| This article is about Veronica Hastings, the TV series character. You may be looking for Veronica Hastings (Book Character). |
| “ | Courage is about having grace under fire. | ” |
— Veronica to Spencer
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Veronica Hastings is the mother of Melissa and Spencer and State Senator of Pennsylvania, a position she would later resign. She is divorced from Peter Hastings, after an amounting mass of lies and secrets of his surfaces. She is portrayed by Lesley Fera.
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Series
She and her husband arrive with Spencer and greet Emily and Pam before entering the church. She is played by an unknown actress.
She was first mentioned when Melissa tells her sister Spencer that her parents are letting her move into the barn, despite the fact that Spencer spent the year redecorating the space that was promised to her by her parents. It seems that the Hastings' favor the eldest daughter, something that becomes a trend on the show.
Later when she and Melissa return home, Spencer offers them some pasta. When Melissa says she doesn't want to be depressed and fat Veronica decides to make a salad. She goes upstairs to change her clothes.
It is revealed that she had an operation to remove a lump from her breast. She had been scared to tell anyone because she knew that there is no room for flaws and mistakes in their family. However, when she sees Spencer's new boyfriend Alex at school, she acts uneasy around him, forcing her to explain her reaction to Spencer: After her operation, she had gone to The Rosewood Country Club, where Alex lent a sympathetic ear. Embarrassed, she had avoided him and the club altogether after that. However, seeing Alex again elicits the truth, and sharing her feelings with Spencer helps them bond.
Veronica has coffee with Spencer and they discuss Ian and Melissa's rushed marriage. Spencer expresses her surprise that she and Peter aren't upset by this but Veronica tells her "What's done is done." She also reminds sister that she (Spencer) was responsible for making Melissa's life difficult the past few months and that Melissa seems happy now.
Veronica is present when Detective Breyer interrogates Spencer. Afterwards Veronica tells the other parents that the girls were victims of "a cruel prank."
At home she and Peter comfort Spencer.They suggest a therapist for her, letting her know that they have serious reservations about her version of things.
Later she tells Spencer that the police are here to see her because they know she lied and that she was seeing Ian that summer.
Veronica is present with Spencer when the police are searching her room. Spencer complains that they cannot do that but Veronica tells her they can because she is now a Person of Interest in Alison's death. She expresses her displeasure about the way it is being done. When they attempt to search Spencer's laptop, Veronica intervenes saying that it wasn't in the warrant.
She later tells Spencer that they have a chance at getting the search warrant thrown out, and goes on to tell her the police found fibers in the bracelet Alison gave her that match the sweater fibers found at Toby's and that she believes someone is going through a great deal of trouble to make Spencer look guilty. The police question whether Spencer removed Toby's sweater from Alison's corpse after she passed, which Spencer rightfully finds horrifying.
Veronica is there when Spencer is found trapped in the festival's haunted house and tells off the personnel for the safety hazard in the exhibits design. After they walk away from the festival, she expects Spencer to obediently follow and ignore Toby, who is standing nearby. She is not too pleased when Spencer wordlessly pauses to kiss Toby before joining her.
Veronica has trust issues with Spencer and is skeptical of Spencer's version of events. She pities her daughter Melissa when Ian disappears, encouraging her to believe Ian will return, completely dismissing Spencer's belief that Ian died before her eyes. She also doesn't seem to believe Spencer's story that Ian tried to kill her and calls it Spencer's "obsession to blame Alison's death on Ian." It seems that she thinks that Spencer is trying to ruin another one of her sister's relationships. At any rate, her response to her daughter's stories is to follow her husband's suit and force her to see a therapist.
After Ian is found dead, Veronica and her family undergo a lot of stress, avoiding annoying phone calls by journalists. There is the additional stress of having Ian's funeral responsibility dumped on their laps, since Ian's aunt wants nothing to do with her deceased criminal nephew. Spencer encourages her parents to organize a funeral so as to avoid regretting not having one later and also to give Melissa closure. Spencer's parents are touched and impressed by Spencer's sentiment towards her sister. Later, Veronica deeply apologizes to Spencer for not having trusted her and promises never to distrust her again... She tries to repair things with her daughter by inviting the other Pretty Little Liars to the funeral, thus reuniting the girls after splitting them apart for their abnormal obsession with Ian's guilt. Happily, the other parents follow suit.
