The meaning of “power” can sometimes be misconstrued to solely be financial, mythical, or political status. Someone’s power can actually be the way they carry themselves. One’s overall demeanor establishes a certain essence that creates a more “powerful” appearance in comparison to others around them.
So who would be the least and most powerful characters from Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars? Taking into account each main character’s decisions and poise, their power emanates in different ways. Perhaps their consistent lying doesn’t help them in the long run, but it’s the way they handle their situations, and then their outcomes, that establish their authority. After all, “A” isn’t the only powerful figure in this show.
Aria
Aria is an intellectual and creative character that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. She cannot be underestimated and it’s a breath of fresh air to see her get the happy ending she wants.
Still, she isn’t the most powerful person out of the main bunch because of her naivety. Most don’t believe that she is naive just because she chooses to stay with the person who initially stalked her and her friends for the sake of writing a book about Alison’s disappearance. They think Aria isn’t strong because of how quick she is to sink into her emotions after her reaction to different situations. For example, when she can’t find Ezra at their wedding, she immediately thinks it’s because of her inability to bear children. Where is her confidence in her choices? It’s self-degrading for her to immediately believe Ezra would abruptly leave her, and therefore, weakens her.
Toby
Despite the fact that Toby’s a cop and has the actual authority to arrest people, he doesn’t convincingly stand tall when dealing with a problem.
First of all, Toby really thinks it’s a great idea to join the “A” team to protect Spencer when it clearly doesn’t help them in the long run. Although the double agent idea would have been smart, it actually isn’t because Toby just looks like a follower, and therefore, reliant on a problem that he shouldn’t be involved with in the first place. Secondly, he’s a little impulsive, like when he punches Caleb in the face during the time when his ex-girlfriend, Spencer, is dating him. Toby certainly doesn’t look too powerful in these moments, but rather, weak.
Caleb
Rosewood’s sweet bad boy, Caleb, is tech-savvy, big-mouthed, and incredibly caring when it comes to the people close to him. He also isn’t afraid to take charge of his own life and go down a path that he thinks is best for him, even if others disagree.
Despite his perseverance skills, Caleb actually isn’t such a powerhouse in comparison to the other characters. He appears to get sucked into various situations easily, and also doesn’t appear to have a clear understanding of his desires sometimes, such as when he finds himself in a confusing limbo between his historical love for Hanna and his newfound attraction to Spencer.
Spencer
This brilliant, ambitious girl goes after what she wants and doesn’t stop at anything. She isn’t afraid to sacrifice a few things to reach her goals, and above all, she isn’t afraid to defend her perspective on different subjects.
However, the main trait that lessens Spencer’s social power is her uptight agitation whenever she can’t quite crack the code of a problem as quickly as she wants to. Her weakness actually lies in her strength, which is in her ambition. When Spencer gets hooked on drugs in order to retain perfection in academics, she drives herself into severe problems, ultimately lessening her power source up against other characters, and especially “A.”
Alison
Ali’s got her issues, starting with how she mentally traumatized some people in Rosewood after her incessant bullying. However, she’s actually a pretty powerful character. The only reason why she’s not the most powerful one is because of what she originally used her strengths for. Alison’s most award-winning characteristics include her self-confidence and her independence.
When she disappeared, fans later discover that she chose to keep running in order to protect herself. For a teenage girl, this drive establishes a different fearlessness out of most other teens. Furthermore, the ingrained authority she holds over others noticeably changes everything in a room, such as when she returns to school after being gone for so long and everybody stops and stares to glance at the self-created queen bee.
Jenna
Putting aside all of the animosity between her and the other liars, Jenna doesn’t just talk the talk, she can walk the walk too when it comes to taking matters into her own hands.
While she has a few partners in crime along the way, Jenna uses others as pawns to help her advance. Her lack of sight moreover strengthens her because it heightens her senses. Jenna is able to decipher who’s who in a crowd, ultimately helping the others figure out that Alex Drake is posing as Spencer in the final episode. She clearly does not always use her power for good, since she manipulates people including Toby in the beginning, but her social stance is undeniable whenever she walks into a room.
Hanna
Some say that Hanna is a little reckless and emotional, but she has a knack for controlling herself in different situations. She can measure her options rather quickly, no matter what feelings she faces later on as a delayed reaction.
Hannah is one of the most authoritative characters simply because of how she uses her past struggles to fuel her own energy to chase after what she wants. She doesn’t hesitate to both pursue Caleb and also let him go when he leaves for Ravenswood, she establishes her career by working her way up efficiently, and although sometimes impulsive, she goes after “A” on her own because, as she says once, “‘A’ might be playing games, but I’m not.” And, not to mention the fact that Hanna overcame her struggle with an eating disorder on her own, how is the fashionista not such a boss?
Emily
Believe it or not, there is a reason why the seemingly sweet and shy girl is actually a truly powerful, heroic character. Emily is the underdog tough one.
In addition to the fact that Emily is usually the one front and center to physically defend the group against an enemy, Emily also experiences personal growth in a different way than the others. She finds it in herself to come out to her parents and her friends, perseveres after losing her first girlfriend, Maya, and moves across the country alone to live a life far away for a few years, just to name a few truly powerful things Emily does. She has a remarkable yet subtle fascination with taking risks, which is shown in these decisions. Also, who can deny how boss-like her dance moves are when she gives Hanna lessons for that pageant?
Mona
Mona is by far the most powerful character in the show. From her tenacity to her cleverness, she is fearless and confident in everything she does.
It’s a bit of a bummer that she’s a villain for part of the show, but she uses her slick skills for good in the end. After helping the other liars finally put an end to A.D.’s extreme stalking and entrapment, Mona puts Alex Drake in her place by setting her up as an actual, life-sized doll when she moves to France. Mona may be a bit of a vengeful person, but she does indeed learn how to channel this and implement it into something helpful. Mona additionally is the one to fight off Charlotte in that epic battle of theirs. Although she didn’t intend to kill her, she works up the guts to properly threaten her and then wrestles with her in self-defense. Mona is an unstoppable force.
