Season 5[]
EscApe From New York[]
A distressed Aria is being held back by Spencer, Hanna and Emily as she watches Ezra being loaded into the back of an ambulance, “no let me go, please”. Hanna tells her that she can’t do anything to help Ezra right now, and Spencer reminds her that if the police think she knows anything, she’ll be spending the night at the police station answering questions. Emily reassures Aria by telling her they’ll find out where Ezra is being taken and they’ll get there.
Outside a convenience store, Aria says to Emily that “the plan was to get Ali out of town tonight, but now we know that A is after Ezra”, Emily understands that A wants to shut Ezra up, but Ali is still a target. Aria tells the girls that when Ezra pulls through, he’s going to tell them who A is and “this thing is finally going to be over”. As Hanna gets off the phone Aria asks if the police are sending someone to the hospital to guard Ezra, Hanna reassures her they are, she heard the operator typing. As Aria and Alison start walking away, Hanna tells them to wait and hands the gun she kept to Aria, while Emily tells them they’ll give them 10 minutes before making the call.
Exiting the Subway, Aria says she doesn’t understand how Ezra found them, and Alison tells her that she thinks Ezra was following ‘A’, “and A was following us”. Alison reminds Aria why Ezra is still looking for her, and tells her he wants to win Aria back. When Alison asks if Ezra still has a chance, Aria tells Alison that she can’t think about that right now, “I don’t even know if he’s alive”.
Aria and Alison rush into the hospital and up to a nurse’s station where Aria asks for information on Ezra. As Alison’s name is paged to the emergency room, Aria tells her that she better “get out of here”.
Aria walks into the surgical waiting room and finds two policeman standing guard in front of a set of double doors marked surgery.
Pacing the waiting room, Aria overhears a nurse updating Dianne Fitzgerald on Ezra’s condition; telling her that they’ve successfully removed the bullet but there was extensive arterial damage.
On the phone to the four girls, Aria tells them that she’s sorry they lost “the bitch”, but they did A “out of here”. Alison asks if Ezra is out of surgery and Aria starts to tell them what she overheard a nurse telling Ezra’s mom, but abruptly stops, telling them Dianne is getting on a plane, but she’s in Sydney, “there’s nobody here for him but me”. Hanna asks Aria if she’d like them to go back to the hospital, but Aria tells her she’s blending in, and the five of them may be waving a red flag. Alison tells her to call as soon as she hears anything, and Aria asks them to promise that they’ll be safe, to which Spencer tells her they will.
As Aria waits in the surgical waiting room, Shana sits down beside her, telling her that Alison sent her. Getting up off her chair, Aria says she gets Shana is Alison’s loyal companion “but I don’t need a watch dog”. Shana asks if she can get Aria anything, and Aria tells her no, before Shana tells her she looks exhausted, and if she falls asleep, she’ll wake her if there’s any news.
Having fallen asleep, Aria wakes to find Shana nowhere to be seen. Walking over to the nurse’s station she asks if Ezra is out of surgery, and the nurse tells her he’s in recovery. Walking into Ezra’s room, Aria finds Shana by his bedside and asks what she’s doing, “you said you’d wake me up”. Shana tells her that Ezra’s still unconscious, but stable. Ezra starts to wake up, but hyperventilates upon seeing Shana. As Aria rushes to the door to call for help, Shana slips from the room. Nurses run into Ezra’s room to try and stabilize his vitals, while a male nurse ushers Aria from the room.
On the phone to Alison, Aria tells her that Ezra made it through surgery, but doesn’t get to say anymore because the call fails. Aria tries again to call Fitzgerald Theater, but the phone is picked up. Hanging up, Aria notices a cop walking away from Ezra’s room with a nurse, so she takes the opportunity to walk into his room. Placing her hand over his, Ezra wakes, and Aria tells him that he’s going to be okay. Looking around the room, Ezra removes his oxygen mask and whispers something in Aria’s ear which causes her to rush out of the room.
Walking quietly onto the stage, Aria grabs a rifle and calls out to Shana. As Shana turns, Aria knocks the gun out of Shana’s hand, and shoves her backwards with the rifle. Losing balance, Shana falls off the edge of the stage. Emily walks down the stairs to the floor and checks Shana for a pulse, and pronounces her dead. As Aria walks away, Spencer follows and tells her she did what she had to do, a sentiment Emily shares as she tells Aria that Shana would have killed of them. Aria says to them, “it really is over. It’s over” before Spencer and Emily embrace her.
Whirly Girlie[]
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Aria and the other liars arrive back in Rosewood with Alison, where they all agree Alison needs to tell the Police everything. Aria, although shaken, is ready to admit to what happened to Shana in New York and accept the consequences.
In her bedroom, finally home from the Rosewood Police Department, Aria rings the hospital in New York to try and get an update on Ezra, but is interrupted by a knock on her door. Mike comes in and asks her about Alison, before asking why Mr. Fitz is in hospital. Not wanting to have a full conversation and explain anything, Aria tells him she's tired and wants to go to bed.
Plagued with a nightmare of the events that occurred in New York, and other previous encounters with Shana, Aria wakes to violin music being played in her backyard. As she's closing her bedroom window, Hanna calls and tells her about the text Ali received at the Police Station, and that is why she changed her story.
The next morning, Aria researches current news stories trying to see if Shana's death has been reported by a newspaper. As she goes to close her laptop and give up on her search, her iPod begins to play violin music continuously, prompting her to quickly gather her things and rush from her room.
In the shed in the woods, Aria is trying to make it looked lived in, especially if they're to back up Alison's kidnapping story. When Emily walks in Aria explains they have to make it look like Ali has been living in here. She confides in Emily how guilty she feels and how angry she is at Emily and Spencer for not telling her about Alison's text message. Emily tries to reassure her that she did the right thing at the time. Emily goes on to tell her she knows what Aria is going through, because she went through the same thing when she shot Nate.
Coming home from the woods, Aria finds Mike and Mona in the Montgomery living room, sharing a pizza. When Mike excuses himself to put their dishes away, Aria is offered a whistle by Mona, which Aria interrupts as a threat. Mona also makes it very clear that she knows about what happened in New York, and what happened to Ezra.
Having gathered at Spencer's, Aria tells Hanna and Emily she's determined to go to the cops and tell them about what happened to Shana, she can't live with the guilt any longer. The girls hear Pepe barking in the garden and run out to the back porch. Curious and confused, Aria asks Hanna when Alison even had time to get a dog. Walking over closer to Pepe, they discover Mrs DiLaurentis' hand poking from the ground.
Surfing the Aftershocks[]
Aria, Spencer and Emily are waiting in the DiLaurentis' living room as Alison gets dressed for her mother's funeral. They overhear Mr DiLaurentis telling Jason he does not want any police or press at the funeral or cemetery. Hanna rejoins them after having been up with Alison. Aria asks how Alison is doing, and the conversation turns to how could have killed Jessica and buried her body in the Hastings backyard. Aria believes Pepe finding the body wasn't just a coincidence, it seemed like an 'A' move. Emily reminds her 'A' is gone and a guilty looking Aria has to look away.
A few days later the Liars are back at school and have been called into Vice Principal Hackett's office. He tells them that he is relieved they are safe and back in the "halls of Rosewood High School", and that the school will do what they can to protect them from the press and the curious. Aria tells him that they appreciate what the school is doing for them, but Hackett says in return he needs to know the girls will do their part in "keeping the disruptions to a minimum".
Leaving Hackett's office, Aria and the girls walk into the school courtyard, where Spencer voices her concerns about the people who know that Alison was lying about New York, particularly Ezra. When Spencer tells them that 'someone' has to go talk to him, make sure he's going to keep quiet, Aria is against the idea of her going, telling Spencer that while Ezra may be alive and safe, they're over.
Mona finds Aria at her locker and present her with a 'Get Well Soon' card for Mr Fitz, and asks "you know what happened in New York". Aria tries to tell her that Ezra was mugged, but Mona innocently tells her that he was shot, but now he is back. Not at school, but in Rosewood. Aria didn't know he was back, and she doesn't want to sign the card. Mona insists she does sign, even if it is for the sake of appearances. Hanna then walks up and takes the card from Mona, quickly scribbling her name and passing it to Aria to sign.
Aria is outside of Ezra's apartment, unsure on whether to knock or not. As she begins to walk away Ezra opens his door and the two sharing a longing look. Inside, Ezra tells her about his home care professional and makes a joke about being her favorite gunshot victim which falls flat. Ezra tells Aria that while he knows he promised he wouldn't come back to Rosewood, he doesn't have anywhere else to go. After asking how he is, Aria asks if he knows about everything that has happened, with Alison. Ezra understands that he has to go along with Alison's kidnap story. Aria then asks if he knows about Mrs DiLaurentis'; Ezra knows it was a murder, and initially he thought it was Shana but the timing doesn't fit. He had everything backwards and it wasn't until he saw Shana in New York dressed as 'A' that he knew she was 'A'. Ezra asks if Aria's heard from Shana since New York, and when Aria tells him no, he tells her to be careful. As Aria is about to leave, Ezra thanks for her coming by and letting him see her, and Aria tells him she wanted to see him also.
At the cabin in the woods, Aria tells Alison that Ezra will keep their secret if he's asked. Alison then asks if he knows about what happened to Shana, and when Aria tells her he doesn't, Ali tells her it's for the best. Aria tells Alison that Mona thinks she's coming back to Rosewood High, and with Mona knowing the truth about what happened in New York, she could "really create some trouble" if Alison did return to school. Alison tells Aria that Ezra doesn't look at world like Mona does, and that he isn't a bad guy. Ezra's just "too romantic for his own good" and probably the reason Aria fell for him in the first place. Before leaving, Aria hands over Ezra's manuscript to Alison.
In Aria's bedroom, Spencer tells her she received a text from Emily saying that Jason has an alibi for what happened in New York and Rosewood. Aria thinks it's crazy that Jason thinks his and Spencer's father could have been the one to kill Mrs DiLaurentis, but Spencer tells her crazy works on a sliding scale. Spencer apologizes for asking Aria to go see Ezra, but Aria tells her no one else could have done it. When Spencer asks if Aria is okay, Aria tells her she needs to know it didn't happen, "Shana in the Theater".
Aria is back at Ezra's apartment, telling him that she should have warned him that Alison might drop by like she did. Ezra says the only reason he opened the door to Alison was because he thought it may have been Aria. After their goodbye earlier they had both thought it was going their final goodbye. Aria then confesses what really happened in New York, "you don't have to worry about Shana anymore. She's dead. And I know that she's dead because I'm responsible". Shocked, Ezra can't believe what he's hearing. When Aria tells him she killed Shana, he takes a moment to process before standing up and asking how he can help.
Thrown From The Ride[]
Aria and Hanna are in the Rosewood High courtyard as a book sale takes place. Aria, who has been staring at Hanna’s new hair, comments that while she really likes the cut and color, spontaneity isn’t Hanna’s thing, “Hanna, you’re not spontaneous, you make a Pinterest board before you change your nail polish”. Noticing Hanna’s demeanor change after picking up a copy of ‘The Scarlet Letter’, Aria asks what’s wrong before Hanna tells her the book was Shana’s. Reaching for the book, Aria flips through the pages and finds a page that Shana had unlined. Reading out the unlined text, Aria tells Hanna that it’s not for a school assignment, “no, this is about Ali, Jenna and us. This is about being A”. Hanna tells Aria that she needs to start forgetting about Shana. Grabbing the book out of Aria’s hands, Hanna tells her to stop before throwing the book back onto the table where Mona picks it up. Mona suggests that Aria and Hanna should give the book to Alison for when she comes back to school, and that Shana won’t be needing it any more. Turning to face Aria, Mona asks for confirmation about Shana transferring back to Georgia, but Aria doesn’t answer.
Eating lunch outside, Spencer tells Aria and Hanna that it’s better than eating in the cafeteria, but Aria doesn’t believe so, “not really. We’re still a freak show. Now we’re just a freak show in natural light”. Looking around, Aria notices Mona staring at them from a distance and she’s seriously freaking Aria out, “she knows we were in New York. She threatened Ali. What if she knows about Shana too?” Spencer tells her that she needs to take a psychological selfie, because she’s letting her paranoia get the better of herself. Aria questions whether it all has to do with Shana, but Spencer tells her it doesn’t, it’s all about Ali. As all of their phones go off at once, Aria and Emily think it’s an ‘A’ text, it’s not, it’s Ali. Spencer reads out the text and says the family has to wait for cause of death, and Aria suggests perhaps Jessica was poisoned.
In the school computer lab, Aria is checking her emails and smiles when she opens an email from Ezra. Suddenly an IM pops up on her screen and Aria freaks out when she reads the content, “if it was me, I could never forget. It would haunt me for the rest of my life”. Quickly typing a ‘who is this’ reply, Aria is relieved when ‘TheaterGirl’ says she is Becca from AP History and asks how Alison is doing. With a glance around the room, Aria enters ‘Shana Fring’ into the search bar and scrolls through the webpages and finding an online video of Shana’s funeral. Aria clicks on the video and watches the memorial, a tear sliding down her cheek. As she watches the video, Aria envisions Shana rising from her open coffin and turning to face her.
Aria, Emily and Spencer are in Emily’s bedroom where Emily tells them about her and Paige hanging out, where they were laughing and joking, and then all of a sudden Paige totally shut down. Aria mentions that perhaps Paige is scared of getting close only to be rejected again. Aria notes that she’s noticed Emily has kind of been MIA about Ali, and Spencer tells Aria she has as well, only for Aria to say that’s why she’s noticed Emily’s absence. Emily asks Aria if she thinks she’s scared of getting close to Ali again, and when Aria asks if she still has feelings for their returned friend, Emily tells her she doesn’t know. Aria then asks Emily how she dealt with what happened with Nate, and if she wanted to know about everything about him. Emily tells her that when she received the package from his mom, she obsessed over it.
In her bedroom, Aria watches and re-watches the video of Shana’s funeral.
Aria knocks on Ezra’s door, and rushes into his apartment where she tells him she can’t keep thinking about Shana’s family and when she closes her eyes all she can see is Shana’s grandmother and how empty she looked at the funeral. Ezra asks her how she knows what Shana’s grandmother looked like at the funeral, and Aria admits to watching Shana’s funeral online, “many times”. Ezra tells her that she’s just going to have to find a way to forgive herself.
While Ezra is out grabbing food, Aria phones the church where Shana’s funeral was held hoping to donate to the cost of the service. Walking to his apartment, Ezra asks her what she’s doing, and when she hangs up, he tells her that’s not trying to find a way to forgive yourself, that’s hoping they forgive you. Knowing he’s right, Aria goes to sit on his couch, curling herself into a ball. Ezra tells her he knows it’s not easy, finding a way to forgive yourself, he tried after Aria found out about the book, but sometimes you have to realize forgiveness might never happen and you have to be okay with that. Leaning forward, Ezra grabs his checkers board and starts to set it up. When Aria asks what he’s doing, Ezra tells her they’re playing checkers until they get sick of it, they’ll play chess.
Aria wins another game of Gin, and Ezra asks why she is so freakishly good, only for her to tell him, “I’m not. You’re just freakishly bad”. As Aria passes him to cards to shuffle and deal, Ezra tells her he’s starting to fade. At the thought of going home to an empty house, Aria asks if she can stay over, “on the couch”. Ezra agrees, and goes to grab a shirt for Aria to change into and when Ezra hands over the shirt, Aria realizes that she shouldn’t stay and goes leave but not before lingering at the door.
At Spencer’s, Aria tells her that it wasn’t that big of a deal, and that it sounds bad that she nearly slept over at Ezra, but nothing was going to happen. After digging through Spencer’s fridge, Aria notices Spencer’s worried face and asks if she’s okay. Spencer tells her that when Ali disappeared, Mrs D told Spencer’s parents that she thought Spencer had something to do with it. Aria tells Spencer that Mrs D knew who hit Ali and that it wasn’t Spencer. Spencer says Jessica was trying to set her up, and she is really worried that her dad tried to stop her. Aria starts to ask Spencer if she thinks her dad killed Jessica, and Spencer confirms Aria’s question before Peter walks in. After Aria greets Peter, Spencer asks where Veronica is only for Peter to tell her she’s not coming home tonight. Sensing that Spencer and Peter need to talk, Aria excuses herself to go get ready for bed.
Miss Me x 100[]
Aria and Ezra are walking down the main street of Rosewood, when Ezra asks if Aria is still having nightmares of Shana. She tells him she is, and he tells her she needs to let go. Reaching up, Aria runs her hand down Ezra’s cheek, before realising what she was going and dropping her hand. Walking past him, she tells him she keeps waiting for an ‘A’ message, a text that is going to come in with a picture of her standing on Shana’s dead body. Ezra reminds her that photo doesn’t exist, and Aria says to tell that to her right eye, “it still twitches every time I get a text”. Stopping, they notice Alison leaning in the window of a car and Ezra wonders what she’s doing out so late. Aria tells him she doesn’t know, “ever since she’s been back, she’s practically lived in her bedroom”, before calling out to Alison. When Alison asks them if this is a date, they both tell her no. Aria asks her what she’s doing, and Alison tells her that her dad forgot her enrolment forms on his desk and he’s stuck on a call so his flunky dropped her off. Aria watches a bus as it rolls into the bus stop across the road. Hearing a familiar sound as the bus starts to depart, Aria, Ezra and Alison turn, coming face to face with Jenna who is back in Rosewood.
The five girls are in Aria’s living room, where Emily tells Spencer that nobody like lying to Toby, but if he finds out what happened in New York, before she can finish Aria cuts her off, telling Spencer that she should just tell him the truth, "if you were lying to protect me, you don't have to". Noticing Spencer looking in Alison's direction, Aria tells her that it's her decision, not Alison's. Alison tells the girls that she wants to try and make amends with everyone she hurt, and when Aria asks if it includes Jenna, she does not answer.
Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer are waiting for Alison to arrive, with Hanna questioning whether Alison is really coming, and Aria says that they should have picked her up, "why didn't we pick her up?" Watching as Alison starts to slowly make her way through the crowds of people, Hanna wonders if people are loving her or hating her, but Aria cannot tell. Finally getting to the other four girls, Alison thanks them for waiting, and all together they make their way into the halls of Rosewood High. As they come to a stop, Aria asks if Alison knows where her first class is, and Alison tells her that she's supposed to go to the guidance counselors office, but she can't remember what it is. After Emily and Alison walks off, Aria circles around in front of Hanna and Spencer, "I can't believe she's actually back in school". Hanna mentions that as abnormal as it is, it actually feels normal, to which Spencer tells her baby steps.
Hanna wonders where Spencer is, and Aria mentions that she’s thinking of going by Jenna’s after school, so she can swing by Spencer’s to check in on her. Hanna wants to know why Aria would go see Jenna, so Aria explains that she believes what Toby said about Jenna being broken, so maybe there might be something she can do to help. Emily wants to know what Aria could do to help, and Aria tells them to back off, “look Hanna, I really hope that you find a hobby, and I hope you have a carefree senior year Em, but I’ve got to find a way to live with what I did in New York”. As Emily tries to talk, Aria cuts her off, “I can be sorry for her loss, that’s what I can do”.
Walking up to the Cavanaugh house, Aria finds the front door open and calls out to Jenna. Pushing open Jenna’s bedroom door, Aria takes in the room before finding Jenna sitting on the floor crying. When Jenna asks who's there, Aria doesn’t say anything, instead deciding to walk away.
Aria arrives home and when she turns to close the front door she finds Jenna standing there. Jenna tells her she knows it was Aria in her bedroom earlier, ignoring Aria’s offer for tea, Jenna tells her she just wants an answer. Aria says she heard about Shana and wanted to see if she was okay. Jenna wonders why Aria would care if she is okay, and Aria tells her with Alison back, it is bringing back a lot of stuff for everyone and they all feel really terrible about their part in the accident. Jenna reminds Aria that she still has all her friends, while she on the other hand, doesn’t have anyone left. As Jenna is turning to leave, Aria again offers her tea, “I didn’t really know Shana that well, but if you wanted to come in and talk and tell me about her”. Turning back around, Jenna tells Aria that she thinks that would help.
Aria is leaving a voice mail for a Hanna, as she, Spencer and Emily gather in Alison’s bedroom. Alison says she doesn’t think it was a coincidence that she couldn’t reach any of the liars tonight, and Aria tells her it sounds like an ambush. After Emily hands Alison a cup of tea, Aria takes it off of her after noticing Alison’s hands shaking. Aria asks what Alison did after Mona slapped her, and Alison tells them she just stared at her.
Walking into Ezra’s apartment, Aria hands Ezra a Paula’s Pie box, while reminding him that while there might no longer be ‘A’, he should still lock his door. Sitting down at his table, Ezra asks why she bought pie, Aria throws a “why not pie” comment over her shoulder as she grabs forks from a drawer. Aria tells him that Jenna is blaming herself for Shana's death, and if she's to blame anyone, it should be her. Ezra thinks that they should both be blaming Shana as she was the one holding the gun. As Aria eat a mouthful, Ezra wipes some cream from her bottom lip and licks the cream from his thumb, before realising what he just did. Aria tells Ezra that Alison believed that Jenna was manipulating Shana, but Aria thinks Jenna “actually loved her”. Ezra tells her that she needs to stop beating herself up, and when she says she doesn't know how she is going to get past it, he stands up, lifting his shirt and shows her his scar from the gunshot wound. Saddened, Aria traces over the edges of the wound with her thumb, “I’m so sorry”. Grabbing her wrists and lifting her up, Ezra tells her that he never wants to hear her say she's sorry again, and leans in to kiss her. Reciprocating the kiss, they move to Ezra's oven where he lifts her onto the stovetop and they continue to kiss with more passion and urge.
On Ezra's bed, Aria and Ezra are feverishly making out, and when Aria rolls on top of Ezra, she asks “does that hurt?” in response Ezra tells her he can handle it. Sitting up, Aria drags the bed sheet over them as she leans back down to kiss him.
Aria, Emily and Alison walk up to a hung over Hanna and Spencer in the halls of Rosewood High. When Aria asks if she feels as bad as she looks, Hanna tells her to be not so loud. Alison asks how Mona knew they were in New York and Aria repsonds, "she's Mona". What Aria doesn’t understand though is how Mona sent the 'New York minute' text the night they got back into town. Spencer starts to explain satellites and Bluetooth sniper rifles, and Aria questions if Mona blue snarfed them. Walking into the cafeteria, Mona and her army confront the Liars, with Mona coming forward and exposing Alison's lie with a video to prove that Alison slapped her. Following Alison into the girls’ bathrooms, Alison tell the girls that Mona set her up.
A breaking news story breaks in regards to the identity of the Jane Doe who was buried in Alison's grave, so everyone gathers in Emily's living room. As the press conference starts, Ezra reaches out to Aria and she takes his hand in hers and rests her other hand on his arm. The Police Chief explains that they've received confirmation tonight that the girl that was buried alive on the DiLaurentis property was Bethany Young. As the Police Chief is finishing up the press conference, a large boom is heard and windows of Emily's lounge room explode. Recovering from the glass blast, Aria and the others walk out onto the street to find the Cavanaugh house on fire and rubble lying all over the road. After Toby has run off to see if anyone was inside the Cavanaugh home, the Liars' cell phones all start beeping and ringing.
Run, Ali, Run[]
The Liars' cell phones are beeping and ringing with an incoming text message, and Alison says that it is from A, and when Ezra asks what it says, Aria reads it out loud, "Did you miss me, bitches. -A". A second explosion inside the Cavanaugh house occurs leaving Aria and the others ducking for cover.
In Emily's bedroom, Aria is looking out the window towards the Cavanaugh home where emergency crews are still on scene. As Spencer ends her phone call to Toby, Aria asks what Toby said, and Spencer tells them that nobody was inside the house, but Toby's dad broke his leg trying to avoid a tree coming down. As Alison wonders if the text message they received means they were wrong about Shana, Aria comments, "A is alive, and knows that I killed her". Emily says that is impossible, they all heard what Shana said, but Aria reminds her that Shana never said she was A, "she never used those words". Spencer says she thinks that 'A' never left, and Aria says that 'A' has been here the whole time, "just watching us, waiting for the right moment to resurface".
In Ezra's apartment, Aria tells Ezra that Shana wasn't 'A', and that she killed an innocent person, but Ezra reminds her that Shana was not innocent. Aria tells him the cops aren't going to believe that when they find out she's been covering Shana's murder up, "it's only a matter of time before A exposes what I did". Ezra tells her that they don't know if this person has any idea of what happened in New York, and when Aria asks Ezra what he is doing, he tells her he's looking for a connection between Mrs DiLaurentis and Bethany Young. When Aria questions him why, Ezra explains that he doesn't think he was to far off with his Mrs D theory, especially when Mrs D was on the board at Radley Sanitarium and Bethany was a patient there, while also being buried in Mrs D's yard, in the same spot where Ali was buried. Aria picks up that Ezra thinks A killed Bethany and Mrs D, and Ezra telling her that would be a connection. He goes on to say when he was writing his book he interviewed some of the staff at Radley and he thinks the name Bethany Young came up, he just doesn't know which file it is in. As Aria tells him that she can help him look after school, he tells her that they're going to get through this.
In the school cafeteria, Spencer confirms to Aria that Peter and Melissa drove to the lake and talked, but he wouldn't say what they talked about or why he lied. Aria asks if Spencer has talked to Melissa, and Spencer says she's left like five messages. Aria says that Veronica did the right thing by leaving, and when her phone rings she tells Spencer that it's Ezra before answering. After ending the call, Aria tells Spencer that Ezra is trying to find a link between Bethany and Mrs D, and when Spencer asks if he's found one, Aria tells her he hasn't, "he's left messages for all his contacts at Radley, but, so far, nothing". Spencer queries Aria that she's going over to Ezra's later, and Aria says she's going to help him sort through his files. Spencer wonders if that's the only reason, and when Aria doesn't answer, Spencer asks if there is something going on between the two of them, but Aria tells her no. As Spencer questions Aria why she brought Ezra to Emily's the previous night, Aria admits that "we had a slip". Putting down her fork, Spencer bewilders the slip, before Aria admits "well, technically it as two slips". A shocked Spencer says that she thought Aria said she'd never go their again, and Aria says that "I meant it when she said it", before Spencer asks if she's forgetting about what he did to her, what he did to them. Aria tells her no, "of course not", but Spencer reminds her that she couldn't eat or sleep for weeks after she found out about that book. Aria defensively says that he took a bullet for them, but Spencer says it doesn't change the fact that he deceived her for years. Alison, Hanna and Emily join them, and seeing Emily looking uneasy, Aria asks if she's okay, only for Alison to say that Emily practically jumped out of her skin when somebody dropped their lunch tray. After her phone goes off, Alison is shocked at what she sees, and with the other Liars leaning in, they watch a snapchat video of Jessica DiLaurentis being buried in the Hastings backyard, along with an 'A' message.