Veronica attends the fashion show to see her daughter's catwalk and enjoys cocktails with the rest of the girls mothers. They all sympathize about Jessica DiLaurentis' distraught demeanor. Veronica is oblivious to her husband's mysterious conversations with the woman.
Spencer confides in her mother about the hockey stick, though Veronica already knows about it. To Spencer’s dismay, her mother defends her father’s decision. Spencer puts out there that maybe Ian wasn't the one trying to frame her, but her mother writes off the idea. Spencer gets no more answers from her mother than from her father; she has the same thing to say about the DiLaurentis family: just don’t trust them, which is different than her previous attitude towards Jessica.
Later, Spencer tries to convince her mother to leave Rosewood for her trip to Melissa in Philadelphia sooner. She practically pushes her out of the house, making up lies about construction along the way and offering to find Melissa’s jacket for her. As soon as Veronica leaves, Spencer and Emily make a beeline for Jason’s shed.
Veronica goes to the police station, where the girls are being detained. She gets her chance to speak with the girls directly, letting them know that although Det. Wilden had been suspended for his actions, he has now been reinstated as chief officer in this investigation, because he has "evidence."
Unbeknownst to her, Jason and Peter discuss a secret that seems to involve her, and Peter asks Jason not to reveal the secret to her that night, with everything else that is going on.
We learn that Veronica is in Philadelphia with Peter to help Melissa while she has some medical tests done.
Veronica tells Spencer NOT to go into Jason's house when she brings Ali's bag back.
The girls are questioned by the police separately and all tell the same story about catching up at Spencer's lake house. Outside the station, Veronica informs Ella and Ashley the questions are routine and the girls have nothing to worry about since they have an alibi.
Veronica confronts Spencer about the trips she has been making to the Rosewood County Jail to see Garrett. She wants them to stop immediately, but Spencer needs answers. Veronica counters that answers will be given during his trial. But Spencer believes that Garrett might have help outside because he was still locked inside when Ali's grave was dug up. Veronica sees it is more reason not to see Garrett because people might think it's her.
Spencer goes to meet Garrett but the guard says he is meeting with his lawyer. So, she decides to wait outside. She is examining the eye-drops again, when suddenly, she hears her mom's voice. Then she sees Veronica come out and immediately hides. Spencer finally gets to meet Garrett. She asks him about her mother's visit, but Garrett brushes it off saying "his new attorney" has asked him not to say anything to anybody. Spencer is shocked because she never asked Veronica to help Garrett.
Melissa is back in town. She is not pregnant anymore. She is cleaning the fireplace as Spencer comes home. Spencer tries to make small talk with Melissa, but she is not up to it. Just then, Veronica enters and tells them that she has something to tell them. She then spills the beans about her defending Garrett. Spencer doesn't understand why she is doing it, but Veronica tells her that everybody need a strong legal defense. Moreover, she spoke to Garrett's mom and she knows what it's like to have a kid accused of something that they didn't do. She also adds that she's taking the case pro bono. Spencer is furious, but Melissa doesn't care.
Emily asks Spencer about Veronica. They still do not understand why she is taking Garrett's case. Spencer is convinced Melissa is the reason her mother is defending Garrett. Hanna then confesses her thoughts about Melissa and Garrett: perhaps Ian isn't the father of Melissa's baby. Maybe that was the medical record Garrett told Spencer about. Aria enters the room and says that the vice principal wants to speak with Ella about something.
Spencer makes a nasty comment to her mother about defending Garrett, then tells her about what she found with Melissa's records. Veronica admits she didn't know Melissa was faking until she got up there. She asks her when Melissa lost her baby and Veronica says she needs to ask her sister.
The Liars saw Jason yelling at Veronica for defending Garrett. He walked outside, taped on a street light pole a flyer which offered a $50,000 reward for "information leading to the recovery of Alison DiLaurentis' remains. At that moment, the liars received a text from A: "Imagine what I could do with fifty grand." Spencer wondered if maybe Jason should drop his reward and let the police handle it. He thought he would be able to tell when somebody's lying. Jason thought Veronica "has an agenda that has nothing to do with criminal defense."
Veronica told Spencer the person who took Alison's body will be guilty of a felony, as well as a strong suspect in her murder.
Melissa told her mother and sister, Spencer, that she received the dress, along with a note that if she didn't wear it she'd be exposed as lying about her baby. The note told her to distract Jenna. After that she never got anymore notes. Veronica tells Spencer that Garrett knows Melissa was faking her pregnancy. He told her that once she found out a PI she had hired to keep tabs on Melissa showed up on Garrett's witness list. At that point she felt she needed to step in. She tells Spencer not to tell anybody.
