Post — Aaron Ngo

Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.

The energy of the first season came swinging hard in this season premiere. I was convinced I would dread writing this review, having mostly given up. However, Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) is not done fighting yet.

Last we left off in season five finale, Laurel went missing, and Emmett was poisoned. These two mysteries are addressed quickly after the rehab scene. Laurel has disappeared, and everyone has different ideas on what it could all mean. Emmett died from the poison in his drink, according to Tegan, but Annalise simply hangs up the phone to hit rock bottom: she drinks, does cocaine with a stranger in a bathroom, and ends up in the hospital because she overdosed.

This situation lands her in rehab as Karen. Obviously, Annalise has a hard time bonding with the other patients and forgiving herself. Annalise’s therapist warns Annalise that she will never get better if she doesn’t forgive herself for everything she’s done to herself and others. This is a powerful episode for Annalise, which shows the series is truly going to end this season.

The rest of the characters bicker what to do without Annalise around. Michaela wishes to report Laurel missing to the FBI, Oliver considers torturing Xavier (via Frank of course) for information, and Connor is disgusted that Oliver went dark. There’s also Michaela’s birth parents to consider, but nobody wants to start that up until Annalise is back in person.

Frank goes looking for Laurel. He’s also the only character who doesn’t give up on Laurel by episode’s end. Nate and Tegan are trying to figure out who killed Emmett. Gabriel is still on this show with his mother Vivian finding out the truth about her son’s lies about Annalise Keating.

Viola Davis gave one hell of a performance in this episode. This was the first episode of the season, and she knocked it out with her literal fists. The pillow-smashing exercise finally worked. Annalise allowed a moment of forgiveness to pass. I was in awe. So proud I watched the premiere now. I was even close to not watching it, either.

Annalise summons the Keating Four (Three?) to her apartment to demonstrate the pillow attack exercise. Asher says he’s a good man, Connor admits he’s not a monster and nothing was his fault, Oliver reminds us how strong he is, and Michaela… she finally let go of being abandoned by everyone, including Laurel, and chooses herself. She also got with Gabriel.

After Asher calls Annalise out about knowing Michaela’s birth parents, Michaela gets mad and grips the future murder weapon. That’s right. The flash forward funeral occurs. The beginning and the end book-marked by funerals. I’m digging it. The final murder victim of the series goes to… Annalise Keating.

The final season is looking to give us one last crazy ride toward the finish line. I’m ready.

Side-note: Karla Souza has exited the show as a series regular. I’m sure she’ll return close to the end of the series to resolve her story.

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