The Lying Game

In the season premiere, Alec (ADRIAN PASDAR) is in jail after his arrest for murder, but he still manages to unnerve Emma. Rebecca and Sutton formulate plans for the Mercer family.

Sutton steps up her plans to win back Ethan, and makes a point to let Emma know her intentions. Feeling left out of Emma and Thayer's (recurring guest star CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER) growing closeness, Mads visits her father in prison and shocks Emma with a family revelation. Meanwhile, Dan (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER -- Into the West, General Hospital) continues his investigation into Derek's murder, regardless of Alec's (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) arrest, and Jordan (recurring guest star RYAN ROTTMAN -- 90210, Gigantic) starts at his new school and tries to get close to Laurel.

Rebecca advises Sutton to reclaim her life, leading Sutton to challenge Emma to a tennis match — and the winner will get to live as Sutton Mercer. Ethan is in danger of failing out of school, so Emma offers to tutor him, breaking plans with Thayer (recurring guest star CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER) in the process. Laurel decides to ask out Jordan (recurring guest star RYAN ROTTMAN), but ends up bringing Mads along on their date. And new evidence comes to light that may exonerate Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) ... or it may further prove his guilt.

Emma learns more about what happened the night Sutton's car went into the lake, raising her suspicions about whether her sister has been truthful. Ted invites his family to be his guests at an event in his honor and Rebecca orders Sutton to use the opportunity to further their plans for the Mercer family. Meanwhile, Emma heeds Laurel's romantic advice and Rebecca and Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) engage in a game of cat and mouse against each other.

Emma and Thayer (recurring guest star CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER) further their investigation into the twins' birth mother and what Sutton may know about her. Laurel begins to suspect that something is not right with her sister and makes everyone nervous when she starts asking questions. Using ammunition provided by Rebecca, Sutton lashes out at Kristin during what is supposed to be a peaceful Mercer family dinner.

The Flipside Formal dance offers Emma the chance to try and trap Rebecca and Sutton in a lie, but she needs Ethan's help to pull it off. Laurel struggles with where her loyalties lie, while Kristin makes a troubling discovery that has more significance than she realizes. Jordan (recurring guest star RYAN ROTTMAN) continues to waffle between Laurel and Mads, and Theresa's (recurring guest star YARA MARTINEZ) defense of Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) threatens to drive a wedge between her and Dan (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER). Meanwhile, Rebecca and Ted, and Alec and Kristin, reminisce about old times.

Emma struggles to make sense of newfound revelations and shifts in her relationships with Ethan and Thayer (recurring guest star CHRISTIAN ALEXANDER). After hearing Emma's suspicions about Rebecca, Sutton's faith in her mother begins to falter and she decides to take matters into her own hands. Rebecca is thrilled when Kristin and Ted's marriage continues to unravel, putting her one step closer to achieving her goal. Meanwhile, Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) realizes that Jordan (recurring guest star RYAN ROTTMAN) could be a strong ally in his private war with his wife.

Everyone gathers to celebrate the wedding of Dan (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER) and Theresa (recurring guest star YARA MARTINEZ), but the celebration does not go off as planned. Ethan figures out who Emma is protecting and confronts her about shutting him out. Sutton's sudden change of heart confuses Emma, who isn't sure she trusts her sister. Ted's behavior grows more erratic as his family continues to fall apart. Meanwhile, in the game between Alec (recurring guest star ADRIAN PASDAR) and Rebecca, Jordan (recurring guest star RYAN ROTTMAN) decides whose side he's on.

Ethan's confession to Dan (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER) threatens to shatter the brothers' relationship forever. Sutton receives a mysterious phone call that may provide some valuable information. Emma's feelings for Thayer are tested when she finds herself in close quarters with Ethan. Plus, someone else comes face to face with Emma and Sutton.

In the season finale, the charity gala takes a somber turn as everyone honors the memory of a loved one. Dan (recurring guest star TYLER CHRISTOPHER) issues Ethan an ultimatum that has heartbreaking consequences. Emma finally confronts Rebecca about her lost childhood. Ted tries to find the right way to tell Kristin about another secret from his past. Meanwhile, an unexpected twist brings the fundraiser to a crashing halt.