S05.E09: March of Crimes

[cuddlingcrowley]

I'm so glad they nipped the Hanna victim-blaming storyline in the bud as soon as possible. I wouldn't have forgiven Aria that easily, but Hanna is a better person than I am.

As a feminist, I feel like I should be offended that Caleb went all HULK SMASH on Zach but I wasn't at all. Zach is the kind of asshole who needs his ass kicked. Dude, you are a grown ass man hitting on a high school girl. I know this is Rosewood and all so that's just par for the course, but at least hit on high school girls who aren't friends with your fiancée's daughter. Giving his phone number to Hanna really was just asking for an ass kicking so I'm fine with Caleb punching him. I don't think it was because Hanna is his girlfriend. Caleb is the only guy in Rosewood who understands that it is gross and inappropriate to try hooking up with a high school student (take note, Ezra). I don't care if that girl is leaving you naked pictures of herself - as the adult, it is YOUR job to say nope, that's not going to happen. Feel free to punch more guys, Caleb!

 

 

Yes! I complained about the pacing of this season in the last episode's thread so I'm glad they've wrapped this up and did a pretty good job, imo. Caleb said all the right things and boy if there was ever anyone who deserved a punch! Thank you for the public service, Caleb. I'm not even a fan of yours usually but I never liked you more than in this episode. I think the reason I also didn't get a neanderthal vibe from Caleb punching Zach was because he didn't make the whole thing about him. It was clear that his focus was on Hanna and making her feel better and understand that Zach creeping on her was Zach's fault and not hers. The punch was just a cherry on top of the cake and some payback for that sleaze.

 

I also wouldn't forgive Aria that easy BUT I give her props coming to her senses all on her own, stopping Ella from marrying that creep and apologizing to Hanna in the spam of one episode. She's still pretty much dead to me, but it worked on the show at least.

 

Was I the only one who felt Hanna's victim-blaming storyline felt a little off.  (...)  On the other hand, if they didn't want to spend a lot of time on such a serious issue, then why include the storyline at all. (...) 

 

 

I might be wrong, but I spy with my little eye a nice piece of foreshadowing. This is the second episode this season where we got one of the mothers dealing with a failed relationship because the guy is a liar/a creep that they've blinded themselves about for too long. The fact that they've been Spencer's and Aria's mothers and that we got an explicit mention of Ezra being a creep in this episode? I think this mini-storylines signify we're in for some good stuff in the future when it comes to Toby and Ezra. Or at least the latest.

 

Although the first question that should've been asked of Jenna and other Jenna is why they are wearing the same outfit?

 

 

Seriously, the same hairstyle and sunglasses I can deal but I did a double-take when I noticed the same outfits. I'm oficially worried for Jenna because I predict Sidney is cray cray.

 

Speaking of Jenna, WELCOME BACK NEVER LEAVE AGAIN! She was great as ever in all of her morally ambiguous glory. How do the writers always seem to write her as thought she's simultaneously deep in A stuff but also living her own life and the liars are the crazy ones for accusing her of stuff?

 

I still love Emily's intense hate for everything Jenna. You can stalk her and almost murder her and she's fine, but if you're friends with Jenna, she unleashes her inner hellbeast. 

Emily is a bad ass with ridiculously good hair.

 

 

I did not see Emily having that reaction about Sydney being friends with Jenna coming but it was amazing!But I didn't think it was unwarranted because Emily really invested a lot of time in being friends with this girl only for her to turn up to be a big fat liar. This show always works better when the dial is turned up to 11 and in this was episode it was definitely all the way up.

 

And yes, Emily's hair looked particularly beautiful during that scene to the point of distraction. I found myself thinking she'd look great with a shoulder lengh style.

 

 

Omg FINALLY. After brief glimpses of his name or of his name being said by others for weeks we FINALLY get to see Noel Kahn in all his foine-ness. Thank you, show!

