‘How to Get Away with Murder’ season 2, episode 14 review: Viola Davis’ best performance yet
We don’t say the words that we use in the title lightly, given that Viola Davis has done probably more incredible work in one of her projects than many people do in a lifetime; yet, we’re still convinced somehow that her performance on Thursday night’s “How to Get Away with Murder” episode may be the most powerful, devastating stuff we’ve ever seen from her.
Basically, the final fifteen minutes of this episode are akin to having your heart ripped out, getting it stomped on, and then rinse-and-repeat a few more times. It’s hard to know even start here when it comes to the Viola excellent-ness, so we’re just going to focus on the aspects of this that stand out the most to us in the minutes after watching the hour.
1. Annalise lost her baby – We knew that this was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier watching her hold her dead baby while Eve, who wasn’t technically family, had to stand around outside and wait. Soul-crushing. We know Viola can do the big scenes with power, but her subtle work is somehow even better.
2. Wes’ father is … Wallace Mahoney. Annalise’s one-time boss was revealed near the end of the episode to be his dad, but it was hardly the result of a loving relationship. Annalise realized precisely what his history was of violating Rose before she fired him. Annalise confirmed to him that he was still alive. Wes is now off to search for him after getting the full story for her when it comes to how she should have protected Rose more than she did. She blames herself for putting the pressure on her, effectively making it so that she died. This death may have caused Annalise to be such a tortured soul.
3. Frank’s secret is out – Laurel confronted Annalise about it, which made it very clear the sort of danger that she’s in. If there was ever a time to get Cicely Tyson back, this is it! Luckily, we’re getting what we want here. Pete Nowalk makes dreams come true! (Too bad the same can’t be sad for the characters on the show…)
4. Michaela and Asher – Actually, the less we say about that, the better.
We cried during this episode. A lot. Sure, we don’t get the Michaela hookup and there is far more sex in this show than it really needs, but we’re still not going to deny this episode the title of best of the season, and maybe best of the series. Grade: A.
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