HTGAWM Season 2 Premiere Recap: Girl, I Didn't Know You Could Get Down Like That 

I know the Keating Five are supposed to be the smartest kids in the class at 

‘s fictional Middleton University, but sometimes — like a juror immune to Annalise Keating’s gravitas — I have my doubts.

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I mean, honestly, when I sit and think deeply about their ratio of student-loan debt to future earning potential — and how it might be affected by a prison stint for felony conspiracy to commit murder — these students’ undying loyalty to stern taskmaster/educator/bosslady Annalise Keating strikes me as more than a little cray-cray.

Couldn’t Connor or Laurel or Wes or Michaela simply dial 9-1-1 and start the conversation with an

-esque callback: “I’ve made a huge mistake“?

The good news is, though, every single one of our core characters is clinging to secrets of his or her own. If Annalise, for example, pins Rebecca’s murder on Bonnie (spoiler alert: Lurky McChurchmouse did the deed — and took her damn time doing it  via electrical tape/plastic bag over the head, too), then her ferociously loyal minion possesses enough ugly intel to drag Prof. Keating down into the sane prison-bound whirlpool, too. (That said, Bonbon’s pretty much all heart-emojis for her employer, yes?)

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Speaking of whirlpools, though, there’s not one series regular who’s not being drown in an eddy of guilt and bad acts by the end of the hour – titled, rather cheekily, “It’s Time to Move On.”

Let’s recap the action in four juicy bullet points:

CASE OF THE WEEK/SEASON | Annalise, bored by the ongoing investigation into her hubby’s death, spends half the episode seeking to undermine a rival firm in their defense of a pair of twenthysomethings in the death of their adoptive parents. Once Annalise lands the case, however, we get a creepy scene of girl twin cooking up an oil painting of her late parents, and then, two months later, gunfire from their estate — leading into a shot of a fleeing/panicked Wes and a followup of Annalise, bleeding out on the floor, gasping for her life. Unless you’ve never watched anything more complex than Scooby Doo, you know the first impression isn’t necessarily the most accurate — but kudos to showrunner Pete Nowalk & Co. for cooking up the kind of “Whoa-Em-Gee” imagery that’ll keep us hooked for the next 15 weeks. Annalise isn’t going to die — SHE’S THE SHOW, DAMMIT! (along with Connor’s naked-torsoed hijinks) — but whoever tried to off her may not survive the season, is my guess.

WHO KILLED REBECCA? | After Annalise and Frank set a trap to see if Wes was the one who killed Rebecca, it becomes clear he’s as innocent as Annalise had hoped. Annalise figures out it was Bonnie who offed the girl — declaring her right-hand woman a monster in the process — but Bonnie is less sniveling/repentant than we’ve come to expect, despite having ended Rebecca’s life with electrical tape over her mouth and a clear plastic bag over her head. (Rated C… for Collllld!) “You were in trouble more than you ever knew,” Bonnie hisses later to Annalise, and it’s clear that she’s developing keen powers of standing silently in doorways and soaking up intel like a Bounty paper towel to an overturned cereal bowl.

THE EVE OF SOMETHING STARTLING | Annalise’s “rip my law-students to shreds” monologue is interrupted by the arrival of her college “pal” Eve (Famke Janssen). But their past tension isn’t case-related, it’s more about the fact that they were law-school lovers (!!!) — and that Annalise left Eve for Sam. Eve returns to Annalise’s orbit because hers is the defense-attorney number Annalise gave to Nate, but before long, Annalise is (euphemism alert) taking a bite of Eve’s apple, and Eve is agreeing to represent the dude Annalise set up to take the fall for Sam’s death/is secretly hoping to exonerate. If Eve has a therapist, that therapist is not very good, because a chick as accomplished and sexy as she is does not need to be dragged into the bloodied wallpaper of Annalise’s orbit. Still, slow clap here for Annalise’s prowess in converting simple nookie to a lifetime of sometimes felony-level false testimony!

