So, one of my biggest questions going into this show was how they were going to explain this villain going be "A". Like, it's not as if Millwood is on the complete other side of the country. It's literally 30 minutes down the road from Rosewood. Yes, I understand it's probably supposed to stand for Angela. But, you expect me to believe that not a single person will think it's strange that when this all comes out into the open that this Masked Man who has been terrorizing this young group of girls is using the same exact moniker as hooded/coated/uber variety from down the road, that no one is going to find that strange?
So. I wanted there to be some type of explanation, though I didn't want to get my hopes up.
Angela Water's mom, Rose was in Radley Sanitorium from very early 2000 to when it closed down (around 2012) before being released. Girl was there for the entire saga: Cece/Charles, Bethany Young, Marion Cavenaugh's death, the 10,000 breakouts, Jessica DiLaurentis's visits, Mona's stay after the first "A" reveal, Spencer's psychotic break after Toby's supposed death, Aria's stint as a candy striper, Mona going back after confessing to shooting Wilden.
Goodness.
If she's still alive and well, she literally got an entire play by play on masterpiecing gaslighting, gatekeeping and girlbossing from the queen of the alphabet herself, Mona Vanderwaal. I wouldn't be displeased if this was how they chose to explain this part of the story.
All of the boyfriends are working with "A" and the Masked Man.
Pay attention, because most of the time, "A" only uses a piece of information to mess with the Liars and their mothers after one of the boys (Ash/Henry/Chip/Shawn) has learned it first.
This is in deep contrast to the original PLL where most of the time we would learn the liars secrets from "A" themselves and then have to wait for the character's to explain in more details what exactly that secret means in context.
The Sequence of Events that we have up to this point.
(Where this takes place chronologically: We know, from Imogen, that the Party took place in "March". In Episode 7, we see the flyers for the carnival have the year "2022" on them, despite the days of the week and the dates matching that of 2020. We'll just have to ignore that huge inconsistency for the sake of sanity. From the timing of how Imogen's pregnancy has been framed - it seems to indicate that the party was held in the later half of March. Therefore, from what we know that place's Karen's house party between March 15-March 30.)
Day 1 - Night - Kelly Beasley's House Party.
Karen loses her virginity to Greg. (1x02: Spirit Queen) -> Explanation: When they meet at the cemetery, Karen tells Imogen, that "earlier that night" from when they fought about her kissing Greg, Karen lost her virginity to Greg.
Imogen, Karen, and Kelly discuss the need for more alcohol, and Imogen volunteers to convince Greg to get more since he and Karen are fighting. (1x02: Spirit Queen)
Noa and Shawn are already at the party. (1x02: Spirit Queen)
Tabby and Chip arrive at the party. She tells him to get them some drinks. He approaches someone - it's SHAWN and asks where he got what he's drinking. (1x02: Spirit Queen)
Imogen finds Greg in a bedroom to relay Karen's message about wanting more beer. However, he begins to make a move on her. (1x02: Spirit Queen)
[NOTE: We never actually see what happened. I feel like that's important]
In the kitchen, Karen is doing a shot when Kelly rushes over and whispers something in her ear about Greg and Imogen. Karen storms through the house and confronts Imogen, who tries to defend herself, but it’s no use. And Kelly supposedly saw them together. Karen calls her a slut and demands her to get out. (1x02: Spirit Queen)
[NOTE: Notice that the vodka that Imogen will later recall taking to the beach can be seen on the right side of the table as they argue. (I apologize for the photos qualities)]
Imogen walks down the driveway and then pauses, cursing under her breath. She goes back inside the house. (1x02: Spirit Queen)
Imogen goes back inside the party for her sweater. However, when she does, she overhears Karen and Tyler in her bedroom. Imogen rushes to stop them. She covers up Karen and pulls her away from Tyler. Karen says she hates Imogen, which the girl says is fine. Imogen grabs Tyler phone and helps Karen out of the room. Imogen hands Karen off to Kelly and makes sure she’s safe before she leaves. (1x02: Spirit Queen)
Imogen grabs a bottle of Vodka on her way out of Karen and Kelly's home with the intent of going to the beach to drink it alone. This is the last thing she remembers. (1x06: Scars)
[NOTE: There is only about half left in the bottle.]
At some point during these blacked out hours, Imogen is assaulted and conceives her child with an unknown man. (1x06: Scars)
Day 2 - Morning.
Imogen wakes up in pain. Her underwear is gone and there is blood on her dress. (1x06: Scars)
[NOTE: The Vodka bottle is still there. It does appear empty.]
