Pretty Little Liars, TV Series, blog by Alan Ewing

 

 

 

 

 Pretty Little Liars 

 

This astonishing American TV series revolves around the principle Gang of Four high school American teenage girls. What begins as a simple premise for an an at-the-hop show develops into one of the most complex TV series of all time.

Based on the series of books by Sara Shepherd, the series twists and turns on every level. Rosetown, Pennsylvania is the setting: a place of pleasant suburbia underneath which lies threatening presences and deep threats to the leading characters.

The plot begins with the disappearance of the fifth ex-member and former leader of the gang, Alison. When strange texts start arriving to the girls from “A” then the assumption is that it is she who is sending them. This is as far as the plot description goes on this blog, as no spoilers.

The secondary characters, as in all good writing, ably support the main characters in the story. These bring in other age groups, with the parents, partners in sub-plots involving them and associates.

The show covers many themes. Part of the main theme covers human identity, and how intentions are interpreted. This is masterfully done as we as an audience swing from from one extreme to another in our own interpretations of what an individual is motivated by. Part of the craft of the writing is how we are led into that. The questions that we all face as human beings about ethics, and survival, are fully explored with the darker side of experience.

The show cross-references its own influences, with the detective aspect, “Nancy Drew”, “Charlie’s Angels” and “Scooby Doo” all referenced, as well as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and JK Rowling.

In essence, the series continually goes up a notch in each of the seven series that it expands out to. The acting and screen writing are masterful. This is a TV Box Set on BBC i-Player that is completely and totally addictive.

The series spawned a series of sequels, with 'Pretty Little Liars: Redwood' and 'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists' incorporating supporting characters into main roles. The really big update came in 'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' with a slasher-horror movie angle as 'A' returns in shocking mode to haunt the lives of a brand new set of characters. This sequel is a no-holds-barred reinvention designed to put viewers on the edge of the seat. Again on BBC i-Player

 

Alan Ewing Feb 2021 

 

Theme Song

 

 Outro