Pretty Little Pocket Full of Secrets: Careful What U Wish 4

In last night's episode, Careful What U Wish 4, the Liars try to make sense of the creepy video of Ian and Alison. They are interrupted by Ian, though he doesn't see what they were watching, and they all think he's a killer. At school, the Liars decorate for the dance-a-thon dance. Hanna tells Sean that she needs to get a job so she can make money to buy earrings, but she really needs money to pay her mom back for their money that was stolen. Aria's former babysitter, Simone, is back in town and surprises Aria. Aria's mom sets Simone up with Ezra since she thinks he's single. Emily can't reach Maya, so Hanna gives Emily's phone to new kid Caleb to help her. The Liars want to turn Spencer's laptop in to police since it has the video of Alison and Ian on it but they realize that the laptop was stolen from Spencer's bag. Emily tries to get her phone back early from Caleb but he charges her more for his services. Hanna tries to get a job at a clothing store but they won't hire her because her mom owes the store money. Aria shows up at Ezra's apartment without calling first and he tells her that he has to leave to meet Simone for coffee. Spencer asks Ian if he has seen her laptop and he says no. He tells her that he will be chaperoning the dance. The Liars are really uncomfortable at the dance because Ian is there. Simone shows up at the dance and Aria wasn't expecting her to be there. She is there to see Ezra who is also a chaperon. She likes him a lot and Aria is jealous. Emily sees Ian lock his briefcase in his desk, so the other girls try to get the key. Eventually, Aria gets the key and gives it to Spencer. Hanna tells Caleb off for overcharging Emily for her phone. A texts Hanna and tells her that he/she will pay her to dance with Lucas. Sean dumps Hanna because she is dancing with Lucas and she can't tell him why. Emily finally reaches Maya but is disappointed when Maya is really distant. Emily gets upset and drinks all of the alcohol in the flask that Hanna brought to the dance. A keeps texting Hanna offering more and more money to dance with Lucas. Caleb helps Spencer break into Ian's desk but the laptop isn't there. Aria is so jealous of Ezra and Simone that she tries to confront them, but Spencer intervenes and asks Ezra to dance. Emily drunkenly tells Hanna that Hanna is just like Alison for torturing Lucas by dancing with him when she knows how he feels about her and she doesn't feel the same way about him. Then, Emily confronts Ian and says that they all know what he did. Spencer covers it up by saying that she told them that he kissed her last summer. He threatens her if that's not the truth. Lucas wants to take Hanna home but she refuses, telling him that Emily needs her. She pulls her scarf out of her pocket and all of the money she earned from dancing with Lucas falls out. Then, she goes with Emily and Spencer to Spencer's house. Ezra and Aria argue about Simone but Ezra assures Aria that he's in love with her. Hanna helps Emily to bed since she's drunk. She tells Emily she feels horrible about dancing with Lucas and admits that her actions were worse than Alison's. She says she had to mess with Lucas and that it wasn't for fun, but she realizes Emily is asleep, so she doesn't elaborate. Spencer and Hanna find the laptop on the coffee table and discover that the video was erased. Instead, there is a picture of Alison that says, "Watch your backs. I didn't. -A." The last scene is back at the coat check at the dance. Aria's mom gives a jacket and gloves back to someone who is unseen and who is presumably A. 

 

I didn't like the Hanna/Lucas scenes. Before watching the episode, I read somewhere that there were going to be some sweet moments between Hanna and Lucas at a dance, but I didn't think their scenes were sweet at all. I think Hanna is reverting back to her old ways because of A. She came such a long way in the first half of the season and actually became friends with Lucas and seemed to really like him. Now, she's acting like the popular girl again who is way too good for him and just uses him for her own benefit. I was hoping she wouldn't give into A and wouldn't torture Lucas like that just for money but she did. A definitely knows Hanna's weaknesses since he/she made her eat all those cupcakes in the last episode too. I think Hanna needs to stand up to A eventually. I really don't like what she did to Lucas because I was rooting for them and now it's ruined. I doubt they will ever get together. Supposedly, Hanna and Caleb are going to date in upcoming episodes. I don't really like Caleb. He seems like a jerk who has secrets of his own. I bet he will cause trouble for the Liars. I wonder if Simone will be in any other episodes to cause more drama between Ezra and Aria. I also wonder if their relationship can handle anything else. They already have to sneak around but adding Simone to the mix makes everything even more difficult for them. I don't really know what to make of the whole Ian situation right now. He is definitely creepy but it's hard to know exactly what he has done. I'm not totally convinced that he killed Alison, despite the video that A sent to the Liars. The next episode is If At First You Don't Succeed, Lie, Lie Again. Can't wait to see what happens!

