| This article is about Mona Vanderwaal, a television character. You may be looking for Mona Vanderwaal (Book Character). |
| “ | You want to know what I'm afraid of? Dying before I find out who you are, bitch! | ” |
— Mona to The Professor in "Enter the Professor"
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Mona Vanderwaal is a main character in the television series Pretty Little Liars and its spin-off, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists on Freeform. She is portrayed by Janel Parrish.
The complex and mysterious Rosewood alum, Mona relocated to Beacon Heights Oregon seeking a fresh start away from her tumultuous, dark past. She is soon pulled back into a slew of mystery and darkness, alongside her high school frenemy, after the town experiences its first murder.
Biography
Mona was born and raised in Rosewood by her mother, Leona. Mona became friends with Hanna Marin in the 8th grade, and they were great friends.[3] However, when Hanna became part of Alison DiLaurentis' clique in 9th grade, their friendship slowed and eventually ended. Mona was then subjected to intense bullying by Alison, while Hanna and the other girls watched it happen.
Mona never forgot the way Alison had treated her, labeling her as an outsider and a dork. She was even nicknamed "Loser Mona" by Alison and called that by the entire school. She was bullied by Alison, who told everyone she was nothing and treated her like she was invisible. So much so, that Mona herself began to believe it. She resorted to playing with dolls since she didn't many any friends left due to Alison's bullying.
After Alison's disappearance, Mona began behaving like Alison after she assumed Alison's place as the Queen Bee of Rosewood High School. She targeted Hanna, as she figured Hanna wouldn't pass up the opportunity to become popular after having been on the bottom rung of the latter. Mona and Hanna helped each other become skinny and "beautiful" over the summer and became best-friends once again. When they returned to school the following year, they reigned over the students together. Mona taunted Lucas Gottesman in the same way Alison used to torture her, and nicknamed him Hermie, despite once being his friend when Alison bullied them both.
Hanna and Mona's friendship stayed strong until the infamous "A" began torturing the Liars, which forced Hanna to become closer to her old friends. The Liars didn't like Mona, and this is a source of conflict for Hanna and Mona's friendship. In the Season 2 finale, Mona is revealed to be "A", the one torturing, blackmailing, and physically harming Hanna and Hanna's friends. Mona was angry at the Liars for taking Hanna away from her back in 9th grade and bullying her for being different. She was then admitted to Radley Sanitarium where she underwent aggressive therapy to treat her mental health issues.
In Season 3, Mona was still a patient Radley Sanitarium for psychological and emotional treatment for several months. She was visited by Hanna, Spencer, and Caleb. Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, she was being manipulated by someone wearing a red coat who got her excited to play the game again. Once she received treatment, she was considered emotionally stable and released. When she was released from Radley she attempted to make amends with Hanna, who struggled to forgive her for all the things she did as "A". Mona remained under the influence of red coat until the incident at Thornhill when she was removed from the A-Team.
In Season 5, when Alison is revealed to alive and returning to Rosewood, Mona forms her own army of students and people who were victimized by Alison before her disappearance. The goal of the army was to fight against Alison's return and make it clear that Alison wasn't wanted in the town. Her army eventually disbanded and she was able to grow closer to Hanna after framing Alison to be a horrible person. Also during this time, she had an on-and-off again relationship with Mike Montgomery.
In the Season 5 summer finale, Mona found what she believed to be proof of Alison being "A", and was prepared to tell the Liars. She was then believed to be brutally murdered in her own home after the Liars entered the house and saw it torn to shreds. Due to the amount of blood spread over her home, the police concluded that her wounds were fatal. Her death was then ruled a homicide and an investigation was launched.
In "Welcome to the Dollhouse," Mona was revealed to be alive. She had been held captive by "A", who turned on her after their plan to "kill" Mona. Mona was than forced to pretend to become Alison and her hair was dyed blonde by A. She was also tortured and forced to play games with A. When the Liars escaped the Dollhouse, Mona left Rosewood for several weeks to recuperate from her traumatic experience.
After graduating from Rosewood High School, Mona attended Duke University where she received a Poli-Sci major.Personality
At her core, Mona is a self-conscious person. This developed after she was bullied and rejected by Alison in pre-high and high school. Mona began to be unhappy with her life. Although she doesn't show this side of herself in public, it's why Mona felt a desire to remain popular, beautiful, and best friends with Hanna. She took the persona of A due to her fear the Liars would steal Hanna from her. Hanna was her only real friend, and the thought of losing her drove her actions.
Mona is a brilliant young woman who can speak French, hack computers, and do voice impressions. She can be considered a genius. She also has a personality disorder, which was diagnosed by Dr. Anne Sullivan while Mona was in Radley Sanitarium.
Physical Appearance
Mona is an attractive young woman with black hair, round hazel eyes that communicate most of her emotions, and a fine bone structure. She has plump lips and a mole under her right eye, which is mainly visible in her later years as she wears less makeup. Mona is one of the shorter characters in the series, standing at 5'2". Because of this, she is usually seen in heels or pumped sneakers. In nearly every stage of her life, Mona can be seen with a designer or high-end purse.
"Loser Mona"
As a teenager, Mona went through a time in her life forever memorialized as, "Loser Mona". Her low self-esteem was evident in the way she carried herself. She wore youthful tops with bright colors, which she usually paired with either jeans or a knee-length skirt. When wearing a skirt she wore knee-high white socks and bright sneakers. She wore large earrings and minimal makeup, usually only gloss and light eye makeup. Mona parted her hair in the center and wore it in two high pigtails. She also had rectangular brown glasses but rarely made eye contact with people, due to the years of bullying she suffered. Before Alison fled Rosewood, she gave Mona a list of people to see to make herself pretty, and tips for how to age her style.
