Pretty Little Liars – Did You Miss Me?

By: Alex Steele

Picking right up where we left off last week, Mona (Janel Parrish) is being interrogated by Emily (Shay Mitchell) as to why she was seen at the Two Crows the night Charlotte was killed. Mona admitted to having called Charlotte to meet up, the Two Crows had been the agreed meeting spot, but Charlotte never showed. Emily doesn’t buy it – we can’t blame her, especially when Mona has been known to play games. But Mona seems extremely genuine, especially when she states that Charlotte never implicated any of the Liars. She did her best not to involve them so why, would Mona do anything to jeopardise her freedom?

On the heels of this news, Emily meets up with Spencer (Troian Bellesario) and Aria (Lucy Hale) to discuss whether or not they truly believe Mona; and whether or not they take this information to the police. Aria is adamant they should tell Tanner; she is the one on the suspect list so why wouldn’t she want to offer any information that could clear her name. The others aren’t as forthright. Elsewhere, Hanna (Ashley Benson) is on the phone to Jordan in what seemed like a tense discussion. She isn’t alone because she is with Lucas (Brendan Robinson) having returned following the disaster that occurred last week during the bridal shower. Hanna is informing Jordan that she is staying in Rosewood, the girls need her, and she needs to stay close. If I were Jordan, by now I’d be pretty sick of the push and pull. To add, I can’t help, but still feel cautious whenever Lucas is around. Brendan Robinson plays this character so subtle, in a way that makes you always look over your shoulder. He’s sneaky and totally still crushing on Hanna.

This week Alison (Sasha Pieterse) and Elliot (Huw Collins) are enjoying their honeymoon; a cute little bed and breakfast, the post-wedding haze still hanging over them. Not for long though as Alison takes a terrible fall down the flight of stairs. Cut to the hospital where she has been diagnosed with a concussion and is required to stay in hospital overnight. Ali can’t seem to get past the fact that maybe she’s never meant to be happy, that maybe every good thing that happens in her life is paid for by a bad thing. Throughout the episode, she experiences a myriad of emotions, mostly put to rest by the caring and supportive nature of her new husband. Hanna visits and with a stealth search she avoids Ali finding out the true nature of her fall (The card with the heads crossed off is evidence enough that Uber A is behind it). A last scene with Ali this week saw the comeback of Mrs. DiLaurentis (Andrea Parker) in her all dreamy goodness. Mrs. DiLaurentis assures Ali is safe, that Elliot will take care of her. I have to agree with Mrs. D here, Elliot is doing a mighty fine job of the husband thing.

Spencer and Emily are this weeks’ top investigators as they catch Sara’s bodyguard/helping hands talking with Mona in the middle of Rosewood – what could that mean? Joining forces, they follow him to the police station and all around Rosewood before putting into action a typical Liar diversion. As Emily distracts him with her worrisome persona, Spencer inspects the tubing he has been carrying around – it is a copy of the floor plans of Radley. Everything leads back to Radley. Afterwards, Emily continues to tail him where he eventually hands off the floor plans to a moving silver sedan with none other than Sara Harvey driving. I must say, I am really looking forward to Emily having more of a story arc come the new season. It seems all she had done in the later part of this season is investigate, worry and investigate some more. Shay Mitchell has done brilliantly as this girl has some acting chops. I’m eager to see her dive deeper into a different storyline in the final instalment.

Aria and Ezra (Ian Harding) are well and truly a writing duo this week as they continue to work away on their book. Jillian (Aria’s boss) wants to meet them both for dinner to see what she is investing time and money into. Ezra is keen, Aria not so much. Ezra is having doubts about his latest chapter, initially not saying why. But eventually Aria, knowing Ezra all too well, understands his hesitation. As she reads the manuscript, she imagines Ezra and Nicole in reality. So what do they do? Write it how it actually happened or how it should have happened? Aria, with her newfound creative exposure, replies by saying “we write the best story.” Upon meeting Jillian, it is obvious she is all for the partnership of Aria and Ezra, but is wanting a draft of the manuscript as soon as possible. “No worries,” says Ezra. The hesitation from Aria in regards to all things Ezra is obvious throughout this episode. She displays a desire to continue writing, but is often found to show a little fear. Maybe it is fear that Ezra may fall back into a dark hole if confronted with too many memories of Nicole or maybe fear that feelings between the two may start to develop once again. Either way, at the end of the episode Aria admits to Ezra that it is happening again – A is back, but this time bigger and this time they have a plan to stop it.

The long awaited reunion of Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) and Hanna occurred this week as she sought out his help after discovering that Ali’s accident wasn’t an accident. Baffled as to whys he would come to him, Hanna cleanly states that he is the only one that can help her “call this creeps bluff.” Ashley Benson has been so powerful this season and the journey her character has been on is one of the most evolutionary; coming into her own and becoming surer of who she is and what she stands for – Hanna isn’t taking any prisoners. Also, her ability to lie and “punk” even those closest to her is unparalleled. When Spencer arrives home (to find Caleb and Hanna sitting close on the couch) she immediately knows something is up. Without a moment to even breathe, Hanna begins to talk. What follows may just be the greatest piece of acting done by these two actresses; Ashley Benson goes from strong to broken in the space of a few minutes while Spencer (Troian) stands there illustrating just how dumbfounded she is by Hanna’s admission – “I murdered Charlotte.” What?! What’s going on?! Quick cut and Hanna knows that if her performance right there tricked Spencer, it’s a fool proof plan. It is key to add that following this exchange, the intuitive nature of Spencer knows that whatever history Hanna and Caleb had still lingers and for the first time since “Spaleb” became a ship. We see doubt in her eyes. Could there be trouble ahead for the new Liar pairing?

For the first time since the five year forward time jump, the entire Liar Team is seen together (minus Toby). As Hanna and Caleb inform Emily, Aria and Ezra of the current plan to foil “Uber A,” the looks shared by all are a mix of concern and caution. They all know what it means to go up against “A,” and after the trauma that was the Dollhouse the apprehensiveness of all parties involves is understandable. Not only that, the green-eyed monster from Spencer regarding the reunion of “Haleb” is so understated, but so cutting. I am predicting a love triangle/ship war very soon. Hanna and Caleb stand strong in their decision to put the plan in motion, with or without the others permission. The pain in Spencer’s face and in her words is evident, but supports the crew nonetheless. “Nobody here is going to let you do this by yourself.” Yeah, okay Spencer, but really? Going up against a masked figure yet again? The fear written across the faces of everyone is perfect as they enter into battle again unknowing and blind. The ending sequence illustrates the complicated, layered coding of Caleb’s magic as it bounces of cell towers, radio stations and power lines until finally reaching a phone belonging to “Uber A.” Will the plan work? Also, that promo for the finale next week, who do we think has a twin out there?

Other Key Notes:

• Mona and Sara share a brief exchange
• Lucas offers Hanna an opportunity to start her own business in Rosewood