That's all for this week's PLPFS. To catch up on the previous three episodes and read my thoughts on them, check out Moments Later, Salt Meets Wound, and Know Your Frenemies. Don't forget to share your opinions with us and come back next Tuesday for another recap and discussion of PLL.

Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to next week...     

 

Nancy

Pretty Little Pocket Full of Secrets: Know Your Frenemies

In last night's episode, Know Your Frenemies, Spencer hears Melissa and Ian whispering in the kitchen after they return from their honeymoon. She tries to hear what they are saying but is unable to. Eventually, she learns from Melissa that they are trying to have a baby but were also trying to keep it a secret. Spencer decides to call the resort in South Carolina where Ian and Alison stayed to see if she can find anything out about their trip together. Emily is skeptical that Ian was involved in Alison's disappearance. The relationship between Hanna and her mom is a bit strained since all of their "borrowed" money was stolen at Hanna's surprise party. A tells Hanna that she will get the money back if she goes to a certain address. When Hanna arrives at the address, it is a cupcake shop. A text messages Hanna and tells her to sit down outside of the store and eat six cupcakes that are decorated with pigs. Hanna agrees and eats all of the cupcakes in front of football players who make fun of her. Aria shows up and Hanna confides in her that Alison used to help her throw up after a binge. Aria tells Hanna that is really dangerous behavior but Hanna assures her that she has changed. When Hanna goes into the bathroom alone, she contemplates throwing up but doesn't. She grabs some paper towels and discovers the money attached to the towels. A kept his/her promise. Elsewhere in Rosewood, Toby is tormented on the street and at school being called a killer and a murderer since everyone thinks he killed Alison. Spencer doubts it is Toby and begins to soften towards him. Emily and Maya have a study date. When Emily's mom comes home and finds them together, she freaks out. In Maya's hurry to leave, she leaves her backpack behind. Emily's mom goes through it and discovers drugs. She forbids Emily from seeing Maya and turns Maya in. The other girls arrange for Emily to see Maya one last time before Maya goes to juvie. Noel threatens Ezra by implying that he will report Ezra to the principal for dating Aria if he does not change Noel's grade on a paper. Ezra refuses to change it. Aria finds out from her brother that Noel is going to tell the principal, so she rushes over to Ezra's apartment to spend the night with him. He reveals that he is going to quit his job and leave Rosewood so Noel can't report him. When they arrive at school the next day, Noel gets in trouble for cheating before Ezra has a chance to resign, so it looks like Ezra will be staying. At the end of the episode, the girls are at Spencer's house when Aria receives a text from A to look at her computer. A sent them a video of Alison and Ian together the night that Alison disappeared. It isn't shown but implied by background noise that Ian killed Alison. The girls are shocked. They hear someone outside, so they chase after him/her but the person, presumably A, gets away.  

 

This wasn't my favorite episode. It was interesting and kept the story moving along but it wasn't as exciting as other episodes. I was disappointed that Lucas wasn't in this episode at all, so there weren't any Hanna/Lucas scenes. I think it will be interesting to see where the Spencer/Toby storyline goes. I think Spencer is going to befriend Toby now that she is pretty sure he didn't kill Alison. I don't think Noel is A, even though he was outside of the bakery when Hanna ate all the cupcakes. I think that was just a coincidence. Hanna's scenes were really sad. I think she is starting to unravel a bit because of A's demands and the money problems. I wouldn't be surprised if she leans on Lucas in future episodes, even though they aren't on the best terms right now. I'm more and more suspicious of Ian. I think he is A. He seems so secretive and creepy. If we are to believe the video, it seems like he really did kill Alison, unless Alison and Ian faked the video and made it seem like he killed her but she's actually still alive somewhere. I really think she's still alive. How else would A know all of the girls' secrets that only Alison knew? I think maybe Ian and Alison are A together. Can't wait to see the next episode Careful What U Wish 4.

