The seventh and final season of "Pretty Little Liars" premiered this Tuesday and kicked off the show with a suspense-filled mission to rescue Hanna from being murdered by the new Big Bad who goes by the alias "A.D." Since PLL began back in 2011, it has become a television and social media phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers that have grown up alongside the characters and spent years theorizing over who could possibly be behind all the terrifying texting threats, blackmail, and murders in Rosewood.
Although it's title might make it seem like another teen soap, Pretty Little Liar's actually attracts viewers of all ages and genders from pre-teens to post grads to grandparents! Last season's decision to shift the show's timeline forward 5 years showed that the writers are ready to tackle even more adult issues and ever since the time-jump, things have gotten serious.
As a long-time PLL fanatic I've often tried to get my friends and family hooked on the show and last summer during a marathon re-watch I actually succeeded in converting a new fan: my dad. Even though he tried to deny it at first, after a few episodes my dad was suddenly invested in finding out who 'A' was and ended up bingeing most of the show on Netflix so he could get caught up with all the drama. It wasn't long before we were swapping suspects, making fun of Ezra's melodramatic speeches, and even signing our texts to each other with the signature "-A". Even though it's only show, I'm glad that I've been able to find something fun to share with my dad, and I feel like it's definitely brought us closer together.
He even admitted at one point that despite it's "girly name" the twists were often just as interesting as those in more 'legit' shows like Breaking Bad and Person of Interest. (He still refused to admit his new TV addiction to the other dudes at work though)
Now on Tuesday nights we bond over the Liar's ridiculous adventures and I always look forward to hearing my dad's perspective on Alison's current scheme or Aria's overly-complicated love life. My dad's commentary on Tuesday's premiere ep didn't disappoint, and I thought I'd document some of the most entertaining observations.
Right from the first A text he already felt the show was getting too unrealistic
"So they all have Apple Watches now? Why? Nobody actually buys an Apple Watch!"
And disagreed with the claim that Toby could "speak cop"
"Toby's not even a real cop. Toby can't do anything. Why does Spencer even let him help with the mystery?"
The fake Hanna mask in the church led to some paranoia and trust issues
"Okay who is the mask maker in this town?! That mask is too real. Is everything just a mask behind a mask behind a creepy doll on this show!"
And Spencer's choice in snacks got some criticism
"She's bringing pickles to the stakeout? Who just eats pickles?"
But of course he couldn't resist getting in a Dad Joke
"Well I guess they are all in a bit of...pickle!"
And another jab at Toby during the suspect-voting scene
"I'd vote for Toby as A but he's too dumb to pull it off"
Because he clearly knew who the real brains of the operation is.
"Mona's the only person who knows how to do anything. Mona could solve the entire show by herself"
And felt that the Liars really needed to sort out their priorities.
"Aria! This is not the time to figure out your relationship! Friend is kidnapped!"
Even though the producers wanted us to be all #TeamEzria
But there was a little bit of support for #TeamEmison
"Aw everyone has a buddy in the plan except Emily!"
"Or I guess Alison's her buddy...but she's crazy so..."
On Aria asking the bartender for a beer at Snookers:
"She can't just order 'beer'. He needs to know the brand. Are they not allowed to advertise alcohol on Freeform?"
And then when she bailed to see Ezra after B26 plays on the jukebox
"Aria you went there to investigate! You can't leave just because some love song! You only have 37 minutes till Hanna is dead!"
On the appropriate episode titling
"Honestly no wonder this is called Tick Tock, Bitches. They're all just sitting around getting coffee and having relationship issues while time is running out and their friend is dying."
Which led to a sudden realization.
"Maybe that's the point of the Apple Watches. Because everyone is so bad at time management"
Thing's got extra weird during Mary Drake's tea time with Spencer
"The twin lady is too creepy for me. She needs to leave."
And truth was dropped about Rosewood's unusually high lesbian population
"Do you think the barista is going to be Emily's new girlfriend? She gets a new girlfriend like every three episodes"
When Spencer suddenly appeared to offer Hanna some advice...
"That's definitely someone in a Spencer mask no way is that real"
And when Aria said that Ali was totally safe as long as she was at the hospital
"Oh yeah because no one has ever snuck into a hospital on this show before"
He still couldn't quite let go of the mask theories
"Alright.. so it wasn't a Spencer mask it was a dream? How am I supposed to know who is and isn't wearing a mask anymore?"
"Is that really Aria? Is she in a mask? Is that guy in the background in a mask?"
And when the countdown clock was running out and the stakes got real
"Oh no, six minutes! Come on! Tick Tock, Bitches!"
But in the end it didn't matter because Hanna broke out on her own
"See,Hanna doesn't need them anyways. She can do this herself."
But he felt that Rollin's evil medicine could have some dire consequences
"Alison was already crazy and now this evil guy is injecting her with stuff to make her crazier, so who even knows what she's gonna do now."
And finally when next week's preview aired it proved that this is truly the perfect show for all all ages
"This is a horror movie. This is so intense. No way this was ever just for kids.I bet the creepiness of Pretty Little Liars is what made ABC Family change the name of their entire network".
