themarinaalexis:

Just received a confession on my side blog @prettylittleliarsconfessions that inspired this post (that has yet to be posted), but it really got my mind whirring…why do TV shows really go out of their way to romanticize abusive or toxic relationship “tropes”? Just in PLL:

– Anyone who disapproved of Aria and Ezra’s illicit student/teacher relationship was perceived as villainous and getting in the way of their true love story.

– Ezra attempted to isolate Aria from her friends and family by telling her things like “you need to start thinking of me as the person you trust the most.”

– Caleb put a tracking device in Hanna’s car to keep track of her and told her he’s “not letting” her do certain things, and it was spun as sweet and protective.

– Caleb also refused to leave when Hanna asked him to during their reunion after the time jump, and insisted that he knew how she felt better than she did.

– Alison bullied Emily relentlessly over her sexuality and it was later excused because she was confused about her own feelings.

– Alison became extremely possessive of Emily, attempted to make Paige into the enemy, and tore Paige down in front of other professionals, and her over-the-top, insane jealousy was seen as “proof” of her love for Emily.

– Toby frequently grabbed Spencer by the arm or physically prevented her from leaving a room because he was frustrated with her.

– Toby psychologically damaged Spencer beyond belief by joining the A team and going on to fake his own death, and instead of apologizing the night he revealed he was still alive, he whined that she “still didn’t trust him.”

WTF?! None of this is okay! There was so much controlling, possessive, and manipulative behavior in all of these endgame couples that fans largely romanticize as sweet and loving. It’s not!!