‘How to Get Away with Murder’ Recap: ‘Hello Raskolnikov’

On the winter premiere of How to Get Away with Murder, a new discovery is made regarding Sam’s relationship with Lila, Connor, Michaela, and Laurel consider turning themselves in, and Sam’s sister comes to town, looking to prove his innocence.

The episode opens with Annalise answering questions about Sam’s disappearance and involvement with Lila at the precinct. The scene is intercut with flashbacks of the pair’s tumultuous relationship as well as a conversation with Wes shortly after Sam’s body was discovered. Annalise even tells Wes how to dispose of the DNA evidence. Meanwhile, Annalise’s students panic that they’ll be found out as the police conduct an extensive search at the Keating house.

When Annalise arrives home, she pulls Wes aside and tells him that he needs to help the others hide their paranoia. She reminds him that they had no choice but to dispose of the body, because Annalise would be the prime suspect. At the same time, Annalise’s opposing counsel stops by the Keating house to criticize her handling of Rebecca’s case.

A while later, interrogations continue and Wes speaks to the cops about Sam. During questioning, Wes admits he’s dating Rebecca and that he “didn’t pay much attention to Sam.” In a series of scenes that follow, Annalise apologizes to Rebecca for misjudging her and Wes reassures her that everything will be okay. Back at the Keating house, tensions continue to fly high as Annalise’s students set out to prove that Sam is responsible for Lila’s murder.

While everyone searches for clues, Laurel deals with the fall out of her unexpected encounter with Frank and his girlfriend, Connor grills Oliver on his love life, and Asher confesses he can’t stop thinking about he and Bonnie’s steamy hookup the previous night. As the searches progresses and leads fall through, Rebecca admits that Lila visited an abortion clinic shortly before she died and new suspicion is cast on Sam. The group gives the name of the clinic to Annalise, who explains her strong commitment to proving her husband’s guilt, but access to their medical records are denied, pleasing Annalise’s opposing counsel. After the visit to the clinic turns out to be a wash, Annalise meets up with paramour, Nate and tells him she’s scared. They share a tender moment in his car.

Next up on interrogations is Laurel. She lies and tells the cops that she was studying with Wes on the night of the bonfire. She also claims that Sam used to “look at [her] in a sexual way” presumably to make Sam appear that much guiltier. After her questioning has ended, Laurel visits with Frank and wonders how much Annalise is lying. Meanwhile, Connor pleads with Michaela about revealing their involvement in Sam’s death, but she isn’t having it. Wes interrupts them before their conversation can go any further.

Bonnie and Annalise talk about recent updates on Rebecca’s case until Michaela barges in with a new strategy at obtaining Lila’s information from the clinic—use the surveillance footage because it’s not “privileged communication.” When Annalise appeals to the judge this time, she is able to obtain the information she needs, despite her opposing counsel’s obvious objections. Frank is with Annalise when she gets the records from the clinic, containing the paternity test; Sam is the father of Lila’s baby. Annalise is relieved, which seems strange to Frank, prompting Annalise to fill him in on what really happened. Annalise asks Frank not to tell Bonnie the details of their conversation.

Asher finds himself at the precinct next. He tells the police about the trophy and lets them know that Connor’s car was in the driveway of the Keating house. He also lets slip about he and Bonnie’s fling. When Bonnie interviews with the cops shortly afterwards, she sets the record straight about her and Asher’s relationship and also offers further insight on Sam. Later, Bonnie tells Asher that their hookup was a “one time deal.” Meanwhile, Laurel assembles the group and says she’s found new evidence to use in their case: Lila and Sam on the surveillance footage from the clinic. Using the footage, Annalise is able to track down a witness and get her to testify on the stand.

Court proves to be contentious as Annalise and her opposing counsel are at each other’s throats. The issue of Sam’s laptop being held in police custody is also raised. Because of this, the judge proposes that the court be briefly adjourned.

When interrogations resume, Michaela finds herself under the police’s scrutiny. During questioning, the police mention that Asher said he saw Connor’s car in the Keating driveway. Michaela figures out an alibi, but later finds Connor and lets him know that she’s beginning to crack under the pressure. Before court begins, Frank chides Laurel for lying to him when she accused him of doing the same.

When court begins, an expert is put on the stand to recount the progress made on decoding Sam’s laptop. The information obtained places Sam at the scene of the crime, proving he killed Lila. Rebecca is now free and the charges against her have been dropped.

Annalise sneaks away to the bathroom after court to take a breath and overhears two women talking about her. They think she threw Sam under the bus.

Meanwhile, Connor, Michaela, and Laurel discuss going to the cops to turn themselves in. They decide they’ll go to the cops that night. But doing the right thing isn’t as easy as anticipated and Michaela breaks into a fit of hysteria. To complicate matters further, Wes and Annalise show up. Laurel admits she told them because Frank knows about what really happened to Sam. In flashbacks that follow, Laurel tells Wes about her, Connor, and Michaela’s plan, prompting him to beg Annalise to talk some sense into the others. In the present day, Annalise prevents her students from confessing about their role in Sam’s death. She promises that she’ll protect them and that they’ll get away with the crime.

Later, Annalise’s students prepare to take exams, Michaela goes to a dress fitting, as her wedding is quickly approaching, Wes and Rebecca celebrate Rebecca’s newfound freedom, and Laurel bumps into Kan.

At the same time, police interrogations finish with Connor cooperating to questioning.

Meanwhile, after a long day of court, Annalise retires to bed. But just as she’s getting ready to settle down, she receives a phone call from Connor at the police station. Sam’s sister is in town and has told the cops that Annalise is lying; Sam isn’t a murderer.

How to Get Away with Murder airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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