How to Get Away with Murder can be exhausting sometimes – especially when this season is in its penultimate hour, and the plot just keeps humming along through the twist after inevitable twist. “The Day Before He Died” revealed, after long last, who killed Wes, and ended with not one, but two characters (including a series regular) left for dead. But, really, it all felt somewhat predictable. Season 4 really seems fatigued, and the finale couldn’t come fast enough.
But let’s backtrack a bit: this week’s episode found Laurel seeking answers from her mother about Wes’ death, while the other members of the Keating 4 (plus Oliver) try to figure out how much Simon remembers from the night he accidentally shot himself in the head (you’ll remember, recently woke up from a coma). There was also, of course, relationship drama: Connor and Oliver finally decide they want a big wedding ceremony, while Michaela struggles with whether or not she should tell Asher about her fling with Marcus last week. Of these subplots, it was actually the relationship drama that felt the most interesting; Simon’s arc continues to be circumvented by contrived plot devices, while Laurel’s parents couldn’t be written off the show fast enough.
At this point, talking about who killed Wes is almost as boring as figuring out who did. This mystery is a colossal flop that has no stretched on for two seasons, and needs to end. Similarly, Laurel’s parents are dull villains who seem basically impervious to all sort of traps or attacks. The only way the finale can truly succeed is if it permanently wraps up this storyline, and never mentions any of the characters involved (except Laurel, of course) again. Enough is enough.
Similarly, Simon’s whole presence on the show continues to edge closer to a point of interest, before falling back into a dull middle ground. Last year, you’ll remember, he was revealed to be the “mastermind” hanging up anti-Annalise posters around campus, the first of multiple disappointing subplots the series has unveiled over the past two years. This season, he finally became fascinating when he came out of the closet, and told Oliver that he had feelings for him, only to be tragically shot.
Furthermore, as an immigrant in fear of being deported, his storyline felt timely, and added some interesting stakes to the melodrama. But, in this week’s episode, he is once again brought down to a boring level, with a deus ex machina being employed at last minute to prevent him from being any real trouble to the Keating 4. At this point, just make him an alternative love interest for Oliver. I’ll ship #Coliver until the day I die, but at least an adulterous fling would be fun to watch.
In fact, the relationship drama is what kept this episode afloat. As ridiculous as it was to have Michaela cheat on Asher in the first place, it resulted in a genuinely affecting and surprisingly well written subplot that doesn’t paint the cheater in a wholly negative light, and explores interesting relationship dynamics that feel more nuanced than we’ve come to expect from soap operas like this.
It has also supplied Aja Naomi King and Matt McGorry with their best material so far this year, resulting in strong performances. Finally, Connor and Oliver continue to be adorable together, and, at this point, anything less than an hour long wedding extravaganza next season will be a disappointment to me.
But, really, this is a soap opera. It’s meant to entertain, and leave audiences with dropped jaws. And, to be honest, the twists this week just aren’t doing the job. This critic is dying for the season finale to arrive next week, just so the writers can take a few months off, rejuvenate themselves, get some new ideas, and then get this wild train back on track. Oh, and they should never mention the Castillos ever, ever again.
