‘How to Get Away With Murder’: Is Annalise Keating the Mastermind or a Martyr?
In How to Get Away With Murder Season 6, prosecutors charged Annalise Keating with several counts of murder and other conspiracy charges stemming from her late husband’s death. The charges came as a result of Connor Walsh and Michaela Pratt’s agreed testimony against their former law professor.
Many fans hate the Keating 2 for taking the deal and turning on Annalise, someone who only tried to help them. Others don’t blame the law students as they believe the lawyer is the “ringleader” and guilty of the charges pressed against her.
Annalise Keating charged with several murders
The FBI arrested Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King), Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee), and later, Oliver Hampton (Conrad Ricamora), for the murder of their friend and informant, Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry). At a bail hearing, the prosecutors released Oliver, who spontaneously confessed at the hospital.
However, they threatened Connor and Michaela with a life sentence in prison unless they testified against their former professor, Annalise Keating (Viola Davis).
The two took the immunity deal, and the authorities immediately arrested the lawyer, who fled to Mexico under the fake name, Justine. Initially, the prosecutors charged Annalise with possessing false documentation and falsifying her passport.
However, with the help of her new co-counsel, Tegan Price (Amirah Vann), they found out the prosecution intended to charge her with everything since her late husband’s death, including the murders of him, Emily Sinclair, Rebecca Sutter, and witness intimidation of Simon Drake.
Because they are charging her with Sam’s murder, she knew Michaela and Connor flipped.
Some think Annalise Keating is the mastermind behind everything
Even though the esteemed lawyer did not pull the trigger herself, many fans believe she should be held accountable for the multiple murders as she’s the “ringleader” of the crew.
Additionally, they don’t think she deserves the sympathy of fans because she framed Nate Lahey (Billy Brown) for Sam’s murder. One user listed all of the criminal things Annalise has done, including “destroying evidence that would exonerate her client to protect her husband in a murder case.”
The lawyer also “secretly masterminded the cover-up of Sam’s murder” and forbid Michaela and Connor from involving the authorities. Additionally, she covered up several other murders and has “multiple instances of obstruction and witness tampering.”
Another fan insists that Annalise “drew” the Keating 5 members “into her web” and only did things for her own benefit. The esteemed lawyer also abruptly left everyone to flee to Mexico under a different name.
Finally, one viewer pointed out that Annalise “allied herself with the two with the highest body count,” and a person doesn’t have to kill to “face a charge of criminal conspiracy murder” such as Charlie Manson.
Many believe Annalise Keating is being treated unfairly
On the other hand, many fans believe Annalise is being mistreated as she’s one of the only characters on the show who haven’t killed anyone. Additionally, they feel as Michaela and Connor are “ungrateful” because the esteemed lawyer has helped them get out of messes they created, and now they’re turning on her.
Another fan claims Annalise is the “least guilty” and thinks everything started because of her desire to “protect” Wes Gibbins (Alfred Enoch). They also believe the kids “owe her, for protecting them by any means necessary” as everyone would have been in jail by the end of Season 1.
Instead, Connor and Michaela are willing to perjure themselves and admit to murders they had no part in only to get Annalise behind bars. While both sides can agree that the lawyer has “blood on her hands” to some degree, many don’t think it’s fair that she’s facing a lifetime in jail for murders she didn’t commit.
Additionally, it’s even more hurtful for some that two people Annalise tried to protect are turning on her to save themselves. How to Get Away With Murder airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC.
