The girls are desperate for an invite to Noel Kahn’s legendary Halloween party.
The episode follows the Liars—Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily—during the Halloween of 2008, when Alison DiLaurentis was still the undisputed "Queen Bee" of Rosewood.
Fans often cite this as a top-tier episode because it fills in essential gaps in the Rosewood lore. It highlights Alison’s manipulative nature and the complex power dynamics she held over her "friends," while also planting early clues about the and the identities of those who hated her most, such as Lucas and Mona. Pretty Little Liars S2.E13 “The First Secret” [S2E13] The First Secret
Is under immense pressure to win a school election, leading to Alison manipulating the results in her favor. The Origin of "A"
The episode provides critical context for the secrets the girls kept before "A" began harassing them: The girls are desperate for an invite to
Struggles with her self-image and her father’s recent departure, all while being bullied by Alison about her weight.
While shopping for costumes, Alison meets the "new girl," Jenna Marshall. When they both want the same Lady Gaga costume, Alison attempts to intimidate her, but Jenna famously refuses her offer of friendship, marking the start of their rivalry. It highlights Alison’s manipulative nature and the complex
At the party, Alison stages a terrifying "attack" by a masked assailant to test the loyalty of her friends. She is initially amused until she realizes the person she thought was her partner-in-crime (Noel) wasn't actually there for the prank. Key Character Backstories