“ | Caleb's quiet, but how R U gonna shut ME up? | ” |
— A
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Je Suis une Amie is the sixteenth episode in Season 1. This episode was aired on February 7th, 2011.
Synopsis[]
At the beginning of the episode, we see a mailbox getting smashed, with debris and the mail content flying everywhere. It is later revealed to be Toby's mailbox.
At Aria's house, Byron lets Aria know he won't be home that night as he has a meeting with the head of his department, and dinner is included. He commissions Aria to order takeout for her and her brother for dinner. It seems Byron is having difficulty coping with all the responsibilities of being a single father; Aria reminds him he still needs to write a check honoring the pledge from the dance marathon. He asks her to grab his checkbook from his coat pocket. Along with the checkbook, Aria finds a ticket to "Basia," the art opening at the Philadelphia Art Museum. She panics and questions her father about it. He lets her know Ella's car broke down, and so she had to borrow his car to attend the museum Thursday night (a lie). He is vague about the last part, correcting himself with he thinks she went there. Aria is petrified she was possibly seen there with Ezra, while Byron tries to hide his own secret. Byron doesn't give away any more details and tells her to ask her mother if she's still curious. He hands her the check and leaves for work.
In Emily's room, Emily searches for her chemistry book while Spencer stares out the window to catch a glimpse of the destroyed Cavanaugh mailbox. That's whose mailbox got vandalized in the opening scene; probably some townsfolk who have it in for Toby. Spencer is shocked, but Emily reveals it happens constantly. She misses the sympathy in Spencer's voice, though, and assumes she is thinking that he deserves it. Spencer apologizes to Emily for having badmouthed him so badly, when it may have been unwarranted, but Emily thinks the apology should be directed to Toby in order to be meaningful. Spencer contemplates this as she watches Toby deal with the mailbox mess out front. She now recognizes how easily one can be framed, having seen her name twice on the bead lady's roster.
At school, Hanna and Aria discuss the new school news: someone has been breaking into the vending machines to steal food and also triggered the school alarm at 3:00 AM in order to leave the building. Who would want to be in school at that hour? Aria then changes the subject to Hanna's least favorite: the ticket to the art gallery. Hanna tries to persuade Aria that the whole thing was just a weird coincidence. She hurriedly leaves Aria to go over to where Caleb is sitting and bossily let him know that his playing with Ella's car is completely confidential. Caleb shoots back that Hanna owes him... Just then Hanna gets a text from "A" warning her that "A" will not keep her secret, even if Caleb will.
At Emily's swim practice, Paige and Emily tie for best time, so it is yet undetermined who will serve as anchor the following day. So, Coach Fulton arranges for a swim-off the following morning to figure it out later. Emily is patient, but Paige is not and snaps at Emily unprovoked.
Then, Ella passes her daughter in the hallway and lets her know she has just been speaking to the principal about her and Mr. Fitz. Aria panics, but it's not what she thinks. Mr. Fitz wanted to take a class trip to New York to attend an art show, but there was no money in the budget for it. Aria inquires about the ticket she found, but while Aria was afraid she would be the one interrogated, her inquiry turns into an interrogation of her parents. Ella admits she didn't end up making it to the museum, but went out to a lovely dinner with 'a friend' instead.
In the library, Hanna takes a break from reading with Emily and Spencer in order to meet with Caleb. Caleb has come up with an idea for what he would like Hanna to do to repay him: date him - in order to up his credibility at school and win himself some customers who will trust a guy that dates the homecoming queen. Reluctantly, Hanna arranges a date at Emily's swim meet the next day, where she will be cheering on her friend.
Later in between classes, Spencer denounces Coach Fulton's idea of pitting two swimmers against each other right before a meet. Emily says that Paige wants it more, but Spencer forces Emily to take back her comment. The two then spot a flier calling for a French tutor to help a home schooled student learn French. The two acknowledge that the sign is obviously referring to Toby, who is under house arrest, even if his name doesn't appear on it. Spencer takes a perforated number, to Emily's surprise; she doesn't think very much of the idea, but Spencer regards it as a way to share information with Toby to find out who is framing them both. Then, on sudden impulse, she removes the whole sign so as to ensure herself landing the position.
