Power Play

“	We have to solve this puzzle before the cops can solve Dunhill's murder.	”
	— Aria to the Liars about the board game

Power Play
Season 7, Episode 14

Air Date	May 9, 2017
Written by	Lijah Barasz
Directed by	Roger Kumble
Episode Guide
Previous: Hold Your Piece	Next: In the Eye Abides the Heart

Power Play is the fourteenth episode of Season 7 of Pretty Little Liars. It aired on May 9th, 2017.

Synopsis

Ali’s turn at the game forces her to face a monumental personal decision, made even more difficult when A.D. triggers Ali to remember a forgotten trauma. Spencer has a long overdue conversation with her father about his past sins and recent whereabouts. Emily continues to navigate working at Rosewood High with both Ali and Paige, especially when Ali comes to a troubling realization about her pregnancy, and Paige makes a big decision. Aria continues to question the fate of her relationship with Ezra and bristles under A.D.’s taunts. And, in the search for Mary Drake, Hanna and Spencer run into a familiar face with a shocking secret.^[1]

Notes

This episode marks Ted's first appearance since "The Melody Lingers On".
Detective Furey tells Ali that he received one of Archer's decomposing fingers and reveals the investigation is now ruled a homicide.
Peter tells Spencer about the last time he saw Mary Drake: Mary (dressed up like Jessica) sneaked into the Hastings residence and went to Spencer's bedroom so she could see her daughter all grown up. He also reveals that Mary killed Jessica for revenge for hiding that Charles was alive the whole time and that he had become Charlotte; he also knew about Charlotte's existence.
Ted reveals to Hanna that he is Charlotte's biological father, and also reveals that Lucas was Charles' friend when they were younger.
Alison remembers that A.D. used Emily's eggs they stole to get her pregnant while she was a patient at Welby State after playing the board game.
Sydney is confirmed to be working for Uber A and she tries to recruit Aria. She also claims that she is the one who shot Spencer and rescued Jenna in "The DArkest Knight" before Aria realizes she's wearing an earpiece.

Title and Background

The title was revealed by I. Marlene King on Twitter.^[2]
There are two definitions for the phrase Power Play: tactics exhibiting or intended to increase a person's power or influence. As well as, tactics in a team sport involving the concentration of players at a particular point.
The title possibly refers to Aria's arrangement with A.D. to win the board game.

Main Cast

Troian Bellisario as Spencer Hastings
Ashley Benson as Hanna Marin
Lucy Hale as Aria Montgomery
Shay Mitchell as Emily Fields
Janel Parrish as Mona Vanderwaal (credited only)
Sasha Pieterse as Alison DiLaurentis

Supporting Cast

Ian Harding as Ezra Fitz
Andrea Parker as Mary Drake
Lindsey Shaw as Paige McCullers
Nolan North as Peter Hastings
Nicholas Gonzalez as Marco Furey
Chloe Bridges as Sydney Driscoll
Edward Kerr as Ted Wilson
Lesley Fera as Veronica Hastings (flashback only)

Trivia

The table read for this episode occurred on August 3rd, 2016.^[3]
Filming for this episode began on August 5th, 2016^[4] and wrapped on August 15th, 2016.^[5]
This is Lijah J. Barasz & Roger Kumble's last episode for the show.
The episode's official press release was made public on April 21st, 2017.^[1]
The intro in this episode features Alison doing the 'Shhh'.
The episode was watched by 0.91 million viewers on its original broadcast.

Featured Music

"Don't Let Me Go (Acoustic)" by RAIGN - (Ezra returns to the apartment, where Aria informs him that Nicole is asleep upstairs and that she'll have a lot of questions about their relationship when she awakens)
"Someday" by Banta - (Hanna talks to Lucas on the phone about the investors' meeting; Hanna gives Emily a better shirt to wear for work and Emily tells her about her night following Sydney then reassures her about not finishing her turn in the game)
"She's Broken" by Billie Eilish - (At The Brew, Ezra explains to Aria how Nicole came to be at their place then promises, that she knows of their engagement and that she'll be gone in a few so they can return back to normal lives soon)
"My Love" by The Bird and the Bee - (Emily and Paige race to decide if Paige should go to Iowa or not; Paige stops and informs Emily that she already decided to stay and they kiss)
"Devil Devil" by MILCK - (The girls watch as the game begins to decide who's turn it is now then it leads on Hanna to play again; Aria receives a text from A.D. asking if she has made a decision yet)