I thought it was werid that Noel was doing all this suff for Ali, so it was nice to find out that she's blackmailing him.  Or at least sort of find out.  Spencer said, "what does she have on you?"  He didn't reply, but his body language basically confirmed it.  Also, it's nice to know that Ali hasn't been redeemed at all, she's up to her old tricks of using peoples' secrets to control them.

Loved Jenna's conversation with Alison.  "How did you steal [shana] away from me?"  "I didn't do that; you did."  Pretty much mirrors what Ali is doing to the other PLLs (except Aria who is still in her own little world).

Spencer got so serious that she'd cut a bitch. Literally. That's how over this bullshit she is. I like that there was a progression to how frantic she got, until that point when it was just beautiful. Skewer them, Spencer!

 

 

Yes!!!!!! I never wanted that scene between Noel and Spencer to end. Possibly one of my favorite ones of the series! He was absolutely fascinating and it's been fringging YEARS since I've loved Spencer as much I did when she stood her ground and kept the leverage! I would love if they became allies at some point because I feel like they're in the same boat -- trying to survive Alison. Girl is truly a tornado.

 

Speaking of which, how great was it that we got that scene in the same episode Jenna gave Alison a reality check about Shana and the people close to her? I feel like Spencer is miles ahead from the other liars about how dangerous being friends with Ali is and I say that as an Alison fan. The worst part is that Alison clearly doesn't realize what she does but that's often how it goes with toxic people.

 

Which brings me to A creating the perfect trap for Alison and, man, i'd be shocked with she doesn't fall for it. She's just too desperate to think straight. I believe her redemption will be a looooong and torturous road and it has barely begun. But first she has to reach rock bottom for it to truly sink in her actions got serious consequences and she has to change. If I'm gonna have to watch a show where Ezra and Toby are good guys then I want her redeemed!

 

I'm seeing a reunion between Ella and Byron in the near future, assuming HMC is staying around.  Their scene was really sweet.

 

 

I thought it was really ambiguous, it would go either way at this point,. I don't think I'd want them to go there again but props to Byron for giving the sweetest ex-husband speech ever which touched me twice as hard given I'm whovian and some of the words used. That was truly, truly beautiful! 

Edited August 6, 2014 by cuddlingcrowley

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I'm not a fan of the Zach storyline this season. It just seems like he was too good to be true last season, so obviously he had to be made into a creep this season. And there were no indications before... He's been around like forever and never hit on any young girl before going to Europe? So can't believe that.

In PLL time, Ella knew him for like, what, a month before she ran off to Europe with him? They were definitely still in the honeymoon phase full of hormones and getting to know each other so he was just on his best behavior. Cheaters and abusers often seem perfect and too good to be true at first which is how they reel in their victims.

And how long have they actually been in Europe? According to PLL time, they were gone all of a month or two and during that time he slipped enough for Ella to know that there was an incident.

As for not hitting on any other young girls in Rosewood, we don't know whether or not that's true. All we know is that he didn't hit on any of the four girls who are our focus. As is typical in these cases, there won't be a formal complaint or any charges filed so it isn't like it's front page news or general knowledge in town.

When I was 18, a coworker who was more than twice as old as I was started being overly friendly. He asked if I wanted to get something to eat after work one night. As a broke college student, I thought he just meant eating together in the same place, not a date or anything. He ended up taking me to a nice restaurant and then giving me some "sensual" poems he had written about me. When I got home and read them, my reaction was ewwwwwww! A few days later, I found out he had done the same thing to another female coworker who was my age. We didn't report him for sexual harassment though. We just bonded over what a creepy weirdo he was and laughed it off. In retrospect we should've told a supervisor what he was doing because clearly he was hitting on all the freshman girls. But that's how guys like that get away with being creepy. He seems like a perfectly nice guy, totally harmless. He was always helpful with other employees, but not overtly perverted. That's why no one ever suspected that he was doing this.

[jane1978]

This was great episode. Loved the twist with "fake" kidnapper repeating Ali´s made up story for the police. At this point, not sure how any of the girls can stil hope the can keep the lie going. "A" is obviously just wating for the best moment to tell. But how motivated/scarred has to be the guy to take this really serious crime on himself? 