Interviews Touching on the Identity of the Perpetrator:
Lindsay Calhoon Bring, the show's EP confirms that Imogen's pregnancy is a "very important story". "You will know who the father is. It's important, not only to Imogen, but also to the female friendships in the show."
When asked if there had been any clues about the father's identity that viewers may have missed, Bailee Madison had this to say: "I mean, I wouldn’t consider them clues, but I can’t tell you what they are. I would just say pay attention. You really have to go back and rewatch things, and try to pay closer attention to people around them and things like that".
Suspect List:
If we go off what Bailee Madison said - to pay close attention to the people around them", then these are the best guesses:
Shawn Noble -> Was at Karen's House party that night - before he and Noa were dating - and he was drinking. Is a member of the football team, which does not seem to be a good thing in this town. He was also at the party in the woods behind Millwood High when Tabby was assaulted. Plus, in Episode 7, I feel like we've started to see a whole new side of him that isn't so pretty.
Greg -> Was at Karen's House party that night. Greg seemed like the most obvious choice in the beginning of the season. He came on to Imogen during the party and is the reason that she and Karen are no longer friends, as well as 1/2 the reason why Imogen was walking around alone that night (the other half being Kelly). That night was definitely an odd one for Greg. He and Karen supposedly have sex for the first time but then, by the night they're already fighting. I think it's too obvious to have been him, but he's still gross.
Chip -> Was at Karen's House party that night with Tabby. Did not appear to want to be there. Asked Shawn Noble where to get drinks. Was seen watching Karen and Imogen's argument with an interestingly dark expression on his face (seriously, it's weird).
Tyler Marchand -> Was at Karen's House party that night. Clearly is the type to take advantage of vulnerable girls. Was cleared of being involved of Tabby's incident. Currently deceased.
Masked Man/"A" -> Though I do believe these two are completely different people, it is absolutely possible in a world where Alison got pregnant with Emily's kids that they would pull something like that again. The only, is that it just doesn't really fit their M.O. It's all about making the parents suffer, but then killing Davie? Doesn't seem right.
Sheriff Beasley -> I think everyone agrees that he's a deplorable human being and disgusting enough to do it. However, according to Karen, her father and mother were off at a "church retreat". Therefore, that should eliminate him for now - unless new evidence suggests otherwise.
Questions About That Night
Was there something in the vodka or did Imogen just black out from drinking too much of it? -> Implications: Even if someone put something in the vodka, they would have had no idea that Imogen was going to end up with it. Whoever found her, this seems to be an act of opportunity than necessarily anything planned out. Even if Kelly stringed together that entire night and was working with "A" - Greg and Imogen, Karen and Imogen's fight, Tyler and Karen - there would have been no way of knowing what Imogen would do and when. I could be wrong, but it feels like - unlike Tabby's incident - this might not have been a pre-planned event.
Time for - I hyper-fixated and overanalyzed the Intro scene with the Masked Man (Referred to as "MM" because I don't - like many - believe him to be "A"). Here, are a few things that I observed (Warning: It's a lot)
"MM" has a copy of Imogen's sonogram in addition to a picture of her. -> Implication: She is the only one of the girls who has something extra along with their picture.
“MM” has a missing person’s flyer for Mouse, which lists her DOB as 3/13/92, which is March 13th, 1992. -> Implication: If that’s Mouse’s real DOB, then she’d be 30 years old. The girls (who are 15-16 years old) would have been born in 2004/2005. Episode 1x07 has scene in 2012 and this episode is centered around Mouse. If she were born in 1992, she would be 20 in 2012, which doesn’t match up for being kidnapped. If she were born in 2004/2005, she would be 7 years old. Whatever this is supposed to mean, I don’t think it’s actually Mouse’s birthday. But perhaps, it’s in reference to something about Angela or “MM”. Because Angela was born in 1982, so in 1992, she would have been 9/10 which would make more sense.
There is a shot where "MM" is pulling angrily at some pears and there appears to be a small section of white skin peaking from underneath his sleeve (pictured below). -> Conclusion: "MM" is Caucasian.
The Briefcase Contents (Picture Below)
Top Left Lid: Picture of Imogen and her mother hugging each other. (Appears in 1x01)
Bottom Left Lid: Unknown photograph.
Top Center Lid: Mirror.
Top Right Lid: The Ticket for the Halloween Horror-O-Thon for "October 31" "Afternoon Matinee" "3:00 PM". (Seen in 1x05)
Bottom Right Lid: A note that says, “YOU’RE A BAD MOTHER” (that will appear in either 1x06 or 1x07) pinned using a safety pin.
Top Left Bottom: Old doll.
