S01.E03: Smile, Or Go To Jail

[Tara Ariano]

A suburban soccer mom locked up for a misdemeanor gets of out jail, but is immediately arrested again by the FBI for her alleged involvement in a murder, and proving her innocence depends on the testimony of another suspect. Meanwhile, Middleton's president asks Annalise to help the school's quarterback, who's been linked to Lila's disappearance; and in a flash-forward, someone else may have been present at the time of the murder besides the students.

[SimoneS]

Damn, Annalise's ex threw her to the wolves. He must have really loved her to hate her so much. I don't get why Annalise did not just hire a private detective. She is supposed to be such a big shot attorney, you would think that she would have one on retainer.

 

Overall, I did not think that this was a particularly strong episode. So Lauren is into Frank. Is he supposed to be a mystery? I don't get what he does exactly. Annalise gave Michaela good advice about choosing her husband. I think that the show should have set up a Wes/Rebecca frienship/romance to give him believable motivation for putting his neck on the line for her.

 

The cases of the week are so weak. People get charged one day and go to trial the next day. It was good to see Ana Ortiz and Jason Gedrick. I have not seen Gedrick in a role in forever.

Edited October 10, 2014 by SimoneS

[Deanie87]

I'm a smart person. Why can't I follow a goddamn thing on this show?

[Ms Blue Jay]

Laurel :)

 

I wasn't sure if Annalise's boyfriend was or wasn't lying about her husband's alibi, so thanks for helping clear that up.  Any information on this issue from anyone would be appreciated!  Things go so frantically fast on HTGAWM Mountain.

 

I don't get Ana Ortiz at all.  She pops up in every show I watch and I don't get any charisma or any range from her!  Jason Gedrick however, I get the whole thing.  

 

I'm a smart person. Why can't I follow a goddamn thing on this show?

 

It's the speed, and it's the fact that so many storylines and plotpoints are crammed into one episode.  The scene where Wes visits Rebecca in jail had bits that were literally fast-forwarded.  And I mean, why?

Edited October 10, 2014 by Ms Blue Jay

[Amethyst]

Meh.  Didn't care about Michaela's fiance troubles, or Laurel making Bearded Guy jealous.  Although Aiden was very cute.

 

Wes risking his career for whats-her-name was so dumb.   And that little moment between him and Annalise in the end felt unearned.  Wes barely knows his neighbor, and the audience knows even less.  I don't care if she's guilty or not.  Did I miss a conversation where she told him how stuff went down, because Wes' speech to Annalise didn't cut it for me.  

[wanderingstar]

Wow - that was the dumbest trial ever. It was nice to see Jason Gedrick, though. 

 

I think that the show should have set up a Wes/Rebecca frienship/romance to give him believable motivation for putting his neck on the line for her.

 

 

This is a problem on shows from the Shonda stable: they like to leave blanks for the audience to fill in. The problem is I am not invested in any of these characters enough to do that filling in. Also, it ain't my job since I'm in the audience.

 

I still think Nate (Annalise's boyfriend) is hot.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Gillian Rosh

[Armchair Critic]

Wes's giraffe neck gets on my nerves.

 

I think Viola Davis is a good actress but she can't pull off the sexy bit, especially with that bad wig.

 

I may keep watching as there is not much on tv right now, but I am not excited about this show.

[ShadowSixx]

Wes is irking me with how far he's willing to go for someone that he barely even knows. I agree, I don't care if she's guilty or not, I think Wes is just being silly and stupid and not deserving of the trophy. Wes is just coming off as naive and can easily become a sucker. What if she did do it, she needs to be represented because she's poor and doesn't come from money? How is she gonna pay for Anni's services? Is Wes gonna pick up that bill too?

 

I really love the relationship between Connor and Michaela, they always try to one up each other. Didn't care so much about the Aiden thing that happened years ago. I just looked at it as a way to have Connor and Michaela still have that bantering love/hate type of relationship. So I just see Aiden as a plot point for those two. Connor telling her to smile or go to jail was a little funny.

 

Creepy Frank getting all upset over Laurel talking to another guy is just stupid. He's not even with her, so WTF?

 

Watching Anni caress the detective's thigh was just awkward. I don't think being a seductress is Viola Davis' thing.

 

I don't care much for the case of the week, that the show does because they go too fast with them. I think the case of the week can actually expand out into maybe 2-3 episodes and slowly build up all while expanding the background of all the characters and what they're willing to do to help Anni obtain evidence and get them off. I really hope that they don't turn Anni into Matlock, winning every case cause it's not believable.

