Like the visual aspects, the show uses romantic melodies when these relationships are shown on screen. In many scenes where Aria and her teacher are alone, romantic music plays in the background. Not only that, but the show’s soundtrack album had original music created for Aria and Ezra’s relationship. Interestingly, no other couples on that show had this.

This show breaks away from the stereotypical image of a creepy, older predator by presenting its groomers as conventionally attractive, both appearance and personality wise. Perpetrators are charismatic, possessing the ability to deceive their victims effortlessly. One such character is Wren, a 24-year-old medical student with a British accent. His good looks and charm were an attempt to override his problematic grooming behaviors, like when he inappropriately touches and kisses minors. Despite being an actual predator, in the context of the storyline Wren is presented as the boy next door—someone in love. Which is exactly what this show was trying to do: Not make the audience think that this was grooming, but rather “teenage love.”     

Highschool teacher Ezra Fitz, aka Mr. Fitz, is the main predator in the show. Conventionally attractive, he appeals to the targeted teenage demographic. If Mr. Fitz was an 80-year-old, there would be a completely different reaction from the audience.

The show makes several references to "Lolita" through the character of Alison, who uses the alias "Vivian Darkbloom," an anagram of Vladimir Nabokov. As many are aware, this is a novel well-known for its themes of obsession, manipulation, and the sexualization of a young girl by an older man. In my opinion, the portrayal of Alison in the flashbacks seemed deliberately crafted to evoke a "Lolita" vibe. She consistently attracted the attention of older men, who saw her as both youthful and alluring.

When a show wants the audience to root for a couple, they’ll add another unlikeable character who impedes upon the relationship. This creates an “us vs. them” mentality. This is used by real-life perpetrators to gain their victim’s trust.   

In this scene, Wren (perpetrator) and Spencer (victim) are sitting side by side at a restaurant, while Melissa (Spencer’s older sister and Wren’s significant other) and their father sit across from them. Melissa begins a competitive family game where they all share their biggest accomplishments of the day. When Spencer pauses at her turn, Wren jumps in and jokingly says he got an excellent parking spot at work. Then, he slides his alcohol to her while the others are distracted. Wren's actions exemplify classic grooming tactics aimed at building a bond with their victim through offering advice, displaying empathy, or giving gifts.

(I want to emphasize that Wren’s behaviors here are not perceived as creepy through the eyes of a teenager. His actions are a way to charm Spencer and gain her trust).  

Now, here me out. As I mentioned before, EVERYTHING that a show does visually has intention behind it. In that scene, they could have easily had Spencer and Wren sitting across from one another, but instead wanted to create a barrier between the two sides. This further perpetuates the us vs. them tactic used by the showrunners. 

Let’s look at another scene where Aria and Mr. Fitz tell her parents about their secret teacher-student relationship. Again, both are on opposite sides of the room. While watching it’s clear that her parents, not the groomer, are the main villain in this scenario as well. This is not only seen with Aria’s parents, but every other character who opposed their relationship. 

(Another thing that really bothered me is that Aria’s parents did absolutely nothing to protect her. All they did was “ban” them from seeing each other ever again, which of course didn’t work. Also, her parents never mentioned that her age was the problem. They were only upset because he was her teacher. I don’t know why they didn’t call the police on this man).

Having the perpetrator and victim get married at the end of the series sets an unrealistic standard for the audience.  Groomers are not romantically interested in their victims; their motivation stems from a need of power and control over someone else. These relationships are abusive (emotionally and/or physically).

In the show, the perpetrators conveniently always found ways to be around or alone with the victim. Similarly, in our analysis, the most common perpetrator behavior by far was isolating the victim or finding ways to be alone with them.