Center Bottom: Spirit Queen Crown (From 1x02)
Top Right Bottom: Pink diary/journal (Davies, from 1x04)
Then some jewelry randomly everywhere, mostly pearls
You can also notice, off to the side some other interesting things. For instance, Imogen's polaroid is clearly right above the briefcase. There is the bloody ballerina shoe from 1x01 and it's covering what appears to be what might be the news article that Imogen found in 1x03 about Angel's body being found. Also, a bunch of camera equipment (because it wouldn't be PLL without weirdness)
The Journal Entries - There are 3 separate journal entries seen throughout the intro. They are some of the ones I imagine Imogen found ripped out of her mother's journal (seen above)
Journal Entry #1: Is seen a few times throughout the intro. All together, it says, “October” “The girls-” “I have a new project” _ “Angela Waters” “_I got put in the same lab group as her today and she is just as tragic” _ “athletic dose of” “far away,” “something a(j)-” “-nd of…(” “-nd little wet” “innocent” “want to die _ she” “doesn’t (wise, she didn’t drink or smoke”. -> Implication: I would gleam that Angela and Davie first began to interact in October after they got placed in the same lab together. Which would make sense, since the girls' told her that Halloween was an "initiation".
Journal Entry #2: It says, “December 31 1999” at the top. “It’s the last day of the millennium!!!!! People on the news on(?) kids baggin cause they’re worried all the computers in the world might crash or something when the year starts. I don’t really ?_ but I guess ? lot.”
Journal Entry #3: Only has the date, "Jan 3, 2000". -> Implication: Depending on how you want to consider "2 days later", this could have been when Angela's body was found. No wonder Davie would want to get rid of it or "MM" would want it.
PLL Original Sin - Masked Man's Connections to the Orpheum & Wes
In 1x01, the first time that Tabby ever sees the Masked Man, it's with Wes when he is taking her home. Wes almost gets out of the car, and Tabby has to convince him not to before they drive off.
He shows up in 1x02 to the Jordan Peele double screening and watches the Liars through a hole in a wall behind the projection screen.
In 1x03, Tabby discovers that Wes took the flash drive containing the video of Karen before the deputies could find it.
In 1x05 we see two tickets to the Jordan Peele double feature in the suitcase.
In 1x04, Ash tells Mouse that, “Usually I go to a midnight movie at the Orpheum, but I hear they're not showing one this year”.
In 1x05, Wes says to Tabby, "Look, uh, I don't wanna put you on the spot, but Jackie bailed on me for tomorrow, which is our all-day Halloween horror-a-thon, free concessions for whoever comes in costume."
In 1x05, we see a ticket for the Halloween Horror-A-Thon at 3 PM.
Time for - I hyper-fixated and overanalyzed the scene with the Masked Man (Referred to as "MM" because I don't - like many - believe him to be "A"). Here, are a few things that I observed.
(1) The suitcase says, “United Stated Army Reserve” and it is beaten up. I doubt Davie - no matter what change of heart she may or may not have had - did time in the Army. Though, my instinct is to say that it's "MM's" (as him having a military background would make a whole lot of sense from both a character and a skills standpoint) that doesn't necessarily make it so. The specific logo used here has been in use since 1972, so it could have been passed down to either of the two.
(2) First, and foremost, most of the contents of the suitcase are old.
The picture of the OG Liars from the night Angela died. (the one from the intro as well as the one taken in the FB from 1x01)
The old teddy bear (seemingly the one that was replicated in 1x04)
A flyer for the Y2K party (the same one given to Davie in 1x01 before she died, seen in the intro and in "MM's" lair in 1x01)
The pumpkin mask that Angela had worn in the Flashback from earlier this episode (1x05)
A picture of Angela in which she appears to be in a play(?)
A picture of a young boy pushing an even younger child in a stroller.
A page torn from a book that includes two poems by Henry Vaughan - “The Night” and “The Waterfall”. It is on this page that the hair is tacked on to.
An even older picture that looks like of an ancestor.
Some sort of ticket. There is a name at the top. The first name is difficult to read, but I swear the rest says “M.L. King Jr”. There is also a date in red on the line below. The year is either “91” or “01).
Implication #1: This is the picture that we see the OG Liars take right outside the warehouse the night Angela dies - you can see them get it taken as Angela (not yet on screen) calls out for help. What's interesting is that this isn't a polaroid. The man that took the photo, never handed them one. So, either, this is Davie's photo that "MM" took the night that Davie died or whilst he's been living there OR she never had it in her possession at all. After all, I can imagine having proof that you were there the night a girl died isn't something Davie would want to keep. I would imagine that she'd get rid of it.
