658 reviews
How to Get Away with Legal Inaccuracy
I saw at least 3 other reviews of this TV show that put it at a 6/10 for the sole reason that it is an inaccurate portrayal of lawyers. Yes, and...? Does that take away from the brilliant plot and acting? I don't think anything in film or television is an accurate portrayal of anything. If someone were to rewrite this exciting show into an "accurate portrayal" of law, then it would just be a show about Viola Davis filling out paper work and occasionally showing up in court. And some of these reviewers go on to say that it is a shame that people believe that is how the court of law is in real life. My advice to them is to go to the IMDb page of the Avengers and write a review that says, "it's a shame that every single person who watches this movie now believes superheroes actually exist," because apparently no one who is a consumer of media entertainment has the common sense to know that lawyers do not, in reality, go around killing and bribing everyone.
No one watches a show like How to Get Away with Murder for a lesson in law, they watch it for the interesting characters and fascinating plot. I had to write this review to correct all of the mistaken reviews that gave this show anything less than a 7, because the overall rating of this show was dismaying to me. And to learn it is for such a irrelevant reason!
No one watches a show like How to Get Away with Murder for a lesson in law, they watch it for the interesting characters and fascinating plot. I had to write this review to correct all of the mistaken reviews that gave this show anything less than a 7, because the overall rating of this show was dismaying to me. And to learn it is for such a irrelevant reason!
- emonaghan-64172
- Oct 30, 2015
- Permalink
Ridiculous and gay and pretty awesome
If you want to watch yet another procedural about lawyers that's realistic or even researched in any way this is not the show for you. However if you want an over the top, melodramatic, sexy, unpredictable show that'll keep you guessing and laughing and freaking out with every cliffhanger, then watch this.
Viola Davis is amazing (unsurprisingly) and Analise is one of the most interesting main characters on TV right now.
This show had one of the best pilots I've seen in a while and the season 2 premiere was one of the best episodes of television I've seen all year (and I watch A LOT of TV).
In summary, How To Get Away With Murder is kinda dumb, kinda funny, really engaging and enthralling and constantly surprising.
Viola Davis is amazing (unsurprisingly) and Analise is one of the most interesting main characters on TV right now.
This show had one of the best pilots I've seen in a while and the season 2 premiere was one of the best episodes of television I've seen all year (and I watch A LOT of TV).
In summary, How To Get Away With Murder is kinda dumb, kinda funny, really engaging and enthralling and constantly surprising.
- joshoreilly24
- Oct 3, 2015
- Permalink
Loved It, Then Hated It, Now I Love To Hate It: A Lawyer's Tale
At the time of writing, I have seen all of season one and the first episode of season 2.
I've seen other reviews on here that talk about how impossible it is to watch this show if you have any legal knowledge, and I would just like to add my two cents to this topic. I sympathize. I'm a lawyer, and have worked in criminal defence (once upon a time), and I, too, generally have a really hard time watching any legal dramas whatsoever. Television takes egregious liberties with the justice system, and shows that portray the practice of law are difficult to watch when they are wildly inaccurate, and it is frustrating to witness protagonists do things that you know are illegal or unethical. As annoying as this is, the tendency is understandable—even criminal law is only so compelling in real life. The assumption is that most viewers do not have legal training, and that nobody—lawyers included—will watch a show where competent, ethical practitioners stay at the office late looking up cases on Quicklaw, fiddling with binding machines, and trying not to smudge pad thai sauce on their prelim transcripts.
This show, however, is so ridiculous that it actually rose to the level of suspension of disbelief required for me, at least, to still enjoy it. It is basically a soap opera. Trying to subject it to human logic is a pointless exercise that will inevitably leave you discombobulated, shouting at the sky about injustice or whatever people do once they've discovered their whole life is a lie.
For instance, I would be hard pressed to conceive of a more profound conflict of interest than that contained in the season 1 episode 10 court scene if someone bet me $100 and a case of beer (I won't describe it in the interests of no spoilers--the blame-shifting thing). And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Every other thing that every character does in this show would get you summarily disbarred, fired, or charged with something.
At the end of the day however, that is not the point. This show seems to know exactly how over-the-top it is. But rather than trying to scale back the insanity in the name of realism, it revels in knocking it right into twelfth gear. Left and right, people are lying to each other or the court, sleeping around and committing felonies—sometimes at the same time—because why not? The degree of accuracy is so low that the mercury drops out the bottom of the thermometer and creates a rift in the space-time continuum. It fails so hard it wins. It is the Hearts equivalent of shooting the moon.
