Power Play (Pretty Little Liars)

Last updated
"Power Play"
Pretty Little Liars episode
PLL S7E14 Power Play.jpg
Hanna talking to Pastor Ted about Charlotte.
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 14
Directed by Roger Kumble
Written byLijah Barasz
Produced byHynndie Wali
Original air dateMay 9, 2017 (2017-05-09)
Running time41 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Hold Your Piece"		Next →
"In the Eye Abides the Heart"
Pretty Little Liars (season 7)
List of episodes

"Power Play" is the fourteenth episode of the seventh season of the television series Pretty Little Liars , which was originally aired on May 9, 2017, on the cable network Freeform. The installment was directed by Roger Kumble and written by Lijah J. Barasz. It received a Nielsen rating of 0.5 and was viewed by 0.91 million viewers, up from the previous episode.

Contents

Plot

Alison’s (Sasha Pieterse) turn at the game forces her to make a drastic decision to abort her child but is haunted when "A.D." reminds her of when she was in the psychiatric hospital and was wheeled into an operating room. Alison is traumatized to remember that Emily's (Shay Mitchell) donated eggs were implanted inside her uterus, realizing Emily is her child's mother. Spencer (Troian Bellisario) has a long overdue conversation with her father (Nolan North) about his past sins and recent whereabouts. Emily continues to navigate working at Rosewood High with both Alison and Paige (Lindsey Shaw), learning the truth about Alison's pregnancy. Meanwhile, Paige contemplates leaving Rosewood, but decides against it, resulting in her and Emily renewing their relationship. Aria (Lucy Hale) continues to question the fate of her relationship with Ezra (Ian Harding) after Nicole's arrival and bristles under "A.D.’s" taunts. While searching for Mary (Andrea Parker), wanting answers from her, Hanna (Ashley Benson) and Spencer run into Pastor Ted (Ed Kerr), who eventually reveals himself as Charlotte's biological father. He also reveals that Lucas was Charlotte's old childhood friend. Meanwhile, Aria discovers that Sydney (Chloe Bridges) is on the A-Team, working for "A.D." and she offers Aria the chance to join the team, and become one of "A.D.'s" minions.

Production

Nolan North plays Peter Hastings for the first time during the seventh season in this episode. Nolan North SDCC 2019 (48378697517) (cropped).jpg
Nolan North plays Peter Hastings for the first time during the seventh season in this episode.

"Power Play" was directed by Roger Kumble and written by Lijah J. Barasz, her last writing on the series. [1] The title was revealed by showrunner I. Marlene King via Twitter on August 3, 2016. [1] Table-read for the episode occurred on August 3, 2016, [2] while filming took place between August 5 and August 15, 2016. [3] [4]

Reception

Ratings

"Power Play" premiered to an audience of 0.91 million Americans, acquiring a 0.5 rating/share in the 18–49 demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research. [5]

Reviews

"Power Play" was met with glorification from fans and with mixed opinions from television criticism. Writing for SpoilerTV, Gavin Hetherington acclaimed the episode, saying, "The many developments in this episode alone has catapulted the show into its final stretch - Aria potentially joining A.D., Jessica's killer finally revealed, the baby belonging to Emily, Spencer getting closer to the truth about Mary Drake, potential shade with Lucas - how can these not make you even more excited about the final 6 episodes. I'll say it again, this is the episode I was waiting for. It's made me excited all over again just to see what will happen next, and it's about time. No more beating around the bush, no more hoping for something to happen - it's going to happen! We are getting answers and some fresh drama when I thought the pulse was slowly starting to die." [6] Paul Dailly from TV Fanatic said the episode "was the jolt of life the series needed," commenting that "[the episode] was great. It was a shocking episode that gave us some much-needed reveals." [7] In addition to praising costume and episode references, Rebecca Kurson from the Observer commented: "The show has just two more episodes to add back some fantastic styles with the increasingly knotted plot." [8] Lauren Busser from Tell-Tale TV website gave the episode a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating. [9] Eliza Thompson from Cosmopolitan wrote, "Plot-wise, Pretty Little Liars is one of the crazier shows on TV, but even by PLL standards, Tuesday's episode "Power Play" was bananas. I gasped so many times that I'm offended my neighbors didn't check to see if I was suffocating, and that was before I started yelling "WHAT?!" at the screen. If you were worried that I. Marlene King and company were going to drop the ball and leave some mysteries unsolved, you should be able to rest a little easier, because "Power Play" set the record straight on a number of important topics." [10] Fans of the series received the plot of the episode and its development very well, praising the several revelations depicted in it.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<i>Pretty Little Liars</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth season of the American mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars began airing on ABC Family on June 10, 2014. Shooting for the season began on March 24, 2014, and ended on November 20, 2014. The season aired from June 10, 2014, to March 24, 2015.

<i>Pretty Little Liars</i> (season 6) Season of television series

The sixth 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 ABC Family's longest running original series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss Me x 100</span> 5th episode of the 5th season of Pretty Little Liars

"Miss Me x 100" is the fifth episode of the fifth season and the one-hundredth episode overall of the ABC Family mystery drama series Pretty Little Liars. The episode, serving as the special 100th episode, was broadcast on July 8, 2014. It was directed by Norman Buckley and written by showrunner I. Marlene King, and features the return of Tyler Blackburn as Caleb Rivers, his first episode since leaving the show in the fourth season for its sister show Ravenswood. In addition, Tammin Sursok returned to the show as Jenna Marshall, having last been seen in the ninth episode of the fourth season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Over, Charles</span> 10th episode of the 6th season of Pretty Little Liars

"Game Over, Charles" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of the ABC Family mystery drama series Pretty Little Liars, serving as the mid-season finale. It is the 130th episode, overall, originally airing on August 11, 2015, on ABC Family. It was written and directed by showrunner I. Marlene King. ABC Family promoted the finale with the slogan "#facetoface", which served as an indication that the mysterious villain "A" would be revealed in the mid-season finale.