 

That's all for this week's PLPFS. To catch up on the previous two episodes and read my thoughts on them, check out Moments Later and Salt Meets Wound. Don't forget to share your opinions with us and come back next Tuesday for another recap and discussion of PLL.

Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to next week...     

 

Nancy

Pretty Little Pocket Full of Secrets: Salt Meets Wound

In last night's episode, "Salt Meets Wound," Hanna arrives home from the hospital with the help of Aria, Emily, and Spencer. Hanna is in a wheelchair and is not able to go back to school yet. She desperately wants a poptart, so she uses one of her crutches to get the box down. When other boxes fall from the shelf too, she discovers thousands of dollars hidden in a box of lasagna noodles. The other girls come back into her house and she tells them to leave. When Hanna's mom comes home, she confronts her about the money and learns that her mom stole it from a customer at the bank to pay the mortgage but intends to pay it back. Elsewhere in Rosewood, Spencer sees Toby and finds out that he is out of jail on bail. At school, Aria tells Ezra that Noel saw them in the car outside of Camp Mona and he promised not to say anything but Ezra isn't convinced. Mona invites the girls to a surprise welcome home party at Hanna's house despite their protests that Hanna won't be up for a party. Noel receives a C on a paper and threatens Ezra to try to get a better grade. Ezra is upset and pulls away from Aria out of concern. He asks her who else knows about them and she lies and tells him that only Noel knows when, in fact, she told Emily, Spencer, and Hanna too. Spencer's boyfriend, Alex, tells her that he has the chance to play professional tennis in Switzerland but he isn't interested in applying for a spot, to her disappointment. Before the party at Hanna's, Emily's parents invite Maya over for dinner to meet her. Emily's dad is much more accepting of Emily's and Maya's relationship than Emily's mom is, who winds up crying in the kitchen and telling Emily that it makes her sick. Maya doesn't want to go to Hanna's party, so Emily goes alone. On her way there, she sees Toby outside of his house. They have a brief conversation revealing that they can't trust each other. After Emily leaves, Jenna comes outside and reveals to Toby that she turned him into the police so that she could bail him out and then he'd be on house arrest and at home with her. He's upset by this. Noel shows up at Hanna's surprise party and she has a flashback to when Alison purposely broke Noel and his girlfriend up so that he would be available for Aria. Lucas also comes to the party even though he hasn't responded to any of Hanna's emails. She wants to study with him but he isn't interested because he's still upset that she put him in the friend zone in the last episode. Lucas picks a fight with Sean, Hanna's boyfriend, but Noel steps in to prevent any actual violence. Hanna goes outside to talk to Lucas who is very upset about how is being treated and reveals that he destroyed Alison's memorial because she was a monster to him in junior high. Hanna tells him that she won't say anything or turn him in but he's still upset and leaves the party. Alex leaves early too when he finds out by email that someone applied for him to the tennis program. He assumes it was Spencer but she denies it. He doesn't believe her. She then gets a text message from A that says A submitted the application. When Spencer gets home, her dad says that he found out that police found Alison's blood at Toby's house, so he thinks Toby will be arrested again. Spencer then discovers a tag on one of Ian's bags from a resort in South Carolina. She has a flashback to when Alison came home from a supposed trip to visit her grandma in Georgia and had the same tag on her luggage. After the party at Hanna's ends and her mom comes home, they discover that the money in the lasagna box was stolen. Her mom is very upset. Hanna finds some of the money in one of her pill bottles with a note from A that she'll get all of it back if she cooperates with A. The episode ends with black gloved hands stuffing all of the money into a clown piggy bank.