Edited October 10, 2014 by ShadowSixx

[shapeshifter]

And that little moment between him and Annalise in the end felt unearned. Wes barely knows his neighbor, and the audience knows even less. I don't care if she's guilty or not. Did I miss a conversation where she told him how stuff went down, because Wes' speech to Annalise didn't cut it for me.

Maybe Wes really is the love child Annalise and her husband had and given up for adoption so they could get through law school and PhD dissertations, and she has it figured out?? Maybe he kills bio dad.

I was confused about Michaela telling her fiancé that he could never have homosexual relations again because it would ruin his career in politics? Dude and Dudette, I'm pretty sure that ship has just sailed.

Edited October 10, 2014 by shapeshifter

[LakeGal]

Jason Gedrick shows up and I wonder if this show is getting cancelled.  He does seem to be bad luck.

 

I love parts of this show and other parts annoy me.

[Syndicate]

Connor seems like a whore!  Michaela will get what she asks for IMO.  Her bat shit crazy reaction to her fiancee having fucked Connor in their teen years was just.........................  Why would she trust to marry that guy given what she's learned about him?  The next episode seems to imply that the fiancee hasn't had enough of Connor.  Michaela making threats to ruin the fiancee if he fucked other men in the future was just stupid.  He WILL fuck other men without a doubt, so why would she be willing to take a chance on him?

Edited October 10, 2014 by Syndicate

[ljp]

Yeah, so this show actually isn't very good. First off, its completely ridiculous. As third years maybe I can buy the set up. As first years not so much. Secondly, they jumped into the murder plot when frankly we didn't give a crap about any of these people. Give us a few episodes with some character development, let us understand why we should be invested here. Finally, although frankly just tired of typing, not final reason show is bad, how does this go beyond one season? We find out big reveal, what else is left that is even remotely believable. I'm pretty much hate watching at this point.

[briochetwist]

I think Viola Davis is a good actress but she can't pull off the sexy bit, especially with that bad wig.

 

This.  And when you add in the too-tight, unflattering clothing and the fact that she cannot walk in heels, it's really not sexy.  

 

I've never watched a Shonda show, but this doesn't make me want to start.  So many things annoy me about this, from the jumping around - flashbacks, flash forwards, crappy lighting, but what really gets me are the characters.  They are so badly written, they're more like caricatures than anything.  We've got the evil gay guy, the bitchy social climbing socialite, the earnest, hardworking poor student and on.  Everything is such a cliche.  I'm sad, I expected more.

[Amethyst]

I was confused about Michaela telling her fiancé that he could never have homosexual relations again because it would ruin his career in politics? Dude and Dudette, I'm pretty sure that ship has just sailed.

 

I think it was Michaela telling Aiden that she would expose him, along with a divorce and taking all of his money.  A messy, public divorce can definitely put a damper on a budding political career.

 

At first, I could understand her anger because Aiden kept a secret from her, but once she started in on her specially ordered Vera Wang dress and how she would ruin his life, she lost me.

 

Watching Anni caress the detective's thigh was just awkward. I don't think being a seductress is Viola Davis' thing.

 

Given the right material, I think she could be.  I just don't think this is it.  Viola is a very intense actor.  She gives 110% every time, and I feel like she's being wasted in this.

 

HTGAWM is a drama, but it's a vapid one.  The material is flimsy, and she's surrounded by weak, two dimensional characters, so she has no real support, and no one to match her.  Even Wes (the only one I like) is losing points because he's starting to come across as moronic rather than just naive. 

Edited October 10, 2014 by Amethyst

[ShadowSixx]

I guess with mentioning the wedding dress she was saying, don't you dare make me waste money on buying this dress since she's mentioning it cost her a fortune. I can understand being upset learning that your fiance slept with the same gender it can throw anyone off. She may be taking a risk in marrying him. I think it would have been more effective if Michaela had warned him in a cold, calculating, bitchy tone instead of the over the top dramatic reaction. She should have made him work on her forgiving him or slightly make him suffer and then go after Connor by beating him for the trophy and one upping him in class.

 

The show has potential, I think there are some things they can modify like expanding the weekly cases, expanding the traits on their characters and flesh them out, don't keep flashing back and forward so much as it can throw viewers off from past and present.

[Hava]

The actor who plays Wes is good, but his reaction shots are terrible. Whoever said that he turns his head like an ostrich was dead on. God, it's annoying. 