So get some popcorn and get comfy. Try to resist the analytical voice in your head that keeps screaming "No!" and just let it wash over you. Everything will be fine.
I've seen other reviews on here that talk about how impossible it is to watch this show if you have any legal knowledge, and I would just like to add my two cents to this topic. I sympathize. I'm a lawyer, and have worked in criminal defence (once upon a time), and I, too, generally have a really hard time watching any legal dramas whatsoever. Television takes egregious liberties with the justice system, and shows that portray the practice of law are difficult to watch when they are wildly inaccurate, and it is frustrating to witness protagonists do things that you know are illegal or unethical. As annoying as this is, the tendency is understandable—even criminal law is only so compelling in real life. The assumption is that most viewers do not have legal training, and that nobody—lawyers included—will watch a show where competent, ethical practitioners stay at the office late looking up cases on Quicklaw, fiddling with binding machines, and trying not to smudge pad thai sauce on their prelim transcripts.
This show, however, is so ridiculous that it actually rose to the level of suspension of disbelief required for me, at least, to still enjoy it. It is basically a soap opera. Trying to subject it to human logic is a pointless exercise that will inevitably leave you discombobulated, shouting at the sky about injustice or whatever people do once they've discovered their whole life is a lie.
For instance, I would be hard pressed to conceive of a more profound conflict of interest than that contained in the season 1 episode 10 court scene if someone bet me $100 and a case of beer (I won't describe it in the interests of no spoilers--the blame-shifting thing). And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Every other thing that every character does in this show would get you summarily disbarred, fired, or charged with something.
At the end of the day however, that is not the point. This show seems to know exactly how over-the-top it is. But rather than trying to scale back the insanity in the name of realism, it revels in knocking it right into twelfth gear. Left and right, people are lying to each other or the court, sleeping around and committing felonies—sometimes at the same time—because why not? The degree of accuracy is so low that the mercury drops out the bottom of the thermometer and creates a rift in the space-time continuum. It fails so hard it wins. It is the Hearts equivalent of shooting the moon.
So get some popcorn and get comfy. Try to resist the analytical voice in your head that keeps screaming "No!" and just let it wash over you. Everything will be fine.
- NarcoNelly
- Sep 27, 2015
- Permalink
FINALLY A SHOW THAT GAVE PROPER CLOSURE
A show that ended properly in a long time even though their makeup was terrible 😂.but loved it and will always leave a impact on me
MUST WATCH!.
- krish_critic
- Sep 18, 2020
- Permalink
Among Network TV's best dramas
I have no idea why it has taken me this long to write a review for this show since I have loved it since day 1. Meanwhile, How to Get Away With Murder has become my favorite show on television, and here's why: Even in a golden age of television, network TV has been lacking original content in the last few years. There are too many procedural dramas and too many superhero shows, so therefore I am glad to have a show like HTGAWM. Yes, it is partly a legal drama, but it is definitely so much more than than. IMO it is primarily a mystery and a thriller at the same time because every season starts with an intriguing flash-forward, showing us a very dramatic event that takes place in their mid-season finale. However, when most shows have flash-forwards they only feature one in the premiere and practically have no build-up to it, HTGAWM does the opposite, it features a flash-forward in every one of the first 8 episodes of a season and plays with our mind. By the time you have watched the mid-season finale itself, your mind will be blown. But why am I telling you this? Because I am trying to underline that this show has the most brilliant and shocking twists you could even imagine, and they have about 100 of those. They are executed with such brilliance and complexity that you will never get bored or annoyed by them. What is probably even better than the brilliant twists, however, is the masterful acting. Viola Davis nails every single scene she is, she portrays this deeply flawed character beautifully with so much depth. I cannot praise her enough, she deserves every single award that exists. That is not to say that the supporting cast is any less mesmerizing, they all bring their A-game consistently. They all deserve recognition. And one last thing: character development!!!! So so brilliant! The characters that you meet in the pilot change a lot as time passes and they all become very three-dimensional! Just go ahead and watch this show. I could say so much more, but just go enjoy the fun and crazy ride. You won't regret it, I promise!
One of the best shows I've ever watched
I honestly can say that this is one of the absolute best TV shows I've ever watched. I feel like they are my family! I'm going to be so sad when it ends.
