| This article is about Melissa Hastings, a TV character. You may be looking for Melissa Hastings (Book Character). |
| “ | Dad, Spencer didn't kill that girl. | ” |
— Melissa to Peter
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Melissa Hastings (formerly Thomas) is the older sister Spencer, and half-brother Jason DiLaurentis. She is portrayed as being antagonistic towards Spencer and the Liars at times, but has seemingly been revealed to be protecting Spencer. She is portrayed by Torrey DeVitto.
In "No One Here Can Love or Understand Me", Melissa reveals to Spencer through a video tape that she was the one who buried Bethany Young alive. Melissa was in the Dilaurentis backyard when she heard Spencer arguing with Alison. Melissa then saw Spencer walking back to the barn with a shovel in hand. Melissa says that she thought Spencer had killed Alison with the shovel, and after seeing the body, she pushed the body in the ground and covered it up because she didn't want anyone to know what Spencer had done. She knows now that it wasn't Alison and that she buried alive an innocent girl. She is currently living in England after having revealed the truth to Spencer.
Series
Melissa is first mentioned by Hanna and Spencer when they meet in the mall.
Melissa is first seen complimenting Spencer for her job in renovating the barn. She tells Spencer that she and her fiancée will be moving into the barn which angers Spencer because their parents agreed for Spencer to move in. Wren comes out asking if everything is okay and Spencer leaves angrily. Wren says that Spencer doesn't seem to happy with them moving into the barn, but Melissa tells him that she'll get over it.
Melissa is also seen in a flashback when she and her boyfriend at the time, Ian were in the Hastings home. Alison tells her that Spencer has something to say which Spencer quickly denies. She and Ian leave after that.
Melissa, Wren, Peter and Spencer go out to dinner. When Spencer orders a vodka soda, Melissa tells the waitress she's joking. Melissa orders the same drink as her father. Melissa suggests that they play "High,Low." Wren is confused bit Peter tells him he'll catch on. Melissa goes on to say that it is her first week in class and she's already become President of something.
Later that night Melissa passes by Spencer's room and catches her and Wren kissing. She sees them from the oval mirror but does not confront them. The next morning she calls off the wedding and Wren moves out of the barn.
There's No Place Like Homecoming
Melissa announces the homecoming king and queen.
Spencer steals Melissa's Russian History paper from when she was in school, and the essay is so good, her teacher submits it to an essay contest. Melissa eventually reads the essay and mocks Spencer for her stupidity at the homecoming dance. Melissa has been asked to chaperone Spencer's homecoming dance, and uses the opportunity to drive a wedge between Spencer and her date, Alex, maliciously telling him that the only reason Spencer dated him is to anger their father. Melissa also mocks his economic background and the fact that he works at the club and attends a lesser school than Rosewood High. Alex leaves, and Spencer suspects her sister's hand in it, though she does not know precisely what was said. Melissa is the one chosen to announce the homecoming king and queen, and she unctuously uses the platform to mention that she was crowned queen when she was a student some six years back.
It is revealed in flashbacks that when Melissa dated Ian Thomas a year ago, Spencer kissed him once, though Melissa hadn't found out. Later, when Ian returns to Rosewood, Spencer tries to mend her relationship with Melissa by hooking them up together for coffee. Melissa at first said no because he broke her heart last year and she is still getting over Wren, but with Spencer's nudge, she agrees to coffee. One coffee date immediately turns into something more serious; it seems the two have picked up where they left off. This leads to Melissa making peace with her sister, causing them to become closer and behave kindly towards one another. This bond is evident when Melissa comforts Spencer when Hanna is in the hospital after getting hit by a car.
In the winter premiere episode, Melissa and Ian elope.
They return from their honeymoon. The episode opens in the middle of the night with Melissa and Ian whispering about a secret.
Melissa and Ian
Melissa's relationship with Spencer takes a turn for the worst when Spencer comes out with her beliefs about Ian's guilt, although Ian outwardly doesn't show such anger while in front of the Hastings family. Melissa does and accuses Spencer of being selfish, while Spencer argues that not everything she does is meant for her sister.
