ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars started out as a silly summer diversion, but it morphed into one of our all-time favorite shows. In the beginning we laughed at the Gossip Girl-style threatening texts read aloud in unison, but by the finale, we were all shouting at our TVs to keep the Liars’ alive. From the absurd to the poignant, here are our favorite moments of the first season.
Hanna wails on JennaBot
It was only a matter of time before one of the Liars lost their cool with Jenna, what with all that creeping and flute-playing, and the memory of how they blinded her that one time by throwing a firecracker at her face. We thought Spencer would be the one to snap, out of manic crime-solving fatigue. But it was Hanna’s broken heart that was the ultimate catalyst for attack.
Emily gets trolleyed
Emily Fields may be the sweet one, but girl is a mean drunk. When she wasn’t dropping truth bombs on her friends and threatening known killers, she was refusing to be hydrated or helped into the car. We love drunk Emily. We hope she gets her own flask in season two.
Maya comes to dinner
Bianca Lawson was a gift as Maya St. Germain, Emily’s first love interest. Even though Emily’s mom was struggling with her daughter’s sexuality, she invited her girlfriend to dinner. There was a moment when we thought Pam was going to poison Maya. We’re still not sure what was in those leftovers she sent home.
Emily comes out
The first person Emily came out to was Hanna, who responded perfectly: “You were Emily dating Ben and now you’re Emily dating Maya. We love Emily. No one cares who you’re with.”
Hanna gets hit by a car
“A” really upped the stakes in the mid-season finale when h/she decided to stop sending cryptic text messages and get on with the actual murdering. In the final moments of the episode, s/he ran over Hanna with a car and then paused long enough to let the Liars know “She knew too much.”
Emily’s friends help Maya and Emily say goodbye
Emily’s friends supported all of her relationships. It didn’t matter to them when she stopped dating werewolves and started dating girls. Maya was the only Liar love who exited the show in style. While every scorned ex-boyfriend left in a huff, the girls banded together to break Maya out of Juvie Camp, so she’d have a chance to say a proper goodbye to Emily. (We might have cried a little. Don’t judge us.)
Aria gets dressed
We never knew what Aria was wearing. Ever. But by God, we loved it.
Paige says, out loud, “I’m gay.”
Paige had the most layered story of any supporting character in Rosewood. We watched her transform from aggressive swim team captain to blossoming baby gay. After trying to force herself back in the closet, she visited Emily and said, “If I say it out loud – if I say, “I’m gay” – everything will change.” Emily assured her that it would, in some remarkable ways. And it did.
Spencer speaks
We don’t care if Spencer is the worst detective on earth, as long as she keeps saying her incorrect theories out loud in that impossibly sexy voice.
Mona goes glamping
It was worth the price of admission just to see the hair.
Spencer discovers the wonder of hats
The PLLs costume department hopped happily aboard the literature train, adoring Spencer in everything from Gatsby garb to Bad Seed braids. But it was the hats that really did it for us. (We’re still not sure what they were going for with the Paddington Bear theme.)
Hanna signs up for abstinence class
There’s nothing better than a queen bee oohing and ahhing in the most apathetic way possible, while a room full of dorky teenage guys actually get turned on.
Paige and Emily gay it up on stage
Nothing says lesbian love affair like dialing up P!nk and raining down the karaoke. Especially in a dive bar on a Tuesday night.
Aria discovers Ezra’s website page
Website page is the new fetch. It’s like slang. From England.
Emily’s mom comes to her rescue
Even though she hasn’t quite come to terms with the fact that her daughter is a lesbian, Pam Fields has no intention of standing idly by while anyone abuses her child. When she found out Paige’s dad accused the school of giving Emily preferential treatment because she’s gay, she threatened him like only a mama bear can. She loves Emily no matter what. Now she’s just got to work out how to embrace her fully.
#BooRadleyVanCullen
Pretty Little Liars was good, but you guys made it an absolute joy. Your weekly Tweets, full of swooning and outrage and shock and sleuthing, were my favorite part of the show. Loving something out loud is always fun, but having someone to share your love with is even better.
What was your favorite moment of this season’s Pretty Little Liars?
