Pretty Little Liars

Okay so I haven't posted in forever and now I post about Pretty Little Liars? You are probably thinking "what is this girl on?" I agree. Point taken. However, sometimes it takes something really ridiculous, frustrating, humiliating or infuriating to get my thoughts going. Let's just say watching Pretty Little Liars today stirred up a combination of all of these aforementioned feelings.

Pretty Little Liars is summed up on IMDB as "Four friends band together against an anonymous foe who threatens to reveal their darkest secrets, whilst unraveling the mystery of the murder of their best friend."

Well add that, some contrived acting and the unnecessary return of Holly Marie Combs to our television sets and there you have Pretty Little Liars. Okay, that was a little harsh. I know what you are saying, why was I even watching it if I thought it was absolute crap? Let me explain a little further. If you had asked me what I thought of the show a few hours ago I would have laughed at you. Ask my roommate. Laughing is exactly what I did when I saw the show on our television this evening. An hour later, when she finally looked up with a strange look and asked, "What the f**k is this?" I sheepishly replied, "another episode of Pretty Little Liars."

The first time I watched Pretty Little Liars was when I was in Australia for Christmas. I can't put it in a more eloquent way than it was 3am in the morning and I was semi-intoxicated. My friend turned it on and exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, this is the worst show ever!" "Okay" I thought, "then why is it we are watching it?" After an hour watching fellow Aussie Tammin Sursok play a blind girl who has some strange, lets just say "unconventional" relationship with her brother I was even more confused at why this ridiculous show was still on the air. Well, after the episode tonight, I now understand.

It is the addictive nature of Pretty Little Liars that makes you overlook the horrendous acting and mediocre dialogue. The show is Desperate Housewives meets Jawbreaker. The intrigue has me hooked. Now, this does not mean I will actually sit down and watch any more episodes. One problem I have for example is "Holly Marie Combs, you look way too young to have a teenage daughter!" (Please do not take that as a compliment but merely a casting mistake). Also, in what world as a parent would you be okay to your daughter dating a teacher? My parents would have murdered any teacher that looked my way at that age! The christian 23 year old did not go down well in my house, let alone a teacher! Next issue, Tammin Sursok I hope you didn't pay for those "acting like a visually impaired person" lessons like I read in the newspaper. What a waste. I am pretty sure I had a million more criticisms but I can't remember them.

The truth is... Pretty Little Liars has done their job as a TV show. They pulled me in, entertained me and now have me wanting more. It is kind of like the effect Degrassi has on you (but the actors are a million times hotter so it makes more sense). After the show ended I immediately googled what happens next. I may or may not actually watch it again. We will see if I can endure the agony of pretending that Holly Marie Combs and Laura Leighton should be back on prime time television.

Okay, I am being harsh again. My final conclusion is nearly as cliche as the show's dialogue: you can't judge a book (or adapted TV show) by its cover. Nor can you trust your interest level at 3am in the morning under the influence of too much vodka. I judged too harshly. I can definitely see Pretty Little Liar's appeal, especially to the younger audience. I am sure if I was a teenager I would be addicted. Addicted to the point that I would pray to live the characters lives and then hold a life long grudge against the show and its actors when I didn't turn into them (yes, Holly that is why I hate you. I was determined to be a Charmed one and it never worked out.)

On that majorly dorky note. I will be signing off.

My verdict for Pretty Little Liars is as follows:

DO: Watch Pretty Little Liars, just enough to make you laugh but not enough to get you addicted. Then you will suddenly find yourself the victim of being laughed at. It already happened twice tonight when I mentioned what I was watching.

DON'T: Get addicted. If you want a show to get addicted to my vote is still for Bones or Castle.

Pretty Little Liars = 3 out of 5 Stars