The mystery we've all been tuning into on Tuesday nights since June 8, 2010, has finally come to an end. Charles/Charlotte/Cece is A, and although I personally had to watch the "Game Over, Charles" episode twice to wrap my head around the mind-blowing story of answers from Cece Drake, this was, in my opinion, the most satisfying season finale of "Pretty Little Liars" to air yet.
Some fans were thoroughly disappointed, claiming that the show didn't answer enough questions. Others didn't like that A was transgender, claiming that the show was supporting negative stereotypes that trans women are deceitful. These claims were shut down by the creator of the show, Marlene King, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight's Leanne Aguilera. King cleared up that the real villain wasn't A, but was in fact Kenneth DiLaurentis for neglecting his child and locking him away in a nut house.
I was not among these unhappy fans. I admit that PLL has left me in utter confusion with most of its season finales, but the show has redeemed itself with "Game Over, Charles." We now know who was peeking in windows in a black hoodie, and who was creeping around in a red coat. Sara Harvey was not who she claimed to be. The guy who ridiculously resembles Jason DiLaurentis at the Carissimi group had no part in the "A Team." Toby's mom didn't commit suicide; Bethany Young pushed her off of the top of the Radley building.
A didn't manage to murder any of the liars, and Hanna, Spencer, Aria, and Emily make it out of Rosewood to fulfill their college dreams. What about Alison? Well, she stays behind in order to be with her sister, Cece.
I think fans can take more than 60 minutes of entertainment from this episode of answers. The liars exemplified forgiveness of the greatest extent. After years of torture, they weren't bitter and holding grudges towards A. They showed compassion and sympathy after Cece told her story. Alison, who had every right to be enraged for being betrayed by her own family, said to Cece, "I'll do whatever it takes to help you." Aria, displaying understanding, said, "You spent your whole life trying to get back to your family. It's not too late." Then you have the sassiest of the liars, Hanna, who said in the "FrAmed" episode that there was nothing the police could do to A that would be worse than what A did to them, says to Cece, "You've been such a bitch to us, but we heard your story. We understand." Hanna Marin understands A! If you're a faithful viewer of PLL, then you know that's very out of character for her. If that's not a perfect example of forgiveness in the 21st century, then I don't know what is.