Spencer brings up as proof of Ian's guilt the fact that Ian stayed at the Hilton Resort, the very same place Ali stayed just before she disappeared. Melissa secretly clarifies to Spencer that she stayed at the resort with Ian when she was getting a secret abortion. Melissa explains that the abortion never happened, as she miscarried, but it makes her new pregnancy so much more important to her. Spencer is stunned at first.
When Melissa, Ian, and Spencer are chatting with Mrs. Ackard at the Rosewood Founder's Festival, the Hilton Resort is brought up by Mrs. Ackard, and based on Melissa's initial responses, it seems that Melissa and Ian stayed in different rooms while they were there. Spencer finds this very suspicious; Spencer had been the one to bring up the fact that Ian stayed there in the resort, after being annoyed by the attention paid to her as a person of interest.
Spencer is driving Melissa home from the church, where she has been making plans for the christening of her unborn child. On the way, their car is hit, and the sisters are taken to the hospital. Melissa is kept longer, as her foetus needs to be monitored carefully, though it turns out to be fine. Veronica and Spencer try to get in touch with Ian to let him know what has happened to his wife, but he is preoccupied with hiding his involvement with Alison before she died, so he opts to ignore the messages instead. Spencer goes to the church to find Melissa's phone that she accidentally left there, but finds Ian instead, before the battle between the two ensues.
Melissa is completely distraught when Ian disappears. At first, she, like most people in Rosewood, including her parents, believe Ian to be a missing person and distrust Spencer's story. However, after a while, she reveals to Spencer that she doubts this, because he has left now that she is pregnant and especially after they had planned to name their child Taylor. She softens a bit towards Spencer, but later is seen doing mysterious things and not including Spencer on her whereabouts.
Spencer discovers someone claiming to be Ian texting Melissa, and she suspects that her sister is secretly keeping him alive. Spencer asks her sister to protect her over Ian, but Melissa snaps back angrily. The Liars later find out she has been meeting with Wren after they spy on her taking something from Wren in Hastings' parking lot. Spencer correctly guesses the merchandise to be pain killers for Ian.
In the meantime, Melissa removes her ring by the toaster one day when her fingers feel swollen from pregnancy. Spencer finds it, pockets it, and pawns it with the intention of redeeming it later and returning it to her sister. "A" buys it back before Spencer returns to the pawn shop, however. After, Melissa is seen looking around the house for Ian's passport; she claims it's for the insurance company and needs it to make a claim. However, Spencer scopes out the barn when Melissa is in the shower and finds a suitcase packed with things for Ian, including clothes, pain killers, and his passport. Spencer enlists Wren's help in stopping her sister from helping Ian flee the country.
When Melissa goes to visit Ian in his barn hideout with Wren (with the liars secretly following behind), she finds her husband sitting dead with a bullet wound, beside a gun and a suicide letter. Melissa is in total agony, and Spencer comes out from her hiding place to comfort her.
"I will never forgive you!"
Melissa is silent and withdrawn after this, so Spencer convinces her parents to stage a funeral for Ian in order to give Melissa closure. Spencer tries to reason with her sister, but Melissa will not speak to her. After the funeral, Melissa finally softens and apologizes for picking Ian over her sister. Just as she is about to reveal something to her sister, Spencer pulls out Ian's phone, which has been planted by "A" in her purse. Melissa is beyond livid and accuses Spencer of tricking her, pretending to be Ian. She is more furious than she has ever been with her sister and exclaims that she will never forgive her for what she has done.
Melissa goes on a much needed vacation. Her father mentions to Spencer that she could have gone as well, which probably means that Melissa didn't tell her parents about what happened between the two of them.
In later episodes, Melissa is not seen in Rosewood, but is mentioned occasionally.
Melissa is dating Ian. She seems oblivious to Alison's attempts to steal her boyfriend, though she does kiss him just as Alison is trying to strike up a conversation with him at Noel's Halloween party. There, Ian and Melissa are dressed in couple costumes as Bonnie and Clyde. Earlier in the episode, Melissa is seen helping Spencer with her class presidential nomination speech. When she is gone, Alison accuses her of being insincere and trying to outshine Spencer in the eyes of their parents with her own success.
Through Many Dangers, Toils, and Snares
Spencer tells Toby her parents are with Melissa in Philadelphia. She has an irregular heartbeat and is being looked at by specialists.
We learn that Melissa was a counselor at a horse-riding camp in 2006.
