Halloween's still days away, but the residents of Rosewood are putting on their bewitching best to celebrate the season on tonight's special episode of "Pretty Little Liars." In addition to being the last new episode until season two returns in 2012, "The First Secret" is also a thrilling prequel set just before Alison's brutal murder. With all the thrills and chills in store tonight, we're breaking down the five things you need to know about the Halloween special.
Check them out after the jump!
It All Matters
Though the special has been billed as a stand-alone episode, "PLL" fanatics will definitely want to tune in for this treat as it fleshes out many current plotlines. "We spent many hours talking about how the show can benefit from the prequel in the sense that we can invent more mythology," writer-executive producer I. Marlene King told us recently. "We can give ourselves more to work with in present-day episodes... If you were to watch this episode, it connects some dots that we've already laid the ground work for, but it also plants the seeds of new mysteries to come."
Watch For Lots Of Familiar Faces
When we spoke with Brendan Robinson (a.k.a. Lucas) on the set of "PLL" this summer, he spilled that his lovable Lucas, Noel and Mona would all participate in the fall festivities. We wouldn't put it past Noel to stir up some trouble, but should we bet that prequel Mona will be her nerdy, pre-makeover self? We'd love to see more of the mean girl at her loser finest.
But You'll Have To Look Hard For Ezra
As you may have guessed, our favorite Hollis professor doesn't factor heavily into this episode (after all, he and Aria didn't meet until the season one premiere), but Marlene did assure via Twitter that Ezra will make a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance. "I don't want ezria fans to be disappointed so know that Ezra is only in Halloween for quick surprise," she wrote. "I call it his where's waldo moment."
Dolls! Oh, The Dolls!
If the message-delivering plastic playthings from the mid-season finale had you throwing away your Betsy Wetsy and Chatty Cathy, beware. Tonight's episode also has a small, scary wonder. "Those dolls were incredibly creepy, and I will say, you will see some more dolls or at least a doll in the Halloween episode, and you will see more of those creepy dolls in season 2B," Marlene said.
Horror-fied
Marlene also noted that the episode took inspiration from John Carpenter's seminal slasher flick "Halloween." If you're not familiar with the movie, just know that it features a deranged killer stalking teenagers. So, yeah, right up "PLL"'s body-strewn alley...
Related:
'Pretty Little Liars' Writer Previews Halloween Special: 'It's The Scariest Episode We've Ever Done'
Are you excited about tonight's "Pretty Little Liars" Halloween special? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!
** Hollywood Crush Twitter