By: Erica Murphy (Syracuse University)
Five girls began the story; only four girls remain. Or could it be three? On Tuesday August 10, 2009 on ABC Family, the season finale of Pretty Little Liars left viewers gasping at the mysterious ending. Just when story lines began to make sense, the producers threw in a new character and dismembered all understanding. In a show that is driven by secrets and flashbacks, the littlest bit of comprehension feels like getting the million-dollar question on Millionaire. So it is even more distressing to get thrown into a state of utter confusion, knowing that it is going to take several months to smooth out the wrinkles. Nonetheless, I was extremely disappointed for the murder mystery to end.
Pretty Little Liars appeals to teenage girls, but even though I’m growing out of my teen years, I’m still hooked. It involves fantastic wardrobes, dashing men, and a little suspense. What more could a girl ask for? It is the perfect show to start a slumber party. My two best friends and I started watching from the beginning. We began a Pretty Little Liars tradition on Tuesday nights. It included eating icing and Nilla Wafers (to muffle the screams or course), gathering blankets so we would have something to squeeze during the really scary parts (hands were too painful), and spending hours after the show thinking of happy thoughts (and we thoroughly checked the backseat of our cars before leaving). Watching Pretty Little Liars became a bonding experience. We forgot about finding more shifts at Cold Stone or stressing to get into the right class. For that one hour, all we fretted about was deciphering who could possibly be A?
Sadly, my friends and I won’t be together for the start of the next season. We will have to rely on our recaps afterwards to keep the tradition going. But I wonder for how many years Pretty Little Liars will consume us? It is difficult to imagine this show lasting for numerous seasons. How many people can you really kill off, and how many possible A’s can show up? While I do enjoy the mystery and the bonding with my friends, I think my bliss will be short lived. Regardless, I am itching for the next season to launch. Go ahead, rent the first season and get ready to feel the pull into the world of Pretty Little Liars. You’ll be checking and double-checking TV Guide for the next season to air too.
