Fifteen years after ‘Pretty Little Liars’ debuted, the cast and creator are reflecting on the show’s most talked-about and controversial relationships. Among these, the pairing of Aria Montgomery and her teacher Ezra Fitz, played by Lucy Hale and Ian Harding, respectively, stands out. The series, which ran for seven seasons, has sparked renewed conversations about the appropriateness of age-gap relationships, especially in the context of a high school setting. This article delves into the cast’s current perspectives on these relationships and the broader implications of depicting them on television. The stars and creator Marlene King now admit that the romantic relationship between Aria and Ezra is one that they ‘probably’ wouldn’t include if they remade the show today. With evolving societal awareness of grooming and power dynamics, these reflections offer a critical lens on the show’s legacy. The relationship between Aria, a 16-year-old high school student, and Ezra, her English teacher, was a central storyline in ‘Pretty Little Liars.’ Their initial meeting at a bar before Aria’s junior year set the stage for a romance that, while captivating to many viewers, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. Marlene King acknowledges the evolving understanding of grooming, stating, ‘What we know now about grooming, that was not something we talked about 15 years ago.’ While King notes the couple were ‘everybody’s favorite couple’ at the time, she also states that revisiting the world of ‘Pretty Little Liars’ would require addressing the problematic nature of their relationship. Ian Harding, who played Ezra, has also weighed in on the controversy, acknowledging the ‘wildly inappropriate’ nature of the relationship as viewed through today’s societal lens. Despite this, Harding hopes that the couple’s ‘meaningful connection’ is ‘enough to justify the deeply problematic relationship that was certainly not great at the time.’ ‘As society has progressed, we realized how wildly inappropriate it was,’ Harding added. Ian Harding has often humorously critiqued his character, even joking about Ezra’s controversial status. He emphasizes that ‘just because you depict something on TV doesn’t mean you condone the behavior.’ Harding sees the show as a work of fiction that incorporated elements of thriller, horror, and romance. Harding also highlights a nuanced view: ‘There’s no part of me that is feeling such great shame for having played this part. I don’t have any apologies for playing this character,’ and points out that Aria and Ezra ‘found happiness, and there was little collateral damage or pain inflicted by the relationship. There was plenty of pain and horror everywhere on the show, but oddly enough, their relationship seemed to be a safe haven in the storm.’ Lucy Hale has consistently defended the love story between Aria and Ezra, even while admitting it belongs to ‘a different time.’ She explains, ‘At the time I was cast as Aria, I was 19 years old and I wasn’t really thinking about the bigger themes of it all. I was just stoked to be cast in a TV show. Of course, it hits differently at my age now and I think about the bigger message in anything I play.’ Despite potential criticism, Hale stands by the couple’s portrayal: ‘I stand behind their love story forever. That forbidden love story drew a lot of people in.’ Her perspective underscores the complexities of revisiting past work with contemporary sensibilities. Aria and Ezra weren’t the only couple raising eyebrows on ‘Pretty Little Liars.’ Spencer Hastings’ relationship with Wren, and Alison DiLaurentis’ interactions with older characters also come under scrutiny. Sasha Pieterse, who played Alison, notes that she ‘never felt weird in the moment’ due to feeling protected on set. However, she now views these dynamics with greater awareness as a mother. Pieterse reflects, ‘When I go back [and watch] I think, ‘How did I feel filming that?’ I always felt protected. But it’s a weird thing that we do because even though everybody else was over 18, those storylines are still depicting minors. I feel comfortable with it, but it’s an odd thing to wrap your head around.’ The reflections of the ‘Pretty Little Liars’ cast and creator highlight how societal norms and understanding of power dynamics have evolved since the show’s debut. What was once seen as a captivating, forbidden romance is now being re-evaluated through a more critical lens, particularly concerning the portrayal of relationships between adults and minors. The show’s enduring popularity provides an opportunity to discuss grooming, consent, and the impact of media on shaping perceptions of appropriate relationships. As ‘Pretty Little Liars’ marks its 15th anniversary, the cast and creator’s reflections offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of television and social consciousness. The series’ depiction of age-gap relationships, particularly that of Aria and Ezra, continues to spark debate and discussion. While Lucy Hale stands by the love story, other cast members and the creator acknowledge the problematic elements when viewed through today’s lens. These conversations highlight the importance of revisiting media portrayals with contemporary awareness and promoting responsible storytelling that reflects a deeper understanding of consent, grooming, and power dynamics. The legacy of ‘Pretty Little Liars’ is thus not only one of entertainment but also one of critical reflection.
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