In Hanna's kitchen, Alison tells the girls that 'A' killed her mother, and when Emily reels off a list of possible suspects for doing so, Aria suggests that it could be someone "we haven't even thought of yet". Hanna asks if Spencer is okay, and an upset Spencer tells them that she accused her dad of murder when he didn't do it. Hanna says it makes sense as to why she thought he did, and Aria mentions not unless Peter is A. When Spencer looks over her shoulder to Aria, Aria tells her she's just putting it out there. Aria comments that Ezra thinks Bethany can ultimately lead them to 'A', and Spencer says that they have to try and help Ezra find out as much as they can. Alison says she's can't stick around for answers, she needs to leave town, and Emily says that if Alison leaves they can't protect her, while Aria adds that it's not like before, "the cops are watching your every move".
Ezra and Aria are going through Ezra's research when Aria stumbles on a photo of them together, and Ezra tells her it was a fun day the day the photo was taken. As Aria begins to talk about what happened the other night, Ezra cuts her off, telling her that it felt right, but Aria tells him it doesn't mean things can go back to the way that they were. Ezra questions what it does mean, and Aria says, "I'm not going to pretend I don't miss it, us, because I do", and Ezra tells her he does too. Aria then tells him that she then remembers everything that happened, "how we met, all the lies that you told", and while Ezra says he wishes he could go back and change things, Aria reminds him he can't, "and the other night was a mistake". As someone knocks on Ezra's door, he gets up to answer it, and Lieutenant Tanner introduces herself, and wonders if she could ask him a few questions. Hearing Tanner's voice, Aria gets up from where she was sitting and goes to hide in Ezra's bathroom.
After Lieutenant Tanner has left, Aria tells Ezra that they need to get the boxes out of his apartment quick, and when Ezra tells Aria to slow down, Aria is convinced Tanner is probably already on her way back with a search warrant. Ezra tells her that Tanner is not on her way back, and when Aria asks how he can say that as "she basically said that she knows Shana was the one who shot you", Ezra questions why Tanner would want to search his apartment. Aria tells him Tanner knows Ezra is hiding something, and Ezra tells her that "she's going to need a whole lot more than suspicion to get a search warrant". Aria goes on to say that if Tanner does come back she's going to find proof that Ezra was lying about how well he knew Shana, and that Alison wasn't kidnapped. Ezra says that he could move the stuff into his storage unit, but Aria realises that if it's registered in his name, they'll search the storage unit as well, before Aria suggests that they just put everything in her attic. Ripping open the envelope that was left for him, Ezra finds a drawing and wonders what it is. Walking over to him, Aria says that she thinks it Mrs DiLaurentis, and when Ezra asks how she can tell, Aria explains, "that's her house, she was obsessed with her roses, and she definitely wore scarves like that". Flipping the page over, Ezra reads the signature, "Bethany", and when Aria questions how many Bethany's he knows, he tells her just one, and she was buried in Mrs DiLaurentis' backyard. Aria wonders who would want him to have this picture, and when he wonders why, Aria tells him her money is on 'A', before Ezra realises that he still has his security camera's up in the hallway.
Going through the security camera footage, Aria hands him a bottle of water and asks if he's seen anything, and he tells her, only her arriving at his door. Aria can't believe that he still has a camera in the hallway, but Ezra tells her that it makes sense with all the research material there. Aria comes to the conclusion that whoever dropped of the picture had to of done it after she arrived, but before Tanner came, and with Ezra agreeing, he puts the video in fast forward. Aria tells him she's been thinking, and that perhaps he should tell Tanner the truth about Shana, "you know, that she was the one that shot you". When Ezra asks where this is coming from, Aria tells him that he lied to the police and that he could get into serious trouble. Ezra reminds her that if he tells the truth now, they're going to know he's covering something up. Sighing, Aria says "I hate that I dragged you into this mess", and grabbing her hand, Ezra tells her she didn't, he dragged himself into it when he decided to write a book. Placing her hand on Ezra's, the two share a look, before Ezra notices something on the security camera footage. Rewinding and going through the footage in slow motion, they spot who left the envelope, and when Aria asks Ezra if he knows who the person is, Ezra tells her that it is Eddie Lamb, he works at Radley, and he's one of the people Ezra interviewed for the book. Recognising the name, Aria mentions that Eddie Lamb was the one who Spencer talked to earlier, and that "he wouldn't tell her a thing. That it was against Radley policy", and when Ezra says that he must have had a change of heart, Aria questions why he left the picture for Ezra, but Ezra doesn't know.
Walking into Emily's bedroom, Aria hugs Alison and asks how this could have happened, Emily says it happened because Alison was alone, Hanna wasn't with her. Emily says she didn't call Hanna because she was going to help Alison leave town, and Alison tells them not to be pissed at Hanna, tonight proves she should leave town as they're no closer to finding out who 'A' is. Aria says that may not be true and pulls the picture Ezra was sent out of her handbag and hands it to Alison, "Eddie Lamb gave this to Ezra". As Alison, Emily and Spencer look over the picture, Aria tells them that she and Ezra think that "Bethany drew that while she was in there". Spencer asks Aria what Eddie said when he dropped the picture off, and Aria says he didn't say anything, "he left it anonymously". Aria tells the girls that Ezra still has a camera set up in his hallway and they saw it on the video. Emily says one of them has to get into Radley, and Aria is quick to vote for Spencer, but Spencer says she can't go back in there, she was committed, but she thinks she has a way in. As Alison gets another text message from 'A', Aria mentions that she doesn't get it, for two years A has been hunting Alison down like a warrior cat, but before she can finish what she was saying, Emily does it for her, saying that A wants Alison in town, and Aria questions why.
In Radley Sanitarium, the director tells Aria that she has a great school record, and they are looking for volunteers, but she needs to know that their patients can be challenging, even aggressive at times. Asking her if she would be comfortable in this kind of environment, Aria tells her, "I'm comfortable".
The Silence of E. Lamb[]
Walking past Emily and her mom, Aria follows Alison into the girls’ bathroom. In the bathroom having told the girls about her mom’s dinner party, Aria tells Emily that she doesn’t think that she’ll be finished at Radley, “I can’t just put that Bethany up on the bulletin board with my phone number. It’s going to take a while”. When Spencer reminds Aria that ‘A’ won’t give them a while, Aria asks Spencer if she’s still going to Ezra’s later to help him move his research and “spy stuff”, to which Spencer tells her sure.
Walking through the corridor of Radley, Aria notices Eddie Lamb as she turns into one of the larger open rooms. As Aria is setting the box she was carrying down on a table, Eddie asks if she’s the new volunteer, and she nods in affirmation. After Eddie says her name, Aria freezes before slowly turning towards him, and Eddie questioning whether he mangled how to pronounce her name, but Aria tells him he got it right. Eddie wonders if Aria volunteered for the reading program last year, and when she tells him “nope. No, this is my first time here”, Eddie comments that it feels as though they’ve met before, but Aria tells him she doesn’t think so.
Stationed behind a collapsible table in the art room, the teacher asks Aria to spread out the pictures she is holding onto, and when one patient notices one of the drawings on the table, she mumbles the word thief in Aria’s direction. The teacher tells Rhonda that it is one thing to not participate, it’s another to disrupt, and when Rhonda tells the nurse that Aria stole her drawing, the teacher tells Rhonda that this is Aria’s first class with them. The teachers tells Aria to just ignore Rhonda, she’s having a day, and when Aria asks what happened, the teacher says that the police may have upset her because Bethany was Rhonda’s former roommate.
Wiping down one of the tables, Aria goes to put the cleaning products away when Big Rhonda walks up behind her and reaches out to touch her hair. Turning around, Aria asks Rhonda what is doing, Rhonda tells Aria that the drawing doesn’t belong to her, and that she ripped it out of her book. Aria starts to say that she doesn’t know what Rhonda means, but Rhonda says that she gave them to her, not to her, and when Aria questions who gave the drawings to her, “Bethany?”, Rhonda asks if Aria knows what they do to thieves before telling her that they cut off their hands, and asking what she is going to do with no hands. Walking over to her handbag, Aria pulls out the picture and hands it over, asking her why Bethany gave it to her, but Rhonda asks Aria if she’s calling her a thief, before saying she’s the thief. As Aria starts to tell Rhonda, “no”, Eddie walks in and what is going on, before asking Rhonda what she thinks Aria stole from her. After Rhonda says that she has to take her shower now, and Eddie has walked her from the room, Aria grabs her cell phone from her handbag and sends a message to Emily, “be late for dinner. Radley just got interesting”.
Watching from a distance as Rhonda leaves her room for the showers, Aria walks in. Looking around the room, she goes through the drawers of a dresser before the same for the drawers at the desk in the room. Hearing Rhonda yelling in the bathroom, Aria hides herself under Rhonda’s bed. Watching as Rhonda’s feet materialise at the bed, Aria puts her hands out in front of her chest when Rhonda sits down and the mattress sags under the body weight. As Rhonda flops down on the bed, Aria is left in an even tighter position as the mattress sags even more, but looking up to the springs, she notices Bethany’s sketch book.
Walking quickly out of Radley, Aria is stopped by Eddie in the parking lot where he asks if Aria had a long day, and Aria tells him “yeah”, and she’s actually late to a friends’ house. Eddie comments that volunteers don’t usually stay so late and that Radley can be a little overwhelming, to which Aria says that it was only her first day, and she’ll catch on. Noticing Eddie looking at her handbag, Aria self-consciously changes her handbag into her other hand, and when Eddie asks her what she’s looking for, Aria tells him she’s late and she has to go.
In Spencer’s bedroom, Spencer and Aria are flipping through Bethany’s sketch book that Aria took from Rhonda, and Spencer tells Aria that she knows it was her idea, but she cannot go back to Radley. Aria tells Spencer she has to, “maybe Rhonda knows who visited Bethany and who Bethany’s friends were”, and the more she finds out, the closer they are to exposing ‘A’. Finding a ripped page, Spencer asks to see the drawing that Eddie left for Ezra, and they work out that the Mrs DiLaurentis drawing was the last thing she drew, and that she must have left Radley after drawing the picture. Spencer wonders if Bethany left hours, weeks or days later, and Aria questions how she ended up at the DiLaurentis house. As they continue to go through the drawings, Aria asks how Spencer went today, “with Ezra”, and as Spencer tells her it was fine, Aria asks “you didn’t say anything, did you? About…”, to which Spencer asks why she would slip her into a conversation, she and Ezra have done enough slipping on their own. Aria and Spencer watch as Bethany’s drawings get darker in content, and getting to one drawing, Aria comments that it looks like a Chagall, “flying like that”, but Spencer mentions that it’s not flying, and as she turns the page vertically, says that the woman I is falling. As Spencer tells Aria to look at the vines and the bars on the windows, Aria concludes, “someone falling at Radley?” and Spencer questions whether it could be Toby’s mother. Aria wonders if Bethany saw that, only for Spencer to say she either saw it or heard about it, and Aria wonders if Spencer thinks Bethany was the fragile patient that was on the roof with Toby’s mother that night, before Spencer asks who else knew Bethany at Radley. Flipping over the page, the girls find a picture of Jessica DiLaurentis with demon horns, and Spencer says that Mrs DiLaurentis was on the board, and she was part of the cover up, to which Aria concludes, “so Bethany left Radley, and went looking for Mrs DiLaurentis”, and Spencer finishes her thought process, that she found someone waiting for her with a shovel. Aria thinks maybe that person was ‘A’, and Spencer tells her that she has to show the pictures to Toby, only for Aria to tell her to take a picture, she’s got to get the book back under the mattress before Big Rhonda finds out it’s missing.
In her living room, Aria is on her phone to Spencer and tells her that she’s walking out her door “right now”, and no she hasn’t talked to Hanna. Opening her front door, Aria is surprised to find Ezra standing there, “Ezra?” Ezra asks Aria for confirmation that she saw Eddie as she was leaving Radley, and she tells him she did, "in the parking lot" and when she asks him why, Ezra tells her Eddie called him to set up a meeting, he waited for over an hour, but Eddie never showed up.
In the Hastings’ kitchen, Aria is watching Spencer’s security video of Alison with Emily, and asks Spencer where Alison is going and if she saw her come back, but Spencer tells her no, not yet. Aria then asks Emily how Alison was acting when she left Emily’s house, but Emily says it was hard to tell, she left pretty early, but that could have had something to do with her and her drinking. When Aria asks “in front of your mom?”, Emily explains that she had to kick Hanna out and Hanna knows Emily’s mad, so she may not even show up. All three girls’ phones start beeping and ringing with an incoming text message, and after reading it, they look up to Hanna who has just arrived. Aria asks if Hanna just got the text that came in, “it’s from A”, but Hanna tells her no, so Spencer passes her phone to Hanna who reads it aloud, “New York, New York, it’s a hell of a town. Ali’s keeping secrets, maybe that’s because of Hanna’s big mouth. –A”.
Scream For Me[]
In choir class, Aria and the other Liars sing while keeping an eye on Alison who is being questioned by Lieutenant Tanner in a small room just off of the music room. As class finishes, Emily wonders why Tanner would interview Alison in front of them, and Spencer says to make a point, and they’re next. Aria suggests that maybe the police saw Alison sneaking out of her house last night as well, and when Emily asks Aria if she told Alison about Spencer’s tapes, Aria tells her of course not. Looking towards Hanna, Aria adds, “some of us know to keep our mouths shut”. As Alison joins them, Emily asks what it was about and Alison says Shana, it was all about Shana. Aria asks if Tanner knows they were in Philly that night, and Alison says that she can’t tell, but Tanner clearly doesn’t believe her story and she’s trying to trip Alison up. Reaching for her bag, Aria says she’s got to go tell Ezra, and when Spencer tries to get her to wait, Aria asks for what, “so she can go ambush him while he’s having a medical check-up in New York. He needs to know what was broadcast in the Brew”.
Walking outside of Rosewood High, Aria leaves Ezra a voice mail saying that Alison got grilled by Tanner and that ‘A” music have tipped her off about New York. She asks if Eddie has called yet as they need to figure out what is up with those drawings, and she has to get them back to Big Rhonda before she notices them missing. After spotting Ella walking towards her, Aria tells Ezra to call her as soon as he can. Turning back to her mom, Aria greets her and asks what she is doing. Ella tells her that she’s just dropping off some invitations before wondering what Aria is doing outside. Aria says that she was just leaving a message for Byron, “I think I left a book in his car”, before Ella comments that Aria was out the door so fast this morning, and Ella had thought that maybe they could have had breakfast together, but Aria says she thought they may be a bit jet lagged. Ella mentions that she knows she and Zack have asked Aria to say a little something Saturday night, and when Aria says that she doesn’t have to it’s their engagement, Ella reassures her that she wants Aria to say something, but she was wondering if she could introduce her as her maid of honour. Elated, Aria hugs Ella and tells her of course. Saying that she’s so glad Aria said that, Ella goes on to say that she’s booked them an appointment today, this afternoon, at the bridal shop, but Aria says she can’t today, “I’m at Radley”. As Ella wonders if another volunteer could cover her shift, Aria’s phone starts vibrating with an incoming call from Ezra. Cutting Ella off, Aria says that it sounds like fun, but she has to get back to class and wonders if they can figure it out later.
Peering into the window cut out of some closed door rooms at Radley, Aria is stopped by Nurse Lisa asking if she can help her. Aria says she can, and goes on to say that she’s looking for Eddie Lamb, “he works here. I was just helping out with art therapy”. Nurse Lisa says she knows why Aria is here, but Eddie is not and that yesterday was his last day. Aria wonders if Eddie got another job, and when Nurse Lisa says she has no idea, Aria asks if he left a forwarding number, “anyway to contact him?”, but Nurse Lisa questions if Aria is at Radley to finger paint or speed date the orderlies. After Nurse Lisa has pushed Aria into the day room, Aria looks around the room and moving back out into the corridor, she takes a peek into Rhonda’s room and lets herself in, closing the door behind her. Taking Bethany’s book from her bag, Aria places it back under Rhonda’s bed, but as she does, Rhonda walks into the room and asks if she’s looking for something. Aria tells Rhonda that she couldn’t find her, and that she just wanted to take another peek at Rhonda’s sketch book, before adding that one of the nurses said that Rhonda had stashed the book under her bed, “I’m sorry Rhonda, really I am. I never meant to invade your space”. Saying that she’s going to go back to the day room now, and that they’re probably looking for her, Aria attempts to leave, but as she does, Rhonda grabs her arm and tells her that she can forget she saw her, but it may cost her something.
Giving Rhonda a can of root beer and a bag of cheese crunches, Aria asks if she would like a cup with the root beer, or maybe some crushed ice. Leaning back and putting her feet up on the desk, Rhonda asks Aria why she’s so into the sketch book, and if she was a friend of hers. Aria questions, “Bethany?” before saying that she never met her, but her body was buried in “my friends’ backyard”, and everyone is just curious about who she was and why she ran away. Rhonda mentions that everyone in Radley thinks about running away, and a lot of folks had it a whole lot worse than Bethany did. When Aria asks what Rhonda means, Rhonda tells Aria that she never had anyone sign her out, and when Aria asks who signed Bethany out, Rhonda tells her the rich lady with the big beige purse. Aria questions what rich lady Rhonda is talking about, and if her name was Mrs DiLaurentis, and Rhonda says that it was something like that. Aria then asks what kind of gifts Bethany was being given, and when Rhonda doesn’t answer, Aria asks if Bethany was given a yellow layered top, but Rhonda says she doesn’t remember anything about a top, but she sure as hell remembers Custard. When Aria wonders why Bethany would have been given a pie, Rhonda corrects her, saying a horse, and that the rich lady took Bethany out to the stables by Louisburg, and let Bethany adopt her own damn pony. Aria asks Rhonda why Mrs DiLaurentis would have been giving Bethany gifts, and when Rhonda doesn’t answer, Aria tells her that the rich lady was murdered and that her body in the backyard next door to where Bethany’s was buried, and there’s a really good chance that same exact person did it to both of them. Aria asks Rhonda is she has any idea of who this person could be, but before Rhonda can answer, Nurse Lisa walks in and lectures Aria for giving Rhonda, who is a diabetic, a soda pop.
In the Montgomery study, Aria is printing out copies of Bethany’s drawings while on the phone with Spencer, “I’ll never get back into her room”, and when Spencer asks if they fired her, Aria tells her no, “I didn’t kill her. I just gave her a freakin’ root beer. How was I supposed to know she needed sugar free”. Spencer asks what the name of the stables, and Aria tells her she doesn’t know, but they can figure it out, before questioning how many stables are near Louisburg, to which Spencer says they call it horse country for a reason. Hearing the front door, Aria tells Spencer she has to go and ends the call as Ella walks into the study. Closing her laptop, Aria says that she completely forgot, before Ella asks where she was and that she went through a lot of trouble to change the appointment time and then Aria just blew it off. After asking Aria what is wrong with her, and Aria telling her that she’s sorry and that she has a lot on her mind, Ella questions if that’s really the reason of if it’s just some form of passive resistance. Aria begins to say that she doesn’t know what that means, but Ella goes on to say if something has changed since she first told her about the engagement and Aria doesn’t want her to get married again, she needs her to be open about it, instead of acting out. Aria tells her that’s not it at all, “mom, I’m really happy for you”, and that she honestly just forgot. Taking a moment, Ella says that she will try and change the time, but if Aria misses it, before she can finish however, Aria cuts in, telling her she won’t miss it, “I promise”. As Ella leaves, Aria turns back to the printer and picking up the printed drawings, she bites her lip.
Writing names on place cards, Aria sits Hanna’s next to Spencer’s, and after sitting back, there is a knock at the door. Getting up, she opens the door to find Hanna standing there, and after Hanna has walked in, she closes it again. After Aria asks if Hanna, who is wet from the rain, needs a towel, Hanna tells her she’s fine, and while she knows they are not on the best of terms, she had to come over. Hanna goes on to say that she doesn’t know how else to say this, so she’s just going to say it, and she tells Aria that Zack hit on her. Confused, Aria asks “what?”, and Hanna explains that at first she thought he was joking, but then he got into her car, and stopping Hanna, Aria asks what she is saying, only for Hanna to that Zack wanted to hook up with her. Aria asks if Hanna kissed him, and when Hanna says no, Aria comments that “this is so messed up”. Hanna says she knows and that’s why she wanted to tell her, but Aria tells her no, “you. You’re the problem, Hanna. You are always the problem”. When Hanna asks what she means, Aria goes on to say “the rest of us are getting ulcers trying not to say the wrong thing, and you’re getting hammered in front of Emily’s mom and blabbing to a stranger”. Hanna says that she told Aria she was sorry, but pointing her finger, Aria says that Hanna didn’t tell her that, “A did’. Going on, Aria tells Hanna that she couldn’t even remember what she said and that she, Spencer and Emily were shouting out guesses trying to jog her memory, “it was like playing charades with drunky. Sounds like murder”. When Hanna says that it’s not true, Aria wonders if Hanna invited Zack into her car, and when Hanna asks why she would do that, Aria asks Hanna if she was trashed. When Hanna tells her she wasn’t trashed, Aria says that if Hanna wants to spiral out of control and self-destruct by all means go right ahead, “but I sure as hell am not let you take my mom down to”. Turning around, Aria goes to open the front door and after Hanna has walked through, she slams it shut.
Sitting on the ground of the living room making paper decorations, Aria watches her phone as it vibrates with an incoming call from Emily. As Zack wonders why he can’t make the decorations, Aria turns to face him and Ella. Zack notices the flowers Aria has made, and comments that she is a master at work. Standing up, Aria announces that she’s going to take a break, and Zack wonders if it’s movie time, but Aria says she thinks she’s just going to go to bed. Ella comments that this morning Aria said that she wanted to watch that particular movie and that’s why they got it, before asking her if everything is okay. Aria tells Ella that it is, and thinking for a moment, she says they should just watch the movie, and she’ll rally. Sitting down on the couch, Aria looks uncomfortable as Ella and Zack sit down on either side of her.
March of Crimes[]
In Vice Principal Hackett’s office, Lieutenant Tanner asks Aria when she first met Mr Fitz. Glancing briefly towards Ella, Aria claps her hands together and tells Tanner she met him first day of class junior year. As Tanner says that to Aria’s principal’s knowledge she engaged in an intimate relationship with Mr Fitz after he was no longer a teacher at the school, Aria glances towards Ella before Ella cuts in and asks what the questions have to do with the break in at the Marin house. Tanner asks Aria if she was aware of Mr Fitz was seeing any other students socially, students like Shana Fring, and when Aria wonders what Tanner is saying, Tanner questions if it is possible that Mr Fitz had intimate relations with other students. When Ella asks how Aria would know that, Aria strongly voices “no”. As Tanner begins to ask if Aria ever recalls seeing Mr Fitz interacting with Shana, Aria cuts her off, “he didn’t serial date students. He wasn’t some creep that was prowling the school hallways hitting on girls”, to which Tanner reminds her that they are just questions.
Walking through the school hallway, Ella tries to get Aria to slow down, but Aria says that she’s late to class. Noel walks passed and greets Aria before doing the same with Ella and turning, Aria walks him walk off down the hall. Ella says that Aria cannot lose her cool when she’s asks the questions Lieutenant Tanner posed, and turning her attention back, Aria says that “those weren’t questions, mom. Ezra is on her hit list and she’s wrong”. Ella says that it’s her job to find out as much as possible, but after Aria begs “please not you too”, Ella comments that sometimes people do have blind spots when it comes to the people that they love. Furrowing her brows, Aria says that she really needs to get to class, she’s already skipping 5th period to help set up for the party.
Sitting at a table in the courtyard, Aria is messaging Ezra, “don’t rush back. Tanner had lots of ??? about you. All about Shana”. After spotting Hanna walking into the courtyard, Aria grabs her bag off of the table and walking past Hanna, she leaves.
On the phone with Emily, Aria opens the Montgomery front door while asking her if she thinks someone helped Jenna mess with the eye chart. As Aria notices Ella and Zack start to walk into the living room, she tells Emily that they’ll talk about it at the party, “well not at the party, but soon”. Ella asks if she was able to get more candles, and Aria says that she did, but they only had scented ones. Ella comments that she has to leave for a hair appointment, and as she kisses Zack goodbye, Aria watches closely. When Zack asks if he can squeeze something into a box, Aria moves out of his way and over to the guest list where she updates the list, “Hanna can’t make it”. As Zack asks why not, Aria says that Hanna said she wasn’t feeling well and when Zack asks what is wrong with her, Aria pauses before shrugging, “I don’t know. That’s all she told me”. Watching for Zack’s reaction, Aria flickers her eyes from Zack to the list and back to Zack again.
In her bedroom, Aria is putting an earring in when Ella comes by and asks for her approval. Aria tells Ella that she looks amazing, and when Ella wonders if the necklace isn’t too much, Aria shrugs, telling her it’s perfect. As Ella starts to walk out, Aria calls out to her and asks if she’s sure she wants to do this, “I mean… maybe you should just wait”. Ella asks her what she should wait for, before saying that if Aria doesn’t want her to get married, but Aria says that it has nothing to do with her getting married, “it has to do with you marrying Zack”, before asking Ella how well she really knows him. Ella wonders why she is saying that, before asking if Zack was inappropriate with her, to which Aria tells her no, not with her, “maybe he was with Hanna”. When Ella walks further into Aria’s bedroom, Aria asks her why she went there right away, and Ella tells her that there was an incident before they came to Rosewood, but she guesses she just explained in a way to herself as pre-wedding jitters. Stepping towards her mom, Aria says that she’s “so sorry” and after Ella turns around, Ella says that she is to.
Knocking on the door of Caleb’s cabin, Aria mentions that she heard she could find Hanna here, before asking if she can come in. Walking in, Aria looks around the cabin and comments that “it’s nice”, to which Hanna tells her it could use a house keeper. Hanna says she thought Aria was supposed to be giving a toast right now, and when Aria doesn’t answer, Hanna asks what happened. Aria tells her “nothing that hasn’t happened before”, and apparently Zack is a big jerk internationally. After Hanna comments that she’s not trying to defend the guy, and that ‘A’ stoked the fire, Aria says that it doesn’t matter, “he took the bait”. Hanna wonders why Aria didn’t believe her, and Aria says it’s wasn’t so much she didn’t believe her, she just wanted to believe something else more. Going on Aria says she wanted to believe her mom could find someone again, “be happy”, and Hanna says that she gets that. Aria asks if Hanna will forgive her, and after Hanna nods, they share a hug.
A Dark Ali[]
In Alison’s bedroom, Aria and the other girls are shocked to hear that Alison said she didn’t know who her ‘kidnapper’ was, and therefore Cyrus Petrillo is still in police custody. Aria tells Alison that there is a man being questioned by the police right now for a crime that never happened, and Emily comments that this is all A’s doing. As Hanna and Spencer realise Cyrus’ story is the same as the one she told the doctor and Holbrook, Aria says that it doesn’t matter where ‘A’ got it, “what matters is what A’s planning to do now”. Alison mentions that if A’s behind it all, that’s who Cyrus is going to run to when he panics. When Hanna asks what Alison is saying, Alison says that if she can make him think he’s going down for the kidnapping, they can follow him to ‘A’ and finally win A’s game. Aria tells Alison that it’s great, “we win the game we find out who A is. What happens when we lose?”
