Oh The Drama! Six HTGAWM Hair Moments That Snatched Our Edges Clean Off!

Source: ABC/Brian Bowen Smith / ABC/Brian Bowen Smith

One of our favorite dramas has come to an end, but we’re still taking a moment to look back on some of the best hair moments from the series. Annalise and the gang are here to finish out the sixth and final season of the Emmy-winning How To Get Away With Murder. Of course, we love the supporting cast, but this Viola Davis‘ moment to shine as we bid adieu to this amazingly complicated and brilliantly messy character. Since 2014, the 54-year-old stomped her way into our living rooms as Annalise Keating, the complicated and ruthless lawyer and law school professor who had a lot to juggle: her white philandering murdering husband Sam; the fine chocolate man she was cheating on her husband with; those at-times bratty kids she teaches (including the stunning Aja Naomi King as Michaela), obsessed and jittery assistant Bonnie and her psychopath sidekick Frank. Oh, and let’s not forget her bisexual lover from the past, her alcoholism, her dead baby, her mama (brilliantly played by the legendary Cicely Tyson), her house burning down, winning a Supreme Court case, almost losing her law license (multiple times), almost being killed (multiple times), her dead husband’s son coming back, the Feds, and much much more. Through each twisty-turny episode, Viola has given us LIFE! I mean, what other actress can utter the words, “WHY IS YOUR PENIS ON A DEAD GIRL’S PHONE?” and later win an Emmy for it? And when Viola won that coveted award in 2015, she got on the stage, and for those 45 marvelous seconds and spoke truth to power. Being the first Black woman in the Academy’s history to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama, she shed light on what stands in the way of Black actresses succeeding in a white (lady) Hollywood. This is bravery y’all.

But for me, one of the best parts about this show is how effortlessly Black it is, especially when they about talk about Black hair, how they style it and how it’s captured on-screen. Now, I’m not sure how many sistas they have in the writers’ room, but given that Shonda Rhimes is one of the show’s executive producer, it’s clear to me that showrunner Peter Nowalk has assembled a team of folks who have a clear understanding of what our hair means, the bonds our hair can create between us and the beauty, diversity, and power it can possess. That, and every wig, weave and natural lewk that Annalise has rocked these past six seasons has been an entire mood! So as we sadly celebrate the series finale, let’s pay homage to the best hair moments that snatched mine and your edges clean off. We will miss you Annalise!

1. The Wig Snatch Seen Around The World

I am not sure which episodes Viola sent to the Emmy judges, but this one had to have been one them! When she took off those lashes, her makeup and then her wig to reveal her natural hair…babyeeee THAT WAS A MOMENT that had me SHOOK. What about you?

2. Mary J Blige Putting Annalise's Sew-In

Yes, Mary J is fantastic in Dee Rees “Mudbound,” so much so she was nominated for two Academy Awards. But I REALLY loved how sis just popped up in this episode as her unnamed hairstylist who in 40 seconds got Annalise’s boogie self together, told her to get Nate back, called a fellow stylist the “queen of Thot-land and got that sew-in looking fresh. Listen, that’s a skill. Where was the Guest Emmy for this?

3. That Time Viola Greased And Scratched Cicely Tyson's Scalp

The Root recently talked to Viola about her favorite hair moment on the show, which was the scene between her and Cicely, who plays her mother, where she was greasing amd scratching her scalp. This scene was definitely a powerful moment that conveys that special bond we can create with one other through our hair. Ladies: In this pandemic, do you have anyone to scratch your scalp?

4. TEGAN, TEGAN, TEGAN!

Man, Tegan (amazingly played by Amirah Vann) is so BAAAAAAD! Her voice, the way she gets those associates all the way together and checks those white men in the office. She is not the one. In addition, every outfit she rocks has me in awe, but we have to talk about sis’ hair. EVERY WEEK IT IS LAID! Pulled back, faux hawks, edges shellacked. It brings a tear to my eye every time she comes on screen.

5. Annalise Keating vs. Olivia Pope

Talk about tense! When Shonda’s two Black heroines come face to face at the beauty salon, it’s definitely something to see. Oliva in her roller set and Viola getting that wig bumped with the flat iron, the two have words, serious ones. It was a glorious moment between these two favorites.

6. Don't Ever Touch My Hair

We felt that “What the hell are you doing?” in our souls. In this episode from season 5, a rich white client thought it was a good idea to overstep and reach out to touch Annalise’s perfectly coiffed wig. Of course, the legal eagle had something for her.