'Pretty Little Liars' Recap: 'Pretty Little Liars: 5 Years Forward'

On this special episode of Pretty Little Liars, the writers and cast members preview the rest of Season 6 with behind-the-scenes featurettes and never-before-seen footage.

The PLL cast and writer and executive producer, I. Marlene King open the episode by discussing their feelings about the time jump. The cast admits the time jump has brought many challenges and changes—including wardrobe and hair—but they are very excited for their characters to mature and engage in new relationship dynamics. Still, they stress their characters are very much the same, despite the show’s many changes and the time jump serves as a reintroduction to them.

From there, each of the girls share what their characters have been up to in between Charlotte’s –A reveal and the time jump.

First off is Ashley Benson/Hanna. In the episode, “Last Dance,” Hanna and Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) plan to move to New York, because Caleb has gotten a job as an information risk analyst and plans to support Hanna’s college dreams. In the time that’s passed, Hanna has studied fashion at F.I.T. and interned at Zac Posen before eventually working for him in Europe. She and Caleb shared an apartment in Tribeca, but Hanna’s traveling took a toll on their relationship. Now, 5 years later, they’re not in the same place anymore. Hanna is also working in fashion as a personal assistant to Claudia Greco and she’s engaged.

Troian Bellisario/Spencer: Spencer attended Georgetown where she was able to give a greater focus to her academics. She and Toby (Keegan Allen) kept a long-distance relationship, since he stayed behind in Rosewood, but things ultimately fell apart. Spencer now works as a lobbyist on Capitol Hill and Toby is still a cop. Even more recently, Toby has come into a lot of money. He received compensation after –A blew up his house in the 100^th episode. Toby used the money to buy a plot of land outside Rosewood and has a surprise encounter with someone who will become very important this season. Simultaneously, Toby has developed a stronger “bromance” with Caleb.

Shay Mitchell/Emily: Emily is the most damaged of the PLLs and returns to Rosewood with the biggest secret. After CeCe/Charlotte’s reveal, she wanted to go as far away as possible and chose to study at Pepperdine. Unfortunately, Emily received word that her father died while fighting in the army, and was deeply affected by his passing. She winds up pursuing bartending instead. She’s sad to return to Rosewood.

In the first exclusive never-before-seen scene, Dr. Sullivan reunites Ali and Jason with their sister, Charlotte at the Welby State Psychiatric Hospital three months later. Charlotte seems happy to see her siblings again.

I. Marlene King and Sasha discuss changes in Ali’s relationship with Charlotte. Ali’s trying hard to forgive her older sister and develop a new sense of trust with her. Simultaneously, Ali finds herself caught up in a forbidden romance when she begins dating Charlotte’s physician, Dr. Rollins. It’s easy for Ali to fall back into a cycle of secrets and lies, because it’s all she’s known.

Lucy Hale/Aria: Aria went to college in Georgia to major in photography, but soon transferred to Boston, where she chose writing instead. Her love of reading and writing led her to the publishing world, where she now holds a job. Additionally, her work allows her to re-connect with Ezra, but this time their interactions are strictly professional. Aria has a new love named Liam, but remains in denial about her baggage, choosing to do what she’s always done: hide behind work and boyfriends.

Meanwhile, Ezra’s life shattered following his Habitat for Humanity trip.

I. Marlene King reveals that Ali calls her friends back to Rosewood as a way to re-establish her family. A hearing is being held to see if Charlotte can be released from the hospital and Ali needs her friends to affirm that Charlotte is not a threat to them anymore. They come home despite their hesitance. King reveals that Charlotte is getting better and feels remorseful.

Writer and executive producer, Oliver Goldstick discusses wardrobe, hair, and makeup changes with new costume designer, Cameron Dale, head hair stylist, Kim M. Ferry and head makeup artist, Cindy Miguens. The team notes that transitioning the PLLs 5 years forward is a concerted effort and that the characters have kept their overall essences. In terms of specific changes, the PLLs have changed their hair lengths and hair colors, have asked to wear less and smaller pieces of jewelry, and have made their looks more sophisticated.

Writer and co-executive producer, Bryan M. Holdman and composer Mike Suby talk about new changes to the PLL score. Suby feels as though the PLLs have more life experience now and is toying with the score to make things sound different for viewers.

Oliver Goldstick, Holly Marie Combs (Ella Montgomery), Lesley Fera (Veronica Hastings) and Laura Leighton (Ashley Marin) speculate as to how the PLLs’ moms escaped from the DiLaurentis’ basement.

Bryan M. Holdman interviews production designer, Jakob Durkoth, set decorator, William M. DeBlasio and prop master Chris Vail to get their insight on upcoming alterations to the set. Among the noteworthy changes: the Radley Sanitarium set has now become the Radley Hotel. Also shocking - how quickly the old sets—including the PLLs’ bedrooms—were removed from the Warner Brothers' soundstage.

I. Marlene King and the girls reflect on how the Hastings’ barn has served as an integral part of the show since the pilot episode.

Later, the PLLs share how they felt while filming the goodbye scene in the 6A finale.

Holly Marie, Lesley, and Laura describe what it’s been like to watch the actresses who play their daughters and Alison grow up. They have nothing but praise for Lucy, Ashley, Troian, Shay, and Sasha.

In the second exclusive never-before-seen scene, Mona visits Ali under the guise of wanting a pal to help celebrate her twenty-first birthday. Really, she’s worried that Charlotte hasn’t really changed and will try to sabotage her burgeoning political career. Mona thinks Ali shouldn’t trust Charlotte. Ali defends her sister.

Marlene King and the PLLs preview the new “big bad” of season 6B. The new “big bad” forces the girls to stick around Rosewood longer than they planned and is even scarier than –A. The new “big bad” while not specifically revealed, brings a life or death situation for the girls.

Finally, the cast describes season 6B in a few words. Here are some notable ones: “Edgier, sadder, and scary as hell.”

End of episode.

Pretty Little Liars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC Family. The series returns with brand-new episodes on January 12.