Spencer then drops by Ian's office to let him know that she can't make it to practice, as she has another commitment. Ian accuses her of avoiding him and tells her that she can't do that, but Spencer insists it's not about him, including an excuse about her college record being too concentrated in athletics. Melissa then comes by with samples for the renovation of their house in Philadelphia. Before Ian leaves, he puts his sister-in-law on the spot letting Melissa know that Spencer is "quitting the team." Spencer denies it and finally reveals that she is doing some tutoring - and for Toby. The two react very negatively, and Spencer is disgusted by Ian's hypocrisy and his calling Toby a liar; Spencer gives him a square look and announces that Toby isn't the only one guilty of lying.
At the Cavanaugh home, Spencer stoops to pick up the mail, which has unceremoniously been dropped on the ground in the absence of a mailbox. When Toby opens the door, she hands him the mail, and he wordlessly takes it. Before he shuts the door again, she adds that she is there to tutor him, as per the school's advertisement. Toby doesn't push her away, but he doesn't communicate his thoughts much either; he accepts her offer to meet on the porch, since he can't leave his property, but also doesn't want to study with Spencer in the house, too close to Jenna.
In Aria's room, Hanna continues to try to distract Aria from stressing about the gallery ticket and what would have happened had her mother's car not stalled. Aria then overhears her father on the phone with someone, saying that he plans to meet him/her in the dark. Aria is sure from the conversation that Byron is talking to a woman, and Byron denies that he was speaking to Ella when Aria asks. She is especially suspicious because he had said that he was going to a department dinner, but at least Byron has the sense to admit that those plans 'fell through." Aria's wants Hanna's help in getting to the bottom of this new mystery. She gets Hanna to join her in stalking her father.
Then, Spencer goes to Toby's house and gives Toby a French translation of "Catcher in the Rye." She explains that the best way to learn another language is to read a book you have already read, but in that other language. He wants to know how she knows that he's read the book before, and she confesses that she noticed him reading it at the Apple Rose Grille. He then questions Spencer's motives in helping him, seeing her behavior as a complete reversal. Spencer confides that she thinks that he was framed and now believes that she is being framed too. They commiserate together, and Spencer properly apologizes for suspecting him. They start discussing the evidence from the day Alison disappeared. Suddenly, Toby hears someone (Jenna) shut a window and whispers to Spencer that he isn't supposed to be talking about this. He gives her the slip, thanking her for the book. Back in Emily's room, Spencer plays the scene with Toby over and over again in her mind, while Emily does her science homework.
Next, Aria's suspicions of her father having another extramarital affair lead her to Rosewood High School of all places. Hanna has the bright idea to have Aria call her mother, who is in the school library. On the phone, Ella tells her daughter that she is at home, and Aria lies likewise. Unsure, Aria goes into the building with Hanna on her heels to check out what's going on. Crouching inside the library, they see Byron and Ella making out, having an intra-marital affair! Aria's parents leave.
Then, while still in the library, Hanna notices some stuff inside the vents, including clothing, bags, cell phones and a fat wad of cash. Hanna posits that this stuff belongs to "A". Hanna then grabs the cash before being chased by a frightening figure in black. Aria and Hanna run for their lives, before, Hanna instinctively sprays her chaser with hairspray. Eventually, Aria and Hanna realize that their pursuer is Caleb, who has sleeping at the school and the one who had triggered the school's alarm system the night before. Hanna returns Caleb's money to him. Caleb even lets the girls in on his foster care situation that has driven him to find alternative places to live.
At Emily's house, late that night, Paige shows up at Emily's doorstep soaked from the pouring rain. Confused, Paige tries to apologize to Emily for blowing up at her and seems very repentant. Emily is moved, though unsure how to react.
The next morning in the locker room, Coach Fulton tries to pump up her swimmers. She then lets Emily know that she will be anchor today, as the swim off is canceled due to Paige's having gotten into a minor bicycle accident on her way home in the rain the night before. Emily feels somewhat guilty.
Later in the hallways, Hanna expresses her concern over Caleb living in school. He brushes off her concern and asks her to make good on her deal to up his reputation. So, Hanna helps Caleb scout out the fellow rich kids in school and become acquainted with them through her, in order to raise the profits of his underground business ventures. She introduces him to Bridget Wu in exchange for Caleb listing for Hanna all the places that he is from. The two continue like that, exchanging names for information, as their friendship grows.
