The episode provides critical context for the secrets the girls kept before "A" began harassing them:
Is under immense pressure to win a school election, leading to Alison manipulating the results in her favor. The Origin of "A" [S2E13] The First Secret
"The First Secret" reveals that Alison was being stalked long before the other girls were. Throughout the episode, she receives threatening texts and a package containing a creepy voodoo doll with the message: “It’s my turn to torture you” . This suggests that "A" (later revealed to be Mona Vanderwaal) was already active and targeting Alison months before her disappearance. The episode provides critical context for the secrets
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. This suggests that "A" (later revealed to be
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.