Pretty Little Liars Season 4 Episode 4 Recap: Who Killed Wilden: Melissa vs. Ashley Marin

Sorry I missed last week’s episode guys. To make up for it, I’m going to do a two in one recap. The theme: Who Killed Wilden? Melissa Hastings Vs. Ashley Marin.

As the season has progressed the suspicion surrounding Ashley Marin—better known as Hannah’s mom—has grown in connection to Detective Wilden’s murder. We know she was not at her New York conference the entire time. We also know her shoes are a key piece of evidence since she secretly threw them out. In episode 3 “Cat’s Cradle,” our suspicions are taken to a boiling point when Hannah’s dad tell Caleb that Ashley called him, came to his house and when she left—his gun was missing. In last night’s episode, “Face Time” two detectives—apparently brought in from elsewhere to solve the Wilden murder and investigate the Liars—start looking closely at Ashley. They visit her at her job and have her open Wilden’s safety deposit box for a closer look. Detective Holbrook (one of the detectives who we met after Wilden’s funeral) and his female partner ask Ashley to confirm this is the first time she has seen the box .Hannah’s mom says yes but she is obviously lying. When the detectives come to Hannah;s house, Ashley does not come out of her room forcing Hannah and Caleb to lie and say she isn’t home Things are not looking too good for Mrs. Marin.

In “Cat’s Cradle” we also get a closer look into how Melissa is connected with what happened to Wilden. Spencer’s sister returns to Rosewood in Episode 3 right in time make us even more suspicious of her involvement in A’s shenanigans. We already suspect her of having a close connection with Wilden after Mona said she was the other Queen of Hearts. After the girls find a mask that looks very similar to Ali, they head to the creepy mask-makers shop to find out more about his work. There, they find one that looks exactly like Melissa. The Liars keep it—it will come in handy later.

In “Face Time” Spencer decides to put the Mask in Melissa’s suitcase, have her find it and then see what she does. Spencer and Aria watch outside the Hastings home with a camera as Melissa finds the suitcase, sees the mask and then makes a mad dash to her car. Spencer and Aria follow her to the creepy shop. Before long, Melissa is by a lake near the shop, breaking masks and is soon confronted by Spencer. Aria goes into the shop to ask questions the mask maker and how Melissa was connected to her mask.

Here’s what we learn from the confrontation and Aria’s questions.

· Melissa did not try to kill Spencer and says she was trying to protect her little sister before the whole thing started

· Melissa was not helping Wilden and she, Shana and Jenna were actually afraid of him

· Melissa said she would allow the mask maker to copy her face in exchange for information on Ali. (Something the girls did when they visited him together in Episode 3. Emily acted as the muse.)

· Wilden started the fire and was receiving orders from someone the whole time

· Melissa also thinks Ali is alive

· Ali was having the man make masks for her and then abruptly demanded he stop.

· Oh and the most important of all, when Spencer asks if Melissa if she killed Detective Wilden—she tells her “leave it alone.”

Melissa vs. Hannah’s mom—who do you think killed Wilden?

In other Liar news, Toby’s mom might have been with Ali before she died. Social Services is coming after the Fields family, courtesy of A. Also, Aria and Jacob are may be taking a break from dating and Aria’s mom is going to Austria with her young boyfriend.

For Episode 2's recap click here.

For the Season 4 Premiere's recap click here.