- stayceltic
- Nov 27, 2019
- Permalink
Freaking Amazing
I honestly think the other review was uncalled for. This is fantastic! The beginning is a little confusing and hard to figure out whats going on but honestly, that's what makes it so suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Most crime shows are all about justice, which is great but sometimes it's nice to see the opposite side of things. There's so many dynamic characters in this show, it adds interest. Viola Davis is amazing in this. She's such a strong actress and her acting is very believable and on point. What I will say is, some of the characters seem a bit awkward. Again, I think that's what makes it interesting. The awkward characters have a place and don't seem like a random actress throw into the mix. I find this show, sexy, interesting and very dramatic. It's the perfect mix! I say give it a watch, if you don't like it no harm, no foul.
- laselle1994
- Sep 25, 2014
- Permalink
Brilliant writing, brilliant acting!
- dominicsamuelhesse
- Jan 29, 2021
- Permalink
twisty storytelling wears out over time
Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) is a sought-after law professor and a famous hard-charging defense attorney willing to push the envelope. She selects her students Wes Gibbins, Connor Walsh, Michaela Pratt, Asher Millstone, and Laurel Castillo as her interns to work on her cases. There is Annalise's husband Sam and her secret affair with police detective Nate Lahey. There are her associates Frank Delfino and Bonnie Winterbottom. The first season centered on the murder of student Lila Stangard and Rebecca Sutter who is the main suspect.
This is Shondaland. The flashforward structure of the first season is challenging but kept the show different and interesting. There is nothing better than Viola Davis. She shines but she also overpowers the younger cast. The biggest overshadowed problem is Alfred Enoch who is most known for a minor Harry Potter role. He's not alone in that problem. It doesn't help that the storytelling is non-stop twists and turns. The characters never get the stability needed to build chemistry. The second season centers on a different case and by the third season, I have to give up. All the effort is used to keep up with the twisty stories. Only Viola Davis is able to break through. It's just really tough to remember the situations for each character over the years.
This is Shondaland. The flashforward structure of the first season is challenging but kept the show different and interesting. There is nothing better than Viola Davis. She shines but she also overpowers the younger cast. The biggest overshadowed problem is Alfred Enoch who is most known for a minor Harry Potter role. He's not alone in that problem. It doesn't help that the storytelling is non-stop twists and turns. The characters never get the stability needed to build chemistry. The second season centers on a different case and by the third season, I have to give up. All the effort is used to keep up with the twisty stories. Only Viola Davis is able to break through. It's just really tough to remember the situations for each character over the years.
- SnoopyStyle
- Nov 16, 2016
- Permalink
Finally a show I couldn't predict!
I rarely ever write reviews, but this is a must. I have have a hyperactive ADHD, I get bored with most shows because I can always predict their plots. Not here. I binged all seasons in 10 days, I couldn't stop watching, it's brilliant. There are legal irregularities, yes, but this show is not for educational purposes, people. It's entertainment.
The performance and the writing are phenomenal, I can't recommend it enough. Viola Davis' acting skills are unprecedented. And FINALLY, a decent ending! You don't get to see many of those anymore.
I've rated over 1500 movies and shows, I've written less than 10 reviews in total. If there's one show I can make you watch, let it be this one.
The performance and the writing are phenomenal, I can't recommend it enough. Viola Davis' acting skills are unprecedented. And FINALLY, a decent ending! You don't get to see many of those anymore.
I've rated over 1500 movies and shows, I've written less than 10 reviews in total. If there's one show I can make you watch, let it be this one.
- trajkova88
- Jan 13, 2024
- Permalink
Dissappointed
I started watching this show as it was recommended highly and also had good online ratings. I REALLY enjoyed it at first but halfway through the season it started feeling tedious. Things got convoluted & started to get unreal. I was REALLY dissappointed at the end of season 1, so I won't be continuing to watch.
- columbialuver
- May 21, 2019
- Permalink
Good start
This starts out well but then all the characters just get annoying because they are all deviant in behavior. There is no balance.
I Love This Show
I know that some people don't like the outlandish schemes of this show and say that the legal parts and law school parts are "unrealistic" but that's the point of the show! Nobody wants to watch a show about the real lives of law students, they're just not that interesting. The reason that these shows are popular is because they are crazy, and lots of people like that. There's nothing wrong with that. If you don't like the drama, then don't watch this show, because yes, it is unrealistic. But that's what makes it interesting! Please just stop hating on it because realistic everyday lives aren't all that interesting to watch unless they're comedy and some people like drama because we are humans and we simply want the drama. We want those lives because they're exciting, regardless of how unrealistic they are. I LOVE THIS SHOW. It's so interesting and I love finding out what happens next. The acting is amazing and the story lines are very creative. It's really good and I highly recommend it.
