01x02 - It's All Her Fault

[bunniefuu]

Every year, I choose four students to come work for me.

The top student gets this.

Previously on "How to get Away with m*rder"...

Oh, my God.

Get the hell out.

Wes. He's in your wife's class, too.

I'm sorry. Who's your wife?

Professor Keating.

There she is.

Rebecca, I kind of had a weird night.

Could use a drink.

Sorry.

Reporter: Police are confirming a woman's body was found on middleton's campus.

I bet you the boyfriend did it.

Either we all agree or we stop right now.

Just do it.

It's the only way to destroy the DNA.

[ Crowd cheering ]

[ Crowd chanting "Middleton! Middleton!" ]

He should be here by now.

It's fine.

What if it's not?

Michaela.

What if they got caught or went to the police or she convinced him to pin it on us?

Wes wouldn't do that.

He wouldn't, but she would.

Stop, okay? It's going to be fine.

No, think about it.

How we got here... It's all her fault.

It's not her fault. We're all to blame.

No, I'm gonna call Aiden.

Michaela!

No, I never agreed to this!

Because you had a meltdown!

You could barely form a sentence.

So shut up, sit down, and stop acting like a little bitch baby.

Do not tell me how to feel right now!

Wes: Hey! Aah!

Sorry it took so long.

I went back for this.

Nothing new?

[ Sighs ] Doesn't look like it.

Makes sense.

All the time her body was in that water t*nk probably destroyed any evidence.

I'm gonna be home late.

Dean jovich wants me at the meeting about how to handle the grief counseling.

Really? Because you knew her?

Because he wants someone there from the psych department.

Mm.

But who knows?

Maybe that's part of it, too.

I've got class.

Annalise: The question I'm asked most often as a defense attorney is whether I can tell if my clients are innocent or guilty.

And my answer is always the same.

I don't care.

And it's not because I'm heartless, although that's up for debate, but because my clients, like all of us here in this room, lie.

And that makes them unknowable.

Take Mr. Millstone, here.

Are you really who you say you are, or are there other sordid details that we're missing?

Criminal record, divorce, an actual skeleton in your closet?

I can assure you I've, uh, I've never hurt a fly.

So you say.

Look around you.

At the quiet girl you share notes with, the cute guy you have a crush on, the gunner who talks too much in class, and ask yourselves, do you know who anyone really is?

Your instincts better be good, or you'll find yourself choosing the wrong people to make a study group with, to sleep with, or even marry.

Just ask Marjorie St. Vincent, heir to her family's billion-dollar department-store fortune until she was stabbed 16 times in the master bedroom of her gladwyne mansion.

The alleged k*ller... Her husband, of course.

Max St. Vincent.

Max: I met Marjorie in Paris.

I was shopping for my daughter Eloise's fourth birthday.

My wife had just passed.

I needed something [Clicks tongue] special.

When Marjorie saw me struggling to speak to the owner in French, well, from the minute she opened her mouth to translate, I knew this was the woman for me.

And 20 years later, she's still the only woman who knew how to make me happy.

Well, as much as anybody can be happy in an institution as barbaric as a marriage.

Don't you agree, Ms. Keating?

Let's keep it moving.

I asked Max to preserve the crime scene until after the trial was over.

You never know what forensic clues you'll find to help our case later.

And the room needed some color, anyway.

You gonna throw up?

No. I'm good.

Annalise: Look around, take photos, be the fresh eyes we need to help this case.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

Is it time?

I think it is.

I need a volunteer.

Ladies?

[ Chuckles ] I'll do it.

Very well.

You're about as pretty as my wife was.

[ Chuckles ] Yeah.

Now...

On the bed.

The forensic report claims that Marjorie was in bed reading when I joined her with, uh... ah!

Your pen, dear. Pen.

The Kn*fe, which I hid, like this.

Then I pretended to initiate sexual relations.

And just as we were about to kiss...

I struck. [ Gasps ]

But missed, hitting the carotid artery, which was now squirting like a loose fire hose, hence the walls, so then I struck again, number two.

Hit here.

Followed by number three, here.

Number four, five, six, seven.

[ Grunting ]

16.

[ Sighs ]

Sheesh.

Or so that's the prosecution's theory.

