Pretty Little Liars canceled: 4 reasons the show deserved better (and 3 reasons cancellation was the right move)

As a long-time fan of horror shows and a connoisseur of strong female characters, I must say I was left wanting more from Bloody Rose Waters in “Summer School.” Her potential as a formidable slasher villain was undeniably promising, but her ultimate demise felt disappointingly anticlimactic. I penned an article expressing my dismay over her underutilization (available for your reading pleasure).

Max’s Pretty Little Liars reboot will not return for a third season.

2022 marked the beginning of a horror spinoff of the show titled “Original Sin,” followed by its second season this year, named “Summer School.” This series concluded in June. The series “Pretty Little Liars: Riverdale” was developed by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who also works as the showrunner for “Riverdale,” and Lindsay Calhoon Bring. It features Bailee Madison, Chandler Kinney, Zaria, Malia Pyles, Maia Reficco, and Mallory Bechtel in leading roles.

Max has made an announcement through The Hollywood Reporter, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work on another season of the show Pretty Little Liars, even though they won’t be proceeding with a third installment. They appreciate the creative efforts of co-creators Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring, along with Warner Bros. Television, for introducing a fresh take on the liars, who unite to confront a new terrifying villain in Millwood. The innovative and contemporary vision of these creators, coupled with the exceptional talent of the cast and crew, gave the series a thrilling blend of fun and horror that honored its initial roots from Rosewood.

There’s a chance that another streaming platform or broadcast network might rescue the show, though it appears rather improbable. Members of the cast have taken to social media to thank the audience and hint at more detailed reflections coming up over the weekend.

To summarize, the girls find themselves in a relatively strong position following the end of “Pretty Little Liars: Summer School,” despite the ominous revelation that Dr. Sullivan was murdered by Archie Waters, hinting at potential turmoil ahead. Additionally, a quick scene reminiscent of “The Purge” features a group of girls wearing masks similar to the main quintet, suggesting they may encounter stalkers in a possible third season. We can only hope for more insights into what might have transpired in the near future.

1. GREAT: Friendship between the girls

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel that the essence of Max’s Pretty Little Liars reboot lies within the deeply genuine bond that grows between Imogen, Tabby, Mouse, Faran, and Noa. The friendships in the original series were a highlight for many viewers, and this reboot has truly outdone itself by not only mirroring that camaraderie but also elevating it to new heights.

In the series, the friendships among the characters seemed authentic, and it was evident that the actresses shared a strong bond off-screen as well. I found myself yearning for more intimate scenes and moments between these girls (such as Noa and Faran, Imogen and Mouse, Tabby and Faran, etc.). Ultimately, it was the core five who made this show a success.

2. BAD: Messy love interests

Similar to its earlier counterparts, “Original Sin” and “Summer School” struggled with the rapid succession of love interests, making it difficult for me to connect with them. It seems I might be in the minority, but the relationships on the show didn’t resonate with me—except for Ash and Mouse. Their connection feels genuine and well-developed. In most cases, either the chemistry was lacking or the relationships progressed at a pace that felt unrealistic to me.

I too felt let down by how Noa’s storyline unfolded in season 2, especially since they chose the path of infidelity for their main bisexual character. The relationships between Johnny/Imogen and Christian/Tabby had a lot of promise, and it’s a shame we won’t get to see where those connections might lead.

There seemed to be an insistence within the show that every female character needed a romantic interest, much like the original series, implying that they shouldn’t be single for long periods of time. Thankfully, we didn’t witness anything as problematic as Ezria.

3. GREAT: All the horror references and homages

One aspect I really enjoyed about both Original Sin and Summer School was the abundance of entertaining nods and homages to iconic horror films. The writers and producers seemed to pull from a wide range of titles, including the likes of Halloween, Carrie, Evil Dead, Friday the 13th, and Scream. They even acknowledged less popular horror films, demonstrating a deep-seated affection for the genre. This love for horror was evident in every episode, making it an exciting experience to watch and try to identify all the nods.

4. BAD: Unrealized villain potential

I didn’t mind the Archie Waters reveal in season 1. That storyline felt like it fit into the story, and the season 1 finale was excellent. But I admit that season 2 did fall short of my expectations.

The writers set up Bloody Rose Waters to be such a fierce and terrifying female slasher villain, so I was disappointed when she ended up being pretty useless, going out with a whimper, not a bang. I wrote another article about my feelings about her underutilization.

5. GREAT: Epic final girl moments

In the course of the series, each of the five girls had their memorable scenes, however, Tabby and Imogen truly dominated the endings of seasons 1 and 2 with extended battle scenes and pivotal roles that echoed the “surviving girl” trope.

Previously, Aguirre-Sacasa expressed his intention for every main female character to experience their own “final girl” moment in the limelight, with each season showcasing one such moment. It’s truly disappointing that we won’t get to witness how these stories would unfold.

6. BAD: Liars needed to get their hands a little dirtier

A significant aspect of what made the initial series captivating and full of tension lies in the fact that the main characters engaged in some questionable behaviors. Frequently, they found themselves compelled to do so due to external pressures from ‘A’, which led them to harbor many hidden truths. However, in “Original Sin” and “Summer School”, our protagonists were less about deceit than one might think. Interestingly, the main antagonist and season 1 storyline were more connected to their mothers rather than the girls themselves.

In the second season, it was made clear once more that the antagonists were not pursuing the girls due to actions they had taken. I desired a plot reminiscent of “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” where the characters grapple with unintentionally taking a life and finding themselves in even greater trouble as a result, leading to additional complexities and hidden truths. The scene towards the end of season 2 where the girls quarreled resonated strongly with fans because it seemed genuine, and there was a need for more substantial conflict beyond merely running from killers.

Occasionally, the characters seemed a bit too innocent, as if the writers hesitated to make viewers dislike any of them. However, the scenes where Imogen wrestled with her inner demons, particularly when she threatened Kelly, or the one where they donned masks and trashed Redemption House were truly engaging. I yearned for more of those intense and challenging moments!

7: GREAT: Much darker and more mature than the original

Occasionally, viewers might overlook the darker aspects of the series “Pretty Little Liars“. Although it wasn’t strictly a horror show, the character A had a knack for being quite brutal. For instance, consider the beheading of Noel Kahn or the chilling events surrounding the Dollhouse. Not to mention the kidnappings or instances where individuals were buried alive. Frankly, there are numerous such instances in the show.

Since this series was broadcasted on Max, they were able to boost its rating to TV-MA, allowing for increased levels of graphic violence and genuine terror elements. Additionally, the occasional use of profanity by the characters added an authentic touch, something I can certainly understand given their circumstances!

Despite feeling a bit down because the series has been terminated, both the initial seasons remain accessible for streaming on Max. Additionally, don’t forget to cheer for Chandler Kinney as they dance their way through the present season of “Dancing with the Stars”.

Read More

• TOMI PREDICTION. TOMI cryptocurrency
• PSP PREDICTION. PSP cryptocurrency
• USD ISK PREDICTION
• UNIBOT PREDICTION. UNIBOT cryptocurrency
• NFAI PREDICTION. NFAI cryptocurrency
• JPY VND PREDICTION
• OGN PREDICTION. OGN cryptocurrency
• EUR HUF PREDICTION
• EUR TRY PREDICTION
• EUR RUB PREDICTION

2024-09-21 03:25