 

As usual, I really enjoyed this episode. My favorite scene was between Hanna and Lucas when he revealed that he destroyed Alison's memorial. I loved the emotion of the scene and I love the friendship between them. It's unusual but somehow it works and you get the sense that they are meant to be together, if only as friends. I am really glad that Toby came back for this episode. I wish the scene where he talked to Emily had been longer but I have a feeling we'll get to see more of them together in future episodes. Again, another unusual friendship that I really like. The Aria and Ezra relationship (Ezria) has gotten a bit boring. They are so afraid to be together now since people have found out that it ruins the chemistry between them. I wonder if they will wind up breaking up soon out of fear. Now I think that A is Jenna or Ian and Melissa together. Originally, I suspected Jenna as A but then it didn't seem like it could be her but now I'm back to thinking maybe it is. Another likely possibility is Ian and Melissa as a team. In the last episode, Hanna mentioned that A could be more than one person. I think that was a big clue, especially since now Spencer is discovering that Ian and Alison were together because of the South Carolina luggage tags. I really doubt that Noel is A. I think he is just upset that his girlfriend dumped him because of Alison and now that he's trying to date Aria, she is rejecting him for a teacher. I think he's harmless though. I'm not really on board with the Spencer and Alex relationship. I think it's lacking and they don't really have a spark. I wonder what trouble A will cause in next week's episode "Know Your Frenemies." Looking forward to it!

 

That's all for this week's PLPFS. To catch up on last week's episode and read my thoughts on it, you can click here. Don't forget to share your opinions with us and come back next Tuesday for another recap and discussion of PLL.

Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to next week...     

 

Nancy

Pretty Little Pocket Full of Secrets: Moments Later

Welcome to the first installment of Pretty Little Pocket Full of Secrets, a weekly recap and discussion of each Pretty Little Liars episode. Are you excited? I know I am! The second half of season 1 premiered on ABC Family last night. Each new episode airs every Monday at 8pm, so you can expect Pretty Little Pocket Full of Secrets right here at The Chick Lit Bee every Tuesday, as long as new episodes are airing. If you don't already know, the TV series Pretty Little Liars is based on the book series of the same name by Sara Shepard. If you haven't read the books or watched the show, you really need to because it isn't just for teenagers. It's compelling, riveting, keeps you guessing, and all of that good stuff. So, basically Pretty Little Pocket Full of Secrets will give you something to hold onto and lock in your pocket to think about until the next episode. As always, please share your thoughts in the comments section. Okay, okay. Enough info. Let's get to it.

Last night's episode, "Moments Later," picked up where the summer finale left off. Hanna was purposely hit by a car outside of Camp Mona, Mona's birthday party. The episode begins with Hanna's mom finding out about the accident and Aria, Emily, and Spencer watching as Hanna is taken to the hospital. Hanna remains in the hospital for the entire episode but we quickly learn that she's okay, only a broken leg, broken ankle, and some bruises. She tells the rest of the girls that A is Noel Kahn, her boyfriend Sean's friend, who Hanna set Aria up with on a date during the first half of the season. Aria noticed Noel in the woods outside of Camp Mona too but she doubts that he is A. Meanwhile, we also learn that Toby went to jail and he is no longer suspected as A either. Spencer discovers that Ian spent the night with her sister, Melissa, and by the end of the episode they are married. In the previous episode we learned that Alison and Ian used to be together secretly before Alison disappeared and their names were carved together on a tree. When Spencer takes Aria to the tree to show her the carving, they find that the whole tree was cut down. The last scene of the episode shows the part of the tree with the names on it burning in someone's fireplace. Aria and Ezra still struggle with their relationship and vow to be even more careful than they have been in the past because Noel saw them in the car together outside of Camp Mona, so he knows they are a couple. Aria also confides in the rest of the girls about her relationship with Ezra. They are shocked that she has been dating a teacher. Emily reveals to her parents that she is gay, to their surprise and disapproval. Hanna has many visitors while she's in the hospital, including a visit from Alison. It could have been real or a dream/hallucination. Lucas also comes to visit and Hanna suspects that he wants to be more than friends. She turns him down. In the episode's last scene of the girls together, they discover that A wrote a message on Hanna's cast while she was sleeping. They are freaked out and wonder who wrote the message. Hanna suspects that A and Alison's killer are not the same person.

