On this week's episode of How to Get Away with Murder, Annalise's mother visits, Rebecca answers questions about Nate, and Bonnie struggles to win a new case when Annalise is sidelined.
The episode opens with Nate being brought into custody. At the same time, Michaela watches footage of Nate's arrest and becomes upset, Laurel confronts Frank on the suspicion that he's responsible for putting Nate in jail, Connor and Oliver have a date night, and Rebecca is on the police's radar for having contacted Nate.
Meanwhile, Annalise's mother arrives at the Keating house and Frank and Bonnie mistake her for a client. Annalise's mom provides Annalise with "tough love," lecturing her about her poor romantic choices involving both Nate and Sam.
Later, Michaela, Wes, Connor, and Laurel conference about Nate and Annalise's role in his arrest. When Bonnie enters, she shuts down talk of Nate's case and says they have a new client to represent--a female nurse named, Jolene, who is being accused of raping a patient. When the case moves to court, Bonnie argues that her client is not guilty, then makes an embarrassing slip during opening arguments. With a target now on her back and Annalise out with the "flu," Bonnie and Annalise's students must work that much harder to win their case.
Back at the Keating house, Annalise's mother rushes her "grieving process" by trying to dispose of Sam's belongings, which leads to a bigger fight between the two women. At the same time, Annalise's mother questions whether or not her daughter killed Sam.
In court, new evidence emerges to suggest that Nurse Jolene is guilty, much to Bonnie and the gang's dismay. Apparently, Jolene was a member of an online forum where people discussed their sexual exploits. The court obtained one of her posts, bragging about allegedly having sex with her patient, and it is read in front of the jury. In private, Bonnie gets frustrated with her client for her dishonesty. Jolene claims that she wasn't the one who initiated the sex, so the gang sets out to prove that the sex was consensual. The students also meet Annalise's mother.
Wes speaks to Annalise in private about Rebecca's meeting with the police about Nate. Wes is worried about Rebecca, but Annalise reassures him that Rebecca will be fine. Annalise's mother rushes Wes out, making a comment about a relationship between Wes and Annalise, similar to that of Lila and Sam. Later, Rebecca and Wes visit the precinct and she undergoes the interrogation. Rebecca briefly discusses her relationship with Nate, then lies about Nate asking her to plant evidence. She figures that since she refused to be an accessory to the crime, Nate took matters into his own hands.
When Connor and Oliver meet up, Connor recognizes a picture of rape accuser, Chad on a hookup website, Humper and Bonnie tries to use this new lead in court. The evidence proves unsuccessful, as the judge won't go for it, and also finds Bonnie's labeling of Chad as "gay," offensive. Bonnie is scolded for her less than stellar handling of Nurse Jolene's case at the same time Michaela conducts an Internet search on Nate's impending arraignment. Feeling the pressure to do well--especially since Annalise is out--Bonnie turns to Frank--and alcohol--for assistance.
Later, Michaela flirts with the assistant district attorney on Nate's case in an attempt to gain information. When Michaela tells the others that Rebecca blamed Nate during her interrogation and accused him of trying to involve her in Sam's death, Wes seems reluctant to believe her and calls Rebecca to clear things up. At the same time, Wes continues to search for news on Rudy, the former tenant of his apartment.
At the Keating house, Annalise finally gets out of bed and her mother wonders where her students are. Annalise says they're at trial and that she can be there, because she's in no condition to help anyone. A second fight erupts when Annalise's mother mentions sensitive history involving her childhood and Annalise asks her to leave.
Back at court, a new development emerges and Bonnie asks Connor for Oliver's help. Private emails between the hospital's attorney and the accuser, Chad reveal that they are lovers with a joint bank account and could have very well chosen to frame Nurse Jolene. Having introduced this information, Bonnie says Jolene will settle for a plea deal and a reduced charge with restitution, but the judge eventually drops all the strikes against her. Once the case concludes, Asher congratulates Bonnie on a job well done, and in a sudden moment of passion, they share a steamy kiss in the parking garage. Frank catches them from inside his rearview mirrors.
Later at a bar, Connor finally introduces Oliver to his friends and Wes remains plagued by his fruitless search at finding Rudy. Laurel offers her help and Wes confesses that Rebecca lied about knowing what happened to him. Wes' worries become full-blown when he questions whether Sam was innocent.
At the Keating house, Annalise's mother announces she'll be leaving in the morning and seemingly upset, Annalise begins to cry. Annalise's mother comforts her and tries to reconcile with her following their earlier fight. Annalise's mother also mentions Sam, speculating that Annalise might have had no other choice but to kill him.
Meanwhile, Connor and Oliver unofficially get back together while Laurel and Wes further Wes' search for Rudy, Michaela attends Nate's arraignment and runs into Annalise, who doesn't seem very happy to see her, Annalise and Nate "scuffle" in the interrogation room before Nate's legal proceedings, and Rebecca finds out that Wes has gone to visit Rudy by tracking his cell phone.
How to Get Away with Murder airs every Thursday at 10 p.m. on ABC.
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