The Oa's Ankle Monitor: Symbolism And Storytelling

In the final episode of *The OA*, the titular character, OA, is seen wearing an ankle monitor. This has prompted much discussion and speculation among viewers, as the reason for her wearing it is never explicitly stated in the show. Some viewers have theorised that it is the result of legal trouble, possibly due to charges pressed against her by the parents of the group of teenagers she was telling a story to in an abandoned house. It is suggested that the charges could be related to fraternisation, combined with her mental state, which may have been enough to warrant an ankle monitor. However, others have pointed out that this seems irrational and that the charges would likely only result in a minor penalty. The ankle monitor has also been interpreted as a symbol of OA's ongoing imprisonment, both literal and metaphorical, as she is never truly free throughout the show.

The OA's charge and legal trouble

In the final episode of *The OA*, the titular character is shown to be wearing an ankle monitor. This has prompted much discussion among fans of the show, as it is never explicitly stated how she came to wear it.

The OA, whose name is Prairie, is shown to have a troubled past. She has been held prisoner, gone missing for seven years, and has a history of upsetting Steve's parents by having what they consider an "inappropriate relationship" with him. In the final episode, she is telling her story to a group of teenagers in an abandoned house. When the parents of the group discover them, they find the OA in a state of undress. This could be considered "fraternization", and combined with her mental health issues, may have been enough for her to be put on house arrest and fitted with an ankle monitor.

However, some fans have pointed out that this seems like a harsh punishment for the crime of trespassing. Another theory is that one of the parents called the police, and the OA was put on house arrest to ensure the safety of the neighbourhood children. It is also possible that one of the parents of the Crestwood 5 filed for a restraining order against her, which could have resulted in the ankle monitor.

The ankle monitor is just one more way in which the OA is kept a prisoner, both literally and metaphorically. It is a constant reminder of her lack of freedom and the consequences of her actions.

House arrest to ensure the safety of neighbourhood children

In the final episode of *The OA*, the titular character, OA, is shown to be wearing an ankle monitor. This has prompted much discussion among fans of the show, as it is never explicitly stated how she came to wear it.

One theory is that OA was put under house arrest to ensure the safety of neighbourhood children. In the show, OA is seen in an unfinished house, concluding her story to the Crestwood 5, when the Guardians of the 4 kids arrive. OA is partially clothed and holding a knife. She also has a history of what Steve's parents consider an "inappropriate relationship" with him. It is possible that one of the parents called the police and, given her mental state, OA was put on house arrest to ensure the safety of the children in the neighbourhood.

This theory is supported by the fact that Nancy covers OA's head with her hood as the police arrive at Crestwood, and they go to a hotel to avoid the media. It is also in line with the theme of the show that OA is always kept a prisoner to some degree. However, some fans have argued that this does not make sense, as being in a state of undress is not a crime, and given her history as a victim and her mental state, charges would be unlikely to stick.

Another theory is that one of the parents of the Crestwood 5 filed for a restraining order against OA, which could have resulted in the ankle monitor. However, others have pointed out that this also seems unlikely, as the group would back her up, and there was no crime committed other than possibly trespassing.

The ankle monitor could also have been voluntarily worn by OA to reassure Nancy and Abel that she would not run away. However, this seems improbable given that OA had already left the house and returned of her own accord.

While the exact reason for OA's ankle monitor is never explicitly stated, it is clear that its presence adds to the air of mystery surrounding the show and its protagonist.

Parents of the group pressing charges

As parents, we are concerned about the welfare of our children. We entrusted our children to the care of the school, and we are appalled that such an incident could have occurred on school grounds. We believe that the OA, otherwise known as Prairie Johnson, poses a threat to the safety of our children and should be kept away from them.

We believe that the OA is mentally unstable and unfit to be around minors. Our children have reported that the OA told them fantastical stories, including that she was held captive for seven years and had near-death experiences. We believe that these stories are inappropriate for minors and could cause them emotional distress.

Furthermore, we walked in on the OA in a state of undress while she was with our children in an abandoned house on school grounds. We believe that this incident is a clear indication of her inappropriate behaviour and judgement. We are concerned that she may have been engaging in inappropriate activities with our children and that this could have a negative impact on their well-being.

We are also concerned about the nature of the relationship between the OA and our children. We believe that she has been manipulating and taking advantage of their youth and impressionability. The OA has a history of forming inappropriate relationships, as evidenced by her relationship with Steve Winchell, which caused significant distress to his parents.

We are taking legal action to ensure that the OA is held accountable for her actions and to protect our children from any further harm. We believe that the ankle monitor is a necessary precaution to ensure the safety of our children and the community. We are seeking a restraining order to keep the OA away from our children and the school premises. We believe that this is in the best interests of our children and that the OA should not be allowed to have unsupervised contact with minors.

We understand that the OA has a right to her own beliefs and experiences. However, we believe that sharing these with minors in a way that causes distress and potentially endangers them is unacceptable. We are seeking legal recourse to ensure that our children are protected and that the OA is held accountable for her actions. We believe that the ankle monitor is a necessary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.

The OA's mental state

However, others have questioned whether this single incident would be sufficient to warrant such a measure. It has been suggested that it may have been a voluntary decision by OA's parents, Nancy and Abel, to ease their worries about her running away or to ensure her compliance with some form of treatment. This is supported by the fact that the ankle monitor is never explicitly addressed in the show, leaving room for interpretation.

OA's mental state is also called into question by her own statements, such as living seven years without touching another person's skin, despite evidence to the contrary in the show. This could indicate a degree of amnesia or an unreliable narrative device, as OA may be weaving figments of her imagination into her story.

The ankle monitor itself serves as a physical reminder of OA's imprisonment, not only in a legal sense but also metaphorically. It symbolizes her ongoing struggle for freedom and the constraints imposed upon her, whether by the legal system, her own mind, or external forces beyond her control.

The OA's inappropriate relationship with Steve

The OA's relationship with Steve is considered inappropriate by Steve's parents. In the show, The OA, the titular character is shown to have an inappropriate relationship with Steve, which upsets his parents. This is speculated to be the reason why the OA is fitted with an ankle monitor. It is suggested that Steve's parents called the police, and as a result, the OA was put on house arrest to ensure the safety of the neighbourhood children.

The OA's relationship with Steve is a source of controversy and speculation among viewers of the show. Some viewers have defended the relationship, arguing that the group would back her up and that it would likely be ruled as fraternization. However, others have speculated that the combined status of the OA's mental state and the partial undress discovered by Steve's parents may have warranted the use of an ankle monitor. It is important to note that the show never explicitly states how the OA gets the ankle monitor, so all explanations are speculative.

The use of the ankle monitor on the OA can be seen as a continuation of the theme of imprisonment and freedom in the show. The OA is always kept a prisoner to some degree, whether it is due to her blindness, her captivity in HAP's basement, or her restrictive childhood home. The ankle monitor serves as a physical reminder of her lack of freedom and the constant surveillance she is under.

The relationship between the OA and Steve is a complex and controversial aspect of the show, and the ankle monitor adds an extra layer of intrigue and speculation to the narrative. While the exact reasons for the ankle monitor are never fully explained, it is clear that it plays a significant role in the story and the character's development.

The OA's relationship with Steve and the subsequent ankle monitoring highlight the complexities of power dynamics, consent, and societal perceptions of inappropriate relationships. The narrative invites viewers to question the true nature of the relationship and the motivations and biases of those involved, including the OA, Steve, his parents, and the legal system.

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