Season 3 of How to Get Away with Murder pivots from past transgressions to new betrayals, culminating in the shocking death of Wes Gibbins. This guide provides a detailed recap of each episode, unraveling the mysteries and examining the strategic choices that led to its devastating climax.
Understanding the Season: The Professor’s Dilemma
Season 3 sees Annalise Keating facing the consequences of her past actions and struggling to maintain control over her increasingly volatile group of Keating 5 students. The season introduces new cases, new relationships, and a powerful District Attorney determined to bring down Annalise. The core mystery revolves around who killed Wes, and the motivations behind his murder, shifting the power dynamics within the core group and forcing them to confront their darkest secrets.
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown: A Guide to Survival
Episode 1: “We’re Good People Now”
- Summary: The season opens with Annalise, plagued by guilt and alcohol, trying to reinvent herself and her teaching methods. She posts fliers around campus asking for help with pro bono cases, attempting to steer clear of high-profile criminal defense. Flash-forwards reveal Annalise’s house engulfed in flames, hinting at the season’s tragic outcome.
- Key Moments: The introduction of the Keating 5’s mandated group therapy sessions highlights their trauma and dysfunction. Asher Millstone struggles with his place within the group. The fliers posted by Annalise indicate her desire for redemption, yet the ominous flash-forwards suggest her past is inescapable.
Episode 2: “There Are Worse Things Than Murder”
- Summary: Annalise takes on a pro bono case involving a transgender woman falsely accused of assault, demonstrating her commitment to social justice (or at least, the appearance of it). Meanwhile, the Keating 5 grapple with their individual issues, with Connor facing relationship problems and Michaela strategizing her future career path.
- Key Moments: The case of the week allows Annalise to showcase her legal skills and empathy, contrasting with her past involvement in darker deeds. Frank Delfino’s whereabouts and motivations remain shrouded in mystery, adding another layer of intrigue.
Episode 3: “Always Bet Black”
- Summary: The case of the week involves a racially charged police brutality incident, forcing Annalise and the Keating 5 to confront issues of systemic racism. The tensions between Annalise and the Keating 5 intensify as they question her methods and motives.
- Key Moments: This episode explores the complexities of race and justice in the American legal system. The episode title itself, “Always Bet Black,” refers to Annalise’s strategic legal maneuvering and also the realities of a biased system.
Episode 4: “Don’t Tell Annalise”
- Summary: The Keating 5, feeling increasingly marginalized, begin to work on a case behind Annalise’s back, leading to unintended consequences. Laurel Castillo continues her desperate search for Frank.
- Key Moments: This episode showcases the Keating 5’s growing independence and willingness to challenge Annalise’s authority. Their attempt to “help” proves that their involvement in legal cases without experienced guidance can be catastrophic.
Episode 5: “It’s About Frank”
- Summary: Annalise confronts Frank about his involvement in past events, demanding answers and seeking closure. Laurel’s obsession with Frank intensifies, blurring the lines between love and revenge.
- Key Moments: This episode delves into the dysfunctional relationship between Annalise and Frank, revealing the deep-seated resentment and lingering affection they harbor for each other. Frank’s tortured confession provides context for his actions, though doesn’t necessarily excuse them.
Episode 6: “Is Someone Really Dead?”
- Summary: The flash-forwards become more frequent and revealing, showing snippets of the fire and its aftermath. The identity of the victim remains a mystery, fueling speculation and paranoia among the characters.
- Key Moments: This episode focuses on building suspense and misdirection, making viewers question everyone’s innocence. The fractured timeline and ambiguous clues keep the audience guessing about the identity of the deceased.
Episode 7: “Call It Mother’s Intuition”
- Summary: Annalise and the Keating 5 defend a mother accused of killing her abusive husband, resonating with Annalise’s own troubled past. Laurel continues her investigation into Frank’s whereabouts.
- Key Moments: The case of the week mirrors Annalise’s own experiences with abuse and trauma, forcing her to confront her personal demons. Laurel’s resourcefulness in tracking down Frank highlights her determination and relentless pursuit of justice (or vengeance).
Episode 8: “No More Blood”
- Summary: Frank returns to Philadelphia, seeking redemption and forgiveness from Annalise and Laurel. The tension between Frank, Annalise, and Laurel reaches a boiling point.
- Key Moments: Frank’s return sets the stage for a confrontation with Annalise, creating a volatile situation with potentially devastating consequences. Laurel is forced to choose between her loyalty to Annalise and her feelings for Frank.
Episode 9: “Who’s Dead?”
- Summary: The mystery of the fire victim is finally revealed: Wes Gibbins. The episode explores the immediate aftermath of his death and the impact it has on the Keating 5 and Annalise.
- Key Moments: The revelation of Wes’s death is a shocking twist that alters the entire trajectory of the series. The characters’ reactions to his death provide clues about their involvement in his demise.
