Despite observations that we are currently experiencing the ‘death of TV’, television shows no sign of giving up the ghost to newer media. The ubiquitous presence of TV—in our living rooms, bedrooms, and even kitchens—demands critical attention. This class will use a variety of approaches to assess the material, rhetorical, and cultural impact of a medium that many people seem eager to dismiss. But is it? Why do people continue to tune in? How has television adapted to the new media environment? What does the future of TV look like? This blog will consider all these questions and more.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Jenna Situation

Pretty Little Liars has continued to string us along for yet another week with a thought provoking and "nail biting" episode. The girls continue to face the situations they were presented with in the pilot episode. Although this time each of these factors begins to influence the show even more. And of course we get a little juicy inside into the "Jenna Situation". Remember that blind girl at the funeral... oh yes she may be playing dirty little games just like her "friends".

First there's Aria who seems to continue wondering whether or not she happens to be the hypocrite for allowing herself to enter into the same type of relationship as her father did with a student. However, Aria's really got to realize that her father cheating on her mother with a student is in quite a different category then herself deciding to pursue a relationship with her high school English teacher. I mean yes there's definitely something wrong with a 16 year old pursuing a relationship with their teacher even if he is young, cute, and apparently has everything in common with you. But I'd say there's a huge difference between her dirty little secret and the one that her and her father are keeping from her mother.

Of course Emily dives deeper into her sexual frustration when the new neighbor girl comes to spend the night at her house for a couple of days. It just so happens that they share the bed together... instantly promoting the cuddling that ensues. But Emily has a boyfriend! What could this all mean towards her sexual identity and why does she feel persuaded to ensue in intense make out session with her hunky boyfriend in the school parking lot and then get totally freaked out by it when all his friends tell them "to get a room"? Seriously I'm thinking Emily might need to seek some alone time before she ends up hurting herself or both of her "lovers".

I'm gonna go with Hanna winning the prize of most fucked up situation in the second episode. We all know from the pilot Hanna's not necessarily the best at shop lifting considering her keen ability to get caught. Well Hanna doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to misdemeanors... considering her mother chooses to sleep with a cop just to get her daughter off the hook! This being said we'd think the whole Hanna shoplifting issue had gone out the window but apparently this particular police officer has some kind of hold Hanna's mother when we find out not only did he spend the night, but Hanna's mother is begrudgingly making him eggs over easy the next morning in the kitchen. Personally I find it a little creepy that an officer would wave something like a 16 year old mothers sexuality in her face in a threatening way just to get the girl to possibly give up information. Crazy little mind games if you ask me, and not to mention really messed up.

Then of course there's the sordid little Spencer who's always chasing after her sisters boyfriends... or is it really her sisters boyfriends chasing after Spencer? Well regardless of who was after who to begin with, Spencer manages to snag her sisters fiance in the end of the episode sending him packing when Spencer's sister just happens to observe their little "interaction". Really what's the big deal about a kiss?

To be perfectly honest I found the episode to be a little too dramatic and ridiculous in comparison to the pilot. However, it really is the ending that keeps us wanting more. I mean that last scene where Spencer happens to be going for a morning jog and runs around the corner to see poor blind Jenna sending texts... The fact that it ends here with blind Jenna staring down deer in the headlights Spencer makes us all wonder could it be Jenna sending the A texts? Makes you really wanna watch more. And seriously what's with the stink bomb flashback? And why is Ashley such a bitch to begin with, what is her ultimate power over these girls? It really sucks but I can't help but want to keep watching just to find out what all this could mean...

And what the hell happened to Jenna?!

I've always been really into the opening scenes that televisions shows have. I think that it adds character to a show and gives it a personality almost. I especially love the opening of Pretty Little Liars... Honestly what girl wouldn't wanna watch this show? I think the pink nail polish is my favorite, her finger nails look like little bubble gum blobs.. Delicious

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