Veronica appears in the television speaking about Garrett's release from the prison, since she was her lawyer.
Veronica gives Spencer a recipe that she made for her father on their first anniversary. She later comforts Spencer, while she is crying.
What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted
Veronica is mentioned, by Melissa, to be in London.
Veronica gets ice for Ali's lip
Veronica talks with her daughters and finds out Spencer was rejected by UPenn, the family alma matre. She decides to see if Melissa can somehow get her in UPenn.
She tells Spencer and Hanna that they better not have anything to do with Mona confessing otherwise it will hurt Ashley's case.
Wren tells her not to trust Mona due to her being manipulative. She visits her in room at Radley and says to Mona that if anything happens to Spencer or her friends she will rot in a cell. Later, an anonymous tip says that Mrs. Hastings coerced Mona into a false confession. She is forced to step down as Ashley's lawyer so that it would not hurt her case.
Veronica is looking for Spencer. She's talking to Ella on the phone when she is surprised to notice that her daughter Melissa is back home. Later, she is questioned about Spencer at the police station. She refuses to answer the questions and wants to call Peter but is unable to because of her phone's low signal.
Detective Holbrook informs Veronica, Peter and Melissa that CeCe Drake escaped police custody and because CeCe knows Alison is alive, Spencer may be in danger. Melissa opens her mouth to say something but Peter cuts her off, telling Holbrook they have nothing else to add. Veronica looks from Holbrook to her husband and daughter, a confused look on her face.
Veronica is offering Toby a hot drink when Spencer walks in to find her boyfriend back from London. Veronica tells Spencer that Melissa told them the reason she returned from Rosewood was because she saw Toby in London, but according to Toby, he never saw Melissa, only Wren. When Toby suggested that Veronica could call Wren for confirmation, she responds, "Wren? Oh please, I'd rather stick a knife in the toaster." Excusing herself to go meet with a client in town, Veronica tells Spencer she is to stick close to home.
Veronica is off in her own little world when Spencer comes home from being out. Spencer asks Veronica if it’s trust that is keeping Veronica from talking to her, but Veronica tells her it isn’t about trust. Veronica tells her daughter that ever since they found Jessica, she’s had a sick feeling in her stomach that won’t go away. Opening up, Veronica tells Spencer that a couple days after Alison went missing, Jessica came over convinced that Spencer had something to do with it all, and the only reason why she didn’t go to the police was because Peter threatened to tell Kenneth about their affair. Veronica admits she doesn’t know if Peter had anything to do with what happened to Jessica, but she wants to believe he didn’t.
In Spencer’s bedroom, Veronica is packing Spencer’s suitcase, while Spencer stands by watching and asks if Melissa is going with them. Veronica doesn’t answer her, but says she needs a jacket, “and that grey sweater you like, let’s bring that”. Veronica tells her daughter that she will answer all her questions when they get to the hotel, but right now she needs Spencer to stay focused in helping her get them out of here. Spencer pleads with Veronica to be honest with her, she just wants to know the truth. Relenting, Veronica says that Peter did take her to a Spa, but she never checked in. She explains that she was working with a private investigator and discovered that Peter and Melissa lied about their whereabouts the night Jessica DiLaurentis was killed. Veronica thought she and Peter had an understanding, “we always agreed that no matter what, we would never involve you and Melissa, in all of-“, becoming upset, Veronica trails off and moves across the room to Spencer’s wardrobe. Turning to face Spencer, Veronica tells her she wants Spencer to know that she’ll take care of her, and Spencer says they’ll take care of each other before they embrace each other in a hug.
In the Brew, Veronica is reading the news article 'Empty Grave Still Holds Secrets' on her iPad when Spencer comes in to meet her. As Spencer sits, Veronica asks if Toby is coming, but Spencer tells her he isn't, he's taking his step-mom over to the Cavanaugh house to see if anything survived the fire. Answering her ringing phone, Veronica tells the caller that she's with Spencer at the Brew, and she'll be there around noon, she still has to get their stuff and check out of the hotel. After the call has ended, Spencer asks if they're moving back home, and Veronica tells her they are, "but your father is moving out. We decided it was the best thing for everyone". Confused, Spencer says that she thought Veronica said everything went well, and that she believed Peter was telling the truth, and Veronica tells her she does believe him. Veronica goes on to say that leaving Peter isn't just about one lie, "it's about years of them". When Spencer says she thought they were happy, and Veronica tells her they were, some of the time. Spencer pleads with Veronica to give Peter one more chance, but Veronica tells her she already has, "too many".