 

Michaela and Connor have insane chemistry. Obviously, it's not going anywhere since Connor is gay, but I wish there was a way to take advantage of that chemistry. 

 

I agree with others that Wes putting his neck on the line for Rebecca is ludicrous and now I'm going to resent any budding relationship between the two. 

 

I find the show entertaining, but it definitely needs tweaking. Character development, as mentioned, especially with Viola Davis' character.

[jjj]

I'm a smart person. Why can't I follow a goddamn thing on this show?

I'm with you, Deanie87!  I watch it go by, could hardly tell you a connecting thread through it by the end. 

 

If a woman immediately goes to "I paid a fortune for my BESPOKE, NOT OFF-THE-RACK Vera Wang gown," that tells me a lot about priorities.  Yes, they are very expensive, but trust in the marriage is priceless. 

[2KllMckngBrd]

I think I'm a solo singer, but I am still in love w/this show. It is absolutely, primarily, on the strength and charisma of Viola Davis, but I do think this show's plots, and actors get stronger each show. Its fun to me. A great close to my Thursday night. It doesn't hurt that the hamsters look like a Gap add; although I would like to see more of their backstories. I also always love a good who-dunnit, and seeing how long it takes me to form a theory. And of course, to see if I am right.

 

I did not have a problem w/the case of the week. What I did have a problem w/is the lack of acting I actually saw from Ana Ortiz. Jason Gedrick, although usually a show killer, is a good actor when given a chance. But Ana Ortiz, although beautiful, gives me nothing in any performance I have ever seen her give. Vilola Davis did more w/her eyes, looking at Ana in her rearview mirror, than I got from the guest "star" the whole ep. I couldn't root for, or against her, 'cuz I could give a shit less.

 

Still on bored w/liking Wes, but please, dear god, grow up his look. I have been saying that since the beginning, It was especially noticeable in the scene in the courtroom where it looked like he borrowed his little brothers Sunday church suit. And when he bounded down the steps in the class to get the trophy at the end. The way he dresses makes him look like he just had a growth spurt over the summer, and hasn't figured out how his "new gangly limbs work". It makes it impossible to see him as a law school student, forget supposedly on the same level, and the same age, as the other hamsters/interns.

 

I also like that Wes wasn't afraid to stand up to Annalise. I think that they are all going to pay for taking that case, but we'll see.

 

Prissy Pratt is ridiculous. And for someone who said in the Pilot, "I wanna be her", when referencing Annalise, she sure was quick to disregard her hero's advice. If you can't make a man faithful, what in the hell makes her think she can change their stripes. She deserves what ever she gets. Maybe if she were a younger lady I could buy this level of dumbass-ery, but not by 22/23/24. No damn way. By then you know you can not make a gay man straight.

 

Connor is hot to death. But they need to tone down his been there, fucked everyone, and will fuck another if needed, to get evidence vibe. A gay man, like anyone, is not all about sex, all the time. Connor has to be a fully functioning person, not only defined by the fact that he is gay. I like that my Thursday night shows try to defy stereotypes. So please don't turn Connor into 1, by only focusing on 1 note.

 

I still don't like Frank. Still don't understand Paris Gellar. And her look on this show makes me uncomfortable. But I am starting to really like Lauren.

 

I am not sure that the side piece lied to Annalise. I thought it was being left up to the viewer whether or not he was w/holding something. Or were the flashbacks to show he was definitely lying, and I missed something?

 

Still personally think that the husband was having an affair w/the dead co-ed. And still think Liz Weil's character might have been the 1 who killed her. But the hamsters think Annalise did it and are trying to cover for her. Then, b/c of Annalise's speech to Prissy Pratt about picking a husband, makes me wonder if Mr. Keating might be bi or bi-curious, and was having an affair w/the dead coed's boyfriend.

[Former Nun]

I think Viola Davis is a good actress but she can't pull off the sexy bit, especially with that bad wig.

 

This.  And when you add in the too-tight, unflattering clothing and the fact that she cannot walk in heels, it's really not sexy. 

I've never watched a Shonda show, but this doesn't make me want to start.  So many things annoy me about this, from the jumping around - flashbacks, flash forwards, crappy lighting, but what really gets me are the characters.  They are so badly written, they're more like caricatures than anything.  We've got the evil gay guy, the bitchy social climbing socialite, the earnest, hardworking poor student and on.  Everything is such a cliche.  I'm sad, I expected more.

