Murder, Trauma, and Annalise Keating: A Raw Rewatch of How to Get Away with Murder
By Trinity Barnette
I’m not new to this show—I’m emotionally entangled. How to Get Away with Murder is one of those series I come back to over and over again. Not because I forgot the plot (trust, my memory is unmatched), but because it’s that damn good. It’s chaotic, emotional, messy, brilliant… and somehow still better than 90% of legal dramas out there.
What makes it iconic? Everything. But especially the way it kicks off: a law professor, five of her students, and a dead body. Sam Keating’s murder didn’t just start the storyline—it detonated a years-long explosion of secrets, betrayals, legal twists, and psychological trauma. Shonda Rhimes gave us a soap opera, a courtroom thriller, and a character study all wrapped in one. And I’m here to break it all down—season by season, character by character, with a whole lot of legal analysis and emotional chaos sprinkled in.
Let’s start at the beginning. Season 1.
Season 1: The Murder That Started It All
Let’s start where everything starts: with a dead body.
From the very first episode, How to Get Away with Murder makes one thing clear—this isn’t your average legal drama. The show kicks off with a group of law students standing over a corpse in the woods, panicked and blood-covered, trying to figure out what the hell to do next. And it only escalates from there.
Plot Recap: Welcome to Keating & Chaos
Annalise Keating is a powerhouse defense attorney and law professor who teaches her students to bend the rules just enough to win—ethics optional. Early in the semester, she handpicks five students—Wes, Michaela, Laurel, Asher, and Connor—to intern at her firm. And from that moment on, their lives are tied together by a string of secrets, lies, and eventually, murder.
The season centers around the killing of Sam Keating—Annalise’s cheating, gaslighting husband—and the slow unraveling of how these law students got involved in his death. They don’t just panic; they plot. They burn his body. They lie to the police. And through it all, they pretend like everything is fine in class.
Spoiler: it’s not.
What Made Season 1 So Addicting
The storytelling is what truly elevated this show into something unforgettable. HTGAWM doesn’t follow a linear format—instead, it constantly jumps between the present and flash-forwards, teasing pieces of the mystery like breadcrumbs. It builds suspense by slowly revealing the “how” and “why” behind Sam’s murder, while keeping you guessing who’s trustworthy, who’s spiraling, and who’s holding back a darker truth.
The editing is razor-sharp. Flashbacks are woven in seamlessly, often cutting in mid-scene to parallel two timelines at once. And the transitions? Clean, fast, and timed perfectly to drop new information just when you think you’ve figured it all out.
The result? A show that forces you to pay attention, question everything, and binge five episodes in a row without even realizing it.
Standout Episodes of the Season
Episode 1 – “Pilot”: The setup. We meet the Keating Five, watch Annalise chew up the courtroom, and get our first glimpse of the night—the murder of Sam Keating.
Episode 6 – “Freakin’ Whack-a-Mole”: Connor’s morality gets tested. This episode shows how messy law can be when you’re trying to do the right thing in a rigged system.
Episode 9 – “Kill Me, Kill Me, Kill Me”: The full murder is revealed. Chaos, panic, and one of the best midseason twists in TV history.
Episode 15 – “It’s All My Fault”: The finale. The murder cover-up spirals. Annalise pulls her most manipulative move yet. And Wes and Rebecca’s relationship hits a terrifying low.
Themes That Hit Hard
Guilt & Innocence Are Not Binary: The show constantly challenges who deserves to be punished and why. The line between criminal and victim blurs more each episode.
Survival Mode Becomes a Lifestyle: These characters are running from trauma, from guilt, from themselves. It’s not about justice—it’s about staying alive.
Law vs Morality: What’s legal isn’t always right, and what’s right isn’t always legal. And Annalise? She lives in that gray area every single day.
Personal Take: I Was Hooked
Rewatching Season 1, even knowing what happens, still has me gasping like it’s the first time. I forgot how eerie Wes could be, how intense Annalise’s breakdowns were, and how wild it was that I somehow liked these people even while they were hiding a body.
The show is bold, brilliant, and emotionally draining in the best way. You feel for these characters. You hate them. You relate to them. And that’s the brilliance of it.
Season 1 Character Rankings: Who Thrived, Who Lied, and Who Should’ve Gone to Therapy Immediately
We survived Season 1—and by “survived,” I mean emotionally spiraled with each episode. Now it’s time to rank these unhinged icons based on their power, usefulness, and just how deep in the mess they really were.
This isn’t about who was the “nicest.” This is about who ran the show, who got things done, and who gave main character energy even when they were breaking all the laws.
1. Annalise Keating – The MVP (Obviously)
Let’s be real: HTGAWM doesn’t exist without Annalise. She’s the professor, the boss, the mastermind, and the emotional center of the entire show. She’s brilliant, brutal, and breaking inside—but she never lets it stop her. Season 1 is her stage, and everyone else is just trying to keep up. Her monologues? Emmy-worthy. Her lies? Convincing. Her breakdowns? Iconic.
2. Bonnie Winterbottom – The Loyal (and Low-Key Dangerous) Right Hand
Bonnie is quiet, calculated, and terrifying when she wants to be. She knows everything Annalise doesn’t even have to say, and she follows orders like it’s her religion. She may seem harmless at first, but that’s exactly what makes her so deadly. By the end of Season 1, it’s clear: Bonnie’s not just a side character—she’s the glue (and the occasional knife) behind the scenes.