I really enjoyed this episode and I'm so glad that the show is back. Noel looked hot when he was in the woods in his hoodie. I noticed him more in this episode than in the other episode he was in. It's almost a shame that Aria isn't interested in him. I don't think Noel is A. I think he was telling the truth when he said he was playing a joke on Aria and that's why he wrote "I see you" on Ezra's car. I doubt he was driving the car that hit Hanna. I think it was funny how they tried to make Lucas's visit to Hanna's room seem creepy at first but then he was only there to kiss her. I think he's a nice guy and I like their friendship. I don't know if I see them as a couple but it was sad when she turned him down. The marriage between Ian and Melissa was random and strange. I'm sure it's setting something up for future episodes but I don't know what. When Hanna saw Alison in the hospital and talked to her, I was confused. Was it real? Was it a dream? Why didn't she mention it to anyone else or acknowledge it at all during the rest of the episode? Is Alison still alive? That particular scene left a lot of unanswered questions. I haven't read the book series but plan to read it so I can see the differences between the books and the show. I'd love to hear about some of the differences that you already see in the show if you have read the books, so please share. I don't understand why Jenna wouldn't "allow" Emily to go visit Toby. Why does she have any control over that? Why doesn't Emily just go to the jail and visit him? I liked the strange friendship between Toby and Emily, so I hope we get to see more of that in future episodes. I also think the chemistry was lacking a bit between Aria and Ezra in last night's episode. I hope they don't break up but I have a feeling their relationship is going to change.

That's all for this week's PLPFS. Don't forget to share your thoughts with us and come back next Tuesday for more on PLL.

Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to next week... 

Nancy

The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN): Are you watching?

The new Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) launched on January 1st bringing all new shows to cable from none other than Oprah Winfrey. Since everything Oprah does is successful, I'm excited to see what her network adds to television and where it goes over the years. Below is a rundown with brief descriptions of all of the new shows on OWN. So far, I have seen a sneak preview of Kidnapped by the Kids and I look forward to watching the other shows too. I'm particularly excited to see Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bag because it looks like such a fun cooking show with a twist. I also can't wait to see Oprah's search for the next TV host. What are you looking forward to watching on OWN? Let us know by posting a comment. If you don't know what channel OWN is on, go here to find out. - Nancy




Deliver Me – Alane Park, Yvonne Bohn and Allison Hill are OB/GYN doctors and mothers busy juggling careers while raising young children. Three former school friends, now partners in a demanding medical practice, they share their professional and personal lives. These attractive, articulate women provide support for one another when caring for high-risk pregnant patients in an inner-city Los Angeles hospital, as well as offering one another emotional support outside the hospital. Deliver Me is set primarily at their medical office, where they see a full schedule of patients, and also at Good Samaritan Hospital next door, where they may be called at any time of day or night to deliver babies or perform surgery. Get a front-row seat for all the drama, emotion and challenges—both professionally and personally—churning around these skilled doctors every day. Weekdays at 7am/6c 

The Gayle King Show – Start your day off right with Oprah's best friend and O Magazine Editor-at-Large Gayle King, as her hit radio show comes to television every weekday on OWN. Gayle's live talk show will offer her unique perspective on an array of topics ranging from current events and cultural trends to politics and more, all while bringing viewers closer to their favorite celebrities and notable public figures with her revealing, compelling daily interviews. Premieres January 10^th at 10am/9c  

Anna & Kristina's Grocery Bag – We've all seen the beautiful meals skillfully executed by professional chefs, but what happens when two average home cooks try to tackle the culinary arts? Hosts Anna Wallner and Kristina Matisic focus their efforts in the kitchen, putting popular cookbooks to the test. Each episode tackles one cookbook, with Anna and Kristina recreating the recipes as written and exploring how easy each dish is to prepare. Along the way, they offer entertaining and informative thoughts on ingredients, food-prep techniques and kitchen products. To judge the results, Anna and Kristina are joined by world-class chefs and food experts, who rate the meal and decide if the chosen cookbook delivers on its promises. Weekdays at 3/2c

Cristina Ferrare's Big Bowl of Love – In this cooking series, mother, author and former talk show host Cristina Ferrare opens up her home, introducing viewers to her family, friends and favorite foods. No matter who her guests are, there will always be laughter and good conversation as they whip up simple but impressive dishes. Whether creating a traditional Italian meal or throwing a Super Bowl Party for friends, Cristina Ferrare is always entertaining. Now she's sharing her cooking secrets with you. Weekdays at 3:30/2:30c    

Ask Oprah's All Stars – Three of the best experts in the country tackle your burning questions about health, wealth, and relationships. Get 2011 started with Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Dr. Oz and their all-star advice! Sundays at 8/7c

