'Pretty Little Liars' Recap: 'The Gloves Are On'

On this week’s episode of Pretty Little Liars, the PLLs follow their growing suspicions and decide to confront Ezra, Emily comes clean about her life in California, and Hanna employs Lucas’ help in creating her alibi.

Spencer, Hanna, and Emily attempt to de-stress at the Radley spa, but their get-together is anything but relaxing. The girls are upset Aria has failed to join them and wonder why she lied about meeting up with Ezra. Ezra’s potential role in Charlotte’s murder is another important topic of conversation and Spencer worries that Aria will be forever bound to Ezra if he truly is responsible. The girls’ concerns ultimately ruin their plans—much to Hanna’s dismay—causing them to leave. On the way out, Emily forgets her keys and returns to the spa, noticing Sara in the adjacent room. Emily asks Sara why she followed her to the cemetery, but Sara insists she was only saying goodbye to someone.

Cue opening theme.

Aria video chats with Liam while working. Jillian’s returning early from her trip and needs the “Fitz pages.” Aria has everything, she just has to email it again. Liam cautions her not to “lose sleep” over Ezra’s book. When Jillian spoke to Ezra on the phone, he sounded wasted, so she’s not impressed. Aria tries to defend Ezra to Liam, reminding him that Ezra is still grieving Nicole’s loss, but Liam insists he’s a fan of Ezra’s work.

Lorenzo visits the Radley to ask Ashley about the hotel’s security footage from the night of Charlotte’s death. The police have reviewed the footage and note that the camera didn’t record anything after midnight. With this in mind, the police are working to determine whether the camera malfunctioned or someone erased the footage. Lorenzo needs a complete list of all the employees and guests at the hotel that night.

Hanna takes a phone call from her boss, Claudia while at The Brew. When she hangs up, she’s surprised to see that Lucas is back in town. He’s found success in creating game apps and has multiple residences all over the world. On the flip side, Lucas is surprised to learn that Hanna’s engaged, but not to Caleb.

Melissa and Caleb wait for Spencer to return from a strategy session with Mrs. Hastings’ campaign manager. The session is to help prepare Spencer for an interview at Hollis connected to an event geared toward helping millennials register to vote. When Spencer finally strolls in, she mentions she’s been told to use the “non-denial denial” or lie tactic. Caleb cheers her up by offering to make her something to eat and when he leaves, Melissa points out Spencer’s growing crush on him. Spencer corrects her sister, claiming she and Caleb are just friends.

Emily tells Pam she needs to make a drugstore run, but will see her at lunch later. Pam mentions she asked her late husband’s friend to write Emily a letter of recommendation for grad school. When Emily leaves, Pam notices mail from her daughter’s alma mater, Pepperdine and decides to open it.

Ashley questions Hanna about the security footage. Hanna insists she didn’t tamper with anything and spots Aria and Ezra enter the hotel. A beat later, Ashley reads a message from the police confirming that tape’s been erased. Hanna is upset, but Ashley reminds her that it’s only natural the police would question Ashley given Hanna’s ties to Charlotte.

Meanwhile, Hanna watches Aria and Ezra from afar.

Aria and Ezra order lunch and discuss Ezra’s book. Ashley soon interrupts, letting Ezra know the hotel isn’t able to serve him the beer he requested, creating tension for everyone.

Spencer interviews with Damian, a reporter at Hollis. He asks Spencer questions about Charlotte and she’s able to deflect them well until Hanna unexpectedly crashes the event to let Spencer know that her mom’s in trouble.

Pam chases after Emily, begging to know if she lied about college, though Emily brushes her off. Sara Harvey is watching from across the street, so Emily would rather continue the conversation in private.

Hanna tells Spencer that Lorenzo knows they erased the tape and seeks Mrs. Hastings’ legal counsel. Spencer says her mother is unable to help them and returns to her interview, only to have Damian asking more questions about Charlotte and the bunker. Tired of having to dodge his questions, Spencer shuts Damian down and re-directs her energy to helping with voter registration.

