Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 1 and episode 2.
Pretty Little Liars: Summer School features the return of the Little Liars — Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa, — and the first two episodes were full of shocking twists and frights as the girls faced a new villain. As teased in the finale of Original Sin, “A,” aka Arthur Waters, broke out of jail and went on a killing spree. Thankfully, his reign of terror was brief, as Imogen and Tabby worked together to figure out where he was, and the police promptly arrested him (again). Then, episode 1 flashed forward six months to the end of the girls’ sophomore year.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go back to how they were before “A” terrorized Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa (and many others). The girls still had residual trauma from their experience in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, and thankfully, they started seeing a therapist (for group and individual sessions). Fans of the original Pretty Little Liars series may recognize the character — Dr. Anne Sullivan, played by Annabeth Gish. The actress reprises her role from the previous show to help the teens process their trauma. The bad news is that there’s a whole lot more trauma coming their way.
Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 1 began with the five girls celebrating Christmas by exchanging gifts. The scene was lighthearted (and almost dreamlike) until Kelly called Imogen to warn her about Archie’s escape. “A” had murdered Sheriff Beasley, Chip, Madame Giry, Steve, and a drug dealer who used to sell drugs to Noa’s mother. The police later caught Archie at his sister’s grave, but his work was done. He tied up all his loose ends and was ready to return to jail.
The girls stressed over Archie’s sentencing hearing for the entirety of the premiere. They were worried that an insanity plea would work, sending “A” to a mental hospital (which is much easier to break out of). Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa’s worries were eased by the hour’s end, though, as Archie received the death penalty and would be executed. They do not have to worry about him anymore (his mother, on the other hand, is another story).
The Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin finale implied Aria and Ezra from Pretty Little Liars would adopt Imogen’s baby, but those plans changed in the months between Christmas and summer. Instead, Imogen found another couple — Rob and Blake Winters — to care for her daughter, Estelle. Bailee Madison’s TV character later explained that she called the adoption off with Aria and Ezra because she “got a weird vibe from that Ezra dude.”
Nevertheless, Estelle now has a home, but Imogen found it hard to let go of her daughter in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 1. She often visited the Winters’ house to drop off presents for the baby, even though the two men made it clear that she shouldn’t. Ultimately, Imogen was worried about Estelle’s safety, but with Archie sentenced to death, Imogen could theoretically sleep a bit more easily (even though that wasn’t the case).
Unfortunately, the events of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin hurt Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa’s grades, and the principal informed them that they had to take summer school (hence the subtitle of season 2). Of course, the five were upset because they were looking forward to a carefree summer, but now they would be busy studying (and working since most of them had summer jobs). Imogen, in particular, was angry at the situation because she learned she would be away from her friends in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 2.
The school split the summer students into two classes, and while Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa were in the main group, Imogen was in the overflow one. Imogen tried to force her way into her friends’ class, despite the teacher’s insistence that she leave. Bailee Madison’s character later broke down in the bathroom in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 2 and explained to her friends how she felt like she was losing her mind. They managed to make her feel better, and Dr. Sullivan later had Imogen transferred into the main class.
Imogen, Faran, Mouse, and Noa convinced Tabby to share her horror movie online after it was turned down by a film festival in the Pretty Little Liars: Summer School premiere. It gained traction, but Chips’ mother, Mrs. Langsberry, showed up at The Orpheum to shame Tabby for making the movie. The story obviously pertained to Tabby’s horrific assault at the hands of Chip, and his mother was furious that Tabby would smear his name, especially after Chip’s death.
Mrs. Langsberry ultimately convinced Tabby to take her horror film down from the internet (after she threatened to sue). However, Christian, Tabby’s new love interest, convinced her to show it at The Orpheum, with him and her friends in the crowd. They all loved it, of course, but it’s still disappointing that Tabby removed her work from the internet.
Despite her doctor’s clearance to return to dancing, Faran didn’t want to continue doing ballet in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School. She lied to Henry to appease him and claimed that her doctor told her she couldn’t dance. As a result, neither of them would perform in summer shows in season 2, and Faran even got a job that she is seemingly passionate about.
Faran accepted a lifeguard position at the local pool for the summer in the Max slasher teen drama television series. She was undoubtedly the best out of the several other boys who would also be lifeguarding, and for her talent and efforts, Faran was awarded the captain position. However, Faran has to begrudgingly work alongside Greg, whom she punched for insulting her boyfriend (after Henry tried to fight Faran’s battles).
Pretty Little Liars: Summer School revealed that Kelly and her mother started attending Our Mother of Holy Grace following the deaths of Sheriff Beasley and Karen. Although Kelly insisted that the church was not brainwashing her, all the signs were telling the viewers that it had some cult-like qualities. Kelly seemed happy when focusing on her religion, but her faith was also hurting her relationship with Greg.
Greg was annoyed by Kelly’s status as a born-again virgin, while Kelly was mad at Greg for not respecting her wishes. Even though he’s an atheist, Kelly convinced Greg to attend a service at Our Mother of Holy Grace and try out for parts in the church’s play. Greg got the lead role (since they didn’t have many boys to choose from), while Kelly’s nemesis, Sandy, would be his leading lady. Despite the tension between them, Greg and Kelly came to a compromise. Kelly told him, “Just because we can’t have sex doesn’t mean there aren’t other things we can do.”
Noah Alexander Gerry’s Christian and Antonio Cipriano’s Johnny joined the cast of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, and their respective characters will serve as love interests to two of the Little Liars. Christian and Johnny were introduced in episode 2, with Christian, a new employee at The Orpheum, having a bit more of a prominent role during the hour. Sparks flew between him and Tabby as they got to know one another, and hopefully, Christian isn’t evil since Tabby needs a win.
Meanwhile, after Imogen’s stint at Rocky’s Diner, she applied for a job at the local ice cream shop near the end of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 2. Johnny was working when she entered the parlor, and as they discussed a possible job opportunity for Imogen, the chemistry between them was settling in. Unfortunately, the two-episode premiere of the Max slasher teen drama didn’t show much of Imogen and Johnny, but Pretty Little Liars: Summer School‘s trailer suggests they will engage in a summer romance.
Archie Waters was dealt with during the first ten minutes of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, but once he was gone, another villain took his place — “Bloody Rose.” The horrifying antagonist made her first kill at the end of episode 1 when she happened upon two teens (Nick and Sabrina) about to have sex in a cabin in the woods (that Ash claimed belonged to “Bloody Rose,” but that was just a ruse to catch Mouse in a lie). Then, “Bloody Rose” murdered Sandy after Greg stood her up to hang out with Kelly.
“Bloody Rose” refers to Rose Waters, Archie’s mother, but the premiere kept her identity somewhat secret like “A’s” in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. Perhaps she truly is Rose Waters seeking revenge on the Little Liars in the name of her son. Only time will tell “Bloody Rose’s” true intentions, though, and one thing is for certain — the new villain despises Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa. At the end of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 2, “Bloody Rose” video called Mouse. When Mouse asked her what she wanted, “Bloody Rose” replied, “Save your breath. You’ll need it.”
A terrifying antagonist like “Bloody Rose” isn’t the only thing Noa has to worry about in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School. Ava Capri’s Jen was introduced in episode 2 when she joined Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa’s summer school class and later applied for a job at Pinball Pizza (where Noa works). From the moment Jen walked into the classroom and locked eyes with Noa, it was clear that the two had a past, and the hour seemingly only brushed the surface of their relationship.