PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: Got a secret, can you keep it …
Photo Credit: ABC Family.
Read on for my thoughts on the first seven episodes of Pretty Little Liars. Spoilers for the episode airing July 20th, 2010, “The Homecoming Hangover,” and all episodes prior.
So, I am pretty much hooked on Pretty Little Liars. Far more than a 28 year old woman should be, but those who read my blog should not be surprised—I’m a sucker for the teen drama. This show has a lot of mystery and intrigue, and is not all about romance, which I also appreciate. These teenagers have a lot more to worry about than their dates to the homecoming dance, as this latest episode indicated. (“But, Lucia,” you say, “It was Emily’s date that they were all worrying about.” Oh, shush. You know what I mean.) Hannah and Emily are my favorite little liars, and I just adore them. I loved Emily from day one, while Hannah has steadily grown on me, and I’m excited to see where they both go next.
Lucy Hale, who plays Aria, is gorgeous and sympathetic, but her storyline with Ezra (her teacher) makes me want to alternately gag and fall asleep. Just end the affair already! Aria’s family drama has some potential, but it is a bit slow paced for me right now, and we have just not been made to care much about the parents, beyond their past television credits. Give Holly Marie Combs something to DO, show! Funny story: I tweeted something to that effect a few weeks ago: ”Hopefully Holly Marie Combs will get more than one line this week.” Holly herself, @HDonoho replied: “Copy that. I hear ya.” If Piper wasn’t already my favorite Halliwell sister, she is now. Should I start a petition, or something? You deserve better, Holly. I like when the adults are complex on these teen shows, as it makes me feel less guilty about watching them. And, speaking of adults on the show, I can not stress enough how gorgeous Laura Leighton is looking these days. And her character of Hannah’s mom has become increasingly likeable. Hopefully the show will continue to highlight that mother-daughter relationship, which has a lot of potential.
Oh, and I have failed to mention the fourth little liar: Spencer. NOT a fan. While the actress seems lovely and capable, I just do not like her character much. Hooking up with your sister’s fiancée and stealing her high school paper to pass off as your own, both in the same week? Not the way to win my affections. I have very strong feelings about the way you should treat your sisters, and that does not compute. Still, big sis Melissa is pretty viper-ish, and is played by crazy Nanny Carrie from One Tree Hill (yes, I watch that show, shhhhhh!), so maybe she has cause. Still.
Further thoughts (because bullet points are just easier in my current state, which is l-a-z-y):
- I am a big fan of Flash-back-Aria’s pink highlights. If I thought that I could pull that look off, I would totally rock it. But I can’t so I won’t. I’ll stick to my hot pink phone and hot pink camera and hot pink Kindle cover … well, you get the picture.
- Every time I see Lucy Hale, a part of me misses Privileged. Rest in peace, you adorable little show. You were gone to soon.
- Hannah is played by Ashley Benson, who I remember fondly as Abby Deveraux from Days of Our Lives. But that’s not the only Days of Our Lives connection! Hannah’s father is Mike Horton! Hee. On Days, he was
HannahAbby’s uncle (the brother of her mom, Jen Horton)! I should probably stop now before I reveal how much I know about DOOL. Yes, I just called it DOOL. *hides*
- Sean (Hannah’s sort-of-boyfriend) is an idiot! And his character makes no sense. I don’t even understand like one thing that he has done on the show so far. One minute he’s dating Hannah. The next minute, the TEENAGE BOY is turning down sex with her gorgeous self. So he’s gay? (Which is totally the direction that I thought they were taking him, and could have been cool.) Or he’s super religious? But then he’s possibly cheating with another hot blonde girl. Just a jack-ass? But then he’s all about Hannah again, and they go to the dance together. But then he gets all pissed that she is not spending every moment worshiping at his feet. Hello! She has friends in mortal danger, Sean. Keep up. Then he sends ARIA, one of Hannah’s best friends, flowers, because she talked to him for a few minutes at the dance, and pretended to care about his lame conversation. What what what? Ugh. I wanted to punch him in the face when they were taking the make-up homecoming king and queen pictures. What a whiner.
- Maya? I just don’t know. It’s just jarring to see that Bianca Lawson is STILL playing a teenager. She’s actually not that old—I think she’s about 30—but she’s been playing a teenager for the past sixteen years. I mean, I just recognized her as playing a chick putting on makeup in the bathroom during my recent My So Called Life rewatch … and that show was on in 1994. And she was on Saved By the Bell the New Class, for goodness sake. At least she actually was a teenager during a lot of her teen roles, oh so long ago. Weirdest part? She still kind of looks the same age. But beyond the superficial, she is just still a mystery. I feel like I only really have come to know her through Emily, so I’m not fully invested. We shall see.
- Oh, and can we talk about that cop/ deputy stalking Hannah? Creeeeepy. So glad that Hannah’s mom kicked him out. Inappropriate, dude.
- Hannah clearly has some food issues. If you watch carefully, she is always eating when she is stressed, and we know that she lost a lot of weight after Alison died. I hope she doesn’t relapse into bulimia, poor thing.
- Toby? Boy is cree-ee-py. But I’m convinced he’s innocent of Alison’s murder. I think the evidence is misleading, and we will find out that there is a lot more to the story. As for his current status, I hope that he’s alive. He has more secrets to tell. Also, I don’t think he’s “A.”
- Jenna of the Jackie-O-sunglasses? I kind of love her. That scene where she leans forward into the reflective panel on the elevator to apply her lipstick? Perfection. Can she see now, but is keeping it a secret? Hmmmm.
Okay, that’s all for now. What have you guys thought about the first seven episodes? Any predictions or theories? Comment away. (No book spoilers, please. I’ve only read the first book so far, so I still have no idea about anything.)
I agree with you on Bianca Lawson 100%. Kendra the vampire slayer with that first ep fro? Weird. Aria’s flashback hair is to die for. (Privaleged needs to be released on DVD asap so I can watch it. Big book fan who saddly missed the show due to lack of dvr.) But you forgot to mention that Ashley Bendon was in ‘It’s The Great Pumpkin Ssm Winchester’ ep of Supernatural as what was it? A witch or a demon? Something evil that was wearing a cheerleading outfit in the begining of the episode.
Check out Ashley´s recent blog post: A deeper look at Buffy’s Motion Comic Voice Rant
Ooh, I didn’t even know that Privileged was a book first. I’ll have to check it out. Yes, Ashley was totally on Supernatural! Good call. She was also on Eastwick, but I wasn’t a big fan of that show, and it got canceled pretty quickly.
Never watched Eastwick, but Privileged was originally published as How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls by Zoey Dean who’s work I adore. It’s since been republished as Privileged with a cast cover. If you like that then you’d probably like her other stand alone Hollywood is Like High School With Money. Promise not to give you any books spoilers for PLL but I’d only be able to give you cryptic clues even if you asked nicely as the ending shouldn’t be spoiled.
Oh, now that you mention the name, I think I did know that, and forgot. Will have to check How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls out. As for the PLL spoilers: haha! and thanks!
nannie carrie and stefan salatore are dating weird right?
also “Every time I see Lucy Hale, a part of me misses Privileged. Rest in peace, you adorable little show. You were gone to soon.” so so true i miss it so much i want will and megan back