Episode 10: “Not Everything’s About You”
- Summary: The investigation into Wes’s death intensifies, with Annalise becoming the prime suspect. The Keating 5 struggle to cope with their grief and guilt.
- Key Moments: This episode focuses on the emotional fallout from Wes’s death and the scramble to protect Annalise from being framed. The episode’s title underscores the selfish tendencies of the Keating 5, as Wes’s death forces them to confront their own individual shortcomings.
Episode 11: “Not Everything’s About Annalise”
- Summary: The District Attorney, Rene Atwood, aggressively pursues Annalise, building a case against her for Wes’s murder and other past crimes. The Keating 5 are pressured to testify against Annalise.
- Key Moments: This episode highlights the power imbalance between Annalise and the District Attorney’s office. Rene Atwood’s relentless pursuit showcases the ruthlessness of the legal system.
Episode 12: “Go Cry Somewhere Else”
- Summary: The trial against Annalise begins, with the prosecution presenting compelling evidence against her. Annalise fights back, defending herself in court.
- Key Moments: Annalise’s emotional testimony in court is a pivotal moment in the trial. The episode title is something Annalise says to Laurel, showing just how dismissive she could be.
Episode 13: “Wes”
- Summary: The season finale reveals the truth behind Wes’s murder through flashbacks, uncovering a complex conspiracy involving the Mahoneys. Annalise’s future hangs in the balance.
- Key Moments: The flashback sequences provide a comprehensive explanation of Wes’s murder, implicating several characters. Annalise’s survival depends on the loyalty of the Keating 5 and her own legal prowess.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who ultimately killed Wes Gibbins in Season 3?
The flashback sequences in the finale reveal that Dominic, an associate of the Mahoneys, killed Wes. He was hired to kill Wes to cover up the truth about Wallace Mahoney being Wes’s biological father and the cover-up surrounding Charles Mahoney’s past crime.
2. What was Annalise Keating’s role in Wes’s death?
While Annalise wasn’t directly responsible for Wes’s murder, her past actions and lies contributed to the circumstances that led to his death. Her complicated history with Wes, the Mahoneys, and the Keating 5 all played a part.
3. Why was Frank so distraught over Wes’s death?
Frank felt immense guilt because he was supposed to kill Wes’s biological father, Wallace Mahoney, years earlier but hesitated. If Frank had followed through with his orders, Wes wouldn’t have existed, and consequently wouldn’t have been in a position to be murdered by the Mahoneys’ associates.
4. What motivated the District Attorney, Rene Atwood, to target Annalise so aggressively?
Rene Atwood’s motivations were multifaceted. She saw Annalise as a corrupt lawyer who had gotten away with too much for too long and was determined to bring her to justice (and likely advance her career in the process). There are also hints that her actions were partly motivated by a personal vendetta.
5. How did the Keating 5 react to Wes’s death?
Each member of the Keating 5 reacted differently to Wes’s death, reflecting their individual personalities and relationships with him. Some felt guilt, some felt fear, and some felt anger. Their reactions ultimately played a crucial role in determining Annalise’s fate.
6. What was the significance of the case of the week episodes in Season 3?
The “case of the week” episodes weren’t just standalone stories; they often mirrored the characters’ personal struggles and highlighted relevant social issues. They served as a narrative device to explore themes of guilt, justice, and morality.
7. How did Laurel’s pregnancy impact the events of Season 3?
While Laurel’s pregnancy isn’t revealed until after Wes’s death, it significantly impacts the season’s aftermath. Wes was the father of her child, and his death fuels her desire for revenge against the Mahoneys, driving the plot in later seasons.
8. What was Annalise trying to achieve by posting the pro bono fliers at the beginning of the season?
Annalise’s pro bono work was a desperate attempt at redemption. After the events of the previous seasons, she was grappling with immense guilt and wanted to use her skills to help others and repair her image.
9. How did Annalise’s drinking problem affect her judgment throughout Season 3?
Annalise’s alcoholism significantly impaired her judgment. It made her more vulnerable, impulsive, and prone to making mistakes, which ultimately contributed to the escalating crisis surrounding Wes’s death.
10. What were the Mahoneys trying to cover up?
The Mahoneys were trying to cover up the fact that Charles Mahoney had murdered Wes’s mother years earlier. Wallace Mahoney, Wes’s biological father, wanted to protect his son and his family’s reputation, leading to Wes’s murder.
11. Why didn’t Frank immediately kill Wallace Mahoney as originally instructed?
Frank didn’t kill Wallace Mahoney due to his complicated feelings for Annalise. At that time, she was heavily pregnant and he was concerned about what his actions might do to her. He felt killing a father might affect Annalise profoundly, given her condition.
12. What ultimately saved Annalise from being convicted of Wes’s murder?
A combination of factors saved Annalise. Primarily, Nate Lahey provided crucial information that implicated the Mahoneys, and Annalise gave a compelling testimony. The Keating 5’s loyalty and support, though wavering at times, also played a role in undermining the prosecution’s case.