After the shocker of Ali reappearing and the Liars nearly dying, they are really in the need for someone on their side. But Rosewood isn’t inclined to give these girls any breaks. The media is now dubbing them the Pretty Little Liars (title drop!) and putting out polls that they helped Ian escape and worse- they killed Ali.

But A seems to be actually helpful? I should have known better, just as they should have known better, but A actually seemed to be helping! I was wrong, they were wrong and in worse crap than before but it speaks to Shepard’s immense skill that I believed the New A was on their side. On the other hand, they all got some pretty good growth in the meantime.

First off, emily. It seems that A is following through with her threat from Pretty Little Secrets to exploit Emily’s weakness for Ali. Fully believing that Ali is still out there, she follows A’s instructions to go to Amish country. Yep, Amish country as if the fabulous Alison DiLaurentis would hide there willingly for three years. But while there, Emily meets a kindred spirit that helps Emily see her grief in a more objective way, and begin the process of letting go. Until the new Amish friend reveals a clue that points it all back to Officer Wilden.

Aria comes to terms with her grief too in a typical Aria way by going to a seance. That brings me to my point that I’m impressed with how Shepard incorporates the supernatural in the story that somehow still fits the realism of the books. It’s possible ghosts and dream premonitions are real, perhaps they’re not. It’s all ambiguous. Anyway, Aria comes to realize that even though she disliked Ali in her final days, it does not mean she “wished” her death or was a bad friend. Same with the idea that Ali’s death could have been prevented. Also her burgeoning crush on Noel Khan and learning about his deeper side makes her reconsider all her thoughts on what a Typical Rosewood boy is like.

Hanna seems to be retreading old ground, still hates Kate and is suspicious that she’s being driven out of the family, still obsessed with staying on top of the popularity chain. But with everything that has happened, her dad decides her PTSD should be seriously treated and sends her to the Preserve. She hates the mental health facility but still manages to befriends the alpha bitch. Surprisingly, it does help her in one way. Finally getting her to break down the tears and fears she had been trying to deny this whole time about Mona/Ali’s murder/car crash/New A. It also brings her one bit closer to finding out which DiLaurentis was sent to Radley’s.

Meanwhile, Spencer finds out she’s related to the DiLaurentises and ruins her marriage in the relevation. Finally the secret we all found out in Ali’s Pretty Little Lies is revealed. Mr. Hastings and Mrs. DiLaurentis had an affair and Alison is their child, Melissa and Spencer’s half sister. Oh and Spencer is definately a Hastings. She just was born via surrogacy rather than the conventional labor. But that pales in comparison to the other secret.

But while this was full of personal revelations, it also had several red herrings that leave even more questions, is Ian still alive? Who set the fire? Did they really find Ali’s killer this time? Is Ali still out there?
We’ll find out soon enough. . .