Let me start this off by first, stating, that I am not a fan of "Scandal". I tried watching 10 minutes of the show and I had to stop because, well, I felt like the writers thought I was stupid. In the first 10 minutes of that show, a narration occurs that is both unnecessary and distracting. The reason I bring this up because even after 6 episodes in, I feel like I can't shake the feeling that the writers think I'm an idiot and can't make heads or tails of what's happening.
"How To Get Away With Murder" is a show staring written by the famous Shonda Rhimes Viola Davis as Analise Keating a top defense lawyer in Philadelphia. On the first day of class, she selects a core group of students who will work with her on various cases and potentially be hired for her full time after they get their law degree. How did she decide who she was going to take on? She gave them one assignment and decided from there. Her team of cut throat drama filled students consists of Wes Gibbins, played by Alfred Enoch, who for some reason cannot separate his head from the rest of his body whenever he turns and always, ALWAYS, looks surprised, Connor Walsh, played by Jack Falahee, Michaela Pratt, played by Aja Naomi King, who is just such an ace student that she may just crack, Laurel Castillo, played awfully by Karla Souza and whose character suffers from the "oh these two people are pretty and hardly speak to one another but there is definitely something there" attraction with another character, and frat boy Asher Millstone, played by Matt McGory, who you may recognize from "Orange is the New Black".
Now the show is episodic, as are most law genre shows but there is an overarching story line that is given to the viewer piece by piece in the beginning of each episode and at the end of each episode. The most annoying part about these scenes, is not only are they shot different, but the editors speed up the film, reverse it, and utilize an annoying whoosh like sound in the background, just to beat you over the head that this is the present and you better pay attention or else you may miss something. Well, I work full time, go to school part time, and watch a number of different television shows each week and I do not need these techniques to constantly remind me that what I'm seeing is taken place in the present.
On a different note, I can't stand how this select group are the only individuals answering questions in class. Not only are they working with Ms. Keating outside of class but for some reason she doesn't call on anyone else in the show. If I was paying to be in her class, I would be pissed. And why does everyone have to stand up when she asks a question? Is raising your hand just too outdated?
Honestly, I'll watch this show to the end just to see how big the reveal is and I'll write another article on whether or not I found it to be predictable or unique. So far, the writing isn't great, the acting could be better, and the show itself I think relies on a lot of drama that is manufactured between the characters but doesn't add to the overall story line.
Written by cwm on Nov 3, 2014
HTGAWM <3 <3