How to Get Away with Murder season 3: Is Nate Lahey dead?

Many of us believe that Nate Lahey won’t survive to the end of How to Get Away with Murder season 3. But what evidence do we have to support this?

From the beginning, we suspected that Nate died in the house fire. Actually, we know there’s a body on the gurney, which shocks Annalise Keating to her core. We don’t know how this person died or whether it was before / during the house fire. So far, it’s impossible to tell who this is by studying the dimensions of the body on the gurney. However, there are several other clues to lead us to one very simple conclusion — Nate Lahey is probably dead.

Let’s dissect.

When Nate was first introduced in season 1, he served as Annalise’s side-piece. Despite being married to a man suspected of murder, Annalise never once considered leaving her husband, Sam, for Nate. Though she’s slightly apologetic for her indiscretion, nothing stops her from using Nate as a tool to win cases. She uses him in Gina Sadowski’s trial, then allows Frank to frame him for Sam’s death. When he goes to jail, he’s brutally attacked in prison — hello, he’s a cop — but it’s all good because Annalise puts Eve Rothlo on the case.

Eventually, Nate gets out and forgives Annalise.

Also, don’t forget that all of this occurred while Nate was married to a woman dying of cancer.

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By the time we get through season 2, Nate not only accepts his role as Annalise’s patsy but takes responsibility for the Keating 5. He tampers with evidence and always answers their calls. Basically, if Annalise is their mother, Nate is the naive step-father who is reluctant to put his foot down. He does a lot, while at the very same time, accomplishing absolutely nothing. He’s a lesser version of Frank, which is important to distinguish because they serve opposing roles this season. They’re both scapegoats but one is arguably smarter than the other.

Regardless, the Nate we meet in season 3 appears to be Annalise’s equal now. Gone are the scenes of Officer Nate Lahey in his blue police uniform. Instead, we have Nate Lahey: sex object. No one here is complaining but Nate deserves better.

To be fair, there’s little to go on here. There’s no evidence to support the claim that Nate died beside what we know about Annalise Keating. If we believe her immediate reaction to lifting the sheet, someone close to her is dead — that’s Wes, Nate or Bonnie. But as of last night, we know that Bonnie is safe. Further, Annalise’s relationship to Wes is the engine behind the whole show. That leaves only Nate.

But if we don’t believe Annalise’s reaction here —

How to Get Away with Murder S03E01 "We're Good People Now" Still (Credit: ABC) — How to Get Away with Murder S03E01 “We’re Good People Now” Still (Credit: ABC)

Then, she’s a great actress. To sell this, she can draw from a small emotional attachment. Nate is close enough to her to be compelling but not that close.

Over the past three episodes, I’ve kept an eye on how Annalise treats Nate. Yes, they spend a lot of time in bed. Yes, their banter works and the green ooze warranted her reaction. But calling for a “separation of church and state” isn’t how you treat someone who’s walked through the fire (bad word choice?) for you.

We know Annalise to keep most people at arm’s distance. She doesn’t open up easily or divulge much of her personal life. So, why would she ask Wes, then Bonnie to stay at her house? She’s not usually the comforting type. Plus, how can she be lonely if she has Nate? Well, maybe he doesn’t fulfill her emotional or intellectual needs as much as she would have us believe.

Seriously, Annalise spent most of her time last season belittling Bonnie. This season, she extends an olive branch just because Toby’s case reminds Bonnie of her own history of abuse? I’m sorry if that sounds cold but so is Annalise. Annalise’s suggestion to “eat ice cream in bed, watch a bad movie” is unprecedented. In fact, it seems like Annalise has had enough of Nate’s constant presence.

As we found out in “Always Bet Black,” one person is dead but there’s another person who survived the fire. Based on Bonnie and Oliver’s face, I don’t think they anticipated any more survivors. Is this Nate? Or will Nate make it to the end of the season so Annalise can pin this on him, too?

Next: How to Get Away with Murder season 3, episode 3 recap: “Always Bet Black”

The next episode of How to Get Away with Murder airs next Thursday at 10/9c on ABC. Stay tuned for more recaps and analysis of each episode right here on FanSided.