Walking out of the DiLaurentis house, Hanna wonders if it’s weird they haven’t got a text message from ‘A’ yet, to which Aria says that she doesn’t need a creepy text to read the writing on the wall. Aria goes on to say that the second Alison identifies this guy they’re going to find out Cyrus Petrillo is a sheep farmer in Montana and he couldn’t have possibly kidnapped her and then the whole world is going to know Alison is a big fat liar. Hanna adds that they will be outed as liars as well, and that right now they’re just as big and fat as she is. Aria mentions that once Tanner finds out the kidnapping story is a lie, they’re going to figure out about New York and Shana real quick. Aria mentions that someone needs to go back in and make sure that Alison doesn’t “this guy”, and Hanna is quick to nominate Emily. When Spencer agrees, Emily points out that Spencer is the convincing one, but Aria tells Emily that she is the hardest to disappoint. After Emily has walked off, Hanna asks Aria how her mom is, and Aria says that she’s heartbroken. As Hanna comments that it’s so awful, first Aria’s dad cheats on her mom and then her mom’s sleaze bag boyfriend hits on her, Spencer tells Hanna that Aria was there and she doesn’t need a play-by-play. Hanna apologises, and after Aria says thanks, she asks if Hanna needs a ride. When Hanna notices Spencer toying with an envelope in her bag, she asks what it is, and Spencer explains that it’s Noel Kahn’s insurance policy. As Aria reaches for the envelope, Spencer says it’s everything Shana gave to Jenna that proves Alison was dead. Going through the envelope, Aria mentions that Tanner would sure love to get her hands on this, “Ali talking to Shana when she was supposed to be dead”. Aria asks Spencer if Alison knows about it, and Spencer tells her no, and that she’s headed to her house to stash it. As Aria wonders if it’s safe for it to be in her house, Spencer tells her that she as a spot. As she’s about to get into her car, Aria tells Spencer to be careful, and Spencer tells her that she will.
Walking into the Montgomery living room while Ella is on the phone cancelling a banquet hall, Aria comments that she doesn’t need to do that right now, but Ella tells her she just wants to get it over with. Saying that Mike said she hasn’t eaten at all, Aria offers Ella a plate of food, “it’s pesto mozzarella. It’s your favourite”, and while Ella says that it was incredibly sweet of her to make it, she doesn’t think she’s up to eating. When Aria sits down on the couch, Ella says that she should have seen it coming, she was too old for him, too trusting, but Aria tells her that it has nothing to do with her age. Aria says that it wasn’t Ella’s fault, but Ella tells her that there were signs, and she just drove right past them because she wanted to believe that it could work, that he could change. Aria mentions that Ella was the one who taught her that second chances exist, “your bliss is still ahead of you”, but Ella tells Aria that when she said that, she was talking about Zack. Aria offers to call the rest of the numbers on Ella’s list as the last thing she needs to do is recount her break up to a bunch of strangers.
In Aria’s bedroom, Spencer tells Aria to just watch the bushes as they look through the surveillance footage of the Hastings’ backyard. When Aria asks “who is that?”, Spencer tells her to just watch. Watching as Melissa comes out of the barn, Aria questions that Melissa just gave the guy something, Spencer says that that’s not all, and zooming in on the footage, she tells Aria to watch what Melissa is saying. Aria asks when the video was recorded and Spencer tells her three nights ago, less than 24 hours before Cyrus Petrillo confessed. Aria wonders if Spencer thinks the guy in the Hastings’ backyard is Alison’s fake kidnapper, “that Melissa saw the recording and gave it to him?”. When Spencer says they already know Melissa is working for Mona, so why not ‘A’ to, Aria tells her, “because it’s going to make my head explode. That’s why”. Aria wonders if Spencer thinks Melissa sent her that text, and Spencer tells her maybe and that she always liked chess. Spencer says that they cannot take any more chances and that they have to cut the cord with Alison before she drags them down with her. Aria asks what Spencer is saying, and Spencer tells her that they use what they got from Noel, the pictures and the conversation with Shana because they prove that Alison was alive and decidedly un-kidnapped for the past two years. Aria questions how that help them, and Spencer tells her that they go to Tanner and they tell her the truth, that they thought that Alison was dead up until Ravenswood and the only thing they know about the past two years is whatever Alison told them. Aria wonders about New York, “we can’t just come half clean”, and Spencer says that she knows, and that they tell Tanner what happened there to, that it was self-defense and that Aria was protecting them, that’s the truth. Aria says that the truth doesn’t amount to much when it comes from a bunch of liars, “the whole reason I’m freaking out about this Cyrus is that it could lead Tanner to the Theater”. When Aria questions that Spencer wants to beat ‘A’ to the punch, Spencer tells her that it’s better if the police find out from them.
In Ezra’s apartment, Ezra questions if Alison is going to say that Cyrus is guilty and Aria tells him yeah, and that she thinks that he’s going to lead her to ‘A’, “when really A’s going to make this whole confession lead Tanner back to us”. Ezra comments that Alison wouldn’t do that, she’s crazy but she’s not stupid, and Aria tells him that she thought so to, but a whole day has passed and this guy is still sitting in jail. Looking around the apartment, Aria asks that everything to gone, “the book, the research, the photos of Ali. All of it? Because if Tanner comes here…”, and cutting in, Ezra reminds her that she was the one who sent over Spencer to help him move everything. Ezra asks where she is, and when Aria questions “who, Spencer?”, Ezra tells her no, Alison. Aria asks why and when Ezra tells Aria that she wants to talk with her, Aria tells him no, “no you’re not”. Saying that he just got his stitches out and he’s about to take a bike ride for the first time in god knows how long, Aria mentions that he just got the all clear from his doctor and that he’s okay again, “you’re really okay, and… no, I’m not going to allow you to jump back on Ali’s crazy train. Not with Tanner circling and ‘A’ watching out every move. No”. As Ezra tries to speak, Aria cuts him off, telling him to promise her that he want speak to Alison, “please. I like knowing that you’re safe”, before Ezra tells her okay, he promises.
At The Brew, Aria, who is grabbing a box of the decorations from the engagement party that never happened, stops when she notices Ezra talking to Alison. After Ezra gets up to leave, he stops when he sees Aria and the two share a look.
Putting the box of decorations into her car, Aria asks Ezra what he said to Alison. When Ezra says that he told Alison that her actions have consequences, Aria wonders, “what about yours?”, before questioning if he was even listening when she asked him not to talk with Alison. After Ezra tells her yes, he was, Aria comments that he sought her out anyway. Ezra begins explaining himself, and as Aria struggles to close the trunk of her car, he offers to help her close it, but Aria tells him she’s got it. Stepping back, Ezra says that he didn’t seek Alison out, he saw her and he made a split decision to walk over, and Aria comments, “right in the middle of town. Right in front of her dad”. Aria questions what if Tanner saw him, and when she figures out he and Alison are connected, it is over, “you get that right?” As Aria is going through the trunk, pulling at one of the boxes, Ezra apologises and says that he was just trying to help and the only way he knew how…, but cutting him off, Aria turns back, “by lying to me?”, to which Ezra tells her by talking with Alison. Turning back to him again, Aria tells him that it was the one thing she asked him not to do. As Aria and Ezra crouch down to pick up some decorations that fell out of the trunk, Ezra asks her why she’s this upset. After looking at a photo of Ella and Zack, Aria looks up to Ezra, and gathering the decorations they’re both holding, she puts them in the trunk and after closing it, she walks to the driver side and gets in.
Sitting on her bed while on the phone, Aria tells Emily that she’s the one who is confusing things and that she can’t trust Ezra, she doesn’t, “people don’t just change because you want them to”. As Ella knocks on the door, Aria asks Emily if she can call her back and hangs up, before commenting that she heard that Ella went out. Aria asks Ella what is in the bag she’s carrying, and Ella mentions that it’s her attempt at jump starting her single life, and that she may have gone a little overboard. Placing the bag on Aria’s bed, Ella pulls out a skirt and asks Aria is she would wear it. Aria tells her that she would, and that’s why Ella shouldn’t, to which Ella says that she thought so. Ella questions if Aria is talking again, to Ezra, and Aria tells her that it was just Emily on the phone, “but yeah, we’re uh, we’re talking”. As Ella sits down her the bed, she tells Aria that she through two boxes of tissues yesterday and bared her soul about thirteen times, so Aria can talk to her. Aria tells her mom that she thought he was gone, “really gone”, and the whole time he was in hospital, she was just making up this list of the things that she would tell him if she just got one more chance. Going on, Aria says that now that he’s okay, “and I’m so glad that he’s okay”, but she’s stuck with that list, “and there’s all these thoughts and all these feelings that are just bashing around in my head every single time that I see him”. Gathering her thoughts, Aria mentions that she want to be able to trust him again, just start over, “but you’re right, people don’t change”. Ella says that it’s not true, people can change and she knows this because she’s changed, Aria’s changed, even Byron has changed. Ella mentions that Byron was the one who got her up off the couch this morning by cooking ricotta pancakes and it’s a small thing, but he used to be incapable of making anything in a skillet without turning it black. Aria cuts in, telling Ella that she doesn’t have to try and make her feel better, and taking Aria’s hands in hers, Ella says that she doesn’t know what happened with Ezra, but she does know that Zack is not going to write the book on relationships in their family, not if she has anything to say about it. Aria’s phone rings with an incoming text from Hanna, “S.O.S. Ali ID’ed Cyrus. Need to meet.” and as Aria reads the message, Ella asks if that’s him, Ezra.
In the Marin kitchen, Aria questions what Melissa said, “that sooner or later Alison is going to get what she deserves?”, and Spencer tells her yeah, and that Melissa basically admitted that ‘A’ has something terrible in store for Alison, and them. Spencer mentions that it’s not too late, they can go to Tanner and tell her the truth about Alison, and Aria says that she knows, “you’ve mentioned that like 16 times already”. As Hanna walks into the kitchen, she asks Aria if here is any word on Emily, to which Aria tells her no, yet not. Spencer mentions that she said this might happen, but she still can’t believe it, and after Aria comments “Ali walking into an ‘A’ trap with both eyes open”, she says that she can’t either. As Emily walks in, Aria asks if she’s okay, before Emily tells Spencer that she was right, they can’t trust Alison, not after tonight. When Aria questions, “not you to”, Emily hands her the envelope of photos and says that she knows it affects her more than the rest of them, but she really hopes Aria can get on board and that they need to cut ties with Alison now, tonight.
No One Here Can Love or Understand Me[]
Walking towards the Rosewood Police Department, Aria and the other girls stop across the street and look towards the precinct. Aria comments that it seems as though they’ve been here before, to which Hanna says that they’ll get it right this time. When Emily comments that this time is different, Spencer mentions that after this, Alison is on her own. As the girls start to cross the street, Emily notices the television screens in the shopfront behind them flickering and tells them all to wait. Walking back towards the shop, security footage of Alison leaving Hanna’s hospital room start playing, before a message materialises over the images, “we’re all in this together. A”. Emily says that they can’t tell now, and when Aria questions “why not?”, Hanna tells her because no one will believe that they didn’t know Alison was alive. As Spencer picks up a brick and runs towards the shopfront, Aria and the other girls yell out to her and stop her from smashing the window, “Spencer, put down the brick. Put it down”. When the Alison security footage suddenly changes to the girls standing on the sidewalk looking at the shop window, they start to head back in the direction they originally came from.
Arriving home, Aria finds Mike and Mona sitting on the living room floor and irritably greets them. Looking up, Mike and Mona greet her, before Mona asks Mike if he wants some more hot chocolate. Standing up, Mona asks Aria if she too would like a hot chocolate, but Aria tells her no, and walks through the living room towards the stairs.
Sitting on her bed, Aria is doing some homework when Byron knocks on her door and asks if she needs anything. When Aria tells him that she’s okay, Byron explains that Mike took Mona home. As he starts to leave, Aria calls out to him and comments that Mike and Mona is a very bad idea. As he steps back into Aria’s bedroom, Byron says that he likes her and she seems to like him, to which Aria questions “seems to?” Byron says that he understands that Aria and Mona have more than the usual amount of history, but she knows what will happen if either one of them tries to talk to Mike, and Aria says she does, “he’ll double down”. Byron suggests that they keep an eye on the situation, but keep their distance, and Aria tells him that she’ll try. As he is leaving, Byron reminds Aria that Ella is coming back from Scranton in the morning and that they have tickets for tomorrow night. When Byron comments that it will be just the four of them and it’s been a long time since they’ve done that, Aria says that it’s been “too long”.
At Aria’s locker in school the next day, Hanna tells Aria that Mike deserves way better than Mona. Aria says that if she tries to tell Mike that Mona isn’t who he’s looking for, but before she can finish Emily does for her saying that you won’t be able to separate them with a crowbar. Closing her locker, Aria and the girls start to walk down the hallway as Hanna announces that she’s had a bad thought. Aria questions why Hanna should be any different, “share”, and Hanna says that ‘A’ doesn’t want them telling the truth about Alison because they’d like to see them suffer, but who besides ‘A’ wants to keep them quiet. When Aria suggests Mona, Hanna tells her not Mona, and after Aria questions who’s left, Emily mentions Alison. As the school bell rings, Aria says that she has to go and walks past the girls and into the courtyard.
Walking down the street, Aria and Emily listen as Hanna tells them that the note Melissa left for Spencer said that Spencer would know everything soon. Emily asks what that’s supposed to mean, and Aria says that it means what it always means, “nobody tells you anything when you want to know it, only when they feel like telling it”, to which Hanna says that they only tell you enough to make you crazy to know more. Emily wonders if anyone has talked to Alison and Aria mentions that Alison calls but she doesn’t pick up. Hanna mentions that she’s had another bad thought, before saying that Alison left town, but ‘A’ said she couldn’t, so what changed. Aria says that Alison made a deal with Noel, “maybe she made a deal with somebody else”, and Emily questions if Aria thinks Alison made a deal with ‘A’ to leave town. Emily questions what kind of a deal Alison would have made, but Aria or Hanna have an explanation. Aria, Hanna and Emily all turn around when they hear Lieutenant Tanner’s voice greeting them, before the Lieutenant comments that it’s lucky to get most of them at the same time, and that she was hoping that they could talk, her treat.
Sitting down at an outdoor table with coffees, Aria and the girls listen as Tanner tells that that if they’re concerned about the suspect who was released prematurely and she wants to assure them that they will catch him. As Emily says that it’s good to know, Tanner tells them to take reasonable precautions and report anything out of the ordinary, and let the police decide what’s relevant, to which Aria says that they will. As Tanner gets up to leave, Aria shares a quick look with Emily, before Tanner turns back and questions who the girls think killed Bethany Young. Aria mentions that she hasn’t given it much thought, something which surprising Tanner, and Emily says that none of them knew Bethany Young. After Tanner has walked away, Aria comments that she thinks she’s going to be sick, and as Hanna places a hand on her shoulder, Emily tells her to just hold it until Tanner’s out of sight.
Entering the movie theater, Aria heads down the steps to her family and as she gets to their aisle, she notices Mona sitting next to Mike. As Mike says that she made it, Aria tells him yeah, “sorry I’m late”, before Byron explains that her mom had to cancel. Mona comments that it’s lucky for her and patting the seat next to her, Aria sits. Turning to Byron, the two share a look, before Aria sits back in her chair and silently fumes. As the doors of the theater open, Aria looks over her shoulder and watches as Paige and her date make their way to their seats. As the film begins, Aria looks disapprovingly towards Mona and Mike.
As the film is showing, Aria glances towards a cosy Mona and Mike, and after turning back towards the film, she leans across to Mona and whispers something in Mona’s ear. After Mona has excused herself, Mikes looks towards Aria who just shrugs and focuses back on the film.
Aria is watching the film, before glancing towards Mike who is looking around, waiting for Mona to return. After he gives the theater doors another look, Mike leans over to Aria whispers that Mona has been gone a long time, and Aria says that she’ll go and check on her.
Walking into the ladies room, Aria calls out to Mona who in turn tells Aria that she is very good, she knows where to put the knife and she’s not afraid to twist it. When Mona says that Alison underestimated her, Aria says that she’s sorry, but Mona tells her not to insult her. Going on, Mona says that Aria is right, Byron should hate her after all things she’s done to Aria and the way she’s treated Mike. As Mona says that maybe she should have just died when she fell off the stupid cliff, Aria tells her not to say that, “Mona, don’t ever say that”. Mona explains that she was just trying to protect herself, that’s all she’s ever been doing, trying to protect herself from her. Aria asks Mona if that’s why she built an army, and Mona says that it’s hard to keep the troops in line when Alison offers them candy and a smile and that lilting little laugh. Mona tells Aria that maybe she won’t believe this, but she’s going to say it anyway, when Alison finishes with her she’ll come after Aria and the others, she can’t trust them anymore, not after Cyrus, and not after New York. Taking a step closer, Aria asks “what about New York?”, and Mona says that she knows some things, and she can guess at some others. Mona says that she has to ask Aria something, and when Aria asks her what, Mona questions if she thinks Mike really likes her.
Walking into the Montgomery living room, Aria asks Byron if Mike is back from dropping off Mona. Byron tells her no yet, before asking what happened, to which Aria says that they had a pretty long talk in the ladies. When Byron asks if anything got resolved, Aria tells him that “what’s said in the powder room stays in the powder room”, and that she thinks will be okay with Mike but they just have to keep an eye on her. As Byron tells Aria good, there is a knock on the front door. Aria asks who that is and Byron tells her that it is probably Lieutenant Tanner. As Aria questions, “Tanner? What is she doing here?”, Byron explains that she left a voice mail, and that she wanted to talk with him. Aria questions about what, and Byron says that’s what he’s going to find out now.
At the bottom of the stairs, Aria listens in on Byron and Tanner’s conversation and overhears Tanner telling Byron that she’s just been waiting for one of the girls to step up and say that they’re willing to tell her the truth, and now one of them has.
In Spencer’s bedroom, Emily tells Aria that she’s not talking with Tanner, and when says that she isn’t either, Aria says that she didn’t think it was them. Emily asks where Hanna is and Spencer says that she called all of them but Hanna’s phone went to voice mail. Aria says that it’s not Hanna, and Spencer realises it has to be Alison, to which Emily says that maybe they can stop her. As Aria asks how, Emily grabs a piece of paper showing Cyrus facing the bank ATM camera, and passes it to Spencer who passes it to Aria. When Spencer asks where she got the photo, Emily tells her Ezra, and seeing the look on Aria’s face, she questions who else was going to help them. Aria mentions that it’s the end of Alison’s kidnap story if they use “this”, and Emily tells her maybe, it just depends on what truth she decides to tell this time. Spencer tells Aria and Emily that she has to show them something and that it can’t wait for Hanna.
After Aria and Emily watch Melissa’s video, Spencer explains that she just got it today and that it took her a while to decide whether or not to show it to them. Aria comments that “Melissa killed Bethany Young”, but Spencer says that Melissa thought that she had just buried her and that Spencer was the one who killed her. Sitting down on Spencer’s bed, Aria comments that the police think they all had something to do with this, and Emily makes mentions that when Melissa saw Bethany she was wearing Alison’s clothes. Spencer says that it was another set of Alison’s clothes, and that there had to be a duplicate set as Alison wasn’t walking around naked. Aria questions if it was always somebody’s idea that Bethany take Alison’s place, and Spencer says for them to tell her another way that Bethany ends up in that yellow top. Emily says that they need to figure out a way around that picture of ‘A’ in the hospital or they’re busted, to which Aria asks “what picture of A?” Emily says the picture of Alison, but Aria tells her “no, you said a picture of A”. Emily tries to deny it that’s what she said, and when Spencer tells her that yeah she did, Emily says that it was a slip of the tongue. As Spencer takes USB from her laptop, Aria asks her what she’s going to do.
Taking This One to the Grave[]
Standing by a police vehicle as a house is taped off as a crime scene, Aria and Ezra, along with Hanna and Emily, stand huddled together, visibly upset and shaken. Officer Barry Maple approaches them and says that he’ll take their statements now, one at a time. Clutching onto the inside of Ezra’s unzipped jacket, Aria turns into his chest, telling him that he saw the amount of blood in there, “there’s no way anyone could have lived through that”. Aria, Hanna and Emily’s cell phones ring with an incoming text, and Emily reads it aloud, “it’s all your fault. –A”.
Aria, Hanna, Emily and Spencer stand in the foyer of Mona’s house, waiting for Mona to come down from her bedroom. After Mona’s mother has left the girls to it, Mona questions why they are sporting grim faces, and if someone has died. After the four girls share a look, Hanna tells Mona that they need her help. After quick looking to see where her mother is, Mona asks what she did to them, to which Hanna says that she has done nothing… yet. Aria mentions that they think it’s about what she’s about to do, to which Emily says they’ve just found out Alison is at the police station and that she’s talking to the cops, and Mona realises that the girls don’t know what Alison to telling the police. Hanna says that they’ve been lying for Alison ever since she got back, and therefore they need to know what story she’s telling the cops. Confused, Mona asks why they don’t just ask Alison, to which Emily says that they don’t believe that Alison will tell them the truth. Mona questions why they think that they can help them, and after the liars exchange a look with one another, Aria comments, “because you’re Mona”.
Aria and the other girls listen as Mona tells them that Alison stole her life from her when she crowned Mona, Rosewood’s biggest loser. Mona goes on to explain that she’s already number one on Alison’s hit list, and she’s afraid of what Alison would do if she found out she was siding with the Liars. As Aria, Spencer, Emily and Hanna start to stand up, Mona asks them if they’ve ever been so focused on something that it takes over everything else, turns you into someone that you’re not. Pausing slightly, Mona says that she took all her Ali anger out on the Liars and she’s sorry for that. In the foyer as Aria, Emily and Spencer wait for Hanna to get some cookies, Aria asks Spencer if she’s figured out what she’s going to do with Melissa’s going away present. When Spencer says that Melissa sent her that video, she wanted Spencer to know the truth, her confession doesn’t actually help any of them, Emily comments that Melissa said it out loud, she buried Bethany, and she was the one to kill her. Exasperated, Spencer says that Melissa thought she was the one who hit Bethany and when Aria says that Spencer didn’t, “we all know that”, Spencer says that it doesn’t matter, in Melissa’s story, she an accessory to murder.
In the girls bathroom at Rosewood High, Mona tells Spencer, Emily, Hanna and Aria that Alison volunteered to take the polygraph. Emily asks how she knows that, to which Aria, Hanna and Spencer tell her that she’s Mona. Mona suggests that Alison may be playing a game, to which Aria questions whether Mona thinks Alison took the lie detector test for fun. Mona says that she thinks Alison took it because she’s not having fun anymore, and that Alison can’t play with her dolls if the girls won’t let her. After Mona says that Alison is ending the game, the came she stole from her, Aria questions Mona if she thinks that Alison is ‘A’, and Mona nods, telling the Liars that Alison assembled the perfect group - smart, loyal, admiring, and compassionate. Aria asks what the perfect group is for, before Spencer realises that it’s the perfect group for a sociopath to manipulate. Looking downcast, Aria says that she always wondered why Alison chose her, “what made me so special”, and Mona tells her that when you don’t feel anything, it must be really fun to mess with somebody who feels a lot. Going on, Mona says that Alison picked Aria because Aria cares, and she can’t. Emily questions if they’re really saying that Alison’s ‘A’ out loud, before adding that Alison never really loved her, to which Aria mentions that she never loved any of them. Spencer tells the girls that if Mona is right, if Alison is ending the game because they cut her off, then she went to the cops to convince them that she’s innocent, and the Liars are the guilty ones. When Aria asks what they’re guilty of, Mona tells her that Alison will say they’re guilty of everything. Mona says that she can find out what Alison told the cops, and maybe it’ll give the Liars a fighting chance to get their story straight. Hanna asks Mona why she’s help them, and Mona explains that she’s got early acceptance letters from three colleges, but she has to survive senior year, and she can’t do it alone. Mona tells them that no one can know that she’s doing this, otherwise the deal is off, and that includes their bed buddies. Mona tells them to do whatever they were going to do today and to act normal. As Cindy and Mindy walk into the bathroom, Aria and the other girls try to make themselves discreet.
In Ezra’s apartment, Aria tells Ezra that he has “pumpkin guts” on his face, and when he tries to wipe it away, she grabs a tea towel and does it for him. Watching as Ezra removes the innards from a pumpkin, Aria tells him that they can just go to Paula’s and buy the pies. Ezra tells her no, this is his grandmother’s recipe, and it’s way better than Paula’s. Aria mentions that Granny Rose uses Libby’s canned pie mix and puts it in a frozen shell, “the Montgomery’s never know the difference”, but Ezra points out that this is the first time the Montgomery’s have invited him over for Thanksgiving. After Ezra adds that Aria’s mother assigned him with pie duty so he’s not taking it lightly, Aria tells him that they’re not going to have enough time to judge his baking, “they’ll be too busy judging you”. When Ezra gives her a deer in the headlights look, Aria tells him that is why he was invited, her family knows they’re spending a lot of time together and they want to make sure he’s worth a second look. Laughing, Ezra says that he’s starting to feel like a used car, and questions whether her family are going to kick his tyres and check under his hood. Shrugging, Aria tells him that if Aunt Sarah gets drunk, she may check under his hood, and her Uncle Danny will ask him to arm wrestle, “just say no”. Going on, Aria tells Ezra that he’s going to love Granny though, “if you can get passed the long chin hairs, you won’t mind that she toots a lot”. As Ezra shudders, Aria tells him that she’s joking, “Granny plucks her chin hairs”, and the two sharing a smiling behind the eyes look.
In the Hastings’ kitchen, Aria, Spencer, Hanna, Emily and Mona watch Alison’s polygraph test where she says that Aria, Hanna and Emily were in the barn that night and that they were all still asleep when she left. When asked where she last saw Spencer Hastings, Alison says that Spencer came to her house. The conductor questions that Alison was the leader of the group, and Alison tells him she unofficially was. He proceeds to ask if her friends would do anything to help her, if she needed them, and Alison comments that she thinks so. When asked if Spencer was a loyal friend, Alison says she was as far as she knew. The conductor proceeds to ask why Spencer was at Alison’s house, and Alison says that it was her fault and that she pushed Spencer to that place. When asked what place, Alison explains that Spencer was angry. The conductor asks whether Alison knew that Spencer was abusing amphetamines, and when Alison tells him that she found out that night, he questions if that’s because Spencer was under the influence, to which Alison says that Spencer dropped her pills and that she saw what they were. Alison is then asked if she would say that Spencer was desperate, and when Alison asks what for, the conductor questions if Spencer was desperate enough for Alison to keep her secret. Alison explains that Spencer was emotional, but Alison promised her that she wouldn’t say anything. The conductor questions what in return for Alison’s silence was Spencer willing to do, to which Alison says that she wouldn’t know, they never discussed it again. The conductor then proceeds to ask if there is something else Alison would like to tell him, and Alison takes the opportunity to say that she didn’t have anything to do with Bethany Young’s murder.
