TV REVIEW: The Trouble with Mona in “Whirlie Girlie”

By Nicole Bozzani

Pretty Little Liars’ “Whirly Girlie” sees Alison DiLaurentis’ return to Rosewood. Still unsettled by the events that took place in New York, the girls attempt to adjust to what they believe is their new normal. Aria has her own struggles dealing with the blood on her hands from the death of Shauna. Emily, Spencer, and Hannah attempt to get to the bottom of a whole new mystery, and the rest of the DiLaurentis family must readjust to Ali’s return and the search for their missing mom. Can Ali trust her family? And have the girls (and viewers) finally seen the last of the mysterious A?

From the moment she steps off the bus, it’s clear Alison wonders if returning to Rosewood is the right choice. And frankly, it’s a very valid question. While Alison may be shifty and fairly untrustworthy, there is at least one, if not multiple people who really want her gone. Not only Mona and her (possibly brainwashed) merry band of misfits, but countless others she has crossed in her teenage years. What on Earth could this girl have done to this many people? Well, aside from attempt to blackmail them all in order to bankroll her mysterious runaway adventure.

Was lying to Detective Holbrook a good idea? In retrospect probably not. Spencer hits the nail on the head when she comes to the realisation that not a single person will be able to believe them now they have been deemed pathological liars. Sure it saved the girls in this instance, especially Aria, but it can’t possibly lead them down a positive road in the future. Ali’s home life leaves much to be desired. Her father announces he is separated from her mother which is something Ali no doubt feels a certain amount guilt over. Granted, while Mrs. DiLaurentis is still missing, this probably wasn’t the best time to reveal this factoid. Not only must she adjust to a missing mother, but her brother is slowly becoming suspect number one in a whole new Pretty Little Liars investigation. Why was Jason in New York? Did he know Ali was alive the entire time? And most importantly, why did he feel the need to scare the pants off Hannah (not to mention the viewers)? It feels as though the whole goal of this season is to make viewers say “I have to change my underwear.” Thanks for that line, Hannah.

(ABC FAMILY/Adam Taylor)
SHAY MITCHELL, ASHLEY BENSON

Meanwhile, Aria is struggling with a twisted version of survivors guilt after killing Shauna. While it was in self-defence and ultimately took out at least one A (assuming there is more) she just can’t seem to live with the consequences of the actions she took. Emily tries to make it better, but it’s a veiled attempt since it’s fairly clear Aria is not going to give it up that easily. She’s hearing violin music everywhere and her brother, Mike, is suspicious. A little too suspicious when he catches her in a lie about New York. But should Aria be just as suspicious of Mike? He did play the violin music that triggered her panic and why is he suddenly cozying up to Mona again? She is Manipulative Mona for a reason. Could this just be a Hitchcockian Macguffin that leads us on a road to nowhere? Hopefully, because Mike has got to be smarter than that.

Mona remains one of the most frustrating characters on Pretty Little Liars and her appearance in “Whirly Girlie” is no exception. That is not an insult to Janel Parrish who plays her wonderfully, but why Mona cannot under any circumstances let her awkward teen years made hell by Ali go is beyond reason. Ali made her life miserable, but she won’t sleep until she takes her down. While vindictive it’s also entirely frustrating. Many a times there are shouts of “let it go” taking place. Mona has been reformed. She was one of A’s many minions but now she’s attempting to keep girls safe by handing out safety whistles. Why can’t she continue on the path to righteousness and leave Ali to lie in the bed she has made for herself? Unless there is a larger story here that is yet to be revealed…

(ABC FAMILY/Adam Taylor)
SASHA PIETERSE

Finally, there is Emily, Spencer and Hannah. After a new mysterious text (which is later revealed to be from Mona) Emily and Spencer bring the Mystery Machine back to life and begin investigating who could have sent it now that A is “dead.” Hannah, after overhearing a request from Mr. DiLaurentis, makes a discovery about the whereabouts of Mrs. D. It’s a discovery which leads to a growth in the Charlie Brown style cloud of suspicion over Jason’s head.

Meanwhile, Spencer’s past is brought up again after the Jane Doe in Ali’s grave is brought up. Could Spencer have actually hurt that girl or was this just a reminder that someone who is not Alison is buried in that mausoleum? Toby makes his grand return from London (with a new hairdo) and reveals the details of his own secret mission.

“Whirly Girlie” ends with Mona revealing to Ali she knows about New York, Ali pleading for Mona’s help, and the grave discovery of Mrs. DiLaurentis’ body buried in the backyard.

What could this possibly mean for the Liars? Could Ali’s mom really have been the ringleader of the A cult? How will Ali readjust to regular everyday life in Ravenswood? Heck, can life ever be normal again for these five? And what will become of Ezra?

Pretty Little Liars is like Nancy Drew on steroids.

There’s always a mystery solving crusade about to take place that leads viewers on an endless road filled with twist and turns, but they certainly aren’t ready to get off the ride anytime soon.