It’s called the Halloween special: a single episode in between the two halves of "PLL’s" fourth season. But, we should just refer to it as a set–up for the spinoff show “Ravenswood,” because that’s pretty much all it was. On the bright side, they ditched the annoying grayscale tone all the "Ravenswood" scenes used to be filmed in. Someone must have pointed out that it’s 2013, and no one is down to watch a television show without colors.
But apparently the people of Ravenswood have no idea what century it is; everything in the episode is antique, including the old–fashioned bus that takes Caleb from Rosewood to Ravenswood. Pennsylvania public transportation might not be in great shape, but the buses aren’t from the '50s! Caleb is joined by his new “Ravenswood” co–star, Miranda (Nicole Gale Anderson), who we all recognize from the never–ending spinoff promos during commercial breaks and from the Jonas brothers’ old TV show that was big in middle school. They have matching haircuts and are totally gonna have a thing.
Hanna spots two little blonde girls in red coats, which is a reference to the book series and a ghost story that Alison told them about a sister who stabbed her twin. Turns out, one isn’t even a little girl, but a dwarf.
Of course, the whole episode is set in a graveyard because the girls always seem to find very large graveyards near their small suburban town. The girls should know by now that they are always running to and from people: they should really start wearing gym clothes and sneakers more often. How can they run in those dresses? How does their hair stay so nice?
The liars end up in the mansion that Mrs. Grunewald is the caretaker of and is owned by Miranda’s uncle. Every time Miranda shows up it’s reminiscent of the “she doesn’t even go here” part of “Mean Girls.” In the mansion, there’s a random, unintentionally funny comment made about the underground railroad. The episode is all over the place with historical references, the most obvious of which is Ezra’s creepy WWI solider costume.
Hanna asks Caleb to stay and look after Miranda, who she apparently feels a connection with after about five minutes. It will be interesting to see how the writers keep the Hanna–Caleb relationship going when they’re on different shows.
In their attempt to leave Ravenswood, the girls have a flat tire, which is followed by an awkward comment from Emily about how she should change it because she’s gay… Ezra magically appears to offer them a ride back. In Rosewood, they see none other than Alison, in the flesh, real and alive and in front of them, begging for their help.
