Pretty Little Liars – Where Somebody Waits For Me

By: Alex Steele

After the cliff-hangers of last week’s episode, which saw Aria (Lucy Hale) disappearing down a makeshift shaft, Spencer (Troian Bellesario) looking aimlessly after her, Hanna (Ashley Benson) driving out of town with Jordan and Emily (Shay Mitchell) trying to ward off “A 2.0” from destroying her donated eggs, we are quickly cued into the current state of each.

Hanna and Jordan (David Coussins) are relaxing, post-coital, in a tacky looking hotel room that looks like Cupid threw up all over it. Hanna states it is the happiest and most relaxed she has felt since returning to Rosewood. Jordan suggests breakfast (he’s obviously worked up an appetite), but Hanna has other things on her mind and wants to continue giving the cupids something to remember. Cut to Aria and Spencer (crisis averted) who have reunited down in somewhat of basement, secret hiding spot, new building kind of area. In typical pre five-year time jump fashion, Aria and Spencer are on the case. Searching the corridors, they discuss that not only do people have secrets, building have them too. To be honest, if any building is going to have secrets it’s Radley. It housed some of the most intriguing characters from Rosewood to date. The things this place has seen – I wouldn’t want to know. As they come across a filing cabinet, Aria can’t help herself. She realizes that it is new, soon to discover it is hiding another hole in the wall which leads them out the back of the hotel. Could this be how Sarah has been sneaking around this whole time? Evading suspicion? It sure seems that way, especially as they haven’t seen Sara in almost 24 hours.

Spencer returns home to fill Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) is #Sparia’s latest discovery and so true to her nature cannot contain her excitement. Caleb; however, has some bad news. He himself has found something, but this time the negative repercussions greatly outweigh the positive. His hacker magic has uncovered some research into the Hasting campaign, specifically Veronica (Lesley Fera). The research involves medical records that identify that Spencer’s mom is sick – cancer. Troian Bellesario and her Spencer-ness (especially when she loses all control) is stellar; I could listen to her ramble all day. Caleb’s ability to talk Spencer down is incomparable with this new relationship really starting to gain some strength. As the episode progresses, Spencer grapples with whether to confront her Mom about what she found. In the end, she doesn’t. Why? She’s happy, motivated and in control that she doesn’t want to ruin that.

Elsewhere, Detective Tanner (Roma Maffia) has returned. Now working with the State Police, her team has become involved in the investigation to uncover Charlotte’s killer. I’ve always found Tanner incredibly intimidating and at times a little shady, that hasn’t changed. She throws some knowing glances Dr. Rollins’ (Huw Collins) way when Alison is questioned about her sisters’ murder. Can these two just admit they like each other already? Meanwhile, the other Liars (minus Hanna) have reconvened at The Bru where they discussing their next move. They have all agreed to keep the newfound Radley basement under wraps, yet Emily insists they tell Ali (Sasha Pieterse) everything. The only concern with this is her motivation to go to the police. In a sign of maturity and growth, Aria asks why not because keeping secrets has become toxic and why again do they find themselves in the same game as 5 years earlier.

Just as Aria and Emily are about to leave, Liam (Roberto Aguirre) arrives. Aria is rightly surprised and after a quick introduction Emily exits to check up on the “egg situation.” She arrives to find the clinic closing down and is told that her eggs along with many others have been destroyed. Heartbreaking stuff. And I am starting to think, A 2.0 is a more heartless enemy. Liam is in town to discuss Ezra Fitz, the book and obviously to see his girlfriend. The concern written all over Aria’s face as she is getting closer and closer to being found out is hilarious. Lucy Hale plays scared in the most visceral way. As he reads the pages, he’s speechless, but knows right away that it isn’t Ezra who wrote this, but Aria. When is this guy going to catch onto the fact that Ezra (Ian Harding) and Aria are a thing? Had a thing? Is he stupid? I don’t think so. I’m looking forward to when that shoe drops. Spencer is busy this episode as she searches out Mona (Janel Parrish) to ask whether she set her up. Was Yvonne leaving her phone at lunch a plant? Did they do it to prove that Spencer could not be trusted? Yes and no. Mona knew about the medical records and didn’t want anything to do with them being spilled. She wanted to warn Spencer. Did Mona really do this to help? We wonder.

The honeymoon is over for Hanna as A 2.0 delivers a not so appetizing breakfast. She knows she is needed in Rosewood and requests that Jordan and her return. He’s starting to become confused at this pull she feels to return to Rosewood. We witness their first argument, passionate and yet Jordan does a very good job of mellowing the often brazen Hanna. Back in Rosewood, Emily and Spencer have been tasked with updating Ali and vice versa. As the Liars discover that “Evil Emoji” and the actual hard evidence doesn’t add up, they question whether they are being punked. Oh Shay Mitchell, the delivery of this line was spot on. After her heart to heart with Spencer, Alison returns home to Dr. Rollins. She has had enough of hiding in the shadows and keeping their relationship a secret. She wants him to take her to a movie, hold her hand. No longer is she afraid of the rumors, she doesn’t need protecting. It is pretty obvious all she wants is you, Elliot. The detective and the Liars round two sees Hanna and Aria returning to the Radley basement to inspect the filing cabinet – they aren’t alone. A tussle ensues and when the third party is revealed we are all asking, what the? It’s Emily. She wanted to go alone to see for herself. Shay Mitchell is doing a beautiful job in displaying the flailing nature of Emily’s life right at this moment. The perfect representation of one step forward, two steps back. And can someone come along and sweep her off her feet so they can all grow up and have babies together? Goodness gracious, Hanna is so optimistic with age that or her visualization techniques are really paying off.

As the episode winds down, each respective Liar gets back to their independent lives. Caleb and Spencer share a tender moment and Aria continues to write Ezra’s book. However, she is interrupted by a gust of wind made by none other than Ezra himself. In a heated, yet honest conversation Ezra admits to lying about the night Charlotte was killed saying that Byron and Ella had made him swear not tell Aria about them after he ran into them. Really? Are we believing this story? He goes on to say that he is the one that should apologize, for the lies he has told. This episode, although not as edge-of-your-seat crazy as previous ones, highlights the evident chemistry between many players in this ensemble. Spencer and Caleb seem to be firing on all cylinders while Hanna still obviously holds a flame for her ex-beau and Aria undoubtedly still loves Ezra. Why else would she write a book for him? Why else would she save him? Before heading to bed, Spencer remembers to check the luggage for Melissa’s I.D. number. What happens you ask? The handle is broken, the missing piece exactly matching that of the weapon that killed Charlotte. Dun, dun, dun! Theories?

Small Notes:

• Hanna and Jordan share their first argument
• Hanna and Caleb share a tender moment and we are offered a little insight into what happened during those previous 5 years (You are stronger…Long live #Haleb)
• Caleb threatens Mona. Also, did he date her as well?!
• And Mona, is she really looking out for Spencer or is there an ulterior motive?