Catching Up on The Lying Game: Where We Left Off and Where We're Going

It's been nearly a year since The Lying Game Season 1 finale, so we don't blame you if you forgot what exactly was going on with Sutton, Emma, Ethan and Co. when you last saw them. Here's a refresher course of where each character left off (prepare to be confused) and a little scoop about where they're headed when the ABC Family series returns on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 9/8c.

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Sutton Mercer (Alexandra Chando)
Where she left off: After secretly asking her long-lost twin sister Emma to take her place at home, Sutton set off to find their birth mother. After a journey that landed her in Los Angeles and trapped in a mental hospital, Sutton escaped, only to return and find that her boyfriend Ethan and best friends prefer Emma over her. Sutton then got in a car accident, but was saved by her birth mother Rebecca. Turns out the two were working together to take down the people who had wronged them, especially Alec Rybek (Adrian Pasdar).
Where she's going: Sutton is still bitter that Emma has "stolen" her life and while she wants her birth mother Rebecca back in the picture, she'd prefer to have her to herself — and Ethan as well.

Emma Beckett (Alexandra Chando)
Where she left off: Bouncing around foster homes, Emma was ecstatic to be found by her twin sister in Arizona. Emma happily transformed herself into Sutton, taking on her "perfect" life, but soon her secret was found out by Ethan, who became her one confidante. Eventually, the two got closer and fell for each other. But disaster struck when their classmate Derek (Ben Elliot), who was actually hired by Alec to get intel on Sutton, was murdered.  And although Alec tried to pin Derek's murder on Ethan, Emma found evidence that proved Alec was actually behind the killing.
Where she's going: Emma is sure that Alec also knows she's not Sutton and when she visits him in jail, she's proven right. But will she learn why Alec hasn't spilled her secret yet? And will Emma learn that Sutton already knows who their mother is and has been keeping it from her?

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Ethan Whitehorse (Blair Redford)
Where he left off: Always getting in trouble, Ethan lives with his brother Dan (Tyler Christopher), the town policeman. When he suspected there was something off about his girlfriend Sutton, he learned why: her twin Emma had taken her place. From there, he and Emma got together, but were stunned when Sutton returned. After nearly drowning in a car accident caused by Derek, the two guys fought. Later, when Derek was found dead, Ethan went on the run to escape being arrested for something he didn't do. While others worked to clear his name, Sutton met him at a ranch where they kissed, which prompted Emma to leave him.
Where he's going:  Distraught over losing Emma, Ethan begins acting out by skipping school and drinking. But Dan's girlfriend convinces him to get off his behind and fight to get his girl back. Unfortunately it's not so simple for Ethan when Sutton continues to pull at his heartstrings as well. Not to mention single Emma has been cozying up to Thayer.

Mads Rybak (Alice Greczyn)
Where she left off: Best friends with Sutton, Mads had a tough time with her brother Thayer (Christian Alexander) off in L.A., her mother out of the picture and her shady dad being extremely tough on her. Putting her energy into dance, Mads soon fell for her instructor Eduardo, who landed in the hospital after her dad caught wind of it, and was then was paid by Alec to leave town. Mads later learns the truth about Emma and helps her try to find the truth about Derek's murder. At first she doesn't want to believe her dad could be involved, but can't ignore the evidence proving that he's an awful man.
Where she's going: The new season starts with the trial of Mads and Thayer's dad, Alec, and Mads is handling it all by partying a little too much. But Jordan (Ryan Rottman), a new mysterious boy in town, will soon keep her mind off things

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Laurel Mercer (Allie Gonino)
Where she left off: Laurel always looked up to her big sister Sutton, even though they've had a tense relationship at times. When Emma arrives, the two start to get close, but Laurel still thinks it's Sutton, just new and improved. At Emma's urging, Laurel dates new guy Justin (Randy Wayne), whom she learns is living in an abandoned house. But Laurel then finds out Ryan only wanted to get close to her because he believes Laurel's dad Ted (Andy Buckley), a doctor, was responsible for his mom dying in the hospital.
Where she's going: Laurel will focus on her singing career and use it to lure Ted and Kristen, who are now separated, to her concert together where they can talk.

Rebecca Sewell (Charisma Carpenter)
Where she left off: Rebecca is aunt to Sutton and Mads' friend Char (Kristen Prout) and arrived in town after Char's mom was sent to rehab. We soon learn that she, Alec and Ted grew up together and that Ted in fact had an affair with Rebecca back in the day. Rebecca and Alec are romantically involved in the present, and during their wedding ceremony, cops come in and arrest Alec for Derek's murder. Turns out Rebecca is really Sutton and Emma's mother and is working with Sutton on some unknown plot. 
Where she's going: Rebecca's ultimate motive? To win back Ted's heart. And that new boy in town, Jordan? We'll soon learn he's Rebecca's stepson.

Are you excited for The Lying Game to return on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 9/8c?

Watch a clip from the season premiere below: