Pretty Little Liars returned Tuesday with arguably its best episode yet of season 3, “Misery Loves Company,” with shocking revelations that saw the end of one relationship and the beginning of a new partnership. What follows is a recap, so naturally spoilers are included from this episode.
“Misery Loves Company” opened with Emily (Shay Mitchell), Hanna (Ashley Benson), and Spencer (Troian Bellisario) visiting sick Aria (Lucy Hale) who despite Meredith’s (Amanda Schull) best efforts, does not seem to be getting better. Aria refuses the offer to have company and places her faith in Meredith. Aria wants to give her father Byron (Chad Lowe) the benefit of the doubt but will not keep it a secret if it does not work.
Mona (Janel Parrish) and Toby (Keegan Allen) meet at the lair in their classic hoodies to discuss upcoming plans with the revelation that there is another person in the A Team. Who do you think it could be? Mona says “she” in describing the person, so perhaps Meredith is on the A Team?
Emily does Toby a favor by watching his apartment while the plumbers come, and confides in Toby despite his abnormal affect. Hanna asks Caleb (Keegan Allen) for fashion advice, which he thankfully laughs at, as she gets ready for an upcoming job interview with a fashion designer. Caleb worries for Hanna’s safety as she makes him promise not do anything stupid. Those promises never seem to last in Rosewood.
Cue gratuitous shot of Toby shirtless and bantering with Spencer about her missing their anniversary. As previously shown in a clip by Hypable, Mrs. Hastings (Lesley Fera) helps Spencer plan an anniversary surprise.
Meredith checks in on Aria as she still is not feeling better. Aria wants her mom but her phone is suspiciously missing and Meredith is seen searching for the diary pages. This spells trouble.
Emily and Paige (Lindsey Shaw) have a nice date at school as Paige reveals she is starting to see a therapist. Hanna enlists Emily to follow Caleb to make sure he comes to no harm. Meredith lies to Ella (Holly Marie Combs) and has Aria’s phone in her possession. Looks like she was not the right person to trust.
Looking stunning and professional, Hanna visits the designer only to find A waiting for her along rows of mannequins. Meant to scare her, the figure with a noticeable male gait left a key for Hanna to find. Emily barely missed Paige and Caleb’s clandestine meeting to fight back against A and protect their significant others.
Aria dreams Ali (Sasha Pieterse) is in her home to take back her porcelain doll while foreshadowing about Toby’s true identity. When she wakes up her doll is in the same place where Ali had just left it and she is locked in. Meanwhile Hanna and Emily happen upon Meredith picking up sleeping drugs at the pharmacy. Aria makes her own weapon out of a shard of glass. Not things that a girl in high school should have to worry about.
Toby surprises Spencer with flowers as he attempts to recover the lost key. Meredith corners Aria and strikes her down as she tries to make an escape. In the midst of a thundering storm, Hanna and Emily attempt to find Aria when Meredith surprises them with Aria’s phone and locks them in the basement. Byron returns early to hear Meredith’s full confession about wanting to protect him. Byron tells the girls that he wasn’t involved in Ali’s death and reports seeing Melissa (Torrey DeVitto) outside with Ali instead.
Toby breaks into Spencer’s house to discover the key only to be caught in the act by Spencer herself. She gives him a deserving slap and his Radley Sanitarium badge. As Toby disappears, her mom comforts Spencer. Meredith disappears as Byron and Aria have a long-deserved chat. Spencer tries to see Toby but finds he has changed the locks as she desperately wants to believe that he isn’t on the A Team. The episode ends with Mona enjoying Spencer and Toby’s anniversary dinner.
What did you think of the episode? What do you think is up with Meredith? Do you think she is on the A Team? Are you convinced that Byron is good? Do you miss Ezra (Ian Harding) and Jason (Drew Van Acker)? Do you think fans will get to see Melissa anytime soon?
Pretty Little Liars airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC Family.
Photo Credit: ABC Family
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