While not in the episode, Peter mentions that Veronica asked him to come by the house to tell Spencer that Bethany Young’s parents have petitioned the court to have Spencer’s bailed revoked.
Oh, What Hard Luck Stories They All Hand Me
Arriving home, Veronica curly greets Spencer when she walks inside. As Veronica places her handbag on the island counter, Spencer tells her that she saw her talking with Holbrook. Veronica tells Spencer he’s back, and when Spencer asks if his special assignment is all done, Veronica says they shouldn’t worry about Holbrook. Spencer asks why not, and grabbing some envelopes from her briefcase, Veronica walks over to Spencer, “you and I have something else to discuss”. Spencer questions where she got the envelopes from, to which Veronica says that they are acceptance letters, “from colleges I didn’t even know you were considering”. Spencer asks how Veronica knows they’re acceptance letters because she didn’t even open them, and Veronica tells her that they reject you with a one page letter, “saying yes requires more paperwork”. Listening as Spencer explains that she just applied so she’d have more options and then she changed her mind, Veronica questions what Spencer changed her mind about. Veronica tells Spencer that they have to stay focused, “you are going to go to college”, but Spencer says that she’s starting to think that maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if she didn’t. Throwing the letters down on the coffee table, Veronica reminds Spencer that she’s been thinking of going to college since the first grade, to which Spencer says that maybe she should have been thinking about something else. When Veronica mentions that Spencer needs to keep her future properly aligned, Spencer tells her that she’ll go see a chiropractor. Grabbing Spencer’s wrist as she tries to talk off, Veronica tells Spencer that she’s doing everything possible to keep Spencer from getting dragged into Alison’s trial, “you staying on course with college is part that”. Asking if she’s made herself clear, Veronica listens as Spencer bows down to her. Dropping her hold on Spencer’s wrist, Veronica watches as Spencer turns and runs up and the stairs.
Sitting at the island counter, Veronica reads through some paperwork. Greeting Spencer as she arrives home, Veronica explains that the den was Peter’s space, when Spencer asks why she’s not working there, “I don’t feel comfortable working in there”. Veronica asks Spencer where she was, and when Spencer says she was just helping out Jonny at The Brew, Veronica comments that she’s starting to have second thoughts about him. Spencer tells Veronica not to, and that she really likes the way Jonny’s mind works, to which Veronica says she really hates to see young people “like that” squander their potential. When Spencer says she doesn’t think Jonny sees it that way, Veronica gives her a look, before questioning whether talking with Jonny has Spencer thinking about not going to college. Spencer explains that she not, not thinking of going to college, she’s just thinking. Veronica reminds her that her future won’t wait, and it’s then that Spencer asks if Veronica remembers what she wanted to do with her life when she was her age, and to not say she wanted to be a lawyer. Shaking her head, Veronica admits that she did not want to be a lawyer, and Spencer tells her to please do her a favour and try, for like ten seconds, to remember what that felt like. Standing up, Veronica is on the verge of saying something, but her cell phone rings interrupting them. Answering Ralph’s call, Veronica calls out to Spencer asking her to wait, before telling Ralph that it will “have an impact, I just don’t know what”. Ending the call, Veronica tells Spencer that there’s been a leak from the prosecutor’s office, and when Spencer asks what kind of a leak, Veronica explains that they’re still analysing the contents of the barrel from the storage space, “but they have a match on the blood spots”. Spencer questions if it was Mona’s blood, but Veronica tells Spencer no, “Alison’s”.
Having let Aria and Hanna in the front door, Veronica tells them that this will have to be a quick visit, “she’s upstairs in her room”. As Veronica gets back to work, Aria stops on her way to the stairs, asking Veronica is she can ask her something. When Veronica raises her eyebrows, Aria adds that it’s a legal question. Telling Aria “sure”, Veronica listens as Aria says she’s not sure where to start, and cutting her off, Veronica says that she’s happy to talk with her, but she needs Aria to understand something, “you and I don’t have attorney client privilege”. Aria asks what that means, to which Veronica says that simple answer is, “I may not be able to keep whatever you tell me just between us. Even if I want to”. Veronica watches as Aria finds a $1 bill in her handbag, and listening as Aria says she knows it’s not Veronica’s usual rate, but for the next hour will she be her lawyer, Veronica accepts the dollar.
