The final episode of How to Get Away with Murder‘s first season, “It’s All My Fault,” doesn’t offer a simple answer to the question of who got away with murder; rather, it reveals a complex web of complicity and delayed accountability. Frank Delfino, ultimately, bears the immediate guilt for Sam Keating’s death, but Annalise Keating’s orchestrated cover-up and manipulations make her equally culpable, creating a lingering, shared responsibility amongst the Keating 5.
Unraveling the Truth: The Night of Sam’s Death
The episode meticulously unravels the events leading up to and following Sam’s death, revealing the desperate actions taken by each character in a high-pressure situation. We finally witness the full context of the confrontation between Lila Stangard and Sam, the subsequent altercation between Sam and Rebecca Sutter, and ultimately, the unplanned violence that ensued.
Lila Stangard’s Death and Sam’s Involvement
Before addressing Sam’s demise, the episode reinforces his direct involvement in Lila’s murder. The evidence, pieced together throughout the season, culminates in a damning picture of Sam’s desperate attempts to conceal his affair and prevent the truth from emerging. This revelation sets the stage for understanding the intense emotions and mistrust driving the events on the night of his death. It also introduces a crucial element: Sam Keating was already a murderer, contributing to the moral ambiguity that defines the entire series.
The Confrontation and its Escalation
The episode portrays the immediate aftermath of Rebecca’s confrontation with Sam regarding Lila’s murder. Sam, in a fit of rage, attacks Rebecca. This is where the situation spirals out of control. While details remain fuzzy and subject to individual interpretation, the episode depicts the other students arriving, witnessing the scene, and ultimately engaging in a struggle that results in Sam’s fatal fall. The key takeaway is that his death was not premeditated by any single person, but a result of a chaotic series of unfortunate choices made under duress.
Frank’s Actions and the Cover-Up
Following Sam’s death, Frank’s actions solidify his role in enabling Annalise’s grand cover-up. He disposes of the body, further implicating himself in the crime and protecting Annalise and her students. His unwavering loyalty to Annalise, coupled with his past actions regarding Lila’s death, highlight the deeply flawed moral compass that guides his behavior. This act seals the fates of everyone involved, forever binding them together in a shared secret and a collective guilt.
The Keating 5: Collateral Damage and Lingering Consequences
The students, caught in the crossfire of Annalise’s web of lies and Frank’s brutal efficiency, are left grappling with the psychological and emotional consequences of their actions.
Shared Guilt and the Burden of Silence
Each member of the Keating 5 carries a piece of the blame. They were all present, contributing to the chaos, and subsequently complicit in the cover-up orchestrated by Annalise. Their silence, fueled by fear and loyalty to Annalise, transforms them from innocent bystanders into active participants in the obstruction of justice. This shared guilt creates a bond of necessity, forcing them to rely on each other despite their inherent distrust and competing ambitions.
Annalise’s Manipulation and Control
Annalise, the architect of the cover-up, masterfully manipulates her students, utilizing their vulnerabilities and fears to ensure their silence. She strategically positions herself as their protector, but in reality, she is primarily safeguarding her own reputation and career. Her manipulative tactics expose the complex power dynamics within the group and highlight the ethical compromises she is willing to make to maintain control. She ultimately shields them, but at a significant cost to their moral compass.
Annalise Keating: The Mastermind Behind the Curtain
Annalise Keating, despite not directly causing Sam’s death, is arguably the most culpable party due to her calculated actions and subsequent manipulation.
Protecting her Image and Career
Annalise’s primary motivation throughout the cover-up is self-preservation. Her reputation as a successful lawyer and professor is paramount, and she is willing to go to extreme lengths to protect it. She views the Keating 5 as assets to be managed, rather than individuals to be protected, further highlighting her calculated and self-serving nature. Her actions, while seemingly aimed at protecting the students, are ultimately driven by her own ambition and fear of exposure.
The Legacy of Deception
The events of that night, and Annalise’s subsequent actions, set the stage for the series’ ongoing exploration of morality, justice, and the consequences of deception. The ripple effects of the cover-up continue to haunt the characters, creating a constant atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion. Annalise’s legacy is one of calculated manipulation and moral ambiguity, leaving a trail of shattered lives and compromised ideals in its wake. The show explores the constant tension of maintaining these lies and the devastating emotional and psychological toll it takes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: Was Sam actually going to turn Rebecca in?