<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.

"Charlotte's Web" is the twelfth episode of the sixth season and the 132nd episode overall of the Freeform mystery drama series Pretty Little Liars. The episode was broadcast on 19 January 2016. It was written by Jonell Lennon and Lijah J. Barasz and directed by Joanna Kerns.

"Where Somebody Waits for Me" is the sixteenth episode of Pretty Little Liars' sixth season, and the 136th episode overall. It first aired on the Freeform network in the United States on February 16, 2016. The episode was directed and written by executive producer and frequent collaborator Joseph Dougherty. In the episode, new relationships cause confusion and tense moments. The Liars start to investigate Sara Harvey, while themselves being investigated by Detective Tanner.

"Hush, Hush, Sweet Liars" is the twentieth episode and the season finale of the sixth season and 140th episode overall on the Freeform mystery drama series Pretty Little Liars. The episode was broadcast on March 15, 2016. It was written by the series' showrunner I. Marlene King and directed by Ron Lagomarsino.

<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.

"Wanted: Dead or Alive" is the sixth episode of the seventh season of the mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on August 2, 2016, on the cable network Freeform. The hundred and forty-sixth episode on the series, it was directed by Bethany Rooney and written by Lijah J. Barasz. The episode received a Nielsen rating of 0.5 and was viewed by 1.10 million viewers. It received mixed reviews from critics.

"Original G'A'ngsters" is the seventh episode of the seventh season of the mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on August 9, 2016, on the cable network Freeform. The hundred and forty-seventh episode of the series, it was directed by Melanie Mayron and written by Kateland Brown. The episode received a Nielsen rating of 0.6 and was viewed by 1.16 million viewers, up from the previous episode. It received positive reviews from critics.

"Exes and OMGs" is the eighth episode of the seventh season of the mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on August 16, 2016, on the cable network Freeform. The hundred and forty-eighth episode, it was directed by Kimberly McCullough and written by Charlie Craig. "Exes and OMGs" received a Nielsen rating of 0.6 and was viewed by 1.11 million viewers, down from the previous episode. It received positive reviews from critics.

"The Wrath of Kahn" is the ninth episode of the seventh season of the mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on August 23, 2016, on the cable network Freeform. The hundred and forty-ninth episode, it was written by Jonell Lennon and directed by Chad Lowe. "The Wrath of Kahn" received a Nielsen rating of 0.5 and was viewed by 1.09 million viewers, down from the previous episode. It received positive reviews from critics.

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.

"Playtime" is the eleventh episode of Pretty Little Liars' seventh season and the 151st episode overall. It first aired on the Freeform network in the United States on April 18, 2017. The installment was directed by Chad Lowe and written by Allyson Nelson and Joseph Dougherty. Upon its original airing in the United States, the episode was watched by 1.33 million people.

"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.

"Hold Your Piece" is the 13th episode of the seventh season of Pretty Little Liars, an American mystery drama television series based on the novel series written by Sara Shepard, and is the 153rd episode of the series. The episode, directed by Marta Cunningham and written by Bryan M. Holdman, originally aired on May 2, 2017 on the cable network Freeform. The episode yielded 0.86 million viewers, a decrease from the previous episode, and garnered a 0.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

Till Death Do Us Part (<i>Pretty Little Liars</i>) 20th episode of the 7th season of Pretty Little Liars

"Till Death Do Us Part" is the series finale of Pretty Little Liars, which premiered on the Freeform network in the United States on June 27, 2017. The twentieth episode of the seventh season and the 160th overall, it was directed by showrunner I. Marlene King, who also co-wrote the episode alongside Kyle Bown and Maya Goldsmith. Shortly after the two-hour final episode, a special titled "A-List Wrap Party" was aired, in which the main cast and King talked about the show's end and behind-the-scenes exclusives.

References

  1. 1 2 King, I. Marlene (August 3, 2016). "Photo montage of the table read". Twitter. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  2. ↑ King, I. Marlene (August 3, 2016). "Pictures". Twitter. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  3. ↑ Barasz, Lijah (August 5, 2016). "Day 1 of #PLL Ep 714. So thrilled to be working with director @rogerkumble! (I definitely watched Cruel Intentions a billion times in h.s.)". Twitter. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ Barasz, Lijah (August 15, 2016). "Last day of shooting #PLL Ep. 714. Director @rogerkumble has found a new friend and advisor". Twitter. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Tuesday cable ratings: 'Pretty Little Liars' ticks up". TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com. 2017-05-10. Archived from the original on 2017-05-11. Retrieved 2017-05-26.
  6. ↑ Hetherington, Gavin (22 May 2017). "Pretty Little Liars - Power Play - Review: "Better Late Than Never"". SpoilerTV. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  7. ↑ Dailly, Paul (9 May 2017). "Pretty Little Liars Season 7 Episode 14 Review: Power Play". TV Fanatic. Food Innovation Group. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  8. ↑ Kurton, Rebecca (10 May 2017). "'Pretty Little Liars' Recap 7×14: Power Play". Observer. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  9. ↑ Busser, Lauren (11 May 2017). "Pretty Little Liars Review: Power Play (Season 7 Episode 14)". Tell-Tale TV. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  10. ↑ Thompson, Eliza (10 May 2017). "5 Fully Insane "Pretty Little Liars" Reveals". Cosmopolitan . Retrieved 2 June 2017.
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.