3. Frank Delfino – The Cleaner with a Crush
Frank is the man who does the dirty work—literally. If you need a car moved, a body buried, or a murder cleaned up, Frank’s your guy. His loyalty to Annalise runs deep (and a little creepy), but you can’t deny he’s effective. Manipulative? Yes. Charming? Sometimes. Suspicious? Always. But Season 1 wouldn’t run without him.
4. Wes Gibbins – The Silent Storm
Wes starts off as the underdog, but he ends Season 1 in the middle of everything. He kills Sam. He lies to the police. He falls for Rebecca and questions everyone. And despite being called “Waitlist Wes,” he’s the one Annalise protects the most. He’s smart, emotional, and more dangerous than anyone expected. His decisions drive the entire season, and that’s why he lands high on this list—even if he stressed me out every single episode.
5. Michaela Pratt – The Perfectionist on the Edge
Michaela is smart, ambitious, and determined to be great. But once things start spiraling, her breakdowns get louder than her courtroom wins. That said, she still pulls her weight. From finessing interviews to screaming in the woods, Michaela gives top-tier TV—even if she almost cost the group everything over a lost engagement ring.
6. Connor Walsh – The Hot Mess Genius
Connor is both a problem and a solution. He’s the one who gets access to people, breaks into offices, and manipulates like it’s an Olympic sport. But he’s also chaotic, impulsive, and running on guilt by midseason. Still, his courtroom skills are unmatched, and his panic spirals? Relatable. He’s a solid player—but not the one you’d trust to keep a secret.
7. Laurel Castillo – The Quiet Wildcard
Laurel flew under the radar most of Season 1… which is exactly why she was so dangerous. She plays the “good girl” role while lying to everyone and hooking up with Frank. She’s smart, subtle, and knows how to cover her tracks. She’s not quite in her power era yet, but she’s inching toward it—and you can feel it.
8. Asher Millstone – The Comic Relief with Daddy Issues
Asher’s whole vibe is frat boy energy with a tragic backstory in the wings. In Season 1, he’s mostly used for comedic moments and cluelessness, but he gets more depth toward the end. He’s not that useful, but he’s consistent—and lowkey one of the few people trying to stay human in all this mess.
9. Rebecca Sutter – The Ultimate Catalyst
I don’t even know where to rank her because she’s not technically a Keating student, but she’s the reason Sam is dead, Wes is spiraling, and half the season happens. Rebecca is messy, manipulative, and traumatized—and while she caused chaos, she also deserved protection. Her role is complex, and by the end of Season 1, her fate feels like a warning more than a conclusion.
Season 1 Final Ranking:
Annalise
Bonnie
Frank
Wes
Michaela
Connor
Laurel
Asher
Rebecca
Season 2: Lies, Lawsuits & Literally Getting Shot
Season 2 of How to Get Away with Murder is chaos turned all the way up. The murder of Sam Keating might’ve kicked off the original trauma, but Season 2 shows us that things can always get darker. This time, it’s not about hiding a body—it’s about dealing with a calculated killer who’s inside the circle. And the closer they get to the truth, the more everything (and everyone) falls apart.
Plot Recap: The Case of the Siblings & the Monster in the Mirror
This season opens right where we left off: Rebecca is missing. The group suspects she ran—but we know better. She’s dead. (Thanks, Bonnie.) But the new mystery takes shape fast when Annalise takes on a case defending two adopted siblings, Caleb and Catherine Hapstall, accused of murdering their wealthy parents.
As the legal drama unfolds, the tension inside the Keating crew hits a breaking point. Wes becomes obsessed with finding Rebecca’s killer. Annalise spins deeper into emotional isolation. And as secrets unravel—including the return of Eve (Annalise’s ex), flashbacks to her miscarriage, and Bonnie’s childhood trauma—so does the team.
The midseason twist? Annalise gets shot. By Wes. On purpose. And it’s all staged so they can cover up yet another murder: Sinclair, the ADA who had it coming.
Because of course someone dies. Again.
Storytelling Evolution: Even Bolder, Even Better
Season 2 pushes the nonlinear structure even further. We get flash-forwards to the moment Annalise is shot, while still jumping back in time to reveal deeper pieces of her past—her relationship with Sam, her history with Eve, and her mental health spiral. The editing continues to shine, but now the emotional weight is heavier, more personal.
The season doesn’t just build suspense—it breaks your heart. And it challenges you to stay loyal to characters who keep making worse and worse choices.
And somehow? You still do.
Favorite Episodes to Highlight
Episode 4 – “Skanks Get Shanked”: One of the most brutal student cases + Bonnie’s breakdown + courtroom chaos.
Episode 9 – “What Did We Do?”: THE midseason climax. The ADA dies. Annalise gets shot. Wes calls her a monster. TV peaked.
Episode 14 – “There’s My Baby”: We finally see Annalise’s backstory: her baby, the betrayal, and the trauma that changed her forever.
Episode 15 – “Anna Mae”: The finale. Everyone’s unraveling. Annalise leaves. Wes confronts his real father. Cliffhanger chaos.
Themes That Hit Harder
Abuse and Complicity: Bonnie’s past and the reveal that she killed Rebecca out of “protection” shows how far trauma warps reality.
Power vs. Protection: Annalise takes every bullet (literally and metaphorically) for her students—but at what cost?