- emma-199-968109
- Dec 29, 2014
- Permalink
Fun!
I just binge watched season one and I loved it. First off I want to say that there are a bunch of complaining critics on here that I think are missing the point of the show. How to get away with murder. It's not a show that's going to depict total reality. It's a fun to watch exaggerated clever show (but there's a bit of truth behind every bit of this exaggeration). Maybe the critics that rate the show so harshly should really watch it with a grain of salt. So many are saying that it's unrealistic. The law schools are not at all like this. Law isn't practiced like this. Oh grow up. The crazy twisting corrupted lying cheating goings-on are exaggerated and accelerated to make it more fun to watch. This is a fun show and I am most certainly looking forward to season two. Now I will agree that there are some gratuitous sex scenes that just really aren't necessary. The writers really don't have to spell it out for us. We get it. Maybe they will ease up on that kind of stuff in season two. Good show and I recommend it to people who are open-minded to the fact that TV doesn't always have to be based on true absolute reality. It's supposed to be entertaining. And this show is definitely entertaining.
- Nunyrbusiness
- Oct 1, 2015
- Permalink
Watch it for the twists not the reality
This show is like sneaking down at night to eat a quart of Ben and Jerry's ice cream From the freezer. It is wonderful, but has no actual value...you enjoy it, but realize it doesn't do you any good. As long as you take it for what it is worth, a sort of soft porn everyone screws everyone and all the characters somehow are related and guilty of something as the show goes on you will enjoy it.
Like that ice cream, it is empty calories. Remember you are NOT eating a gourmet meal, so don't expect one. Sit back, relax and enjoy and try to figure out what twist and devious plot turn is coming next. Do NOT try to reference any sort of legal reality, because you will be very disappointed...lot of liberty taken with actual laws.
Most of the acting is very well done and I, for one, enjoy mind candy.
Like that ice cream, it is empty calories. Remember you are NOT eating a gourmet meal, so don't expect one. Sit back, relax and enjoy and try to figure out what twist and devious plot turn is coming next. Do NOT try to reference any sort of legal reality, because you will be very disappointed...lot of liberty taken with actual laws.
Most of the acting is very well done and I, for one, enjoy mind candy.
Messy and addictive
This is a story about a law professor and her inner circle of students, collegues, lovers and friends who each season find themselves involved in a murder and use their legal knowledge to cover up their crimes.
Sounds distasteful? It very much is. It's messy, ugly, upsetting - and totally brilliant!
The entire cast is phenomenal. Viola Davis in particular brings magic to every scene she's in, and it's impossible to imagine anyone else playing Professor Annalise Keating.
While the series pushes the limits for how many murders we're supposed to accept that our little group of anti-heroes gets involved in, the story is a dramatic rollercoaster that I couldn't get enough of. I binged every season. This series feels so fresh that you can't really compare it to any other show.
Sounds distasteful? It very much is. It's messy, ugly, upsetting - and totally brilliant!
The entire cast is phenomenal. Viola Davis in particular brings magic to every scene she's in, and it's impossible to imagine anyone else playing Professor Annalise Keating.
While the series pushes the limits for how many murders we're supposed to accept that our little group of anti-heroes gets involved in, the story is a dramatic rollercoaster that I couldn't get enough of. I binged every season. This series feels so fresh that you can't really compare it to any other show.
- Amazing-Stories
- Nov 23, 2019
- Permalink
Wow this show keeps getting better season after season!
I enjoyed this show from the start of the season and rated it 8/10.
Then as the episodes and seasons progressed, I got annoyed with the constant back and forth timelines - of which I felt were confusing and unnecessary. Thus I dropped my score down to a 7.
Well, now into season 4, these timeline flashbacks and flash forwards are making sense and getting better.
The tension of this show is intense and Viola Davis has found her role - nails it season after season. I want her character to be my friend and mentor lol.
Score is now up to a 9.5 rounded up to a 10/10.
Then as the episodes and seasons progressed, I got annoyed with the constant back and forth timelines - of which I felt were confusing and unnecessary. Thus I dropped my score down to a 7.
Well, now into season 4, these timeline flashbacks and flash forwards are making sense and getting better.
The tension of this show is intense and Viola Davis has found her role - nails it season after season. I want her character to be my friend and mentor lol.
Score is now up to a 9.5 rounded up to a 10/10.
