“How to Get Away With Murder” Starts off Strong

How to Get Away With Murder Starts off Strong

Rose Flynn, Contributing Writer

With fall sweeping in, many TV favorites return alongside new shows approaching the small screen. The new legal drama/mystery, “How To Get Away With Murder” created by Peter Nowalk, executively produced by Shonda Rhimes, starring Viola Davis, proves to hook viewers with its fast paced and clever plot.

The show revolves around Alfred Enoch’s, former Harry Potter actor, charismatic underdog character Wes Gibbins’ criminal law studies at Middleton University . Viola Davis plays harsh yet powerful Professor Annalise Keating. Wes Gibbins works under Keating at her firm alongside four other students, to develop real-world experiences as a defense attorney.

During the episodes, the setting depicts Wes’ experiences at Middleton and his job with Annalise at her law firm. However, the setting occasionally switches to a couple months after his first few months at school, where he and his fellow students and coworkers Connor Walsh, Michaela Pratt, and Laurel Castillo attempt to cover up, or get away with, a murder of their own. I, along with many viewers, enjoy the rapid plot changes as I like a television show that can keep me on my toes; however, some viewers carry a very understandable sense of confusion while watching.

Not only is the plot of “How To Get Away With Murder” engaging, but its representation of minorities is inclusive and fascinating. With an intense, determined, and intelligent African-American female lead, the show is already off to a great start in terms of representation. However, it does not stop there. The rest of the main and supporting casts also carry numerous people of color, and even one gay student, giving the show a dose of positive homosexual representation. With characters coming from many different backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexualities, the show reaches out to a wide range of viewers.

Approximately 14.34 million viewers tuned into ABC on September 25 to watch the pilot of this ambitious new show. Its second episode had an average of 12.15 million, which is not a significant drop, especially for a brand new show. “How To Get Away With Murder” currently holds an impressive 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, whilst also receiving positive reviews, mainly for Viola Davis’ role.

I recommend tuning in to “How To Get Away With Murder” this week. Although face-paced, the plot proves to be interesting with its twists and unsolved mysteries. A widely diverse cast creates a more engaging story that conveys the reality of diversity in today’s world. “How To Get Away With Murder” teaches us the consequences of our actions, as the cast attempt to literally get away with murder, but in turn realize it is a lot harder than they think.