Cycles of Violence: From the Hapstalls to Annalise’s own history, the season shows how trauma repeats itself unless confronted.
Personal Take: My Mind Was Spinning
This season had me pacing the room. I mean, the reveal that Bonnie killed Rebecca? The way Wes shot Annalise and she told him to do it? The psychological warfare these people endure??? Unmatched.
I also loved how this season gave us more of Annalise’s personal life. The vulnerability. The trauma. The rawness. Viola Davis gave us a woman on the brink—and we felt every second of it.
Season 2 Character Rankings: Loyalty, Lies, and Who Really Pulled the Trigger (Emotionally and Literally)
This season made it crystal clear: nobody’s safe, everybody’s a suspect, and if you get too close to Annalise Keating, you’re probably going to bleed—if not physically, then spiritually.
Let’s rank the Season 2 MVPs based on their power, emotional damage, usefulness, and ability to survive the madness (barely).
1. Annalise Keating – Still the Queen, Even on the Floor Bleeding Out
Annalise got shot this season… and somehow still closed her cases, emotionally destroyed her enemies, and gave us that heartbreaking backstory that made everything hit even harder. Her layers unraveled—grief, guilt, past love, and present chaos—but she remained the strongest force in the room. Her vulnerability this season didn’t make her weaker. It made her more iconic.
2. Bonnie Winterbottom – The Protector Turned Executioner
Bonnie leveled up in Season 2, and not in a cute way. She killed Rebecca, covered it up, and then tried to justify it as love. That’s the kind of twisted logic only someone deeply broken can operate under. But the thing is—Bonnie believes in what she’s doing. Her loyalty to Annalise knows no bounds, and her trauma came full force this season. Dangerous, tragic, and utterly captivating.
3. Frank Delfino – Problem Solver with a Body Count
Frank continued to clean up everyone’s messes while creating a few of his own. Whether he was covering up crimes, manipulating witnesses, or carrying out Annalise’s darkest orders, he never missed a beat. Frank is ride-or-die in the worst way, and that’s exactly why he stays this high.
4. Wes Gibbins – The Golden Boy Turned Trigger Man
Wes has always been at the center of the storm, but Season 2 took him to another level. Obsessed with Rebecca’s death, spiraling into conspiracy theories, and literally shooting Annalise in the stomach—Wes finally snapped. And while he’s unraveling, you can’t deny he’s still the emotional heartbeat of the group. That moment in the hospital hallway? Chills.
5. Nate Lahey – The Man Who Stayed Too Loyal
Nate deserved better. Let me say it again: Nate. Deserved. Better. He spent most of Season 2 suffering for the simple crime of caring about Annalise. He got arrested. He lost his job. He lost his wife. And yet? He still tried to protect her. That kind of loyalty is rare—and it broke my heart. He’s strong, smart, and steady, but caught in a storm that keeps dragging him under.
6. Michaela Pratt – She’s Still That Girl, Just A Little Traumatized Now
Michaela stayed sharp this season, even as everything crumbled around her. She was one of the only ones trying to live a normal life and focus on law school, which is hilarious given everything else going on. Her trauma is brewing, and her walls are cracking—but her ambition? Still unmatched.
7. Laurel Castillo – Stepping Into Her Manipulative Era
Laurel is getting sneakier. She’s no longer just watching the mess—she’s shaping it. Her relationship with Frank, her ability to lie on cue, and her growing distrust of everyone puts her in a new light. She’s leveling up, but in a scary way. She’s still quiet, but you can feel her plotting.
8. Connor Walsh – Still Spiraling, But Still Smart
Connor’s guilt is eating him alive. He lashes out, pulls away from Oliver, and leans into self-destruction. But he’s still one of the most capable people in the group when it comes to the actual law. If only he could apply that brain power to healing his own damn trauma.
9. Asher Millstone – Sweet, Sad, and Out of the Loop
Asher was left in the dark for most of Season 2, and it shows. He tried to play both sides—justice and love—but ended up in an emotional freefall. He had moments of brilliance (mostly in court), but by the end of the season, it was clear: Asher was in over his head.
10. Rebecca Sutter – The Ghost That Haunts Them All
Even in death, Rebecca’s presence looms over the entire season. She may not be physically here, but her story, her lies, and her murder shape every character’s arc—especially Wes. She remains one of the most tragic and misunderstood figures in the show.
Season 2 Final Ranking:
Annalise
Bonnie
Frank
Wes
Nate
Michaela
Laurel
Connor
Asher
Rebecca (RIP, but girl…)
Season 3: Grief, Gasoline, and the Ghost of Wes Gibbins
If Season 2 was about lies and trauma, Season 3 was about loss. This season hit harder than any before because it wasn’t just about another crime—it was about the death of someone we thought would always be part of the chaos.
Wes Gibbins. The moral center. The emotional heart. The man under the damn sheet.
And yes, I’m still mad.
Plot Recap: Fire, Flashbacks, and Full-On Breakdown
Season 3 opens with Annalise trying to rebuild. She’s teaching again, helping students get actual jobs, and pretending like she’s not a broken mess inside. But when a house goes up in flames midseason—with a body inside—everything shifts.
Flash-forwards show us the fire. The panic. The sheet over the corpse. We don’t know who it is—but we know Annalise is being arrested for it.
And then the reveal: It’s Wes.
Dead. Burned. Gone.
