'Pretty Little Liars' Recap: 'Of Late I Think of Rosewood'

On the winter premiere of Pretty Little Liars, Ali requests that her friends return home to help petition a judge for Charlotte’s release, the girls feel conflicted about testifying on Ali’s sister’s behalf, and a new tragedy rattles Rosewood.

Five years after CeCe/Charlotte was revealed as –A, Ali is a high school English teacher. When classes end for the day, Ali is visited by her sister’s doctor, Dr. Rollins. Dr. Rollins says he wanted Ali to know that the judge set a date for Charlotte’s hearing and he wanted to do it in person. The hearing will take place in four days.

Upon learning this news, Ali is a little shocked, but quickly recovers and asks Dr. Rollins if she can enclose something in the court notifications. Dr. Rollins reminds her that while the court can compel her friends to come, they might not be sympathetic to the cause. Ali retorts, saying she knows her friends; they’ll understand.

In the scenes that follow, each of the PLLs receive a note from Ali asking them to return to Rosewood to speak to the court on Charlotte’s behalf. Spencer reads her note while sitting outside near the U.S. Capitol, Aria reads hers at the publishing company where she works, Hanna contemplates her note on an airplane, and Emily reads hers in between bartending.

Ali writes that she just wants five minutes of their time to explain things.

Back in Rosewood, Ali visits Charlotte at the hospital. Charlotte is anxious to know if the PLLs will be returning to town and if they’re still upset with her. Ali reassures Charlotte that she’ll bring her home before they hug.

Cue opening theme.

Spencer is the first to arrive back to town. She’s near Lucky Leon’s Cupcakes when she spots a group of four girls sitting outside together. The girls each receive a text simultaneously and check their phones, prompting Spencer to continue on her way.

Emily pops a pill while sitting at The Brew. Enter Hanna, who sneaks up and surprises her from behind, followed by Spencer and Aria. The group exchanges photos and hugs.

Later, the girls catch up, discussing work, boyfriends, and eventually Ali’s request. Emily’s worried they’ll have to go under oath, but Spencer says they’ll just have to tell the judge how they feel about Charlotte being released. It’s been good to have five –A-free years, still they promised to do Ali this favor, so they agree to meet up with her and hear her out.

Emily arrives home and is greeted by Pam, who wonders how long she’ll stay. Emily asks her mother about her new boyfriend, Greg and Pam explains they’ve broken up for the time being as they both head inside.

At the same time, Hanna and Ashley have drinks at the newly remodeled Radley hotel. Hanna compliments her mother on how well she had the old ‘nuthouse’ renovated. Ashley mentions Jordan, Hanna’s fiancé and Charlotte’s hearing. She reminds Hanna that Hanna doesn’t owe Ali anything, but Hanna shuts her mother down, saying she knows exactly how to handle herself.

Aria brings her dad, Byron a book from her boyfriend, Liam and they make small talk. Soon enough, Byron asks Aria if she’s seen Ezra now that he’s returned from South America and moved in above The Brew. Ezra was sent home after the trip took a sour turn and Nicole and fourteen other people either went missing or were found dead. Aria hasn’t seen Ezra yet, even though she sent him a letter shortly after Nicole’s passing. He never responded.

Spencer and Mrs. Hastings watch her campaign commercial at home. Mrs. Hastings is running for state senate and Mr. Hastings is busy working on her campaign in Harrisburg. Mrs. Hastings became inspired to run after watching Spencer work on Capitol Hill. Spencer is very proud of her mother.

Aria returns to The Brew, where she runs into Ezra. They talk for a while and Ezra claims Aria’s bosses are mad at him. Ezra had his book, Ostinato published at the same publishing company where Aria works. Aria reassures Ezra that her bosses understand his situation. Ezra says they’ve given him an advance on his second book and also doesn’t think it’s fair that Nicole lost her life doing something that was meant to help people.

Spencer sneaks up on Toby, who’s busy building a house all by himself. They hug and catch up briefly, discussing Charlotte’s hearing and the like. Toby also asks Spencer if it’s okay to take her out for dinner while she’s in town and she says yes.

Later, Ali briefs the girls on Charlotte’s status. All she needs them to do is tell the judge they’re not scared of her anymore. The girls aren’t totally sure they can do that.

After meeting with Ali, the PLLs attend Veronica’s press conference. They’re still conflicted on whether or not they should speak to a judge on Charlotte’s behalf.

As Spencer prepares to join her mother on stage, she’s approached by Mona. Mona also works in policy now and still struggles to combat the after-effects of Charlotte-as-A’s torture.

That night, Emily and Toby drink on the Fields’ porch. Toby says how he and Spencer fell out of sync during their separation, while Emily admits she struggled to see a point to anything after her dad died.

In court the next day, Ali, the PLLs, and even Mona appeal to the judge on Charlotte’s behalf. Each of their testimonies goes well, until it’s Aria’s turn and she speaks honestly, sharing how her scars haven’t left her.

That night, the PLLs have drinks at The Radley, going over the hearing and sharing worries about Sara Harvey, whose criminal charges prevented her from testifying. During their outing, Ali texts them the good news; Charlotte has been released.

Upon learning this, Hanna orders everyone to shut off their phones, and they talk, laugh, and drink some more, unaware they’re being recorded on a hidden camera.

The next morning, Hanna returns to her suite with ice water to cure everyone’s hangovers. She and Spencer talk about Toby while trying not to wake Aria, but the phone rings, stirring her from sleep. In the bedroom, Emily also wakes up, scrambling to hide the pills and syringes that have fallen out of her suitcase.

Ali’s on the other line, asking if Charlotte’s with them. Ali says she and her sister talked the night before, but now Charlotte’s gone. Hanna says Charlotte’s not with them, leading Ali to follow Dr. Rollins’ advice and call 911.

Near the Rosewood Church, the coroners cover up a body. Toby tells Lorenzo it’s a positive ID on Charlotte DiLaurentis.

Later, Dr. Rollins asks Emily to stay with Ali until she falls asleep. When he leaves, Emily sits down on Ali’s bed and Ali reaches for her hand.

Back at The Radley, Caleb drops in on Hanna. He heard about testifying in court and Charlotte’s death from Spencer and wanted to make sure she was okay. Hanna’s hanging in there, but remains confused as to why Caleb would show up without calling her first.

When Caleb leaves Hanna’s suite, he meets up with Spencer in the lobby. Spencer purposely wanted to give Hanna and Caleb their space, knowing it’d be a complicated conversation. Caleb is glad Spencer called him, while Spencer’s glad he’s in town.

At Charlotte’s funeral, everything is tense. It doesn’t help matters when Sara Harvey shows up unexpectedly and shoots the PLLs threatening looks. When the services conclude, the girls wonder why Sara came, then prepare to head out. They’re soon stopped by Lorenzo, who advises they stick around for a couple days; Charlotte’s autopsy indicates a homicide. She was killed before being thrown from the church’s bell tower.

Hearing this, the girls panic. They all want to go home until they realize they are home. Nearby, a limousine window suddenly rolls up, and the car drives off as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” plays while the scene fades to black.

End of episode.

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