 

 

I agree.  She seems like she's sexy only in her own mind.  I know it starts there...but it seems to end there too.

 

Thanks for the comment about the heels.  I see her walk...and I wait for a camera shot to the shoes, trying to figure out what's wrong.  Wrong shoes? Wrong height?  Bad knees?

 EVERY WOMAN on television seems to wear clothes that are too tight.  We wore tight dresses, sweaters, and skirts in the business world of the 60s...but they cupped our butts and we NEVER saw belly buttons.   Girdles helped; long-line bras helped...but some women didn't need that help.  There are such great fabrics today...and "underpinnings."  Why can't anyone achieve a slim, fitted look without fabrics bunching up and body parts sticking out?

 

This is my first Shonda Show too, Briochetwist.  I don't get it...but I'm definitely not the demographic (reference what "we" wore in the 60s).

 

Two of us were watching this series...so far I'm still holding on.

[Former Nun]

Wes's giraffe neck gets on my nerves.

 

Armchair Critic,  meet  Hava

Whoever said that he turns his head like an ostrich was dead on.

 

These two comments, along with the mentions of his wardrobe bring Garanimals to mind.  Sorry, just couldn't help it.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Former Nun

[mtlchick]

In a hilarious twist, known show killer Jason Gadrick...got away with murder (or some crime, I missed the first 20 minutes.)

Edited October 10, 2014 by mtlchick

[Puffaroo]

It was good to see Ana Ortiz and Jason Gedrick. I have not seen Gedrick in a role in forever.

 

And he's aged well -- he's still got That Thing, whatever That Thing is.

Wes's giraffe neck gets on my nerves.

 

And then there's that little pinhead on top of it.

[glitterpants]

I didn't like this episode as much as the others.

 

Wes going to extreme lengths to defend Rebecca even though a) her hiding Lila's phone is more of an argument AGAINST her than anything else, it's suspicious, b) she doesn't want his help. Being a puppy is one thing but being reckless for the sake of a neighbor you've only exchanged a few words with seems like overdoing it. I actually wouldn't have minded if Wes' motivations had been presented just a little bit differently/convincingly but as it is I just want to roll my eyes (did the "she's POOOOOR and has NO ONE" speech have to be so whiny?)

 

The Michaela/Aiden/Connor drama made both Michaela and Connor look bad, meh.

Edited October 10, 2014 by glitterpants

[Puffaroo]

And when you add in the too-tight, unflattering clothing and the fact that she cannot walk in heels, it's really not sexy.  

 

Wow, do I ever disagree.  She's a beautiful woman with womanly curves.  I'm really glad they haven't bought into the skinny body and porn star-style hair extensions that pass for sexy these days.

[Advance35]

It makes it impossible to see him as a law school student, forget supposedly on the same level, and the same age, as the other hamsters/interns.

 

I think that's Wes's weapon though I won't swear it's a concious choice on his part.   He LOOKS harmless and maybe even inept and that's how he get's away with tricks like the rigged coin cost.   When someone as jaded and suspcious like Connor thinks "Wes wouldn't do that", you know your viewed as the most "innocent" one in the room, which makes me think he's going to be the ruin of more than one character in this story.   I think Laurel?? is a trojan horse as well.   I think Annise and Co, will rue the day they got involved with either one of these snakes.

 

And I agree with whomever said Connor and Michaela have AWESOME chemistry.  Sigh.  Such a waste.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Advance35

[teebax]

Wow, do I ever disagree.  She's a beautiful woman with womanly curves.  I'm really glad they haven't bought into the skinny body and porn star-style hair extensions that pass for sexy these days.

I agree with you about her being sexy. I think she's very attractive and love her curves. That being said, her gait is really distracting. She walks in heels the same way I do, which is not well. It almost looks as if her ankles are buckling or something. I recently watched The Help again and noticed that same walk.

[MrsRafaelBarba]

Wish Viola would ditch the wig, her natural hair is on point.

Am I the only one sick of seeing that stupid bonfire?

[Ms Blue Jay]

I was the one who wrote the Ode to Wes's Ostrich Neck last week so thanks for the props.  His physicality is so unique and hilarious.

 

Either they never ever let Frank speak so I can't grasp anything about his character, or he does speak once in awhile but I'm mixing him up with Connor.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Ms Blue Jay

[briochetwist]

Wow, do I ever disagree.  She's a beautiful woman with womanly curves.  I'm really glad they haven't bought into the skinny body and porn star-style hair extensions that pass for sexy these days.