Aria listens as Emily comments that nothing Alison said was really that incriminating, however, Mona says that she thinks that the questions they’re asking tells them more about their investigation than what Alison’s answers do. After Caleb walks in and Mona explains that she asked for Caleb’s help, Emily asks if there are any other helpers coming, to which Aria quickly states, “No. I didn’t tell my bed buddy”, and Spencer says that she didn’t either. Caleb tells the girls that he unlocked two more files, and as the girls gather around his laptop, Caleb explains that the cops gained access to Bethany’s Radley files yesterday. While Caleb says that he couldn’t open that link, he did find an affidavit that Holbrook sent today. Aria reads aloud, “we no longer consider Alison DiLaurentis a person of interest in Young’s murder investigation”, before questioning if Alison is totally off the hook. Caleb then tells her yeah, and Spencer’s now on it. Emily reads aloud that the information the cops obtained from Bethany Young’s hospital records inform the theory they’ve been working since day one - Spencer Hastings murdered Young to gain favour with the group’s leader, Alison. Aria questions why the cops would think that Alison wanted Bethany dead, but her question goes unanswered. As Spencer goes to call her parents, and Emily says that she thinks they should find out what the police found in Bethany’s files, Spencer tells the Liars that this is on her, and that they don’t have to do anything else. Hanna tells Spencer that they’re going to stick together, and Aria adds “yeah, because that’s what we do”, before the Liars rally around Spencer.
In an Art class at Radley, Aria tells Sandy that her painting is “beautiful” and that she loves the colours she has chosen. When Aria notices Spencer and Mona, who are dressed as nurses, she looks over to the nursing station before nodding for them to move forward. Knocking a jar of red paint to the ground, Aria mutters, “oh god”, before telling the nurse from the nursing station that she’s so sorry, “this was totally all my fault. Wow”. Saying that her middle name should have been Clutz, Aria grabs the paper towel that the nurse has passed her. Looking over the nurse’s shoulder to see that Mona and Spencer haven’t quite reached the nurse station, she stalls the nurse by saying that she actually wanted to be a dancer growing up, but then she realised that she was on the shorter side, “so career crisis averted”. As the nurse stands back up to leave, Aria again tells her that she’s sorry.
Aria is cleaning up the spill of red paint when two feet come into her field of vision, and Detective Holbrook comments that she’s made quite a mess of things. As Aria stands up, Holbrook comments that he didn’t know that she worked at Radley. Aria tells him that it’s not a job, “I volunteer”. Holbrook tells Aria that it’s admirable, to which Aria tells him that she better get back to the patients as they might need some more supplies. As Aria begins to walk off, Holbrook stops her, saying that he’s just curious, before asking when it all started. Turning back to face him, Aria asks Holbrook “what?”, before she envisions him saying, the lies, the cover ups, the murders. Holbrook wonders when Aria’s volunteer program started, and Aria tells him a few weeks ago. Holbrook questions if Aria has an interest in the mental health profession, and she tells him that she loves art and she loves helping people. Holbrook then goes on to ask if she volunteered before or after the police identified Bethany’s body. Aria tells Holbrook that he doesn’t sound just curious anymore, “should I call my parents?”, to which Holbrook tells her no, not yet. Turning to leave, Holbrook begins to take a step before pausing and asking Aria whether her volunteer work Spencer’s idea. After Aria firmly tells him “no”, Holbrook walks off.
As Aria gets in Hanna’s car, Hanna asks her what Holbrook is doing at Radley, and Aria tells her that he’s asking questions about Spencer.
In the Brew on Thanksgiving, Aria tells Spencer that what happened to Toby is not her fault. After Spencer tells the girls that he’s going to be in a cast for about a month, Aria asks how much Toby knows, and Spencer tells Aria that she told Toby everything. Paige walks up to the girls wanting to talk to Emily, before explaining to them all that she saw Alison leaving Emily’s house last night, and that Cindy and Mindy were her ride. Going on, Paige says that she followed them to an abandoned farm, before announcing that Alison is building an army of her own. Suddenly, Detective Holbrook walks into the Brew and announces that Spencer is under the arrest for the murder of Bethany Young. Aria watches on shocked as Spencer is placed in handcuffs, before joining in a chorus with Emily and Hanna who plead Spencer’s innocence.
Ezra tells Aria that he knows they don’t need the pies they baked, but he figured someone may get hungry, when Aria lets him into her house. Closing the front door, Aria tells Ezra that her mom is still on the phone with Veronica, “they haven’t seen her yet. Spencer’s still getting processed”. Ezra assures Aria that the Hastings’ are working on Spencer’s bail, and that they’ll get her out of their in no time. Aria’s phone rings with an incoming call, and picking it up, Aria announces that it’s Mona. Aria listens as Mona explains that Alison lured Bethany to Rosewood. When Aria asks why, Mona explains that Alison knew about the affair, and that Alison set her up. Going on, Mona says that Alison was jealous, and she wanted Bethany dead”. Mona then tells Aria that Alison is ‘A’, and now she can prove it. Ending the call, Aria tells Ezra to grab his coat, and when he asks her where they’re going, Aria tells him that they’re going to Mona’s, “she found proof. Ali’s A”.
Walking into the Vanderwaal residence, Aria, Hanna, Emily and Ezra are shocked to see Mona’s house trashed with hand prints of blood in the entryway, “what the hell”.
Standing by a police vehicle as the Vanderwaal house is taped off as a crime scene, Aria and Ezra, along with Hanna and Caleb, and Emily and Paige, stand huddled together, visibly upset and shaken. Caleb listen on as Detective Holbrook tells the waiting press that while the investigation is ongoing, they have ruled what has happened a homicide and that Mona Vanderwaal was murdered.
How the 'A' Stole Christmas[]
The Liars are walking down the main street of Rosewood, when Aria asks Spencer what she got for Toby. Spencer reminds her that she’s abstaining from Christmas this year, and that when you’re out on bail for murder, it just feels like the right thing to do. Spencer says that instead of giving gifts to each other, she and Toby have agreed to surprise each other with a gesture. Hanna then asks if the gesture is like the clowns, and when Emily asks what clowns, Hanna says court jesters before asking if they’re clowns, and everyone laughs in response. After having briefly stopped at the snowflake wishing tree, Emily comments that they live in an ‘A’ world, and that they still haven’t found Mona’s body. Spencer mentions that it’s because ‘A’ likes to bury the bodies herself, and Aria adds that she then throws Ice Balls, “I swear Alison is throwing this party to rub it in our faces – ‘I ruined your lives, and now I’m the belle of the ball’”. Spencer reminds Aria that technically Alison only ruined her life, and Emily comments that if she ruins one of them, she ruins all of them. Spotting a flyer for the DiLaurentis Christmas Eve Ice Ball, Aria comments that she’d rather dance on dead monkeys than go to Ali’s stupid Ice Ball, to which Spencer questions Aria’s phrase of dead monkeys. Spotting a guy looking at them, Aria questions if he’s a reporter or a cop, and Spencer tells her neither, the pen he’s holding is too nice, and her money’s on him being a lawyer. As the man approaches Hanna and passes an information card, Spencer peers over Hanna shoulder and tells Aria that she told her so when it’s revealed he is a lawyer in charge of Mona Vanderwaal’s affairs. The lawyer hands Hanna an envelope and after he leaves, Hanna comments she’s too afraid to open it, so Emily does, while Aria and the other look on curiously. Emily says that the papers inside are drawings of Alison’s house, and Aria adds that it also includes all of Alison’s hiding places. As Santa walks past the Liars, Aria calls him back and after places some money in his bucket, she receives a snow globe. Shaking the snow globe up, Aria finds a photo of the Liars inside, “Oh my god!”, before turning the snow globe over and finding a message from ‘A’, “A takes a holiday. You should too”.
Aria hands out cookies to the residents of Shady Days Nursing Home as they listen to the school choir sing some Christmas songs. As Aria goes to place the tray of cookies back on a table with other food, Ezra steps out from behind a Christmas Tree, and mentions that while he knows she wanted to keep it low key these holidays, he got her something for tonight. Aria asks if it’s an “Ali decoder ring”, and after Ezra chuckles, she opens the gift box to find a pair of dangling diamond earrings, “Ezra, they’re beautiful. Thank you”. Ezra then says that Mandi at the boutique said the earrings might to go well with the second present he gifts Aria with. Placing the earring on the table, Aria takes the larger present and comments that if is low key, she’s afraid to ask what “full on Christmas” looks like at the Fitzgerald house. Ezra tells her not ask because it’s like asking for how many ponies can you get. Shocked, Aria asks “seriously?”, and when Ezra coyly says no, Aria calls him out, and Ezra tells her that he got two ponies, but he only asked for one.
Aria walks past Emily and Paige and tells them to look up as they’re standing under a piece of mistletoe.
At the Masquerade Ice Ball, Aria, Emily, Spencer and Hanna stand under a lit up gazebo. When Hanna comments that she still doesn’t see Alison anywhere, Aria says that she’s probably waiting to make her grand entrance, and Emily adds that Alison will have her arrival timed to the perfect song. As Spencer mentions that she’s going to have her picture taken with Santa Claus, Aria, Emily and Hanna head off together in another direction.
Aria and Ezra, along with Emily and Paige, and Hanna and Caleb, slow dance under the lit up gazebo, until everyone turns their attention to the top of the staircase. Walking to the edge of the gazebo, Aria, Ezra, the other couples and Spencer watch as Alison, followed by four other girls, make their grand entrance.
Standing in the crowd, Aria watches Alison as she walks into an area which has been draped off with fabric. Trailing her over to the room, Aria peaks in through a slit in the fabric and watches as someone dressed as Santa Claus embraces Alison in a kiss, “who is that?” Letting the fabric close, Aria moves back into the crowd.
Walking up to Emily and tapping her on the shoulder, Aria greets Emily, who questions if she’s supposed to be on ‘A’ watch. Aria tells Emily yeah, but she has to “see this”, and when Emily asks what it is, Aria says that she just saw Ali kissing Santa Claus. Grabbing Emily’s hand, Aria tells Emily to “come on”.
In the room where Aria spotted Alison kissing Santa, she tells Emily that they were “just here”. Emily asks if it was a guy or girl, and Aria tells her “guy”. Emily asks if she’s sure, only for Aria to tell her yeah, “I’m sure. I definitely got a sense of male butt”. Emily tells her okay, and that she’s going to go get her photo taken with Santa Claus.
Walking through the crowd, Aria begins to head in the direction of Ezra, Caleb and Paige, but is stopped by someone grabbing her shoulder. As Aria turns around, Holbrook tells her that she’s on his list, the naughty one. Holbrook says that he’s surprised to see Aria at the Ice Ball, to which Aria tells him she’s also surprised to see him. Holbrook mentions that it’s a charity ball, and he’s giving back to his community. Aria says she didn’t realise Rosewood was his community, and Holbrook tells her that the town has a lot to offer, and that it’s starting to grow on him. Aria comments that he’s “spoken like a guy who maybe met a girl that he likes”, before Holbrook questions what has brought Aria out tonight. Shrugging, Aria tells him that it’s the same as him, “feels good to give back”. As Holbrook comments that he doesn’t know why he has a hard time believing her, Aria says that her boyfriend is probably looking for her. As Aria turns to leave, Holbrook comments that she’s wearing a pretty dress, and that she should tell Ezra that he think he has good taste. Aria watches with slightly squinted eyes as Holbrook turns and walks away.
Aria, Ezra, Emily, Caleb and Paige discuss the possibility that Holbrook was the one who Alison was kissing. Noticing a look on Ezra’s face, Aria asks him, “Ezra, what is it?”, before Ezra says that if Holbrook is helping Alison, he wants to know when it started. Aria then listens as Emily says that CeCe showed up in New York that night, and Alison helped get her out of the country. The group watches as Alison and someone dressed in a white coat and hood walk towards the exit, before Holbrook starts to follow. Caleb tells Aria and Emily to follow Ali, while he and Ezra follow Holbrook, and Paige adds that she’ll grab Lucas.
Aria and Emily follow Ezra and Caleb as the boys bail Holbrook up, and the girls keep on the path of trailing Alison and the person in the white coat and hood.
Walking through hallways, Aria and Emily keep quickly following Alison and the person in the white coat and hood, until Lucas and Paige block the other end of the corridor. Aria questions if Alison is leaving her own party, before Emily asks what the rush is. Alison and the person in the white coat and hood turn back around to face Aria and Emily, revealing that they’re wearing Alison masks. As Emily says Alison’s name, Alison and the person in the white coat and hood take off their masks, revealing themselves to be Cindy and Mindy. Aria and Emily share a shocked and confused look, before turning their attention back to Cindy and Mindy.
In the Hastings’ living room, Aria, Ezra and the other couples listens as Toby says that the letter Hanna found proves that Alison knew Bethany, and that it may create enough reasonable doubt to clear Spencer’s name. As the clock strikes midnight, Ezra leans downs to kiss Aria, before kneeling on the floor and wrapping her in a hug.
Aria listens as Emily tells the Liars that her mom called her friend at highway patrol, and that they don’t expect the roads to be cleared until tomorrow. Emily mentions that it’s the first time she’s not with her parents her Christmas, and Aria adds, “yeah, me too”. Hanna tells them that her mom always said that Christmas was wherever they were, as long as they were together. Suddenly Caleb’s voice tells the girls that they are together, and looking up, Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily find their partners standing on the stairs in nothing but Santa boxers, “wow”.
Aria and Ezra are getting food out of the fridge, as everyone else huddles around the island bench in the Hastings’ kitchen.
Aria and the others sit at the table, as Ezra serves up Christmas chicken. As Ezra sits down, Aria tells them that they should all say a prayer, and they link hands with one another.
Laughing and enjoying each others company, everyone starts to serve their plates with food.
Aria listens as Emily toasts to their family, may they always stay together, before clinking glasses with everyone. Suddenly everyone hears the sound of bells and something falling down the chimney. Getting up from the table, everyone heads outside where they find a Christmas tree all lit up in Spencer’s backyard. As they’re admiring the tree, snow starts falling and a message over Spencer’s barn lights up. Aria reads the message aloud, “Merry Christmas, Bitches. –A”, before snuggling into Ezra’s chest.
Through a Glass, Darkly[]
Aria, along with Emily, Hanna and Spencer walk out of the Rosewood Church following Mona’s funeral service. Aria listens Hanna explains that in Mona’s empty casket Mona’s mom put keepsakes – stuffed animals, photo albums, an old retainer. Spencer says that it’s called a cenotaph, and that they have them for soldier’s whose bodies are never found, and Hanna tells her to never say never. When Emily reminds Hanna that it’s been over three months - no body, no murder weapon - Aria adds, “and no arrest”, to which Spencer mentions her present company excluded, and that they shouldn’t forget she’s still an alleged murderer. Aria and the girls notice Alison approach Leona Vanderwaal, and Aria questions, “how the hell is she doing here?” Hanna comments that they have to get her out of here and they all start to move towards Alison. Pausing as Alison starts talking with Leona, Aria, like everyone else, is stunned when a grieving Leona slaps Alison.
Walking into The Brew, which is being remodelled, Aria listens as Ezra tells her that once it’s all done, the side wall will be all bookshelves. Aria tells him that it looks good in a, “has to get really messy before it gets clean”, kind of way. Saying that he appreciates her optimism, Ezra comments that he thinks Aria needs to get her eyes checked. Ezra questions if Aria has heard from Oberlin, and turns to look at some blueprints, Aria tells him no, she hasn’t yet, “maybe tomorrow”. Ezra then asks if she’s heard from Mike since the funeral, and turning back to face him, Aria admits that she kind of lost track of Mike after the slap that was heard around the world, before questioning why. Ezra says that he was just wondering how Mike was doing, before adding that Mona was a lot of complicated things, to a lot of different people, but she was just one thing to Mike. Aria mentions that “he loved her”, and she was the one to try and screw it up, “twice”. When Aria says that Mike doesn’t want to talk to her about Mona, Ezra suggests that he could try, say that he needs help with the bookshelves. Nodding, Aria comments that Ezra does need help with his bookshelves, and with a smile, Ezra tells her that it’s a win-win.
Sitting on a park bench in the middle of town, Aria rips open a letter from Oberlin, which regrets to inform that her application has been rejected. Alison approaches and asks if it’s bad news. Folding the letter, Aria quickly gets up to leave but Alison stops her, and says that she doesn’t have to do that. When Aria asks, “do what?”, Alison says she doesn’t have to run from her, be afraid. Aria tells Alison that if she wants her to believe that she’s not who they think she is, she’ll leave them all alone. Chuffing, Alison comments that it’s like they went to sleep one night and forgot who she was. Shaking her head, Aria says that she knows exactly who Alison is, “A”. Alison tells her to stop saying that, to which Aria asks why she should, “you’re ‘A’. You stole the game from Mona and then you killed her because she had proof”. Aria adds that Alison also killed Bethany because she was jealous of a mental patient, “that’s how crazy you are”. Alison cuts her off, telling her to listen, but Aria pulls a whistle out of her bag and starts blowing it, gaining the attention of people around.
At the Hastings house, Aria listens as Spencer says that Bethany Young’s family are talking with the judges right now, it could be today, it could be tomorrow. When Spencer adds that Veronica is at the courthouse and she’s trying to fight it, Hanna tells her that they can’t just revoke her bail. Aria says that they have to do something, and Spencer asks what, before saying that they found the letter from Bethany explaining the matching clothes, explaining everything, and Holbrook is doing whatever he can to get it thrown out. Aria explains that Mona found out that Alison hit Bethany with that shovel, and was murdered for it, “so if we can prove that Ali killed Mona, the cops will realize that these two crimes are connected. That one motivated the other. That you’re innocent”. Emily questions that if it were easy to prove that Alison is a murdered, wouldn’t they have done that already, to which Aria says that if Mona can find proof, so can they, “it’s gotta be somewhere, right?” Aria then asks Hanna how Caleb is doing with Mona’s laptop, and Hanna tells her that he’s not giving up, but he’s not getting anywhere either.
Walking into Caleb’s new apartment, Aria comments that it must be nice for him to have his own place. As Aria places a takeaway bag on a cardboard box, Caleb turns off the music he was playing and says that it’s his mom’s name on the lease, and that she’s helping him out for a while. Passing Caleb a cup of coffee, Aria tells him that she didn’t know how he took it, but there’s cream and sugar in the bag. Looking around the apartment, Aria asks Caleb what all of the computers are, and Caleb tells her that it’s decryption software. Caleb explains that it’s searching for any existing patterns that may have been used to encrypt Mona’s data. As Aria takes a drink of her coffee and nods, Caleb adds that if they find out the pattern, they unlock the files. As Aria says that it sounds “fancy”, Caleb tells her that the problem is that Mona didn’t use any known patterns, she made them all up. Going on, Caleb tells Aria that he’s been running decryption software for months with no luck. Aria then questions whether “all this hacking stuff” works on websites as well, and when Caleb asks if she’s trying out for anonymous or something, Aria tells him no, “course not”. Caleb mentions that Aria’s Sudoku prowess doesn’t exactly qualify her to help out with what he’s doing, and after telling her that she knows that, Caleb questions why she’s at his apartment. Taking a breath, Aria says that three months ago she applied to six colleges, “and I didn't get into Brown, which, that's fine, it was kind of a stretch. But, Oberlin... I mean, I nailed that interview”. Caleb guesses that she wants him to break into Oberlin's database and find out why she got rejected, and Aria tells him yeah, “I need to know if it's me… or if it's A”. Nodding, Caleb stands up, and tells Aria to take a seat. Looking at Caleb and then down at the chair, Aria takes a seat, while Caleb brings his laptop in closer. After Caleb has pressed a few keys, he leans back, and Aria asks what she’s supposed to do with “all this”. Caleb comments that if you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day, and Aria tells him that “if you don’t want to help…” before she notices Caleb giving her a look, and turning back to the computer, she nods, “teach me”.
Walking into The Brew, Aria calls out, “hello?” Walking further into the premises, Aria calls out to Mike, then Ezra. Getting no answer, she goes into her messages, where Mike has asked her to pick him up, and calls him. Turning around when she hears Mike’s phone ringing, Aria is taken aback when she finds ‘A’ standing there, holding Mike’s cell. Turning back and running towards the back doors, Aria is trapped when she finds him locked, “no. No”. It doesn’t take ‘A’ long to grab her and throw her backwards, where she falls to the ground amongst protective plastic wrap. As Aria tries to get up, ‘A’ pins her to a wall and with a nail gun to her chest, Aria pleads with ‘A’ to not do “this” to her, “please. Alison”. ‘A’ grabs the sheet of protective plastic, and folding it over Aria, they staple it to the wall, trapping Aria, “Ali, Ali, Ali. Stop”. Breaking free from the plastic, Aria slides to the floor and reaching for her handbag, she finds Mona’s laptop missing.
Aria follows Emily into Emily’s bedroom, and is asked if Ezra knows she was attacked. Aria tells her no, and that she’s going to keep it that way. Emily asks if she’s sure it was Alison who attacked her and took Mona’s laptop, to which Aria questions who else it could be. Emily says that’s not what she asked, and Aria tells yes, “I’m sure”. As Emily’s phone beeps with a text message, Aria asks what it is, and Emily explains that it’s Paige, and that she wanted to take her to the airport, but Paige has to leave now. Aria says that maybe that’s what Emily should do, but Emily tells her no, they have to do this together.
Aria, Emily, Spencer and Hanna block Alison’s path as she’s tries to run from the police. Alison tells them to get out of her way, now, but the girls don’t budge. As Alison tries to run through the girls, they stop her be pushing her back. Aria listens as Alison says that ‘A’ set her up, and that they’re letting ‘A’ win. Alison asks them who will protect them when she’s gone, before saying that if they do this, they will all be next. As Lieutenant Tanner comes up behind Alison, telling her to put her hands above her head. Tanner tells Aria, Emily, Spencer and Hanna to move, and taking a step back, the girls watch as Tanner tells Alison that she’s under arrest for the murder of Mona Vanderwaal.
Aria is sitting on the couch waiting for Mike to come home. After they greet each other, Mike comments that Aria found his phone, and when he begins to walk towards the kitchen, Aria calls after him, asking if she can talk with him a second. Mike says that he’s starving, and asks if they can do it later, to which Aria tells him that Alison has been arrested, “for Mona’s murder”. As Mike tells her okay, Aria questions that okay is his response. Aria asks Mike to sit down, “please”, and after Mikes does so, Aria says that she’s afraid to know what he knows. Going on, Aria says that Mona knew a lot of things about her and her friends, before adding that all this time she thought Mike was the one who was afraid to talk with her, “but really I… I think that it was me that was afraid to talk to you”. Aria comments that with Alison behinds bars, maybe now they don’t have to be afraid anymore. Mike says that he knows Aria hated Mona, maybe for good reason, maybe not, but now she’s just like the rest of them. Saying that Aria is pretending Mona was a Saint when she didn’t even know her, Mike questions Aria if she knows what that’s like, sitting with a bunch of people memorializing someone who they don’t even know. Mike then asks Aria if she thinks people said how great Mona was to her face, none of this would have ever happened. Mike comments that he’s sick of being told how sweet and smart and nice Mona was, but Mona wasn’t nice, anyone can be nice. When Mike says that he’ll never meet anyone like her, ever, Aria asks if maybe sometime he can her about Mona, “the Mona you knew. The real Mona”. When Mike nods, Aria says that she’s going to go see if Byron needs any help with dinner. Walking out of the living room, Aria stops, and hearing Mike break down and cry, she sheds a tear.
Sitting on the Hastings’ back porch steps, Aria listens as Emily tells the girls that for a minute she thought of getting on the plane to Atlantic City, to fly away. Aria says that Paige was wrong, “she should have stayed”, but Emily says that she doesn’t think Paige was wrong, she got out. After Emily gets up and walks into the backyard, Aria and the other girls follow suit. Aria listens as Spencer says that they should all think about getting out of here, there’s nothing keeping them in Rosewood anymore. Spencer mentions that they all have college applications out, and Aria looks wary, knowing that she has been rejected from Brown and Oberlin. As Emily says that they could have an actual life, the other girls smile. As a fireworks displays starts, the girls focus their attention to the sky, and Aria wonders if they’re from the carnival at Saint Bridget’s, “it’s so beautiful”. An ‘A’ is then formed in the sky, and Emily comments that Alison is ‘A’, and she’s in jail. Aria mentions that this must be something she set up before the police got her, and Spencer says that it has to be. As the fireworks start to fall into Spencer’s backyard, the girls run up to the French doors, before turning back to the falling sparks.
Fresh Meat[]
In the Rosewood High School courtyard, Aria listens as Hanna mentions that Alison’s in the penalty box, yet she’s still playing offence. Toby says that maybe this is just Alison being iced out, getting desperate, but if they think there is somebody on the outside helping her, and Hanna tells him there totally is because there was a fireworks display. When Spencer says that someone is helping Alison, Aria questions who she means by someone, “I saw Alison and Holbrook under the mistletoe, and he had his tongue down her throat”. Aria says that “it’s him”, but Hanna tells her that they don’t know that for sure. As the school bell rings, Aria and the girls walk into the hallway and towards Hanna’s locker. When Hanna starts talking about going on a college visit, and Spencer questions how many schools she got accepted into, Aria changes the subject, “so what are we going to do about Holbrook?” Aria goes on to say this this smells like Wilden all over again, to which Hanna says that Holbrook is not like Wilden. Emily comments that Holbrook may be worse, to which Hanna says that he’s not that bad of a cop, he’s just a really bad kisser, and Aria, Emily and Spencer all question when Hanna kissed him. Hanna clarifies that it was on kiss, closed mouth, and it was because he helped her mom with the whole Wilden deposit box thing, and he stood up for Travis’ dad in court. Hanna goes on to theorise that if Holbrook’s helping Alison, she probably convinced him she’s the victim, and if he knew who she really was, then… The school bell cuts Hanna off, and when Spencer asks how many schools Hanna really got into, Aria tells them all she has to go.
