tragic turn. He's realizing just how massively he has screwed up. He ends up on Oliver's doorstep yet again meaning that this relationship is suppose to be more meaningful than just a sexual fling.
Similarly, Wes has used his possession of Lila's phone in order to gain both Rebecca's trust and Annalise's respect. He has a personal connection to this case - only because it was his neighbor who ended up in prison. It's a tad suspicious on why he cares so much. He doesn't know Rebecca all that way. Our first introduction to her was through his eyes as the neighbor who doesn't want to be friendly. Since then, things have softened between them. He has been looking out for her at every turn. Annalise and company get her released on bail and the coerced confession thrown out. Because of the flash forwards, we know that Wes and Rebecca will begin a romantic relationship. But how much of that will be for the job? And how much because he personal cares for her? It has to be some amount of the latter due to his insistence on getting her away from the crime scene of Sam's murder. But right now, it's all about using that friendship to get her to open up.
And then, came that final scene which featured a wonderfully powerful and nuanced performance by Viola Davis. The show doesn't use enough of her. And yet, when they do, they give her such dynamic material. It's in that moment where she takes off her wig and her makeup where she is at her most vulnerable - and also her truest self. Sam walks into the room and she continues to be the biggest commanding force in the room. Wondering why a picture of his penis is on Lila's phone? So rewarding and so gripping.
Some more thoughts:
- "Let's Get to Scooping" was written by Erika Green Swafford and directed by Laura Innes.
- Seriously Michaela, you are the only one on this show who cares about school. It's a crutch whenever the show needs Annalise to explain something about the law. Other than that though, we really don't need those cutaways to her teaching.
- I really don't care about Frank's pining for Laurel. Also, she's probably my least favorite of the five students because there just doesn't seem to be a strong and distinct persona with her.
- Nate is still looking into Sam in connection with Lila's murder. And now, Bonnie knows that too - and uses it to work into her favor in regards to Rebecca's confession video.
- Is Rebecca killing Sam because he was involved in Lila's murder just too easy of an answer to his murder in the flash-forwards? Right now, he seems like one big red-herring with that case. So then, why does he end up dead?