Whoa, hang on.  Nowhere in my post did I say that she was in any way an unattractive, heavy woman.  Nowhere.  I think Viola is a beautiful woman.  My problem is with the wardrobe department.  She's not being dressed well, and that can happen to anyone of any size, she simply doesn't look comfortable in her clothes, and the shoes are very difficult for her to walk in.  I find it very distracting.

[Armchair Critic]

And he's aged well (Jason Gedrick) -- he's still got That Thing, whatever That Thing is.

 

 I find the overly groomed type guys a turn off, he is a bit rough around the edges and very bangable to me. But he always has been kind of D List.

 

Viola Davis is not an unattractive women, they need to up the wig budget for her. But I don't have much hope because I have never seen Scandal before, but when I turned it on last night Kerry Washington's wig wasn't that much better. And I will put on my flame retardant suit and say she is probably about 10 years too old for the part, I can't see that hot cop being that into her in reality.

[futurechemist]

I think I missed a couple of minutes near the end.  How did the client escape and wind up on a bus with the terrorist group leader?  The trial in this episode wasn't as good as the previous ones because from the outset I was thinking "This woman skipped out on bail and has been living a secret life for 20 years.  Of course she's not going to get bail and will be remanded immediately".  And then in the next scene she's out on bail and escapes from the watchful eyes of her lawyer's assistants later on.  And shouldn't the leader still be in jail for another 20 years?

 

I get that this is a dark show and characters have secrets, but I'm having trouble rooting for anyone because they all seem to be jerks.  Annalise is a great character, but she's having an affair on her husband, who we haven't seen doing anything wrong in the marriage.  But he's apparently hiding something from her (which she found out after she started cheating).  Her cop lover lied about her husband's alibi.  Michaela is coming across as biphobic and not willing to forgive her fiance for a hookup he had as a teenager.  Teenagers experiment.  Connor will screw anyone (literally) to get ahead and isn't respecting personal bounds between Michaela and her fiance.  Wes impersonated a lawyer in a police station, which would seem to be something that would.get him kicked out of law school, not rewarded.  Frank's a creep going after law students.  Yes they're of age, but there's still the creepy factor that he's an authority figure for her.  So I guess Laurel and Asher the rich frat boy are the "good" characters.  Oh and Bonnie, I like Bonnie.

 

There's a lot of negativity in my post, but I do want to like the show.  I think Viola Davis's acting is awesome.  I just need a character that I can identify with and root for to keep me interested in the show.

 

Random thing that I can overlook.  Since extras tend not to speak, I get why Annalise only calls on her 5 special students in class.  Though if she keeps it up in a class that size, it might get frustrating.

Edited October 10, 2014 by futurechemist

[shapeshifter]

...And I will put on my flame retardant suit and say she is probably about 10 years too old for the part, I can't see that hot cop being that into her in reality.

No flame throwing, just that plenty of hot guys like older women. My problem is that it's not clear how old she's supposed to be, so it's a bit of a distraction.

[Armchair Critic]

Also what made me think of her being too old for the part was when she told Wes in the first episode that she was trying to get pregnant. She seems a bit long in the tooth for that, but then again she could have just been conning Wes.

[racked]

This.  And when you add in the too-tight, unflattering clothing and the fact that she cannot walk in heels, it's really not sexy.  

 

 

Have to agree about Annalise's sexiness is just not coming across. Viola is very good, and her character's kind of brutish manner is perfect. But why don't any of her clothes fit? I guess it was a conscious decision to make her dress a little "sexier" but I would have preferred her dressing in as professional a manner as possible and letting Viola create the character's appeal naturally. And she does, in some moments. When she was hitting on Wes/stroking his cheek, you could kind of see why she would be so attractive. But something about her clothing just looks cheap, and I'm sure it's not, which makes it even worse. 

 

Add me to the list of people annoyed with Wes going so far out of his way to defend a neighbor who has only ever been rude to him. They should have built up to the romantic tension if they were going to go this route.

[ShadowSixx]

I have to agree, you can be sexy without wearing tight clothing. They just might want to put her in professional well fitting clothes and style that wig a little bit better than what they're doing or have VD wear her natural hair. I mean drag queens would be able to style that wig better than how the hairstylist is styling it. She can be sexy with her body movements, facial expressions, and her acting choices like stroking Wes' cheeks. Tight clothes doesn't equal sexy. VD has the acting chops to make her character sexy and alluring without those questionable clothes.

