Episode 5 of "We Were Liars" kicks off in the scorching days of Summer 17, where Cady is haunted by a nightmarish vision of Johnny submerging her beneath the waves. Flashing back to Summer 16, Penny cleverly manipulates the situation to cozy up to Harris, leveraging Cady's presence. With Ed absent and Gat appearing as a distant stranger, Bess catches a glimpse of Cady consoling Gat, their intimacy stirring a hint of envy within her. However, her resentment intensifies when she discovers that Harris has bestowed upon Cady Tipper's cherished jade hairpin, a gesture that clearly marks Cady as a favorite.
Will finds himself yearning for Ed's company, but Johnny remains engrossed in his own sorrow, deaf to Will's pleas. Convinced that his mishap led to Carrie and Ed's breakup, Johnny yearns to mend fences. Yet, Carrie silences him, insisting that only Harris holds the power to uphold their world, urging them to curry his favor at all costs.
Over lunch, Harris engages in a coldly elitist and racist conversation with his lawyer, prompting Cady to boldly challenge him. Harris, incensed, finds support in Johnny, who sides against her. Post the confrontation, Johnny privately counsels Cady on the necessity of aligning with Harris's good graces. Meanwhile, Gat's discomfort is palpable as Johnny mocks Cady's woke stance, clearly aiming to impress him.
Seizing an opportunity, Bess proposes moving into Harris's Boston mansion to keep him company now that Tipper is gone. Harris, however, pierces through her pretense, scolding her for neglecting her duties that allowed Brody to steal from her. Penny's casual stroll by only draws further ire from Harris, who lambasts her too for Cady's recent outbursts. Echoing Johnny's sentiments, Bess suggests that Cady's actions are merely an attempt to win Gat's favor, a notion that irritates Harris immensely.
A storm looms on the horizon as Mirren abruptly dismisses her family to unveil her lighthouse art studio to Ebon. He peruses her paintings, finding them lacking in authenticity, as if she's untouched by life's troubles. This comment stirs a hornet's nest within her; she vents passionately about feeling invisible, even to her own kin. In a fit of frustration, she inadvertently smudges a painting, only to discover it takes on a new, appealing charm. Encouraged by this accident, she proceeds to smudge all her works and, in a spontaneous gesture, kisses Ebon.
Carrie grapples with the aftermath of a breakup, her sobriety—a decade-long journey—hanging by a thread. She attempts to connect with fellow recovering addicts through an online AA meeting, but the encroaching storm plunges the area into darkness. Desperate and frustrated, she reaches for one of Harris' liquor bottles, her resolve wavering.
On the boathouse front, Gat and Johnny share an awkward shift, their tension palpable. Gat confronts Johnny about his condoning Harris' racist remarks. Johnny, acknowledging his own turmoil, admits they would be strangers were it not for their shared Beechwood summers. Suddenly, their attention is drawn to Will's absence and the missing boat. Johnny's panic sets in as he realizes Will has taken the boat to seek out Ed.
Elsewhere, Penny berates Cady for failing to gain Harris' favor, contemplating sending Gat away and reinforcing the Sinclair family's strict code of silence regarding indiscretions. Cady, fed up, retaliates by revealing Bess' affair and Mirren's discovery of her with Dan. Gaining the upper hand, Penny threatens to expose Bess should she target Cady again, savoring the moment as she rubs in Bess' failure to keep her secrets hidden, especially from Mirren.
Harris and Cady eventually reconcile, each apologizing for their hurtful comments. Harris insists he is not a bigot but still blames the staff for the missing liquor bottle. The realization that the boys are missing prompts a collective rush into action. Amid the chaos, Harris mistakenly呼喊 for Tipper, adding to the urgency of the moment.
Tragically unnoticed, Mirren's absence remains unnoticed by all. Bess, chance upon her in an intimate embrace with Ebon, is consumed by a fiery rage. Cady, with urgency, dashes to inform Carrie, adorned with the enigmatic black pearl necklace yet untouched by the alluring liquor bottle. Carrie, taken aback by the revelation, seeks the presence of Ed.
Once Ebon's figure vanishes from sight, Bess unleashes her fury upon Mirren. She lambasts her for the sacrifices she has made, her entire life devoted to her offspring, only to be stabbed in the back by Mirren's confession to Cady about their affair. In a fit of rage, Bess tears at the paintings, scorning Mirren as talentless. Mirren, tears streaming down her face, laments that she never asked to be born into such turmoil.
Elsewhere, Johnny and Gat discover Will's overturned canoe amidst troubled waters, but their own vessel becomes ensnared. Johnny, determined, commands Gat to remain aboard while he ventures forth to rescue Will, armed with a makeshift float. Despite his valiant efforts, Johnny succumbs to exhaustion upon realizing Will is already safe. However, Gat, brave and selfless, leaps into the water to save Johnny as well.
Cady, driven by a sense of duty, rushes to update Mirren next, but Mirren redirects her anger towards her. She laments the unfairness of keeping Cady's secrets intact while her own was betrayed. Their confrontation is abruptly halted by news of Ed's collaboration with the Coast Guard in rescuing the boys.
Flashing back to Summer 17, Johnny, contrite and remorseful, seeks reconciliation with Cady. He vows that his dramatic life will no longer encroach upon hers. Cady, recognizing the truth in his words as she recalls Mirren's wrath directed at her, understands that she too must learn to keep her own counsel.
They venture out, with Cady insistent on engaging in cliff diving alongside the Liars. While Gat and Johnny engage in a heated debate concerning her safety, Cady inquires about Ebon with Mirren, who pretends to have a new beau, though Cady perceives her deceit. Determined to jog her memory, Cady plunges into the water. Only Johnny and Gat rush to her rescue, while Mirren stands by, merely observing.
During Summer 16, Johnny expresses gratitude to Gat for saving him from the perilous waters. A concerned Gat wonders why Johnny gave up in the water, prompting Johnny to finally confess about a prank war that escalated dangerously. Caught by a rival team member, Delgado, Johnny had beaten him up in the heat of the moment. He is consumed by self-loathing and refuses Gat's comfort.
Later, Harris commends Cady and Johnny for their proactive stance. However, his smile fades upon noticing Carrie wearing the enigmatic black pearl necklace. To divert Harris's attention, Johnny assumes responsibility for Will's disappearance and reveals that he drowned. He acknowledges Gat and Ed's role in their rescue, but Harris appears disturbed.
Bess attempts to mend Mirren's torn painting, her frustration leading her to an impulsive encounter with Dan. Meanwhile, Penny is irked as Thatcher, Harris's lawyer, takes over her divorce case. In a fit of emotion, she begins eating pie incessantly.
Returning to Summer 17, Gat is worried about Cady, who yearns for answers and struggles to comprehend his sudden distance. He insists that despite all challenges, their love remains steadfast.
Back in Summer 16, Cady is saddened by Gat's withdrawal. He confesses his enduring love for her, and they share an intimate night together.
In Summer 17, Cady's memory fully returns, revisiting the events of the stormy day. She reconnects with Gat, their bond rekindled with passionate intensity.