Before the swim meet, Melissa approaches Spencer in the school courtyard in a good mood, but things get characteristically tense between the Hastings sisters when Spencer begins to grill Melissa about her and Ian‘s uncharacteristically fast-moving relationship. In addition, Spencer tells Melissa that Ian has lied to her about certain things, and that she should ask him about Alison. Melissa mocks her in return for hanging around with someone as untrustworthy as Toby. Ian comes over, then, and before Melissa follows him inside, warns Spencer not to damage another relationship of hers.
Inside, Hanna, Spencer, Aria and Caleb sit together. When Caleb gets up, Aria and Spencer express their surprise at and disapproval of Hanna's new buddy. Hanna isn't too affected. Then, just before her turn to swim, Emily spots Paige in the stands. She gets her game face on and wins the race for her team.
After the meet, Spencer catches sight of Ian and Melissa conversing in the school hallway and decides to walk home to avoid them. Aria gets a text from "A" alerting her that Hanna almost got her busted somehow. Outside, Hanna finds Caleb digging his belongings out from a school trashbin; clearly the custodians found Caleb's stuff and disposed of them. In a friendly gesture, Hanna offers to help Caleb with his living situation; she offers to let him secretly crash in her basement, without her mother knowing. His main fear is that if Hanna's mom knows, she will call social services, landing him in an even worse situation. She inform him her mother never goes in the basement then hands him her address. He looks like he's going to think about it.
Aria approaches Hanna about the text, though she is initially prepared to trust her friend before she trusts "A". When Hanna drops the bombshell she was the one who gave Ella the ticket, Aria is unforgiving, leaving the two at an impasse. Aria doesn't give Hanna a chance to explain about Caleb messing with Ella's car.
Emily and Paige talk to each other, alone by the poolside. It seems Emily tried to contact Paige, but the latter hadn't returned her phone calls... not knowing what to say. Paige also reveals what she felt at the moment of her bike accident in the rain: an ironic sense of relief that she didn't have to swim. Emily lets Paige know she's been there too; she tells her now friend that the way she got over not wanting to swim any longer was by starting to do it for fun, instead of for others. She encourages Paige to try it, and the two go for a casual swim together.
Spencer then shows up at Toby's home and is nonplussed when he tells her to leave with barely any explanation. He hands her the French textbook and closes the door behind him, leaving her on the doorstep. Meanwhile, Aria does schoolwork while ignoring Hanna's messages to reconcile. Hanna sits in the stairwell at home; Caleb approaches her to ask if it is okay to use the towels in the bathroom after he showers. Apparently, he decided to take Hanna up on her deal and stay over. Hanna mumbles an unconcerned answer; Caleb detects she's upset. He prods a little before Hanna confesses her mistake was not totally cleared by Caleb's helping pull the kill switch from Mrs. Montgomery's car. Her secret role in the endeavor was exposed, and she's afraid Aria will never speak to her again. She doesn't tell Caleb all the details, but he gets the point when he sees her tears. Hanna tells him he can leave her to go take a shower; Caleb rises momentarily, then sits back down, letting her know it can wait.
At home, Melissa admits to her sister that she knows about Spencer‘s kiss with Ian, but she'd like to move on and continue their civility. Spencer is worried about her sister, but her casting suspicion on Ian, telling her he's dangerous makes Melissa think that Spencer is jealous and trying to split them up. Melissa apologizes for losing her temper earlier all the same, then suddenly, Melissa gives her sister some news: she is pregnant with Ian's child! Spencer follows this shocking news with silence. When Melissa realizes she won't be getting a 'congratulations' out of Spencer, she storms upstairs. At that moment, Spencer spots a note tucked into the French textbook Toby handed her. It says he found a message on Jenna's desk, and thinks she (Spencer) may be right about what she said before. Spencer suddenly understands why Toby had been so secretive before, with the possibility of Jenna being so close.
The last scene cuts to the now-familiar black-gloved figure listening to a record playing a French tutorial for English speakers while arranging objects: there's a wrench, a rope resembling a noose, a knife, a pipe, and a sports award, on which rests a brass candlestick... The record skips and the voice says "Je Suis" (I am) three times. "A's" blurry reflection can be made out in the glossy portion of the candlestick.
Notes[]
- This is the very first episode with a title in a language other than English (French).
- Five of the objects "A" plays with at the end of the episode are murder weapons in the popular detective boardgame, "Clue" or "Cluedo:" the wrench, the noose, the knife, the pipe, and the award (candlestick). There are six total weapons in the game; the only one missing is the revolver.