[Primetimer]

With so many moving parts in the latest How To Get Away With Murder, it's not clear what's going on or why we should care.

Read the story

[Eolivet]

The case of the week reminded me of one of the great Law & Order episodes, "White Rabbit" -- a '60s radical involved in a murder going undercover to live as a '90s housewife. Different twist, though.

 

And the Michaela story was this week's Love Letters column: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/relationships/blog/2014/10/love_letters_my_husband_has_been_sleeping_with_men.html

 

I didn't think I would like this show, but the serial plots have kept me engaged. The acting is pretty terrible except for Viola Davis, but the story is so interesting, I don't even mind.

[rubyred]

This show has so many flaws, but I still find it a blast. Now that it's gotten a full-season order, here's hoping a few details get ironed out:

 

•     Wardrobe: just go up a size and tailor Annalise's clothes, FFS. The wrinkles are distracting and make her seem disheveled, not sexy. Also I suspect on top of her clothes being the wrong size they're double-Spanxing her.
•     Viola: practice walking in heels or "own" walking in flats. (That is my only criticism youareagoddess!!!!! Maybe try yoga?)
•     Laurel: like her, she's my brand of weird
•     Wes: can't help it, he's adorkable
•     Connor: evil little shit. Love him. Needs to show another side soon.
•     Asher(?): Keep. He's doing such a great job as the tone-deaf douche
•     Michaela: get rid of. Her hysteria about her fiance's previous sexual experimentation bugs me. Maybe I'm naive, but I don't think that being a horny teen in a boy's school automatically equals being on the downlow. The Vera Wang speech sounded like something Mellie or Abbie would say on Scandal, it didn't fit on this show. Shades of Shonda in the writer's room?
•     Frank: he can go. He's so nondescript they had to give him a beard for him to stand out in the room.
•     Paris Gellar: Sorry I just do not remember her name. The platinum blonde disturbs me and makes her look hard. I love the actress, just soften the hair color.

 

I liked the twist that Annalise's sidepiece lied to her about her husband's alibi. Why did he do that? Because he can now see what a HAM she is, and doesn't want to get in that mess, or because he cares about her and wants her to not be afraid of her husband?

 

They should have done a better job of explaining why Annalise took Rebecca's case. I'm sure it was more because she didn't want to dance to the Chancellor's tune more than Wes' speech, but it was handy that he did that because it gave her another opportunity to reel him (Wes) in to her web.

 

All hail Annalise Keating's killer sideye, with those crazy-ass false eyelashes!

[buckboard]

Jason Gedrick was the defendant in the first season of "Murder One," playing an actor suspected of killing a teenager he had sex with.

[Lorimac]

OK, stick a fork in me. I am done with this show.

[Joimiaroxeu]

So why did Nate lie to Annalise? If he was able to blow up Sam's alibi then other investigators will be able to do the same. He didn't seem to be doing it out of spite so why give her false hope?

[truthaboutluv]

Haven't read any other comments so sorry if some of this is repetitive. Just saw the episode and all I could think is "dear god save us from idiot men who are all Captain Save A Ho obsessed." I liked Wes well enough before this episode but damn if I didn't want Annalise to fire his ass and I am not thrilled she took Rebecca on as a client. I can buy her husband's reasoning that she just really likes a challenge but I would have much preferred she decline to represent the guy and walk away from the case altogether. But back to Wes, none of his actions made any sense to me. I mean damn if he and Rebecca had had sex I could have at least chalked it up to her sex game being that strong but WTAF.

 

The girl has been nothing but unpleasant and rude and then he knows she not only had the dead girl's phone in her possession but hid it in his apartment and he's all "fight for the innocent and it's not fair because she's poor, blah blah". I mean yeah, I agree the guy was going to get all the support simply because he can kick a football around decently on a field which sadly is the reality of this sports obsessed society but just because he was lying and trying to pin everything on Rebecca doesn't mean Rebecca herself is innocent.

 

So Wes' other proof is he saw the guy yelling at Rebecca, well if he was telling the truth, I could understand why he would be pissed and yelling at her after Lila went missing. I just hate when shows pull shit like this, like we're supposed to be rooting for or at least liking and understanding characters' actions but they make zero sense. There is no reason for why Wes is obsessed with playing hero to some girl he barely knows who has been all but shitty to him for most of the time he's known her. Ugh..just ugh. It doesn't help that so far I AM NOT a fan of Rebecca. I don't care about her and I don't like her. 

