Pretty Little Liars Review: Toby, Plot Holes Exposed

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I know there are typically plot holes aplenty on Pretty Little Liars, and one has to leave logic at the door in order to enjoy this ABC Family guilty pleasure.

But there's only so many times I can have my intelligence insulted, and here are the reasons shy "My Name Is Trouble" pushed me toward that edge...

Liars in the Dark

Issue #1: We've seen Jenna literally sniff out the Liars multiple times in school. Now, she suddenly can't even tell it's Aria until after they hold a lengthy conversation?!? And can the show just rely on its storytelling for the suspense, please? That entire, supposedly eerie scene with the candle just felt contrived and forced.

Issue #2: So... Melissa lost her engagement ring and it was just sitting behind the toaster? That's a random enough plot device. But we got a good look at that rock. It was large. And, trust me, I've gone engagement ring shopping: that thing was worth well above $2,000. Like 10 times above that.

It's also one thing to be protective, but it's another thing to just be immature and self-serving. Spencer pawned her sister's ring?!? Hanna deleted her father's fiancee's text message?!? I know, these are just young girls, they make mistakes, they are impetuous. But they crossed a few major lines this week and I didn't find the actions endearing, I found them despicable.

Issue #3: This is subtle, but important: something clearly happened to Alison during that party to which they flashed back. There's interesting material to mine here. But that close-up of her face? When she was holding back the tears and looking at herself in the window?

Whose mind were we in? When a show flashes back, there must be a point of view established by a current character - but that one, key scene was of Alison and no one else (Spencer entered the picture after a few seconds). It doesn't make any sense in a narrative context.

Issue #4: The entire we-can't-be-seen-together-because-our-therapist-who-hasn't-appeared-in-two-weeks thing is, I'm sorry to say it, just flat out stupid. The girls get scared when someone else enters the bathroom because... why? People at school are gonna report them to the psychologist? We haven't actually see the Liars together any less since this credo was thrown down; we've just seen them act all worried about it for no season.

Issue #5: A won't be revealed until the series finale, creator Marlene King has already said that. At that point, it's unlikely viewers will remember every little incident, but maybe I should make a list. Because, let's face it, this stalker pulls off the impossible every week.

We are meant to believe she got into Emily's room, wrote a note, copied the fake letter from Danby and sent it to Emily's mom? Nothing A does is even shocking anymore, which removes all mystery because the answer to any question is always: A did it. How? Who knows! Just go with it!

There were a few positive developments this week: Alison's mention of money from her grandmother was intriguing. I hope Ezra's fiancee causes some mischief. Toby sweated a lot without a shirt on.

But I had to vent for a bit because the plot holes were just too glaring. I still enjoy Pretty Little Liars, I still look forward to it for the snark and twists and turns. I just ask the writers to give us some consistency and treat viewers with a bit more respect.

What did everyone else think? Should I shut up and enjoy the show for what it is? Or am I making a few legitimate points?

My Name Is Trouble Review

Editor Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.1 / 5.0 (85 Votes)

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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Pretty Little Liars Season 2 Episode 3 Quotes

Stealing moisturizer is not a life. It's a hobby.

Hanna

Ashley: Your father and I have a long history. We used to laugh. A lot.
Hanna: I must have missed that part.

Pretty Little Liars Season 2 Episode 3 Music

  Song Artist
Please Speak Well Of Me The Weepies iTunes
Song Baby I Got To Move Tim P and Stephen R Phillips
Song Imposter Jocelyn Alice