Aria walks into Art class, when she gets a text message from Ezra who tells her that tomorrow night’s grand opening for The Brew is turning into a circus. As Aria is sending a reply, Emily walks up behind her asking if they can talk for a minute. Aria tells her sure, but let her finish texting, “Ezra’s bugging out”. Aria explains that the opening went from then bookworms and a jug of drink to an event, “Caterer, publicist. He’s basically had to hire everything but a belly dancer”. When Emily says damn, Aria wonders if she’s into belly dancers, but Emily tells her that she was going to ask Ezra for a raise, she needs the cash. Emily tells Aria to forget it, but Aria asks what she needs the cash for. Emily explains she wants it for a plane ticket to go see Paige over Spring Break, and that her mom won’t even let her touch her college savings. At the mention of College, Aria walk over to a drying rack, where Emily continues to say that every day that goes by, she and Paige are growing further apart. When Emily mentions that the last time she and Paige spoke she even considered looking into a liberal arts school in Oregon, but cutting her off, Aria asks if they not do this now, “I can’t talk about this”. Emily questions if Aria can’t talk about Paige and her, to which Aria tells her, “college”. Saying that the whole subject is making her hair fall out, “seriously it’s like coming out in clumps”, Aria tells Emily that she’s been rejected from every single college she’s applied to, “yesterday Talmadge waitlisted me. Talmadge”. Aria asks Emily to tell her that ‘A’ isn’t the one responsible, to which Emily says that a waitlist isn’t rejection. Aria comments the rest of the girls will be waltzing off to Sorority rush, and she’s going to be stuck picking up trash in Rosewood, “that’ll be me, dodging ‘A’ messages and wearing a big floppy hat to cover my bald spot”. Sating that Aria can turn a waitlist into an acceptance, Emily explains that her cousin wrote an amazing letter to Yale and totally won them over. But Aria tells Emily no, “this is Alison’s revenge, keeping me here”.
In The Brew, Aria is unpacking a box of books when Jonny asks if he can borrow her eye. Telling him, “sure”, Aria walks over, and Jonny asks her to tell him if the sign he is hanging in slanted. Jonny tells her not to lie to me because they’ll think he’s aced it and then live to regret it. Adding that he regrets a lot, Jonny comments that he spends his days paddling through a stew of regrets. Aria tells him that it’s perfect, to which Jonny tells her that she’s a really good liar. When Emily walks into The Brew, Aria greets her, before walking over to Ezra who is on the phone with Andre the caterer. Ezra tells her that Andre keeps putting him on hold, and Aria says that he should tell Andre to stick to the original plan, to which Ezra tells her that that was like three plans ago. Noticing the book Aria is holding, Ezra tells her that the author is coming to the party tomorrow night, and that she should really talk with him as he teaches at Vassar. Ezra then questions whether Aria has heard from Vassar or not, and she tells him she hasn’t, “no, not yet”. Turning to organise some books as Ezra gets back to his phone call, Aria looks over her shoulder when Ezra comments that Andre just quit on him. When Emily says that she can cater Ezra’s party, Aria walks back over to Ezra and listens as Emily says she’s been helping her mom in the kitchen since she was could walk, and that Ezra should let her do it. Aria tells Ezra that she’s sure it’ll be amazing, “it’s not like Emily’s a stranger in that kitchen”, before Emily adds that the guests will be at the party in less than 27 hours. Ezra asks if Emily even took home economics, and after Aria gives him a look, Ezra apologises and tells Emily to go for it.
Walking into The Brew’s kitchen, Aria asks Emily if she can show her something before Ezra gets back. Handing a letter to her, Aria explains to Emily that she spent all of last period in the library writing the letter to Talmadge. Saying that she doesn’t want to sound desperate, Aria says that she just figured if they see like a hundred of the letters everyday… Emily tells her it’s good, but… and after Emily trails off, Aria asks, “but what?”, to which Emily says that she needs to make it more personal. Aria questions the word personal, before asking Emily what she wants her to tell them, “that I spent all of Junior Year being hunted down by ‘A’”. When Emily goes to say that’s not what she meant, Aria adds that she could write she wanted to write the letter two weeks earlier “but I was too busy being suffocated by a plastic sheet”. Emily mentions that she’s spiralling again, but Aria tells her she’s not, “you can’t spiral, Emily, if you’ve already crashed”. Aria goes on to say that Talmadge was supposed to be her slam dunk, but then yesterday she got a letter that was “all slam and no dunk”, and she’s already missed every other deadline. As Aria says that if she doesn’t get bumped up from the waitlist, “I don’t get to go to college next fall”, Ezra walks into the kitchen, overhearing the last of the conversation. Emily excuses herself, saying that she’s going to go call her mom, and Aria takes a moment before turning to face Ezra. Holding the letter she has written, Aria tells Ezra that she didn’t know how to tell him, but nobody wants her. Ezra tells her that that’s not true, and that there are many, many, many great colleges she can apply to in the future. Aria tells him that she can write a better letter, to which Ezra tells her she could write the Grapes of Wrath, but it still wouldn’t matter. Ezra explains that Talmadge recently hired Jackie Molina as an admissions officer, and Aria questions if he means “Jackie, as in your ex Jackie who hates my guts?” Trying to lighten the situation, Ezra tells her that she forgot to mention that Jackie hates his guts even more. Ezra then comments that he knows it hurt, but it’s a temporary setback, that’s all, he promises, before he wraps Aria in a hug.
In her bedroom, Aria searches for Talmadge College, and clicking on their ‘admissions’ tab, she clicks into Jackie’s profile. Having a thought, Aria picks up the letter she wrote, and moving to her window bench, she rereads it.
Pacing her bedroom, Aria flops down onto her bed.
Looking over to her desk, Aria walks over to her laptop and begins to write a new letter to Jackie, and Talmadge.
In Emily’s bedroom, Aria asks Emily what time she got home, to which Emily says about three hours ago. Aria hopes she didn’t wake her, but Emily comments that she hasn’t been to sleep. Emily mentions that she still hasn’t written back, and when Aria asks, “who?”, Emily tells her, Paige. Aria wonders when the last time the two of them spoke, but Emily tells her to forget it. Emily asks for the new letter has written, and looking over it one more time, Aria hands it over. Turning her back as Emily reads, Aria questions, “what?”, when she turns and sees a look on Emily’s face. Emily questions if this is Aria’s way of getting personal, and Aria comments that if she’s pitching herself to Jackie, why not lob it over the plate. Emily asks Aria to tell her that she didn’t send it, and asking why, Aria adds that it hits Jackie in her “sweet spot”. Emily reads aloud that Aria regrets that she squandered her high school career getting involved with an old guy, that she was robbed of all the rituals her classmates enjoyed, and that the secret relationship kept her in a fishbowl separating her from her family, her friends, even herself… Grabbing for the letter, Aria tells Emily that she doesn’t need a dramatic reading, “I wrote it”. Emily comments that if Ezra saw it he would be so hurt, but Aria thinks he wouldn’t, “he would know exactly what I’m doing. And once I, I get accepted I can just take back every word”. Emily asks Aria to please tell her that she didn’t send it, and exasperated, Aria wonders why Emily keeps saying that, “yes I sent it. I emailed it last night”. As Aria says that it’s done, Emily gives her a look for telling Aria that she has to go. Aria asks why, and Emily says she has 200 empanadas to fill, leaving Aria reading over the letter again.
At Talmadge College, Aria looks at a campus map, before looking around and spotting Jackie herself. Rushing over, Aria interrupts Jackie’s conversation with a colleague, and introduces herself, “do you remember me?” Jackie tells her colleague that she would see him later, and it’s then that Aria apologises for interrupting. Jackie wonders what Aria is doing here, before questioning if Aria still lives in Pennsylvania. Aria says she does, “it’s a long story”, before explaining that she applied for Talmadge, and then she was waitlisted “and then last night I emailed a letter to the admissions board that I would really like to delete… if possible”. Jackie asks why she wants to delete it, and when Aria says that “it’s complicated” and she doesn’t want to have to get into the details, to which Jackie tells her that she sure did in her letter. Jackie then questions if that’s why Aria rushed up, before guessing that Aria’s worried that she’s going to share the contents with Ezra. Noticing Aria’s look, Jackie tells Aria not to worry, her secret’s safe. Jackie mentions that if she never spoke with Ezra again it would be way too soon, and Aria thanks her. Jackie comments that after she read Aria’s letter she thought about all the time she wasted believing Ezra was somebody he wasn’t, and that she wishes they’d invent a pacemaker that zapped your heart every moment you started falling for Mr Wrong. Aria listens as Jackie mentions that it would save a lot of girls from making a huge mistake, not just them.
Arriving at The Brew’s relaunch party, Aria receives an email from Jackie who informs her that she’s now been accepted into Talmadge. Greeting Ezra when he walks up to her and kisses her cheek, Aria listens as he tells her that he’s been looking for her, before saying that there’s somebody he really wants her to meet. With her arm around him, Aria walks with Ezra over to a Bob, where she’s introduced as the young lady Ezra was telling Bob about. Aria listens as Ezra explains that the man is Bob Milson, a teacher at Vassar, and that he thought one gifted writer would appreciate another. Giving Bob a fake smile, Aria feels uncomfortable knowing what she did to get accepted into Talmadge.
Cleaning up after the party, Aria is approached by Emily who asks why she was late, and if she got up to Talmadge. Aria nods, and when Emily asks if she was able to stop…, Aria cuts her off, telling her no, “Jackie read it”. Emily comments oh no, before asking if Jackie’s going to forward it to Ezra, but Aria says no, “it’s our secret”. Saying that it worked, Aria shows Emily her acceptance email. Emily questions what she’s going to tell Ezra, and taking her phone back, Aria questions, “tonight? Nothing”. Saying that she can’t, Aria walks off.
Cleaning up some plastic cups, Aria notices a ‘Guide to Liberal Arts Colleges’ book, and picks it up. Finding a bookmark, Aria opens to the page it has marked, Talmadge College. Picking up the bookmark, Aria reads the line of the letter she wrote, detailing the regrets of squandering her high school career by getting involved with an older guy, before looking bright eyed around the near empty Brew.
Over a Barrel[]
Sitting in The Brew, Aria listens as Emily questions Spencer that the knife she and Caleb found was covered in blood, before she herself wonders if it was Mona’s blood. Spencer tells them, yeah, and that any of their prints could have been on it. Emily asks if they think Holbrook planted it, and turning to Hanna, Aria says that she vouched for him, “do you still think he’s a good guy?” Hanna says she’s not so sure anymore, and that she bailed on her college visit to go track down Holbrook’s dad, and that the whole family emergency thing is a lie. Aria theorises that if Alison’s ‘A’ and Holbrook’s on her side, they could pin Mona’s murder on the girls, “couldn’t they?”, to which Spencer says she doesn’t know. Spencer asks Emily if she wants her to send a package to Paige because she’s having trouble letting go, but Emily says she’s not holding on, it’s just that she found three pairs of Paige’s swim goggles and some of her CD’s in her car. Aria asks if Emily is still going to see Paige for Spring Break, and when Hanna says she thought Paige asked for some space, Emily tells them that Paige did, so she’s not. As Emily says her shift is about to start, Aria follows her to the counter, asking if she can get a refill, “I didn’t sleep last night”. Emily tells Aria that she was here all night, and that Holbrook didn’t come to the party, so there’s no way he could have left her the bookmark. Aria tells her that somebody did, and that she really needs to find another college to apply to before Ezra finds out how she got into Talmadge. Aria asks how much for the coffee, and when Emily says to just take it, Aria tells her no, “I’ve already lied to Ezra, I don’t want to steal too. Even if it is just a cup of coffee”. Typing the order into the register, Emily tells her it’ll be 50c, to which Aria questions, “since when?”, and Emily explains that with the new Brew, there are new prices. After placing the money on the counter, Aria frowns as the receipt for her coffee prints longer than it should. Emily notices as her back to turned making the refill and comments that there are also new registers. Emily is unable to cancel the receipt from printing, and picking the receipt up, she frowns. Aria asks Emily, “what?”, and Emily explains that it’s the letter she wrote to Jackie. Aria tells her to “make it stop”, and pressing the cancel button, Emily says that she can’t. As the receipt stops printing, Aria grabs the paper, and when Emily asks what it says, Aria reads out a message from ‘A’, “This kind of lie will stay on your permanent record. –A”.
Getting up from the couch, Aria approaches Ezra who has just walked into The Brew. Aria begins to ask if they can talk, but pointing to his ringing cell, Ezra explains that the contractor is calling and he’s been trying to get hold of him all day. As Ezra says that he’ll be right back, Ezra watches him walk into the kitchen, before Emily gives Aria a look to go after him. Walking into the kitchen, Aria listens as Ezra disgruntledly ends his phone call, before he explains that the contractor is trying to charge him for the shelves he himself installed with Mike. Aria apologises and asks if she can do something to help, but Ezra tells her no, it’s alright. As Aria begins to say something, Ezra questions if she had fun last night, before saying that he thinks Bob Milson really liked her, and he knows Bob could speak on Aria’s behalf to the admission staff at Vassar. Ezra says that it’ll be one phone call, Aria tells him, “yeah. Yeah, that, that would be great if…” Ezra’s ringing cell cuts Aria off, and picking up his phone, Ezra tells her he’s sorry, but he has to take the call. As Ezra walks from the kitchen, a guilt ridden Aria sighs heavily.
Aria is typing away on her computer, when her phone beeps with an incoming text. Picking her phone up, Aria reads the message, before calling out to Emily who is behind The Brew’s counter, “come here, I just got a message”. Aria passes her phone to Emily, and Emily reads the message aloud, “stop looking for me, I’m tired of hiding. Grille at noon. -H”, before questioning if ‘H’ is for Holbrook. When Aria says “yeah”, Emily tells Aria that she’s not meeting Holbrook by herself. Aria asks why, before saying that it’s in the middle of town in the middle of day, “and I don’t think this is an ‘A’ trap. I can handle this alone”. Gathering her things and standing, Aria says that the least she can do is hear him out, “if Holbrook’s tired of dishing out Alison’s revenge, I… I may not have to tell Ezra about that letter”.
Standing outside the Apple Rose Grille, Aria looks down at her phone and then around, when Jason approaches her, calling out her name. Turning to face Jason, the two greet each other, before Jason asks Aria if she’s meeting someone. Looking at her phone, Aria tells him that she is, “but I don’t think they’re going to show up”. As a silence stretches between them, Aria asks how he is since…, and finishing Aria’s sentence for her, Jason questions if she was going to say since he basically put his sister in prison. Aria doesn’t make eye contact, but listens as Jason says that they could start at tense and work their way up from there. Aria then asks how Alison is, “she tried to call us a few times”, but cutting her off, Jason tells Aria that she doesn’t have to explain, before saying that he’s seen Alison once, and that was enough. Jason gets a text message, and after looking at his phone, he asks Aria if she wants to grab a bite. Explaining that he was supposed to meet Ashley Marin for a working lunch but she just cancelled, Jason comments that it might actually be nice to talk about Alison. Nodding, Aria tells him yeah, “yeah, it might”, and the two walk into the Grille.
Over lunch, Aria tells Jason to forget about the alibi, before questioning whether Kenneth really believes Alison. Jason tells her that it doesn’t matter, he only knows how to protect her. Saying that Kenneth will do the same thing on the witness stand, Jason comments that’s even if he knows what Alison’s capable of. Aria questions what Jason thinks Alison is capable of, and Jason says, a lot, and that he’s seen Alison do things, he’s seen her talk people into things. As Jason begins to say that the way Aria and the girls used to follow Alison around…, Aria cuts him off, emphasising the words, “used to”. Jason comments that he knows the girls and Alison are not on the best of terms, and looking around the Grille, Jason tells Aria that the police have a theory, they think Alison had help. Aria questions if Alison had help with Mona, but Jason tells her after, when she was putting Mona’s body in the trunk of her car, hiding it, dumping it. Aria mentions that they kind of thought that as well, before asking if Jason remembers when Alison passed the lie detectors test. Jason realises that it must be someone on the inside, who could change the results, make sure she passed, and it’s then that Aria asks if Jason has noticed anything between Alison and Holbrook. Saying that he’s only dealt with Holbrook a few times, Jason comments that he probably wouldn’t have noticed, Alison can get away with things right under your nose. Aria mentions that they think Alison and Holbrook might be “close”, and she talked him into doing things. Aria phone vibrates with a text, and as Jason wonders what is with the cops in this town, Aria picks up her cell and reads the message, “One hour. Maple and Prescott. –H”. After looking outside the window, Aria asks Jason if he thinks it’s possible, to which Jason tells that he can’t say for sure, and that Alison’s probably cut him lose by now. As Jason questions what else Holbrook could do for Alison, Aria looks at him, before looking back out the window onto the street.
At Maple and Prescott, Aria calls Emily and tells her that “it’s a flower shop”. As Emily questions, what’s a flower shop, Aria says that that’s where she’s meeting Holbrook, “he must have seen me talking with Jason and got spooked. He wants to meet me alone”. Emily mentions that if Holbrook’s really crossing Alison, she would guess that he doesn’t want it to get back to her. Emily asks Aria to check in, and telling her that she will, Aria ends the call.
Aria is still waiting outside of the flower shop, when the florist walks out with a bouquet of flowers calling Aria’s name. As Aria turns, the florists asks if she’s here to pick up, but Aria tells her no, “I’m just…” The florist cuts Aria off, and passing her the flowers, the florist explains that a guy called and said that Aria would pick up and hand deliver. Aria begins to ask, “was his name”…, but interrupting when she hears the counter bell, the florist tells Aria that she’s here by herself. The florist tells Aria that the delivery address is 35 Turning Leaf Lane and the…, but cutting the florist off, Aria tells her she knows where the address is. Thanking the florist, Aria turns and looking down at the flowers, she walks off.
Ringing the Marin’s doorbell, Aria walks in with the bouquet of flowers when Hanna opens the door. Hanna asks Aria what the big secret is, to which Aria asks if Ashley is home, “I was supposed to deliver theses to her, but I, I, think something’s up”. Aria listens as Ashley calls out to Hanna, asking who’s at the door, and when Hanna tells her that it’s Aria, Ashley tells Hanna to tell Aria that they’re still eating. Hanna then tells Aria to go upstairs. In Hanna’s bedroom, Aria pulls out the card that accompanied the flowers and reads it aloud, “last night took me by surprise. Glad I stayed for dessert. - Jason”. Aria asks Hanna “since when does your mom bake”, before questioning why Jason…, but cutting in, Hanna exclaims that this wasn’t Jason, it was Alison trying to start trouble. Aria wonders why, “what do you and your mom have to do with Jason”, and grabbing the card, Hanna tells Aria to forget about Jason, she herself did this. Hanna explains that she went to see Alison in jail, and shocked, Aria questions Hanna, “I’m sorry. You did what?” Hanna comments that she had to as she thought Alison was going after Caleb, and when she heard about that bloody knife... Aria tells Hanna that they agreed “none of us were supposed to”, before adding that she spent the whole day running on Alison’s hamster wheel because of Hanna. Hanna comments that she faced Alison, for all of them, and sighing, Aria listens as Hanna says she told Alison to back off, and this is her backing off. Aria tells Hanna that should have told them, to which Hanna says that she’ll tell the others, she promises. Hanna pleads with Aria not to mention the flowers, and saying “fine”, Aria walks out of Hanna’s bedroom.
Sitting on her bed, Aria rereads the letter she wrote to Jackie which was printed on the receipt. Reaching the message from ‘A’, Aria grabs her phone and goes to call Ezra, but decides against it.
The Bin of Sin[]
In Caleb’s apartment, Aria asks if they seriously think Mona’s body is in the barrel in the storage unit, to which Caleb simply tells her, yes. Hanna passes Aria the lease agreement for the storage unit, and when Aria says that it must be payback from when Hanna confronted Alison in jail, Spencer and Emily both question when Hanna visited Alison and why Aria was the only one who knew. Aria listens as Caleb tells the Liars that Hanna visiting Alison has nothing to do with the lease agreement, and that the storage unit was rented in Hanna’s name four months ago, the day before Mona was murdered. Hanna says they should get rid of the stuff in the bin, and when Aria tells her that Mona’s body could seriously be in that barrel, “do you burn that too?”, Hanna says of course not, but they can put it somewhere. When Hanna says that what’s in the barrel may could convict her, and that she doesn’t have a good alibi, Caleb notes that they do have one thing going for them, they’re a step ahead of Holbrook and he doesn’t know they’ve traced Mona’s laptop back to the storage unit. As Emily questions how they know Holbrook’s behind it all, and that it could be anyone of Ali’s little minions, before saying that yesterday they thought Holbrook was reaching out to Aria. Aria says that Holbrook wasn’t trying to reach out to her, “he just sent me on a wild goose chase for”…, but Aria trials off when she looks over to Hanna, “no reason”. Noticing the look between Aria and Hanna, Caleb tells the girls that his point is that he can corrupt the data files and make sure Hanna’s name is no longer connected with the storage unit. Spencer says that they can then tell Tanner that they traced Mona’s laptop there, and Aria adds that Tanner will then put the pieces together and realise Holbrook’s behind it all. Hanna says that if Tanner doesn’t realise it all it will just boomerang back on her, and unhappy that she’s left in the firing line, Hanna storms from Caleb’s apartment leaving Aria, Spencer, Caleb and Emily standing there watching after her.
At The Brew, Aria listens as Emily says that thinking about Mona in that barrel gave her nightmares. Aria then mentions that she barely slept, and when she did, she dreamed that Holbrook wallpapered Ezra’s entire apartment with her letter to Jackie. Aria tells Emily that she needs to tell Ezra about the letter, before asking if he’s back in his makeshift office, but Emily tells her no, net yet, before explaining that he’s meeting with vendors all morning. Grabbing her phone, Aria comments that she’s to call him, “see if I can catch him between meetings”.
Opening the front door of her house, Aria listens as Ezra says that he came as soon as he could, before he asks her if everything is okay. Aria tells him that everything’s fine, she just wanted to let him know she got into Talmadge. Ezra tells Aria that that’s fantastic news, before hugging her. As he’s pulling out of the hug, Ezra comments that it must mean Jackie doesn’t review every single application, and after noticing a look on Aria’s face, Ezra assures her that Talmadge is a very good school, and it’s a big one, so it’s unlikely she’ll ever run into Jackie. When Ezra then tells Aria not to let Jackie ruin this for her, Aria says that she won’t. Saying that he’s so happy she told him, Ezra apologises to Aria telling her he has to get back to work, but they can celebrate tonight. Ezra kisses Aria, and as he’s heading towards the door, Aria calls him back. As Ezra turns back, Aria tells him that that’s not the only thing she wanted to talk to him about, “Jackie did review my application”. Ezra questions how she knows that, and Aria admits she wrote a letter to the admissions board hoping that it would specifically land on Jackie’s desk, “and it did”. Confused, Ezra asks what letter Aria is referring to, and picking up the letter from the coffee table, Aria anxiously hands it to Ezra to read over.
Aria nervously paces her living room as Ezra reads over her letter to Jackie. When Ezra comments that it’s no wonder she got in, Aria tells him that she doesn’t blame him for being furious, “it was a really stupid thing and I realised that after I did it”. As Ezra places the letter back on the coffee table, Aria goes on to say that she tried to get the letter back from Jackie but she’d already read it and it was too late, and cutting Aria off, Ezra tells her that he’s not angry. Shocked, Aria questions that he’s not, and Ezra tells her it was a brilliant move, and Jackie must have laughed it up, to which Aria comments, “oh yeah, she did”. Taking Ezra’s hands, Aria tells him she’s sorry, “really”, but Ezra tells her she did what she had to do to get in. Ezra says that there was no harm done, and when Aria says that there was, “I actually made Jackie believe I feel this way about you”, Ezra mentions that he doesn’t care what Jackie thinks, only what Aria does and that’s all that matters. After Ezra pulls Aria in for a hug, Aria pushes out of it, commenting that she didn’t have to write the letter, before saying that she doesn’t even want to go to Talmadge, she was just scared if she didn’t get in she’d be stuck in Rosewood. Ezra comments that now Aria doesn’t have to worry, and after the two share a look, Aria walks back into Ezra’s embrace.
Aria is walking down the main street of Rosewood with Emily who says she can’t believe that Aria told Ezra and lived to talk about it. Aria can’t either, before saying that she wasted so much energy worrying about how he was going to react when she could have been worrying about all the other things she has to worry about. Saying that Aria can worry about likes like Hanna, Emily mentions that Hanna is not taking her or Spencer’s calls. Emily then questions whether Aria has talked with her, but Aria says she hasn’t, “but hopefully I can lure her out of the house with a hot fudge brownie”. When Spencer pulls up on the street in front of them, Aria comments that she doesn’t actually think that’s an actual parking space, but ignoring Aria’s comment, Spencer tells Aria and Emily that the laptop is moving. Emily questions her, and holding up her phone, Spencer explains that someone has taken Mona’s laptop out of the storage unit. Aria questions if it was Holbrook, but Spencer says her money is on Hanna as she wasn’t in school today. Emily comments that Hanna might be scared, but she wouldn’t do something like that, to which Spencer asks if Emily’s sure. Aria says that there’s only one way to find out, and the three girls get in Spencer’s car and drive off.
Aria is sitting in the back seat as Spencer drives and Emily navigates. Aria wonders why Caleb would help Hanna do this, and when Emily says they don’t know that Caleb is, Spencer reminds Emily that they’re not at Hanna’s house, and they’re not calling them back, so he’s got to be helping her.
In a factory, Emily, Aria and Spencer walk through in the dark with flashlights guiding their way. Aria questions why Hanna and Caleb would come all the way out here, and Emily says it’s because they knew no one else would. Hearing a noise the girls turn, and after looking back at Aria and Emily, Spencer leads the girls to where the sound came from. Getting to a door, Aria peers through the glass window. When they hear another noise, the girls look back to where they came from, before Spencer comments that it must be the wind moving stuff around. Aria asks where the tracker says the laptop is, and looking down at her phone, Spencer mentions that she’s completely lost service. Aria comments that the factory is huge, “we should probably split up”, and agreeing, the girls walk off in different directions.
Having heard Hanna and Caleb’s voices, Aria walks into a freezer where she finds Spencer crouched behind a laptop. Aria apologises for startling Spencer, and Spencer tells Aria to come look at what’s on the laptop. Doing so, Aria crouches down and watches a recording of Hanna and Caleb talking about moving everything from the storage unit. Aria mentions that someone knows they’re at the factory, and looking up, Spencer comments that it’s not Hanna and Caleb. As Aria says they should go find Emily, Spencer takes the laptop, and it’s then they start to hear footsteps coming towards them. Watching as Spencer crawls over to a wrench she places in the hinges, Aria rushes to the door when ‘A’ pulls the wrench out and closes the freezer door, locking Aria and Spencer in. Banging on the door, Aria turns when the freezer begins to start up and alarms sound, “what’s happening? I thought this place was shut down”. Aria and Spencer continue to bang on the door, but when Aria starts to hear air being released into the freezer, she turns and walks over to it, “Oh my God, this is really cold”. Spencer says that it’s liquid nitrogen, and when Aria questions what that means, Spencer explains that the temperature is going to drop below zero and if they don’t get out of here really soon, they’re going to freeze to death. As more liquid nitrogen billows into the freezer, Aria and Spencer begin to feel the cold, and start to frantically bang on the freezer door. When Emily finally finds them, Aria and Spencer plead with Emily to make it stop. Emily desperately tries to stop the liquid nitrogen at the controls, but is unable to so she grabs the wrench and hits the control box until it sparks and shocks her. Still trapped in the freezer, Aria and Spencer drop to their knees as they start to freeze, “Emily. Hurry please”. Noticing the freezer’s valve, Emily hits it with the wrench until it breaks, and she’s able to open the freezer door. Crawling out of the freezer, Aria and Spencer collapse to the ground, where Emily wraps Aria in her jacket.