 

Loved the double Jenna scene and Caleb/Hanna. They wrapped the Zack story quick, but I quess that´s what PLL do, they like to play with serious themes but always backtrack before things can get really ugly. In some ways it´s disappointing, but also very comforting and probably one of the reason why the show is still so successfull.  

 

I know people loved Emily´s reaction to Sydney but if the show was told from her POV (or someone edited that little talk like Mona´s with Ali) sure we all would think Emily is a first class bitch right now. That was threat worthy of Alison´s BFF/lover and Sydney is now firmly back in the Jenna´s corner. Not the smartest move.

 

So Noel is the good guy now and just another victim of Alison? Common show. He is the most shady character ever and no way I will believe his sob story. This half season is clearly about making the girls suspecting Ali more and more and trying to find the truth about her missing years so it´s only a matter of time till they accidentally find out something humiliating why she couldn´t tell them. The show has not made all the Emison fans hopefull only to push Ali into a corner in the first 10 episodes after she´s back. Maybe atleast part of her kidnapped and abused story is actually true? We still don´t know why she had the scar on her thigh and while she was so afraid of the doctor.

 

So far, I really love this season and I really don´t miss "A" that much. It´s almost like a reset, we are back in the days of "first secret" and it´s only the girls, their insecurities and some desperate lies to keep secret something terrible they did. They need to learn who the Alison is now and she has to accept they are no longer just their minions. There will be enough time for the big "A" stuff in the next two seasons.

[M1977G]

 

Maybe someone should inform Spencer and Noel that you can, you know, copy photographs.

Even our most book smart liar can be dumb sometimes.  But this truly pained me.  As did the fact that she was going to leave the envelope in a "locked" piece of furniture in a cabin that has been unlocked for quite some time.  Is that whole Hastings family stupid?  Dead people are buried in their back yard under their noses, but they don't lock their cabin when left unattended?  And why was Noel there, anyway?  They must have known how badly I wanted to see him face off with Spencer, because there is no other logical explanation for him to have known to show up to the Hastings' unlocked cabin and be ready to hide under a sheet with a hole in it to watch where Spencer put his stolen pics and recording.  Whatever the logic fail, I'm happy to see his fine self and those baby blues, and was really happy to see that Spencer could unnerve him with her fierceness.  Please don't disappear too soon, Noel!  Among other things, he has the most fascinating theory about Ali I've heard yet, and since he knows so much more than we viewers do, I'm thinking he's privy to some Ali info that substantiates his growing belief that Ali could have escalated from blackmail and bullying to attempted murder.  I totally believe she could, though where she'd get bomb materials and know how to set it off if another matter...  The girl is only in freshman science right now.

Edited August 6, 2014 by M1977G

[Sakura12]

Seriously, the same hairstyle and sunglasses I can deal but I did a double-take when I noticed the same outfits. I'm oficially worried for Jenna because I predict Sidney is cray cray.

 

I'm wondering if Sydney is buying clothes for Jenna and being blind she has no idea they are dressed the exact same way. Or it was all Jenna's idea because she just enjoys fucking with people. 

[Nightbaron]

I'm wondering if Sydney is buying clothes for Jenna and being blind she has no idea they are dressed the exact same way.

I totally want to see the scene where someone asks Jenna why she and Sydney are dressing alike and she replies something like "What the hell, is this bitch dressing like me? How fucking creepy!"

[Black Knight]

Emily's utter hatred of Jenna, the way she goes psycho over anything Jenna-related, never fails to crack me up. And, since Ali was asking Jenna earlier in the show how she'd managed to win Shana over to her side...I can't help it, it renewed my hopes for some Emily/Jenna HateSex (I know we're supposed to think Emily hates Jenna because of Toby, but I've always thought it's more complicated than that, that it has to do with being attracted to Jenna when she really doesn't want to be), which Ali finds out about and absolutely freaks thinking this means she's lost Emily to Jenna.