Emily has coffee with her mom and explains she wasn’t kicked out of college, things just started to take a downturn after her dad died. Pam is still disappointed.

Hanna visits Lucas and asks him to be her alibi before realizing it isn’t fair to drag him into the PLLs’ mess. Lucas says he doesn’t mind; he wants to help Hanna.

Aria reads over the first few chapters of Ezra’s book and Emily keeps her company. The friends get in a spat when Emily wonders whether Ezra is writing about Aria and Emily discusses Sara “shadowing” her. Aria suggests that Emily have dinner with her mom, but Emily quickly shuts up.

Spencer pays a visit to Hanna’s and apologizes for brushing her off at the Hollis event. Hanna forgives her and says Lucas is going to be their alibi. Later, Hanna ignores a call from Jordan and asks Spencer if she’s attracted to Caleb. Hanna doesn’t find it weird that her friend is interested in her ex; she gives Spencer her blessing to pursue a potential new relationship.

Aria meets with Ezra to discuss the edits she’s made to his book, though Ezra’s not convinced finishing the book is worthwhile.

Spencer finds Damian at Hollis and questions whether or not he had a particular agenda for his interview with her: honing in on Charlotte’s “bunker girls.” Damian insists he wasn’t doing that and lets slip that Mona is working for Mrs. Hastings’ opponent’s campaign.

At Aria’s house, Hanna panics about her interview with the police, then freaks out at Aria, who seems to be more concerned with helping Ezra finish his book. Later, Hanna catches Emily giving herself an injection in Aria’s bathroom.

Emily heads out to meet her mom and Hanna admits she saw her injecting herself. Emily comes clean about not finishing school and spending all the money her dad left her. Emily’s giving herself hormone shots, so she can donate her eggs for cash.

Aria continues to make improvements to Ezra’s book.

Hanna is questioned by Lorenzo. Things seem to be going fine until Lucas joins her and unintentionally botches the interrogation.

At the Hastings’ house, Spencer and Melissa deal with similar issues when Melissa frets that she accidentally blurted out a huge secret to Damian.

Aria gets a text from Spencer saying that someone saw the security tape and Ezra needs to talk.

Emily runs into Sara at the Radley and continues to press her for answers.

Aria visits Ezra, seeking the truth about Charlotte. She’ll help him no matter what; she just wants to hear what he has to say before her friends show up. Ezra misses his chance when Hanna, Spencer, and Emily arrive, barraging him with questions. Infuriated with their accusations, he asks them all to leave.

Spencer catches up with Caleb in the barn and they chat about Charlotte and Sara Harvey. Spencer also tells him how Sara injured her hands on the night Charlotte revealed herself as –A. Spencer worries that Charlotte’s torture has hardened her as a person.

Emily arrives home to find Pam on the porch drinking wine. Pam asks Emily to promise she won’t go through things alone anymore, before pouring her her own glass of wine.

Hanna and Lucas talk post-interrogation. Hanna knows her mother thinks she’s guilty and can’t stand sleeping in her old bedroom, so Lucas offers to let her stay at his apartment.

Aria is still shaken from the PLLs’ earlier conversation with Ezra when she gets a call from Liam. Jillian loved the chapters Aria sent and asks her to keep doing what she’s doing.

Spencer and Caleb share drinks and Spencer thanks Caleb for not judging her. Later, things between the pair heat up when they finally act on their feelings.

Emily pours her wine into a potted plant.

Hanna looks through old photos on her computer at Lucas’ apartment.

Aria prepares to write a third chapter of Ezra’s book when she gets a text: “You know who did it and I’m going to make you talk.”

An anonymous figure opens up a box of black hoodies inside a lair filled with dolls and Ali masks.

End of episode.

Pretty Little Liars airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. on Freeform.