YAB Review: 'Pretty Little Liars'

Today’s Ypulse Youth Advisory Board post is a TV review from Caroline Marques who tuned in for the series premiere of Alloy Entertainment’s latest page-to-screen adaptation “Pretty Little Liars.” As always, you can communicate directly with any member of the Ypulse Youth Advisory Board by emailing them at youthadvisoryboard at ypulse.com…or just leave a comment below.

YAB Review: Pretty Little Liars

What was the biggest draw?

“Pretty Little Liars” is a show inspired by the “Pretty Little Liars” book series by Sara Shepard. After reading all of them and finding them intriguing and entertaining, I found out there would be a show. I considered not watching in fear that it would ruin the books, but then I was too curious and when I saw the promo, I couldn’t resist (especially after the finales of “Gossip Girl” and “90210.” What else was I going to watch this summer?). The promos and pilot were just like the books; irresistibly addicting: you just can’t wait and need to know more.

What did you expect going in? How much did you know beforehand?

I really had no idea what to expect. I kept changing my mind over whether to be excited or nervous. The books are a good combo: they have a bit of “Gossip Girl’s” scandal, a bit of “Pretty Little Devils” thriller quality and a lot of heavy teen discussion about all kinds of relationships (friends, teachers, parents…) and problems. I know everything about the books,  could probably recap the story by heart, but I didn’t know much about the TV show, except that Lucy Hale played Aria, my favorite character, and that it was going to be on ABC Family. I expected it to be a bit less “racy” than the books, maybe as complex (it takes time to figure everything out) but definitely entertaining. I figured I trusted ABC, and I would like the show even more than my other favorites on the channel (“Make It or Break It,” “Ten Things I Hate About You”) since it was inspired by some of my favorite books.

How did you tune in? Did you watch commercials?

I watched the pilot online, so I didn’t watch commercials. I was thankful for the show without commercials - and I just couldn’t wait. I was sitting down in front of my computer just waiting to see if it would change my opinion of the books.

Sum it up:

Four very special and different “Rosewood” girls (Spencer, Aria, Hanna and Emily) lose their best friend (beautiful but manipulative Alison) at a summer slumber party. A year later, after several missing people reports, a body is finally found. The four former friends are now all grieving in different, separate ways. They think the secrets they had told Ali (the secrets Ali emotionally tortured them with) went to the grave with her. But they couldn’t be more wrong. Little by little, they individually get texts from an anonymous “A,” menacing them and spilling their darkest secrets, secrets that would definitely change their picture perfect lives in Rosewood… forever.

So, what did you think?

I still can’t make up my mind about it! It was only the pilot - and I know I’m going to be tuning in to watch the future episodes. There was a side of it that I really liked, but I was also slightly disappointed. I think that comes from knowing the whole books by heart, so part of the suspense that made her books amazing is gone. I can slightly predict the characters moves and what will happen. I am also confused: only three characters actually match the character descriptions in the book, so all of the other characters (besides Hanna, Ali and Aria) weren’t at all what I expected. For now, their clothes and Rosewood are pretty perfect though. Slightly cliché, but I do like the actors in the show. Here’s the thing: even if I do know the story, I still want to keep watching! The show leaves you desiring more of it. It probably can be a bit confusing for those who never read the books, but I know they’ll love the show once they get a hang of it. And for those who have read them, there still is a element of mystery (you can’t wait to see new plot points and new characters appear). For now, it’s pretty entertaining. I also love “Desperate Housewives,” so I’m excited to see a show that isn’t only about boys and parties, but also about really serious problems, mixed with suspense and mystery. I’m sure it won’t disappoint me in the future. But I also hope it won’t influence teen girls very much, I don’t want any of my friends trying to send me scary, threatening notes!

About Caroline

Caroline is an American student in eleventh grade in Geneva, Switzerland and enjoys it a lot. This year will be her second year serving on the Youth Advisory Board, which she loves because she’s currently an international student and she likes keeping up with the numerous U.S. trends in various departments. Between YAB, sports, school (as well as traveling, trying to master several languages, spending a lot of time on the computer, writing long papers, music and watching American TV), she doesn’t have a lot of time on her hands, but always finds time for the two passions she’s always had: reading and writing.