Pilot (Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists)

Last updated
"Pilot"
Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists episode
Pilot (PLL - The Perfectionists) Promotional Photo.jpg
Promotional image for the episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
Story by I. Marlene King
Teleplay byI. Marlene King
Produced byHynndie Wail
Featured music
Cinematography byLarry Reibman
Editing byLois Blumenthal
Production codeU11.10050
Original air dateMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Running time43 minutes
Guest appearances
  • Chris Mason as Nolan Hotchkiss
  • Evan Bittencourt as Andrew
Episode chronology
← Previous
—		Next →
"Sex, Lies and Alibis"
List of episodes

"Pilot" is the series premiere and television pilot of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists . The series is an adaption of young adult novel The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard, as well as a spin-off and stand-alone sequel of Pretty Little Liars . The episode aired on March 20, 2019, on Freeform.

Contents

In the episode, Alison DiLaurentis moves to the fictional Beacon Heights, Oregon to start a new life. She begins to suspect things aren't right when she finds former friend Mona Vanderwaal. Alison begins looking for answers but things intensify quickly when a student is found murdered. It was written by I. Marlene King and directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum. The episode received mostly positive reviews and was watched live by 0.46 million viewers.

Plot

Alison DiLaurentis moves from Rosewood, Pennsylvania to Beacon Heights, Oregon to begin a job as a teaching assistant at Beacon Heights University (BHU). She arrives and begins getting settled before being startled by former friend Mona Vanderwaal, who turns out to be Head of Recruitment and Admissions at BHU. Mona informs Alison that she moved back from France when she decided to do something more meaningful with her life. Mona begins showing Alison around and learns that Taylor Hotchkiss, the daughter of the university's founder, killed herself a year ago.

After class Nolan asks Dylan to continue their deal from last year in which he writes all of his and Ava's homework essays. Alison approaches Mona about Nolan, Mona tells Alison that she thinks he could be dangerous and warns her to stay away from him. While grading the essays she assigned, Alison begins suspecting plagiarism between Ava, Nolan, and Dylan. Alison questions Ava about her paper but gets no answers from her. At the welcome back party, Alison meets Claire Hotchkiss, Nolan and Taylor's mother and is told by Claire that she reminds her of Taylor. Alison finally questions Dylan about the papers and gives him the option of having twenty-four hours to tell the truth or be expelled.

Nolan visits a cabin in the woods and it is revealed that Taylor is not really dead. The two are working together to bring down "Beacon Guard", BHU's security system because they believe it's being used to spy on students. Caitlin, Ava, and Dylan all meet in the woods and decide that they're all tired of Nolan and joke about murdering him. Alison confronts Mona and asks her why she's really there, Mona tells her that she brought her to help people so that no one else at BHU gets hurt. Alison rips wallpaper off the wall to find the words "They're Watching" written on the wall. Nolan meets a mysterious figure on the roof in an attempt to get them to help his and Taylor's cause.

Alison hears sirens and goes outside and finds Nolan impaled on a fence. Caitlin, Ava, and Dylan realize that he was murdered in the same way as their fantasy. Mona goes inside the bathroom and begins talking to the mirror demanding answers. A person in the control room sees Mona through a camera and orders her to go to her safe place.

Production

Promotional poster for the series. Pretty Little Liars - The Perfectionists promotional poster.png
Promotional poster for the series.

Development

On October 29, 2013, it was announced that The CW was developing a television series based on The Perfectionists , a novel by Sara Shepard. [1] The series was set to be executive produced by Leslie Morgenstein and Cheryl Dolins as well as Arika Lisanne Mittman who was also set to write for the series. [2] Over a year on November 5, 2014, later it was revealed that production of the series had moved to ABC Family. [3] Mittman was removed from the series and I. Marlene King took over as executive producer, the network was also searching for a new writer for the series. [4] No news of the series came until September 2017 when it was announced that the series was being re-developed by Freeform, as a spin-off and sequel of Pretty Little Liars . [5] [6] It was also announced that King would write the script, Gina Girolamo joined the series as an executive producer. [7] Charlie Craig who previously worked on Pretty Little Liars with King joined the series as executive producer and co-showrunner. [8] The pilot episode was directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum. On February 5, 2019, it was revealed that the series was set to premiere on March 20, 2019. [9]

Sasha Pieterse at Pretty Little Liars PaleyFest 2014.jpg
Sasha Pieterse
Robin Wong Photography Bratz 009.jpg
Janel Parrish
Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish reprised their roles as Alison DiLaurentis and Mona Vanderwaal from Pretty Little Liars .