Theory? [ Laughs ]

Good luck proving that, huh?

Oh. [ Sighs ]

The m*rder book, given to us by the prosecution with all the evidence they've gathered in Max's case.

Go through it.

Find the holes to help get our guy a "not guilty."

Max said there were three officers at the scene, but only two were on the report.

We need the originals.

I was thinking we send the puppy.

Smart.

Mr. Gibbons, my office... now.

What do we think is going on there?

Asher: What do you mean?

We all earned our spot here, right?

But wait list?

Don't call him that. Maybe he's her secret baby, like she gave him up for adoption and he doesn't even know.

Because all black people are related.

What? No. I-I wasn't...

My point is, something is going on.

Otherwise, why would he be here?

Why are any of you here?

That's the question I'm still asking myself.

Annalise: Frank says that you're having second thoughts about the job.

And what Frank thinks, I usually agree with.

So...

Is he right?

Are you regretting your decision to join us?

No.

I'm happy to be here.

Good.

Let's give you more responsibility, then.

Go to this police department and get the supplemental arrest report for Mr. St. Vincent.

Don't give your name or mine.

You think you could handle that?

Yes.

Thank you.

Now get out.

I just need the supplemental arrest report on Max St. Vincent.

Are you flipping kidding me?

What?

Of course you're not.

Lucinda teaches you this when you start working for her, right?

That the rest of us only exist to serve the DA's office?

DA's office?

It's like that woman looks for ways to waste my time.

You can tell that to Lucinda, okay?

Sure.

[ Sighs ]

[ Knock on door ]

[ Sighs ]

The dumb strippers upstairs must have flushed their dr*gs down the toilet, because now there's disgustingness coming out of my shower drain. Can I use yours?

Uh...

I'll just be a minute.

I can't sleep till I've washed all the beer and frat-boy stench off of me.

Right.

Wow. No offense.

I think I liked Rudy's setup better.

Uh, Rudy?

Yeah, he's the freak who lived here before you.

You actually kind of remind me of him.

Probably because you both have that crazed look on your face all the time.

It's probably a law-school thing, right?

I guess.

Uh...

I should get back to this work.

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Shut up! Shut up!

It's two against two.

We have no other choice. We flip a coin.

That is the dumbest thing you've ever said.

I'm not letting a freaking coin decide whether or not I go to jail tonight!

We don't have time to fight!

We need to make a decision and commit to it.

So if someone has a better idea, say it now!

Heads, we get the body.

Tails, we leave it where it is. Okay?

Heads.

We go back for the body.

Let's go!

Reporter: Breaking news on the lila stangard m*rder here.

Police just released the medical examiner's ruling that Ms. Stangard's death was indeed a homicide.

This comes a week after she was discovered deceased in a water t*nk at her sorority house, Kappa Kappa Theta.

Want to know the best part about that?

'Cause corpses crap themselves.

So the sorority girls were all drinking their friend's poop.

[ Groans ]

Hey, is Professor Keating in?

Shh.

No suspects have been announced, but we do know police spent the morning interviewing her boyfriend, Griffin O'Reilly, a star of the Middleton football team.

Get out of my apartment!

Mr. Gibbons. Did you do what I asked?

Uh, yes.

Well done. Did you look inside?

I-I did, but I actually found a discrepancy between what the supplemental report says versus what's in the prosecution's m*rder book.

What kind of discrepancy?

A name.

The m*rder book says the hunting Kn*fe was found on the front lawn by officer Jake...

Dorsey. Jake Dorsey.

Really?

So you're not officer Chad Mullens?

Your honor, I'm not sure what Ms. Keating is insinuating here...

I'm not insinuating anything.

I'm just reading from the supplemental arrest report, which says that officer mullens found the hunting Kn*fe, not our witness here.

Or am I misreading the name, officer Dorsey?

Uh... no.

Says officer Mullens.

An officer who I recently found out is under investigation for drinking on the job, which explains why your boss might want to keep his name off of the official arrest report, maybe even changing his name for yours.

Your honor, can we take a recess?

After we get the Kn*fe thrown out, we att*ck the motive.

Any thoughts?

Laurel: I had one.