- While Hanna is climbing in the library, a Toni Morrison poster is prominently shown on the wall beneath her.
- There is one blooper in this episode that is posted on youtube. When Aria and Hanna are in Aria's bedroom, Aria hears her dad is coming and gets off the bed and walks towards the door. In the blooper, she falls of the bed. There are several other blooper scenes in this video, watch at your own risk.
- This episode marks the start of two important relationships. Spoby (Spencer and Toby) and Haleb (Caleb and Hanna)
- GOOF: Once Emily is out of the water after jumping in, what we see is that she has a camera on her back, but as soon as she’s out you can see the stage and the stage lights above her.
- A song from Selena Gomez plays while Emily and Paige are swimming, coincidentally Lucy Hale, the actress who plays Aria, and Selena were on the Disney tv show wizards of Waverly Place. Ashley, the actress who plays Hanna, and Selena are friends. They co-started in the movie Spring Breakers.
Title[]
- The title is French for 'I Am a Friend,' using the feminine for friend. This may allude to the message Spencer is trying to send Toby by offering to tutor him in French and assuring him she no longer believes he is guilty. Or, that maybe that 'A' is a friend. ??
Main Cast[]
- Lucy Hale as Aria Montgomery
- Ashley Benson as Hanna Marin
- Shay Mitchell as Emily Fields
- Troian Bellisario as Spencer Hastings
Supporting Cast[]
- Tyler Blackburn as Caleb Rivers
- Lindsey Shaw as Paige McCullers
- Keegan Allen as Toby Cavanaugh
- Holly Marie Combs as Ella Montgomery
- Ryan Merriman as Ian Thomas
- Torrey DeVitto as Melissa Hastings
- Paula Newsome as Coach Fulton
Co-Starring[]
- Bety Le as Bridget Wu
- Akanni Ayo as Rosewood Student (uncredited)
Featured Music[]
- "I Won’t Apologize" by Selena Gomez & The Scene (Paige and Emily swim for fun)
- "Everything At Once" by Superchunk (Paige and Emily prepare for swim-off)
- "Sit With Me Tonight" by Garrison Starr (Toby returns book to Spencer)
- "You Make Me Feel Like Someone" by Luscious Redhead (Emily wins the race)
Gallery[]
Je Suis une Amie has a photo gallery. |
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Memorable Quotes[]
Hanna [about the school]: Someone’s been sneaking out of the building in the middle of the night, which makes zero sense. Who would want to be here longer than they have to? |
Spencer [to Ian]: Toby Cavanaugh hasn’t cornered the market on lying. |
Aria [after Hanna sprays Caleb in the face]: How’s your eye? Any better? Caleb: Still burning. You want a sharp stick for the other one? Hanna: Okay, you know what? It was just hairspray — it was light hold! |
Aria: Oh my God — my parents are having an affair with each other! |
Hanna: "A" owes me... hospital bills, pain and suffering, tire marks on my cleavage. |
Byron: So it’s just gonna be you and your brother tonight, and he wants to order in from Sausage Heaven. Aria: Again — seriously? Dad, the closest thing they have to a vegetable is a paper plate. |
Spencer [about Caleb]: I like stray dogs too, but sometimes they bite. Hanna: Don't worry; he's had his shots. |
Hanna: You know that thing that you did with Mrs. Montogomery's car? Just pretend like it never happened. Don't talk about it, don't blog about it, don't tweet about it. Caleb: Can I speak now? Hanna: Okay, if you must, but it's really annoying. |
Caleb: Answers for names. Hanna: Bridget Wu - Bring her a bottle of something strong, and she's your new best friend. Where are you from? Caleb: A lot of places. Seattle... Hanna: That's Lindsay Hoover - Don't let the Jesus sandals fool you, she's got cash. Her grandfather invented the stapler. [Caleb is impressed.] Hanna: Wanna get tight with her? Grow a hipster 'stache and start talking about the Man. Why don't you report your foster parents? Caleb: To who? My social worker? I've had four in the last six months. They can't remember my name. The last one called me Calvin. Hanna: When's the last time you saw your real parents? Caleb: It's gonna take more than just names for me to tell you that. |
Hanna: I have a swim meet. Caleb: You can fit all of that under a cap? |
Caleb: Hey, remind me — which one’s Lindsay and which one’s Bridget? Hanna: Bridget’s the one drinking from her purse. |