From there, the season becomes a spiral of pain, suspicion, and raw emotion. Annalise is accused of murder. Everyone’s pointing fingers. And we slowly unravel the truth: that Wes was killed before the fire. And whoever did it didn’t just want him dead—they wanted to destroy everything he meant.
Storytelling Strategy: Emotionally Devastating & Brilliantly Done
Season 3 might be the most emotionally devastating season of the series—and it’s structured that way on purpose. The show hides the identity of the person under the sheet for half the season, building tension through subtle clues, misdirects, and emotional stakes. The reveal isn’t just shocking—it’s crushing.
The use of flash-forwards continues, but this time it’s not about murder cover-ups—it’s about grief. Every moment feels heavier. Every conversation is loaded. And when it all comes crashing down, you feel it in your chest.
The editing? Still elite. The trauma? Peaking. The emotional manipulation? Masterful.
Top Episodes to Highlight
Episode 9 – “Who’s Dead?”: The sheet reveal. The moment Wes is identified. Annalise’s breakdown. This episode hurt.
Episode 10 – “We’re Bad People”: The aftermath. No one is okay. Annalise is in jail. Everyone else is spiraling. It’s pure devastation.
Episode 14 – “He Made a Terrible Mistake”: We learn Wes was murdered before the fire. Laurel loses it. Annalise seeks revenge.
Episode 15 – “Wes”: The finale. Flashbacks to Wes’s last days. Annalise giving him a new name. And the reveal of who really killed him.
Themes That Cut Deep
Grief as a Plot Device and a Weapon: The death of Wes breaks everyone in different ways. It’s not just emotional—it drives the plot, exposes secrets, and reshapes loyalties.
Guilt & Responsibility: Everyone thinks they’re to blame. Everyone’s right, in their own way.
Systemic Power & Corruption: The Mahoney family. The cover-ups. The conspiracy behind Wes’s death. This season shows how the elite erase people and get away with it.
Personal Take: I’m Still Grieving
Wes’s death hit like a truck. It was unfair. It was brutal. And it shifted the entire energy of the show. This was the season where I cried, paused the screen, rewound, and just stared in silence like… they really did that.
It also solidified Viola Davis as one of the greatest actresses ever. That breakdown scene after the reveal? Emmy-worthy. Soul-crushing. Real.
Season 3 broke us—but it also gave us some of the strongest acting, storytelling, and emotional depth I’ve ever seen on TV.
Season 3 Character Rankings: Grief Rankings, Emotional Damage, and the Death That Changed Everything
Season 3 was about one thing: Wes Gibbins. Even in death, he was the heartbeat of this season—the one everyone loved, protected, and ultimately lost. His presence haunts every episode, every decision, and every breakdown. So yes, he’s number one. And if you disagree… take it up with my lawyer (Annalise Keating).
1. Wes Gibbins – The Heart, The Loss, The Legacy
Let’s be clear: this season only works because of Wes. His death is the mystery. His memory is the motivation. And even in flashbacks, he remains the most layered, thoughtful, and morally grounded person in the show. Wes was trying to be better—trying to protect everyone—and he paid the ultimate price. He was the show’s moral compass… and once he was gone, everyone else spun completely off course.
2. Annalise Keating – The Woman Who Lost Everything
Watching Annalise spiral this season was soul-shattering. Her breakdown after learning Wes was dead? The tears, the wailing, the silence. She’s arrested, accused, broken, and grieving—and yet, she still fights. She defends herself, protects her students, and burns her own enemies down. Season 3 proves Annalise isn’t just a brilliant legal mind—she’s a woman full of pain, power, and fire.
3. Laurel Castillo – The Girl Who Loved Wes
This is Laurel’s biggest season so far. Her grief is raw, unfiltered, and obsessive—because she knew something wasn’t right. She fights everyone, challenges Annalise, and ends up pregnant with Wes’s child. Whether or not you liked her before, this season made you feel for her. She went from a background player to a central force. And she never stopped fighting for the truth.
4. Bonnie Winterbottom – The Protector Who Cracks
Bonnie stays loyal, but you can feel her starting to slip. The guilt from Rebecca. The tension with Annalise. The emotional weight of everything she’s covered up. Bonnie’s mask starts breaking this season, and her vulnerability shows through more than ever. Still loyal, still scary, but finally human.
5. Frank Delfino – The Conflicted Assassin
Frank disappears for a large part of this season, dealing with the guilt of Lila’s murder and trying to protect Annalise from afar. But when he comes back? He comes back with blood on his hands and desperation in his heart. His love for Annalise is still messy. His connection to Wes’s death is haunting. And he’s constantly toeing the line between redemption and ruin.
6. Nate Lahey – The Only Adult in the Room
Nate continues to suffer simply for knowing Annalise. He’s suspicious. He’s hurting. He wants justice—but keeps getting caught between protecting her and protecting himself. He isn’t central this season, but when he shows up, he delivers. And his loyalty still deserves a standing ovation.
7. Michaela Pratt – Cold, Calculating, Cracking
Michaela’s strength starts looking more like avoidance this season. She distances herself from the group’s grief, clings to ambition, and refuses to fall apart like the rest of them. But her cracks are starting to show—especially in her new relationship with Asher and her need for control. Still brilliant. Still messy.
8. Connor Walsh – Drowning in Guilt
Connor feels the loss of Wes deeply, but he’s also consumed by self-hatred. He blames himself for everything. He pushes Oliver away. He lashes out. But when it matters, he’s still there. This season wasn’t his strongest in terms of power moves—but emotionally? He’s on the verge of collapse.