Aria is sitting on the couch eating takeout with Ezra who comments she didn’t eat much when they place their plates of takeout on the coffee table. After Aria mentions that she’d not that hungry, Ezra gets a present for her out of his satchel. When Aria questions what it is, Ezra tells her it’s something to celebrate her getting into Talmadge. Opening the present Aria finds a journal monogrammed with her initials, “it’s, it’s beautiful. Thank you so much”, to which Ezra tells her he remembers how excited he was when he got accepted to Hollis. Aria listens as Ezra tells her that there are so many amazing adventures ahead for her, and he doesn’t want her to miss out on a single one the way she missed out on so much of high school because of him. Aria says that she doesn’t actually feel that way, and when Ezra mentions that he read the letter again, Aria tells him that she only wrote what she thought Jackie wanted to hear. Ezra notes that he thinks the letter rang true to Jackie for a reason, and when Aria comments that it’s because she’s a good writer, Ezra just looks at her. Furrowing her brows, Aria says that she doesn’t understand, “this morning you were practically laughing when you read it”, and Ezra explains that he then had a chance to think about it and he doesn’t think Aria could have written what she did if there wasn’t some small part of her that thought that way about them. Aria assures him that she doesn’t regret being with him at all, to which Ezra tells her that she may not now, but if they stay together… Aria questions Ezra’s use of the word “if”, and after Ezra just gives her a look, Aria wonders what Ezra is trying to say. Saying that he wants what’s best for her, Ezra reminds Aria that she’s approaching a very exciting time in your life, and she’s going to be meeting people and discovering herself. Cutting in, Aria tells Ezra that she can do all that and still be with him, and after taking a moment, Ezra takes Aria hands, saying that if they stay together she may grow to resent him, but if she takes this time for herself, there will be no regrets. Ezra asks Aria to at least promise him that she’ll think about it, and as a tear rolls down her cheek, Aria reluctantly agrees, “yeah, I will”.
Curled up on the couch, Aria flips through the Rosewood High year book. Finding her own photo, Aria takes no of the fact that there are no clubs listed under her name.
Oh, What Hard Luck Stories They All Hand Me[]
Aria stands outside of The Brew with Spencer and Emily. Aria listens as Emily asks if Toby can tell if it were human remains in the drum, to which Spencer says that the police don’t know, and even if they did, Toby probably wouldn’t tell her anyway. When Aria questions if Spencer and Toby are okay, Spencer comments that they are some distance removed from okay. Spencer tells Aria and Emily that she knows why Toby joined the police force, she even encouraged him, but it’s as if it’s now tearing him apart. Aria looks across the street to the Rosewood Police Department, and on asking Spencer is that’s her mom standing out front, Spencer and Emily look across. When Spencer confirms that it is, Emily comments that for lawyers to be working on a Saturday it must be serious, to which Spencer mentions that her mom says you get more with a smile than a subpoena. Aria wonders what Veronica is trying to get from the two others lawyers she’s standing with, and Spencer explains that the other lawyers on part of Alison’s defense team and her mom is a paid strategical consultant. Emily questions that Veronica’s helping Alison’s defense, but Spencer says she’s not helping, she’s consulting, and she’ll get more out of them than they will of her. Aria asks why Veronica is doing it at all, and when Spencer says that Veronica wants to know what they know, Aria questions, “such as?”, and Emily realises she can find out who gets called to testify. After watching Alison’s lawyers pass Veronica a file, Aria and Emily wish Spencer luck as she spots Hanna and goes to patch things up. Once Spencer has walked off, Aria asks Emily if Ezra is inside The Brew, but Emily tells her no, he’s in Harrisburg for the weekend. When Aria says “oh”, Emily questions that she didn’t know, but Aria tells her that she knew, “I just forgot”. Emily then wonders if Aria forgot or Ezra forgot to tell her, to which Aria insists that she forgot.
Aria and Emily are still standing outside of The Brew when Hanna and Spencer walk over to them. Aria asks if they’re good, and when Spencer confirms that they are, Emily comments that maybe they’re not so good. As the Liars follow Emily’s line of sight, they watch as Holbrook exits his car out the front of the Rosewood Police Department. Hanna questions what Holbrook is doing back after all this time, and Aria comments that Alison probably wanted him torturing them in close range.
Inside The Brew, Aria questions why Alison would bring Holbrook out into the open like that, and Emily suggests that it’s to scare them without doing anything. Spencer mentions that it’s pretty passive-aggressive, to which Hanna reminds her that ‘A’ is aggressive-aggressive. Aria mentions that Alison probably wants people inside the Police Department for the same reason that Veronica is making chummy with Alison’s lawyers, and Spencer comments that it’s inside information. After Emily has excused herself for a minute, Spencer mentions that Alison is going to be tried and convicted, and when Aria says that the closer they get to her trial the more desperate she’s going to get, Hanna comments that she’s also going to get more dangerous.
Aria and Spencer listen as Hanna tells them that the police called Caleb and they want to reinterview him about the storage space. When Hanna adds that the police want to know if Caleb saw anyone there acting suspicious, Aria comments, “aside from you?” to which Hanna tells her that she’s not helping. Hanna tells the girls that she knows they’re going to call her next, and when Spencer says that they’re just trying to make her nervous, Hanna tells her that it’s working.
Sitting on the couches, Aria and the other liars listen as Mona’s friend Lesli says she’s still having a really hard time believing what happened. Lesli explains that she was with Mona’s mom when the police called, and all they could say was that something had happened and Leona had to come back to Rosewood. Lesli then says that the Liars were there for Mona and her mom when she wasn’t and she wants to thank them for that.
In her bedroom, Aria listens as Spencer says that her mom is giving strategic advice to Alison’s defence team, and that they’re sharing all kinds of information with her about the case which includes whose been visiting Alison in jail. When Spencer says that there was a copy of the visitors log and that she took a picture, Aria asks if Hanna’s name was on the list. Spencer confirms that it was, but that’s not the name that’s worrying her. Showing Aria the photo, Spencer zooms in on Mike’s name. Confused, Aria says that that’s got to be a mistake, to which Spencer questions how many Mike Montgomery’s they know. Aria tells Spencer that even if it were true, Mike must have had a good reason, and when Spencer shrugs, Aria says that Alison killed Mike’s girlfriend and he was probably going there to “spit in her eye”. Spencer tells Aria maybe, before wondering why Mike didn’t mention that he was doing it. Aria says that she doesn’t know, “but there’s got to be a good explanation”, to which Spencer says that if there is an explanation, Aria is the only one in a place to get it.
Aria lingers in the corner of the Montgomery’s lounge, before she walks in and greets Mike who is watching a movie. Aria asks what he’s doing, and Mike explains that Mona had a list of movies she wanted to show and he thought he’d look at a couple. When Aria asks him how that’s going, Mike pauses the movie and tells her it’s going okay, he guesses. After a beat, Mike mentions that it was a long time before he could even look at the list, and when Aria says that Mona liked her movies, Mike comments that he thinks she remembered every movie she ever saw. As Mike says that Mona remembered not just the plot but the little details, Aria notes that Mona was “very smart”, to which Mike says she was too smart. Mike un-pauses the movie, and after standing there for a moment, Aria walks from the lounge.
Walking down the street with Hanna, Aria questions if she believes what Lesli said about Mike. Hanna mentioned that she asked Mrs V and she said that Mona mentioned the call with Lesli. When Hanna says that it probably doesn’t mean anything and that Mike is just sad and angry, Aria stops and turns to face Hanna, admitting that Mike went to visit Alison in jail. Hanna questions what Mike did, and Aria says that Spencer found out. Hanna comments that Mike got into a fight the night before Mona died and now he’s going to visit the person who killed her, to which Aria says that it sounds really bad when Hanna says it like that. Hanna questions if Aria’s talked to Mike, and Aria says that she’s tried, “but, I don’t know, I could get the words out of my mouth”. Hanna tells Aria that even if she can’t talk with Mike, she needs to figure out what’s going on.
Aria is writing in her diary when she hears a door slam. Getting up from her desk, Aria peeks through the gap in her open bedroom door and sees Mike leaving. Grabbing the jacket from the back of her chair, Aria follows him.
Standing behind a tree at the lake, Aria watches Mike on the jetty. After Mike has walked off, Aria walks over to the jetty and picks up the bag of lollies Mike has left. As Aria turns to leave, she finds Mike standing at the end blocking her way.
Aria listens as Mike mentions that it’s a nice night, before she comments that it’s getting kind of chilly. Stepping forward Mike questions why Aria followed him, but in return Aria asks why he visited Alison in jail, “you did, didn’t you?” Mike tells Aria that it’s none of her business, and when Aria asks if he wanted to confront Alison about Mona, “were you looking for some kind of closure?”, Mike laughs. Aria mentions that Alison’s dangerous, “even in a cage she’s really dangerous, don’t ever go back there again”, to which Mike steps even closer and tells her that nobody’s giving him orders anymore. Mike tells Aria to stop following him, and that he never wants to see her by the lake again. Aria questions Mike’s use of the word, “again?”, before asking how many times he’s been out here, “how many trick or treat bags have you left? Who are you leaving those for?” Mike doesn’t answer, and instead tells Aria to be careful going home through the woods. Aria watches as Mike turns and walks into the woods, before she casts a look around the lake.
As Aria is walking into Spencer’s bedroom, Hanna asks where Emily is, but Aria tells her she doesn’t know, “her phone’s still going straight to voicemail”. Aria listens as Spencer questions if Hanna is sure about this, to which Hanna tells them that Holbrook doesn’t know half the stuff they thought he did. Spencer concludes someone else has been helping Alison, and when Aria says it’s somebody they don’t know, Hanna comments that it could be somebody they’d never suspect. As Aria starts to walk from Spencer’s room, Spencer tells Aria that they call know what Alison is capable of. Turning back, Aria says that she knows her own brother, and it’s then that Hanna reminds Aria that Mike went to see Alison in jail and he won’t tell Aria why. Spencer questions what if Mike goes back, what if he’s the way Alison’s still moving stuff around, but Aria says that Mike’s not going to go back. When Spencer asks how she can be so sure, Aria tells Spencer it’s because she told him not to. Hanna then asks Spencer what Bethany meant on the tape about making plans, and when Spencer says that it means what happened in Alison’s backyard was a trap, Aria questions “who set the trap for who?”, but no one has an answer.
Out, Damned Spot[]
Aria sits with Hanna and Spencer at the Rosewood Blood Drive which is being held in the Rosewood High cafeteria. As Aria closes the textbook she’s revising, Hanna asks if she’s done studying, to which Aria tells her she’ll never be done studying for the test, “I just need the numbers to stop spinning”, before adding that the next time they offer to help Hanna’s mom out “can it please not involve needles?” Ashley Marin approaches the girls, and Spencer listens as Ashley thanks them for coming to the drive. Ashley offers Emily a brownie to which Emily accepts, and after Ashley has walked off, Aria holds out her hand to Emily. Emily asks if she’s serious, and “mhmm”ing, Aria motions for Emily to pass the brownie over, which she does. Aria and the Liars are startled when a plate drops to the ground, and they watch as Mike is the culprit. As Mike walks from the cafeteria, Aria calls out after him, “Mike”.
By her locker, Aria tells Spencer to ask Mike why he was at the blood drive, “I already know his answer”. When Hanna questions that Mike was there to donate, Aria tells her no, “that I should mind my own business”, and she got that message loud and clear at the dock. Spencer says that it is there business, and they all saw that he was standing near the coolers where they keep the blood, their blood. Questioning, “really, Spencer?”, Aria listens as Spencer says that if Mike is trying to get his hands onto something that can help Alison, and cutting Spencer off, Aria wonders if that’s it, “he’s guilty?” As Aria says that the court of public opinion in this town really sucks, Emily tells them to all take a breath. Spencer mentions that they will don’t know why Mike was visiting Alison in jail, or why he fought with Mona, and when she begins to say if Mike and Mona had a serious falling out, Aria tells Spencer to “just stop. Please”. Aria says that she knows they’re all desperate to find out who’s helping Alison, but just because it isn’t Holbrook does not mean it’s her brother, “Mike was in love with Mona and he would never hurt her. And he would never team up with someone who did”. Emily begins to say something, but Aria cuts her off, “I can’t talk about this right now, I have a math test”, and with that, Aria walks off.
In her Math test, Aria stares at the test paper unable to answer any of the questions. After looking at the clock, Aria notices that Andrew has completed the test, and seeing if the teacher is watching, she begins to copy down Andrew’s answers.
Walking out of the Math test at the end of class, Aria is bailed up by Andrew. Stopping, Aria turns to face him and greeting him, she asks, “what’s up?”, to which Andrew says that what’s up is that he saw her reading his test answers and copying them down. Aria apologises before explaining that she couldn’t focus in there at all, “I froze”. Mentioning that she got a conditional admission to Savannah College of Art and Design, Aria adds that if she doesn’t make honour roll this semester they could completely withdraw her acceptance, “I’m so sorry, I just, I just panicked and I didn’t…” Andrew tells her to slow down, before saying that he’s not mad, and when Aria questions that he’s not, and Andrew assures her he isn’t. As Andrew suggests that if Aria needs a tutor, Aria says she doesn’t, “there’s just a lot going on right now and I…”, to which Andrew ultimates that if she’d rather get caught cheating. Grabbing Andrew’s arm as he begins to walk away, Aria tells him to wait, and when Andrew faces her, she questions if tomorrow is okay.
Sitting on the sofa, Aria is on the phone with Spencer, “yeah and you thought Melissa was ‘A’. And you were wrong about that remember”. As Spencer begins to say that she knows, Aria sighs and promises to keep on eye on Mike if Spencer promises not to jump to conclusions. After Spencer deals with her, Aria asks what she and Toby are doing tonight, to which Spencer explains that they’re not and that something came up. Spencer then asks what Aria and Ezra are doing tonight, and if they’ve got any Friday night plans, but Aria tells her no, “I’m staying in to prepare for a study session with Andrew”. Spencer questions if Aria means Andrew Campbell, before telling her to be careful, and when Aria asks why, Spencer warns her about Andrew’s dimples. Aria laughs and saying she should probably get back to it, “talk later?”, they end the call.
Aria is writing down some notes when a cell phone starts ringing. Picking up her own cell, Aria finds that it’s not hers, and looking around, she finds Mike’s cell between the couch cushions. Aria goes to call out to Mike, but finding the call coming from a blocked number, she answers it herself, “hello?” The call is an automatic message from the Chester County Women’s Correctional Facility, and the call will be from inmate, Hank Mahoney. Accepting the call, Aria questions, “Alison?”, but the call is a hang up, “Alison!”
Aria knocks on Mike’s bedroom door, “Mike. Mike, I know that you’re in there”. Mike opens the door and when he asks what she wants, Aria holds up Mike’s cell and questions why Alison is calling him. As Mike questions her, Aria notes, “first you visit her and now she’s sending you secret messages from jail”. As Aria questions who Hank Mahoney is, Mike grabs his phone and saying that he has no idea, Mike tells Aria not to answer his phone the next time. Aria asks why Mike is letting Alison manipulate him, before saying that he knows what she’s capable of, “Mike, I know that you got in a fight with Mona the night before she died”. Saying that something is going on and Mike has to tell her what it is, Aria listens as Mike says that he doesn’t have to tell her anything, before he closes his bedroom door in her face.
In her study session with Andrew, Aria stares into space as Andrew asks if she’d prefer to revise factors and equilibriums or the French and Indian War. When Aria doesn’t give him an answer, Andrew calls out her name, and snapping back to reality, Aria apologises, “I’m a little out of it. I didn’t get much sleep last night”. Andrew asks if there’s anything wrong, to which Aria tells him no, “I’m fine”. Reaching for a textbook, Aria mentions that she should probably choose what she’s worst at, and smiling, Andrew comments that he takes it math and science aren’t Fitz’s strong suit. Aria questions him, “excuse me?”, and when Andrew explains that she could always ask Ezra for help, assuming they’re still together, Aria tells him that they should just stick to the books. Andrew notes that there are two types of physical quantity, they are…, Andrew leaves it to Aria to fill in the blank, but as Aria’s cell phone beeps, she leans forward to read the text message, ignoring Andrew’s question. Apologising, Aria puts her phone back down, but as Andrew goes to say something, it again beeps with an incoming text. Quickly grabbing the cell from the coffee table, Andrew asks Aria whether her phone is a vector or scalar. Aria guesses it’s a scalar, to which Andrew nods, before saying that if her phone were to sail through the sky accelerating at a rate of three miles per hour per second…, and Aria assumes her cell would then be a vector. Andrew looks at Aria’s phone and seeing two texts from Hanna about Mike, Andrew comments that it looks as though someone’s worried about her brother. Taking her phone, Aria ignores the messages, and the pair get back to studying.
Aria and Andrew laugh as Aria questions if he’ll get there on time, and saying that he’s got about an hour til batting practice, Andrew asks if Aria wants to move onto Spanish. Aria lists off his school activities, “baseball team, Spanish group, Decathlon. Is there any school activities you’re not involved in?”, Andrew comments that as compared is her exciting life his must seem really…, Cutting in, Aria says it sounds “functional, healthy”, to which Andrew mentions that he meant planned. Aria and Andrew smile at one another, and when there’s a knock on the front door, Aria gets up to go answer it. Opening the door to Emily, Aria listens as Emily says that she needs to speak with her about Mike. Aria looks over to the couch, and following Aria’s direction, Emily finds Andrew sitting there. Aria ushers Emily outside, and it’s there at Emily shows Aria the ATM receipt. Aria questions where Mike got $18,000, to which Emily queries that ‘A’ always seems to have access to a tonne of money and maybe this is one of Alison’s secret account. Aria then tells Emily that last night Mike got a call from the women’s correctional facility, and when Emily wonders if it was from Alison, Aria says that she thinks so, “she called, said her name was Hank Mahoney, and hung up”. When Aria mentions that it’s got to be some sort of code, Emily adds that Mike now has $400 burning a hole in his pocket. Hearing a car door slam, Aria and Emily watch as Mike drives off, “Mike just took the car”. Emily says that they need to follow him, and turning back to face her, Aria wonders how, “I’m not riding on your handlebars”. Looking over to the front door, Aria and Emily walk back inside and Aria asks Andrew if they can borrow his car. Emily says that it will be just for a little bit, and as Andrew asks if either of them drive stick, Aria and Emily look towards each other.
Sitting in the passenger seat of Andrew’s car, Aria listens as Emily says that Spencer will meet them there. When Aria indicates for Andrew to turn left, “he’s turning left”, Andrew questions if Aria often follows her brother place, to which Aria comments, “not usually”. Andrew then questions that Aria has no idea where they’re going, and Aria says she’s sure it’s close. As Andrew wonders what exactly is going on with Mike, Emily pipes up and tells him that it's drug related. Aria gives Emily a look, and when Andrew questions her, Emily says they think Mike could be dabbling in stimulants and amphetamines. Andrew again questions there theory about Mike, and Aria confirms what Emily said, “yep”. Aria listens as Emily, having gotten a text, says that there’s still no word from Hanna, but Spencer’s getting on the highway so she’ll just text her when they get…, and as Aria shoots Emily a looks, Emily rephrases herself saying she’ll text Spencer when they get to where they’re going. Pulling up outside Jonah’s diner, Andrew wonders if he should go inside with the girls. Andrew pulls up outside Jonah’s Diner, and when Aria thanks him for the ride, Andrew wonders if he should go inside with the girls. Telling him no, Aria mentions that they’ve got it from here. Andrew asks how Aria and Emily are getting home, and when Emily says that Spencer can give them a ride, Aria adds that if Andrew leaves now he can still make the end of his batting practice. Getting from the car, Aria and Emily head towards Jonah’s Diner and it's then that Aria bewilders, “drugs. Seriously, Em?”
Walking into Jonah’s Diner, Aria and Emily find it to be more of a truck stop. The girls watch as a guy approaches Mike, and when Aria questions that the guy is Hank Mahoney, Emily tells her no, that’s Cyrus Petrillo, Alison’s fake kidnapper. As Spencer questions that Mike is here on an errand for Alison, Aria mentions, “Cyrus. Hank. Whoever this guy is”, is really dangerous and he’s talking with her brother, “so I, I, I don’t care if Mike is working for Ali, I’m not going to let him get hurt”. Aria begins to walk towards the Diner, but Emily and Spencer manage to pull her back, with Spencer telling Aria that she knows she’s really worried about Mike, but as soon as they leave the Diner they’re going to follow Cyrus and they’ll find out where he’s going and what he knows. Emily then adds that if they go in there they won’t know any more than what they know now. Aria’s phone starts ringing, and as Spencer tells her to shut it off, Aria switches her phone to silent before declining the call from Ezra.
Still hiding behind Spencer’s car, Aria listens as Emily tells Aria that she told Ezra about Savannah, saying she thought he knew. Aria mentions that she had have told him already, and when Emily asks why she didn’t, and if they’re fighting, Aria admits that she doesn’t know what they are, “honestly”. Spencer furrows her brows at Aria, and Aria explains that Ezra thinks he’s the reason why she didn’t have the perfect high school experience, “is that even a thing? Does anyone have that?”, to which Emily says that she doesn’t know. Aria, Spencer and Emily’s cell phones ring, and checking their phones, Emily reads text aloud, “thanks for donating to my get-into-jail fund. –A”. Looking over to the diner, the girls find the spot where Mike and Cyrus were sitting empty. Walking closer to the diner, Emily realises that the envelope wasn’t filled with money. Upon hearing a car start up, Aria, Spencer and Emily run towards the sound, but arrive too late. Aria questions where Cyrus is and whether he was with Mike, but Spencer says she doesn’t know. Turning when they hear a motorbike behind them, the girls start to run when the person on the bike starts to rev the engine. The motorcycle chases the girls until they’re cornered at some dumpsters. The person on the motorcycle turns out to be Cyrus who asks the girls if they’re at the diner to watch the kid or him. The girls don’t answer, and it's then that Cyrus tells him that he doesn’t like being followed. Spencer says that he has something that belongs to them, to which Cyrus questions that he does. As Aria says that they just want it back, Cyrus comments that maybe they can work out a trade. Stepping out of the shadows, Andrew tells Cyrus to back away from the girls. After Cyrus has ridden off, Andrew asks the girls if they’re okay.
Aria walks into the Hastings’ house with Spencer and finds Jonny stocking the Hastings’ freezer. Spencer tells Aria that she’ll be right upstairs, and nodding, Aria heads off towards the stairs.
In Spencer’s bedroom, Aria tells Hanna that she and Spencer just filled her overnight bag and ran. Hanna asks if the car was back, but Aria tells her no, “not yet”. As Spencer walks into her bedroom with a pillow and blanket, she tells Aria that she’s so glad she’s staying the night. Aria comments that it was bad enough when Mike was stealing Jenna’s pottery, “now this”, to which Hanna says that now it’s their own blood. Aria asks what they do now, “we just wait until ‘A’ paints the town red in our DNA”, and Spencer admits she doesn’t know. Aria listens as Hanna comments that with one drop here, one spot there and kaboom they’re all sharing a cell with Alison, Aria notes that there’s a reason she doesn’t like needles.
Pretty Isn't the Point[]
Aria and the Liars are looking through Mike’s bedroom. Going through Mike’s desk drawer, Aria picks up a tube of cream and when Emily asks if she found something, Aria comments that her brother has jock strap, “ew. Wish I didn’t know that”. Hanna wonders what is with all the new gym equipment, and when Aria says that she doesn’t know, “he’s obsessed”, Hanna questions how much Mike paid for it. As Emily tells Hanna that they’re not shopping, Hanna says she wants to know why Mike is suddenly training to become a ninja, and Spencer says that maybe it’s because he’s running errands for a blonde spider on cell block H. Aria tells them all to stop, before saying that this all feels wrong. When Hanna says that what’s wrong is Mike stealing their stem cells and handing them over to Alison’s A-team, Aria mentions that they don’t know what was in the envelope Mike gave Cyrus, “to could have been cash”, to which Spencer says that maybe Mike is hiding their DNA in his bedroom until he gets further instructions. Emily questions if they’ve looked through the gym bag, and rushing over, Aria says that she’s got it. As she’s going through the gym bag, Aria listens as Hanna mentions that if Mike did send the bloody ‘A’ text, they should be doing more than turning his room inside out and that they should be setting fire… Having found a necklace, Aria interrupts Hanna, “guys”, and as Aria is holding up the necklace, Emily asks if she found it in the bag, and Aria explains that it was under a really disgusting gym sock. As Spencer takes the necklace, Aria listens as Emily mentions that Mike only bought the necklace last Friday. Aria wonders why Mike has the necklace, and Emily suggests that perhaps he ordered it for Mona and it’s only just come in. Hanna proposes that perhaps it’s a Mother’s Day gift, to which Spencer comments that she doesn’t think Mike was telling his mom, ‘I’m with you’. Spencer goes on to say that they just aren’t beads on the necklace, it’s a message in Morse code and the beads spell out words. When Aria questions who Mike’s with, Spencer says that the necklace is probably for Alison and that’s probably who Mike’s with.
In her living room, Aria is having another study session with Andrew. Andrew asks why they called it the trial of the century, and sitting down on the couch, Aria guesses, “because Clarence Darrow”.., but cutting in, Andrew tells her there was no Clarence Darrow, that was Scopes and it was a different decade. As Mike walks in the front door, Aria tracks him as he walks through the living room. Still preoccupied with Mike, Aria’s attention goes to back Andrew when he asks why Harry Thaw shot Standford White, and Aria says that it’s because Harry was jealous of his relationship with Evelyn Biscuit. When Andrew corrects Aria saying that it was Evelyn Nesbit, Aria comments, “that’s what I said”. As Aria goes searching for her pencil, Andrew plucks it out from behind her ear and hands it to her. Noticing that Aria is still distracted, Andrew asks if she wants to take a break, and that he knows her head is not in the game right now. Andrew adds that he also knows she’s worried about her brother, to which Aria mentions that she’s worried about a lot actually. Aria then tells Andrew that there is something that he can help her with, and explaining that Mike goes down to a gym on East Elm, Aria asks whether Andrew could follow him there and see if Mike’s meeting someone there. Aria adds that she would go there herself, “but if he saw me there…”, and Aria tells her that he’s on it. Turning as Mike walks back into the living room, Aria listens as he angrily asks whether she was in his room. When Aria questions him, Mike states that she was in his room, before asking why she was in his room. Standing up, Aria tells Mike to calm down, “I was just doing laundry”, to which Mike comments that he doesn’t keep underwear in his desk. As Andrew excuses himself from the situation, Aria listens as Mike says that she has no right to be going through his things, and when Aria asks what he’s worried about her finding, Mike tells her that it’s none of her damn business. Listening as Mike says that if she touches any of his things ever again she’ll live to regret it, Aria watches as Mike sends a side table flying and storms out of the room. As Andrew pops his head back inside to see what is going on, Aria looks over her shoulder to him.
