Pretty Little Liars - Til DeAth Do Us PArt

The more television shows attempt to a super-sized wrap-up in a finale the more they seem to struggle with providing a fitting farewell. That's certainly the case with "'Til Death Do Us Part" which brings an end to seven seasons of Pretty Little Liars. To be sure, the end feels a bit off as the show already wrapped-up it's major storyline by unmasking the Liars tormentor and then jumping ahead five years into the future only to introduce another unseen attacking playing with their lives in the same ways. While last week's penultimate episode cleared the Liars of any criminal charges and brought an end (so they believed) to the games with A.D., the finale goes back to the well again not only with the return of their faceless adversary but also a reveal that includes twins. A rather forced next generation tease is also put on display here suggesting Rosewood is one fucked-up place to live and the trials and tribulations of the Liars might actually not be that special or unique after all.

In terms of giving each character time to wrap-up their story, the two-hour episode does fairly well. We see Emily (Shay Mitchell) and Alison (Sasha Pieterse) building a home together, and Spencer (Troian Bellisario) and Toby (Keegan Allen) are able to reconnect. Since this is a Pretty Little Liars episode there's plenty of drama as well as Aria's (Lucy Hale) wedding to Ezra (Ian Harding) is first threatened by some unfortunate news and then by the groom's disappearance. And Hanna's (Ashley Benson) choice to stand by Mona (Janel Parrish) creates some friction with Caleb (Tyler Blackburn). It's the kidnapping of Spencer, however, that leads to the episode's reveal of A.D.'s true identity allowing Bellisario to play both herself and her evil twin. As with the unmasking of A, the choice here feels a bit uninspired. Although it wold create plenty of continuity issues the early tease the Melissa (Torrey DeVitto) might actually be behind everything was actually far more interesting.

Along with the return of Melissa, the episode features several returns (most notably the Liars' parents, most of whom who haven't been seen in quite some time). There are a few noticable abscences (I guess Aria's brother couldn't make it to his sister's wedding), but for the most part the finds a way to acknowledge the key supporting characters over the years. In the end Spencer and Ezra escape, Mona is given an odd moment of victory, and Aria is able to walk down the aisle with the love of her life. It may be Rosewood, but it appears given enough time everyone gets their happy ending.