9. Asher Millstone – Comic Relief No More
Asher starts to mature this season, especially in his relationship with Michaela. But he’s still mostly on the outside of the group’s biggest secrets. He’s sweet. He’s trying. But in Season 3, he’s more background noise than central force.
10. Oliver Hampton – Hacked His Way Into the Plot
Oliver gets more involved this season—sometimes too involved. He lies to protect Connor. He snoops into Annalise’s files. He wants to help, but doesn’t realize the level of danger he’s stepping into. Still lovable, still awkward, but starting to realize the darkness he’s marrying into.
Season 3 Final Ranking:
Wes
Annalise
Laurel
Bonnie
Frank
Nate
Michaela
Connor
Asher
Oliver
Season 4: Pretending to Heal, Plotting in Secret, and Parenting in the Dark
Season 4 is what happens when grief simmers long enough to become resentment, paranoia, and silence. After Wes’s death, everyone tries to pick up the pieces—but no one’s actually okay. Annalise is in therapy. The Keating crew is fractured. Laurel is pregnant and spiraling. And even when it looks like things might get better… the show yanks the rug out again.
This season is slower in pace—but every moment is loaded. Secrets are bubbling. New alliances are forming. And the truth about Laurel’s baby daddy’s death? Yeah, it gets ugly.
Plot Recap: The Rebuild That Fell Apart
The season starts with Annalise trying to reinvent herself. She cuts ties with the Keating Five, starts seeing a therapist (shoutout to Dr. Isaac Roa), and files a massive class action lawsuit to expose the corruption in the justice system.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group is not doing well:
Laurel is pregnant with Wes’s baby and obsessed with exposing her father, Jorge Castillo, who she suspects ordered Wes’s murder.
Michaela is working at Caplan & Gold and starts to show signs of boss energy (finally).
Connor’s dealing with his grief and doubts about law school.
Frank and Bonnie are… still toxic.
Asher is trying to grow up.
And Oliver? He’s officially part of the ride now—whether he’s ready or not.
The mid-season twist? Laurel’s plan to steal incriminating files from her father’s company goes wrong. They end up at a party. The files disappear. Laurel goes into labor. And her baby is stolen from the hospital by her father’s people.
Yeah. It’s that kind of season.
Themes That Quietly Destroy You
Grief in Silence: This season is less loud, more haunting. Everyone’s dealing with trauma in isolation, and the silence becomes its own weapon.
Power and Parenthood: From Annalise’s miscarriage flashbacks to Laurel’s missing baby, this season explores what it means to lose a child—and the systems that allow it.
Corruption and Conspiracy: The Castillo family becomes the new Mahoney family. And once again, rich, powerful people are erasing lives without consequences.
Episodes That Deserve a Standing Ovation
Episode 2 – “I’m Not Her”: Annalise in therapy. That alone deserves its own series.
Episode 8 – “Live. Live. Live.”: The heist. The labor. The blood. The chaos. TV gold.
Episode 12 – “Ask Him About Stella”: Dr. Roa’s backstory. Heavy and powerful.
Episode 15 – “Nobody Else Is Dying”: The finale. Laurel’s mom, the reveal of Jorge’s crimes, and Annalise’s win in court.
Personal Take: A Slow Burn That Still Burned
This season didn’t rely on murders to make its point—it relied on emotional depth. It was about rebuilding and unraveling at the same time. And watching Laurel descend into madness while Annalise tried to climb out of hers? Chef’s kiss.
The therapy scenes with Annalise and Dr. Roa? Some of the best character work in the show. And the class action lawsuit storyline reminded us that at her core, Annalise cares about justice—even when she’s falling apart herself.
Season 4 may not have the shock factor of Seasons 1–3, but it brought the heart. And the trauma? Still thriving.
Season 4 Character Rankings: Growth, Grief, and Girl What Are You Doing? Season 4 was quieter, but don’t confuse that with peace. The drama just got smarter, deeper, and more soul-crushing. With Wes gone, everyone was trying to find their footing—and not everyone succeeded. Let’s rank these emotionally exhausted icons based on their growth, resilience, and contribution to the chaos.
1. Annalise Keating – Lawsuit Legend & Therapy Queen
Annalise stepped into her healing era this season—and it was still iconic. She cut ties with the group to save herself, started therapy, and took on a groundbreaking class action lawsuit that could actually help people for once. Watching her confront her past, break down in front of Dr. Roa, and still win in court? Legend behavior.
2. Michaela Pratt – Corporate Baddie in the Making
Michaela found her footing this season. She thrived at Caplan & Gold, held it down during the heist, and finally stepped into her power. She was smart, focused, and for the first time, not crying over an engagement ring or a body in the woods. That’s growth, baby.
3. Laurel Castillo – From Girlfriend to Guerrilla Mom
Laurel was determined to make someone pay for Wes’s death—and her entire arc this season was a slow descent into righteous obsession. She plotted. She schemed. She gave birth in a bloody elevator. And then her baby got kidnapped. That spiral was earned, and Karla Souza sold every second of it.
4. Connor Walsh – Healing in Progress
Connor actually chilled out this season. He was grieving, yes—but he showed up for people. He worked with Annalise on the lawsuit, tried to stay honest in his relationship, and took a step back from the chaos. He’s still messy, but this was his most emotionally stable season so far.