Prosecution's going to use Marjorie's best friend to say that she wanted to divorce Max, which would have eliminated his inheritance per the prenup and thereby giving him motive to k*ll.

I looked into discrediting the friend, but I couldn't find anything just yet.

I can make that happen. Why don't I help?

Oliver: You know, usually I require dinner before I agree to illegally hack into a rich old lady's computer.

Wednesday.

What?

Dinner. You and me.

And the faster you type, the faster you get your reward.

Annalise: Mrs. Taylor.

You claim that your best friend Marjorie spoke to you about divorcing Max nearly a year ago.

Yes.

Even though you wrote the following toast at their anniversary party about two months ago.

"I haven't seen two people more in love

"since the Captain and Maria performed their first dance in front of the Von trapp children."

Doesn't sound like a couple about to divorce to me.

How in the hell do you find this crap?

You'll never know.

Annalise: The alibi's next.

Max claims he was out for a walk when the m*rder occurred, so we need a neighbor who saw him.

Frank... Take who you need.

You two... Prom queen and doucheface.

Come with me.

Michaela: This is you hazing us, right?

You don't seriously dig through strangers' trash on a normal basis.

You want a desk job, go to a corporate firm.

Now get in there and find us a winner.

Boo-yah!

This is a receipt from risqué business.

That is a strip club, and it is down on...

Caster Ave., yeah.

This is good.

I doubt dad will want mom to find out about where he's spending the kids' tuition.

It was around 8:30 when I took out the trash that night.

Right after our nightly family dinner.

Annalise: And what did you see while you were outside?

A man walking on the other side of the street.

And did you recognize the man?

Well, it was very dark that night, but I think it's very possible that it was my neighbor, Mr. St. Vincent.

The prosecution has rested, so the first witness to take the stand will be Max's daughter.

I need someone to write up the prep questions.

I'll do it.

Frank's girl. Good.

Have them on my desk by midnight.

I'll meet you back at the house.

Let me guess.

You were sent to tell me to stop embarrassing cops on the stand.

You need to be careful.

There's gonna be pushback.

Is that a thr*at?

Not from me.

You haven't returned my calls.

I'm not here to talk about us.

So that's it? We're done?

Are you surprised?

You know I never set out to hurt you on purpose.

You blackmailed me on the stand, made me sell out my department.

I'll be lucky if the Chief gives me another case all year.

I'll talk to him.

You're the last person I want talking for me right now.

Now, I'm trying to make things right.

Don't you want me to make things right?

I'm done with your crazy.

Nate.

What do you want from me?

You won your case, got laid.

So how else can I be of service to you?

You call me again, and I swear to God I'll tell your husband every dirty, nasty thing I did to you under his own roof.

(singing)

Man: Is that all for you?

Room 203, please.

It's me. Don't worry. It's a new phone.

I know, but I just wanted to tell you we're taking care of it.

They didn't want to at first, but I got them to come around.

We're gonna protect you.

Sam?

[ Shower running ]

Sam: I'll be out in a minute.

Have you eaten yet?

No.

How about that Indian place?

They take forever to deliver, but I'll pick it up if you want to call.

[ Shower stops ]

Annie?

Everything okay?

Yeah. Indian sounds good.

Okay.

Great.

Well, look at us.

You on your way home from work and me on my way there.

Ships in the night.

Uh, hey, uh, so I saw your friend on the news...

The football player, about his girlfriend, Lila Stangard.

And?

I just wanted to say sorry...

If she was your friend, too.

She wasn't.

You a cop or something?

[ Chuckles ]

The news said the cops were questioning him.

I just wanted to make sure you knew don't ever talk to them without a lawyer.

Yeah. I know.

I'm not an idiot, and you're not a lawyer.

You're making me late.

These are the prep questions for the daughter.

Great.

[ Sighs ]

What?

I thought about what you said, why, uh, why any of us are here, and I know now that Connor and Michaela were both top of their class, Asher, he's got his father, and Wes, I don't know, but it seems like Annalise likes him.

A lot.

And me [Chuckles]

It's, uh, Frank, right?

I mean, he picked me, not Professor Keating.

[ Sighs ]

I look nice, I know, but that's just my face.

And you coming to me with your questions and personal drama is not going to make me nicer.

