S06.E08: FrAmed

[WhosThatGirl]

The age thing wouldn't have bothered me much either. I mean, it's gross but I think the rules are different for each state and I think 16, which Aria was at the time she "met" Ezra was 16 and legel.  It was the fact that he was her teacher and the power thing. Also now that we know later on, he knew exactly who Aria was when she was sitting in the bar, he knew he would be her teacher and he still went on this tale of "we shouldn't/we should" because he had to keep getting info out of her. Then he knew she was still being stalked and harmed, and yet he sat and did nothing. That is wrong. That's a bad thing to do. Ezra is a bad guy. Those are bad things he did and yet no one on the show seems to remember them at all anymore. 

[ElectricBoogaloo]

The age thing wouldn't have bothered me much either. I mean, it's gross but I think the rules are different for each state and I think 16, which Aria was at the time she "met" Ezra was 16 and legel.  It was the fact that he was her teacher and the power thing.

Although the age of consent varies in each state, most states have addendums to these laws (some are Romeo and Juliet laws if the age range of the two parties is within a few years). In several states, one of these addendums has to do with one of the parties being in a position of authority. For example, 16 is the age of consent but if the other person is a teacher, law enforcement officer, etc. then it's still illegal.

 

The laws in Pennsylvania:

The de jure (in name) age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16 years of age for sexual consent, but a corruption of minors statute against adults corrupting the morals of minors under 18 years of age exists which makes the de facto (in fact) age of consent in Pennsylvania 18 years of age. However, the corruption of minors statute only applies to perpetrators 18 years of age and older, so it is legal for minors 16-17 to have sex with each other but not with a partner 18 or older.

 

3123 Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse

(7) who is less than 16 years of age and the person is four or more years older than the complainant and the complainant and person are not married to each other.

When the alleged victim is 16 or older and less than 18 years of age, and the alleged offender is over the age of 18, the Commonwealth may charge the offense of corruption of minors or unlawful contact with a minor, even if the activity was consensual:

 

6318. Unlawful contact with minor.

(a) Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if he is intentionally in contact with a minor, or a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of his duties who has assumed the identity of a minor, for the purpose of engaging in an activity prohibited under any of the following, and either the person initiating the contact or the person being contacted is within this Commonwealth: (1) Any of the offenses enumerated in Chapter 31 (relating to sexual offenses). (2) Open lewdness as defined in section 5901 (relating to open lewdness). (3) Prostitution as defined in section 5902 (relating to prostitution and related offenses). (4) Obscene and other sexual materials and performances as defined in section 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances). (5) Sexual abuse of children as defined in section 6312 (relating to sexual abuse of children). (6) Sexual exploitation of children as defined in section 6320 (relating to sexual exploitation of children).

 

Age and experience create a power imbalance that makes it impossible for the younger person to freely give consent. In Pennsylvania, children less than 13 years of age cannot grant consent to sexual activity. Teens between the ages of 13 and 15 can consent to sexual activity with peers within a four-year age range. People aged 16 and older can legally consent to sexual activity with anyone they choose, as long as the other person does not have authority over them as defined in Pennsylvania’s institutional sexual assault statute.

 

(1)  Except as provided in sections 3121, 3122.1, 3123, 3124.1 and 3125, a person who is a volunteer or an employee of a school or any other person who has direct contact with a student at a school commits a felony of the third degree when he engages in sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse or indecent contact with a student of the school.

(2)  As used in this subsection, the following terms shall have the meanings given to them in this paragraph:

(i)  "Direct contact."  Care, supervision, guidance or control.

(ii)  "Employee."

(A)  Includes:

(I)  A teacher, a supervisor, a supervising principal, a principal, an assistant principal, a vice principal, a director of vocational education, a dental hygienist, a visiting teacher, a home and school visitor, a school counselor, a child nutrition program specialist, a school librarian, a school secretary the selection of whom is on the basis of merit as determined by eligibility lists, a school nurse, a substitute teacher, a janitor, a cafeteria worker, a bus driver, a teacher aide and any other employee who has direct contact with school students.

(II)  An independent contractor who has a contract with a school for the purpose of performing a service for the school, a coach, an athletic trainer, a coach hired as an independent contractor by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association or an athletic trainer hired as an independent contractor by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

 

In addition, most schools have rules about not dating students. My sister in law works at a public school and all the employees (not just the teachers) have to sign a contract saying, among other things, that they won't even be Facebook friends with any student at the school until they have graduated (I think they specify a certain amount of time too so you can't just friend everyone two minutes after graduation). I mean, obviously a Website Page isn't necessary if you are banging your students, but her school is trying to avoid any kind of inappropriate contact with the students.