5. Bonnie Winterbottom – Still Loyal, Still Lonely
Bonnie spent most of Season 4 feeling like she was on the outside. Her relationship with Annalise fractured, her past continued to haunt her, and she started reaching out to strangers for connection. She wasn’t central to the plot this time, but the emotional damage was there loud and clear.
6. Oliver Hampton – Officially in the Trenches
Oliver went from hacker boyfriend to full-on co-conspirator. He was sweet, yes—but also getting a little too comfortable with crime. He was useful during Laurel’s heist, loyal to Connor, and emotionally present when needed. He’s in this now. There’s no going back.
7. Frank Delfino – Trigger Happy with a Savior Complex
Frank stayed in the shadows this season, mostly playing protector. He was there for Laurel, helped during the delivery, and quietly investigated Jorge Castillo. But let’s be real—Frank is always one bad day away from snapping. Still terrifying, still loyal, still a mystery.
8. Asher Millstone – A Slide, Not a Fall
Asher took a bit of a backseat this season. His relationship with Michaela started to crack, and he was clearly struggling without the group being united. He wasn’t a liability, but he also wasn’t helping much either. He needs a reset. Or a hug.
9. Jorge Castillo – Manipulative, Rich, and Unforgivable
Laurel’s dad was the Big Bad of Season 4. A powerful, calculating businessman with blood on his hands, he ordered Wes’s death and stole his own grandchild. Every time he was on screen, I was ready to square up. But I can’t lie—he was a terrifyingly good villain.
Season 4 Final Ranking:
Annalise
Michaela
Laurel
Connor
Bonnie
Oliver
Frank
Asher
Jorge Castillo
Season 5: Power, Pregnancies, and the Return of That Flash-Forward Format
Just when you think things are calming down, HTGAWM said: let’s bring in the FBI, drop a pregnancy plot, and have a murder at a wedding. This season returned to the classic formula: one big mystery unfolding in flash-forwards, with a murder that ruins everything.
The twist? It’s someone we know. Again.
Plot Recap: Politics, Betrayals, and Blood on the Tux
Annalise is working with Caplan & Gold, building on her class action win. Meanwhile, she’s being courted by the governor, and slowly dragged into political corruption territory. Laurel is still recovering from having her child stolen. Connor and Oliver are planning their wedding. And Gabriel Maddox—a mysterious new student with secrets—arrives out of nowhere.
The flash-forwards reveal there’s a murder at the wedding.
And it’s Asher who finds the body.
The victim? Miller. Bonnie’s boyfriend. The one who seemed… almost normal. Turns out, he was suspected of being involved in Wes’s death (we find out later he wasn’t), and Frank kills him.
Cue: more trauma.
Themes That Slap You in the Face
Power in the Legal System: The governor’s involvement in legal manipulation shows how justice can be weaponized from the top.
Found Family Falling Apart: The group is more fragmented than ever. Secrets are growing. Trust is basically gone.
What Happens When You Fall for the Wrong Person (Again): Bonnie and Miller, Laurel and her fears, Michaela and her ambition—all tangled in heartbreak.
Top Episodes to Rewatch (and Scream At)
Episode 8 – “I Want to Love You Until the Day I Die”: The wedding. The murder. The reveal. Just… wow.
Episode 12 – “We Know Everything”: Annalise confronts the FBI. The tension is unmatched.
Episode 15 – “Please Say No One Else Is Dead”: The finale. Gabriel’s secret, Laurel disappears, and the cycle of secrets continues.
Personal Take: Back to the Roots, But Uglier
This season felt like a return to Season 1 structure, but with five times the emotional weight. Everyone is traumatized. Everyone is lying again. But the pacing, flash-forwards, and wedding twist? Top tier. Also, the introduction of Gabriel added mystery without feeling forced.
And let’s be honest—seeing Annalise in a gown again, walking through chaos like a queen? Never gets old.
Season 5 Character Rankings: Weddings, Wiretaps, and Why Gabriel Is Not Wes
Season 5 was messy in a more mature way. The group’s older now, but still dumb enough to commit crimes. There’s a wedding, a murder, a fake-out villain, and the introduction of a new mystery man who looks like Wes, walks like Wes, but just ain’t Wes.
Here’s how everyone ranked in terms of power, pain, and poor decisions.
1. Annalise Keating – Still Holding It All Together With Vino and Vengeance
Annalise returned to full boss mode this season, juggling a high-stakes legal job, fighting political corruption, and pulling everyone’s strings again. She’s strategic, passionate, exhausted, and somehow still everyone’s safety net even when they betray her. Give her another Emmy.
2. Bonnie Winterbottom – The Girl Who Snapped. Again.
Bonnie went through it this season. She found out she had a son (and lost him again). She fell for Miller. She thought he killed Wes. She helped cover up his murder. And she did all of it with that same haunting, emotionally imploded stare we’ve come to love. Bonnie is tragedy personified.
3. Frank Delfino – Hitman with a Heart (and No Chill)
Frank was in full mob mode this season. He killed Miller without blinking, tried to protect Bonnie from herself, and still found time to obsess over Laurel. He’s toxic, loyal, and efficient—like a blood-stained Roomba that won’t stop cleaning up your mess.