BOOGIE, OOGIE, OOGIE | At the end of the hour – no doubt prompted by Eve’s memory that her ex-girlfriend

fun — Annalise takes her core four out to an underground nightclub, and as per usual, I can’t tell if she’s trying to pull down Wes’ (legal) briefs or provide him with the mother figure he so clearly craves. La Keating’s got moves, though, and they prompt her students to forget their troubles and come on get happy (and for Michaela to ignore texts from the Eggs 911 contact Rebecca was texting with). Whatever the case, Wes now believes Rebecca is alive and well and just choosing not to get back in touch. Connor has moved in with Oliver. And Lauren is proving to Frank that her critical mind is both sexy and threatening. It’s not cleat what, though, Michaela has done with her recovered engagement ring. Meanwhile, it becomes clear Asher is working with the prosecutors looking to take down Ms. Keating. (You know Annalise is going to give him a crisp slap across the face when she discovers his treachery, yes?)

‘s Season 2 premiere? And who gunned down Annalise? Take our poll below, then sound off in the comments!

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I felt it last season, and it continued in this episode. I feel like Bonnie has feelings for Annalise, which Annalise mistakes as feelings for Sam. The episode was really solid and felt as good, if not better, than any Season 1 episode.

My only issue is that if Michaela phone texted Eggs911, wouldn’t Eggs911’s number be in her phone? If so, couldn’t they try and look into that cell number and who it belongs too. I’m sure Frank could find a way.

I agree, to me the whole scene with Bonnie apologizing to Annalise after kissing Sam showed some really strong feellings on her side and I’ve been waiting for the show to acknowledge them. And I also agree about Eggs911.

See, at first I thought about them being able to look into Eggs 911’s number, too. But then I figured it must be a burner phone or something bc that really does seem like the obvious course of action and, at the very least, Annalise and Frank aren’t idiots and would have thought of it.

Well, he or she is still using the phone, which they could’ve established by simply calling it from a different number. And it wuld’ve given them at least such basic information as whether it is a she or a he. And possible a way to locate the person. It seemed like Annalise and Frank completely forgot about Eggs911. It’s a bit like when the creators expected us to believe an autopsy missed Lila’s pregnancy in season 1 — how far can you go with the suspension of disbelief?

Great comments. I bet that number is a burner phone. Not as easy to trace. They will save who this is for a big reveal later this season. Last night’s episode = mind blown!

I SO did not see that Annalise/Famke Janssen bisexual thing happening at all. WOW! And that ending. Mind blown. This show definitely came back bigger and better.

Neither did I, but I felt that it was really forced. IMO, it was the weakest part of an otherwise strong episode.

Annalise is still a very mysterious character. Once the shock wore off for me, it didn’t really seem that out of the realm of possibilities that she was bisexual. Or she could be manipulating her once again just like she mentioned when they were vaguely discussing their past together. After all, I bet its only a matter of time before the show ups they creepy factor and has Annalise manipulate Wes into sleeping with her. Besides, I like seeing Famke Janssen on the show. I really enjoyed her in X-Men and Nip/Tuck.

I’m just glad I didn’t spoil it for myself because I get unlucky sometimes and accidentally come across spoilers (which I usually don’t always mind, but it’s still nice to be surprised). I was genuinely shocked.

Or she could be manipulating her once again just like she mentioned when they were vaguely discussing their past together.

This is what I was wondering, too. I think she’s definitely bi, mind, if for no other reason than the fact that she has some SERIOUS “tension” going on with Bonnie that clearly needs to be resolved in…some…fashion.

But we also know how good she is at manipulation, and I have no problem believing she’ll use the history she and Eve have for her own gain, too.

After all, I bet its only a matter of time before the show ups they creepy factor and has Annalise manipulate Wes into sleeping with her.

After tonight I am totally seeing the show going in that direction, yes. And I will be squirming the entire time if and when that happens :p.

This show just continues to blow my mind. I’m so glad to have it back in my life.

I’m not sure there’s ever been a better, more appropriate use of a Destiny’s Child lyric in a headline.

I’m just happy we don’t have to see scenes of that dang bonfire all season long.

