With Laurel (Allie Gonino) finally in on the big secret, Emma (Alexandra Chando) and the boys plotted to expose Sutton and Rebecca (Charisma Carpenter) on the Feb. 12 episode of The Lying Game. Their plan went down at the flip-side formal, and just to make things extra complicated, Ethan (Blair Redford) took Emma as his date instead of Sutton! Let the madness begin.

Thayer (Christian Alexander) was able to stall Sutton by hijacking her limo, but apparently all those muscles are just for show, because she had him on the ground in no time — and not in a good way. Jordan (Ryan Rottman) also pulled some shenanigans of his own, taking Laurel to the formal as a “cover” for really wanting to be there with Mads (Alice Greczyn).

But the kids weren’t the only ones getting their drama on this week. While reminiscing about old times, Kristin (Helen Slater) and Alec (Adrian Pasdar) came this close to kissing on the mouth, while Rebecca and Ted (Andy Buckley) enjoyed a flirty little dance at the formal.

As for the ongoing murder investigation, a butt-load of money — $20,000 to be exact — was found at Derek’s house, leading the kiddies to suspect that Rebecca may have been paying him to keep quiet about something. But as soon as Emma found out the amount, she suddenly put all the pieces together: Kristin had said there was $20K missing from her bank account, which meant Derek had been blackmailing Ted, not Rebecca.

So if Emma’s logic is right — which, to be fair, it’s usually not — then Ted is actually the one who killed Derek! Emma celebrated her little victory by ripping Thayer’s clothes off and letting him to go town on her.

What did you think of this week’s episode? Do you believe Ted killed Derek? And did you get the uh-oh feeling when Mads and Ethan were chatting by the pool? Drop me a comment with your thoughts and theories!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Lying Game on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘The Lying Game’ Recap: Laurel Learns The Truth About The Twins
2. ‘Lying Game’ Scoop: Ryan Rottman Reveals ‘Skeletons’ In Jordan’s Closet
3. ‘The Lying Game’ Recap: Emma & Thayer’s Relationship Takes A Hit

After a night of uninhibited passion, Ethan (Blair Redford) told Sutton (Alexandra Chando) those magical words every girl dreams of hearing from the guy she loves: “Sorry, this was a mistake. It’ll never happen again.” Oh, Ethan — you’re such a romantic! Of course, this is The Lying Game we’re talking about, so there were plenty more awkward moments to come.

In fact, let’s run down all the uncomfortable interactions from the Jan. 22 episode, shall we?

1. Laurel (Allie Gonino) invited Mads (Alice Greczyn) to tag along on her date with Jordan (Ryan Rottman), unaware that the step-siblings slept together on the season premiere.

2. Emma agreed to tutor Ethan, unaware he’d just slept with Sutton the night before.

3. Thayer (Christian Alexander) walked in on Ethan hugging Emma.

4. Laurel caught Mads and Jordan kissing, once again unaware of their creepy incestuous past.

Did I miss any? Be sure to drop me a comment and let me know if I did!

Meanwhile, Thayer’s plan to prove Alec (Adrian Pasdar) killed Derek totally backfired, resulting in Alec’s release. And while Thayer was bummed, no one was more uneasy than Rebecca (Charisma Carpenter), who was overheard talking to the person who called Jessica Whitman and had her plant the tire iron in Alec’s bag!

As one last knife in Emma’s heart, Thayer decided to pack his bags and go back to Los Angeles, as there’s “nothing left” for him in Scottsdale. So just when Emma and Thayer finally gave into their feelings for one another, they were tragically ripped apart once again.

And things are sure to get even crazier from here! Sutton beat Emma in a tennis match, which meant they had to switch places again. With Emma stuck in that cabin all alone, I can only imagine the hell Sutton will raise in town…

Are you disappointed to see Emma and Thayer’s relationship coming to an end? Do you think Rebecca is really behind Derek’s murder? Drop me a comment with your review of the episode and predictions for the future!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Lying Game on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘The Lying Game’ Recap: Has Emma Given Up On Ethan For Good?
2. ‘The Lying Game’: Charisma Carpenter Explains Season Premiere’s Big Twists
3. ‘Lying Game’ Season Premiere Recap: Rebecca & Sutton Plot Their Revenge

The twins’ love lives got even more complicated on the Jan. 15 episode of The Lying Game, as Emma (Alexandra Chando) gave Sutton her blessing to pursue Ethan (Blair Redford). Like she really needed it. Meanwhile, Emma finally gave into her feelings for Thayer (Christian Alexander), which sent Ethan into a jealous/drunken stupor — and straight into Sutton’s bed.

