Pretty Little Liars

10 Best Episodes of Pretty Little Liars - Season 5

Based on the Pretty Little Liars series of young adult novels by Sara Shepard, the series follows the lives of four girls — Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily — whose clique falls apart after the disappearance of their queen bee, Alison. One year later, they begin receiving messages from someone using the name "A" who threatens to expose their secrets — including long-hidden ones they thought only Alison knew.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 04, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Pretty Little Liars - S5E11

#15 - No One Here Can Love or Understand Me (Season 5 - Episode 11)

Melissa finally tells Spencer what she knows regarding the night Ali disappeared. But what is Spencer supposed to do with the knowledge? Knowing something is off about Alison’s story, Emily is on the hunt for answers on her own. She enlists Ezra’s help in finding out more about Cyrus and his past connection to Alison. Meanwhile, Hanna asks Spencer and Toby for help with Caleb’s drinking problem.

The episode was rated 7.68 from 617 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E24

#14 - I'm a Good Girl, I Am (Season 5 - Episode 24)

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Alison's trial is coming to a close, and the outcome looks even more bleak when the prosecution calls a surprise witness that not only paints Alison in a bad light but also the PLLs and Mike. Desperate to find any evidence or witness to save their friends, Aria, Emily and Spencer race to find someone or something that can prove Ali's innocence and put an end to this nightmare. Meanwhile, Mike becomes a target of "A" when it looks like he might be called to testify, and Ezra and Caleb have differing opinions on what he should do.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 536 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E8

#13 - Scream for Me (Season 5 - Episode 8)

Hanna’s insecurities and current situation continue to plague her when Alison moves into the Marin house while her Dad is out of town. Now forced to live with the one person she is trying to avoid, Hanna retreats further into abusing alcohol and ends up in a sticky situation. Meanwhile, Aria drops the ball on her maid of honor duties when Ella returns to town to plan her wedding and Spencer and Emily pursue a dangerous lead, trying to solve the mystery of the dead girl in Alison’s grave.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 628 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E7

#12 - The Silence of E. Lamb (Season 5 - Episode 7)

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Aria begins her volunteer work at Radley and quickly gets down to business finding any answers she can about a patient of interest to the Liars. But she quickly hits a snag when she comes across an aggressive patient that may be the key to what the Liars are looking for. Also searching for answers, Spencer takes a note from Ezra’s play book by borrowing some of his spy equipment to keep a closer eye on the home front. Meanwhile, Hanna is caught at odds when Ali and Caleb butt heads, and Emily seeks help from her friends when her mom invites Ali over for dinner.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 621 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E9

#11 - March of Crimes (Season 5 - Episode 9)

Hanna continues down her boozy path, with the help of Caleb, and her friends can no longer stand by and watch Hanna self-destruct. After her last encounter with Hanna, Aria starts to take note of Zach and wonders if Hanna — while drunk — was telling her the truth. Meanwhile, Emily tries to find information linking Alison to Noel and Spencer makes a surprising discovery at the eye doctor.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 606 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E1

#10 - EscApe From New York (Season 5 - Episode 1)

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Aria and the Liars are reeling from Ezra’s shooting at the hands of “A.” The five girls quickly realize that as the one person who truly knows A’s identity, Ezra, is in grave danger. While Aria stands watch over Ezra at the hospital, Alison and the PLLs lay a trap to finally flush out “A” but are shocked by who is ensnared. Meanwhile, Holbrook steps up his efforts to find the girls and puts the Hastings family on alert. And as news of Alison’s resurrection spreads, Mona is not pleased.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 787 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E14

#9 - Through a Glass, Darkly (Season 5 - Episode 14)

Three months have passed, and Mona's friends and family are still mourning their loss and more adamant than ever that Alison had something to do with Mona's death. Ready to put "A's" game to an end and get justice for Mona, the PLLs ramp up their search for evidence that could prove Alison killed Mona. But with Alison claiming her innocence and having a seemingly airtight alibi, the Liars may have to resort to more shady tactics to put Ali away. Meanwhile, Emily and Paige reach a crossroad in their relationship, and Aria starts to worry about her future.

