*SPOILER ALERT*
Just when we thought that things couldn’t get any weirder in Rosewood, leaving it to the Pretty Little Liars girls to prove us wrong. This jam-packed season could only end one way – with a jam-packed finale – that would either solve some of the open-ended questions or create more. I can’t say I’m surprised that this episode effectively did both.
First things first: Toby. After following the love saga between him and Spencer, the viewers are first left to believe he is conspiring with Mona on the A-team, and then that he is dead. The first shocker came when Spencer, clad in all black, lures him to meet her and confronts him about his actions. Obviously he reveals he is alive. Well Spencer, us social media savvy viewers could have told you that. Then, he reveals that he is only helping Mona in pursuit of Spencer’s safety. And again, us blog dwellers could have told you that too! The couple reunites, spends a steamy night together, and begins plotting against the A-team. Yes, Toby now seems like a stand up guy, but can we really trust him? I guess that is up to season 4.
Although things have been rocky for the four girls over the last few weeks, the finale provides us with the sound assumption that they are back together and in for the kill. After Hanna figures out Spencer was the one who kidnapped Ezra’s son, the girls dress as if they are the mysterious “red coat” and trick Spencer into revealing she, too, does not know the identity of the mastermind. This proof signifies both Spencer’s alliance to her friends (she was only pretending to work for Mona in order to get information) and secures their plot to take this team down.
What would an episode of Pretty Little Liars be without some romance or heartbreak? As mentioned before, the “Soby” romance seems to be back in action, but let’s not forget the Ezra/Aria drama. This season marked the return of Ezra’s long lost girlfriend and the seven year-old son they had together. In a shocking turn of events, Aria decides it is best for her, her boyfriend, and his family, if they put an end to their so-called perfect romance. Could it really be? American’s favorite teacher-student romance comes to a close? So it seems.
And as if things weren’t confusing enough, let’s throw in a curve ball, shall we? Jenna, who has been absent for almost half the season, reemerges, talking to a mysterious figure. She says her eyesight is getting worse and with time, will be gone completely. And whose voice is on the other end of the conversation? None other than Paige’s ex, Shana! The two girls seem very comfortable, holding hands and sharing secrets, so it’s no wonder were forced to assume they’re up to no good. And as if this wasn’t bad enough, Melissa, another suspicious character in town emerges and meets with the two! How are they involved? Are they part of the A-Team? Do they have their own team? What are they plotting?
Now let’s get to the good stuff. As the liars hide in anticipation to ambush Mona and Red Coat ((who is flying in on a plane, apparently), the house they are in suddenly goes ablaze. Aria, Hanna, Emily get Mona to confess that she, too, has never seen Red Coat and does not know the identity of the mysterious plane-flying mastermind. After passing out from the smoke, the girls are pulled out of the fire one-by one by a figure that Hanna and Mona recognize as Allison. Could it be? Well yes, it seems she is either alive, or resurrected as a ghost, or some real freaky stuff is about to happen. Spencer, who is in the woods with Toby, confirms their suspicions by stating she also saw Allison in the woods. Unfortunately, Toby has no input into this conversation because he has been knocked down by the lighter (someone wants to frame him for the fire). Poor Toby. Just when things were starting to look up for him …
As the drama filled episode comes to a close, the liars (slightly chard from their run-in with the fire) see Wildren’s police cruiser, which is NOT so buried in the lake anymore, and see a tape of Ashley’s hit and run playing on a laptop. As the footage plays, we see Shana and Jenna arriving on the scene and helping the injured cop. First off, I’m buying whatever laptop is in that car – I could use a more waterproof model. But more importantly, these girls know Wilden!? Maybe he is more involved than we thought. And just as all of this is beginning to sink in, the girls open the trunk of the car and gasp in disgust. Then cut to black. Over. SERIOUSLY!? Who (or what, if you don’t think as morbidly as I do) was in that trunk!?
The credits role as we see a mysterious hand pull another out of the dirt. So now we have a zombie on our hands? The questions are endless. All jokes aside though, this show never leaves us unsatisfied. Confusing, maybe, but entertaining, always. I’m sure many of you are going to struggle as much as I am with pondering the new mysteries of Rosewood, but I guess we will all have to distract ourselves, sit tight, and anxiously await its return this coming summer.