How to Get Away with Murder is back at it again, going over the top with sex stuff. The whole episode was dedicated to sex, even the title of the episode is a reference to a sex act – “It’s Called The Octopus.” As the show creator Pete Nowalk said, “Sex is part of the framework of the show.”
The client of the week for defense attorney Annalise (Viola Davis) and her law students is a woman charged with murder because a man had a heart attack and died while having sex with her at a sex club she owns.
A major theme in this episode is "society" not allowing women to embrace their sexuality. This is seen from the beginning when the defendant is introduced and Laurel (Karla Souza) says, “The only reason why they're charging her is because she owns her sexuality.” Or because she killed him, as another character helpfully points out (turns out she did, by giving him nitroglycerin with his Viagra, which is known to induce heart attacks, but she claims she didn’t actually want him to die.)
When Annalise finds out the truth, she says, “And the worst part is you give those of us who really like sex a bad name.” Riiiiiight, THAT'S the worst part about this woman trying to expose her lover to his wife by giving him a heart attack at her sex club.
A female member of the sex club complains of being called "a whore, freak, nympho, and whatever other derogatory terms the world throws at you when you're sex-positive." Yeah, sex-positive people are so underrepresented and persecuted on TV ... oh, wait.
When Michaela (Aja Naomi King) reveals she’s never had an orgasm, she claims it's because of "sex-shaming." Major bonus points for a Planned Parenthood reference, too – does that count as an in-kind donation for the embattled abortion provider?
And it's not that weird. Planned Parenthood says that one in three women have difficulty achieving orgasm, and it's mostly due to society sex-shaming us. So maybe stop doing that to me.
As the characters go around interviewing attendees of the sex party, trying to find someone to take the stand on the defendant’s behalf, it becomes clear that Nowalk is just having fun playing around with how far the network censors will allow him to go. It’s sensationalism for the sake of sensationalism: tantric sex, swingers, S&M, and descriptions of sex acts cleverly cut up between dialogue.
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE
Sarah: You cannot be here. I teach children. Do you think there is any way I would be able to keep my job if people knew I had spent my entire weekend at tantric sex parties? Your entire weekend? It's called Utopia Circle for a reason. Well, then help Tanya keep it open. If you testify -- Kevin, that is not something we put in our mouth. Renee: It's big. Asher: It being... Sex-party scene in Philly. Oh. [Chuckles] Good, I thought you were talking about -- my member? Yeah, that, too. Connor: You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Oh, I'm not embarrassed. I love sex, especially with guys who look like you, but... David: How dare you? This is a complete violation of the anonymity we were promised at utopia circle. Utopia circle won't exist if Tanya's convicted. Maybe she should be convicted. I mean, Dominic's dead because she pushed him too far. It's called "The octopus"... Dominic's favorite position -- mine, too -- except Dominic also liked to get slapped in the face during it. Uh, how does this help Tanya's case? It doesn't. I was just gonna say only Tanya was willing to smack him like that. Okay, like, one time, she took her fist and -- Renee: Put my ass on the stand? No way. Okay, but if you testify, people would know about your -- your gift. You could be famous. ...As a whore, freak, nympho, and whatever other derogatory terms the world throws at you when you're sex-positive. Do I wish that I were strong enough to take the stand and talk about the eight-hour orgasm I once had at Tanya's house? Eight hours? Oh, yeah. You can -- come if you're at all interested. It's tonight -- small party until Tanya's back in business. Uh, thanks, but I'm gay. [Chuckles] Even better. You're just my husband's type. What about your wife? What about her? She was at the party that night, too. See, you're not supposed to know that. Now leave. But if we can't find anyone in-- we're not testifying. No. Never. Hells no. I'd rather go to jail.
And of course, this over the top sex episode on an already over the top sexual show wouldn’t be complete without an over the top gay sex scene. Hint: It involves two guys in their underwear in bed with one saying the cringe-inducing line, “On your stomach -- I'll get the lube.”
Ugh.
