Performer of the Week: Viola Davis
March 3, 2018  •  Ali  •  No Comment  •  How to get away with Murder

TV Line has named Viola their performer of the week for her performance in this week’s episode of How to Get Away With Murder.

THE PERFORMER | Viola Davis

THE SHOW | How to Get Away With Murder

THE EPISODE | “Lahey v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania” (March 1, 2018)

PERFORMANCE | The first hour of ABC’s much-hyped crossover between Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder served up a whole slew of memorable moments. Olivia Pope and Annalise Keating’s long-awaited first meeting, for example. And their second meeting. And their third meeting, just to name a few.

But it was the crossover’s second hour — in which Annalise’s class-action lawsuit finally reached the U.S. Supreme Court — that left us awestruck, thanks in large part to Davis’ tour-de-force performance.

Two scenes emerged as the episode’s most memorable, each one allowing Davis to showcase a completely different Annalise. First, when Jacqueline informed Annalise that Isaac had overdosed, Davis was stunning as her character spiraled into a panic attack, silently communicating every ounce of heartache and fear that Annalise felt upon getting the news. And when she tearfully confessed to Olivia the one thing that might calm her down, Davis packed both regret and hope into her one-word request: “Vodka.”

Equally as breathtaking was Annalise’s monologue to the Supreme Court justices a few scenes later, after her entire day in court had nearly been derailed. As she delivered a powerful speech about the racist criminal justice system, Davis was effortlessly commanding, exchanging Annalise’s panic for poise. (And that’s to say nothing of Davis’ subtler moments, like her emotional inhale upon entering the Supreme Court building at last.)

Thursday’s episode of Murder was a major one for Annalise, who has spent the entire season getting her lawsuit to see the light of day. But this wasn’t just Annalise’s biggest moment; it was also Davis’ finest hour.






Comment Form