PLL: The Perfectionists Season 1 Episode 3 Review: ...If One of Them is Dead
Rachel Foertsch
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The liars have a new lead to follow on PLL: The Perfectionists Season 1 Episode 3.
With so many questions about Nolan's murder unanswered, Dana Booker is raising the heat and manipulating the characters at every chance she gets.
Related: PLL: The Perfectionists Season 1 Episode 2 Review: PLL's New Dynamic Duo
But before we dive in, don't forget that if you missed the episode, you can watch PLL: The Perfectionists online right here at TV Fanatic!
While the previous episodes of The Perfectionists were relatively strong, PLL: The Perfectionists Season 1 Episode 3 fell flat in comparison.
Besides a couple of revelations that the audience was already aware of, nothing else of importance happened.
In fact, the main focus of PLL: The Perfectionists Season 1 Episode 3 was undoubtfully the growing bond between Ava, Dylan, and Caitlin. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Caitlin: That's so not funny!
Dylan: I think it's pretty funny.
Ava: I don't know, I think it's pretty funny too.
Ava has been spiraling ever since Nolan's death, which feels a bit premature in terms of a show's timeline.
Usually, a character loses themselves after viewers have enough time to realize who they are, but the audience only knew the "real" Ava for a single episode before they inevitabley lost her.
We keep hearing about Nolan's love and devotion to Ava without actually seeing it.
He said it was a symbol of how much he wanted to protect me. And how much he loved me.
Ava
It makes their entire relationship feel hollow and like we missed out on something major.
On Pretty Little Liars, flashbacks were used commonly to make the audience form some kind of connection with Alison or to at least get a read on her personality.
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However, we're three episodes into The Perfectionists, and the only thing we actually know about this character who was violently murdered is that he's wishy-washy.
Flashbacks also serve to help the audience connect the dots, so the series' lack of using them so far is a bit odd.
It's hard to understand the present when little to nothing is known about the past.
Not that every murder victim shouldn't have justice, but do we care about Nolan having justice specifically?
Despite Nolan being the only person who Ava connected to, it's interesting how Dylan and Caitlin are able to "bring her back to life" so to speak.
I kind of like hanging out with you guys.
Ava
The three are building a strong bond, and they have an amazing amount of onscreen chemistry between them.
However, it feels like their chemistry doesn't necessarily mesh with Alison and Mona's.
Both groups are incredible on their own, but so far, they don't work very well together.
Alison and Mona are older than the liars, which changes the dynamic between them, but it almost seems as if keeping them separate more often than not is better than bringing the old and new cast together.
In a way, it seems as if they belong on two different shows.
And then we have Mason, who has an arrow pointing toward him that's almost as green as his candy wrappers.
I think I know who was watching us in the woods that night. It was Mason.
Caitlin
Going off of gum feels pretty lame and insignificant, but it more than likely was a way to show the audience that it was Mason in the woods that night.
But maybe he's not working alone.
The more the spotlight shines on Mason, the more we find ourselves looking away from him. It appears as if Mason is simply a distraction from the real suspect, so the audience will be shocked when all is finally revealed.
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At this point, Caitlin's boyfriend Jeremy is number one on our list. Where was he the entirety of PLL: The Perfectionists Season 1 Episode 3 anyway?
The audience was so busy focusing on Mason, Jeremy was completely forgotten about. Which could be right where the show wants their viewers.
The fact that Jeremy had the motivation to kill Nolan, but was never actually showcased as a suspect seems suspicious in itself.
Jeremy has only ever been exemplified as Caitlin's loving boyfriend who would do anything for her.
He also admitted to being relieved about Nolan's death, but it came off as a romantic moment rather than as a red flag.
Did he put the rat in the back of Ava's car? It's certainly possible. Just as possible as Mason and Jeremy both being in on whatever is going on.
The liars appeared way too calm about the dead rodent. Did they not realize that the possible killer was out in the middle of the woods at night and watching them?
Whoever it was even broke into Ava's car and left a threatening message, yet the only reaction viewers really received from them was one of annoyance.
It seemed as though the whole thing was more of an inconvenience than a threat.
Where's the suspense and the goosebumps? The audience should have chills right alongside the characters, but once again, the intensity was essentially non-existent.
Either the series needs to up its chill factor or up the characters' reactions to what's happening around them.
Stray Thoughts:
- Mona needs to be part of the action. She's too smart to be on the sidelines and it would be more interesting to see Mona and Alison investigating together than Alison randomly showing up at Mona's house a few times an episode.
- Dana's unsuccessful attempt to drive a wedge between the liars seems promising. But do they trust each other enough not to turn on each other?
- Ava's reaction to Nolan sleeping with Dylan hasn't been addressed. What place were Ava and Nolan at when it happened?
- Where was Andrew? As much as we love him, everyone is included in the pool of suspects.
- How do we feel about Claire? Is she genuine? Does she really want to just get to the bottom of her son's murder, or is there something more?
Alright Pretty Little Liars fans, what are your thoughts on PLL: The Perfectionists Season 1 Episode 3? Let us know your predictions in the comments section down below!
Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on Freeform.
