Tick-Tock, Bitches

Last updated
"Tick-Tock, Bitches"
Pretty Little Liars episode
Tick-Tock, Bitches.jpg
Spencer and Mary's strange conversation at the Hastings residence.
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 1
Directed by Ron Lagomarsino
Written by I. Marlene King
Featured music
Editing byRobert Lattanzio
Original air dateJune 21, 2016 (2016-06-21)
Running time42 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Hush... Hush, Sweet Liars"		Next →
"Bedlam"
Pretty Little Liars (season 7)
List of episodes

"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.

Contents

In the episode, the Liars and company find themselves caught by a trap set by A, who has kidnapped Hanna and is holding her captive. Meanwhile, Mary begins to settle into Rosewood while Elliott continues to try and keep Alison trapped inside the psychiatric hospital.

"Tick-Tock, Bitches" yielded 1.43 million viewers and garnered a 0.7 demo rating, up from the previous episode, the sixth-season finale, and down 40 percent from the sixth-season premiere a year ago. [1] [2] It received praise from contemporary critics, who highlighted the show's new directions, titling the episode as a good way to start the end.

Plot

Following the events of the previous episode, the Liars and their company find themselves trapped when Hanna (Ashley Benson) is kidnapped by "A.D.", the new stalker. Spencer (Troian Bellisario), teams up with Toby (Keegan Allen) in order to find clues inside the Lost Woods Resort, while Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) and Mona (Janel Parrish) investigate Mary Drake (Andrea Parker). Aria (Lucy Hale) and Ezra (Ian Harding) investigate Alison's house, while hiding from Elliott (Huw Collins). When "A.D." send a message with a photo, alerting that they only have 24 hours to save Hanna, the group get jeopardized and run against time, trying to find Charlotte's real killer—the only thing "A.D." wants most. Spencer later has a mysterious and particular conversation with Mary, who reveals that she already had seen Spencer's whole family.

Meanwhile, Emily (Shay Mitchell) goes to Welby State Psychiatric Hospital to see Alison (Sasha Pieterse), who is blaming herself for something. Worried, Emily drives to Alison's house and finds the sweater that a blonde girl was using the night Charlotte died. Emily gives the sweater to the group and Caleb flees, giving it to "A.D." in hopes of saving Hanna. Hanna has a dream with Spencer and later she uses her strength to run away from the place she was trapped inside. After running in the woods, Hanna finds Mary in a car.

In the end, Elliott applies an injection on Alison, revealing himself as a bad person to Alison and that he knows that Alison "killed" Charlotte.

Production

Writing

"Tick-Tock, Bitches" was written by the series' creator I. Marlene King. [3] King revealed the title of the episode on Twitter on March 17, 2016. [4] [5] [6] Variety announced on April 7, 2016, that the season premiere would air on June 21, 2016. [7] A promo was released on May 12, 2016 and was promoted by the hashtag "#SaveHanna". [8] [9]

Casting

With this episode, Andrea Parker was promoted to series regular. TVLine confirmed on March 16 that she was promoted to series regular for the seventh season, making her first appearance as a regular on this episode. [10] Janel Parrish was confirmed to be reprising her role of Mona Vanderwaal. [11] Actors Keegan Allen, Huw Collins and Lulu Brud return as the recurring roles of Toby Cavanaugh, Elliott Rollins and Sabrina, respectively. For the first time in the series, Laura Leighton is no longer a series regular.

Filming

The episode was directed by long-time collaborator Ron Lagomarsino. [3] Filming for the episode started on April 4, 2016 and wrapped on April 18. [12] [13] The table-read for the episode occurred on April 4, 2016. [3] Parrish started filming her scenes on April 8, 2016. [14]

Reception

Broadcast and ratings

"Tick-Tock, Bitches" was first broadcast on June 21, 2016 in the United States on Freeform. [7] The episode was watched by 1.43 million Americans and scored a 0.7 Nielsen rating/share in the adults among the 18–49 demographic. [15] It was up in both viewers and adults 18–49 from the previous episode "Hush... Hush, Sweet Liars", which netted 1.19 million American viewers and a 0.6/2 Nielsen rating/share. [1] After Live +3 DVR ratings, the episode tied for the ninth spot in Adults 18–49, finishing with a 1.2 rating among adults aged 18–49, and aired to a total viewership of 2.48 million, placing in the sixteenth spot in viewership. [16]

Critical response

The episode received generally favorable reviews from television critics.