So rather than me tell you the answer to what you just asked, let me just say that the time you are wasting worrying about Frank is time you should be using getting Annalise to actually learn your name.

I'm done talking to you.

[ Sighs ]

Annalise: Can you trust your character witness on the stand?

That is one of the biggest dilemmas as a defense attorney.

Your character witness is too positive, the jury feels manipulated.

Too honest, and you sh*t your case in the foot.

Which is why it all comes down to pretrial prep.

Max: Team.

I'd like you to meet my daughter, Eloise.

She's fresh off the plane from Stanford.

She dropped everything the minute we said we needed her.

I'm getting a master's in poetry.

There's not much to drop.

Mm, Ellie.

He's the one I mentioned in the car.

Dad.

Think of the beautiful babies you two would make.

The challenge is in establishing your witness's credibility.

You have to show them being real, even critical of your client.

Bonnie: He's your father.

Are we really supposed to believe that you wouldn't lie for him on the stand?

I love my father, obviously, but I also love Marjorie.

If my father hurt her, I'd insist you give him the death penalty.

See? Pretty and smart.

Be as punishing as possible.

No topic is off limits.

What about when he sent you to the mental institution?

He told you you were crazy, right?

I was 15 and anorexic, just like every other girl at my private school.

And I got better.

Because you were able to get away from his bad parenting?

He wasn't a bad parent.

He's odd, yes, eccentric, but it's just a defense mechanism.

His parents d*ed when he was a child.

His first wife, my birth mother, d*ed in a car accident when I was 3.

That changes you.

Makes you scared of losing people.

That's why he clung to Marjorie and me.

We were his entire world.

Which is how I know there's no way he could have hurt her.

I get that's hard to believe coming from me, but it's the truth.

Your witness.

Your father met Marjorie after your first mother d*ed in Switzerland.

Is that correct?

Yes.

What if I told you that was a lie?

That your father and Marjorie were having an affair.

No, my mother d*ed before they met.

In a car accident.

Or at least that's what your father told you.

Your honor, if the prosecutor wants to testify, swear her in.

The state would like to introduce the certified Swiss death report for Mr. St. Vincent's first wife, Elizabeth Sims.

It's been translated so Ms. St. Vincent can read it for the jury.

"Elizabeth sims d*ed at age 28 from a deeply incised wound of the upper neck in the manner of homicide."

And the m*rder w*apon?

A hunting Kn*fe.

"Stuart sims was put on trial in glattbrugg, Switzerland, for the m*rder of his wife, Elizabeth. The prosecution argued his motive was to run away with his mistress, Marjorie Trask, but Stuart was found not guilty. The following year, he created a new identity for him and his daughter as Max and Eloise St. Vincent, then settled in Philadelphia with Marjorie for a fresh fake start."

Charming.

I was trying to protect you.

By lying to me about my entire life?

How do you tell a young girl her mother's been butchered to death?

What good would that do?

Because you did it, right?

And now Marjorie, too?

Don't be ridiculous.

You k*lled the both of them.

You're a m*rder*r and a liar.

Ellie, please.

Do not come near me.

I hope the jury decides to k*ll you.

I kind of agree with her, yo.

Hello, Stuart.

So, would you have taken my case had I told you?

You underestimate how much I like a challenge.

You lie to me again, you no longer have an attorney.

Frank, find out how the prosecution knew about Max's first trial.

Whoever slipped the information could be a possible suspect.

On it.

And the rest of you, prove I wasn't wrong to hire you.

Conner: I forgot. I'm sorry.

My boss called us into work last minute, and I'll take you to dinner this weekend instead.

Hello?

Oliver?

Boyfriend drama?

I don't do boyfriends.

Wait, you're gay?

[ Chuckles ]

Hey, Bon. Is she in there?

Yeah.

Sam. About your student...

I just wanted to say I'm sorry.

Thanks.

It's been a little rough, to be honest.

[ Door opens ]

Annalise: Oh, I didn't hear you come home.

Hey. I just walked in.

Rework this motion to suppress.

[ Door closes ]

How did court go?

Wow. That well?

My client's a liar.

Is there something you want to ask me?

This isn't your courtroom, Annie.

You have something to say, say it.