 

And now I feel super creepy for googling "age of consent." It was for fictional research purposes, NSA!

[cuddlingcrowley]

The show itself lampshaded that Ezria was ilegal via Ezra's friend (whose name i can't recall) who made a comment about Ezra ending up in an orange jumpsuit if he kept it up with Aria.

[fitzcarraldo]

If season four EzrA never happened he still never really tried to help Aria, or discover what was going on. He DID know, and did nothing. But it didn't bother Aria to pretend her real life wasn't happening just to be with him? Caleb and (though she started out bad too) Paige were not so blind and took part in life past the couch. Ezra just isn't a partner. He doesn't care beyond vague platitudes and an air of being above it all. He should have helped Aria if he loved her.

[cuddlingcrowley]

But it didn't bother Aria to pretend her real life wasn't happening just to be with him?

 

 

Aria pretending her life isn't really happening in order to live the one she has made up in her head is basically her entire character in a nutshell. Ezra was an escape. From A, from her parents' issues. A damn good one. I believe that's 90% of her draw to him.

Edited August 1, 2015 by cuddlingcrowley

[SadieT]

Although the age of consent varies in each state, most states have addendums to these laws (some are Romeo and Juliet laws if the age range of the two parties is within a few years). In several states, one of these addendums has to do with one of the parties being in a position of authority. For example, 16 is the age of consent but if the other person is a teacher, law enforcement officer, etc. then it's still illegal.

And now I feel super creepy for googling "age of consent." It was for fictional research purposes, NSA!

I remember reading somewhere where Marlene or someone pointed out that age of consent in PA is 16 and that when Ezra and Aria finally had sex he wasn't working as a teacher so it wasn't technically illegal because he was temporarily out of his position of power. I think it might have been during the time Byron got him fired or something? But then he eventually went back to teaching there I think so still totally statutory rape. But like the writers were actually proud of this little loophole they came up with to excuse this grown man's sexual exploitation of a minor in his care, but loop hole or not, he's still a fucking creep and the literal definition of a sexual predator because he hunted the girls down like prey, stalked them for his own personal agenda, and then picked one to isolate and seduce. That's straight up text book predator behavior so I don't care how much pie Aria shares with Ezra, he's still the worst. Also, his attraction to teenage girls wasn't a one time thing, he was attracted to Alison too when she was 15 years old, which just goes to show he likes them young.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

The fact that they were trying to find some kind of loophole that made Ezra and Aria okay and NOT illegal tells you that they KNOW it's terrible and gross but they are trying to get off on a technicality.

 

And if they had bothered to do any research at all (like the googling I did to find the info I posted above), they would have seen that in the state of Pennsylvania the age of consent is 16 BUT if the other person is over 18 then it becomes corruption of a minor and unlawful contact of a minor so it's still a crime regardlesss of whether he was her teacher at the time.

 

Despite the lame loophole of timing, didn't Ezra go back to Rosewood eventually? Am I supposed to believe that when he started teaching again, he was so ethical that he stopped boning Aria? I mean, I know he was super busy stalking her and watching video surveillance of her and writing his book so he might not have had as much time for having sex with his former student but does Marlene really expect me to believe that the day he got rehired at Rosewood, he was like, "Okay, no more sex!"?

[WhosThatGirl]

I didnt know the info you posted above so thank you for that. There is so much wrong with Ezra and Aria, and I'm sorry Ezra's motives will never be pure and he is a bad guy. For the reasons everyone has mentioned.

[Jack Shaftoe]

Obviously Rosewood exists in an alternate reality where cops and teachers can date minors because Garret dated Jenna quite openly indeed at one point.

