In the third chapter of "We Were Liars," Cady embarks on a visit to Harris, her memories now resurfacing up to the poignant moment of Tipper's demise, yet longing for clarity on the solemn rites that followed. Harris, grappling with his own foggy recollections, finds himself the subject of Bess's insistent desire to cohabit, her loyalty unwavering. Tipper had cherished the timeless elegance of Clairmont's past, a heritage that Harris, in his quest for modernity, had nearly obliterated. Cady's frustration spills over, accusing him of erasing both the old Clairmont spirit and Tipper's legacy. Harris, stung by her accusations, reacts with anger, only to be tempered by Bess's gentle reminder of Cady's fragile state.
It's Summer 16 when Penny, indifferently callous, drags a reluctant Cady into the funeral preparations. Her jokes fall flat, and her preoccupation with superficial appearances clashes sharply with her opposition to Harris's wish to inter Tipper with her cherished black pearl necklace. The presence of her ex, Sam, adds another layer of complexity, yet Penny displays a startling detachment, revealing a coping mechanism imparted by Tipper after their sister Rosemary's passing: to shrink one's heart and feign normalcy until the pain fades into numbness.
Flash forward to Summer 17, where Cady stumbles upon the Liars indulging in revelry at Bess's forsaken estate, Cuddledown. Desperate for closure regarding the funeral, she implores them for details. Gat hesitates, evoking Raquel's memory, to which Cady insists she has moved on. Her persistence draws them back to that somber day, reliving its moments under her inquisitive gaze.
Back in Summer 16, Gat wrestles with his own doubts about attending Tipper's funeral. Ed, philosophical, asserts that such gatherings serve as a testament to solidarity in grief. Gat, feeling like an outsider, finds little solace in Ed's assurance that such discomfort is inherent in blended families.
At the funeral, Cady adopts a chillingly detached demeanor, mirroring Penny's own distance. She turns a cold shoulder to Gat and her father, while Carrie's tears flow unabated. Bess, meticulous to a fault, frets over every minute detail. Johnny, comforting his distressed younger brother Will with assurances of Tipper's heavenly abode, finds his peace disrupted by the unexpected arrival of his rival, Blake.
Through these vivid scenes, the narrative deepens, painting a poignant picture of loss, memory, and the intricate dance of family dynamics amidst sorrow.
Back in the sizzling days of Summer 17, Harris' speech faded into obscurity, with not a soul retaining a single word. The Liars, amidst levity, jested about the last things they'd desire at their funerals, their laughter echoing through forgotten moments. The scene transitions to the solemn aftermath of Summer 16, where Ed bore the brunt of a misunderstanding, mistaken for a butler, yet soldiered on for Carrie's sake. Gat, persistent yet thwarted, attempted to engage Cady in conversation, only to have her skilfully dodge his advances. Meanwhile, Blake's revelation as Mirren's fleeting romance left Johnny utterly astonished.
Penelope's hands couldn't resist the allure of Tipper's gleaming black pearl necklace, a theft soon uncovered by her sisters. The trio descended into a heated debate over who deserved what spoils, their dispute overheard by Mirren and Blake. Embarrassment crimsoned Mirren's cheeks, but Blake's burgeoning affection for her led her to enlist Cady's aid in distracting him while she primped, plotting a late-night rendezvous.
Flash forward to Summer 17, where Mirren and Johnny exchanged awkward glances, eventually confessing the complexities of their entanglement with Blake. Back at the wake of Summer 16, Blake's vengeful scheme to use Mirren as a pawn against Johnny backfired spectacularly. Passion ignited between the two, their mutual affection culminating in a tender kiss—until Cady's intervention sent Blake scurrying away. Mirren, hopeful heart in hand, waited in vain. Her dreams dashed when Ebon, the shuttle driver, casually revealed Blake's boastful exit, claiming conquest over a Sinclair. Incensed, Mirren lambasted him for eavesdropping, her anger flaring.
Elsewhere, Gat's desire to assist was met with Harris' curt command to unleash the dogs. Cady, catching sight of Gat with the animals, received his apology for his silence regarding Raquel. Fearful of losing her, he confessed his dread of being perceived as the cause of her heartache. She acknowledged her family's casual racism but lamented feeling like the other woman in his letter meant for Raquel. Despite it all, a sliver of hope lingered—she wished that tender missive had been penned for her. Gat vowed to do right by her, but their conversation was abruptly cut short by the dogs' escape.
In this tapestry of youthful foibles and unfolding desires, emotions ran high, secrets simmered, and hearts sought their due amidst the chaos of another summer gone by.
As Harris peruses Tipper's ledgers, the sisters burst in, locked in a heated dispute over their inheritance. Agitated, Harris decrees that they shall receive no further funds until they prove themselves worthy. He retaliates by reclaiming the black pearl necklace. In the ensuing chaos, the dogs dart in, inadvertently shattering Tipper's photograph, leaving Harris to exit wearily amidst the disarray.
Later, Cady struggles to maintain her distance from her father, who, acknowledging his mistakes, offers a heartfelt apology. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she finds herself unable to resist his plea.
Gathered together, the Liars witness Cady extend forgiveness to Gat. Their conversation drifts to musings about heaven. Johnny envisions heaven as Tipper's watchful presence over them, while Mirren dreams of her being young and carefree at a party. For Cady, it's an eternal summer, where the four of them hang out endlessly.
Back in Summer 17, Cady confides in Gat, revealing that she retains memories of the funeral. She challenges them to recount those days, seeking to uncover any falsehoods. It transpires that Blake was incensed by Johnny's near-fatal mishap, leading to a physical altercation that Cady had to intervene in.
As We Were Liars Episode 3 concludes, Cady accuses Johnny of violent inclinations, with Mirren seemingly shielding him. Gat, however, is distressed by her experimentation on their trust and her deceit, believing they were aiding her in achieving closure.
