The Inevitable Downfall of Pretty Little Liars

The narrator begins by describing their past enjoyment of the TV show "Pretty Little Liars," noting its popularity and strong fan base during its original run. The show was groundbreaking for integrating social media into its plot. However, it is also known for a highly criticized finale that disappointed many fans. With news of a reboot, the narrator decides to revisit the original series to understand its downfall, suspecting the problematic aspects were present from early on but overlooked.

The narrator asserts that the series' decline was due to its storytelling, particularly blaming Marlene King, the show's creator. A detailed exploration of the plot reveals how intricate and engaging mysteries initially captivated viewers. However, the narrative became muddled with unresolved storylines and characters with inconsistent arcs. Aria, ostensibly one of the main characters, exemplifies this with substantial but unfulfilled plot setups, leading to fan theories about her being the villain.

The narrator elaborates on Aria's unfulfilled plotlines, highlighting mysterious events and character development that suggested she had a darker side. For instance, her connection to missing character Maya's story and interactions hinting at her deeper involvement. However, these storylines ultimately were dropped, leaving Aria's character feeling undeveloped and inconsistent, often reduced to being simply a love interest with morally questionable actions.

The analysis continues with a critique of Aria's narrative arc, pointing out her negative traits and lack of development after major plotlines are abandoned. Her problematic relationship with Ezra and other adults reflects a broader, disturbing pattern in the show of romanticizing underage relationships. Despite these shortcomings, Aria remains a central figure, though her character lacks depth and coherence compared to others, illustrating a significant missed opportunity by the writers.

The character of Emily Fields is critiqued as largely pointless post-Season 3, her presence feeling forced without substantial impact on the main plot. Despite representing the show’s progressiveness with an LGBT storyline, her arc lacks tension and stakes, with the narrator even suggesting that killing her off might have added necessary drama. Emily's storyline is emblematic of PLL's failure to develop its characters meaningfully, often sidelining them or maintaining them without purpose.

The narrator expresses frustration over the mismanagement of Alison DiLaurentis, a character with immense potential reduced to mediocrity by the series' end. Initially portrayed as a formidable antagonist, Alison's complex and fearsome presence captivated audiences. Her unexplained motivations and sudden redemption arc, however, diminish her impact, leaving her story incomplete. This disappointment illustrates how the show abandoned deep, potential-rich narratives for safer, less impactful plots.

While some characters, like Spencer Hastings, evolve into key roles, the inconsistent storytelling undermines their arcs. Spencer, once part of the ensemble, gradually becomes the focal character due to Troian Bellisario's strong performance. Yet, significant plot developments often lead to no lasting consequences, reflecting a broader issue within the series. The constant resetting of storylines to avoid consequences, though initially engaging, results in a lackluster plot progression without satisfying closure.

The narrative discusses the numerous unresolved plotlines and plot holes that plagued the series. Despite the show’s initial promise and ability to hook viewers with intriguing mysteries, it consistently failed to deliver satisfying conclusions. Fans were encouraged to dissect every detail, yet critical story arcs and events were left unexplained. The storytelling relied on empty build-up, leading to a lack of meaningful resolution and increasing audience frustration over time.