 

I really liked Ella/Zach and I'm very grumpy that PLL threw them away for a two-episode storyline. Byron was sweet at the end, but he cheated on Ella too, so I don't want to see Ella go back to him after she's been cheated on by a second man. Why couldn't the show just let Ella be happy with Zach? Sigh.

 

The four brunettes with their sunglasses was everything. I was disappointed Emily took hers off. I don't care that it made sense for her to take her sunglasses off, that whole scene should've been them with their sunglasses.

[kiddo82]

I just went to the ophthalmologist a few days ago and I can tell you that having your pupils dilated does not make you see double or make your vision blurry. Yes, it would be difficult for Spencer to text, but it wouldn't have made her hand look fuzzy. I have been going to the same retinal specialist for over ten years and they always put the eye drops in after they check my vision in the exam room. Then I go sit in the waiting room waiting for the drops to kick in and they bring me back to see the doctor. For the record, I always drive myself there and back. I just make sure to bring my darkest sunglasses so the sun isn't blinding me when I leave. The drops do make it hard for me to read my phone or a computer screen for about an hour or so.

Same here. I get my pupils dilated once a year. Sometimes I sit in the exam room for the drops to kick in, sometimes they take me to the waiting room. Either way it takes about ten to fifteen minutes to take full effect and it just makes it hard to see print up close. I always say that the check I write out to the doc must be completely illegible at the end of the session. I have no problems driving myself out of there and I've even gone right back to work afterwards on occasion. It's just...really bright for a while. Definitely need sunglasses.

Spencer got so serious that she'd cut a bitch. Literally. That's how over this bullshit she is. I like that there was a progression to how frantic she got, until that point when it was just beautiful. Skewer them, Spencer!

What I loved about that scene was that I felt Spencer's ferocity was coming from a place of desperation, not confidence. She felt she had to stand her ground both to hang on to the pictures and because she feared for her safety. It's one thing to look bad ass when you know you are physically superior or equally matched in a scenario but to muster the strength and to hold your own against a more imposing opponent is awesome. I echo the "Skewer them, Spencer!" war cry.

I realize I may get in trouble for admitting this but I bought Aria's apology to Hanna. She was in no way right to lace into Hanna the way she did when Hanna informed her about Zack's creepiness but in that moment, Aria wanted to believe in her mom's happiness over Hanna's accusations. I don't condone Aria's victim blaming, but as a third party observer, I understand her immediate feelings to the news.

My favorite line was Spencer asking Hanna why she smells her doorknob. Heh.

Was this the first time we actually see one of the girls get questioned with a parent/guardian present? I mean, I'm sure Veronica drags herself down to the station seemingly every week with Spencer but Veronica is also a lawyer who would never stand for her kid being interrogated without proper representation. It seems like we see the girls get questioned at school (or in the middle of the street) all the time without a parent even being aware let alone present.

In an episode where both Emily and Spencer showed moments of utter brilliance, did Byron (really? Byron?) win the episode? I'm not sure but the fact that I'm even considering it makes my head spin.

And speaking of Em, I now have nightmares about getting on Emily's bad side. "Why are you parked on my street?" Scary.

Edited August 7, 2014 by kiddo82

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Ha, I could watch Caleb punch Zach all day! I am curious as to why Zach brought Hanna's note to his engagement party though.

[scarletregina]

I'm wondering if Sydney is buying clothes for Jenna and being blind she has no idea they are dressed the exact same way. Or it was all Jenna's idea because she just enjoys fucking with people. 

 

I can't remember if Jenna's vision levels have been established or not. She might be able to see well enough to dress herself. Most people who are blind have some level of vision. She might be able to see colors. I think it's more likely that it's Jenna's idea to have them dress alike. 

[Shangrilala]

How did Ali know that Spencer had put up cameras?  Did Spencer tell her?  I can't recall that conversation, but if she didn't, then I'd think it's odd and suspect that Ali's mind automatically went to "surveillance" cameras.  As opposed to something more normal, like seeing her outside her bedroom window. 

