Although some teen dramas are based in realism, talking about school and love and frustrating siblings, Pretty Little Liars mostly contains unrealistic storylines. These plotlines often make sense within the show’s world, as the liars are being stalked by A and their team which means that every day, death is a real possibility. But sometimes, it’s fun to take a look back at the storylines that would feel illogical if they were on another TV show.
From Melissa telling Spencer an intense story to some of the awful things that happen to the liars over the years, there are several Pretty Little Liars episodes that are as juicy and fast-paced as a soap opera.
The Main Characters Are Suspects In Ali’s Death
The brave Pretty Little Liars main characters are treated really badly by the Rosewood police and by other residents, as no one ever believes them or thinks that they’re innocent.
When Ali’s friends are suspects in her death near the beginning of the series, it’s strange to think that people would think that they’re guilty instead of seeing them as teenagers who are dealing with the loss of their friend.
Spencer Accepting Melissa Burying Bethany Alive
When Spencer hears Melissa share that she buried Bethany Young when she was alive, mistaking her for Ali and trying to be there for Spencer, Spencer is shocked but mostly accepts this wild story.
If this was another series, it seems unlikely that a character would react so calmly when hearing something like this. But in the creepy world of Rosewood, these types of horrifying stories are part of everyday life.
The Liars Being Trapped In A Life Size Dollhouse
The end of season 5 sets up a terrifying season 6 as A traps the liars in a dollhouse that is the size of a regular home. Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna each wake up in what looks like their bedrooms, and they realize that A and their team have created this awful place for them.
Since A plays with the liars and acts like they are their dolls and will do anything that they ask of them, this dollhouse storyline works and is one of the best from the entire young adult drama. It’s not likely that this would make sense within the context of another show, though.
Ali Returning When She’s In So Much Danger
When Ali comes back to Rosewood, she shares her scary story of running away and fearing for her life. It’s tough for her friends to hear how much pain she has been in but the liars are still wary as Ali is a nice and mean PLL character and no one is ever sure how she will behave.
If Ali was a character on another mystery, it seems likely that she would stay far away from Rosewood if she was really in that much danger. Only on Pretty Little Liars would a character know that people want her dead and return to the scene of the crime so to speak.
So Many Characters Join The A Team
Between Ezra, Toby, and Paige working for the A Team, it always seems like the people working for A and A.D. will let others in on the secret, which makes sense within this universe but might not otherwise.
On another TV thriller or mystery, A and A.D. might become suspicious of Ezra and Toby joining in order to spy and gather information. It doesn’t seem realistic that they would get away with this.
Ashley Blackmails Detective Wilden
When Ashley sleeps with Detective Wilden so he won’t get Hanna in trouble for shoplifting, this seems practical, logical, and a great idea. Ashley wants to help her daughter, who is understandably creeped out by seeing Wilden in her house.
This storylines fits the juicy, dramatic, and sometimes soap opera quality of the young adult drama.
The Parents Being Truly Clueless About What’s Going On
The PLL parents make confusing mistakes often, and the strangest thing about them is that they seem totally clueless about the threats of A, Uber A, and A.D.
This might be necessary so the liars can go about their business and sneak around looking for clues without their families stopping them. But it still seems like if this was a more realistic show, the parents would be more concerned.
A.D. Creates An Elaborate Board Game For The Liars
In season 7, A.D. sends the liars a creative and impressive board game where there are real life or death consequences. They don’t want to play but, of course, they know that they have to.
This is the kind of storyline that Pretty Little Liars fans think that they will see since A and A.D. have been making the main characters’s lives miserable since the pilot episode. But on another show, a character might not want to put in quite this much time and effort, no matter how evil they are.
The Liars Forgive Mona For Being A
Mona’s worst Pretty Little Liars actions include being the first A, and while the liars are shocked that Hanna’s former best friend would stalk and hurt them, it’s also strange that they forgive her later on in the series.
Hanna always has a compassionate space in her heart for Mona, but would characters on another show really believe that Mona had a good reason for doing what she did?
Alex Drake Convinces Several People To Spy On The Liars
By the series finale, which many fans find to be disappointing, viewers find out that Spencer’s twin Alex Drake is A.D. and has been behind everything.
There have been many major players as well, from Sara Harvey to Sydney Driscoll, and it seems unlikely that so many people would be willing to stalk, spy, and commit crimes. But in the world of Pretty Little Liars, fans know that no one can be trusted.