I didn’t know how much I needed a Bisexual Annalise until I got her. Amanda Waller and Jean Grey, I SHIP IT. definitely deserving of that Emmy…. not if only Cookie would get with that Mimi Whitman like I’d hoped…

Folks, let’s all take note – this is how to win the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Okay I honestly think that the adopted boy is actually Annalise’s son!!! Why would she randomly want this case SO badly; the only reason I could think that she would go through all this trouble to take on this case is that the adopted boy is her son! Also this case seems like it will be around all season, so it must have some significance! Here is my theory:

– adopted boy killed Aunt to protect sister

– Wes is just somehow always there -_- (poor puppy) and was running for help

Ah I could be completely off, but wow I’m so anxious to know the truuuuuuth!

Well, its not Game of Thrones, after all this is broadcast television, but its coming about as close as possible.

Dang. Welcome back, HTGAWM. Welcome back. That ending. WTELF?

I’m so curious about the whole “Eggs 911” thing. I was already cringing when that bag was left unchecked at the bar-the you-know-what is going to hit the fan soon, and HARD, with that whole situation.

The scene where Bonnie killed Rebecca was very chilling. Bonnie’s got the cold, calculating demeanor

If I were Annalise, I’d be a little wary of how easily Wes can create an outburst (or vice versa, for that matter). Their close (and twisted) relationship may allow them to work that sort of thing out now, but I can already see Wes’ attitude or Annalise’s refusal to be challenged colliding badly down the line. Great opening scene with them, though-Wes confronting her like that in front of the other students was intense.

On a significantly lighter note, yay for Connor and Oliver dealing with their situation, though I somehow think their little “domestic bliss” thing isn’t going to last very long. And I’m kind of in love with the interaction between Connor and Michaela (not shipping it, mind, just enjoying the idea of them forming an entertaining friendship), and I’m all for them getting some more scenes and interaction as the season goes on.

All right, so yeah. I am in yet again for the ride this season. Cannot WAIT to see what happens next.

(Also, Slezak, your review was highly entertaining :D.)

MindBlown…This episode just helped justify why Viola D won that Emmy. Her level of complexity is unparalled. There are no words to describe this season opener. I’m so glad this show is back and I hope this season has more than 13 episodes

The scene with Annalise and Eve was more shocking to me than the reveal that Bonnie killed Rebecca. It was surprising, yeah, but the build-up to it wasn’t done as well as the season 1 reveals (Wes killing Sam/Frank killing Lila). And the ending with Annalise shot was so crazy! I honestly had a feeling that the show would probably pull something like that in the future, showing Annalise dead/injured in the first episode and then flashing back to the events that led to that scene. Amazing premiere, this season will be awesome!

Having Bonnie kill Rebecca still doesn’t make her an interesting character. She’s the worst character out the bunch and if she left yesterday I wouldn’t miss her. Yeah I’m glad Rebecca is dead but since Bonnie killed her, I don’t care. Wes has to be Annalise son. She is too devoted to him and too attached to him. I just love Nate. Love him. Annalise better fix this! Like Eve and Famke still looks good. The adopted kids storyline better be good and the fact Annalise gets shot is exciting. I didn’t care about who killed that girl last season but I really care about who shot Annalise.

You will get your answer on Wes being her son…he’s not as they most likely will have sex this season. I am on board for the son on trial being her son and not Wes. Annalise has maternal feelings for Wes that most likely will cross the line.

I think Wes is Annalise’s son too. He was on the waiting list, maybe she pulled some strings to get him admitted to the college.

A+ HTGAWM has officially avoided the dreaded sophomore slump. I’d go as far as to say this season premiere trumped the series premiere.

Jean Grey, who has been my favorite Marvel character, guest starring on my favorite show is the cherry on the cake I hope she stays for awhile

If Connor or Laurel or Wes or Michaela simply dialled 9-1-1 and started the conversation with: “I’ve made a huge mistake“?, would there have been an ensuing story at all? Imagine scene as per writer comment- these guys calling cops, cops arresting the perpetrators, confession follows, end of HTGAWM before it even takes off:-p

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