 

Also, isn't Ali supposed to be Queen Bee?  Why are we seeing her as so desperate and isolated, without these 4 girls?  I always got the impression that Ali was the Regina George of Rosewood.  The most popular girl, had a ton of friends and boyfriends, people hated her but wanted to be her, and she was outright nasty to the people on the lower rungs of popularity.  But as it stands right now, it seems like Ali only has the 4 girls.  And I'm not sure I even see why it was that people flocked to her to begin with.  Her personality certainly isn't magnetic.  She's dressing like I would on my way into the office, in blazers and cardigans.  She doesn't have that young and vivacous feel about her.  Maybe she's not supposed to because of the past 2 years, but there's nothing about her right now that says "I used to own these halls." 

 

Maybe I'm expecting too much out of the character right  now.  In my world, it's been weeks.  It's appropriate for her to crack a smile now and then.  But in PLL time, it's been about 72 hours. 

[scarletregina]

I think Ali was Queen Bee and would have been again if it weren't for MonA rallying an army to stand against her.

[Crim]

I think that part was well done: some people flocked to Ali when she returned, Mona managed to rally the losers/Ali's ex-victims, which is reasonable, but then she "exposed" Ali with that video, and BAM! it was done. Besides, for Ali it's about allies; she doesn't care about randoms being nice to her in the hallway.

 

 

 

How did Ali know that Spencer had put up cameras?  Did Spencer tell her?  I can't recall that conversation, but if she didn't, then I'd think it's odd and suspect that Ali's mind automatically went to "surveillance" cameras.  As opposed to something more normal, like seeing her outside her bedroom window.

This is what I thought too. Since no one commented on it, I took it as a slip up in the script rather than an indication that anything is amiss.

 

I don't begrudge Emily her reaction: even if everything Sydney said was the whole truth and nothing but the truth, she changed schools (and most likely towns too) to support Jenna. This is what Shanna did, and that ended with Shana going murderous. Does she even have family here like Shanna had? Plus, approaching Emily under false pretenses is what Nate did - and he too tried to kill Emily. So yes, I can see how she would react very badly to this.

 

Also, Sydney's story is suspect, and not just because she was in the same scene with Mona's Anti-Ali Army. That's something the Liars don't know, but they do know that Sydney didn't just not mention knowing Jenna, she repeatedly asked about Jenna as if she were a stranger. Oh, and she tried to ask about New York. So she definitely can't spin it as just a coincidence that a friend of Jenna's got to know Emily due to being on the swim team.

Edited August 7, 2014 by Crim

[Bort]

How did Ali know that Spencer had put up cameras? Did Spencer tell her? I can't recall that conversation, but if she didn't, then I'd think it's odd and suspect that Ali's mind automatically went to "surveillance" cameras. As opposed to something more normal, like seeing her outside her bedroom window.

I think it was last episode, Spencer called Ali out on her nocturnal skulking and Ali accused her of following her/putting up cameras. Spencer didn't say which she'd done so I guess Ali decided the answer was cameras.

[mac123x]

Is it bad that I feel kind of bad for Noel Kahn? Or maybe his hotness is affecting me now. I don't know. .... Noel is hot and he has better chemistry with Spencer than her actual boyfriend does so their scene was really enjoyable for me. I would like to see more.

 

It's not wrong at all.  He's another victim of Ali's schemes. 

 

And dude has sizzling chemistry with any person, animal, plant, or inanimate object.  Hell, he could probably have chemistry with Toby.

[Bort]

And dude has sizzling chemistry with any person, animal, plant, or inanimate object.  Hell, he could probably have chemistry with Toby.

Not to mention that putting Noel in a scene with Spencer makes the entire place highly combustible because Troian also has chemistry with freaking everything. Except that wig.

[mjgchick]

Yeah I don't really feel bad for Noel. I like him and hope he's able to help the lists but I don't really feel a way about him and I think he's only ever had chemistry with Spencer because they both seem to hate each other. They give off this vibe that I'd be OK if she cheated on Toby with Noel because even though they hate each other they have a mutual understanding about Ali. lol The actor has gorgeous eyes though. Then again so does Keegan and the kid who plays Mike.

