Co-Author: Jaymie Bailey | All Things PLL
I can't speak for everyone at tvtag, but I'm personally still coming to grips with the loss of my favorite non-Liar, Mona Vanderwaal. But at least I've got a partner-in-grief in Jaymie Bailey, founder of All Things PLL. This week, Jaymie and I discuss the death of one of our favorites and look ahead at what's to come on Pretty Little Liars.
VB: How did Mona's death personally affect PLL fans? She was a favorite character (definitely one of mine) and a lot of us are still mourning.
JB: Mona's death broke my heart into a million tiny pieces. I remember back in Season 2, Episode 19 "The Naked Truth" when I realized Mona was definitely wearing that black hoodie, but that didn't change the way I looked at her character. She slapped my all-time favorite character, Spencer, and she ran over her best friend Hanna with a car, but I still loved her. I think Mona went through what every character is going through. Every character has been manipulated and bent to the point where they are ready to break. Spencer went to Radley, Emily and Aria killed someone, Hanna drowned her sorrows in vodka, and although we really don't know Alison's character yet, I think she's [also] misunderstood.
These girls have had their fair share of torture, and they're sick of it. Mona just handled her situation the best way she knew how -- revenge. I don't condone her actions towards the Liars because they will always be my favorites, but Mona came to be more of a help for these girls. She was earning her redemption, and the girls were starting to need Mona's help. Like I said during the finale, she should have just stayed in that bathroom stall so I'd know she would be safe. But here's to one more trip to Radley and helping the Liars! I'd say Mona redeemed herself. She figured out what everyone has been dying to know, and I think that's why she is currently in "A's" trunk. Mona didn't go down without a fight, and for that, I'm proud.
I have no idea what the show will be like without her.
My first thought was that Mona's dead, so Janel Parrish is off the show. I was upset to the point of tears, but after I read Janel's ode to her character and the fact that she's returning to the show (just in a different way) I made peace with the decision the writers made. But I will always miss present-day Mona. RIP, Mona Vanderwaal.
How will Mona's death reverberate through Rosewood? She was a good friend to Hanna and Lucas (kind of), had just started bonding with the others -- especially Spencer -- she was on this amazing path to redemption that got cut short before the other Liars could really forgive her.
Mona's death is going to be a turning point for these girls, especially Hanna. I think "A" killed the one person in Rosewood that's going to send these girls over the edge with determination to figure out his/her identity. Their parents have been hurt, their friends have been hurt, and now a former-A has been murdered. Mona was a best friend to Hanna, and she was actually a friend when Spencer, Emily and Aria weren't around. Spencer lost probably the one person who could measure up to her detective skills, and together, they would have been unstoppable. This game just got more serious than it's ever been, and the Liars will be more determined than ever to end it.
How do we feel about Janel Parrish's Dancing With the Stars appearance? I think she's been AHmazing so far, so energetic and sexy. I get so frustrated that she's not getting tens!
Janel kills every single step in her performances! Although I don't know the specifics of each dance genre, I think she was flawless, and she left everything she had on the floor. She definitely deserves tens across the board. Someone needs to send "A" after those judges! I can't wait to see what Janel does with the dances ahead because with the Pretty Little Liars Army behind her, she's in it to win it. Whatever Janel decides to do after DWTS, she's going to be a star. But one thing is for certain: I'm looking forward to more flashbacks in Rosewood!
Catch Janel Parrish on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" now and tune in for the October 21st PLL fan-appreciation special "We Love You to DeAth" at 8pm on ABC Family. Image used with express permission.