Pretty little liars, the manipulators... A Game.
Written by Michael Emmanuel
Mona Vanderwaal? Mona served as the main antagonist in the initial season, subjected to bullying by Alison Dilaurentis. Seeking retribution, Mona embarked on a mission to chastise Alison, initiating a campaign of eerie text messages. As the threats escalated, Alison, fearing for her life, assumed a new identity and left town to unearth the identity of A. Mona’s tactics shifted, propelling her into popularity, even forging a bond with Hanna Marin, a former ally of Alison. Their friendship waned upon Aria’s return to town, reuniting the core quartet. Amidst this, Mona felt Hanna’s attention slipping, reigniting her vendetta. She progressively targeted each friend, resorting to blackmail and torment. The quest to unmask A culminated in exposing Mona as the elusive puppet master, prompting her commitment to Radley for psychological support. From within Radley, Mona orchestrated the A team alongside Lucas and Melissa, while another enigmatic figure assumed control of the game, compelling her to collaborate.
Charlotte Dilaurentis? Charlotte, also known as Cece Drake, inherited the mantle from Mona, the two meeting in Radley where Mona divulged her tale. Fuelled by anger over Alison’s supposed demise, Charlotte adopted the game and manipulated the liars as her pawns. She ingeniously coerced them into actions against their wishes, fashioning a twisted web of control. Alison’s reappearance momentarily elated Charlotte, yet the ever-present threat of A pushed her to extreme lengths, culminating in an attempt on Alison’s life. As Mona’s game waned, Charlotte’s network flourished, enlisting Toby, Spencer, Jenna, Noel, and Sarah as her double agent. She framed Alison for Mona’s staged death and imprisoned the girls in a chilling dollhouse.
With the aid of their partners and Mona, the captives escaped. Their pursuit of Charles led to Charlotte’s identification, finally exposed in the pivotal episode "Game Over Charles." Post-confession, Charlotte sought her own demise, but the liars intervened, ensuring her institutionalization. Following her release, Charlotte’s compulsion led to a tragic end, ushering in the era of the deadliest A.
Alex Drake? Enter Alex Drake, the vexing twin of Spencer Hastings and Charlotte’s secret sibling, birthed by Mary Drake. Alex forged an intense connection with Charlotte, absorbing her tactics and secrets. Believing the liars held answers about Charlotte’s demise, Alex employed aggression and coercion, employing emojis as a signature. Disguised with a mask, Alex shadowed her predecessors while the liars grappled with Hanna’s false confession. Employing the initials A.D, she introduced a board game mirroring Charlotte’s game.
Once Mona was unmasked as Charlotte’s killer, Alex ceased the game and retreated to London, leaving the liars in peace, or so they thought. Overwhelmed by jealousy, Alex resurfaced, targeting Spencer and her life. In an intricate plot, she kidnapped Spencer and Ezra, assuming Spencer’s identity. The ruse dissolved under Mona’s scrutiny. The ensuing confrontation ended in Alex’s defeat, aided by Spencer, Toby, and their friends. She and Mary were detained, then spirited away to France where they lived under Mona’s watchful eye in an underground dollhouse.