That wig really is a tired mess and I rather they just use her real hair if it's like her mom's.

Edited August 7, 2014 by mjgchick

[Sakura12]

I actually kind of love how Alison was really asking Jenna in their confrontation "How do you get complete strangers to die for you, when I can't even get my childhood friends to show up for an SOS text?" 

[kissedbyarose]

I come out of lurking because...Noel Kahn! 

 

I happen to love all of the characters we rarely see - Jenna, Melissa, Jason. Maybe it's because they don't stay long enough to get bit by the stupidity bug that is floating around Rosewood (not to be confused with the liking-underage-girls tainted water in that town). How else to explain Noel sitting in his car listening to that recording of Alison, aloud, with the windows down and in public? Then leaving it in his school locker and his car? Seriously?

 

I loved Alison in flashbacks. Now? I like the bitchy side of her but this scared, slightly frumpy dressing girl? Do not like. I was hoping for more...charisma. Also, she seemed more proactive in flashbacks gathering intel on people just in case they were the ones harassing her - now? Nothing. I don't know, I guess they made her seem like this way-too-cunning for her own good 14 year old and now she gets bested by Mona recording one conversation on her phone? Boo show!

 

I shouldn't be surprised. This show rarely lives up to the stuff we think of here. It lives on cliffhangers and dies on the explanation. Toby is A! No, he was doing it for Spencer. Ezra is A! No, he was writing a book. At this point, I'm expecting this show to end on Dan-as-Gossip Girl levels of bad. (Yes, I will forever be bitter about that.)

 

It sounds like I hate the show. I don't I really like it but the problems are becoming more apparent with each passing season and the individual episodes are usually good - they just never cohesively end anywhere good. If that makes sense...

[mjgchick]

I actually kind of love how Alison was really asking Jenna in their confrontation "How do you get complete strangers to die for you, when I can't even get my childhood friends to show up for an SOS text?"

Not to mention her rape victim went running in a house that got exploded a few seconds. Jenna has a bomb ass pussy apparently. All though can we count Garrett since he was really doing it for Spencer?

[kiddo82]

How did Ali know that Spencer had put up cameras?  Did Spencer tell her?  I can't recall that conversation, but if she didn't, then I'd think it's odd and suspect that Ali's mind automatically went to "surveillance" cameras.  As opposed to something more normal, like seeing her outside her bedroom window.

I also thought it was pretty deliberate that Alison neither confirmed nor denied sneaking out. She pretty much just said things like "What's that supposed to mean?" and "You've been spying on me?" She doesn't necessarily implicate herself.

[GaT]

I loved Alison in flashbacks. Now? I like the bitchy side of her but this scared, slightly frumpy dressing girl? Do not like. I was hoping for more...charisma. Also, she seemed more proactive in flashbacks gathering intel on people just in case they were the ones harassing her - now? Nothing. I don't know, I guess they made her seem like this way-too-cunning for her own good 14 year old and now she gets bested by Mona recording one conversation on her phone? Boo show!

 

 

 

I actually think that putting Alison in the current time instead of keeping her to flashbacks has hurt the show. She's not adding anything to the story, she's just playing poor little me.

[mjgchick]

Lets be honest other than Emily the other Liars are half assing it trying to protect Ali. Spencer wants to keep her and her other friends out of trouble. Hanna just wants to get White girl wasted and Aria is on a romantic comedy.

[cuddlingcrowley]

Unpopular opinion: I don't have any fundamental issues with how Alison has been written. I used to be completely against bringing her back because I thought her death was essential to the tone of the show but since then I've changed my mind and I really think bringing her back breathed some fresh air to pll. I'm with everyone else that I've grown tired of her "poor me" thing but I don't think it goes against the character that was shown in the flashbacks because for one that was from other people's pov and two, it was before she spent two years running for her life.