[WhosThatGirl]

I think what bothers me most about Ezra might be the fact that we as the viewers are supposed to believe he's a good guy, when he isn't.  It;s laughable that he is telling Aria to watch out and be suspicious of Clark. I really wanted Aria to counter attack that with, "well, you would know if someone was asking many questions, wouldn't you?" but she never would because for some reason she still loves him. Even if we all forget the teacher/age issue-which okay we shouldn't, THAT IS A BIG DEAL but I am making another point and the show stopped giving a damn about that storyline and that being an issue when Aria and Ezra were still dating and he was back teaching at Rosewood high- the show is also asking us to forget that he STALKED Aria and the others. HE STALKED THEM. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about that. And that is a horrible thing that he did. For many reasons. Not least of all that because he was stalking them, he knew they were in danger multiple times (and I'm calling BS on the show if they try to act Ezra knew nothing about the "As", I'm pretty sure he did because how could he chase them around for info on his book and not know they were being stalked.. he totally knew!)  and he did nothing.  And yet he loves Aria, so it's all okay? WTF. The show basically is asking us to use the men in black memory eraser pen and forget anything about Ezra and Aria, except for the good points. Which for me there aren't because I'm sorry show and MK I view this show with honestly goggles and can't ignore what actually happened. That's why it's funny and ironic that Ezra is just being a "good guy" and telling Aria to be careful when talking to Clark. 

 

This episode needed  Caleb, that's for damn sure.  I miss him. 

Edited August 1, 2015 by WhosThatGirl

[raytch]

I just realized that I didn't post my thoughts on this episode.

I think everything has been said already and I refuse to discuss Aria asking Ezra to prom. My mind is blocking out that part and I'm just going to pretend that he had to beg her to let him be her date.

One thing though... I've been saying I want a scene with A at the head quarters since season 5 and the fact that we got one this episode is everything to me!

Now can we PLEASE see that weekly conference call Mr. Gray has with his "employer"?

Mr. GRAY: Sir Mr. A sir, I have replaced the photos at the gallery as you asked. Here's the footage of live reactions.

MR.A: Why are the photos not perfectly centered on the wall? Did you not use the measurements I provided you with?

Mr. Gray: but Mr. A sir... There was no time to double check on the measurements. I had to leave before anyone realized I was there.

Mr. A: THAT IS NO EXCUSE. I will glare you down to death. Be scared. Be very scared.

*glare*

Mr. Gray: Sir I can't see your face...

Edited August 2, 2015 by raytch

[Crim]

I remember reading somewhere where Marlene or someone pointed out that age of consent in PA is 16 and that when Ezra and Aria finally had sex he wasn't working as a teacher so it wasn't technically illegal because he was temporarily out of his position of power.

Double gross attempt to use a loophole/technicality: while they had sex then, they were shown to heavily make out when they first met. Some of us on TwoP were surprised when it was revealed they hadn't had sex long before the show had them "seal the deal". And, anyway, after that first meeting and with Aria always at Ezra's place, it's not like their relationship was just about hand holding and paper bags on their heads. When your couple being illegal or not involves discussing the details of their sexual contact, it is already gross, show runners. And it is still illegal because it definitely falls under "indecent contact with a student of the school".

Edited August 2, 2015 by Crim

[Mabinogia]

It's pretty bad when the writers have to mention legal loopholes to make their OTP more acceptable. Especially when they then turn around and make the relationship built o the adult in a position of power picking the most easily seducible teenage friend of his former teenage obsession in order to get closer to her group of friends so he can get information from them. Everything about Ezzzzria is pretty disgusting when you think about it. The teacher/student thing, the preying on a minor thing, the idea that this isn't he first minor he's been attracted to, the selecting her because he thought she'd be the easiest to get to. He is a predator. The legal part is the least disturbing thing about their relationship. lol

[Lii]

My dad was my mom's high school teacher. She had no idea he was even into her until he first asked her out two months after she graduated (he had her number off the marching band roster). The story still squicks most people out when they hear it. Ezria is nonsense. However, running off to the dubious protection of an older guy is definitely a common thing for abuse victims or women with histories of trauma. In my mom's case, it was to escape a shitty alcoholic household. Obviously we've seen Aria's reasons.

If the show had the balls to portray this in the same thoughtful, mature context it has been able to do with other important women's issues, it would be really great, and really helpful for girls the age range of the target audience for this show. Unfortunately, this show cares too much about what its fans want in the short term and is too often willing to sacrifice long-term storylines to avoid pissing off the Tumblr fanbase. That's why Ezria is still a thing, and that's why this show is a goddamned clusterfuck of dropped storylines that has turned into some meta monster version of what it could have been.

It is what it is. This show was never meant for us, remember.

