In Defense of "Ravenswood"
Before I start, I want to issue a quick Spoiler Alert. This post will contain spoilers for both "Ravenswood" and "Pretty Little Liars" through the currently aired episodes. You have been warned.
Okay guys... Let's talk about this. It seems that so many fans of PLL either hate "Ravenswood" or simply refuse to watch it on principle. In my opinion, these fans are missing out. I really believe that. I don't expect to change anyone's mind with this post, but maybe some fans will read it and at least consider the points I'm trying to make.
I think some fans are uninterested in, or turned off by, the premise of the series because it's so different from PLL. It is different... But that's a good thing. It isn't meant to be the same show. It has its own story and its own appeal... at least for those fans willing to embrace these differences. That's not to say that the show is for everyone... but I do think more viewers would like it if they stopped trying to compare the two series.
I'm sure not everyone who dislikes the show has the same reasons for doing so. However, the number one argument against the series seems to come from Haleb fans. I'm a huge Haleb fan myself... So I get why people are upset... I really do. I also know, however, that a lot of the Haleb fans who are so angry haven't actually WATCHED "Ravenswood". For those fans, and for any others who dislike the show on the grounds of supporting Caleb and Hanna's relationship, I'd like to offer up some thoughts that might help address some of your concerns.
The first point I'd like to make is that Hanna is the reason Caleb came to Ravenswood in the first place... and she's also the reason he initially stayed. Neither of them wanted to leave Miranda alone. The fact is, though, Miranda isn't ultimately what made Caleb stay. Neither is his promise to Hanna. Seeing a gravestone with your name and face on it is going to make you either A) run far, far away or B) try to figure out what the hell is going on... And since when does Caleb Rivers run from anything?
Then you have to consider the fact that Miranda... is dead. She's a ghost. So any chance there had been for romance between her and Caleb sank into the river along with Remy's car in the very first episode. Granted, part of me would still love to see her have a chance at love and happiness... But I have my own opinion of who that should be with... And it isn't Caleb.
What Caleb and Miranda have is special... it's unique... But I don't think it's love. They are bonded by their pasts, in more ways than one. Did anyone else notice that Miranda didn't really start showing a lot of attraction to Caleb until AFTER she died? I believe that's because once she was in limbo, she was much more strongly connected to "Original Miranda"... and that Miranda was very much in love with her Caleb. That idea was reinforced when Caleb almost died in Episode 5. When he was near death was when he suddenly found that he had feelings for Miranda... Because he was channeling "Original Caleb" at that point. So yes, it's true that Caleb and Miranda are soul mates, but that doesn't have to mean that they're in love.
I'm sure I'm completely dating myself here, but the best way I know to prove my point is to cite a show that's been off the air for over 10 years now. I can think of no better example of "soul mates vs love" than the story of Miss Josephine "Joey" Potter. Joey spent 6 seasons growing up, discovering who she was... and, ultimately, having to choose between her two best friends. To me, this particular story is, and will always be, one of the most compelling love stories in TV history. Many fans of the series have stated, and I whole-heartedly agree, that the smart and snarky girl from down the creek ultimately stole the focus of the show away from its title character. There were fan wars, there were campaigns, there were many tears shed on both sides... But in the end, she made her choice. I won't spoil the ending for anyone reading this who might actually want to watch the series (and who has somehow managed to escape 10 years worth of spoilers). The short version, however, is she eventually comes to the realization that she loves both of these men, in different ways and for very different reasons. One is the man she is in love with, the one she wants to spend her life with. The other... is her soul mate.
I believe that this is the case with Caleb... Miranda is his soul mate, his best friend, a part of him that he can never escape... But Hanna is the one he loves... and she is the one he will choose to be with in the end.
So for anyone who thinks that "Ravenswood" is horrible because Miranda is trying to take Caleb away from Hanna, please stop to consider that that isn't the only possibility for how things may play out. And, honestly, after watching the most recent episode, I don't think even Miranda wants that. She was clearly upset that Caleb couldn't tell Hanna the truth about why he had to return to Ravenswood. She doesn't want to see them broken up. She wants Caleb to be happy, and deep down I think she knows that Hanna is the key to that.
Some fans are upset that Caleb didn't tell Hanna the truth about the curse... But let's stop and think about that for a moment. Hanna asked Caleb to stay in Ravenswood to look after their new friend... who died in a car accident just a couple of days later. That alone is a lot to explain. When you add the fact that their friend is now a ghost and that she and Caleb seem to hold the key to breaking a decades' old curse? Of course he can't tell her that. She'd think he'd lost his mind. Hanna is still processing the fact that Ali is alive... She doesn't need more crazy things to keep her up at night. And of course, the biggest factor... Caleb doesn't want her to worry about him. He wants her in Rosewood, dealing with the devil they know. Or, rather, think they know.
So while it's still far too early to say what the future holds for Caleb, I believe all roads eventually lead back to Rosewood... and to Hanna. And I doubt he'll let some little thing like a curse keep that from happening.
As I said, I doubt that this post will do anything to change the minds of those readers who have decided that "Ravenswood" isn't worth their time. But maybe... just maybe... I've helped to calm a few of the haters out there. If so, I'll take that as a win.











