The cinematography in “Shadow Play”

I don’t care if this episode was unnecessary because some of the shots are so gorgeous I find them a good excuse to have done this episode. You can tell the cast and crew were having a blast with this episode. And shoutout to costume designer Mandi Line for doing her big one here.

While all the girls do an amazing job, you can honestly pluck Troian Bellisario out of this episode and drop her into an actual 1940s noir and she’d fit right in (she reminds me so much of a Lauren Bacall type in this episode) and acting wise she’s just so versatile.

I just love that this episode is pretty much entirely from Spencer’s POV, how she views the people in her life and what they do when they’re not in her line of vision. We see Toby functioning as Spencer’s moral compass, we see what she thinks Ezra and Mona are doing, how she thinks Alison stays afloat, etc. I also find it so funny that they weren’t sure what to do with Emily this episode that they put her back in the closet. Like I never wondered it would be like to see Emily and Paige navigate being gay in the 1940s, but I guess I’m glad I found out

And love love LOVE the David Lynch reference with Aria’s reaction. Love to see it.