During a flashback, we learn that Jason once gave Melissa a ride home from Philadelphia and her father caught them kissing in his car. It is later revealed that Spencer and Melissa's father, Peter, is also Jason DiLaurentis' biological father. Veronica says Melissa does not know.
Spencer tells Melissa about Jason, and she feels betrayed by her parents. Caleb sends Hanna a video and tells her to open it immediately. When she opens it, the girls see who was coming into Alison's room the night she was killed. While Garrett, Ian, and Jenna think it's Alison, it's really Melissa who runs in yelling "Where is she!?" and the video ends. Devastated, Aria, Emily, and Hanna want to give this to the police but Spencer tells them she needs to talk to Melissa first. When Melissa was supposed to go meet Spencer, Spencer sees her leave with Garrett, but at the end of the episode Melissa asks Spencer to come with her so they can talk alone.
Melissa is frustrated with her parents' lies
Spencer gets a gift.
Later in the episode, Spencer finds a gift for her on the table with a note that says "Looking forward to the dance." Melissa quickly dismisses the gift by saying "It's called overcompensating. He still believes that he can use his money to shut people up." Then, Spencer says that she doesn't think that their father paid Ali, but Melissa is still insistent that both of their parents have been lying and still are.
She is here as the Black Swan and among the people outside Emily's house as the coroners remove Maya's body from the scene.
Spencer confronting Melissa with the feather in her hand
Melissa is not pregnant anymore. Melissa's mother says that Melissa has a dilemma, but it wasn't stated what. It was also stated that for sometime Melissa had been faking her pregnancy due to the fact she had a miscarriage although we are not told when. Therefore leaving the question if she was ever pregnant.
She is accused of being "The Black Swan" because of significant evidence which was found in her closet. (The Black Swan's dress feather) Melissa then was confronted by Spencer, and Melissa admitted to the fact she was the "Black Swan," but "A" blackmailed her, or else he/she would tell everyone that Melissa was faking the pregnancy since Ian's death.
Byron has a flashback and Melissa is seen talking to an unknown person on the phone, out on the patio, on the night Ali died. She says "Do I need to call 911 to get your attention?" and seems upset and frustrated with the person.
What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted
Melissa is making dinner for herself and Spencer, since their parents
Melissa walks past Spencer's room and notices that she still there. She tells her that she's tired of covering for her (about skipping school) and the next time mom calls she's going to tell her. Melissa is on her iPad when Spencer, returns from her date with Wren, happy. She asked about what made her happy and that "No company is better than bad company". Also stating that she bought Wren that cologne, before leaving. CeCe would reveal that Melissa took the photo of Ali, CeCe, Wilden, and that she wanted them videos.
Have you seen Spencer?
Answer your door Jenna
The Liars discuss The Black Widow and they ask Spencer about Melissa's whereabouts. Spencer says Melissa is in DC interviewing for an internship, to which Hanna replies "With Who? Satan?". It is implied Emily thinks Melissa may be The Black Widow.
Melissa and Veronica talk about Melissa going to San Francisco and London, and after some curt responses from Spencer, Veronica tells her to stop being jealous of Melissa. Spencer tells them that she has been rejected by UPenn. Veronica suggests that Melissa helps get her in but Melissa points out that Spencer doesn't want her help.
That night, Aria and Spencer plant the mask inside of Melissa’s suitcase and spy on her. Melissa finds her mask
Spencer confronts Melissa
Veronica mentions that Melissa is in London for her internship. Melissa finds the city beautiful but cold, which Spencer thinks is an appropriate comparison to Melissa.
Having bumped into Toby in London, Melissa returns to Rosewood, surprising Veronica as the police execute a warrant on the Hastings house. At Rosewood Police Department, Holbrook questions Melissa, but she doesn't give much away. Out in the waiting area of the of the Station, Melissa confesses to her father that she knows who is in Alison's grave, now they know Alison is alive. In a flashback, Melissa is seen at Hilton Head confronting Ian about his relationship with Alison, telling him that he needs to end the relationship, or they're over.
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Detective Holbrook informs Melissa, Veronica and Peter 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.