Mads (Alice Greczyn) paid a visit to Alec (Adrian Pasdar) in prison, and somehow he was able to convince her he was merely “holding” the tire iron in the infamous photo, rather than using it to kill Derek. Even crazier, he might be telling the truth! Tyler and Theresa tracked down the woman who planted the tire iron in Alec’s bag, though she has no idea who paid her. Oh well.

Later, during a fit of bitch-fueled rage, Mads called Thayer out for not even really being Alec’s son. As it turns out, Thayer’s biological dad left him and his mom when he was a kid; then when he returned years later, Thayer chose to stay with Alec and Mads.

Just checking, is Laurel (Allie Gonino) the only character without some kind of wacky familial background? They should retitle this show The Paternity Game.

Speaking of Laurel, she got to perform at Jordan’s (Ryan Rottman) party, which was really just a ruse for him to get closer to her. There were a lot of ruses going on this week, actually.

As for Ted and Kristen’s marriage? Don’t hold your breath. Therapy was a disaster, as expected, and Rebecca (Charisma Carpenter) was lurking in the shadows, ready to pick up the pieces. She’s so good at picking up pieces.

What did you think of this week’s episode? Is Alec really innocent, or is he just really clever? And do you approve of the Emma/Thayer, Sutton/Ethan pairings? Drop me a comment with your personal review!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Lying Game on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘The Lying Game’: Charisma Carpenter Explains Season Premiere’s Big Twists
2. ‘Lying Game’ Season Premiere Recap: Rebecca & Sutton Plot Their Revenge
3. ‘Lying Game’ Shocker: Thayer Caught Kissing Emma — Or Is It Sutton?

Call me a sucker for a soapy twist ending, but I’m still reeling from last night’s season finale of The Lying Game. Just when I thought I’d figured out what was going to happen, along came Rebecca (Charisma Carpenter) and Sutton (Alexandra Chando) to remind me that nothing is ever as it seems in Phoenix. And for their standout performances, I bestow both ladies with an Andy Award, which is like an Emmy Award — only more prestigious.

But the season’s final hour was merely a sampling of a show I’ve grown to love, and one I definitely need more of in the future. Seriously, why hasn’t ABC Family given this show a second season yet?

Not only does The Lying Game hit every one of the network’s targets right on the bullseye — there’s fashion, mystery, murder, and of course, a cornucopia of handsomeness — but it also appeals to a slightly more mature crowd. I was just as invested in Ted (Andy Buckley) and Kristin’s (Helen Slater) crumbling marriage as I was with the twins’ constant battle over Ethan (Blair Redford). And don’t get me started on Adrian Pasdar‘s brilliant work as Alec Rybek. That man played the devil in a suit, and he played it well.

But The Lying Game really found its legs in the second half of the season, when Rebecca arrived in Phoenix on the winter premiere. Don’t get me wrong, I was invested in the mystery before Charisma graced us with her presence, but there’s no denying her character’s role as the glue of the show. Suddenly all of the characters were connected. They had someone to focus on, someone to question, and someone the viewers loved to speculate about.

And just as the show’s intense story line picked up steam, so too did the ratings. Consistent improvements — the show hit series highs in January and February — showed just how hopelessly fans of the show were being sucked into the mystery, and how more people were joining the game every week.

What began last summer as a guilty pleasure about two long-lost twins ended last night as an ensemble drama with a permanent home on my DVR.

More Lying Game, please!

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more Lying Game updates

If you thought Derek’s killer was going to be the big reveal of The Lying Game‘s season finale — as I did — you were sorely mistaken. Though that discovery was shocking (and I’ll get to that), it was the March 5 episode’s final scene between Sutton (Alexandra Chando) and Rebecca (Charisma Carpenter) that caused my jaw to hit the floor hard. Actually, it’s still on the floor, which is making it very difficult for me to type this recap.

After being pronounced husband and wife, Alec (Adrian Pasdar) and Rebecca’s wedding received a few surprise guests: the police! Sutton and Ethan (Blair Redford) had discovered the infamous photo of Alec holding the murder weapon and turned into the police, which led them to discover the blood-stained tire iron at the Rybeks’ house. It’s still possible that he was set up, but for now, he’s off to the pokey!

Now for the real surprise: When Rebecca entered the room at the very end of the episode, Sutton greeted her with a chilling, “Hi, mom.” Yes, that’s right. “Mom!” I know we all suspected (slash assumed) that Rebecca was the twins’ mother, but hearing those words come out of Sutton’s mouth actually gave me goosebumps.

Even crazier? Rebecca’s response: “Great job, Sutton. Everything is going according to plan.”

That’s right, people. This whole season, Sutton was merely pretending not to know what was going on, when she was secretly working with Rebecca. This obviously leaves us with a million questions, though we’ll have to wait until season two to get them.

That is, if there is a season two!