Casting

In late September 2017, Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish were first to be cast in the series as Pretty Little Liars characters Alison DiLaurentis and Mona Vanderwaal, respectively. [10] Sofia Carson was next to be cast as Ava Jalali. [11] Sydney Park, Eli Brown, and Kelly Rutherford were also all cast in the series with Freeform calling it "the perfect cast". [12] [13] Graeme Thomas King was last to be cast as Jeremy. [14]

Filming

The episode was filmed on location in Portland, Oregon. [15] King confirmed on Twitter that filming would start in March 2018. [16] Production started on February 27, 2018, with a table read for the pilot. [17] Filming for the pilot started on March 12, 2018, [18] and wrapped in the last week of the same month. [19] Additional photography took place in Portland on December 5, 2018, right after filming on the series' sixth episode "Lost and Found". [20]

Reception

Critical response

Alex Zalben with Decider stated "Clearly whatever was going on with Nolan and his sister goes beyond hot people hooking up and lies and secrets; it's a massive conspiracy with insane, next level surveillance technology." [21] Devon Ivie with Vulture.com said that "Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish Are Bringing ‘Old Married Couple’ Energy to The Perfectionists". [22] Meanwhile, Amanda Lundgren of Cosmopolitan stated "Even though The Perfectionists is a brand-new show, the ghosts of PLL's past can't help but follow." [23]

Viewing figures

The episode was watched by 0.46 million U.S. viewers. [24]

Notes

  1. ↑ Original song performed by Lady Gaga
  2. ↑ Original song performed by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sasha Pieterse</span> South African-born American actress, singer and songwriter (born 1996)

Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer is a South African-born American actress, singer and songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janel Parrish</span> American actress and musician

Janel Meilani Parrish Long is an American actress and singer. She starred as Mona Vanderwaal in the mystery-drama television series Pretty Little Liars (2010–2017) and its spinoff Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists (2019), and as Margot Covey in the To All the Boys film series (2018–2021). She also portrayed Young Cosette in the Broadway production of Les Misérables (1996), and Jade in the teen comedy film Bratz (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sara Shepard</span> American author

Sara Shepard is an American author. She is known for the bestselling Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game book series, both of which have been turned into television shows on Freeform.

<i>Pretty Little Liars</i> American television drama

Pretty Little Liars is an American mystery teen drama television series based on the novel series of the same name written by Sara Shepard. Developed by I. Marlene King, the series was broadcast on Freeform between June 8, 2010, and June 27, 2017, comprising 160 episodes over seven seasons. Set in the fictional Rosewood, Pennsylvania, the plot follows five best friends whose secrets are consistently threatened by the anonymous "A", who begins harassing them after the disappearance of their clique leader. Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell, Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish lead the ensemble cast, alongside Holly Marie Combs, Ian Harding, Bianca Lawson, Laura Leighton, Chad Lowe, Nia Peeples, Tyler Blackburn and Andrea Parker.

<i>Pretty Little Liars</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of Pretty Little Liars, based on the books of the same name by Sara Shepard, premiered on June 8, 2010 and concluded on March 21, 2011 on ABC Family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison DiLaurentis</span> Fictional character in the Pretty Little Liars book series

Alison Lauren DiLaurentis is a fictional character in the Pretty Little Liars book series, its television adaptation, and the spin-off series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. The character was created by American author Sara Shepard.