 

I think the problem is the pacing of this season. The writers should have moved Alison's (and Hanna's!) story along two or three episodes ago. Have her screw up on a major way already and have the girls completely turn on her so she'll reach rock bottom and have some real motivation to redeem herself besides making nice to near strangers she bullied (which I think is exactly where we're going with the mid-season finale).

 

Whiile I wish that's the way the writers should have went, I think there's something to be said for the choices they've made and how the majority of the audience is sharing much of the exact feelings the girls have for Alison lately and I feel that's important if it comes to a point where we're forced to choose who to root for and they definitely couldn't risk having Alison become too likable and have the audience turn on the girls.

Edited August 8, 2014 by cuddlingcrowley

[Sakura12]

Not to mention her rape victim went running in a house that got exploded a few seconds. Jenna has a bomb ass pussy apparently. All though can we count Garrett since he was really doing it for Spencer?

 

Garrett seemed pretty obsessed with Jenna after she broke up with him. I think he liked Spencer so he'd agree to hurt everyone else but her for Jenna. Just like Jenna seems to have a soft spot for Emily, no matter how much Emily hates her. 

[M1977G]

I think that, since Ali wasn't dead and we knew it, they were smart to bring her back.  But they need to move it along!  A has gotten lost in the shuffle of Ali victim-dom/charades.  I'm fascinated by Ali, though, because I think they are making her sociopathic.  I really think she has antisocial personality disorder (sociopaths fall in this category), narcissistic personality disorder, or both.  This makes her a much more interesting character to me, and about a thousand times less trustworthy and more dangerous to everyone.  It also makes me think that, while she may be scared that all her dark deeds are about to come to light, she's playing at victim as much or more than being a victim.  

[FAU]

I think that, since Ali wasn't dead and we knew it, they were smart to bring her back.  But they need to move it along!  A has gotten lost in the shuffle of Ali victim-dom/charades.  I'm fascinated by Ali, though, because I think they are making her sociopathic.  I really think she has antisocial personality disorder (sociopaths fall in this category), narcissistic personality disorder, or both.  This makes her a much more interesting character to me, and about a thousand times less trustworthy and more dangerous to everyone.  It also makes me think that, while she may be scared that all her dark deeds are about to come to light, she's playing at victim as much or more than being a victim.  

 

It was sort of obvious that Ali was alive with all the times they kept seeing her and how many things didn't add up for her death.

 

I'm annoyed by her victim schtick though, it's just not as interesting and things only started to pick up when A finally returned after the Liars were dumb enough to think A was gone.

[mjgchick]

I think Ali is playing a victim and she pretty much admitted it by saying she needed to know that someone was on her side after scaring Ashley half to death. I just find it hilarious that even though Spencer and Hanna don't trust her neither have thought that she might be A. So of course in my mind she'll likely end up being A.

I do think Ali is afraid of something but it probably has more to do with her secrets.

[Amelia]

Wait so I'm laughing because wasn't there a scene between Ella and Aria in which Ella was asking for dress advice? And didn't she literally say something like "why am I asking you, you wear forks for earrings?" But now Aria is her fashion guru. Oh, Ella. I expected more.

[larapu2000]

Noel Khan makes me want to get all Rosewood on his ass (I'm 36, hellllooooooo handsome teenage flesh!).  A breath of hot, fresh air for the show.

 

Ali found another blazer.  Did A shut down all of the local clothing stores except for Dress Barn?

 

It's like the writers both love and hate us.  Clearly they know the Ezra/Aria thing is inappropriate, yet don't feel the need to stop.writing.it.as.a.love.story.

 

I'm shocked at all of the people that get their eyes dilated.  I've had glasses since I was 7, contacts since 13, and I've only had it done twice in my life.

 

I've got to think that the Zach thing played a bigger role-getting Aria's mom single again for some reason, getting Hanna off the bottle, or getting Caleb out of his own ass.  Or all 3.  

 

I think Ali's going to die for real at the end of this season.  

[cuddlingcrowley]

It's like the writers both love and hate us.  Clearly they know the Ezra/Aria thing is inappropriate, yet don't feel the need to stop.writing.it.as.a.love.story.