Melissa walks downstairs in the dark to find Peter drinking in the kitchen. Melissa tells him that she can’t keep what she has a secret anymore and she wants to tell Holbrook the truth. She adds that when Spencer finds out, she’ll have a reason to come home. Finishing his drink, Peter stands, towering over Melissa as he reaches for the bottle of alcohol behind her, and tells her, “your mother… can never know what you told me”, before walking away.
As Mona congregates an Army to fight against Alison's return, Melissa shows up, telling them all they "haven't got long".
Although not seen in this episode, Veronica mentions to Spencer that Melissa and Peter are in Philadelphia retrieving Spencer's car which has been impounded. Veronica warns Spencer not to expect any souvenirs from London, because all Melissa "brought back was attitude... and secrets".
Spencer and Peter are talking about the email Jessica sent hours before she died, when Melissa walks in telling Spencer to leave their father alone. As Spencer goes to reach for the email in Peter's hand, Melissa manages to grab it first. After reading what Jessica tried sending, Melissa rips the piece of paper up telling Spencer that Jessica was crazy as Spencer yells back, Peter steps in and tells them to stop acting like "cranky little five year old's on the way back from the beach". Melissa proceeds to tell Peter that maybe they should just tell Spencer what they've been hiding, but Peter won't have a bar of it and sends Spencer to her room.
Although not seen in this episode, Spencer mentions to Veronica that Melissa wanted to tell Spencer something, but Peter stopped her. Veronica tells her the only thing Melissa has been hiding is the fact that she and Wren are back together.
Although not appearing in this episode, Veronica tells Spencer that was working with a private investigator and discovered that Peter and Melissa lied about their whereabouts the night Jessica was killed.
Although not seen in this episode, Emily finds out from Paige that Melissa is working with Mona and Lucas to fight against Alison's return.
As Melissa walks down the stairs having taken up food to Veronica, Spencer asks if Veronica ate anything, but Melissa tells her “just some salad”. Melissa mentions that she tried to coax Veronica into eating, but she doesn’t have any appetite, to which Spencer tells Melissa that Veronica knows whose side Melissa is on. Melissa says she’s not on anyone’s side, but Spencer doesn’t believe it, reminding her that she’s letting Peter stay in her apartment. Melissa asks what she was supposed to do, “send dad to a hotel because you’re mad at him?”, and Spencer defensively tells her that she’s not mad at Peter, she’s just trying to figure out who he is, who Melissa is, and what she and Veronica are up against, before Melissa questions, “now whose taking sides?” Melissa tells Spencer that the two of them fighting isn’t helping anything, and that it’s bad enough between Veronica and Peter, “parents are not supposed to stop loving each other”. Spencer tells her that this isn’t about love, because if it were about love, there wouldn’t be dead bodies buried in backyards up and down the street, instead, it’s about lies, and whispered conversations that stop when somebody walks into a room. Spencer goes on to say it’s about Alison, and what really happened to her, and what happened to that poor girl who ended up in her grave. Getting emotional, Melissa tells Spencer she’s right, but it’s still about love, “sometimes people do things they can’t explain. Things that they regret. But it is still about love”.
Melissa is waiting in the shadows of the kitchen as Spencer tries to sneak into the house, and asks if she found what she was looking for, “you were certainly in there for long enough”. Spencer mentions that she’s missing her blue sweater and she thought it may have ended up in the barn. Melissa asks if she had any luck, and Spencer tells her not really before telling Melissa that she saw her computer, and she knows she’s looking up flights. When Spencer asks if she’s planning a vacation or running away, Melissa questions how that is any of her business, before Spencer reveals that she knows Melissa is helping Mona. Spencer wonders if someone is making Melissa do something she doesn’t want to do and if she’s trying to run away. Unfolding her arms, Melissa questions if “is this what this has come to”, searching each others rooms, looking for answers to questions they’re too afraid to ask. Melissa explains that she only helped Mona because she wanted Spencer to see that Alison hasn’t changed, “she is as toxic as ever”. Melissa says that both know Alison wasn’t kidnapped, but sooner or later she is going to get what she deserves, “and I do not want you standing too close when that happens”. Spencer questions if it’s all sisterly concern, and when Melissa asks if that’s so hard to believe, Spencer asks what Melissa did, and she’s asking her to her face this time. Shaking her head, Melissa says that she can’t tell her, “not yet”. As Melissa begins to walk off, Spencer comments that Melissa is her sister, and questions if that means nothing to her, but Melissa tells her, “you should know that honesty does not come easy for this family”. Spencer tells her that they can improve upon their genetics and they should at least try, to which Melissa tells her she’s trying. Opening one of the great room doors to leave, Melissa turns back to Spencer, “it is not safe for me here. Or for you. Maybe you should come with me”.