"Pilot" is the series premiere of the American mystery teen drama television series Pretty Little Liars. It introduces each of the main characters, as well as establishes the basic premises of the series. The episode aired on June 8, 2010, on ABC Family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Of Late I Think of Rosewood</span> 11th episode of the 6th season of Pretty Little Liars

"Of Late I Think of Rosewood" is the eleventh episode of the sixth season and the 131st episode overall of the Freeform mystery drama series Pretty Little Liars. The episode, serving as the sixth season mid-season premiere, was broadcast on January 12, 2016. It was written by Joseph Dougherty, and directed by Ron Lagomarsino. The episode takes place five years after the events of "Game Over, Charles" as the Liars have graduated from high school and college. The episode included a new intro for the show, after using the same intro since the show premiered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game On, Charles</span> 1st episode of the 6th season of Pretty Little Liars

"Game On, Charles" is the first episode of the sixth season of the American mystery drama series Pretty Little Liars, and is the 121st episode overall. It originally aired on June 2, 2015, ABC Family and serves as the season premiere of the sixth season. The episode was directed by Chad Lowe and was written by showrunner I. Marlene King and Lijah J. Barasz.

<i>Pretty Little Liars</i> (season 7) Season of television series

The seventh and final season of the American mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, based on the books of the same name by Sara Shepard, was renewed on June 10, 2014 for two additional seasons, making the show Freeform's longest running original series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tick-Tock, Bitches</span> 1st episode of the 7th season of Pretty Little Liars

"Tick-Tock, Bitches" is the first episode of the seventh season of Freeform mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, and the 141st episode overall. It aired in the United States on June 21, 2016, serving as the season premiere. The episode was directed by Ron Lagomarsino and written by showrunner I. Marlene King.

The DArkest Knight (<i>Pretty Little Liars</i>) 10th episode of the 7th season of Pretty Little Liars

"The DArkest Knight" is tenth episode of the seventh season of the American mystery–thriller television series Pretty Little Liars. The installment was directed by Arlene Sanford and written by showrunner I. Marlene King and executive producer Maya Goldsmith. It premiered on August 30, 2016, on the cable network Freeform.

"These Boots Were Made for Stalking" is the twelfth episode of the seventh season of the American mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on April 25, 2017, on the cable network Freeform. The 152nd episode overall, it was directed by Ron Lagomarsino and written by Oliver Goldstick. "These Boots Were Made for Stalking" received a Nielsen rating of 0.5 and was viewed by 0.91 million viewers, a decrease from the previous episode, although received favorable response.

Alex Drake (<i>Pretty Little Liars</i>) Fictional character

Alexandra “Alex” Drake is a fictional character created by I. Marlene King and portrayed by Troian Bellisario in the American television series Pretty Little Liars. Officially introduced in the series finale, Alex Drake is both the identical twin of main character Spencer Hastings and the previously anonymous identity known as "A.D."

<i>Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists</i> American teen mystery-thriller drama television series

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists is an American crime thriller mystery drama television series created by I. Marlene King. The series is the third television series on the franchise. It's loosely based on the 2014 novel The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard, but serves as a spin-off and standalone-sequel to Pretty Little Liars. The show premiered on Freeform on March 20, 2019 and concluded on May 22, 2019.

Pretty Little Liars is a multimedia franchise consisting of two book series, four television series and one web series. The initial novel of the same name was first published in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sex, Lies and Alibis</span> 2nd episode of the 1st season of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists

"Sex, Lies and Alibis" is the second overall, episode of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. It aired on Freeform on March 27, 2019. It was written by I. Marlene King and directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum. The episode was watched live by 0.24 million viewers.

The Ghost Sonata (<i>Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists</i>) 4th episode of the 1st season of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists

"The Ghost Sonata" is the fourth episode of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. It aired on Freeform on April 10, 2019. In the episode "The Perfectionists" as well as Alison and Mona begin digging deeper into Nolan's murder. The episode was written by Joseph Dougherty and directed by Roger Kumble. Overall the episode received mostly positive reviews but sparked criticism from viewers and critics from specific scenes.

