Connor Walsh (character)
| Connor Walsh | |
|---|---|
Oliver Hampton | |
| Nationality | American |
| Status | Alive |
Connor Morgan Walsh is a fictional character created in 2014 by Peter Nowalk. He was developed for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) legal drama mystery television series How to Get Away with Murder. Portrayed by Jack Falahee, he is one of the series' main characters. Walsh is a Philadelphia-based law student, who works as an intern for the law firm of Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) as one of the "Keating Five".
Casting
Walsh is portrayed by actor
On February 12, 2014, it was announced that Falahee had officially secured the role of Walsh in the series.[5]
Development
Characterization
"When I first read [the script], I was mostly interested in Connor because he seemed like someone I knew—a guy from school or one of my brother’s colleagues. [Peter Nowalk] crafted this character that's flawed but likable. You want to hate him but he's so charming at the same time. It's so honest."
— Actor Jack Falahee on Connor Walsh's character.[3]
From the outset of Murder, the character is portrayed as sly, sophisticated, confident, and used to getting what he wants. Walsh is openly gay, and has a "rampant" sex life;
In How to Get Away with Murder
In the pilot episode, Walsh is introduced as a law student of Middleton University, a college in Philadelphia. During his first day of law school, Walsh meets Professor
In "
The episode "
Walsh has an older sister, Gemma Walsh (Jennifer Christopher), and a niece and nephew.[10]
Relationship
Walsh and computer technician
Throughout the first few episodes of the series, the two continue to have a
In the penultimate episode of the first season, "
In the second season premiere, "
In the third season premiere, "
In "
In the beginning of the season four, Oliver hasn't gotten an answer to the proposal. Then Connor tells him that he wants to get married but not because Oliver is afraid that Connor is going to jail or someone is going to kill them. In "
In season 5, Oliver and Connor move to another house because they wanted to save money for the wedding. Then Connor's and Oliver's mothers come to visit them before the wedding. Later, Oliver told his mom about the HIV and then his mom told that "I just hate that you felt you had to go through this all alone" then Oliver says that "I wasn't alone, I had Connor". A few night's before the wedding in episode "
In season 6, Connor and Oliver had a threesome with a man called Ravi. When Oliver told Connor that he knows maybe were Laurel is, (because Frank told him) Connor says "I'm your husband. You can say anything to me and I can take it because we're married and I don't wanna divorce yet even though I'm really angry right now." Then, Oliver says that "I knew you would tell Annalise" Then Connor says "No, I wouldn't," and Oliver answers to that " I don't know if I believe that" and Connor says then "You don't trust me that's what you are saying. After everything we been through together. I'm your husband who loves you more than enything in the world, you don't trust me." When Connor was arrested for killing Asher, he could take a deal and he wouldn't go to jail. Oliver tries to get Connor to take the deal. Connor eventually takes a deal for five years in prison and immunity for Oliver, only to later learn that Michaela and Laurel got deals for probation. Connor subsequently expresses remorse for his life of lying and deceit and after Laurel reveals their perjury on the stand, Connor decides to go to prison and stop lying. Connor files for divorce from Oliver, feeling that he is only causing Oliver harm and turning him into a bad person. As he is arrested following Annalise's exoneration, Connor hands his wedding ring over to Oliver, who refuses to accept the divorce. Connor's last words to his husband are to thank Oliver for showing him how to truly love someone.
In the flash-forwards in the series finale, its shown that Connor and Oliver's relationship ultimately did survive and they didn't get divorced. Connor and Oliver are seen attending Annalise's funeral together years later, waving at Laurel, who identifies them as old friends to her now-adult son Christopher Castillo.
Friendship
Connor spends most of his time with the Keating 5 and Oliver, his husband. It is shown that he is closest with Michaela (
Not the best friendship and not shown openly, Connor had a cordial relationship with Wes (
In "
Connor has a "bratty" relationship with Annalise and makes it clear, more often than not, that he doesn't trust her. When Annalise confronts Connor about Wes' death, Connor has an outburst where he says hurtful things after she calls him "paranoid and broken" and someone who's afraid to live alone and trust anyone since he was a child. Annalise understands Connor and asks the group to forgive him, saying he might kill himself if they didn't, thus making it clear that she knows about Connor's suicidal thoughts. She has also referred few times to herself saying she and Connor are "worriers" and are similar in nature.
