How to Get Away with Murder Season 6, Episode 14 recap: Annalise Keating is Dead

Annalise Keating is ready to go to trial on How to Get Away with Murder, but from day one, nothing moves forward as planned.

It’s the day of the trial – the biggest day of Annalise Keating’s life. She’s been on either side of this situation a few times already, but the trial in the penultimate episode of How to Get Away with Murder is a make-or-break situation. It’s time for Annalise to pull out all the stops, starting with choosing the correct look for the event.

After much debate with herself, Annalise chooses to look powerful and chic and showcase her natural hair. This opening scene emphasizes the constant conversations many African-American people have, and Annalise is no different. A scene like this reminds us all why we fell in love with this chaotic show in the first place.

The Trial Begins

Annalise’s trial kicks off in the worst way possible. The prosecution requests Teagan Price to be removed as Annalise’s attorney due to a conflict of interest. What proof do they have? Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza). She is testifying for the prosecution that Teagan has a history with the Castillo family, which makes her ill-suited to represent Annalise against them.

To save her already sinking case, Annalise steps in to represent herself. Teagan is livid that Annalise walked into that trap. In an earlier episode of How to Get Away with Murder, Teagan had said that representing oneself was a one-way ticket to losing a case, and it’s obvious she’s worried that her hypothesis is correct.

Annalise cannot be swayed. She’s more confident in herself than anyone else, with good reason. The prosecution’s opening statement doesn’t hold a candle to Annalise’s powerful and evocative monologue.

We’ve seen plenty of statements play out on television and in films, but Annalise makes poignant observations that reflect the systemic racial prejudices of the real world.

The power of her words is boosted by the fact that the writers have highlighted these issues throughout the final half of this season.

Annalise also has an ace up her sleeve. She has sent Bonnie Winterbottom to negotiate with Hannah Keating’s lawyer. In exchange for keeping Hannah’s secret love child with her brother under wraps, Annalise wants Hannah to testify against the governor and reveal that conspiracy against her.

Hannah is a tough customer. Through her lawyer, Hannah insists that Annalise sign an NDA making her liable to pay out $100 million if she’s found in breach of the clause. Then Hannah forces Annalise to agree to confess to Sam’s death in exchange for Hannah’s help.

Teagan cannot contain her frustration with Annalise, and yet there is no stopping her. I can’t help but admire Amirah Vann’s effortless ability to inhabit Teagan’s emotions. She’s a scene-stealer in the best way possible and really lets her hair down (figuratively speaking) in this episode.