Plenty of shows feature courtroom drama, murder, and crazy plot twists. While How to Get Away with Murder is among these shows, what sets it apart is the rich and nuanced character relationships developed over the course of the show's six seasons.
The show's best relationships were the ones that featured a strong bond and that allowed the characters to grow in mostly positive ways. Many of these relationships were romantic, although some of the show's strongest relationships were platonic. In some cases, the relationships between family members, friends, and between mentors and students were ultimately purer than the romantic ones.
Annalise & Bonnie
Annalise & Bonnie's relationship had a problematic start. While defending a client who was accused of sexually assaulting Bonnie, Annalise insulted and manipulated Bonnie while questioning Bonnie on the stand, even though Annalise knew her client was guilty and Bonnie was a survivor of sexual assault.
After this problematic situation, Annalise took Bonnie under her wing. Bonnie learned the tricks of the trade from Annalise and became a brilliant lawyer in her own right. When Annalise found herself in a tight spot, Bonnie was often the one to come to her aid and bail her out of trouble. They helped each other and even grew to love one another, but their relationship continued to be somewhat problematic as Bonnie often depended on Annalise for a sense of self-worth and Annalise was too often dismissive of Bonnie and sometimes took her devotion for granted.
Frank & Laurel
While Frank and Laurel's relationship ultimately didn't work out, it was a passionate relationship that motivated Frank to become a better person. Frank worked on curbing his darker impulses and reconciling with past sins so he could be the best version of himself for Laurel. He even admitted to Laurel that he was the one who killed Lila.
This revelation caused Laurel and the people he cared about to turn against and fear him for a while, but Frank knew he had to admit the truth in order to become a better person. Frank got more out of the relationship than Laurel did, although he did help her become more confident in herself. Their relationship ultimately wasn't meant to be, though, as there was too much fire between them and they fell in love with other people.
Laurel & Wes
Laurel and Wes were able to find common ground with each other that they were unable to find with the rest of the Keating Five. They had more reserved personalities, but they were also more idealistic and willing to risk everything in order to pursue justice. Instead of being drawn into the drama, they were often the ones to create drama in their pursuit of justice, questioning the things the others wouldn't question, and stopping at nothing until they got the answers they needed.
Their romantic relationship felt like a natural evolution from their strong friendship, but the show didn't provide enough time to develop their romance. Laurel spent much more time trying to avenge Wes's death and raising their son Christopher than she spent in a romantic relationship with Wes.
Frank & Bonnie
Frank and Bonnie shared a bond that existed for many years before Wes and the rest of the Keating Five began studying under the tutelage of Annalise. Both Frank and Bonnie were deeply loyal to Annalise, but they'd also been loyal to Sam Keating, who manipulated them and their emotional vulnerability. These loyalties caused Bonnie and Frank to become cunning people and to make incredible sacrifices.
They were always there for each other, sharing a unique history and understanding. Despite these strengths, there was a certain level of toxicity in their relationship. This toxicity caused them to regress as characters in the series finale, which culminated in tragic and undeserving ends for both of them.
Wes & Annalise
Wes and Annalise's relationship was the emotional crux of HTGWAM's first few seasons. It was a tragic and complex relationship that caused both characters to grow and suffer. Annalise felt responsible for what happened to Wes's mother and much of the hardship he endured throughout his life. She tried to help him by ensuring he got into Middleton Law School and making him one of the Keating Five. Yet, it was under her tutelage that Wes began to go down a darker path and to cover up murders to protect himself and those closest to him.
Even though it was unintentional, they often dragged each other into situations that forced them to make terrible choices. Wes was like a son to Annalise and she was like a mother to him. They desperately needed each other on an emotional level, but they also made each other's lives much more difficult and tragic.
Annalise & Eve
Similar to Frank and Bonnie, Annalise and Eve shared a deep bond and years of history before the series began. Even when they spent years apart from one another without communicating, the moment they found themselves in each other's lives again, they couldn't help but feel passionate and committed to one another.
Eve was the first person to help Annalise come to terms with her bisexual identity. Eve was also the one to speak at Annalise's funeral, beautifully articulating what made Annalise such a unique and beautiful individual.
Michaela & Connor
Michaela and Connor had one of the strongest and most enduring friendships in the show. They were the most pragmatic members of the Keating Five. They were never the ones instigate the many murders and drama, but they constantly found themselves caught up in the mess, and they found resourceful ways to survive and persevere despite the impossible situations they found themselves in.
Even as the Keating Five changed through Wes's death, Laurel's disappearance, and many other circumstances, Connor and Michaela stayed friends and did their best to stay loyal to one another. Unfortunately, their friendship had a bitter end as Connor told the truth and ended up serving jail time while Michaela lied and negotiated a deal that kept her out of jail. This ending doesn't negate the strength of their friendship through almost the entire show, though.
Annalise & Tegan
Annalise and Tegan were workaholics who were brilliant at their work in the legal field. They were strong women who were incredible at what they did, yet they battled loneliness and a lack of fulfillment in their lives.
It was refreshing to see two women of color working together as a brilliant and unparalleled legal team, but it was also satisfying to see these women express their emotional vulnerabilities. Tegan eventually shared the deep love she had for Annalise and in the final minutes of the series finale, fans got to see some of the well-deserved moments of happiness that Annalise and Tegan were able to share together.
Connor & Oliver
Despite a problematic beginning, Connor and Oliver were the show's best romantic relationship. Connor originally slept with Oliver in order to illegally obtain information for a case. Their relationship was supposed to be nothing more than a manipulative one-night stand, but they developed genuine feelings for one another and moving forward shared one of the show's purest relationships.
Oliver helped the self-loathing and pessimistic Connor feel that he was worthy of love, often bringing out the best in Connor, and Connor helped Oliver with his self-esteem and being comfortable with his identity. Through all the drama and adversity that they faced, Connor and Oliver got married and always loved each other deeply. There were an undeniable strength and sweetness in their relationship that was unmatched.
Annalise & "Mama"
The show's best relationship was easily the one between Annalise and her mother Ophelia Harkness, who was usually referred to as "Mama." Whenever Viola Davis and Cicely Tyson shared a scene together, fans knew they were in for a treat. "Mama" would usually enter the show when Annalise was at rock-bottom.
When Annalise lost faith in herself or when she believed that she was not worthy of love or happiness, "Mama" would make Annalise believe in herself again and focus on what really mattered. She understood Annalise better than anyone and was her staunchest champion. Annalise also loved her mother deeply and went out of her way to support and love her, especially when "Mama" began struggling with dementia.