Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 1 and episode 2.
Pretty Little Liars: Summer School is a stark contrast to Original Sin, with brighter tones, sunny vibes, and, of course, several pop hits that are perfect for summer break (or summer school, in Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa’s case). The slasher and horror elements are still present (proven by the haunting instrumental additions to the show’s score) as the five teenagers recover from their experience with “A,” aka Archie Waters, and try to move on. However, a new villain named “Bloody Rose” throws a wrench into the characters’ plans in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.
The cast of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School features the return of Bailee Madison as Imogen, Chandler Kinney as Tabby, Zaria as Faran, Malia Pyles as Mouse, Maia Reficco as Noa, and Mallory Bechtel as Kelly. Meanwhile, Jordan Gonzalez’s Ash and Elias Kacavas’ are promoted to series regulars, and Annabeth Gish as Dr. Sullivan, Ava Capri as Jen, and Noah Alexander Gerry as Christian serve as new additions to the recurring cast. Hopefully, all of (or more realistically, some of) these characters survive the summer (and don’t get killed while Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” plays in the background.
“Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” by Paul Kelly and Linda Bull – Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 1 picks up where Original Sin‘s finale left off, with Archie Waters breaking out of prison to tie up his loose ends. Before Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa learn the terrifying news, they celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts while “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” plays. But the music stops once Imogen gets a call from Kelly informing her about Archie’s return.
“O Christmas Tree” by Geoffrey Gascoyne – The holiday spirit (only concerning the music) continues during the hour’s beginning when Steve Bowers gets into his car, turns on the radio (which plays “O Christmas Tree”), and gets his throat slashed by Archie from the backseat.
“Fight For the Right” by Yonaka – After Archie is caught by the police (for the second time), Pretty Little Liars: Summer School flashes forward six months to the end of the school year, and the Little Liars have seemingly picked up many skills during those missing months, including self-defense. While the girls attend a self-defense class in Pretty Little Liars season 2, Yonaka’s “Fight For the Right” can be heard.
“MONEY BAG” by LUNA AURA – Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa haven’t forgotten about their usual hangout, Pinball Pizza, where they congregate and discuss Tabby’s horror film as “MONEY BAG” plays from the jukebox.
“Ripe” by FLAVIA – Mouse’s obsession with Spooky Spaghetti runs rampant in Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 1, and her boyfriend, Ash, tries to distract her from the website by kissing her while listening to FLAVIA’s “Ripe.”
“only wanna dance” by almost monday – almost monday’s “only wanna dance” can be heard briefly towards the hour’s end when the Little Liars celebrate the end of their sophomore year (until the principal calls the girls into his office to inform them they have to take summer classes).
“School’s Out” by Alice Cooper – Pretty Little Liars: Summer School‘s new villain, “Bloody Rose,” makes her first kill at the end of episode 1 by stabbing a young couple to death in her cabin in the woods. Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” plays while the episode transitions into the credits.
“Cruel Summer” by Bananarama – Imogen, Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa attend their first day of classes at the start of episode 2. As the Pretty Little Liars characters walk up to the school holding umbrellas to shield them from the rain, Bananarama’s iconic summer jam “Cruel Summer” plays.
“Enlil and Enki” by Child on Fire – Unfortunately, Imogen is separated from her friends at summer school and is placed in the overflow classroom, where all the “bad” kids are seemingly placed. As Imogen walks into the room, “Enlil and Enki” can be heard.
“Tom’s Diner” by DNA feat. Suzanne Vega – Imogen travels to her father’s place to ask him about her mother’s anxiety medication, and when she is waiting for the bus to take her home, she notices a job flyer for Rocky’s Diner. Imogen goes to the diner to inquire about the job (and lies about her identity in the process) while “Tom’s Diner” aptly plays in the background.
“Loving You” by Cannons – Noa lies to Shawn and his family about her mother returning from rehab so that she can move back home in episode 1, and in episode 2, Noa comes clean to Shawn as “Loving You” plays. The scene transitions into Imogen telling Tabby about her new job, and the song carries over into the moment between the two friends.
“Joan” by Justin LaPoint – Tabby, Faran, Mouse, and Noa surprise Imogen at Rocky’s Diner, and before Imogen notices them, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School plays Justin LaPoint’s “Joan.”
“Fire For You” by Cannons – Christian convinces Tabby to show her horror film at The Orpheum, and she invites her four friends. When the Little Liars approach the theater and look up to see Tabby’s name on the marquee, “Fire For You” can be heard in the background. The song carries over to the next scene of Greg and Kelly in his car.
“Voices Carry” by ‘Til Tuesday – At the end of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School episode 2, the Max slasher teen drama shows Faran missing a call while she digs through her fridge, Noa declining a call while in bed with Shawn and thinking about her more-than-friends relationship with Jen in juvie, “Bloody Rose” stabbing Sandy to death after Greg stands her up, and the villain video calling Mouse. While all this is happening, ‘Til Tuesday’s “Voices Carry” plays.