Lucy Hale's Pretty Little Liars character, Aria Montgomery, starts off the series on a rebellious note, as she dates Ezra Fitz (Ian Harding) even though he's an older guy (and her English teacher). Aria is both kind to her friends and also someone who can stand apart from them. She's used to sticking out and doesn't mind.
While Aria makes some bad decisions, Rosewood's artistic and sweet resident discovers some new things about herself between the first and last seasons of the show. Although she becomes a real adult, she also retains some of her best personality traits.
Changed: She Breaks Away From Her Family And Becomes Independent
Aria watches her parents get divorced and then get back together, which would be a very emotional experience for anyone. As she gets older, she breaks away from her family and is able to find more independence in her life.
She doesn't feel so torn up by the decisions that Ella (Holly Marie Combs) and Byron (Chad Lowe) make, and while she's happy that they get married again, it's clear that she would have been okay if they had gone their separate ways forever.
The Same: She Always Believes In Her Love Story With Ezra
There are some ways that PLL aged badly and one reason is the Ezra/Aria age gap. Even though it's wrong, it's true that the characters really care about each other and things work out for them, despite everything standing in their way.
Aria stays the same because she always believes that her love story is a crucial and meaningful one. Her friends and family might worry about the years between them or how secretive they were, but Aria knows in her heart that Ezra is a special person.
Changed: She Questions All That She Knows When Ezra Could Be "A"
From sending horrible text messages to trying to kill all of the liars, "A" is one of the cruelest and most ruthless figures on TV. Aria might not be on board with the idea that Ezra is "A," but she does start to question everything she has ever known, as it becomes clear that he's involved in something creepy.
This is a big change for this character, as she loves Ezra so much and he has always made her feel understood and safe, but now she realizes that there is a lot she doesn't know about him.
The Same: She Always Has A Literary Side
In the sixth season, Aria becomes employed by a publisher, and while at first, she's editing the work of others, it's clear that she's got her own writing talents. In fact, she and Ezra get along so well because they both love the world of literature.
Aria and Ezra write a book together, proving that Aria has always had some literary ambitions. By the series finale, she's a major success and fans learn the exciting news that their novel is going to be a movie.
Changed: She Learns To Become More Selfless
Even though fans love Ezra and Aria's relationship, the tension and conflict that they go through really can't be overstated.
When Aria learns of Nicole (Rebecca Breeds) and Ezra's romance, it's tough to picture Ezra loving someone else, and even more complex when Nicole goes missing. Aria sticks with Ezra through it all and is super supportive of him. She could be upset with him, but she's a shoulder that he can cry on, and it proves that over time, she learns to become more selfless and to think more about other people.
The Same: She Worries About Her Brother Mike
Aria cares a lot about her brother Mike and he appears in the first few seasons. Played by Cody Christian, this character seems to have a big problem with controlling his anger and he is always getting into trouble and arguing with Aria.
It takes a lot for him to see things from her perspective, but Aria never stops worrying about her brother and trying to get him to see things more clearly. She can tell that he's hurting and that he doesn't share his emotions with anyone. He isn't in any later episodes, so PLL fans aren't sure what became of him.
Changed: She Stops Being So Jealous And Secretive
Whether finding out that Ezra might have had a child with someone else, or wanting to learn more about Ezra's ex-girlfriend Jackie, Aria is often very jealous and she spends many episodes sneaking around and being secretive.
Aria learns to give up the spying as she gets older, and it's definitely a welcome change. She learns that she has to trust Ezra if their relationship is going to be healthy.
The Same: She's Too Nice And Trusting Of New People
While Aria doesn't completely trust Ezra for a while, she does seem to trust anyone new who she meets. In the fourth season, she starts talking to Connor (Michael Grant) at The Brew, and they even do some homework together at her place. It's strange that she is so open to hanging out with people she doesn't even know, considering the ongoing threat of "A."
Connor is a huge jerk and slut shames her at school, as he's upset that she didn't want to date him. Aria doesn't ever seem to learn the lesson that not everyone is going to treat her nicely.
Changed: She Finds Out She Can't Have Kids Biologically
Many people grow up knowing that they want to get married and have a family. No one expects to visit the doctor and be told that they can't have biological children.
Sadly, this is what happens to Aria at the end of the show. She's totally heartbroken after this news and it's a major change for her, as it makes her think about her future differently. She even wonders if Ezra will still marry her, but of course, he loves her and tells her that they'll figure out a new plan.
The Same: She Always Has Some Wanderlust
In season one of Pretty Little Liars, Aria and her family are back in Rosewood after having traveled to Iceland. Aria never loses her sense of wanderlust or her love of travel.
She's always up for an adventure, and in the series finale, Aria and Ezra are leaving Rosewood to go on their honeymoon. It seems like going on trips and exploring new places will always be important to the couple.