Setting up a camera to record, Melissa sits down in front of it, “Spencer, you’re right. I have to tell you the truth, before it’s too late”.
No One Here Can Love or Understand Me
Appearances (36/120)
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Season 1 (11/22) |
Season 2 (10/25) |
Season 3 (7/24)
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Season 4 (3/24) |
Season 5 (5/25) |
Trivia
- She unknowingly kissed her half-brother, Jason Dilaurentis .
- It is unknown whether Melissa was on the A-Team and quit for the B Team due to her possibly knowing who Red Coat was and knew it was Alison and didn't tell the police.
- However -A sent the Liars a text "Melissa is not 'A' material" hinting she was never on the team officially.
- Melissa took the picture of Ali, Wilden and CeCe on Wilden's boat in Cape May.
- According to Garrett, Melissa was talking to a mystery person on the phone and seemed upset the night of Ali's disappearance.
- Melissa was both the Black Swan and one of the Queen of Hearts (the other being Wilden), and both times she was apparently blackmailed.
- According to Jason he saw Melissa and CeCe talking together the night of Ali's disappearance.
- It is implied that she knew about the fake party at the Lodge.
- Melissa revealed that she sent Jenna and Shana to protect Spencer and the liars at the lodge.
- According to Spencer, Melissa once threatened to break her thumbs for using her hairbrush.
- Melissa unknowingly buried Bethany Young alive because she thought she was Alison and that Spencer had killed her.
Book Comparisons
- In the books, Melissa has ash blonde hair and blue eyes. In the show, she has dark hair and eyes like her sister Spencer and mother Veronica.
- In the TV series, Melissa was married to Ian before his death. While in the books, they were just dating.
- Melissa dates Darren Wilden in the books. In the TV series, they never did. Instead, she dated Garrett after Ian's death. Melissa does have some sort of connection to Wilden beyond simply going to high school together, but the nature of their relationship has not yet been revealed.
- In the books, Melissa had dressed like her mother even of her young age. She had later changed her style, by request of Spencer. In the show, she has a classic sense of style, but dresses more youthfully and stylishly than her mother.
- In the books, Melissa never got pregnant with Ian. In the TV series, she got pregnant then had a miscarriage. After losing her second baby, she lied to Spencer and everyone by continuing a fake pregnancy for months until she claimed to have had a stillborn.
- In the books, Melissa was always a suspect, but was never really involved. In the show, she's a suspect since she's involved somehow.
- During "This Is A Dark Ride," Melissa was one of the Queen of Hearts. She denies trying to hurt Spencer and her friends, but admits knowing about it once she got on the train and not trying to stop it. While in the books, she has been victimized by Alison like the Liars.
Quotes
Melissa: I don't feel like I need to be the best and the first anymore. All those things that used to matter just... don't seem that important. |
Spencer: What happened to Alex? Melissa: He left. Spencer: What do you mean? Melissa: He. Left. Do you need me to tweet it to you? |
Spencer: I made some pasta if you're hungry. Melissa: I'm not eating pasta. I don't need to be depressed and fat. |
Alison: I guess that's what happens when you've got a perfect older sister. Melissa: No, Alison, that's what happens when you're a Hastings. I didn't make the rules. Besides, Spencer deserves to win. Her agenda is top-notch. |
Melissa: I was hoping you'd be happy for me. Spencer: Well, you know what they say about hope. It breeds eternal misery. |
Jenna: You don't understand, they have the tapes and that can't—. Melissa: No, I do understand but those bitches are gonna be at the lodge at nine. Do you understand? |
Melissa: People are capable of all sorts of things under the right pressures. |
Melissa: So I'm going to tell you the truth, and you can do whatever you want with it. Maybe it'll help you, maybe it won't. But at least you'll know. |
Melissa: Our family has a gift for self-preservation. But there's a point when you go from survivor to predator.. And I guess that's what happened to us. |