Asking if this person was involved in the crime directly, Veronica listens as Aria tells her no, but he did have information that could really help the police. Veronica asks if this person was aware of that, and when Aria says he was, Veronica clarifies that he withheld it. When Aria again says that he did, Veronica tells her that without being familiar with any of the particulars she’s say that if he impeded a police investigation knowingly, “then yes, he’d definitely face charges”. Aria asks what kind of charges, and if it may include jail time, to which Veronica says that it would depend on the nature of the crime. Veronica listens as Aria what would happen if the crime was serious and someone ended up getting killed, and when Veronica just looks at her, Aria asks how much trouble the person would be in, to which Veronica tells her, “a lot”.
At Chester County Women’s Correctional, Veronica stands waiting in a visiting room. As Alison is brought in, Veronica listens as Alison asks her what she’s doing here, to which Veronica says that she wants to know why her daughter and her friends are visiting Alison all of a sudden. When Alison says that that’s a question Veronica should be asking Spencer, Veronica mentions that Spencer won’t give her an answer, “so I thought I’d get it straight from the horse’s mouth”. Saying that she’s heard that Alison’s own brother refuses to come see her, Veronica questions why Spencer and her friends would, to which Alison says it’s because she’s telling the truth. Listening as Alison says that she shouldn’t be here, and the girls know that now, Veronica tells her that with the lies she’s told, “even if your friends believe you, it’s doubtful a jury will”. Veronica listens as Alison says that’s why she wants to take the stand, tell her side of the story, but her lawyers won’t let her, before she tells Alison that her lawyers are right, “you could say the wrong thing and wind up incriminating yourself”. As Alison says that she can’t just sit here quietly while someone gets up there and makes her look like a murderer, Veronica reminds her that she’s told so many lies and people know that now, “and not just in Rosewood. Your lawyers are going to have a hard time finding a juror willing to believe you”. Alison tells Veronica that she wants to tell her side because for once it’s the truth, and saying that she doesn’t know what to say, Veronica listens as Alison questions what she would say to Spencer. As Veronica thinks Alison’s words over, she listens as Alison adds that Spencer was almost in this room. Veronica listens as Alison says that she knows what people think about her, and she knows it’s hard to change someone’s mind once it’s made up, but she has to try. Saying that Alison will need a very good coach, Veronica goes to leave, but is stopped when Alison asks if she will do it, will she be her coach.
Sitting on the sofa in the Hastings’ great room, Veronica is tying on her laptop. Casting a look around, her gaze lands on Alison's police file. Picking the file up, Veronica starts to go through it.
Veronica continues to look through Alison's file. Noticing something in the pages, Veronica reaches for her phone, leaving Spencer a voicemail, “Spencer, call me as soon as you get this. I want you to cancel your flight home”.
Walking into the visitation room at Chester County Women’s Correctional, Veronica comes face-to-face with Alison. When Alison comments that when the guard said her lawyer’s here, she just assumed it was Rebecca, Veronica asks if it’s true, “you’re taking the deal?” Listening as Alison says she is if the DA gives her what she wants, Veronica says that she doesn’t understand, and that yesterday Alison was so adamant about wanting to tell the truth, to which Alison comments that things change. Noticing a burn on Alison’s arm, Veronica sits, before saying that she can’t imagine how horrible it must be for Alison in here, “but taking the plea is not the answer”. Veronica listens as Alison mentions that Rebecca said a jury won’t believe her if she took the stand, and that she has too much evidence against her. As Alison says that if she goes to trial she will lose, Veronica tells her that she doesn’t know that for sure, to which Alison questions whether Veronica would be willing to take that risk. Admitting that Alison has a difficult case, “and I understand why you’re tempted to take the plea”, Veronica tells Alison that if Hanna is innocent, “and you name her as your accomplice”, she will have to live with that terrible lie for the rest of her life.
At the Rosewood Police Department, Veronica tells Ashley that Hanna’s lawyer will do his best to get her out on bail, “but it might not be possible”. Ashley says that they can’t keep Hanna locked up just because Alison said that Hanna’s her accomplice, but Veronica says that that’s not why Hanna was arrested, “Alison hasn’t taken the plea yet”. Listening as Ashley questions why Hanna was arrested, Veronica explains that Tanner found the clothes Mona was wearing the day she died and Hanna’s blood was on them.