Oprah presents Master Class – They are the stories you've never heard from the people you thought you knew best. Handpicked by Oprah for their unique impact on the world, eight true modern masters sit down to share the untold stories that have shaped their lives and the greatest life lessons they've learned along the way. In an intimate setting, they open up about their successes, failures, triumphs, disappointments and heartbreaks. Master Class offers an unprecedented first-person insight into the brilliant minds of famous people we love, respect and admire. First season masters include Diane Sawyer, Jay-Z, Dr. Maya Angelou, Simon Cowell, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Lorne Michaels and Oprah herself. Sundays at 10/9c 

Enough Already! with Peter Walsh – In each episode of Enough Already!, acclaimed organization and clutter expert Peter Walsh helps a family get rid of the overwhelming clutter taking over their home. Peter explores the underlying reasons why clutter crept into their lives and teaches them to relinquish their emotional attachments so they can move forward, clutter-free. Mondays at 8/7c 

In the Bedroom with Dr. Laura Berman – Dr. Laura Berman wants you to have great sex. With more than 20 years of experience as a sex educator, researcher and therapist, Dr. Berman has the tips and tricks you and your partner need to uncover what's really going on between the sheets. Watch as this New York Times best-selling author and a Sirius XM radio host makes house calls to help couples confront their intimacy issues head on. No issue is off limits with Dr. Berman and she isn't afraid to talk specifics. Mondays at 10/9c 

Mystery Diagnosis – Every year, millions of Americans fall victim to real-life medical mysteries, ailments that go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years. Their lives are thrown into turmoil, sometimes their sanity is called into question, as medical professionals struggle to understand their baffling conditions. Mystery Diagnosis tells their stories. In each episode we are confronted with two medical mysteries. The stories are told through intimate interviews with the patients themselves, their families, friends, and doctors. These interviews in combination with photos and home movies, highly stylized dramatizations and animated anatomy sequences take the viewer step-by-step through a medical odyssey. Wednesdays at 8/7c 

Miracle Detectives – Do miracles really exist? Or is there a logical explanation to the seemingly inexplicable? Two investigators; one a believer, the other a scientist will travel the globe to uncover answers to mysterious incidents that transcend logic in Miracle Detectives, a new one hour documentary series for OWN. Randall Sullivan is an author and journalist who, while travelling as a war correspondent in Bosnia, saw an inexplicable vision during a violent thunder and lightning storm. He is convinced it was a miracle. Now he travels the globe investigating other miracles, along with Indre Viskontas, a gifted scientist with a Ph.D. in neuroscience, who approaches the supernatural with a skeptical point of view. Wednesdays at 10/9c

Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes – It's the final season premiere of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the stakes are higher than ever. Find out how Oprah and her team pulled a knock-your-socks-off surprise for the show's ultimate viewers. Fridays at 8/7c 

Your OWN Show: Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star – Ten contestants with determination, passion and drive were plucked from obscurity from thousands of auditions to compete to get their own TV show on OWN. Hosts Nancy O'Dell and Carson Kressley guide the hopefuls through intense challenges designed to see if they have what it takes to have their own show. In each episode, the contestants are mentored by A-list hosts. Dr. Phil, Suze Orman, Gayle King and more will make appearances on the series, bestow knowledge to the contestants and judge the episodes. Challenges will range from booking interviews and researching story ideas to successfully completing a pilot presentation. The winner will get his or her very own show! Fridays at 9/8c 

Kidnapped by the Kids – Can a workaholic really learn how to be a better parent from his or her own child? In this series, children are empowered to stand up to their overworked parents. It's good-bye to cell phones and computers, and hello to family time with the kids at the helm. It's a heart-warming journey that empowers real families to rediscover what family is all about. Coming soon. 

Searching for... – This documentary series follows the real-life work of Pam Slaton, a professional investigative genealogist, stay-at-home mom and New Jersey housewife. Viewers can expect an intensely personal ride when cameras follow Pam and her clients through each step as they track down lost loved ones. Each searcher's story is different, and the results are unpredictable and emotionally charged. Whether Pam's clients find a joyous reunion, painful rejection or tragic loss, they all walk away with the closure they were desperate to find. Coming soon.