I don’t know what terrible things you’ve done in your life up to this point, but clearly your karma’s out of balance to get assigned to my class. I’m Professor Annalise Keating and this is Criminal Law 100 or, as I prefer to call it, how to get away with murder.”
—Annalise Keating
3:35 into the show, Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) walks into the room, and it seemed, as if on queue, everyone inside the Century City Mall Cinema, shifted in their seats– just like Keating’s law students as she delivered those lines.
It was just the first of many well written lines from executive producer Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy”, “Scandal”) newest TV show– HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER that premieres tonight October 15, 2014 at 9:05 p.m. on Sony Channel.
Together with some of top and most respected bloggers in the country, we attended Sony Channel Philippines Blue Carpet Screening last night together with celebrities Shamcey Supsup, Marco Lobregat, Brent Javier, Vanessa Matsunaga, Julia Clarete, (Deneice Cornejo was a no-show) and real lawyers such as Atty. Lorna Kapunan.
Academy-Award nominee Viola Davis stars as the brilliant, charismatic criminal law professor who is everything you hope your Criminal Law professor would be. She teaches a course she boldly refers to as “How To Get Away With Murder”, choosing the brightest students in her class to join her at her firm.
The students vying for this coveted position include Wes Gibbins (Alfred Enoch), a wide-eyed, likable boy-next-door recently accepted off the waitlist; Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King), a confident, ambitious overachiever born knowing how to “lean in;” Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee), a sly, sophisticated heartbreaker used to getting any prize he lays his eyes on; Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza), a quiet, sensitive idealist who’s easy to underestimate and Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry), an entitled know-it-all born into a world of Ivy League educations and country club memberships. The students all work under two of Annalise’s dedicated associates: Frank Delfino (Charlie Weber), a local Philly boy done good, and Bonnie Winterbottom (Liza Weil), a sweet, observant team-player with a hidden edge.
The first three minutes are a series of quick flashbacks, which after watching the entire episode, looks to be a regular mechanic of the show and would probably tie-up everything that happened in the first season.
“Waitlist” Wes Gibbins has no clue what he’s walking into as he starts his first day at Middleton University, and when tough as nails Criminal Law Professor Annalise Keating asks him about “Mens Rea” I think all of us in the audience remembered how it felt like to be the center of unwanted attention in class.
Annalise challenges her students to solve some of the most difficult criminal cases that her law firm takes on, and in the end, she selects a group of the smartest, most promising students to come work for her.
She then shares her three-step Defense strategy Step 1: Discredit the witness. Step 2: Introduce a new suspect.Step 3: Bury the evidence– and That’s how to get away with murder.
Annalise later chooses her four students as Laurel, Connor, Michaela and Asher and chooses to have a fifth student based on their work load, that being Wes. The body of a student who has been missing for months, Lila Stangard, is found in the water tank of her sorority by a repairman. As Annalise and Sam view the ensuing news report together, Annalise remarks, “I bet you the boyfriend did it.”
The question is, which boyfriend?! Ha!
Flashforward Episode Ender: Annalise’s law students, Wes, Connor, Laurel and Michaela all argue about how to get rid of a body that is in Annalise’s house, almost getting caught by police. They later go into the woods, and after flipping a coin decide that the best thing to do is to burn the body. Only later to be revealed that the body is —Annalise’s husband, Sam. Whoa!
Annalise is everything you love about anti-heros: smart, cunning, vindictive– and completely intoxicating. Its one of the best rated TV premiere’s that will keep you hooked on the show instantly.
In true Shonda fashion, the identity of the dead guy leaves you hanging just when you thought you’ve got things figured out. Each episode will keep you guessing as you try to put together the pieces of the flashbacks and get to know the characters while reveling in the juicy backstories of each master and student.
There are no good guys or bad guys in the show and everyone has their own motives and secrets which makes it hard for you to “judge” them and makes the guessing game all the more deliciously engaging!
Here are some recaps of the succeeding episodes–read at your own risk! HIGHLIGHT THE SECTION TO READ IT!
It’s All Her Fault S1, Ep2 Annalise takes on a new client, Max St. Vincent, an eccentric millionaire who is the key suspect in his wife’s brutal murder. All the clues point to St. Vincent as the killer, but Annalise challenges her students to prove he’s innocent – whether that’s the truth or not. Meanwhile, Annalise deals with issues in her own home when her growing suspicions that Sam is somehow involved in Lila’s disappearance start to affect their marriage. In flash forwards, we go back to the night of the murder and learn that Wes might be hiding a few secrets of his own.
Smile, or Go to Jail S1, Ep3 Annalise helps Paula Murphy, a suburban soccer mom, get released from jail after she was arrested for a misdemeanor, but just as she’s about to walk free, she’s arrested again by the FBI in connection for felony murder. Annalise and her students are tasked with proving her innocence which will depend on the testimony from another suspect in the case. Meanwhile, the Middleton University president asks Annalise to represent Griffin O’ Reilly, the star quarterback who has also been linked to Lila’s disappearance but she’s unable to make a decision until she knows that …
Let’s Get to Scooping S1, Ep4 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.
We’re Not Friends S1, Ep5 Annalise takes on a tough case defending a minor who fatally shoots his police officer father. Meanwhile, Annalise and Sam continue to argue over his relationship with Lila, and Wes and Rebecca begin to question Annalise’s motives. In flash-forwards, we learn more about Laurel’s relationship with Frank and why he was calling her the night of Sam’s death.
Freakin’ Whack-a-Mole S1, Ep6 A case gets personal for Annalise and the team when their client is a man from the projects who was sentenced to death by Asher’s father several years ago. Meanwhile, Wes is still angry at Annalise for hiding information about Lila’s case, so Annalise must convince him to get back in line. In flash-forwards, we find out exactly where Asher was on the night of the murder.
“How to Get Away with Murder” is created and executive-produced by Pete Nowalk (“Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”). Shonda Rhimes (“Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”), Betsy Beers (“Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) and Bill D’Elia (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The West Wing”) also serve as executive producers. “How to Get Away with Murder” is produced by ABC Studios.
Sony Channel is seen on SKYCable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cable Link Channel 39.