- Top_Dawg_Critic
- Oct 25, 2017
- Permalink
This show and its whodunnit plotline knows how to keep you on your toes.
Season One: 9/10
Season Two: 9/10
Season Three: 9.5/10
Season Four: 7.5/10
Themes: Mystery, Drama, Murder, Lawyers, College, Thriller, Relationships, Lgbtq+, Cheating, Suicide, Corruption, Pregnancy, Cover-Up & Crime.
Top three characters: 1) Connor Walsh, 2) Annalise Keating and 3) Michaela Pratt.
Season Two: 9/10
Season Three: 9.5/10
Season Four: 7.5/10
Themes: Mystery, Drama, Murder, Lawyers, College, Thriller, Relationships, Lgbtq+, Cheating, Suicide, Corruption, Pregnancy, Cover-Up & Crime.
Top three characters: 1) Connor Walsh, 2) Annalise Keating and 3) Michaela Pratt.
- Imme-van-Gorp
- Oct 22, 2021
- Permalink
I don't usually use the term guilty pleasure...
This is definitely a time to use it. Unlike other ABC shows I used to watch like Desperate Housewives, I never heard a good word about HTGAWM. When Desperate Housewives first appeared there were plaudits and comparisons with Six Feet Under and Sex & The City. Much like DH, this show centres on a mystery (who killed Lila Stangart and how are the main characters going to get away with murder?). Add to that some of the horniest students and professionals I've seen on television since Queer as Folk, you've got a great mix of intrigue, hysteria and mystery. It doesn't pretend to be a good show. It's overblown, it's riddled with over-acting, the plot is paper thin and the court scenes are like cheap episodes of "The Good Wife." And it works in the shows favour. It's so good because it never once puts on the front of being a good television show. It's trashy and dirty and Viola Davis is absolutely amazing. If you're needing to wind down after a hard day of actual work, tune in to How To Get Away With Murder and enjoy the petty dramas of an oversexed, over-thinking, overdressed cast. The jury is out - How To Get Away With Murder is guilty! Guilty of being pleasurable.
- A_Llama_Drama
- Oct 13, 2015
- Permalink
Hooked from the beginning to the end
I binged the entire four seasons in under a month. All of the characters are so interesting - you love and hate all of them at one point or another. It's an emotional rollercoaster - I cried A LOT! I love how each episode has its own story, but there is always a thread of flashbacks or flashforewards that keep you hooked until the end of each season. This is not a series you can just have on in the background - you really need to be giving it your full attention to appreciate its brilliance. Couldn't recommend it enough!
- katiehigson
- Jun 9, 2018
- Permalink
Reasonably ok...
Glorified soap opera...Personally,i would like to see more in depth study of interesting criminal cases ,instead of mostly family,love,gay drama...nevertheless ,ok time killer...
- tchitouniaram
- Jun 9, 2021
- Permalink
My soul feels polluted
So much nastiness! This show got worse and worse with each season. Sexy, sad and nasty people consistently lie, cheat, scheme and hurt each other, and wonder why they're so miserable. There's not one redeemable character in the series.
Slow at the start but Awesome all- in- all
The most interracial show ever made, seems to be the main theme of the serial. But the plot takes the cherry. The twists through out the story is simply hypnotizing. Even though it is slow at the start, the end pays it off with interest.It seems to have been made with a message of women, gay and other empowerment and is not at all subtle about it. It has Gay sex in every episode..that girls might love. But all these negative points are well outweighed by the the story-line plus acting. Majorly the actor in the lead role "Anna Keating". Her work is impeccable. I can't remember the last time I failed to identify the killer beforehand. The director would amaze everyone with the brilliant work. "How to get away with murder" there could not be a better title than this.So, watch it right now, bear first few episodes with patience, then drown in its magic. Great Show!!
Murder did not look any more tempting
- eng-jaber-87
- Nov 11, 2014
- Permalink
A show that never fails to surprise.
This TV show is very well written and has the viewer on the edge of her seat for 43 minutes. I have loved every episode so far, and I really like the characters. Plot twists are, according to me, fantastic. And this show has a lot of them. It never fails to surprise. Law is something I have always found fascinating - you get a new case every week and you get to follow Annalise and her students into court while also getting a glimpse into everyone's personal lives. The characters are alike in many ways, but also very unique. You get to see the relationships between the students, between the adults - and of course, between the students and adults. I have always been a big fan of Shonda, she will continue to do great things.
- nenne_cool
- Jan 9, 2015
- Permalink