Release Date: October 22, 2015                                 Genre: Legal Drama

Rating:            8.5/10                                                             Run Time: approx. 43 minutes /episode

Episodes: 15 episodes /season

How to Get Away with Murder was bound for greatness with Shonda Rhimes writing the ABC television series and Viola Davis acting as the main character, Annalise Keating. It is no surprise that the show’s debut has led Davis to receive the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Though the series is nationally-recognized, it is especially intriguing to CB South students because of the setting’s location: Philadelphia. Whereas the first season revolved around the death of fictional Philly professor Sam Keating, this new season examines the aftermath for those still left standing.

After the first season in which Matt McGorry’s character Asher Millstone was oblivious to the roles his peers played in the murder of Sam Keating (Tom Verica), he is slowly becoming entangled in the lies he was (fortunately for him) not involved in. Beginning with his relationship with Bonnie (Liza Weil) in the first season and continuing with his help meant to convict Annalise Keating for the murder of her husband Sam, Asher’s role becomes more crucial to all who work in the Keating office. Millstone captures the essence of human insecurity while also upholding his own morals.

Alongside McGorry, Liza Weil’s character Bonnie has also been contributing considerably more to the progress of the series plot.  Her relationship with Asher extends into this season. Throughout the second season, her past has been unfolding, thus allowing viewers to understand the hard exterior she carries while inside she is scared and yearning for acceptance.

While Alfred Enoch was a crucial character in the previous season and the current season’s earlier episodes that involved Rebecca Sutter (Katie Findley), he has been less of an active figure in recent episodes, now more recognized for his shady dealings with Rebecca’s step-brother. He is no longer the hurt, vulnerable law student; instead Wes, with the “puppy-dog eyes,” is vengeful and looking for retribution pertaining to the imminent death of his lover, Rebecca. As a viewer, it is terrifying to see what could become of ourselves in the most pressing and emotional situations, reflected in Wes who was once the most relatable and human of Annalisa’s adopted workers.

How to Get Away with Murder fulfills its quota of drama, and its characters are particularly flawed as any humans are. At the same time, it is a very unrealistic portrayal of the legal happenings within America because of the many scenes that revolve around illegal events performed by a legal team. Though it may be quite predictable, sex is often the firecracker that sets off those illegal actions. Mostly though, it does not involve the people bound to uphold the law. For these reasons, the show may be bothersome to those who prefer a more plausible storyline.

At the same time, each actor has developed intensely human qualities, none of them meant to be background music to the main performance. Many of their traits live in all of us, but the characters’ emotions play a more pivotal role in the outcome of their lives due to the unfavorable unraveling of events. Shonda Rhimes’ talent is boundless, as her new television show demonstrates through the same fan dedication as her other hit shows, Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal.