Ezra and Aria did meet before he became her teacher. Honestly, I am torn between denouncing this illegal, illicit affair or indulging in the Lolita-esque fantasy of forbidden love. I was so engrossed in the romantic gesture of the literary love birds exchanging books and hallway kisses that I nearly forgot that Ezra was committing a crime and that Aria was underage! ABC Family is virtually glamorizing statutory rape. Aria is sixteen and still enrolled in high school. Moreover, Aria's mother raises an excellent point: Ezra should have known better. Aria's father kicks Ezra out of the house right after he is punched in the face by her brother. He tells them that he ”is in love with their daughter.” As you can imagine, the scene ends terribly. Fitz, now a college professor of English literature, finally comes clean with Aria's parents. However, one of the lastest episodes of the series has led to my sudden realization that “Pretty Little Liars” provides a rather skewed and over-romanticized portrait of a relationship that is essentially wrong and illegal. Another confession: I've been rooting for the star-crossed lovers Ezra and Aria for quite some time. Yet, I also believe the media and popular culture encourage and glamorize a “hot for teacher” plot that should only remain a fantasy. I believe a crush on a teacher or professor is a passage of rite for many girls. Countless schoolgirls hope to find an Ezra of their own. Other girls believe that they are “gross,” “perverted,” or “indecent” and that ABC Family is setting a bad example for its younger viewers. After all, she has found someone who is not only mature and adorable, but also shares her interests and provides intellectual stimulation. Some girls envy Aria for carrying out their fantasies. Aria and Ezra's pedagogical romance is the realization of the “schoolgirl crush.” Countless message boards and fan clubs dispute the nature of their love. Aria actualizes the awkward fantasies that many girls have most likely nursed while enrolled in a class with a young, charismatic teacher or professor. Ezra Fitz, is not only obviously different from those of the other girls, but is incredibly problematic and controversial. However, Aria's romance with her intellectual and attractive English teacher, Mr. Although they are cute, most of these high school affairs are characterized by banal, common place dramatics that are typical of adolescent girls. While Ezra’s predatory behavior was regarded as normal, even romantic, in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, it's finally framed as being inappropriate and problematic, as it should have been from the start.The show also features several romantic entanglements that have filled countless message boards and inspired many Tumblr accounts with fans rooting for certain couples. Original Sin seems quite determined to avoid a potential Pretty Little Liars controversy, writing its storyline to fit modern morality standards. The controversial storyline was made worse because the show’s primary audiences were impressionable middle and high school youngers, who could have easily believed that Aria and Ezra’s relationship was okay and not the grooming it was. For one, the predatory relationship between Aria and her teacher Ezra was highly romanticized in Pretty Little Liars, receiving none of the criticism it should rightly have had. ![]() However, not all of the show’s impact was positive, as Pretty Little Liars has its share of problematic storylines that Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin is starting to fix. ![]() From its mysteries to relationships and iconic outfits, it is hard to miss to show’s cultural significance. The Pretty Little Liars series forms a major part of many Gen Z childhoods. Rather than repeat the Aria and Ezra situation, Tabby uses Wes to get the flash drive before ditching him because she is clearly uncomfortable with the situation. ![]() ![]() Wes describes Tabitha as mature for her age, calls her special, and tries to get her alone in his apartment and car–however, she was smart to avoid a potentially disastrous situation. While the Original Sin reboot of Pretty Little Liars features Wes, he is treated much differently than Pretty Little Liar’s Ezra. Related: Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Cast & Character Guide However, it raises the question of why a similar intervention never happened during Aria and Ezra’s controversial relationship on Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars. Luckily, his advances are cut short by the notorious A, a timely intervention. In Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin episode 1, Wes gives Tabby a ride home and tries coming onto her in the process. Wes, Tabby’s creepy manager at the movie theater, shows telltale signs of grooming, much like Ezra in Pretty Little Liars.
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