 

Oh Mckayla honey, your future husband's gay or at least bi-sexual. I get that people do experiment when they're younger but sorry, the whole "future politician" thing, this just feels like an episode of Scandal waiting to happen. Also, judging by Connor's reaction and sheer vindictiveness, I don't buy that it was just some drunk, horny hookup. My guess is they had real feelings for each other. What I don't get is one, how the guy didn't know Connor was one of McKayla's co-workers (I mean I guess I can fanwank she just never bothered to mention who else she was working with but for a couple who supposedly tells each other everything, I find that hard to believe) and two, why he didn't seem to have any reservations in being all excited and happy to see Connor knowing their past history. I mean I guess that's one point to his maybe telling the truth about his sexuality because you'd think he'd be more uncomfortable being faced with that part of his past but he seemed thrilled to see Connor. Of course it is possible he just couldn't help himself. 

 

A little unsure about the motivation for Nate's not telling Annalise that Sam's alibi didn't check out.  I mean I guess it could be so that she would hopefully leave him alone, considering how he dismissed her advances but I wonder if it's also to hopefully screw her over like she did him in that courtroom. Because probation or not, Nate is still a cop so I doubt he's just going to stop investigating the truth about Sam and his possible involvement with Lila. So after the scene with Bonnie in the kitchen, I'm further convinced that she wants Sam but nothing is going on between them.  Also, I'm really curious what the story is with Frank. God, we're not going to get another Huck from Scandal situation are we? Because I just can't with that...

 

Forgot to add that I liked that this week's case wasn't another win for Annalise because that would start to get a little old. In fact, her hubris is sort of why the woman got off. Like her husband said, she likes a challenge and so instead of letting the woman take the 10 years that she rightfully deserved, she was determined to get her off scot free which allowed her to screw over her husband, kids and family and run off with her lover.

 

Michaela is coming across as biphobic and not willing to forgive her fiance for a hookup he had as a teenager.  Teenagers experiment.

 

 

I didn't think she came across as biphobic. Yes she didn't seem to consider that as an option and jumped to his being gay but he himself didn't state that he was bisexual. He seemed to chalk up what happened with Connor to purely being young and horny. And yes Michaela was a little cold with her comments about her wedding dress and ruining his life but I don't feel bad for him because she gave him an out. She clearly stated that she didn't have a problem with him being gay and even said that they could be friends if he was. He got all defensive and indignant and swore he only wants her.

 

I took her speech to him to be more of an "if you make me waste years of my life, invest time and energy in this relationship/marriage all the while knowing you're interested in men after I gave you an out, I will fucking destroy you." And I can't hate her for that. That's the thing about closeted individuals. Yes coming out is difficult but once you make the decision to bring someone else inadvertently into your lie then it's no longer just about you and that's unfair to the other person. 

 

As for Michaela and Connor, it may just be me but I honestly do not see this amazing chemistry some are referring to. I do think the actor playing Connor plays the character with that perpetual smirk that makes him seem flirty at times when he really isn't but other than that, I don't see it. Michaela truly seemed more focused on her fiance and Connor just came across vindictive in that whole storyline because he probably still has a thing for the fiance. Not to mention I saw way more chemistry between him and the fiance in their brief scenes than any scene between him and Michaela.

 

I am not sure that the side piece lied to Annalise. I thought it was being left up to the viewer whether or not he was w/holding something. Or were the flashbacks to show he was definitely lying, and I missed something?

 

 

He lied to Annalise. It was shown that he clearly spoke to the woman at Yale who Sam was supposed to give the guest lecture with and the woman stated that Sam never showed up because he claimed he had food poisoning. Which means Sam was never at Yale. And later he confirmed that Sam's car was in the parking lot except for what I imagine is the day Lila went missing. Which means he is not accounted for on that day/night because he knows for a fact Sam wasn't at Yale. 

Edited October 10, 2014 by truthaboutluv

[AConspiracy]

And I'm out. Saves me an hour each week not trying to follow this one.

[SimoneS]

From the start, I mentioned that Viola's clothes are too tight and her wigs are dire. These are things that have to be fixed. I did not notice the walking and heels, but maybe that is there.

 

I definitely do not agree that the cop would not find Annalise attractive. He would be blind not to. She is married and has all that power and intensity that makes her an ideal candidate for a hot affair with a married man.