Walking into Spencer’s bedroom, Veronica folds her arms across her chest and mentions that Emily and Aria were at the courthouse today. Spencer comments that whoever told Veronica that must have told her that she wasn’t there with them. Spencer then questions if Veronica knew what was going to happen, and when Veronica says that she heard, “too late to do anything about it”, Spencer says it was too late to do anything except warn her not to be there. Veronica says that maybe now Spencer will understand why she did that, to which Spencer mentions that she’s still trying to understand why Veronica and Melissa lied to her, tried to keep her from coming back when her friends needed her. Saying that someone will be going to prison for a very long time, Veronica admits that her only concern is that it’s not going to be Spencer. As Veronica she starts to walk from the room, Spencer questions if Veronica wants to ask her if she knew about Alison’s fake kidnapping, and Veronica tells her no, “because I’m telling you, you didn’t”.
Walking into the kitchen, Veronica finds Spencer leaving a note on the countertop. Spencer comments that if she hadn’t stopped to write the note, she would have made a clean getaway, to which Veronica questions where Spencer thinks she’s going. Spencer tells Veronica that she’s going to Alison’s trial, and when Veronica says that she forbids it, Spencer questions the word forbid, before saying that it’s a big hefty 19th century word. Shaking her head, Veronica pleads with Spencer not to go, but Spencer says that she’s sorry, she can’t do what Veronica is asking her to do, she has to go. Saying that if people see Spencer there, Veronica listens as Spencer cuts in, saying that if people are going to talk about her, she’s not going to let them do it behind her back. As Spencer adds that being afraid is not going to make things better, Veronica watches as Spencer storms past her.
Arriving home, Veronica walks straight past Spencer without saying a word.
In a visitation room at Chester County Women’s Correctional Facility, Veronica and Peter sit waiting for Alison. When Alison takes a seat opposite them she asks if Spencer is okay, and Peter tells her that she can drop the caring friend act, and that he and Veronica know exactly who and what Alison is. Alison admits that she’s done some bad things, but whether Peter likes it or not, she is Spencer’s friend, to which Peter says that Alison forced his daughter to lie for her, and now Spencer is in as much trouble as she is. When Alison says she was desperate, Veronica speaks up, saying that they are as well, before asking whether Alison knows where Spencer is. Somewhat shocked, Alison tells Veronica and Peter no, before questioning that they don’t either. Veronica listens as Peter comments that he promises that the guard outside will not be able to save Alison if she lies to them tonight, and tearing up, Alison asks what happened. Veronica explains that the van never made it to the penitentiary, “the police think they escaped”, to which Peter adds that they know that’s not true. Alison tells Veronica and Peter that she doesn’t know where they are, but she does know who took them, and when Veronica says that they’re listening, Alison tells them that it was ‘A’. Peter comments that any chance of ‘A’ hurting the girls again died with Mona, to which Alison notes that Mona was ‘A’, that’s true, but it all started again when Mona was locked up in Radley. Going on, Alison explains that it was the same game but with a new puppet master and the stakes were higher than ever. Veronica listens as Alison says that this ‘A’ killed her mom, and Mona, before Peter cuts in and questions if Alison really believed that then why didn’t she go to the police. Alison notes that Hanna tried, but there wasn’t any proof, and there never is. Veronica questions why it would start all over again, “it doesn’t make any sense”, before saying that Mona was sick and they know that’s why she wanted to hurt the girls, to which Alison says that she’s telling them the truth, she swears it. Peter then questions why Alison’s being honest now, and Alison explains that she’s going to spend the rest of her life in jail so she doesn’t have anything else to lose, but Veronica and Peter do.
Knocking on Toby’s apartment door, Veronica stands next to Peter who mentions that they know about ‘A’ when Toby opens the door. As Toby steps aside to show Caleb and Ezra inside, Veronica and Peter walk in.