Walking out of Lucky Leons Cupcakes, Aria asks Andrew what Mike put inside the tree, but Andrew says that he doesn’t know, he started to climb up, but then he heard something and thought Mike was coming back so he took off. As they sit down at one of the outside tables, Andrew suggests that he could go back, but Aria tells him that it’s okay, “you did the right thing”. Andrew then tells Aria that her instincts were right, Mike is definitely up to something, and the foil packet he hid is in the woods behind Mona’s house. Listening as Andrew says that he knows which tree it is and he could show her, Aria tells Andrew that if he could just describe it, “I’ve got it from here”. Andrew says that Aria shouldn’t go alone, before adding that he doesn’t think Aria should be alone in the house with Mike either. Aria mentions that she won’t be, “my dad gets back later”, before she assures Andrew that she’s fine, “really”. Andrew asks if she’s sure, and when Aria nods, Andrew tells her that he’s here if she needs.
Getting out of her car, Aria walks over to the Vanderwaal house. Opening the front gate, Aria looks up to Mona’s darkened bedroom, before grabbing a flashlight from her jacket and walking down passed the house into the woods.
Walking through the woods, Aria finds the tree Andrew described. Climbing up the tree, Aria is looking through the branches when a bird startles her.
Climbing further up the tree, Aria reaches into the hallowed out branch and finds the foil packet when she hears something behind her. Sticking the flashlight into a crevice of the tree, she rips open the foil packet to find a blood vial inside. Hearing more movement, Aria quickly goes to grab the flashlight, but as she does it falls to the ground. Mike picks the flashlight up, and on asking what Aria is doing here, Aria says that it doesn’t matter, “why is this here? Mike, why are you stashing my blood in the woods?” Mike tells Aria that it’s not hers, and when Aria wonders if it’s Spencer’s or Hanna’s, Mike says that it’s Mona’s. As Mike lunges towards Aria, Aria drops the vial and flees.
Running through the Vanderwaal property, Aria gets into her car and speeds off.
Rushing into the Montgomery house, Aria calls out to Byron, “dad? Dad, are you here? Dad!” As Mike comes in the door, Aria tells him to stay away from her, “do you hear me”. Mike tells Aria to listen, and when Aria comments that she’ll call the police, Mike raises his voice and tells her to just listen and that he can explain. Mike questions whether Aria wants to know what happened to Mona or not, and when Aria just looks at him, Mike tells her that he knows what she’s thinking, but he didn’t hurt Mona. Aria listens as Mike explains that a few nights before Thanksgiving he went to Mona’s house and he surprised her. Mike goes on to say that Mona was planning on exposing ‘A’ and finally bringing that person down. Aria listens as Mike says that Mona was storing her own blood so it could be smeared all over her house and that Alison DiLaurentis would look responsible for killing her because ‘A’ wants to see Alison locked up. Mike then explains that that when Mona found out who ‘A’ was, she comes back, Alison gets out of jail, and Aria and her friends would finally be safe. Saying that if what Mike is telling her is true, Aria listens as Mike says that it is, and that he and Mona fought about it for days. Mike mentions that Mona had convinced him that she had it all under control and that she would be safe. Shaking his head and tearing up, Mike tells Aria that he doesn’t believe it anymore. Aria questions if this is why Mike has been visiting Alison in jail, “you told her Mona’s plan?”, to which Mike says that he and Mona were supposed to meet a bunch of times but she’s never shown up, and that he only went to see Alison to find out if she knew anything about ‘A’. Aria realises that Mike thinks ‘A’ double crossed Mona and killed her, and as a tear rolls down his cheek, Mike nods. Aria questions why he’s so sure Alison isn’t ‘A’, and Mike says that she can’t be, Alison wasn’t even in town what it happened. Listening as Mike explains that Cyrus told him that ‘A’ had him get Alison out of town that day, Aria wonders why Mike had Mona’s blood, to which Mike tells her that Mona gave it to him as a promise that she’d be coming back. Mike goes on to say that he wasn’t hiding the blood vile in the tree because he hurt her, he was hiding it because he didn’t want Aria to find it and start asking questions. Mike adds that the blood vial was all he had left of Mona, and when Aria hugs her younger brother, he breaks down in tears.
In the Hastings’ great room, Aria listens as Emily questions that the necklace they found was for Mona, before Aria explains that Mike was holding onto any grain of hope, “but not anymore. He realises she’s really dead”. When Hanna comments that Mike didn’t realise how vicious ‘A’ can be, Spencer mentions that she can’t believe that Mike knows about ‘A’ at all. Emily says that for Mona to tell Mike she must have really trusted him, and Aria comments, “more than I did”. As a silence falls on them, Hanna listens as Emily what they do now, and if they tell Alison, to which Spencer questions how they can, before adding that they destroyed a lot of evidence that could have proved that she was innocent. Aria mentions that they basically made a barricade so the police had to throw her behind bars, and when Hanna wonders if they’re going to say anything before Alison’s trial, Emily says that they have to. Listening as Emily says that they accused Alison of being ‘A’, to her face, Aria wonders how they take that back.
Bloody Hell[]
In the visitation room at Chester County Women’s Correctional Facility, Aria asks Emily if she’s heard back from Hanna, to which Emily tells her she doesn’t know, and that the guards have their cell phones. Saying that this feels weird, Aria listens as Spencer says of course it does, they’re in a locked room with razor wire on the roof, only for Aria to say that she meant “coming here with our tail between our legs”. When Emily questions that Aria doesn’t think they owe Alison an apology, Spencer reminds Aria that they formed a human blockade, and when Emily also adds that Alison’s locked in a cell because of them, Aria says that Alison’s “locked in a cell because of karma”. Emily gives Aria a lock, and Aria concedes that Alison’s locked in a cell because of them as well. Aria listens as Emily mentions that no one is saying that Alison is a saint, and when Spencer comments that no one’s saying she’s a decent human being either, Emily reminds Aria that Alison is on trial for a murder she didn’t commit. As Emily says that she wouldn’t wish that on her worst enemy, Aria mentions that Alison is definitely runner up. Hearing the outer door of the room open, Aria, Emily and Spencer watch Alison be led in. Having taken a seat, Aria listens as Emily tells Alison that Mike was scared to say anything as he still thought Mona was alive and he didn’t want to put her in danger, before Alison questions that Mona’s plan was to let her rot in here. Spencer says that it was only until Mona found out who ‘A’ was and then she was going to come back, and when Emily adds that Alison would then be released, Aria says that Mona is now not coming back. As Emily notes that they’re going to figure out a way to Alison out of jail, Alison asks where Hanna is, and after the girls share a look, Spencer says that Hanna really wanted to be here, but she had to spend the day with her mom. A guard enters the room, telling them all that their visiting time is over, and as Aria, Spencer and Emily start to walk out, promising that they’ll be back soon, Alison calls out to Aria. Looking to the guard, Aria walks back over to Alison, who tells her that she’s going to have to tell her lawyers about Mike. Aria pleads with Alison not too, but Alison comments that Mike’s testimony may be the only thing to save her. Asking if Alison can hold off, “just let me find Cyrus, maybe he can lead me to A”, Aria listens as Alison says that they’ve been looking for ‘A’, but before she can finish, Aria cuts her off, saying that they’ve been trying to find A’s henchman, “we thought that ‘A’ was in a jail cell”. As Aria’s words since in, Alison tells her okay, she’ll wait, before saying that she wants Aria to know she’s not trying to hurt Mike, she just may not have another choice.
Standing by Hanna’s locker at Rosewood High, Aria listens as Spencer asks where Hanna was, to which Hanna apologises, saying she chickened out. Hanna goes to say that she couldn’t go back there after calling Alison a liar and a murderer to her face, and when Spencer points out that Alison is a liar, Emily comments that up until yesterday they all thought she was a murderer too. Aria then listens as Hanna tells them that they didn’t make a personal appearance and cut Alison open, pour salt into the wound and then exfoliate. Hanna asks if Alison was upset, to which Spencer says that she doesn’t know as Hanna’s absence took a second position to the bomb they had to drop about Mona, and Emily adds that after they left Alison was still pretty much in a state of shock. Looking to Aria, Spencer comments that the stake of shock seems contagious, before asking her what’s going on. Saying that she’s fine, Aria listens as Emily wonders if this is about Mike, to which Aria tells them that if they don’t figure out who ‘A’ is before Alison’s trial starts.., before Spencer realises that Alison is going to feed Mike to her defence team. Emily asks if Alison’s lawyers can make Mike take the stand, and Spencer says they can, but he will be a hostile witness. Aria tells them that it’s not about Mike getting in trouble with the law, “once Mike becomes Ali’s get out of jail free card, he also becomes A’s number one target”.
Being led into the Hastings’ house by Veronica, Hanna and Aria listen as Veronica tells them that this will have to be a quick visit and that Spencer is up in her room. Thanking Veronica, Hanna and Aria start to head up the stairs, but Aria stops and turns back to Veronica. Aria wonders if she can ask Veronica something, and when Veronica raises her eyebrows, Aria adds that it’s a legal question. Listening as Veronica says sure, Aria says she’s not sure where to start, “it’s kind of personal”, to which Veronica cuts her off, saying that she’s happy to talk with her, but she needs Aria to understand that the two of them don’t have attorney client privilege. Aria asks what that means, to which Veronica says that simple answer is that she may not be able to keep whatever Aria tells her just between the two of them, even if she wants to. Digging into her handbag, Aria pulls out a $1 bill, “I know it’s not your usual rate, but for the next hour will you be my lawyer”, before watching as Veronica takes the bill.
Listening as Veronica asks if this person was involved in the crime directly, 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’d say that if he impeded a police investigation knowingly, then yes, he’d definitely face charges. Aria asks what kind of charges, “like jail time?”, to which Veronica says that it would depend on the nature of the crime. Aria questions 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 he’d be in a lot.
In Spencer’s bedroom, Aria listens as Hanna says that Spencer cannot leave now, they just found out that Alison isn’t ‘A’ and they still don’t know whose trying to turn them into a chain gang. Spencer asks what she’s supposed to do, and when Hanna suggests that she misses her flight, Spencer mentions they shouldn’t underestimate Veronica waiting in duty free to make sure she catches the next flight. Aria listens as Emily questions what Toby say about all this, to which Spencer says that she didn’t tell Toby, and the only way to get his attention these days is over a police scanner. Emily then questions if Veronica can postpone the interview, to which Spencer says that if Emily has any suggestions on what to say to Veronica, she’s all ears. Hanna suggests that Spencer tell her mom the truth, and when they girls all look at her, Hanna says she thinks it’s about time Spencer finally comes clean and asks her mom for help. As Spencer asks if Hanna is serious, Aria comments that they can’t do that. Hanna questions why they can’t, and Emily comments that perhaps Hanna is right, before wondering what they have to lose, to which Aria says, “my brother”. Listening as Emily says that Spencer’s mom can help Mike, Aria tells her that Veronica can’t help them find ‘A’, before asking if they really want to rattle A’s cage by telling now, “we all know what happens when we do that”.
Arriving home, Aria walks up the path to her house, when she’s stopped by Andrew whose questions if she forgot about him. Realising that they had a study session scheduled for tonight, Aria apologises, saying that she totally spaced. As Aria questions if Andrew has been waiting outside long, Andrew tells her no, just long enough to start Anna Karenina, and finish it. Andrew tells Aria not to worry about it and the Cold War waits, before asking if they should get started. As Andrew starts to towards the front door, Aria calls out to him, saying that she feels terrible about flaking, but um, “can we just hold off on the study sessions for a while, maybe”. Andrew tells her okay, but if she’s going to blow off studying, perhaps she can squeeze in a movie. Listening as Andrew says he has two tickets to a screening of All the President’s Men, Aria questions if he means tonight, to which Andrew tells her its tomorrow at the Art House Theater downtown. Andrew questions what Aria has to say, and smiling, Aria says that she’d like to, “but, is this a date?” Shrugging, Andrew says he doesn’t know, before questioning Aria as to whether it is. Saying that it can’t be, Aria mentions that she’s still “sorta” seeing Ezra, and when Andrew questions her, Aria says that she is, “sort of”. Andrew comments that Aria seems less sure of that than she did of the three branches of government, but she shouldn’t sweat it, they’ll go as friends. With a smile, Aria agrees, “friends”, to which Andrew adds they’ll be study buddies and that the movies about Watergate, so it’s like a civics and history lesson all rolled into one. Saying that it sounds entertaining, Aria listens as Andrew tells her she won’t be sorry, the movie is a thriller about getting messages from a shadowing figure who knows everybody’s secrets. As Andrew says that it’s wild stuff, Aria non-committedly agrees, before Andrew says that he’ll see her later.
Knocking on the Marin’s patio doors, Aria lets herself in. Hanna questions where Aria has been, and that she covered for in school, to which Aria mentions that her brother is on borrowed time and she can’t be “sitting in Spanish conjugating verbs”. Saying that she really needs to talk to Cyrus, Aria listens as Hanna questions if she really thinks they’re going to find ‘A’ through Cyrus. When Hanna says she’d be lucky to even find Cyrus, Aria comments that already did. Explaining that she went back to the diner looking for a lead and she found one, Aria tells Hanna that Hank Mahoney is a regular and he works as a mechanic at a garage an hour and a half away. Listening as Hanna tells her that she shouldn’t have done that, Aria says that when she got to the garage a shop manager told her that Hank was injured while he was working on a car. Hanna tells Aria to stop saying Hank, it’s confusing, before questioning where Cyrus is. Aria tells her that he’s being treated at Tack Memorial Hospital, “I called but he can’t have visitors until tomorrow”. As Aria says they need to go down there and talk to Cyrus before he disappears again, Hanna questions why Aria is willing to go down this road with the guy who tried to run her over with his hog. Aria explains that when Mike met up with Cyrus, Cyrus admitted that he was paid to set Alison up, so if they can talk to him again, maybe he can give them some sort of insight into who contacted him. Hanna questions why Cyrus would tell them now, to which Aria says that they’re willing to pay him, but Hanna tells her no, she’s not doing that. Listening as Hanna says that Emily is already popping and locking her way into college, Aria tells her fine, “I’ll figure something else out, but you have to come with me”. Shaking her head, Hanna says she doesn’t think that’s a good idea because Cyrus is kind of a scary guy, but Aria says that he’s their only link to the real ‘A’.
At Tack Memorial Hospital, a nurse asks who Aria and Hanna are, and Aria explains that they’re Cyrus’ cousins. The nurse tells Hanna that she can’t bring the flowers she’s holding into the room, before telling the girls to put some hand sanitiser on their hands, front and back. As the nurse passes the girls a gown to put on, Hanna questions if she’s sure the gown is really necessary, they’re just going to see him for a second, to which the nurse tells her that’s all the time they’ll get, but she’s not going to risk the girls giving Cyrus or any of the other patients an infection. As Hanna notices a sign for the burn unit, she comments that Aria didn’t tell her that, and Aria says that she didn’t know, “I thought he had a broken leg or something”. As the nurse tells Aria and Hanna that no hair net means no visit, they rip into the plastic bags to net and gown.
Walking into the burn unit and over to Cyrus’ bed, Aria listens as the nurse tells Cyrus that he has visitors. As the nurse walks away and Cyrus turns to face them, Aria says that she and Hanna wanted to come talk with him, but they didn’t realise he had been in such a bad accident, “I’m sorry”. Cyrus mentions that it was no accident, and when Aria asks what he means, “are you saying someone did this to you?”, Cyrus doesn’t answer. Aria asks what happened, and flipping a bandage packet over, Cyrus scribes the word ‘Carjack’ when Aria passes him a sharpie. Picking up the bandage packet, Aria shows Hanna what Cyrus has written, before reading it out loud, “carjack”. The nurse walks back over, telling Aria and Hanna to say goodbye. As they’re walking out of the burn unit, Aria takes her ringing phone out of her pocket.
Answering the call, Aria tells Spencer to slow down. Spencer comments that there was bloody everywhere, and that she threw out the purse, but what if someone finds it and turns it in. Questioning whose blood it was, Aria listens as Spencer says she doesn’t know and it could be hers or Aria or Mona’s. As Spencer says that she thinks she is going to be sick, Aria tells Spencer that she really needs to calm down, but Spencer questions how, before asking if Aria knows what this means. Spencer goes on to say that it means ‘A’ put the blood in her bag before she got to the airport, and if they had found it in the x-ray machine she could still be there getting grilled by dozens of federal agents. Aria reminds Spencer that she’s not, and she’s lucky she found the blood, but Spencer cuts her off, saying that she’s freaking out and she wants to come home. Telling Spencer to come home, Aria listens as Spencer says she can’t, before wondering how she’s supposed to get on a plane, and what if they find a pinkie toe in her checked luggage. Aria tells Spencer that she’s not the only one being targeted, and when Spencer asks what Aria means, Aria tells her that ‘A’ put Cyrus in the hospital, “and I’m guessing it’s punishment for meeting Mike”. Spencer questions how, and Aria explains that it looks like ‘A’ hurt Cyrus and tried to make it look like a carjacking, to which Spencer says that she can’t be hearing this right now. Saying that she didn’t mean to upset her, Aria tells Spencer she didn’t mean it make it worse. As Spencer says that she doesn’t know what to do, Aria overhears Hanna arguing with the nurse, and tells Spencer that she has to go.
As Aria and Hanna are walking away from the nurse’s station, the nurse tells Hanna to next time wear pants. Hanna tells Aria that she could have taken the nurse, but Aria tells Hanna no, “you couldn’t have”. Waiting for an elevator, Hanna mentions that Aria could have distracted the nurse, and when Aria questions what Hanna would have wanted her to do, “juggle?”, Hanna exclaims that she could have done something. Hanna then says that the prison guards were less intimidating, and that when she took one step towards Cyrus’ room, the nurse flew over the desk like crouching tiger, hidden dragon. Walking into the elevator, Hanna adds that ‘A’ is tying up loose ends and Cyrus is one of them. As Hanna is grabbing her car keys from her pocket, the bandage packet that Cyrus wrote on falls out. When Hanna picks the packet up, she realises that the ‘C’ is a ‘V’, and telling Aria to look, Hanna comments that it’s not Carjack, they read it wrong, it’s Varjack. Taking the bandage packet, Aria listens as Hanna says that Cyrus wasn’t trying to tell them what happened, he was trying to tell them who did it. Aria questions if Hanna thinks that ‘A’ is going by the name Varjack, and Hanna wonders why not, before saying that Spencer always said how Alison was obsessed with Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Aria listens as Hanna adds that Alison turned into Holly for the fake passport, before she theorises that maybe ‘A’ is taunting her by being Paul Varjak. As Aria comments that Cyrus spelt Varjak wrong, Hanna realise that it’s awesome. Aria wonders why that’s awesome, “it just means he’s a bad speller”, to which Hanna mentions that it means Cyrus has never seen it written down, and that ‘A’ hasn’t contacted him through email or text. Aria then realises that Cyrus and ‘A’ spoke.
Aria is on the phone with Hanna as she walks into Mike’s bedroom. Looking around the room, Aria listens as Hanna asks if she’s talked with Mike and if he has any idea who Varjak is, but Aria tells her that she can’t find Mike, “he might be at a game. I’m looking for a schedule right now”. Noticing Mike’s schedule pinned to his dartboard, Aria tells Hanna that she’s going to call her back, before ending the call and climbing up on Mike’s weight bench. As Andrew calls out to Aria, asking if she’s home, Aria calls back, saying that she’s “up here”, all the while stretching to reach Mike’s lacrosse schedule. Just as she’s about to reach for the schedule, the weight bench collapses under Aria’s weight and sends her falling to the ground. Having heard the crash, Andrew rushes into Mike’s bedroom, and asks what happened and if Aria is okay. Attempting to sit up, Aria says she was standing on the weight bench and it broke. Picking up a nut and bolt, Andrew comments that that’ weird, and asking what, Aria listens as Andrew says that the nut and bolt don’t match and if Mike had been using the bench, the weights would have crushed his skull.
As Andrew checks over Aria ankle he asks if it hurts, and Aria tells him it does, “a little”. Andrew says he doesn’t think it’s broken, but she may have a sprain, before questioning what Aria was doing up on the weight bench. Saying that she was just grabbing something from the dart board, Aria listens as Andrew comments that this is why they need to hang out more, because he’s basically a human step ladder. As Andrew says that for such a petite girl she brings a lot of chaos, Aria just stares at the collapsed weights, and softly cry. Andrew says problems don’t scare him, but the swelling on Aria’s ankle does, and she may need to get a doctor to look at it, before he looks up to Aria and notices that she’s crying. Andrew offers Aria his sleeve to wipe her town, telling her to go to town, but Aria shakes her head and wipes away some of the tears. As the two share a look, Andrew leans in to kiss Aria, a kiss she reciprocates.
To Plea or Not to Plea[]
In a classroom at Rosewood High, Aria listens as Emily says that Hanna said Alison doesn’t know anyone named Varjak, to which Aria questions if Emily really believes that. Listening as Emily questions why Alison would lie, her life is one the line, Aria points out that Mike’s is as well. Emily then mentions that they need to talk with Cyrus because if Varjak paid him to set up Alison, than Varjak knows who ‘A’ is. Saying that she called the hospital this morning and the nurse said Cyrus had a setback, “he’s in the ICU”, Aria listens as Emily notes that maybe Mike should tell the cops what he knows, but Aria tells her that Mike will then end up in jail with Alison. Emily comments that it’s better than being in the ICU with Cyrus, to which Aria says that she’s not letting either of those things happen to her brother. Emily then suggests that maybe Ezra can help them, he did do a lot of research for his book and maybe he came across that name at some point. Before Aria can answer, the school bell rings and as students come filing into the classroom, Aria and Emily take a seat at their desks.
Aria is taking a call in the Rosewood High courtyard. Ending the call, she walks over to where Hanna and Emily are standing, and Hanna wonders what Jason said. Aria explains that Kenneth is with Alison right now, but she’s not taking any other visitors. Emily questions why Alison would do that, and Hanna says that it’s because Alison doesn’t want to face them. Aria then tells Hanna and Emily that Jason said that Alison’s lawyer got her so rattled about the trial that she’s considering taking the plea.
Walking through the hallways, Aria listens as Emily mentions that she’s going to call Spencer. Aria tells her not to, because if she tells Spencer about Alison’s plea, she’ll either bomb her interview or skip it and come home, “do you seriously want to be responsible for her not getting into St. Andrews?” Emily tells Aria no, before saying that Spencer will kill them if they don’t tell her what’s going on. Saying that she knows, Aria mentions that they should hold off until they know more, and Emily tells her fine, but they should go talk with Ezra. As Emily adds that if Ezra has any information on Varjak they need to know, Aria stutters, saying she can’t right now, “I have a history test in a few minutes and if I don’t get my grade in, I might lose my spot at Savannah”. Opening her locker, Aria watches as a note falls out, and picking it up, Emily reads aloud that the person who has written the note wishes Aria good luck, and they hope Aria’s ankle is alright. Grabbing the note, Aria listens as Emily says the person hopes to also make plans for Aria dinner tonight, before she reads that it’s from Andrew. Mentioning that it’s Andrew Campbell, Aria listens as Emily questions if there’s something going on between them, before saying that he’s helping her study. As Emily asks besides that, Aria shakes her head, “no”. Emily then wonders why Andrew is Aria to dinner, and why she is blushing, to which Aria confesses that they kissed, “you happy?” Emily questions that Aria kissed Andrew, and Aria tells Emily not to look at her like that. As Emily continues to give Aria a disbelieving look, Aria explains that Andrew helped her with her ankle last night, “he was comforting me and I… kinda just got caught up in the moment”. Listening as Emily questions what about Ezra, Aria tells Emily that she doesn’t know what’s going on between them and she can’t think about that right now. Closing her locker, and as the school bell rings, Aria says that Emily should go talk with Ezra and she’ll meet up with her after the test. When Emily says okay, Aria walks off.
Pulling up outside James Neilan office, Aria gets out of her car and rushes over to Emily who is leaning against her own car. Saying that she got here as fast as she could, Aria listens as Emily explains that Ezra’s just in there talking with Neilan. Emily notices a look cross Aria’s face, and when she asks if Aria is okay, Aria mentions that she hasn’t seen Ezra in a while and she doesn’t want things to be weird, to which Emily says she’s sure it’ll be fine. Ezra approaches Aria and Emily, and after Aria and Ezra greet each other, a silence falls between them, unsure of what to say to the other. Emily cuts in, questioning what James said to Ezra, and Ezra says that Neilan wouldn’t tell him anything. Aria notices James leaving his office, and telling Ezra and Emily to look, the three watch as James rushes from his office and gets into his car. As Emily comments that Neilan seems to be in a rush, Aria turns and starts heading back towards her own car, and calling out to Emily and Ezra, Aria questions whether they’re coming or not.
Following James Neilan out to a residence in the woods, Aria watches as James waits for a large double gate to open before he drives in, and Ezra comments that whoever lives here really wants to keep people out. Aria’s cell phone beeps with an incoming text, and reading over it, Aria turns her phone over, but not before Ezra has also had a chance to read the text, and question who Andrew is. Before Aria has a chance to answer, Emily tells them that they have to go, and after Emily gets from the car, Aria and Ezra share a look, before they to get from the car and run towards the closing double gates. The gates close before Aria and Ezra can get through, separating them from Emily. Emily comments that Aria and Ezra were behind her, and as Aria tells Emily to stay right there, Ezra mentions that he’s going to try and find another way onto the property. Looking around, Emily comments that it looks as though the fence goes around the whole place, before saying perhaps she could just take a look around. Aria tells Emily no, “we’re not letting you go in there by yourself”, to which Emily tells Aria she’ll be fine. Ezra reminds Emily she has no idea whose in the woods or the house, but Emily tells Ezra that by the time he and Aria find a way to get in the property, Neilan could be gone and he came here for a reason, and don’t they want to know what it is. Watching as Emily turns and heads down the gravel track, Aria listens as Ezra tells her to come on, and together they head down the boundary line to find a way in.
Walking along the boundary, Aria explains that he’s been helping her study, “Andrew”, and that’s why he was so excited to hear she did so well on the test. Ezra tells her that it’s good to hear that Andrew is supporting her, and Aria comments that she needs to keep her grades up if she wants to keep her spot at SCAD. Ezra notes that Emily mentioned that to him, and when he congratulates her, Aria thanks him. Listening as Ezra then says that he’s surprised she didn’t tell him that herself, Aria says that she meant to, “it’s just been a crazy week”. Ezra comments that it’s good to know that she’s not avoiding him, to which Aria wonders why she would, before suggesting that it’s probably best if they split up. When Ezra looks towards her, Aria explains that they’ll cover more territory that way. Asking Ezra to call her if she finds a way in, Aria turns and starts walking back in the opposite direction.
