The last scene of ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder showed Wes (Alfred Enoch) approaching his alleged father, Wallace Mahoney (Adam Arkin), and witnessing him getting shot in the head. The shocking development sets the scene for Season 3 -- who killed Mahoney and why?
“The Wallace thing, he got shot, it just came at the last-minute type of thing,” Executive Producer Pete Nowalk told Entertainment Weekly. “I think it just sets me up for the next season in a really good way. I already have many theories about what happened. It was a really good question mark. I loved that it was a very emotional moment. You think Wes was going to meet his father, and it’s now too late.”
Below are a list of suspects for Mahoney’s death.
FRANK: The most obvious choice, thus far, is Frank (Charlie Weber). He has been shunned by Annalise (Viola Davis) and Laurel (Karla Souza) and it would not be a stretch to believe he blames Mahoney for the current state of his life.
“For sure,” said Nowalk to EW when asked if Frank could be the killer. “From what we saw, Frank was finding out that Wallace was Wes’ father in the finale. Once Laurel told him, I think it was information he was getting in that moment. Say what you will why he would do that, but I think that definitely would make sense.”
Nowalk told TV.com: “I definitely think that's what makes sense. He just found out this episode that Wallace was also Wes' father and he knows Wallace caused that car accident. That would make complete sense. I think I know who shot Wallace at this point and I will not tell you if you're right or not. I will say sometimes we like to shock you guys and sometimes we like to do what makes sense. It's all up for grabs.”
WES: Alright, so this does not seem likely considering that Wes has no definitive reason to murder his supposed father (unless he takes Annalise’s word on things and blames him for his mother’s suicide). But, when asked if Wes is a suspect, Nowalk responded positively.
“I don’t know,” said Nowalk to EW. “That’s definitely a possibility.”
BONNIE: Liza Weil’s character has killed before in order to preserve the dynamic of the group so she could have wanted Mahoney gone for what he did to Annalise, the current state of Annalise and Frank’s relationship, and for the future of the group. Although, is a headshot really her style?
“Bonnie can handle anything emotionally,” said Nowalk to EW. “In many ways, I think she’s even tougher than anyone on the show. She definitely had the darkest of backstories. She really was the daughter trying to make mom forgive son at the end of the season. I love that. She’s the one that wants to keep the family together. She, the person who has been treated the worst by men, is telling Annalise to forgive Frank. She’s almost the mama bear trying to connect everyone. That’s what her role will be.”
MAHONEY’S SON: If Wes is Mahoney’s son, then he has an older half-brother, played by Hart of Dixie alum Wilson Bethel, who was defended by Annalise in the flashbacks. If his half-brother was jailed, he could have returned to get revenge on his father. Or, perhaps events transpired that led him to kill his father.
NEW CHARACTER: It is entirely possible that the killer be a new character that has yet to be introduced in the show. It would not be unlikely for the series to delve into the murder to learn more about Mahoney and his associates.
Nowalk told E!Online that the identity of the killer is still a work in progress. “I always start with a basic idea, but knowing that we could throw it out,” she said. “We honestly don't start talking about season three until May, so I'm going to take the break to just let my mind breathe and hopefully come up with something better than what I have right now.”
How to Get Away With Murder returns for a third season in the fall.