The episode strongly suggests Sam was indeed planning to betray Rebecca, framing her for Lila’s murder to protect himself. Evidence points to him planting evidence and manipulating the situation to make her look guilty.
FAQ 2: Did Wes know the full extent of Annalise’s involvement?
At this point, Wes only knows what Annalise allows him to know. He suspects more than he understands, but the full depth of her manipulation remains largely hidden from him. His burgeoning romantic connection with Rebecca also clouds his judgment.
FAQ 3: Why did Frank help Annalise cover up the murder?
Frank’s loyalty to Annalise stems from a deep-seated debt and a complicated, almost familial, relationship. He feels indebted to her for covering up his own past mistakes, and this allegiance compels him to do whatever she asks, no matter how morally reprehensible. This is a central theme of the show: the consequences of past actions manifesting in the present.
FAQ 4: What legal consequences did the Keating 5 face at this point?
Technically, the Keating 5 were accessories after the fact, potentially facing charges for obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence. However, Annalise’s manipulation and legal prowess shield them from immediate prosecution, at least for the time being. This precarious legal situation forms the foundation for the subsequent seasons and the ongoing threat of exposure.
FAQ 5: Could Rebecca have been convicted of Lila’s murder based on the evidence presented?
While the prosecution could have made a case against Rebecca, the evidence was largely circumstantial and heavily reliant on Sam’s manipulation. A skilled defense attorney, especially someone like Annalise, could have cast reasonable doubt on her guilt.
FAQ 6: How did Annalise maintain control over the Keating 5 after the cover-up?
Annalise uses a combination of fear, guilt, and loyalty to maintain control. She exploits their vulnerabilities, reminding them of the consequences of their actions and offering them a twisted form of protection. The bond of shared secrecy also binds them together, preventing them from turning on each other.
FAQ 7: What was the significance of the bonfire scene at the end of the episode?
The bonfire symbolized the burning of the evidence, both literal and metaphorical. It represented an attempt to erase the past and start anew, but the act itself only served to further bind them together in their shared crime. The bonfire highlights the futility of trying to escape the consequences of their actions.
FAQ 8: Did Bonnie know the whole truth about Sam’s death?
Bonnie’s knowledge of the events is deliberately ambiguous. She likely suspects more than she lets on, but she remains loyal to Annalise and willing to do whatever is necessary to protect her. Her own dark past and complex relationship with Annalise make her a key player in the series’ overarching narrative.
FAQ 9: Why didn’t the Keating 5 just go to the police?
The decision not to go to the police stemmed from a combination of fear, panic, and distrust. They feared the consequences of their actions, particularly the possibility of being charged with murder or obstruction of justice. Annalise skillfully manipulated their fears, convincing them that she was their only hope for survival.
FAQ 10: What were the long-term psychological effects on the Keating 5?
The trauma of that night had a profound and lasting impact on the Keating 5. They suffered from PTSD, paranoia, and a constant sense of guilt. Their relationships were strained, and they struggled to trust each other, knowing that any one of them could betray the others. This psychological toll is a recurring theme throughout the series, exploring the human cost of violence and deception.
FAQ 11: Was Annalise really protecting the Keating 5, or just herself?
While Annalise genuinely cares for the Keating 5 to some extent, her primary motivation is always self-preservation. She is willing to sacrifice them if necessary to protect her own reputation and career. Her actions are driven by a complex mix of self-interest and a twisted sense of loyalty.
FAQ 12: Did Rebecca ultimately get justice for Lila’s murder?
While Sam’s death could be seen as a form of indirect justice for Lila, Rebecca herself never truly receives closure. She continues to be haunted by the events of the past and remains entangled in Annalise’s web of lies and deception. The question of whether true justice is ever achieved remains a central theme of the series. The absence of true justice and the lingering consequences of past actions create a constant sense of unease and moral ambiguity.
In conclusion, “How to Get Away with Murder” Episode 10 paints a complex and unsettling picture of guilt and responsibility. While Frank Delfino initially appears to “get away with murder” by disposing of Sam’s body, the episode reveals that Annalise Keating is the true architect of the cover-up, and the Keating 5 are irrevocably complicit. No one truly escapes unscathed, and the consequences of their actions continue to haunt them throughout the series.