How to Get Away with Murder Season 1 Episode 13 Review: Mama's Here Now
Whitney Evans
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Viola Davis is an incredible actress and we are privileged to see that week in and week out. When you put her opposite another hardworking, fearless star such as Cicely Tyson, the result is magical.
How to Get Away with Murder Season 1 Episode 13 was an master class in acting from these two women, who absolutely owned this episode. I've been very curious about Annalise's background and introducing us to her mother, Ophelia, gave us the opportunity to learn more than we could have imagined.
Ophelia came on the scene strong, as she burst into Annalise's house without so much as a knock.
Ophelia: Clients? Don't you know a VIP when you see one.
Bonnie: VIP?
Ophelia: Your boss came out of my V and her daddy's P, so show a little respect for her mama.
The best part about Ophelia was her no nonsense attitude and her unwillingness to coddle Annalise. It's very clear where Annalise gets her cold exterior from. Dear old mom is not exactly the warm and fuzzy kind of woman.
So Annalise was once Anna Mae (I hope I'm spelling that right). Once you hear that she changed her name, it makes perfect sense. I can imagine her going to Sam for help, falling for his charm, getting swept up in the lifestyle and realizing that Anna Mae wasn't the right name for the wife of a prominent Philadelphia professor.
Besides the name change, we found out the single most important thing there is to know about Annalise. The thing that has shaped her into the woman she has become: she was abused by her uncle.
Not only was she abused, she believed for years that her mother knew and never did anything about it. That incident led her to Sam and thus set her on the path towards her current situation.
Ophelia: Anna Mae!
Annalise: My sorry ass husband may have been a cheater and a low life, but he saw me why I am this way.
Ophelia: That man understood nothing.
Annalise: Sam knew exactly what happened to me, the minute I stepped into his office. Everything! He said this thing that happened to me, what you ignored, is why I am the way I am.
It seemed as though Ophelia had very little sympathy for her daughter, as she recounted the many ways men had wronged her and other women in her family. In her eyes men were takers. It was just something they did and it was to be accepted.
As we know, Annalise repels this idea and their differing philosophies have kept them estranged for years. But Ophelia's confession may have finally bridged the gap that has stood between mother and daughter for so long.
Ophelia was responsible for the death of Annalise's uncle, as she did what she had to do to protect her daughter. This moment was profound and shot in the most compelling way.
Slowly bushing Annalise's hair back like she was a small child, Ophelia confided in her and mother and daughter were finally able to connect for perhaps the first time ever. What a moment.
While Cecily Tyson pretty much stole the show for me, there was a case of the week and Bonnie was tasked with leading the charge. The case involved a potential rape, but this was way different from what I was expecting. A man was accusing a nurse of raping him post surgery.
The nurse in question proclaimed her innocence but when the evidence started to mount up against her, I began to believe maybe she did commit the crime. There was of course a big twist at the end and it completely surprised me.
Every week people seem to see the twists coming on this show and I'm always completely stunned. I should have caught on to the hospital lawyer, since he was lurking around all episode but I would have never guessed he was in on the whole thing.
The lawyer and the "victim" were lovers and they set the whole thing up to bilk the hospital out of money. It was a clever ruse, but they can't get away with that against Bon-Bon and our murderous crew!
Speaking of Bon-Bon, she was, dare I say, likeable this week! She finally gave in to her passion for adorable Asher and those two really went at it in the parking garage.
Why was Frank lurking though? Why is Frank always lurking? If he didn't wear the hell out of a three piece suit, I'd be really frustrated with the lack of information about Mr. Frank.
The Rudy Walters storyline picked up some major traction, as Wes went on the hunt for more information. It's about time he's wised up to the fact that Rebecca isn't to be trusted. Now I'm not saying she's a killer, like the show would have us to believe after that ending, but Wes can't simply be hanging on her every word anymore.
So, did Rebecca kill Lila? Maybe Rudy killed Lila, had a nervous breakdown and Rebecca is covering for him? Nah, that doesn't make much sense. Tell me your theories guys!
Lastly, we have hot Nate. He is still in prison, pleading not guilty, but it seems Annalise is out to help. Their little interrogation room spat was hardly believable, but it did provide Annalise the opportunity to slip him a note urging him to fire his lawyer and call a New York number. Whose number is that?
We only have two episodes left. TWO EPISODES! And they are airing back-to-back next week, so I'm going to need all your predictions ASAP. Plus, I'll need your reaction to the magnificence that is Ms. Tyson.
What is going to happen next week? Will someone else bite the bullet? How is Annalise going to help Sam? Who really killed Lila? Will Connor and Oliver continue being the cutest couple on the planet?
Do yourself a favor and watch How to Get Away with Murder online right this minute so you're all set for the two-part finale next week!
Whitney Evans is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. She is a lover of all things TV. Follow her on X.
