Episode Report Card Jacob Clifton: A+ | 168 USERS: B+ YOU GRADE IT Variations on Solitaire
By Jacob Clifton | Season 3 | Episode 3 | Aired on 2012.06.19
She just grins hatefully at both of them, Hackett and Ezra, and thinks about her options here, and hates what they have all managed to accomplish today, but still. Being proven right rarely feels as good as being proven wrong, in the end, especially about gross things, but in this case it's the only way everybody can win.
Ella: "Emily, you'll understand this when you're older, but sometimes the better part of feminism is shutting up and letting these idiots do the work for you."
Emily: "But that's really wrong! It's against everything we believe!"
Ella: "Yeah, but it's right in line with what they believe. Sometimes you take a stand, sometimes you reap the benefits of somebody else's privilege. Your values don't go away just because you realize this douchebag's going to think the same bullshit about women regardless of what happens next. That's what privilege IS."
Emily: "There's an ethical flaw in your reasoning."
Ella: "Yeah, but not a logical one. We can deal with the fallout later. For right now, just let me keep my goddamn job, okay?"
Emily: "But I like taking stands! And being a force for good!"
Ella: "I like those things too. But sometimes you gotta ask yourself who you're trying to impress."
Emily: "Of all the gross things this show can teach you, Mrs. Montgomery, this is the grossest."
Ella: "Sure is. It is also key to navigating the world as an adult."
GUN PLACE
Jenna heads into the gun place, looking at shit with her eyes and walking around on her legs and just being flagrantly a person. And the Liars! Are! Not! Having it! Aria reaches up to begin the laborious process of removing whatever bird-powered device she's using as earrings and Hanna starts shovin' her shirtsleeves up, and they throw up a Batsignal for the other two.
AFTER HACKETT
Ella: "Ezra, let me buy you a soda. But that's all it is, a thank-you soda. And now, what the fuck are you doing hanging out with the patriarchy? You're practically a lesbian, where do you get off playing crony games?"
Ezra: "Ah, that's the key. I wasn't coming to him as a Good Old Boy exactly. He's just terrified of conflict, so I told him a big lie about how I was the bad guy, and he bought it because he didn't want to think too hard about the logic. He was relieved enough that he just dropped the whole matter. I honestly think that he thought he was doing his job just now."
Ella: "So now we've both lied for Emily. Role Models 2012. But like, why did you do it?"
Ezra: "I'm going to keep saying it's not to make you like me, or so Aria will blow me. You won't believe me -- nobody could, ever -- but I'm going to keep saying it. And throwing out pathetic references to our friendship of old, back before I fucked your child in secret."
Ella: "Uh huh. Well, enjoy the soda, little man."