Pretty Little Liars season 4, episode 16, “Close Encounters,” amped up the tension between the girls, particularly Spencer and Emily as seen in the following recap. Beware of spoilers!
The episode picks up where “Love ShAck Baby” left off with the girls headed to the inn where Ali (Sasha Pieterse) could have stayed. Unfortunately they’re too late and are faced with a message from A. Emily (Shay Mitchell) stops by church while Spencer (Troian Bellisario) is faced with her dad (Nolan North) at Toby’s (Keegan Allen). The two face off yet again about Mrs. DiLaurentis when Mr. Hastings admits that Jason (Drew Van Acker) is in rehab and faces an arrest charge.
Aria (Lucy Hale) and Ezra (Ian Harding) share a cute moment before Jake (Ryan Guzman) interrupts them. Aria tells Ezra that he’s the one and she’s choosing him. Hanna (Ashley Benson) gets over Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) by giving away her wardrobe.
Emily gets accosted by Shana (Aerial Miranda) who has a message from Ali. Apparently Shana grew up near Ali’s grandparents and was asked to keep an eye on Jenna (Tammin Sursok) for her. Do you believe that Shana is really working for Ali?
Mr. Hastings lets Toby know that Radley has offered him a settlement but includes a gag order. Aria awkwardly breaks the news to Jake who guesses about Ezra. The girls argue about whose side Shana is truly on, deciding to test her. Hanna’s new friend Travis (Luke Kleintank) joins her in a game of pool while Shana passes Emily’s test. Apparently Ali wants to meet Emily alone that night. This sounds too sketchy for Emily to go on but she persists despite Spencer’s disapproval.
Jake happens to overhear Ezra yelling at some unidentified woman. Who do you think it was?
Hanna goes in for a kiss with Travis but he doesn’t want to be her rebound guy. He tries to resist but Hanna pulls him in for some more kisses before Ashley (Laura Leighton) interrupts them. Do you agree with his decision?
Spencer snoops her dad’s files and discovers that Mrs. DiLaurentis is on the board of Radley. It seems like things are going to get worse before they get better in this father-daughter relationship.
Jake confides in Aria what he saw Ezra do and she, of course, denies it and defends him. Ashley and Hanna go plate throwing to get out her anger at Caleb while Aria accuses Ezra of lying to her. Apparently Ezra was meeting with Maggie’s lawyer as he still wants to see Malcolm (Teo Briones).
Shana drops Emily out at a random motel all alone. Shana was telling the truth as Emily and Ali reunite. Were you shocked by this revelation?
Ali is unsure if she can trust the other Pretty Little Liars, but doesn’t give reasons why. Ali runs when she hears a noise, who turns out to be Spencer. Do you blame Spencer for following Emily?
Emily and Spencer fight over the possibility that Ali’s trying to divide them. It looks like Emily believes Ali once more. Spencer and Toby fight about his signing of the agreement. Spencer just isn’t winning this episode.
Hanna calls Caleb to get some closure so she can finally move on. Meanwhile Aria and Ezra eat some brownies and look to be back on track. Jake injures his foot while practicing as his equipment is sabotaged.
What did you think of this episode of Pretty Little Liars?
Pretty Little Liars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC Family.
Photo Credit: ABC Family