What are your thoughts on tonight’s epic twist, Lying Game fans? Do you think Rebecca is really the twins’ mother? Do you think Alec really killed Derek? And, most importantly, do you think we’ll get a second season to sort all of this out? Hit up the comments section with your reactions. I’ll see you there!

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more Lying Game updates

Rebecca (Charisma Capenter) has spent the past few weeks manipulating the fair people of Phoenix, and on the Feb. 27 episode of The Lying Game, she finally got the ultimate prize: a ring from Alec (Adrian Pasdar)! But is he really the guy she has her heart set on?

Nope!

Sutton (Alexandra Chando) and Thayer (Christian Alexander) got their snoop on this week, and thanks to a loose-lipped housekeeper — who should totally be fired, by the way — they found out Rebecca keeps a photo of her “true love” inside her locket. And whose picture do you think they found when they finally cracked that puppy open? Ted (Andy Buckley)!

Without even knowing about the locket, Kristin (Helen Slater) confronted Ted about his relationship with Rebecca, which led to a shocking revelation: Remember that mysterious phone call he got while operating on Justin’s (Randy Wayne) mom? It was actually the fertility specialist calling to let him know he and Kristen couldn’t have any kids! It was a sad moment — but I’d be more sad if I actually believed him!

In other disastrous couple news, Ethan (Blair Redford) and Emma tried to make sexy times, but a last-minute confession — he told her he kissed Sutton at the ranch — put Emma’s V-Card swiping on ice. Better luck next time, cowboy!

Meanwhile, Laurel’s (Allie Gonino) big Coachella debut hit a slight snag — OK, fine, a huge snag — when car troubles prevented her and Baz (Adam Brooks) from actually reaching the festival. Their consolation prize was a gig at an old folks’ home, but they also got to a little couple-y bonding, so it wasn’t a total loss.

Next week is the epic spring finale, and I’m kind of freaking out about it.

A few things to ponder: If Rebecca loves Ted, why is she marrying Alec? Do you think Sutton and Thayer will be able to stop the wedding? Was Ted telling Kristin the truth about the phone call? And who REALLY killed Derek? Hit up the comments section with your thoughts!

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more Lying Game updates

With Ethan (Blair Redford) behind bars and a killer on the loose, tensions were running high on the Feb. 20 episode of The Lying Game — and Sutton (Alexandra Chando) decided to use the chaos as an opportunity to screw with Emma.

Pretending to be her sister, Sutton paid a visit to Ethan — who clearly hasn’t learned how to tell the difference between the twins — and told him that “she” slept with Thayer (Christian Alexander) while he was away.

To make matters even bitchier, Sutton later lied to Emma and told her she slept with Ethan while they were away at his ranch!

Meanwhile, Rebecca (Charisma Carpenter) began to grow suspicious of Alec (Adrian Pasdar), especially when someone texted her a picture of Alec literally attacking Derek (Ben Elliott) with a crow bar at the scene of his murder. (It looks like Phoenix has an “A” of its very own!) Alec was so shaken by this that he told the judge to drop the entire case on grounds of “insufficient evidence.”

Laurel (Allie Gonino) and Baz (Adam Brooks) also got their flirt on when they learned their band was accepted as an alternate performer at Coachella! I won’t even discuss how crazy that is — I’ll just enjoy how adorable these two are together. While I love Randy Wayne, you can’t deny Laurel and Baz work so much better together.

Let’s figure this out, shall we? Do you think Alec really killed Derek? Is Rebecca working against him? And how much do you hate Sutton now? See you in the comments section!

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more Lying Game updates

Emma and Sutton (Alexandra Chando) switched places — again — on the Feb. 6 episode of The Lying Game, leading to a whole lot of confusion. And even more revelations. For starters, Mads (Alice Greczyn) found out that Sutton hit on Ryan (Misha Crosby) at the black-and-white ball, which led Emma to reveal the truth: She’s not Sutton! Dun, dun, dun!

And Justin “Crazy Eyes” Miller (Randy Wayne) continued dating Laurel (Allie Gonino) on the DL, but things got a little awkward when he attended her concert and watched as sparks flew between her and Baz (Adam Brooks).

Meanwhile, Sutton and Ethan (Blair Redford) spent the day with Papa Whitehorse, while Ethan hid out from the fuzz. Alec (Adrian Pasdar) is still convinced he killed Derek (Ben Elliott), and until we find out who was in the other car that night, something tells me Alec won’t be backing down.

And lastly, but most importantly, Alec and Rebecca (Charisma Carpenter) totally boned for the first time. Or was it the first time? If my theory about Alec being the twins’ dad is correct, then he’s all-too familiar with the inner workings of Rebecca Sewell.

What did you think of this week’s Lying Game? Will Emma really tell Mads the whole truth about the switch? Who really killed Derek? And do you think Rebecca trying to get herself knocked up (again)? See you in the comments section!

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more Lying Game updates