Reception
The character as well as Falahee's acting have been well received by both fans and critics of the series. After the first season of Murder (2014–15), Connor Walsh was ranked by IndieWire thirteenth in a list of "best LGBT characters on television".[16] IndieWire went further, stating: "He's definitely not an ideal human being, but he's certainly an authentic fascinating one."[17] Vanity Fair columnist, Richard Lawson, was partly drawn to the series because of the character Walsh, commending "Falahee’s ambitious, underhanded Connor Walsh [who is] allowed to be both good and bad, saint and sinner."[18] When accepting the "Outstanding Drama Series" award at the 26th GLAAD Media Awards on behalf of the Murder cast, actress Viola Davis emphasized the importance of Walsh and his journey.[19] TVOvermind praised Falahee for his portrayal of Walsh, contending that the actor "plays his role to a tee."[20]
References
- ^ Dos Santos, Kristin (November 20, 2014). "How to Get Away With Murder's Jack Falahee on the Gay Sex Scenes: "I'm Glad That People Are Talking About It"". E! Online. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ^ Mlive. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Dockterman, Eliana (February 26, 2015). "How to Get Away With Murder's Jack Falahee: Why We Should Stop Talking About Connor's Sexuality". Time. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Wieselman, Jarett (November 6, 2014). "Everything You Need To Know About "How To Get Away With Murder" Star Jack Falahee". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 12, 2014). "UPDATE: Jeffrey Nordling & Christina Chang In ABC's 'Sea Of Fire', Trio Cast In 'Murder'". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
- ^ a b Writer: D'Elia, Bill. Director: Nowalk, Peter (February 26, 2015). "It's All My Fault". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ a b Writer: Nowalk, Peter. Director: Offer, Michael (September 25, 2014). "Pilot". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ a b c Writer: Katleman, Michael. Director: Innes, Laura (October 16, 2014). "Let's Get to Scooping". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- Zisk, Randall(October 9, 2014). "Smile, or Go to Jail". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ a b c Writer: Bellomo, Tracy A. & Leonard, Warren Hsu. Director: Katleman, Michael (February 5, 2015). "Best Christmas Ever". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Upadhyaya, Kayla Kumari. "Mommy and daddy issues abound on How To Get Away With Murder". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
- ^ Writer: Foley, Michael & Swafford, Erika Green. Director: Williams, Stephen (November 20, 2014). "Kill Me, Kill Me, Kill Me". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: Dalzine, Marcus. Director: Offer, Michael (January 29, 2015). "Hello Raskolnikov". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: Foley, Michael. Director: Innes, Laura (February 26, 2015). "The Night Lila Died". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: D'Elia, Bill. Director: Nowalk, Peter (September 24, 2015). "It's Time to Move On". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ /Bent (April 30, 2015). "The 15 Best LGBT Characters On Television". IndieWire. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ Borden, J.D. (March 30, 2015). "The 15 Best LGBT Characters On Television: Connor Walsh On 'How To Get Away With Murder'". IndieWire. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ Lawson, Richard (October 16, 2014). "Is How to Get Away With Murder the Most Progressive Show on Television?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
- ^ Kelley, Seth (March 22, 2015). "Kerry Washington, 'Glee' Star Alex Newell Bring Down the House at the GLAAD Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
"How to Get Away With Murder" star Viola Davis spoke passionately about the the [sic] importance of the show's gay character Connor (Jack Falahee), and his relationship with Oliver (Conrad Ricamora). The power of the show, to her, comes from watching "the true journey of (Connor's) character and finding his compassion, finding love, being who he his, being ballsy, confident, beautiful… What's not to love?" Davis asked. "Listen. I mean, come on. That's bad–ss."
- ^ Raiford, Tiffany (February 25, 2016). "Jack Falahee Refuses to Discuss His Sexuality for the Best Possible Reason". TVOvermind. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