Were you screwing her?

No.

You sure about that?

I said no!

Absolutely not.

Do your work.

Good eye contact.

Now you're just being belligerent.

You're surprised?

That my wife thinks that I slept with one my students?

Well, she is pretty.

Sorry. Was.

Oh, God. Listen to yourself. You're acting crazy.

Well, shouldn't I be? It's happened before!

[ Sighs ]

Come here.

[ Sighs ] Look at me.

Annie, look at me.

There was nothing going on with me and that girl.

I swear to God.

I'm sorry.

It's... it's just this case, this client.

I'm gonna lose.

You say that every time.

[ Knock on door ]

Come in.

You need to see this.

I'll leave you guys to it.

Annalise: There's only one way to win this case.

We prove that Max, even if he did k*ll his first wife, didn't k*ll Marjorie.

Use this room, look for clues that we missed, evidence that contradicts...

Just get inside the m*rder*r's head.

We can swipe the room for DNA again and see if we can find another suspect.

We already ran more tests.

Did you not fully read up on the case?

Asher: Let's put Max on the stand and have him cry like a little baby.

Argue the matrix defense.

Wes: Sleepwalking defense.

Battered husband syndrome.

Bipolar mood swings.

He's a hunter.

An msg m*ssacre defense.

He's a hunter!

Asher: Yeah, genius.

I think the heads on the wall make that pretty obvious.

No.

He's a hunter. He knows how to k*ll.

Annalise: You've been hunting for approximately how many years, Mr. St. Vincent?

Oh, practically my whole life.

So, you're experienced at slaughtering animals, then?

Yes, it's one of the first things my father taught me...

How to be humane, to minimize suffering.

And there are ways to ensure that?

Oh, yes.

I could show you right now, if you like.

Please.

[ Clears throat ]

First, you bend the neck like this so the chin is close to the chest.

Then you put the Kn*fe here...

Judge: Ms. Keating.

Please explain the relevance of this.

It'll become apparent, your honor.

[ Sighs ] Continue.

Once the Kn*fe is by the jugular, you slice...

[ Spectators gasp ]

In one swift motion, and then, well, it just becomes about waiting for the stillness, which happens quite fast if you've done it correctly.

And this technique... This very humane, painless way of k*lling an animal...

Is that how you m*rder*d your first wife?

Yes, that's correct.

[ Spectators murmur ]

She's given her client bad advice in order to get a mistrial.

Who says it's bad advice?

My client was acquitted of the first m*rder.

In Switzerland.

Double jeopardy still stands, and if you'd just let me present my next witness, your honor, you'll see the relevance of all of this.

Really?

There's actual relevance to the things you do?

How many years have you been chief medical examiner of the city of Philadelphia?

13 years. I left last may to become chief of pathology at penn state.

And you've studied the autopsy reports of both Elizabeth sims and Marjorie St. Vincent. - Yes.

Can you describe the difference between the two murders?

Well, at first blush, they look quite similar.

But a more in-depth review of the reports indicates that the first m*rder, a laceration across the neck, was done by someone with a knowledge of anatomy.

And the second m*rder?

The numerous sharp injuries were messy, inaccurate.

They hit bone.

The k*ller clearly knew nothing about anatomy.

Meaning the second k*ller probably did not have hunting experience.

Definitely not.

In fact, it is my expert opinion that there's no way that these two women were k*lled by the same person.

The defense rests.

Wes: I think I know who the second m*rder*r was.

Oh?

Eloise.

The supplemental arrest report said there was no forced entry.

Who else would have a key?

So maybe she found out the truth before we did...

That Max k*lled her mother, then stabbed Marjorie to frame him.

Interesting theory.

You need to see this.

I got the I.P. address of the computer that e-mailed the DA about Max's first trial.

Came from a Stanford computer lab.

Eloise.

She spent spring break visiting her mom's hometown in Switzerland, dug up the real story how she d*ed, started plotting her revenge.

Like father, like daughter.

But what if it's true?

We've rested our case, Mr. Gibbons.

Now we wait for the verdict.

Laurel.

Speak up more. I like your ideas.

And watch out for Mr. Gibbons and Miss Castillo here.

Quiet ones are usually the most dangerous.