4. Connor & Oliver – The Only People Who Found Joy Before It Was Ripped Away
Connor and Oliver’s wedding was the one beautiful moment this show gave us. Their love felt real, complicated, and rooted in survival. They were also actually happy for like 30 minutes before everything exploded, so they deserve this ranking just for that brief moment of peace.
5. Laurel Castillo – Paranoia, Screaming, and Ghosting
Laurel spent most of the season unraveling. She was convinced her dad was still after her, was scared for her baby, and basically living in constant fear. Her breakdowns were valid. Her disappearance at the end? Chilling. She was cracked wide open this season—and for good reason.
6. Gabriel Maddox – The Replacement We Didn’t Ask For
Let’s be honest: Gabriel was obviously introduced to fill the Wes-shaped hole in the group dynamic. Same brooding vibe. Same mixed-up morality. Same confused face. But he’s not Wes—and no amount of mystery buildup changed that. Still, he brought drama, tension, and had everyone on edge. So he served his purpose… even if I still don’t trust him.
7. Michaela Pratt – Girlboss on a Downward Spiral
Michaela started strong, but her ambition and desperation for validation (especially from Tegan) made her vulnerable. She was slipping—still brilliant, but not nearly as in control as she wanted to appear. She’s in a weird in-between space this season, trying to stay relevant but fading from center stage.
8. Asher Millstone – Too Innocent for This Plotline
Asher really tried to be a good guy. He wanted to be supportive, get serious about life, and actually be helpful. But once again, he was left out of the inner circle and totally blindsided by the twists. At this point, it’s hard to tell if he’s just too nice or too naïve.
9. Nate Lahey – Emotionally Unavailable and Probably Needs a Nap
Nate started the season trying to investigate his father’s wrongful incarceration, and ended it beating Miller to death with Frank. His descent into darkness was painful to watch. He’s exhausted, morally compromised, and angry at everyone. But hey—at least he’s consistent.
Season 5 Final Ranking:
Annalise
Bonnie
Frank
Connor & Oliver
Laurel
Gabriel
Michaela
Asher
Nate
Season 6: The Final Verdict – Death, Destiny & Annalise’s Last Stand
Season 6 is where it all ends. Every secret, every lie, every murder—it all comes to the surface. And the finale? Yeah, it wrecked me. Shonda and Pete Nowalk didn’t just close the door—they slammed it shut, lit it on fire, and left us in emotional ash.
This season is about legacy. About survival. And about the brutal truth that no one gets away unscathed.
Plot Recap: Trials, Testimonies, and the Last Goodbye
The season begins with the group fractured and the FBI breathing down their necks. Annalise is on trial, accused of everything from murder to being the devil herself. Tegan becomes a key ally, standing by her side through it all. Gabriel is still suspicious. Nate’s still mad. And the past? It keeps haunting them—literally.
Throughout the season, we get flash-forwards to Annalise’s funeral, teasing her death while we watch her fight to live. Michaela, Connor, and the others are forced to choose between testifying, betraying each other, or protecting what’s left of their souls.
And in the finale?
Annalise is found not guilty.
Wes (or a hallucination of him) shows up at her funeral.
Frank and Bonnie die in the same day.
Michaela loses everyone.
Connor goes to prison.
And Annalise… gets to live a full, messy, beautiful life.
Themes That Cut the Deepest
Legacy and Redemption: Annalise’s speech on the stand is the definition of raw truth. She admits to being flawed, to causing harm, and to surviving. And she still wins.
Death as Closure: Bonnie and Frank’s deaths were cruel—but symbolic. Their cycles of trauma couldn’t be broken. Their fates were inevitable.
Justice vs. Survival: No one fully “got away” with murder—but they lived with it. And that was the real punishment.
Top Moments That Shattered My Soul
Annalise’s closing argument: “I am ambitious. I am sexually fluid. I am not a good person.” It’s not just a confession—it’s a manifesto.
Frank killing Governor Birkhead—and dying in the process.
Bonnie holding his body, only to be shot moments later.
The reveal of Annalise’s long, full life—and her funeral.
Wes’s ghost. Wes’s ghost. Wes’s ghost. (I don’t care if it was Christopher—my brain refuses to let go.)
Personal Take: I Was Not Okay
Watching this season—especially the finale—felt like grieving the death of a real person. Annalise was more than a character; she was a force. A survivor. A woman who carried everyone else’s sins and somehow made it to the other side. Her flaws made her real. Her victories made her unforgettable.
And that funeral? It broke me. Seeing how her life stretched beyond the courtroom—the lovers, the heartbreak, the dancing, the silence—it was everything. I watched this show for the twists, but I stayed for her.
Season 6 Character Rankings: Final Betrayals, Broken Bonds, and Who Made It Out Alive
This is the end of the road. Everyone’s cards are on the table. Secrets are exposed. Some make it out. Some die. And some lose themselves entirely. Season 6 showed us who these people really are—at their rawest, most haunted, most human.
1. Annalise Keating – The Legend, The Survivor, The Blueprint
Annalise went to court for everything. Her life was on trial. Her past was weaponized. And still—she won. Her final monologue was a raw, unfiltered truth bomb that shattered every mask she ever wore. She didn’t get away with murder—but she survived it. And in the end, she lived. Fully. Honestly. Gloriously.
2. Frank Delfino – The Soldier Who Finally Broke
Frank was doomed from the beginning. Born of rape. Raised by secrets. Loyal to the point of self-destruction. He found out Sam and Hannah were his parents (trauma unlock) and went full scorched-earth. Killed the governor. Died in Bonnie’s arms. As much as he deserved peace, he was never going to outrun his past. Still: he went out doing what he always did—protecting the people he loved.
