Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Pretty Little Liars - FrAmed


The local gallery presenting Aria's (Lucy Hale) work as one of four finalists brings the Liars out despite concerns by Ella (Holly Marie Combs) about her daughter's safety. Tanner's (Roma Maffia) heavy police presence keeps the Liars safe but doesn't stop A from making an appearance as the Liars' adversary replaces Aria's photographs with images from the girls' captivity. The shock to the system brings Aria momentarily closer to Ezra (Ian Harding) admitting to both herself and her former beau the lingering effects of her captivity and how A was able to ruin on of the happiest moments of her life. The fact that the police are actively searching for Charles DiLaurentis gives the girls some hope, although Alison (Sasha Pieterse) has a far more conflicted reaction to the brother she barely remembers becoming public enemy #1.

Along with the gallery drama, which foreshadows stronger action on behalf of the Liars' parents, "FrAmed" also introduces another potential red herring into the mix with the introduction of the head of the fund responsible for Hanna's (Ashley Benson) college scholarship who bares a striking resemblance to Jason (Drew Van Acker). Hanna, Spencer (Troian Bellisario), and Emily (Shay Mitchell) catching the man's suspicious out-of-the-way late-night meeting with Aria's new photo buddy (Titus Makin Jr.) only further raises the Liars' suspicions about what the pair are really up to.

The episode continues to ramp up the tension heading towards the show's summer finale. News that the Liars may not be allowed to attend prom (uh, yeah, no way that's gonna happen), for their safety and that of the other students, doesn't sit well with them but it does lead into one of more natural (and one of my favorite) scenes in recent weeks between Aria and Emily talking over recent events, fears, and potential new love interests. The introduction of a partnership of sorts between Rhys and Clark seems a bit on the nose in the same episode that confirms A has a new henchman (or, based on the stance and cut of the coat, henchwoman). Given how the show likes to tease false trails, and how the marketing continues to focus on a big reveal in just two weeks it seems unlikely Rhys will be revealed to be Charles (even if, or precisely because, circumstantial evidence seems to suggest he may be).

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