Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists review: Bring it on B

When it comes to murder, everyone needs friends to lean on — and a good alibi. But the Perfectionists haven’t quite perfected their act.

Just two episodes into Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, the show is doing just about everything right for a spinoff. It ties in just enough to the original PLL to establish an emotional connection early, but it differs enough to stand on its own.

Tonight, the primary difference is in the core group of friends. When Ali went missing, and was later declared dead, the girls fell into their old rhythm quickly. But the Perfectionists really have no rhythm. They’re not even truly friends.

Nolan blackmailed Dylan into sticking around to take care of their schoolwork. He kept Caitlin under his thumb as his perfect faux-girlfriend using dirt he had on her mom. Only Ava was around voluntarily, having actually fallen in love him.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: THE PERFECTIONISTS – “Sex, Lies and Alibis” – In the wake of NolanÕs murder, Ava, Caitlin and Dylan join forces to give themselves a credible alibi on the night in question. Alison goes toe to toe with Dana Booker, BHUÕs new head of security, who is suspicious of NolanÕs “perfect” posse. And Mona starts slipping into old habits while wrestling with a guilty conscience. This episode of “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists” airs Wednesday, March 27 (8:00 – 9:01 P.M. EDT) on Freeform. (Freeform/Allyson Riggs)

SOFIA CARSON

As a result, she’s the one struggling the most with his death. She’s already lost her parents, now she’s lost her love. With no real friends, it’s not surprising to see she’s turned to drinking to cope.

Then again, spending all that time together didn’t mean nothing to the trio. Caitlin and Dylan may be relieved that Nolan’s gone, but they’re still there for Ava. And by the end of the night, she seems to have a clear grasp on that. She should be just fine.

Still, to get through this totally unscathed, the three of them will need more than just each other. Dana Booker is the new head of security at BHU and she’s hot on the trail of Nolan’s killer. Whether they like it or not, Alison is going to help them, with a little assistance of her own from Mona.

As fun as it is to see Squirrelly Mona again, cracking the code to a murderer’s identity, it’s also a bit heartbreaking. As Alison points out, it’s so easy for Mona to “go down the rabbit hole and not come back.”

Worry not though, Mona does have a life! She has an anonymous chess game going with a brilliant mind on campus. My early guess is that it’s either herself, or it was Nolan. Then again, chess is a common metaphor with murderous plots and stakes as high as these. Mona could very well have started a bigger game than she knows.

Seeing Alison return to her true self, on the other hand, is quite satisfying. Yes, she’s at BHU to make healthy choices and do good. But Claire Hotchkiss makes a point; when Alison is herself, she always seems to find a way.

There’s just something so right about ending the episode with a confident “Bring it on, bitch” from Queen Ali. If Emily were around, it’s hard to think she’d disapprove of Ali helping her students in such a manner.

Speaking of Emily, let’s take this moment and appreciate I. Marlene King for getting in a few more shoutouts to the original Liars. A quick phone call from Mona revealed that Hanna and Caleb are still madly in love, rocking the parenting game AND Spencer and Toby eloped.

Until we can get real cameos from the original cast, this will have to sustain us.

Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists airs on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Freeform.