The Patchwork Girl (<i>Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists</i>) 5th episode of the 1st season of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists

"The Patchwork Girl" is the fifth episode of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. It aired on Freeform on April 17, 2019. In the episode Alison attempts to get Taylor to return to the city. In addition, "The Perfectionists" begin to look deeper into Mason, their prime suspect; as their own relationship begins to fall apart. The episode was written by Joseph Dougherty and directed by Roger Kumble. It received mostly positive reviews and was watched live by 0.22 million viewers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">...If One of Them is Dead</span> 3rd episode of the 1st season of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists

"...If One of Them is Dead" is the third overall, episode of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. It aired on Freeform on April 3, 2019. In this episode, the characters begin dealing with the repercussions of the investigations of Nolan's murder and begin looking into it themselves. The episode was written by Charlie Craig, directed by Geary McLeod and was watched live by 0.29 million viewers.

References

  1. ↑ The Futon Critic Staff (October 29, 2013). "Development Update: Tuesday, October 29". The Futon Critic . Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  2. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 29, 2013). "The CW Sets Drama Adaptation Of Sara Shepard's Book Series 'The Perfectionists'". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  3. ↑ The Futon Critic Staff (November 5, 2014). "Development Update: Wednesday, November 5". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  4. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (November 5, 2014). "'Pretty Little Liars' Marlene King To Bring Sara Shepard's 'The Perfectionists' Books To ABC Family As Potential Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Freeform Orders a Pilot Spinoff "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists," From Warner Horizon Scripted Television". The Futon Critic. September 25, 2017. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  6. ↑ Reilly, Kaitlin. "Alison's Story Isn't Over & Neither Is Pretty Little Liars". Refinery29 . Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  7. ↑ Burke, Karey (September 25, 2017). "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists Spin-Off Show Announced". Freeform . Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  8. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (January 23, 2018). "'The Perfectionists': 'PLL' EP Charlie Craig Joins Spinoff Pilot As Co-Showrunner". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  9. ↑ "'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists' Gets Premiere Date & First-Look Trailer". Deadline. 5 February 2019. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  10. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (September 25, 2017). "'Pretty Little Liars' Spinoff Starring Sasha Pieterse, Janel Parrish a Go at Freeform". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on September 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  11. ↑ "SOFIA CARSON IS 'PERFECT' FOR FREEFORM'S UPCOMING PILOT 'PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: THE PERFECTIONISTS'". Disney ABC Press. January 29, 2018. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  12. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (March 9, 2018). "Here's the Complete Cast of Freeform's 'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Freeform Sets the "Perfect" Cast for Upcoming Pilot "Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists"". The Futon Critic. March 9, 2018. Archived from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  14. ↑ Galuppo, Mia (March 16, 2018). "'Pretty Little Liars' Spinoff Casts Newcomer Graeme Thomas King (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Details of Pretty Little Liars Spin-off The Perfectionists Revealed by I. Marlene King". January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  16. ↑ King, I. Marlene [@imarleneking] (September 27, 2017). "[C]loser to March" (Tweet). Retrieved March 21, 2019– via Twitter.
  17. ↑ Louise-Smith, Katie (June 7, 2018). "The Perfectionists: Release Date, Cast, Plot, Trailer And Everything You Need To Know". PopBuzz. Archived from the original on March 11, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  18. ↑ Highfill, Samantha (March 21, 2019). "Pretty Little Liars spin-off The Perfectionists begins filming". Entertainment Weekly.
  19. ↑ Holloway, Daniel (March 21, 2019). "Pretty Little Liars: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum Directing Spinoff The Perfectionists". Variety. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2019.
  20. ↑ Buckley, Norman [@normanbuckley] (December 5, 2018). "Today was director Shiri Appleby's last day on set for episode 106 and director Liz Allen is back for pilot reshoots. Shiri has told me that Liz was a great inspiration to her as she began her directing career. We bid a fond farewell to Shiri! #PLLThePerfectionists" . Retrieved September 1, 2023– via Instagram.
  21. ↑ Zalben, Alex (March 20, 2019). "The Last 30 Seconds of the 'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists' Premiere Are Absolutely Bonkers". Decider . Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  22. ↑ Ivie, Devon (March 20, 2019). "Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish Are Bringing 'Old Married Couple' Energy to The Perfectionists". Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  23. ↑ Lundgren, Amanda (March 21, 2019). "7 OG 'Pretty Little Liars' Moments You Missed in the 'PLL: The Perfectionists' Premiere". Cosmopolitan . Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  24. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (March 21, 2019). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.20.2019". Showbuzz Daily . Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.