Paul Dailly from TVFanatic appreciated the show's new directions, saying, "[the episode] was a thrilling installment of this Freeform drama. It certainly seems like the show is gearing up for a last hurrah, but Freeform could go and ruin that by trying to get another season. It's time to bring this story to a close...for good." [17] Keertana Sastry from Entertainment Weekly praised the episode and the series' return, clarifying, "it’s just as soapy, pulpy, and entertaining as ever." [18] Gavin Hetherington of SpoilerTV commented that "if this is the final season, they started it off right." [19] He goes on to notice certain similarities with the final season premiere of Desperate Housewives with its opening scene, but digresses that the premiere had "a sense of finality to it, and a sense of hope that all the answers I'm searching for will be answered in the next 19 episodes."

Notes

  1. ↑ Original song performed by The Police.

Related Research Articles

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mona Vanderwaal</span> Fictional character

Mona Vanderwaal is a fictional character in the Pretty Little Liars book series, its television adaptation, and the spin-off TV series Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. In the TV shows, she is portrayed by Janel Parrish.

<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">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.

"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.

"Bedlam" is the second episode of the seventh season of the mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on June 28, 2016, on the cable network Freeform. The episode was written by Joseph Dougherty and directed by Tawnia McKiernan.

"How the 'A' Stole Christmas" is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season and 108th episode overall of the mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars, which aired on December 9, 2014, on the cable network ABC Family. The episode was the series' first Christmas special and aired as part of the programming block 25 Days of Christmas. It was directed by I. Marlene King and co-written by King and Kyle Bown.

"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.

"Driving Miss Crazy" is the seventeenth episode of the seventh season of Pretty Little Liars, and the show's 157th episode overall, which premiered on the Freeform network in the United States on June 6, 2017. It was co-written by executive producer Oliver Goldstick and Francesca Rollins, and directed by Goldstick. They had previously worked on the ninth episode of the sixth season.

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.

Pilot (<i>Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists

"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.

References

  1. 1 2 Welch, Alex (March 16, 2016). "Tuesday cable ratings: 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' and 'Fixer Upper' stay steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Pretty Little Liars: Season Seven Ratings". TV Series Finale. July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 King, I. Marlene (April 4, 2016). "Here we go. First #PLLTableReAd of seAson 7". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  4. ↑ King, I. Marlene (March 17, 2016). "Season 7 premiere title is "Tic Tock, Bitches" @ThexCreator". Twitter. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Pretty Little Liars Season 7: Episode 1, the title of the first season already unveiled!". The Siver Times. March 17, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ Mackelden, Amy (March 17, 2016). "The 'Pretty Little Liars' Season 7 Premiere Episode Title Takes The Show In A Brand New Direction". Bustle. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  7. 1 2 Kissell, Rick (April 7, 2016). "Freeform Sets 'Pretty Little Liars' Season 7 Premiere Date and Schedules More Summer Series". Variety . Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  8. ↑ Swift, Andy (May 12, 2016). "Pretty Little Liars Season 7 Trailer: Hanna's Cliffhanger Fate Revealed". TVLine. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  9. ↑ Piester, Lauren (12 May 2016). "Pretty Little Liars Season 7 Trailer Is Absolutely Terrifying—Can Hanna Be Saved?". E! Online. E! Entertainment. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  10. ↑ Swift, Andy (March 16, 2016). "Pretty Little Liars Season 7 Welcomes Back Andrea Parker as Series Regular". TVLine. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  11. ↑ Wieselman, Jarett (June 2, 2015). "It's The Beginning Of The End For "Pretty Little Liars"". BuzzFeed . Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  12. ↑ Dougherty, Joseph (March 31, 2016). "Next week". Twitter. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  13. ↑ King, I. Marlene (April 17, 2016). "Tomorrow is the last day of filming 701". Twitter. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  14. ↑ Parrish, Janel (April 8, 2016). "First day filming season 7. Let's do this". Twitter. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Tuesday cable ratings: Copa America 2016 scores high". TV by the Numbers. zap2it.com. June 22, 2016. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  16. ↑ Porter, Rick (July 11, 2016). "Cable Live +7 ratings, June 20–26: 'Game of Thrones' finale dominates". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on July 13, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  17. ↑ Dailly, Paul (June 21, 2016). "Pretty Little Liars Season 7 Episode 1 Review: Tick-Tock Bitches". TVFanatic. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  18. ↑ Sastry, Keertana (June 21, 2016). "Pretty Little Liars season premiere recap: 'Tick Tock Bitches'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved June 22, 2016.
  19. ↑ Hetherington, Gavin (June 22, 2016). "Pretty Little Liars - Tick-Tock, Bitches (Season Premiere) - Review: "The Clock is Ticking on PLL"". SpoilerTV. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
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.