3. Bonnie Winterbottom – The Tragedy We Couldn’t Save
Bonnie’s death hurt. She was the one who kept fighting for everyone else’s redemption but never truly found her own. She finally opened her heart again. She finally let herself love. And then… she died trying to stop Frank. She deserved rest. Peace. Forgiveness. We’ll never forgive the writers for taking that from her.
4. Connor Walsh – A Survivor Who Paid His Dues
Connor turned himself in. He testified. He admitted everything—and went to prison on purpose because he wanted to pay the price. That takes guts. He owned his actions, didn’t fake growth, and didn’t sell out Annalise like some people. It’s giving accountability.
5. Tegan Price – A Real One Until the End
Tegan showed up for Annalise every single time. She supported her in court, stood by her as a Black queer woman in a white male-dominated system, and never once wavered. She was brilliant, brave, and subtly in love with Annalise, which added a whole extra layer of emotional depth. She deserved the world.
6. Laurel Castillo – The Girl Who Knew When to Run
Laurel came back from her mysterious disappearance with one goal: protect her son. She wasn’t here for drama. She did what she had to do to survive. And while she made some shady moves (like testifying), she wasn’t malicious—she was exhausted. Honestly, same.
7. Gabriel Maddox – Plot Device With a Purpose
He was never Wes. He’ll never be Wes. But Gabriel helped bring key truths to light and tried to hold the FBI accountable. He was flawed, nosy, and not entirely trustworthy—but he served the plot well and didn’t make things worse in the end. A solid B-tier chaos contributor.
8. Asher Millstone – The Martyr We Weren’t Ready to Lose
Asher deserved better. He was manipulated by the FBI, trying to protect his friends and his family. And they killed him. The reveal that Agent Pollock was his murderer? Cold. He was loyal, well-meaning, and funny—and his death hit hard because he finally tried to do something right.
9. Michaela Pratt – The Betrayal That Still Stings
Let’s talk. Michaela sold Annalise out. She signed a deal with the FBI. She lied to the group. And she walked away alone—no family, no friends, no Keating Five bond left. She made it out legally clean, but morally? She was bankrupt. Yes, she survived. But she lost everything that made her who she was.
10. Nate Lahey – Lost in Rage
Nate ended this series in emotional ruins. He got his father killed, beat a man to death, blackmailed the system, and still walked away pretending he was the only one with moral high ground. His grief was real, but his choices? A disaster. He burned every bridge and left a shell of the man we met in Season 1.
Season 6 Final Ranking:
Annalise
Frank
Bonnie
Connor
Tegan
Laurel
Gabriel
Asher
Michaela
Nate
That’s it. How to Get Away with Murder took us on a six-season ride through trauma, law, survival, and the darkest corners of the human condition. And now it’s time to close the file—with tears in our eyes and wine in our hands.
Favorite Quotes from How to Get Away with Murder
(Because Annalise didn’t just give lectures—she gave monologues that cut like knives)
“Why is your penis on a dead girl’s phone?” — Annalise This one belongs in a museum. Still the most unhinged and unforgettable line in the series.
“I am ambitious. I am sexually fluid. I am not a good person.” — Annalise Her courtroom confession. Vulnerable, raw, legendary.
“I’m sorry. The PTSD makes it hard for me to have a filter.” — Annalise The delivery. The trauma. The way she weaponized honesty.
“You don’t know a damn thing about me, and you never will.” — Annalise Every boundary I’ve ever set wishes it sounded this powerful.
“Whatever you think I did, I don’t care. I’m not losing everything for some dead girl.” — Annalise Cold, brutal, and unforgettable.
“I’m the strongest person I know.” — Annalise And she was. Even when she was breaking.
“Why do rich people always think they can get away with murder?” — Annalise The most self-aware quote in a show literally about rich people getting away with murder.
What How to Get Away with Murder Taught Me
First of all? Do not commit murder.
Second of all? If you do—don’t tell anyone. Don’t cover it up. Don’t start burning bodies in the woods. Go straight to a lawyer, then the police, and for the love of God, don’t get a group of traumatized law students involved.
Watching HTGAWM taught me that secrets grow teeth, guilt spreads like wildfire, and the moment you think you’re in control—you’re actually the next body on the floor.
If I had been one of the Keating 5?
Oh, I absolutely would’ve been an informant like Asher—but way sooner. I’m not going to jail over a man, over some fake internship, or over Annalise’s manipulative monologues. I would’ve spilled the tea, cried on cue, and made a deal. I would’ve been the Michaela in that interrogation room like, “I want immunity. No jail. No ankle monitor. No nothing.”
And if they said no?
Girl, I would’ve simply evaporated. Spiritually. Physically. Gone.
This show made me obsessed with the law, but it also made me terrified of how quickly one bad decision spirals. It taught me that trauma doesn’t just live in the past—it bleeds into every choice you make. It showed me how power is abused, how guilt corrupts, and how even the smartest people can ruin their lives in the name of love, loyalty, or survival.
And yet? I loved every second of it.
How to Get Away with Murder isn’t just a show. It’s a cautionary tale, a psychological spiral, and a masterpiece in mess. And like Annalise Keating herself, it was flawed, brilliant, destructive, and unforgettable.