Veronica tells Toby, Ezra and Caleb that they need to tell the other girls parents what they know, and agreeing, Ezra explains that they were hoping to have some more answers before they do that. Peter questions why they can’t take the information they have to the police, to which Toby mentions that everything they give Tanner she twists to fit her own theory. When Veronica suggests that they take their case to the media, Peter says he could call Angela King at the Philadelphia Press, but Caleb steps in, saying that with what they know about ‘A’ that just isn’t the right move. Veronica then questions what the guys do know about ‘A’, and Ezra says that everything they know is in the boxes on the table behind Veronica and Peter and there are about a dozen more in a storage unit. Looking from the boxes to Peter, Veronica wonders how they didn’t see this happening again, to which Toby says that forcing the girls to keep things from them is what ‘A’ does best. Walking over to the boxes, Peter suggests that if they look at all the information together they might find something the guys missed, but Ezra says that before Peter does that he should know that ‘A’ didn’t just pry on the girls, his, along with Veronica’s, secrets are in there as well. As Ezra goes on to say that if Peter decides to open the boxes he should prepare for those secrets to come out, Veronica walks over, and taking Peter’s hand, she tells him, “no more secrets”. Taking the knife Peter was holding, Veronica slices the tape on the box open. Ezra’s cell phone beeps, and reading the text, he mentions that the police are downstairs and they want to come up. Veronica listens as Caleb says that they’re there for him, and Peter points out that Toby is harbouring a fugitive, so he can’t be here when the police find Caleb. Caleb tells Toby and Ezra not to stop looking, and as he’s walking towards the door, Toby tries to go after him but Peter calls him back. As Peter notes that Caleb is doing the right thing, Veronica adds that they need Toby on the “right side of this”, and his boss. Veronica’s cell phone rings, and checking the caller ID, she announces that it’s Melissa. Answering the call, Veronica tells Melissa that there's something she needs to know.
At Rosewood Police Department, Veronica sits alongside Caleb and Peter as Caleb is questioned by Lieutenant Tanner. Veronica listens as Caleb tells Tanner that if he knew where the girls were, he wouldn’t be here right now, he would be with Hanna. As Tanner says she would like to believe him, Peter cuts in, commenting that Tanner doesn’t, and she won’t so they should quit wasting time. Veronica tells Tanner that she needs to either charge their client or release him, to which Tanner tells Caleb that he might not know exactly where the girls are, but he knows more than what he’s saying. Caleb tells Tanner that she’s right, he knows a lot more than she does, and placing a hand on Caleb’s shoulder, Peter tells him that he thinks it’s time they go, but Caleb doesn’t listen, instead telling Tanner that he hacked into the police’s computer system and he found the location of where they lost the van. Tanner notes that Caleb just admitted to a federal offense, and stepping in, Veronica says she thinks Caleb meant to say that “if he hacked into your system he could find the van”. Peter then adds that if Caleb had further access to that system he may be able too.., and cutting in, Caleb tells Tanner that he would be able to override the hackers jamming signal and locate the van. Listening as Tanner says that they are some big ifs, Veronica comments that she thinks the bigger ifs are what if Tanner is wrong, “what if someone did take the girls?” As Peter mentions that because Tanner hasn’t considered it, she and her analysts are looking in all the wrong places, Veronica questions if Tanner has asked herself how four teenagers could be this good at evading the police. Peter then notes that Tanner isn’t going to find the answer investigating the girls because they’re not running from her, and Caleb adds that there’s no way Hanna wouldn’t call him if she could.
Arriving at the scene where the missing van was located, Veronica listens as Peter notes that this was the old Campbell farm, before she herself adds that they used to bring the girls here to go apple picking.
Veronica is first seen in this episode in Spencer's bedroom. She watches over Spencer who is unpacking her things from the hospital.
Veronica lets Spencer know that there is little chance that Mona may be charged for faking her death. Rooting through her medication from the hospital, Spencer worriedly tells Veronica that the hospital left out one of her prescriptions; however, Veronica informs her that she asked them to not give the anti-anxiety drug to Spencer so as not to trigger her drug addiction. Spencer argues with her and tells her that the hospital gave them to her and she needs them to sleep. Veronica responds that she feels that Spencer just wants the drugs and that she doesn't need them. This in turn aggravates Spencer, causing her to get angry and say sarcastically, "Wow, I really am back home".
Later in the episode, Spencer is holding a pill(presumed to be anxiety medication) in her hand, the same pill that she stole from Aria earlier. Veronica comes into her bedroom and asks if she's gotten any sleep. To which Spencer replies that she hasn't. Veronica suggests the two watch a movie on the couch until they fall asleep, causing Spencer to say "okay" and Veronica kisses her cheek in a rare moment of tender affection between both mother and daughter. Spencer doesn't take the pill after all, symbolizing her willingness to lean on her mother for security instead of resorting to medication again.