Implication #2: The old teddy bear is especially interesting because we've literally seen it every. It was in the intro - where we watch "MM" drag it on the ground like a toddler (I had flashbacks to young Michael from Peter Pan). We also see it in "MM's" lair at the end of 1x01 when he kills the janitor. Clearly, things had to get moved after. This is also the same bear that Marjorie gifted Angela in the FB from the previous episode and the one that "A" used to taunt Marjorie at the hospital with the knowledge that they knew about her drug abuse.
Implication #3: The pumpkin mask speaks for itself. I guess I'm just surprised that Angela kept it. Bully's suck and those girls were cruel.
Implication #4: I think it's very clear at this point that Angela loved English. There's been several allusions to the play the Scarlet Letter (Imogen's class discussing it in 1x01 and her finding it at Angela's shrine in 1x03). We see a page of poetry and what looks to be a picture from her in a play here. I'm not sure the importance it's going to have here - if they're going to go the parallel route and their be a connection between Imogen and Angela with the plot of the Scarlet Letter. It just feels too similar at this point to ignore.
(3) However, there are some other things in the suitcase that we know for a fact are recent additions.
There are TWO tickets for Tabby's Jordan Peele double feature, that is even dated for "Thursday, October 1st @ 4 PM" as well as a flyer that says the same thing.
Implication: The implication is that "MM" went to the screening with someone else - and since it was a screening for Millwood High Students... it was most likely someone the girls' age. That would lead me to believe that "A" could be someone the girls' age. Or Wes.
(4) Then, there are some... even odder items.
A lock of someone’s hair – it appears blonde is tacked onto a page of poetry.
A blank wages card is hung next to the poetry page.
Looks like some type of coin/medal of valor?
An old, beaten up can of chili.
An old toothbrush.
Implication #1: The hair is weird for a number of reasons. With the obvious - this man has a strand of hair out of the way - no one on the show is even blond except the twins... Not Angela or even Davie was blonde. Not even the crazy lady in the trailer for 1x06-1x07 who we assume is Angela's mother is blond. I mean, it definitely resembles the hair that "MM" is using as a wig, but I can't figure out if that is suppose to mean anything.
Implication #2: The medal of valor would only make sense, if, again, "MM" was once in the military.
(5) After the camera zooms back out, there are some noticeable differences to the contents of the bottom of the suitcase. Where the toothbrush once was sat on top of some nondescript journals, there is now new additions. This would mean that "MM" just put those items there.
There is the Halloween Horror-O-Thon movie ticket on top (The same one from the intro)
Underneath the ticket are the journal entries (The same ones shown in the intro)
The very bottom left is the childish drawing of Y2K (Also from the intro)
Implications: There are several that can be made, but at this point, they would just be called theories. However, we shall do our best.
Implication #1: "MM" went to the Halloween Horror-A-Thon at 3 PM. There was only one ticket, so we can deduce that he went alone.
Implication #1-B: The level of shadiness at the number of times that we've seen "MM" hang at the Orpheum is concerning. Yes, he also seems to stay at the school (concerning) and Imogen's house (concerning). I don't know what point I'm trying to make here... Wes is horrible. I don't necessarily think he's working with "MM" but I just wanted to say that. Thank you.
Implication #2: The easy conclusion to make would be that the papers in the fireplace were placed there to then throw the girls off. And yet, "MM" left the suitcase in the basement with a whole slew of other evidence...? That doesn't add up. It's clear that either he was the one to rip them out of Davie's journal, or found where Davie originally hid them. He clearly wants the girls to uncover what happened to Angela. I just have to figure that giving them the journal entries would be too easy and would give them all the answers. Whoever "A" is, clearly wants to make them work for it.
We've already established just how different this PLL is from the original, starting with it's 'villain'. As I've said in the past, I don't believe this incarnation of "A" and the Masked Man to be the same person. There is a slew of evidence that points to this. The Masked Man is clearly the muscle of the two. He goes after the janitor, Karen, and Tyler. Speaking of Tyler. What - and I mean this in the most belligerent way possible - the heck was this? This was no Aria pushing Shana off a 3 feet stage in NYC. This is no Noel Khan tripping over air and papper-cutting himself on his own axe. This isn't even episode 1, pushing Karen off the rafters. This is brutal. This is grisly. This Masked Man lifts Tyler off the ground. Don't even get me started on that slashing move on the janitor??? Like ???
Also, I want to draw your attention to the suitcase that the Masked Man was using in Episode 5.
The logo is, as previously mentioned, for the United Stated Army Reserve.
It could, of course, be from a relative. But I just thought it was something to think about. A huge theory out there is that this Masked Man is a relative to Angela - specifically to Angela, because of a photo seen in the suitcase.
I know Crazy Joe said that Angela's mother, Rose, was her only family, but he could have been lying or just not have known.
