Two weeks before the murder, the Keating Five on How to Get Away With Murder show us that some things can never be undone. Here are five clues that you’ve reached the point of no return:
1. When You Tell Your New Boo You’re HIV-Positive
This is the mother of all dating bombshells, the defining moment in any relationship. Right before they are about to get down at the end of their third date, Oliver blurts out, “Thomas, I’m pos.” Thomas literally backs away from him. It’s the moment you hoped wouldn’t happen, but kinda knew would happen. Then Thomas says, “Honestly … ” indicating that it’s over ’cause that’s code for “I’m sorry to say what I’m about to say, but I’m about to say it anyway.” Understandably, Oliver doesn’t take this well, and, understandably, goes back to Connor. Will it last, though?
2. When You Discover Your Mother Is Mommie Dearest
Ever thought your mom was a pain? Invasive? I bet yo’ mama can’t hold a candle to this mom, whose three kids were accused of trying to kill her. This mother read one kid’s diary in public, called one an impotent virgin in front of his date, and continuously humiliated each of them publicly, for sport. She was “a master manipulator,” according to them. They retaliated by texting each other messages like, “Let’s make a skin suit out of her and wear it to the funeral” and “Let’s poison her with antifreeze.” It was fun and games until someone actually poisoned her with antifreeze, landing the three trash-talking texters on trial for attempted murder. (A case of life imitating text, or conspiracy to commit murder?) Ultimately, Laurel proves that it was much more sinister—dear old ma had poisoned herself. Why? “Children always take their mothers for granted,” the mother explains. “Maybe now mine won’t.” Moral of the story: Always buy your mom a good Mother’s Day gift. Or else …
3. When Your Ex-Boyfriend Walks in On …
… you (Laurel) and your new boo (Wes) having relations. Don’t worry, it’s not awkward for you. He (Frank) is in the other room, unannounced, because he broke into your apartment, and you don’t even know that he’s there. It’s only awkward for him. You only know that he was there a few days later when he says, “Hello” right after you tell Wes, “I love you” over the phone. Now it’s awkward for you, and perhaps dangerous, too.
4. When You Ask Your Friends to Tell You the Truth, and They Do
When Annalise senses a mutiny smoldering over how best to protect Wes during the murder investigation, she puts a chair in the middle of her house and yells, “You tell me all the ways you think I ruined your life. Come at me!” The Keating Five answer like a firing squad, shooting truth encased in hate-fueled words:
“I thought my father was a bully, but you take it to another level.”
“I don’t think you respect yourself.”
“Toxic.”
“You’re not happy. We’re not happy.”
“Insane.”
At the end of the firing session, Annalise neither validates their truth nor tries to justify her actions. She simply stands up and says, “Get a good night’s sleep, and let’s start fresh in the morning.” Wait, what? I just told you that you’re the Wicked Witch of the East, but you want a clean slate without any acknowledgment of guilt? Don’t at least two of the 12 steps require that you take moral inventory and admit wrong doing? Bye, Annalise.
5. When You Discover You’re Just Like Your Surrogate Mother
For better or, most likely, for worse, Professor Keating has numerous surrogates, but orphaned Wes is clearly her golden child. When questioned by police about whether he saw Wallace Mahoney’s son at the scene of Mahoney's murder, he lies: “Yes, I saw him standing in a doorway across the street.” Wes instantaneously creates an elaborate story without flinching. Soon after, however, Mahoney’s son’s lawyer claims he has an alibi for the night his father was killed. Ooops!
The episode ends with a scene from the present, where we see Wes make a deal to take “her” down. We assume that it’s Annalise. Could he be making an immunity deal that will save himself but incriminate Annalise? Or is he plotting a master scheme that will free both of them? Either way—like mother, like son.
Stay tuned next week, when we find out #WhoIsUnderTheSheet.