Near the end of the episode, Spencer returns home only to find her mother waiting up for her. Veronica informs her that the police will be coming back for protection since Andrew has been released with all charges dropped. Spencer wants to go to her room and sleep, but Veronica also reveals to Spencer regarding how Andrew told the police that the girls tricked him into helping them. She asks Spencer if Andrew is telling the truth and Spencer replies that just because a story is made up of facts, it doesn’t make it true. Veronica then asks her how school was but Spencer scoffs that she knows Veronica knows she didn’t go to school. She also tells her mother not to catch her in a lie as it is embarrassing.
Spencer then nearly breaks down in tears and blames Veronica, stating that Veronica doesn’t want to put an end to the ‘A’ thing as much as she wishes it never happened. Spencer admits that she doesn’t see a happy ending for them(meaning the Liars and their loved ones) coming any time soon and rushes upstairs to her room.
In the end, Spencer takes the pill. This could be interpreted as the quick end to the rare bonding between Veronica and Spencer in the previous episode, showing that Spencer closes herself off from her only present family member and turns back to her previous destructive outlets to cope with her anxiety.
She and the other mothers of the Lairs decide to throw a prom for their girls in her barn since they could not attend their school's prom. She uses that time to drink lots of wine and eventually march over to the DiLaurentis House to confront Kenneth about Charles.
After seeing Rhys Matthews, she and the others think this is Charles they have just seen. Later they end up trapped in the basement and comes to grips with what her daughter must have gone through a those years with A.
She along with the other mothers continue to call for help from the basement of the DiLaurentis House.
We've All Got BaggageAppearances (54/160)
|
Season 1 (7/22) |
Season 2 (6/25) |
Season 3 (7/24) |
Season 4 (10/24) |
|
Season 5 (10/25) |
Season 6 (9/20) |
Season 7 (5/20) |
Notes
- While not credited in "Pilot," she is assumed to be arriving with Spencer at the church. The same applies to Peter Hastings.
- Veronica defended Ashley Marin when she was accused of murder. However, she was dismissed from the case due to her inappropriate behavior towards Mona Vanderwaal.
- She wanted Spencer to get into U-Penn and when she did not, Veronica said she would make someone accept Spencer. However, recently, she has been resorting to making Spencer go somewhere else for school.
- She can be seen as quite strict towards Spencer in regards to her education.
- She strongly disagreed with Spencer and Toby's relationship in the beginning.
- She is occasionally referred to negatively by The Liars, particularly Emily, as Veronica often weasels her daughters out of sticky situations by making 'deals' as a lawyer.
- Veronica Hastings is also the name of a character in the ninth season of "Two and a Half Men".
- According to canonical text messages between Mona and Spencer, Veronica won a Senate seat.
- In Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, BHU student Caitlin Park-Lewis wanted to do an internship for Senator Hastings. This could either be Veronica or Spencer, seeing as Veronica resigned her seat during Season 7 of Pretty Little Liars.
Book Comparisons
- In the books, Veronica has ash-blonde hair and blue eyes. While in the show, she has dark hair and eyes, just like her daughters.
- Veronica leaves Peter after finding out about his affair in the books. In the show, they were still married, and she had known about it for a while and in the books, she had no clue until Spencer told her, but always suspected he did cheated on her with Jessica DiLaurentis. However the final straw to the end of their marriage was when she learned that he conspired on killing Mary with Jessica.
- In the books, Veronica does not give birth to Spencer because she hired a surrogate. There is no mention of this in the show. However, it was confirmed in the finale season that Veronica isn't Spencer's birthmother.
- In the books, Veronica is much less caring towards Spencer. In the show, she actually seems to care about her, though she still appears to care for Melissa more. But from season 5-7, she seems to care for Spencer more since all she's been through.
Quotes
Veronica [to Spencer]: I think someone's going through a great deal of trouble to make you look guilty. |
Veronica [about the police inspecting Spencer’s room]: You’re a person of interest in a murder investigation. They’re just... they’re doing their job, in an especially ham-fisted way. |
Veronica [to Spencer]: Like it or not, this is your family |
Veronica [to Ashley]: Nothing surprises me anymore. |
Veronica [to Dean]: I'm sorry I didn't listen to my husband and hire the 60-year-old Scottish woman with the diaper breath. |
Veronica: God i miss food. |
Spencer: Don't you wanna ask me if i knew about the fake kidnapping? Veronica: No, because you didn't. |
Veronica: I see ways to see to it that you rott in a cell until your hair turns gray. |
Veronica: He's the one who wants to blow stuff up. |