Aria is standing by her car, looking into the property, when Ezra meets back up with her, saying that he circled the entire property, and there’s no way they’re getting over that security fence. Saying that she’s calling Emily, grabs her cell phone from her pocket and starts dialling.
Aria tells Ezra that Emily’s not picking up, and noticing the double gates open, they duck behind the bushes. Watching as James Neilan leaves the property, Aria and Ezra come out of hiding when they notice Emily follow the car out. Aria tells Emily that she scared the crap out of them, before asking why Emily didn’t answer her phone. Emily tells them that it’s Varjak’s house, and when Ezra questions that Neilan is Varjak, Emily says no, but Neilan is working for Varjak. Aria’s cell phone beeps, and when she reacts to what she’s read, “oh my god!”, Emily questions what the message said, to which Aria announces that “Hanna’s been arrested”.
At the Rosewood Police Department, Aria listens as Caleb tells her and Emily that they have to show Tanner all of the pictures and all of the texts on their phones. Ezra then notes that if the girls do, Tanner will have no choice but to believe Hanna. As Emily says that should wait for Spencer to get back in the morning, before Aria and Emily’s cell phones beep with an incoming text. Emily reads the text aloud, “let’s all start with a clean slate. –A”, before Aria comments that all the text ‘A’ sent her are gone. Emily notes that hers are as well, and when Caleb questions that they’ve got nothing to help Hanna, Emily says that there is one thing. Aria listens as Emily says she found a receipt at Varjak’s, and handing it Ezra, she explains that the receipt doesn’t just have his name on it, it also has his phone number. Ezra concludes that either Varjak is ‘A’, or Varjak is working for A, but nonetheless, the receipt could help Hanna.
Sitting on a park seat in the middle of town, Aria thanks Ezra for meeting her when he sits down next to her. Ezra tells her that he brought her a muffin, but he can’t promise it’s any good as he’s trying out a new chef. Smiling as she takes the muffin, Aria listens as Ezra wonders if she’s figured out when she’d be able to see Hanna, to which Aria tells him that it won’t be for a few days, “she still has to be fully processed first”. Aria then mentions that she couldn’t sleep at all last night, she just kept thinking about how scared Hanna must be all alone in there. Listening as Ezra mentions that Hanna’s really strong and he thinks she’s going to be okay until her mom gets her out on bail, Aria comments that’s if Ashley gets her out on bail. A silence falls between them, and breaking that silence, Aria mentions that yesterday Ezra asked if she’d been avoiding him. Ezra comments that they don’t have to talk about this now, but Aria tells him that she needs to, and seeing him made her realise that. Aria then admits that she has been avoiding him, because she knows that when she says what she’s about to say, there’s no taking it back. Ezra nods, and as Aria says that Ezra was right, Ezra turns to face her. Aria goes on to say says that she did miss out on a lot of high school because of their relationship, “and although I don’t regret any of it, I think that when I go away to college I should be single”. Taking a moment, Ezra tells her that she’s making the right choice, but if they’re going to end it, they should do it now. Ezra tells Aria that the past few weeks have been so difficult not knowing where they stood, and it’s going to be so much harder if they’re just counting down the days until Aria goes. Realisation and emotion hitting, Aria comments that she cannot imagine her life without him, and Ezra tells her that she doesn’t have to, he wants her in his too. As Ezra adds that they’ll figure something out, Aria takes his hand.
The Melody Lingers On[]
Sitting at the island counter in Spencer’s kitchen, Aria and Emily listen as Spencer comments that if her head hadn’t been so jetlaggy she would have remembered sooner, but the number off the Varjak receipt is the same number as the personal ads in Alison’s house. Emily wonders how this helps Hanna, and Spencer mentions that if Alison’s not guilty, they can’t charge Hanna as an accessory, and you can’t help someone commit a crime they didn’t commit. Aria notes that Alison already told them that the letter and the passport are fake, so why should they think the number in the ads are real, to which Spencer admits she doesn’t know, but they didn’t find the number with the other things. Emily then questions what if the numbers are the same, what does that mean, before saying they call and it just rings, no pickup, no voicemail, nothing. As Aria adds that meanwhile Neilan’s law office is closed and locked, Spencer notes that the number appearing twice has got to mean something, they just have to figure it out, to which Emily wonders what will happen if they don’t figure it out in time. As Veronica comes down the stairs, the girls hide the personal ads and Varjak receipt, before turning and listening as Veronica comments that the girls are going to be late for school. Spencer says that there are teacher conferences, and they dropped the first two periods. Veronica then mentions that this is her chance to talk to the three of them, before saying that she wants to strongly suggest that the girls stay away from Alison’s trial. The girls look to each other, before Spencer questions that this is a suggestion, to which Veronica tells her that for Aria and Emily, yes, but her Spencer it’s more than a suggestion. Aria listens as Emily wonders what Alison will think if they’re not there, but Veronica says that she’s more concerned by what other people will think, and that jury’s have eyes. Spencer mentions that the whole town knows they’re friends with Alison, and when Aria adds that if they don’t go it’ll look like they think Alison’s guilty, Veronica tells Aria that she can’t tell her and Emily what to do, but they should consider their actions. Spencer then questions what they’re going to do when Hanna goes to trial, and if they’re supposed to turn their backs on her too, and when Veronica says that they’re not talking about ethics, Spencer tells her that that’s for sure. Aria and Emily share an uncomfortable look, and when Emily suggests that perhaps they should go, the two get up from their seats and head off towards the door.
In The Brew, Aria, Emily and Spencer sit with Caleb, who tells them that everything he’s tried to trace the Varjak number back to a source just disappears into a black hole of nothingness. As Caleb comments that the phone on the other end could be on Mars of the other side of the room, Spencer questions that it’s an insanely secure phone and someone uses it to order pizza. As Emily questions that perhaps the person on the other end doesn’t know what they have, Aria wonders why they don’t pick up when they call, which leads Spencer to ask Caleb if he has a burner phone. When Caleb passes Spencer one, Aria listens as Emily mentions that the number is just going to keep ringing, to which Spencer says they’ll see what happens when she puts it in writing. Spencer shows Caleb, Aria, Emily and the text, “did you miss me? Love, Holly”, and Emily questions if Spencer meant Holly Golightly or Holly Varjak. Caleb tells Spencer to send it, and as Spencer is doing so, Aria asks what happens if they’re not in the same book club. Spencer tells her that they'll figure out something else, before she passes the burner phone back to Caleb. Aria then asks if Spencer will be at Alison’s trial tomorrow, and Spencer says that she doesn’t know. After Spencer gets up and leaves, Aria listens as Emily asks Caleb if he’s going to visit Hanna, and Caleb tells her he is tomorrow. Caleb adds that Hanna said she’ll try and call him today, and Emily mentions that Hanna has to get to Alison and tell her about the phone number.
Walking into a classroom at Rosewood High, Aria finds Andrew laying out some papers on desks. Greeting him, “hey”, Aria listens as Andrew greets her back, before he comments that she’s been hard to find. Aria says that she knows, “I’m sorry, I meant to text you back”, but there’s just been a lot going on. Andrew tells her he knows, and as he asks how it went, Aria just looks at him. Andrew questions the test, before asking if he’s a successful tutor. With a smile, Aria tells him he’s “very successful”, and walking past Aria to get another stack of papers, Andrew tells her that’s good. Listening as Andrew questions how Mike is, Aria says that he’s okay, “I guess”, and that he’s up in Harrisburg with his lacrosse team, “they’re turning it into a field trip”. Adding that she’s glad Mike’s out of town to keep his mind off, “you know”, and Andrew surmises that she means the trial, to which Aria confirms, “the trial”. Andrew questions that it’s happening fast, and Aria tells him that that’s how Mr DiLaurentis wanted it, “no motions, no delays”. Andrew mentions that he guesses that’s what Mr DiLaurentis thinks is best for Alison, to which Aria says she guesses so. Changing the subject, Aria asks how Andrew is, and Andrew tells her that he’s fine, but he’s getting a little tired of memorialising Mona, and that Mrs Horowitz keeps talking about her. Aria suggests that Mrs Horowitz is just trying to understand like the rest of them, and Andrew says that he supposes, but it’s like Mrs Horowitz is ready to nominate Mona for sainthood, our best scholar, our martyred hero. As Andrew adds that it’s like Mona won every championship on her own, Aria mentions that she guesses Mona was a pretty aggressive competitor, to which Andrew says she wasn’t aggressive, she was vicious, and he’s seen Mona intellectually kneecap dozens of kids and the only thing Mona likes better than winning is taking the credit. Listening as Andrew says that they’re lucky Mona didn’t get to college and start thinking of running for president, Aria wonders if Andrew is saying that the world is better off without Mona, and Andrew clarifies that he’s saying there are other people on the team.
Walking into Alison’s trial, Aria and Emily look towards Alison. Alison’s eyebrow furrow as if to ask if Spencer is coming, to which Aria shakes her head. As proceedings get underway, Aria listens as the prosecutor goes through his opening statement, asking the jury to remember high school, before saying that Ms. Marcus, Alison’s lawyer, will soon be telling them of an amazing story about Alison DiLaurentis and how she was kidnapped and traumatized by two years of captivity, how she escaped her captors and returned home with the help of her closest friends, but the Commonwealth will proved with direct testimony of witnesses that Alison DiLaurentis’ epic tale of abduction and escape is a lie. Douglas then adds that Alison planned and carried out the murder of Mona Vanderwaal, consigning her to a cruel, anonymous end.
Outside the courtroom and on the phone with Spencer, Aria tells Spencer that the prosecution know about Alison not being kidnapped and they probably know about New York too. Spencer wonders how they could know, and Aria tells, “witnesses, Spencer. He said they’ve got witnesses”. Spencer realises that it must be Cyrus, and when Aria questions her, “Cyrus?”, Emily questions what Aria and Spencer mean by Cyrus. Spencer then tells Aria that the cops must have found Cyrus, he knows the whole kidnapping story and he’d do anything to save himself, before asking where Mike is. Saying that Mike’s in Harrisburg, Aria listens as Spencer says that that’s good, before she herself wonders why that’s good. As Spencer is about to answer Aria, the girls are stopped by Kenneth who comes storming down towards Aria and Emily, saying they all knew about Alison’s fake kidnapping story, and they told the police. Aria listens as Kenneth concludes that the four girls talked Alison into lying and it was their idea, before Jason steps in, telling Kenneth that Alison lied to the girls the same way she lied to them. Rebecca steps in between the DiLaurentis men, telling them not to get into it here, and giving Aria and Emily one last look, Kenneth turns and walks back down the hall. As Rebecca and Jason turn and follow Kenneth, Aria asks if Spencer heard what had just happened. Spencer tells her that she did, and Aria mentions that they adjourned for the day, “but we’ll call if anything else happens”.
In The Brew, Aria questions if the Varjak phone number is a dead end or not, and Spencer tells her that if it’s Mona’s then it’s a dead end. Emily notes that Mona’s dead, before questioning who the lawyer was talking to, and that he had to be getting his instructions from someone. Aria’s cell phone rings, and looking at the caller ID Aria tells Spencer, Emily and a newly arrived Caleb that it’s the Varjak number. Spencer tells her to answer it, but Aria wonders why it has her number, “I never called from my phone”. Emily tells Aria to answer it quick, and when Aria says that Varjak will then know where they are, Caleb snatches the phone out of Aria’s hand, saying that they don’t have time for this. Answering the call, Caleb listens, before he places Aria’s cell on loud speaker for the girls to hear music playing on the other end of the line.
In Caleb’s apartment, Aria, Caleb, Emily and Spencer play the recording that Aria received on her cell to Hanna. Caleb asks if she’s getting it, and when Hanna says that she is, Spencer comments that they don’t know what it means. Hanna tells them that she knows what it means, or she doesn’t know, but she’s heard it before. Aria listens as Emily asks where, and Hanna tells them she’s heard it in Mona’s room, before explaining that Mona used to play this song, French music, from people like Edith Pilaf. Aria questions if Hanna means like the rice dish, but Spencer says that Hanna meant Piaf, Edith Piaf. Turning off the music, Caleb tells that girls that Alison was wrong, it was never Mona taunting her, it was ‘A’, and when Emily questions why ‘A’ would call back and play that song, and why not let them keep thinking it was Mona, Caleb says it’s A’s way of rubbing it in their faces. Aria concludes that Mona never sent the lawyer, “but that doesn’t mean she left us in the dark”, and Emily mentions that Mona hid the tape Hanna found in the book. As Emily says that the police went all over Mona’s room and never found it, Hanna wonders so, to which Spencer says that maybe there’s more and maybe the answers are still in Mona’s bedroom. Aria listens as Emily says that they’ve got to get back to Mona’s room, and Spencer tells Hanna that she spent more time in that room than any of them, so she should try to think of places Mona would have hid stuff. Aria then mentions that they need to talk to Mona’s mom, and when Emily comments that Leona wasn’t at the trial, Spencer says that it’s got to be hard to hear people talking about your dead daughter, to which Hanna exclaims that if there is something in Mona’s room that could get her out of prison, she doesn’t care how upset Leona is, they just need to find it. Caleb tells Hanna that they’ll do it, and as there’s a beeping coming over the line, Hanna says that she’s about to be cut off. As Spencer tells Hanna to hang on, Aria comments for her to stay strong, and Emily says that they love her, the call ends. As Aria, Spencer, Emily and Caleb all take a step back from the cell phones, Caleb hands Aria her phone back, apologising for grabbing it from her. Saying that it’s okay, Aria listens as Caleb tells her it’s not, if they start stepping on each other, none of them are going to make it out alive. Emily then questions if they should go see Mona’s mom, and Spencer says that shouldn’t all go at once, it’s just going to scare her. Aria volunteers to do it, “I’m the least intimidating”, and Emily volunteers to drive her. As the three girls turn to all leave, Caleb calls out to Spencer. All three girls turn, and when Spencer tells Aria and Emily that she’ll call them later, Aria and Emily walks out the door.
Walking back to Emily’s car after having knocked on the Vanderwaal’s front door, Aria tells Emily that there was no answer. Emily wonders if Aria really thinks there’s something up in Mona’s room, or if they’re just chasing smoke. Aria comments that she doesn’t know, “but whatever Mona was, she wasn’t stupid”, so if she knew what might happen, she could have left them a clue. As Emily reels of the ifs, might’s and could’s, Aria mentions that it’s all they’ve got. Emily questions what if it’s not enough, before saying that they’re running out of time and they’re all going to get dragged down the rabbit hole with Alison. Wondering if Emily just wants to give up and go shopping, Aria just smiles when Emily quizzically looks at her, before Emily tells her not just yet.
Along with the rest of the courtroom, Aria watches the video of Mona being attacked on the day she died. Aria listens as the prosecutor asks why Jason has decided to tell the truth about Alison’s alibi, Jason comments that he doesn’t know. When the prosecutor wonders if it’s because of something Jason saw on the video, Jason says that he doesn’t think so, and Spencer whispers to Aria that something’s wrong, he’s changing his story. Jason then adds that he now believes that Alison couldn’t have been the one to attack Mona. The prosecutor then asks Jason if knows a girl named Hanna Marin, to which Jason says he does, before confirming that Hanna is one of Alison’s friends. The prosecutor asks Jason who Ashley Marin is, and after Jason explains that she’s Hanna’s mom, he’s asked to point Ashley out for the jury. As Jason says Ashley is in the third row wearing a blue dress, all eyes, including Aria’s, go to Ashley. The prosecutor goes on to ask whether on occasion Jason met with Ashley out of the office, and when Jason tells him yes, Mr Sirk asks whether their meetings were social, to which Jason confirms that they were. Mr Sirk then questions whether these social meetings were always in public places, and after Jason says that most of them were, the prosecutor questions that not all of them were and some were in private. When Jason admits that some of his meetings with Ashley were in private, Aria turns to Emily and asks if Jason is saying what she thinks he’s saying, and Emily questions if the situation is serious. Mr Sirk questions whether Jason would describe the meetings as intimate, to which Jason says that they were private. As the prosecutor asks whether anything happened during these private meetings with the attractive woman seated in the gallery that lead Jason to alter his testimony, Jason tells him no.
Outside the courtroom, Aria listens as Emily questions whether they think Hanna knew about her mom’s affair with Jason, before commenting that Hanna did, “and it looks like ‘A’ knew about it too”. Emily then questions that what was said in the courtroom hurt Alison, and Spencer tells Emily and Aria that it made it sound like Alison’s own brother thinks she did it. Aria says it was until Hanna’s mom convinced Jason to change his story, and Emily wonders if they think that’s what Ashley did. Spencer then tells Aria and Emily to hang on, and the two watch as Spencer makes her way down the hallways towards Jason.
After Jason has walked off on Spencer, Aria and Emily approach. Aria asks what Jason said, and turning to face the girls, Spencer says that the truth will set you free but first it turns you inside out. Spencer tells the girls to come on, and when Emily question where they’re going, Spencer tells them they’re going to Mona’s house.
At the Vanderwaal residence, Aria and Emily stand back on the porch as Spencer knocks on the front door. Emily questions if they think Leona is in there, before Aria calls out, “Mrs Vanderwaal”. Emily then questions that if Leona’s not here, and she wasn’t at the trial, then where is she, and Spencer comments that Leona is hiding, and she doesn’t blame her. Saying that it was a long shot, Aria starts walking back down the porch stairs, and Spencer tells her that long shots are all they have. As the girls are walking down the path, they start to hear music playing. Looking up towards Mona’s bedroom, they see the window open. Rushing towards the front door, Emily finds the door open, and the three girls run inside and up the stairs into Mona’s bedroom, finding it trashed. As Spencer says that it was a good idea, Aria watches as Emily walks over to the record player and finds a note stashed in a dolls head, “finders keepers, losers weepers. Quelle tristesse. –A”. Looking around the room, Aria tells the girls to wait, and when Spencer asks her what, Aria questions how you would stop someone from searching a room. Emily asks what Aria means, and Aria questions why they think ‘A’ found something just because they said so. Spencer realises that the note was written to taunt them, and Aria suggests it could also have been to trick them. As Emily says they should think like Mona, both Aria and Spencer give her a look, and Emily tells them it just has to be for a minute. Aria begins to look around the room, before watching as Spencer picks up a handheld mirror from Mona’s dressing table. Shaking the mirror, Spencer hears it sound, and pulling off the glass, she finds a message Mona had hidden, “Chandelier’s rituals. Sister launched lair. A ruler’s list chained”.
Walking back down the stairs, Spencer, Aria and Emily leave the Vanderwaal house.
Walking into The Brew with Emily, Aria asks what the hell a chandelier ritual is, but Emily says she has no idea. As Emily tells Aria to let her change, she thinks better in lower heels, Aria watches as she walks off towards The Brew’s kitchen. Looking around, Aria turns back when Andrew calls her name as he approaches. Listening as Andrew tells her he didn’t want her getting the wrong idea, Aria questions him, “about what?”, and Andrew explains that he’s been thinking and he realises that he made a really bad impression when he said what he did about Mona. Aria tells him that everything about Mona was complicated, to which Andrew says that when he said what he did about her, he saw the look that crossed Aria’s face, and it wasn’t the way he wanted her to look at him, ever. Saying that it’s just her face, “sometimes it does things without checking with me first”, Aria listens as Andrew tells her that it sounded like he was saying that Mona deserved what happened to her, and he doesn’t believe that. Aria tells him that nobody does, and Andrew says that it was bothering him, so he just wanted to make sure they were clear on this, to which Aria says they’re clear. Andrew then tells Aria that if she needs him for anything, like cramming for an exam, or driving out to some roadhouse, she has him on speed dial. Saying, “right”, Aria listens as Andrew comments that he feels better, before he leans in and kisses her on the cheek. Noticing the look on Aria’s face as he pulls back, Andrew comments that he guesses he surprised her face again, to which Aria says that it’s okay. Saying that she’ll call him, Andrew tells her okay, before walking from the establishment.
I'm a Good Girl, I Am[]
Aria and the others are at the courthouse for Alison's trial. They watch on in shock as the surprise witness- Leslie Stone- storms in and takes the stand. Leslie tells the court that she and Mona talked on the phone and texted a lot and were very close last summer. The prosecutor shows the court a card that Mona sent to Leslie two weeks before Thanksgiving. In the card, Mona claimed that she was having a hard time and that Alison had threatened her that if she didn’t keep her mouth shut about Alison’s fake kidnapping, Mona would be “eaten by worms”. Leslie says that she didn’t share the card with the police earlier because she was studying for midterms and put it in a textbook, and so couldn’t find it. Leslie firther elaborates that she didn’t take the card seriously as she thought feuds were common in high school and didn’t understand the magnitude of Mona’s situation until it was too late. Leslie adds that when she came to Rosewood to visit Leona, she noticed that although Alison was in jail, her friends were always on edge about anyone asking any questions about Mona. She mentions how she was “practically attacked” by Mona’s boyfriend for borrowing a book from her room. Just then, Andrew slides into the seat next to Aria and holds her hand. Leslie agrees with the prosecutor that Alison’s friends were hiding something to protect Alison.
After the court session, Aria, Spencer, and Emily have a conference call with Alison and Hanna. Hanna is on one phone while Alison is on another. The girls fill Alison in about Leslie. Aria thinks that Leslie may be another one of A’s traps, but Hanna believes that Leslie cared about Mona. The girls tell Alison about the cryptic note they found in Mona’s room. The girls are worried as they are running out of time and have no clue on how to save Alison as she has no alibi. Alison states that according to her lawyer, going after a possible witness is a waste of time. Elaborating on this statement, Alison explains that while she was waiting for Cyrus at the playground, she heard someone there and saw their jacket. She thought it was ‘A’ and panicked and ran away. Hanna and Alison’s calls get cut off as their time is up.
That night, Aria pulls Mike into her room and tells him about Leslie’s testimony. She warns him that he could get called to testify. Mike is ready to tell the truth, but she tells him to keep his mouth shut about ‘A’. He snaps that he is done keeping secrets and thinks that Mona would probably still be alive if he had gone to the cops earlier. Aria tells him that if tells the truth about ‘A’, it will come back to bite him. Mike is disgusted that Aria is telling him to perjure himself but Aria tells him that she just wants him to have three answers in court: “Yes”, “No” and “I don’t remember”. Later that night, Mike comes home from practice and brings in a package left at the porch. Mike and Aria think that its photo supplies for the yearbook since Ella made Aria in-charge to distract her from the trial. Mike tells her that he has to tell the truth to help Alison and Hanna but Aria doesn’t want him to. Inside the box, they find a huge cow tongue. They freak out and Aria tells him that it is a warning from ‘A’. Hearing the commotion, Ella walks in but Aria tells her that nothing is wrong.
The next day, Aria is meets with Ezra at The Brew and tells him about the package. Ezra advises her to take the package to the police but Aria reminds him about what happened to Hanna when she tried to tell the police about ‘A’. Aria asks him to take Mike up to his cabin to keep him away from the trial but Ezra tells her that he cannot stop Mike from testifying if he is subpoenaed. Aria tells him to explain to Mike how dangerous it is to testify and informs him that their parents are ready to send Mike out of town too. Ezra is hesitant but agrees.
At school, while Aria is working on the yearbook, Andrew walks into the classroom. He asks Aria why she failed to call him the previous night, but she shrugs it off, saying that she had family stuff to deal with. Andrew wants to know if the family stuff is actully about Mike. Aria admits that it is: Alison's trial is starting to mess with Mike's head and so she has asked Ezra to take Mike away for a couple of days. Andrew is surprised that Aria went to Ezra for help instead of come to him since he thought that her and Ezra were over for good. Aria assures him that though they are definitely broken up, Mike bonded with Ezra after Mona's memorial. Andrew, a little hurt, states that he can bond with Mike too, "you don't need a teaching degree for that". Aria tries to reassure him that she and Ezra are just friends, it's just that Ezra's got a cabin up in the Poconos, and so her parents are comfortable with him taking Mike up there. Contemptuously, Andrew comments that Ezra has "got Mom and Pop on his side, too". Aria tries to make him understand that it's not a competition between him and Ezra, she and Ezra happen to have a lot of history. Andrew states that he has offered to help Aria the same way that Ezra has but he thinks that Aria doesn’t seem to hear him when he says that he’s there for her. Ella tells Aria to get back to work. Aria comforts him, saying that she does hear him and gives him a kiss.
At home that night, Ella tells Aria that Spencer and Emily had no right to corner Kendra at school. Aria defends them, saying that they are just trying find someone to back up Alison’s story that she wasn’t in Rosewood on Thanksgiving day. Aria confronts her mom and demands to know what Kendra is trying to hide. Ella is hesitant about breaching Kendra’s trust but Aria tells her she has two friends sitting in jail and Kendra may know something to help them. Ella confesses that Kendra told her she went to a party and experimented with drugs. She had a bad reaction and got so high that she slept in the playground to sober up because she didn’t want her parents to know. But Kendra never mentioned seeing Alison or anyone else in the playground. Ella questions her why she is so sure Alison is innocent and insists that she separate herself from Alison. Aria asks her whether she is supposed to abandon Hanna too. Later that night, Aria is trying to get in contact with Mike and Ezra, but none of them is picking up their phones or the landline at the cabin. As a last resort, she calls Andrew and asks him to drive up to Ezra’s cabin and check on Mike, but Andrew doesn't pick up her calls.
The next day at court, Alison's lawyer is able to prove that since Alison sustained a fracture on her right elbow when she was about 3 years old and it didn’t heal properly, there is no way she could have killed Mona. A wave of relief washes over Aria and the others. But this is soon squashed when the prosecutor shows the court a certificate that Alison received when she was 11 years old for her exemplary archery skills, which means there is nothing wrong with her right arm. Aria, Emily, and Spencer all receive a text from ‘A’: “Bullseye, Bitches!” Later, Aria sits by the stairwell in the courthouse, waiting for the jury's verdict, when Andrew walks up to her. Aria asks him why he didn't pick up her calls the previous night and Andrew claims that he was busy completing his yearbook page and his phone must have died. Andrew wants to know why Aria is sitting on the stairs, to which she replies "it's either here or the parking lot". Aria confesses that she hates waiting and so Andrew offers to join her and she accepts. As they sit together, Andrew asks for Aria's help on his yearbook page. Aria reads through his page and smiling, comments "I know you're a nice guy and all, but I didn't know you were an award-winning Pathfinder scout". Andrew admits that he was one for twelve years and says "You never know when those skills are gonna come in handy".
After deliberation, the jury returns and pronounces Alison guilty of murder in the first degree. The liars watch in horror as mayhem ensues as Alison, is handcuffed and taken into custody. Tanner orders the officer with her to arrest Spencer, Emily, and Aria. The girls are then booked at the police station.