The episode was rated 7.81 from 458 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E10

#8 - A Dark Ali (Season 5 - Episode 10)

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The pressure is on for Alison to identify the man police have in custody for her kidnapping, but the Liars know if she does it would be sending an innocent man to prison and possibly walking right into an “A” trap. With Emily trying to convince Ali not to play into “A’s” hand, Spencer comes up with a plan B in case Ali decides to make the wrong decision. Meanwhile, fed up with all of the Ali drama, Hanna tries to lead a “normal” teenage life.

The episode was rated 7.83 from 631 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E6

#7 - Run, Ali, Run (Season 5 - Episode 6)

With the town of Rosewood trying to get back to normal, the PLLs — especially Ali — are far from okay after the latest “accident.” Thinking that it wasn’t the right decision to come home after all, Ali starts to consider leaving for good. But Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer are determined to keep her safe in Rosewood and to figure out who and what is behind this latest incident. Meanwhile, Caleb also starts second-guessing his return, and Ezra dives into his research to help find answers.

The episode was rated 7.86 from 647 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E13

#6 - How the 'A' Stole Christmas (Season 5 - Episode 13)

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Christmas is quickly approaching, and all of Rosewood is full of merriment, except for Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer, who aren’t feeling much holiday cheer after the loss of Mona and Spencer’s murder charge looming over them. But when an opportunity presents itself with the chance to get evidence to clear Spencer’s name, the girls and their partners devise a plan to get justice for Mona and finally bring Alison down. If the plan is successful, it could be a very Merry Christmas after all. Meanwhile, Alison gets a glimpse at the past, present and future by a ghostly presence.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 523 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E25

#5 - Welcome to the Dollhouse (Season 5 - Episode 25)

"A" has always had fun playing with Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer, but now "they" have the biggest game to date in store for the girls. As shocking secrets come to light and the biggest clue to the "A" mystery is revealed, is this one play date the Liars can survive?

The episode was rated 7.90 from 574 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E2

#4 - Whirly Girlie (Season 5 - Episode 2)

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With the events of New York behind them and back in Rosewood, the Liars are unsettled to still be living under a cloud of secrets. Aria is haunted by the recent past events, while Emily, Hanna and Spencer try to wrap their head around the new normal. Alison, on the other hand, is still sleeping with one eye open as she is forced to stay at home with her family — who she doesn’t trust. Meanwhile, Jason’s odd behavior and Kenneth DiLaurentis’ search for Jessica starts to raise eyebrows about her disappearance.

The episode was rated 7.90 from 674 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E5

#3 - Miss Me x 100 (Season 5 - Episode 5)

The day has finally arrived — Alison’s first day back at Rosewood High, and neither the PLLs nor Alison are really ready for it. Determined to put on a brave face, Alison returns to also help heal the damage she did years ago. But are apologies enough for those who Alison has hurt in the past? Not if Mona and her army have anything to say about it. Meanwhile, Caleb and an old foe return to Rosewood.

The episode was rated 8.17 from 717 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E12

#2 - Taking This One to the Grave (Season 5 - Episode 12)

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With Alison leading them down a dangerous path and “A” barring them from telling the police the truth, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer feel trapped and are desperate to find a way out of this mess. With nothing else to lose, could the PLLs lose everything by putting their faith in a possibly untrustworthy ally? Meanwhile, Alison begins to build up her own army now that the PLLs have turned their back on her.

The episode was rated 8.27 from 679 votes.

Pretty Little Liars - S5E26

#1 - Welcome to the Dollhouse (Season 5 - Episode 26)

"A" has always had fun playing with Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer, but now "they" have the biggest game to date in store for the girls. As shocking secrets come to light and the biggest clue to the "A" mystery is revealed, is this one play date the Liars can survive?

The episode was rated 8.56 from 397 votes.

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