What the hell just happened?

Told you I had good taste.

We're not having this conversation again.

I'm not gonna do anything.

Besides, you're the one we need to worry about.

What?

You think you're the only one in that house who notices things?

Judge: Have you reached a verdict?

Man: We have, your honor.

In the matter of commonwealth vs. St. Vincent, case number P1082971, we, the jury, find the defendant, Maxwell St. Vincent...

Not guilty.

You got away with m*rder, you pig!

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Okay, I don't like this part.

You know, there was an easier way to do this.

You mean throw her to the wolves?

You obviously don't have any children.

She k*lled your wife, a woman that you apparently loved.

And I'll find a way to punish Ellie for that.

Don't you worry.

You think I mean k*ll her?

[ Chuckles ] No, Ms. Keating.

I'd rather not spend my entire inheritance paying your legal bills.

Well, I shouldn't make any promises.

Now is not a good time.

No, it's okay.

[ Knock on door ]

No. I don't care what your boss needs.

I'm not here for work. I'm here for dinner.

You really think I'm that desperate?

That you can buy me some takeout and bat your eyes and I'll get down on my knees like some sad twink.

[ Chuckles ] You're too old to be a twink.

[ Door slams ]

Okay.

But tonight, I do you.

Sam?

Sam: In here.

What's this all about?

We are celebrating your win, which, let me just say...

You predicted. I know.

Here. Sit.

I'm gonna head to the cellar and get us a bottle.

Don't move.

Annie? Everything okay?

I found a bottle Ted and leah gave us for our 20th.

Where you going?

I have a client who just called me from jail.

I'll be home as soon as I can.

Nia's inside.

I just need a minute.

No.

It's about the Lila Stangard m*rder.

It's not my case.

I told you... I'm on probation.

I know.

But Sam knew her. She was his student.

They were close.

They were close.

Hey. How'd it go?

Fine. Got him out on a misdemeanor.

Annie.

Hmm?

You sure we're okay?

'Cause if we're not, I'd rather talk about it.

I promise it won't be as scary as you think.

Annie.

We're good. I promise.

They were close.

They were close.

You serious?

You think he had something to do with it?

I don't know.

Why?

Because she was his student? That's your case?

One of his closest students.

Which means he'd screw her. Yeah.

But k*ll her?

We're all capable of terrible things, Nate.

This is your job talking.

It's making you see bad where there is none.

But you got to stop, go home, and talk to him.

He told me nothing happened.

Then there's your answer.

No, listen, all right?

How many times has nia asked you those same questions, huh?

And what did you tell her about us?

The truth?

[ Both breathing heavily ]

He's my husband, Nate... My husband!

Exactly.

You don't do this to your husband...

Sell him out to your boyfriend.

Go home.

I'm not gonna say it again.

Nate!

He was supposed to be at Yale the night she was k*lled, and I need for you to tell me that he was there, that his alibi checks out.

It's the only way to stop my mind, all right?

To know for sure that he didn't have anything to do with this.

Please, Nate. All right?

I don't know who else to go to.

I wish it were someone else, but it's you.

I need you.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Annalise.

Be careful.

[ Breathing heavily ]

Rebecca: Get off me! Don't... don't touch me!

You have the right to speak with an attorney. - Get off of me!

If you cannot afford an attorney...

You're hurting me!

One will be appointed to you at no charge.

Stop it!

Let go, let go, let go of me!

Wes: Rebecca!

Don't say anything!

Reporter: The two suspects, Griffin O'Reilly and Rebecca Sutter, were arrested within an hour of each other.

The female suspect, Ms. Sutter, worked at an off-campus bar, rumored to be the place Middleton students go to buy dr*gs.

In fact, a just-released arrest record on Ms. Sutter shows a history of drug charges, including the sale of hardcore narcotics...

Cocaine, heroin, and meth.

It's me.

Room 203, please.

It's all her fault. It's not her fault.

Wes wouldn't do that.

He wouldn't, but she would.

We're gonna protect you.

Wes: Rebecca. What took you so long?!

I'm sorry, but it's done.

It's done.

Okay.

Don't you ever leave me like that again.

I won't.

I'm here now.

I'm not going anywhere.

You're safe now.