 

I have no problem with Michaela freaking about her husband possibly being gay and keeping it a secret. Lots of men do it and if his tryst with Connor did not mean anything, why was he so secretive about it and why did he not bother to tell her when he encountered Connor again? His explanations were shady to me.

 

Michaela's Vera Wang wedding dress and her fiance the future politician fit perfectly on this show. The greed and ambition of law students should never be underestimated.  

 

Also what made me think of her being too old for the part was when she told Wes in the first episode that she was trying to get pregnant. She seems a bit long in the tooth for that, but then again she could have just been conning Wes.

 

Again, I thought that I heard Annalise tell Wes that she and her husband had "tried" to get pregnant. And even if she could not get pregnant, there is no reason that she could not use a surrogate.

Edited October 10, 2014 by SimoneS

[Macktor]

At first I thought that Michaela mentioning that her wedding dress was Vera Wang was her test to see if Aiden was telling the truth. Knowing who Vera Wang is = gay. :-)

[ribboninthesky1]

Yes, Jason Gedrick! He may be a show killer, but it's always good to see him.

 

I stated my doubts in the last thread about Nate helping Annalise.  The man was suspended because of her shenanigans, so it makes perfect sense to me that he'd lie.  I don't know if he'll actually use what he found to get Sam arrested, but he has leverage, no matter which way you look at it.  What I don't understand is why Annalise would not think of that, and consider getting someone else to investigate.

 

I have to agree with others on the wardrobe - whoever styles Kerry Washington on Scandal needs to do the same for Viola Davis.  The wig is only part of the issue.  The make-up, the clothes - I don't understand why Annalise wouldn't look more put together.  I don't think she needs to be Olivia 2.0, but certainly more polished. Hell, how about some jewel tone colors, which would look AMAZING on her. Viola is gorgeous, she deserves better. But then, she deserves better writing as well.  

 

Michaela - I like her.  Yes, she's type A, but she's the only one of the four having what I deem a normal, "oh shit? What the hell are we doing?" reaction to dragging Sam's dead body around.  Everyone else is coming across sociopathic.  And yeah...she and Connor have more chemistry with each other than anyone else they're interacting with.  I wonder if the actors screen-tested together.  Because when Connor said (to Michaela) something like, "Guess we have more in common that I thought" after meeting Aiden, the actor totally gave me, "And the three of us can commonly come together whenever you want" vibes.  Frankly, if the show hadn't made it explicit that Connor was gay, I'm not sure I would think so. The actor isn't playing it that way at all, IMO. Different strokes.

 

As for Wes - I expressed my doubts about the Rebecca/Wes relationship in the character thread, and it makes even less sense than last week.  Which is exactly what I expected.

 

I really want to like this show for Viola, but yeah, she's wasted here. And much as I like her, she's not exactly elevating the material, nor is she gelling with the rest of the cast enough for me to forgive the writing.

[Armchair Critic]

I like Viola's look here better, but maybe with her hair like that they think people will confuse her with the lead on Scandal?

 

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205626/

 

And back on topic, I knew Michaela was going to lose that ring when they kept showing it.

[TaraS1]

I know this is only supposed to be 15 episodes and I really, really wanted to like it, but I think I'm done.  I just don't care about any of the students or even about Annalise really.  I know Viola Davis is a magnficent actress, but I'm just not feeling her on this show.  I mean, of course she is head and shoulders above the rest of the cast (they are all so, so weak!), but I still can't get a handle on what she's going for with her performance the majority of the time.  I'm curious about who killed the husband, but only in the sense that I will get online after the finale airs to see who did it, not enough to keep watching every week.

[SimoneS]

All the show needs to do is find ~$5000 and a wig maker to design a couple of well fitted good quality wigs specially for Viola. It does seem like a lot of money and it is worth the investment.

[ChicksDigScars]

I'm a smart person. Why can't I follow a goddamn thing on this show?

 

Word. I watch Grey's and Scandal, so of course I gave this a shot. Episode 3 and I don't understand a fucking thing, and don't like any of the characters in it. 

 

Is it holding in the ratings or are people quitting out of frustration like I'm about to?

 

 

 

I know this is only supposed to be 15 episodes and I really, really wanted to like it, but I think I'm done.  I just don't care about any of the students or even about Annalise really.  I know Viola Davis is a magnficent actress, but I'm just not feeling her on this show.

 

Yup. Me too. I'm a little sad about it, too. 

Edited October 10, 2014 by ChicksDigScars