 

Yep, this is what I'm getting but I also can't help but be hopeful they have a plan given all the subtext about male love interests lying and/or hitting on teenage girls and the show painting them a gross as they deserve. Next episode, we have Ella yet again telling Aria there have been signs she overlooked about Zach being a creep and in this one there was that line about people being blind about the people they love. I can't help but feel the show is slowly but surely leading Aria to realize Ezra is actually the worst.

 

I'm shocked at all of the people that get their eyes dilated.  I've had glasses since I was 7, contacts since 13, and I've only had it done twice in my life.

 

Luck you! I've had my eyes dilated almost every time I've ever went to the oftamologist. It happened less often after I started wearing glasses at 18 because then I just went for quick check ups so that might have been your experience.

 

I think Ali's going to die for real at the end of this season.

 

I'm thinking that's definitely one of the possible endings for Alison's character and it would be a fitting one, imo, because she always worked better as a tragic figure, but I have a very strong feeling the writers have, at least, a two year plan for her character arc so I'm thinking her death might happen in the last season or most likely at the end of the sixth season so they can start season 7 at the same place the girls were in season 1 (but, you know, not). The rumoured time jump could even happen here which would mirror the one after Alison's death and I'm thinking more and more Alison will only reach her true redemption in death.

 

Of course, if she was a guy, she'd only have to appear shirtless a couple of times on the show and it would all be good which is incidentally the reason I might feel a little ambivalent about her dying.

[GaT]

I'm shocked at all of the people that get their eyes dilated.  I've had glasses since I was 7, contacts since 13, and I've only had it done twice in my life.

 

  

Really????? It's usually recommended as part of a regular eye exam because it helps catch a number of problems early. Does your eye doctor use optomap instead? That's what I've switched to.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

My optometrist usually doesn't dilate my pupils, but my opthalmologist dilates my pupils every time I see him for my annual visit. I actually don't mind anymore. I bring my ipod and listen to music while I wait for my pupils to get as big as Gollum's. I try to remember to turn my phone on silent because otherwise every time I get a notification I want to see what it is and I really can't ready my phone screen for about an hour.

 

Ha, just think - if Spencer's eye doctor had optomap, she probably wouldn't have called Emily to come to the doctor's office and she would have just been telling the girls that she saw Jenna and Sydney together. Would Emily have believed her? I love that Emily is so loyal but sometimes she is loyal to a fault (see: Ali).

[FozzyBear]

This was great episode. Loved the twist with "fake" kidnapper repeating Ali´s made up story for the police. At this point, not sure how any of the girls can stil hope the can keep the lie going. "A" is obviously just wating for the best moment to tell. But how motivated/scarred has to be the guy to take this really serious crime on himself?

Loved the double Jenna scene and Caleb/Hanna. They wrapped the Zack story quick, but I quess that´s what PLL do, they like to play with serious themes but always backtrack before things can get really ugly. In some ways it´s disappointing, but also very comforting and probably one of the reason why the show is still so successfull.

I know people loved Emily´s reaction to Sydney but if the show was told from her POV (or someone edited that little talk like Mona´s with Ali) sure we all would think Emily is a first class bitch right now. That was threat worthy of Alison´s BFF/lover and Sydney is now firmly back in the Jenna´s corner. Not the smartest move.

.

UO Emily is my least favorit liar. I think at best the show writes her as dull and kind of dumb. At worst she's a nasty, entitled bully-minion for her sociopathic not-girlfriend Alison. She just feels so justified treating people like crap. I think she has been awful to Hanna this season. Just horrible. From blaming Hanna for Alison's own behavior(like trying to run away), to getting super nasty when Hanna points out that Ali is still the same old Ali in many ways, to being OTT judgemental about Hanna spiraling out of control. I mean I do believe Emily had her own drunken spiral that lead to many complications and death threats so she can shut the fuck up as far as I'm concerned. Oh and stop threatening people who choose to be friends with the girl that your crush blinded! Fuck Em! Have a seat!