[Mabinogia]

At least your dad had brains enough to wait until after his student graduated to ask her out. If Ezra had been a college professor in a class Aria did for one semester for pre-college credits and then asked her out that wouldn't be nearly as bad as what he did do, which was seek her out with the sole purpose of seducing her so he could get dirt on her and her friends. But yeah, "OMG!!! they're sooooo cute!!!!" is the reason we will never be rid of them.

 

I do agree, a storyline about why Aria was drawn to her teacher would be pretty interesting. Maybe, you know, her father screwing his students gave her a warped idea of what is and isn't acceptable. Maybe Byron being a cheater makes her think rules do not apply to her, or do not apply when one is "in luv!!!!" These would have been interesting storylines to delve into with the Ezra/Aria pairing. Instead they wear bags on their heads and go to prom together because that would ever happen. *eye roll*

 

Pity. It could have been interesting.

[Lii]

Exactly. We could have had so many versions of the Ezria conversation that would have been productive, helpful, fruitful, even non-vomit-inducing. Instead, because of the way it's been handled by the show, it's just been the same tired argument of "ZOMG SO CUTE EZRIA IS OTP 4 LYFE!! " versus "you guys, it's fucking garbage rapey garbageness" that never go anywhere and just end in migraines and sadness.

There's a fine line between paying attention to your fanbase and being ruled by it.

[WhosThatGirl]

There's a fine line between paying attention to your fanbase and being ruled by it.

 

This is like the tagline for the show. Or at least the tagline when they try to make a cliffhanger happen. See, "Toby is A" or "Ezra is A" for references. I feel like the show was testing the waters when they first made Toby an A but then looked at tweets and comments and backpedaled the hell out of it because "Spoby FOREVER!"  But its why Ezra will never be evil, evil in the shows mind because of the "omg! so cute, he loves her and only wants to protect her!" I feel like I had the same reaction to a couple on another show that I will not name here only that it's final season this past year reinforced why I disliked the pairing so very much but clearly that's something for that shows forum (although bonus points if anyone can guess the show ;) )

 

But seriously, I bet the tweens loved the hell out of the fact that Ezra was right about Clark being no good because Ezra and Aria forever! But still, I can't help that it bugs and like I said what really bugs me is the fact that Ezra planned for all this to happen. When I do my rewatching of past seasons and I see the stupid moments when he hems and haws about how dating Aria is so wrong, blah, blah, blah, it really bugs because he wanted this situation to happen. So, yeah. 

[mercfan3]

Personally, I think the show has repeatedly shown us that Ezra and Toby are gross, even if the girls make the mistake of keeping them in their lives. 

 

And honestly, it seemed like making Ezra A was one of the most popular things the show did, so it's too bad they back peddled. 

[cuddlingcrowley]

Personally, I think the show has repeatedly shown us that Ezra and Toby are gross, even if the girls make the mistake of keeping them in their lives.

 

 

They've certainly shown us...it's been infuriatingly realistic. The lack of pay off, unfortunately, is what bothers me and probably what makes most doubt whether what we see is intentional. Again and again Toby and Ezra are terrible and again and again, the girls, Aria and Spencer especially, let them get away with stuff. In that way, they're extremelly similar to the younger side of the fanbase that worships the ships. 

 

Let it be said, though, that Hanna Marin has always been amazing at calling out Caleb when he screws up and on setting boundaries for herself. Because there are teenage girls like that too.

 

I wonder if by making the time jump the writers are being sorta meta and the girls we'll start seeing these guys in the way most 20+ viewers do. Now that would be a hoot!

Edited August 3, 2015 by cuddlingcrowley

[raytch]

Oh that would be awesome! But I doubt. I'm afraid we're headed towards a star crossed lovers ending for at least one of the 2 ships. I would be incredibly surprised if they don't go with spoby and Ezria as endgame (in a very good way).

[Watt]

God I want Toby to go.away.

[Giuliano Lanzilli]

Why was the gallery host a BALD WOMAN? Was that supposed to mean anything? Just thought it was weird to say the least. Has anyone else wondered that?

[Giuliano Lanzilli]

It was bad enough when Ali made soup, but then when she said she would stay to do dishes and fold laundry, I was about to stab myself in the eyes with the nearest sharp object. My eyes were saved at the last second when Ali saw the card and took it - finally something underhanded! And then she admitted that she knew if she'd just asked, he would've said no and then she would've gone right ahead and done it anyway.

 

LOL!!!!!