What a Swedish Film Can Tell Us About 'PLL'

Pretty Little Liars sure likes to have fun with its titles, doesn't it? Sometimes, the titles feature thematically capitalized As ("We Love You to DeAth"), sometimes they feature cheeky wordplays ("March of Crimes"), sometimes they're meaningful quotes lifted directly from the show ("No One Here Can Love or Understand Me"). But my personal favorite? The film-inspired titles (I thought the recent Christmas special, "How the 'A' Stole Christmas' was an especially cute one). Well, guess what? We're all in luck, because the title of the Pretty Little Liars Season 5B premiere, "Through a Glass, Darkly" also happens to be the title of a classic movie which means one thing: we can cull some PLL Season 5B spoilers from it.

I've heard that phrase — and that title — before. But where? A journey through a Wikipedia link-clicking black hole actually shed a lot of light on the matter: First off, a lot of people have used the title before — it's been used as a the title for half a dozen TV episodes, for a movie, for multiple album (and song) titles, for several novels, and even for some short stories. Its rampant popularity is due to its source material: a little book you may have heard of called the King James Bible. Yep, it appears in 1 Corinthians — here's the full quote:

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

That quote certainly fits for the ever-murky Rosewood, doesn't it? And maybe the second half relates to the idea that someday (someday in the near future, in fact) we'll finally be able to see through all the deceptions to find out who 'A' is (heck, Toby already knows!).

That's all fine and well, but what else could that mysterious title mean? Well, let's take a look at the 1961 film... after all, if 'A' can sub in for the Grinch when it comes time to ruin Christmas, who knows what kind of shenanigans the liars might get up to in an episode influenced by the disturbing Swedish film Through a Glass, Darkly?

Judging from a quick glance at the synopsis of the film, they might just get into a lot of trouble: the movie features a woman recently released from a mental institution, schizophrenia, attempted suicide, and incest (eek!) — and it all takes place over 24 hours (which would definitely be an interesting conceit for a PLL episode). Hopefully, incest won't be part of the show (or at least beyond the Jenna/Toby almost-incestuous creepiness), but I wouldn't rule the first three out at all. I mean, a woman recently-released from a mental institution? That just screams Spencer, especially given all that we've learned recently about her drug problems, as well as her stay at Radley. Maybe the title's a clue that we'll finally find out what really happened the night that Bethany Young was killed... and if Spencer was actually involved or not.

As for schizophrenia... can't you just see it factoring into 'A's true identity? I'm entering the realm of wild speculation here, but if 'A' did turn out to be, say, Aria, wouldn't split personalities be the perfect, Rosewood-approved explanation for her actions? Unfortunately, we don't know yet, because "now we see through a glass, darkly" — alas.

Images: Eric McCandless/ABC Family (2)