Pretty Little Liars Episode Review: “The Bin of Sin”

by StevenHelmer

A review of the season 5 television episode that first aired January 27, 2015.

Synopsis: Hanna (Ashley Benson), knowing she is being framed and hoping to avoid prison, convinces Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) to help her clean out the mysterious storage locker containing evidence from Mona’s (Janel Parrish) murder. Only, when she and Caleb get there, they quickly discover the storage unit has already been cleaned out and the only thing that remains is a barrel that likely contains Mona’s remains. Adding to their dilemma is the Rosewood police, accompanied by Toby (Keegan Allen) have been tipped off about the storage unit.

What I Liked About This Episode

I think the most interesting thing about this particular episode is Toby. He is caught between a rock and a hard place right now and is torn between helping his friends and upholding his law enforcement oath. What I find interesting about this, however, is I think he’s slowly starting to realize he can actually do both at the same time simply by doing his job. And, I suspect we’re going to see him do just that in future episodes, even if it means it ultimately costs him his relationship with Spencer (Troian Bellisario).

Another thing I liked about this particular episode is how it is starting to support my theory Mona faked her murder. There was a body in the storage unit but, because of the chemicals in the barrel, it wasn’t identifiable, requiring the police department to get DNA from droplets of blood that were conveniently left on the floor of an otherwise spotless unit. If that blood really was Mona’s, I’m willing to bet it’s not really her body in the barrel.

Oh, and don’t think for a moment I didn’t notice that dried almond clue. I’ve watched enough Scooby Doo episodes to know that was an important discovery that points to the supposedly deceased Mona.

Ironically, even though I’m still not a huge Ezra (Ian Harding) fan, this episode did give me a little more respect for the cradle-robbing pervert that calls himself Aria’s (Lucy Hale) boyfriend. I thought, for certain, he would blow his top after reading the letter that got her accepted into college. But, he actually was pretty cool about it and, ultimately did the right thing by accepting the fact he did, in fact, ruin her high school years (well, him and “A”) and offering to back off and let her discover who she is without him.

What I Didn’t Like About This Episode

Yes, I’ve said this before. But, I’m going to say it again because it is something that is worth repeating over and over. When has tampering with evidence EVER worked out for the PLLs. Hanna, of all people, should know better than that considering she nearly caused her mom to spend the rest of her life in prison by trying to hide a knife. The fact she wanted to do it again is the equivalent of a lab rat trying to grab a piece of cheese even though it gets shocked every time it does.

She isn’t the only one who apparently hasn’t learned. Spencer and Aria walked into a freezer unit without leaving the door guarded (though, admittedly, Spencer did make a very weak attempt to at least jam the door). Didn’t they learn anything from the kiln incident a couple weeks ago?

Also, is there some sort of law that requires each of the girls to be in some sort of relationship all the time? Emily (Shay Mitchell) just broke up with her girlfriend and already has Talia (Miranda Rae Mayo) hitting on her. And, don’t think for a moment I haven’t noticed the age difference there either. Maybe that’s why Ezra wanted to hire her.

Final Opinion

The trap is starting to close on the PLLs and it’ll be interesting, going forward, just how they are going to manage to stay out of prison or (more likely) how they’ll manage to dig themselves into a deeper and deeper hole.

My Grade: B

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Updated: 10/08/2015, StevenHelmer
 
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