The anticipation was palpable when it was announced that Cicely Tyson would once again grace “How To Get Away With Murder” (HTGAWM) as Annalise Keating’s mother, Ophelia Harkness. Past appearances had sparked mixed reactions, sometimes feeling like detours from the central narrative and pushing performances into melodrama. However, the thirteenth episode of this season, titled “Where Are Your Parents?”, defied those concerns. Written by Maya Goldsmith and Daniel Robinson, and directed by DeMane Davis, this episode masterfully balanced emotional depth with significant plot advancements, delivering one of the season’s most impactful twists.
Surprisingly, for the second consecutive episode, the backdrop of HTGAWM was the Christmas season. Beneath the festive veneer, serious storylines unfolded, making for compelling viewing. The episode opened with Miller’s somber funeral, a scene handled efficiently, moving the plot forward. Bonnie’s interaction was mainly limited to Frank and Asher, but a chilling encounter with Miller’s mother left a lasting impact. In a moment of raw grief and rage, Miller’s mother confronted Bonnie, stating:
Bonnie, you need to catch the people who did this and make sure they get the death penalty so I can watch them die.
These words were a heavy burden for Bonnie, laden with guilt as she stood before the mother of the man she had killed, a man she arguably loved. Shortly after, a news report illuminated Nate’s disposal of Miller’s body. The report detailed how the bleach and acid combination mirrored a murder linked to a construction firm with Governor Birkhead connections. This detail subtly reinforced the narrative’s professional handling of the cover-up, keeping the students removed from direct involvement, a welcome change from past seasons’ often convoluted student-led mishaps.
Ophelia’s arrival for Christmas at Annalise’s home quickly shifted the festive mood. Her keen intuition picked up on underlying tensions when she overheard Annalise and Nate discussing the FBI’s immunity offer to Annalise, orchestrated by Agent Claire Telesco. Ophelia, displaying a clear affection for Nate, urged Annalise to prioritize his protection, adding a layer of familial concern to the escalating stakes.
Adding to the family dynamic, Connor’s mother made an unwelcome and clumsy return, triggered by a social media post. The photo, intended to be innocuous, inadvertently included Nate and Miller in the background, raising red flags. Her presence felt largely superfluous, adding little of substance to the episode. Her attempt at motherly commentary during Christmas dinner, where she criticized the students for neglecting their families, felt particularly tone-deaf, given her complete ignorance of their complex and precarious situations.
The episode cleverly contrasted two Christmas dinners. One, the awkward gathering with the students, Connor’s mother, and Gabriel Maddox. The other, a more adult affair with Annalise, Bonnie, Frank, Tegan Price, and Emmett Crawford, among others. Emmett’s gratitude at being included offered a touch of warmth, while Ophelia, again, left her mark with a seemingly insignificant anecdote about Annalise selflessly giving away her lunch as a child.
This seemingly trivial story gained significance later. Tegan took a dramatic step, bypassing Telesco and requesting a reassignment within the FBI. The reason? A prior kiss between Tegan and Telesco in a car, revealing a surprising and risky connection. In a major twist, Tegan confessed to Annalise that she orchestrated Telesco’s suspension. Her leverage? She had planted evidence against Gabriel and was prepared to commit perjury in court. While the FBI investigation persists, Telesco’s inside track is now gone, potentially hindering their progress. This development injects a new layer of intrigue, suggesting that the group’s survival hinges on navigating these shifting allegiances.
We’ve escaped this long, so why should we change?
The episode’s climax delivered the season’s most significant shock. A late-night call led Annalise to a clandestine meeting in a church with Governor Birkhead. Birkhead, in an unexpected move, feigned remorse and denied involvement in the murders of Miller and Lahey Sr. However, as she turned to leave, Birkhead dropped a bombshell, claiming to know Lahey Sr.’s killer and pointing the finger at Emmett Crawford, handing Annalise a file as supposed proof.
Birkhead’s return was anticipated, but her direct approach to Annalise and immediate accusation of Emmett were genuinely surprising. Emmett, a character never portrayed as overtly malicious, becomes the scapegoat. He currently lacks the crucial elements of means, motive, and opportunity for Lahey Sr.’s murder, requiring Birkhead to present compelling and credible evidence to sway Annalise. The church setting adds a symbolic layer, perhaps suggesting confession, absolution, or a twisted sense of morality. With only two episodes remaining this season, the writers have significant explanations to provide.
Several unresolved threads are woven into the episode, hinting at future developments. Bonnie exhibits morning sickness, despite a claimed negative pregnancy test. Laurel continues to receive mysterious phone calls and still possesses the blanket with crucial blood evidence. The FBI secured a warrant for Connor and Oliver’s wedding photos and Oliver’s computer, signaling intensified scrutiny. Gabriel, despite being sidelined in this episode, maintains his fabricated relationship with Michaela to his mother. Finally, a near-kiss between Annalise and Emmett offered a fleeting romantic tension that thankfully didn’t materialize.
The episode concludes with a significant shift in the landscape. The FBI investigation is disrupted, but not halted. Telesco, now compromised, might operate outside the rules. Birkhead’s accusation of Emmett throws a wrench into everything. Tegan’s allegiance remains ambiguous, possibly genuine or a calculated move for self-preservation. The power dynamics are fluid, with no clear victor. If Birkhead’s evidence against Emmett is convincing, Annalise might align with her, potentially leading to Emmett’s downfall and a possible reprieve from the FBI. This scenario, however, leaves the unanswered question of Miller’s murder, demanding another scapegoat. The writers ideally have more twists prepared.
Overall, “Where Are Your Parents?” is another strong episode in a compelling season back half. The only minor misstep was the inclusion of Connor’s mother, while Ophelia’s presence felt more balanced and less disruptive. Ophelia, while not central to the plot, added a tolerable emotional layer without overshadowing the main storylines. The accusation of Emmett as Lahey Sr.’s killer marks the season’s biggest twist, surpassing even the revelation of Miller’s murder victim identity. Emmett’s previously understated role in the season makes him an unexpected target, and the next episodes promise to reveal the truth behind Birkhead’s claims and Emmett’s fate, potentially extending into a possible sixth season.
Thank you for reading this review. Share your theories and reactions to the episode in the comments below, and join us next week for the penultimate episode of the season.