Over the Summer, Mona reinvented herself and took her best friend with her. Together, they lost weight, experimented with makeup, and discovered high-end fashion. Mona began to carry herself with confidence and prestige. She took over the "Queen Bee" title at Rosewood High. She wore heavy makeup, usually brown smoky eye shadow, a deep red lip, and perfect eyebrows. She traded in her sneakers for designer heels. She began wearing contacts and experimented with several types of accessories. Her clothing was refined and sophisticated. She usually wore high-end tops in a variety of colors and patterns. She paired the tops with skinny jeans and heels. She would occasionally wear a leather or denim jacket. Mona wore her hair down in curls, waves, and occasionally straightened it.
After being released from Radley Sanitarium, Mona's style was altered. She wore darker colored clothing but desperately tried to hold on to her previous style. This eventually changed as she matured and gave up the A-game for good. Her dramatic eyeshadow was replaced with nudes and purples, she wore less dramatic eyeliner, and her main colors were red, white, and peach-tones. Her style changed frequently, from designer tops or vibrant dresses to a simple black dress. She remained similar to her Sophmore year style but just more refined. In Season 5, Mona's style grew increasingly relaxed as the season progressed. She wore strictly dark-colored tops such as black, greys, and deep blues paired with light-colored jeans or black pants. She wore less makeup and straightened her hair.
As an adult, Mona's style was still very similar to that of her teenage self, but much classier and refined. She wore nude tones such as brown, beige, and blacks. She would occasionally wear a brightly colored jacket or top to brighten an otherwise dark outfit. Mona also wore fewer extravagant accessories and instead, opted for a simplistic yet eye-catching necklace or long earrings - but never at the same time as she did as a teenager. Mona also cut her hair to a long bob and went between curly, straightened, and pinned-up styles. She swapped out her bright red or pink gloss for nude shades, with the occasional pink lip or peachy-lip.
While gallivanting as A, Mona donned a black hoodie, black sweats, and black gloves. During her time in Radley, Mona wore a white patient gown and minimal makeup. She also wore dark grey shirts and had a vacant look in her eye.
Series
Pretty Little Liars
In one of Aria Montgomery's flashbacks, Mona is shown with glasses and 2 pigtails, trying to hang out with Alison and Aria. She asks them to wait up, but Alison DiLaurentis tells Aria to ignore her and Aria obeys, running away from Loser Mona. Mona is crushed and wraps her arms around herself. After Alison's death, Mona is first seen with Hanna Marin shopping in the mall. They comment on each other's accessories that they stole before Hanna goes to talk to Spencer Hastings. Mona shoplifts a scarf then meets up with Hanna who shoplifted a pair of $350 sunglasses.
Hanna and Mona hang out near their lockers after Aria came out of Ezra classroom until Mona catches sight of Sean Ackard, and Hanna tells her friend that she will see her later. In English class, Mona saunters in, asking whether she's late, cluelessly calling Mr. Fitz, "Mr. Fritz" to everybody's amusement. Mr. Fitz tells her to just take her seat. When she takes her seat, Hanna points out her mistake. But Mona said she did it on preps. Later, Mona and Hanna are walking out of the mall, flanked with plenty of shopping bags. The two girls are happily chatting about the day's finds when suddenly they catch sight of Darren Wilden, standing in the parking lot. Mona reassures her that he has nothing on her, as she purchased everything legally.
At school, Mona and Hanna discuss their recent shoplifts, when Sean and Noel Kahn walk over. They announce Noel's blowout cabin party planned for the next night. After they leave, Mona questions Hanna about when she is going to have sex with Sean, and Hanna reacts frustrated. Mona states that she isn't pushing for Hanna to do it, but wonders if the relationship is real if they haven't done it. Later, at the party, she see's Hanna marching angrily across the lawn to get to Sean's car. Mona tries asking Hanna what is wrong and why she is taking Sean's car, but Hanna never even responds, instead of driving off with the car.
There's No Place Like Homecoming
Mona sits down to talk with the four girls while insulting Spencer's date, which is the opposite of what Spencer wants people to think of Alex Santiago. At Homecoming, Mona and Hanna talk as they insult what other girls look like. Mona and Hanna get into a heated argument when Mona makes nasty comments to Lucas Gottesman, who has come to photograph the dance for the yearbook. Hanna greets him warmly, but Mona shoos him away. After he leaves, the two argue over whether popularity is more important than being friendly to nerds, in which Mona warns Hanna that she will not go back to being a loser and will lose her friendship with Hanna if it comes to it.
Mona sees Lucas and Hanna talking together. Mona is not enthusiastic about this new relationship development and mercilessly taunts Lucas, calling him "hermie" and "shim," names that Alison had made up. Mona continues to make fun of Lucas until Hanna tells her she knows Mona's new handbag was purchased on eBay. Mona pretends she bought it as "a goof." Later, fed up, Hanna pulls Mona aside and calls her a hypocrite for treating someone on the lesser social status so rude when they used to be in that same strata themselves.
Mona is throwing a birthday party for herself, which she calls "Camp Mona" and gives select invites to her friends, including Hanna and the rest of the Liars, as they are her BFF's friends. Then, Mona hears a rumor after A sends her a text that Hanna lost weight thanks to a liposuction. Mona breaks off their friendship due to anger, going as far as to dis-invite Hanna from her birthday party. She also dis-invites her because Hanna refused to ditch school with Mona, despite Hanna's mother giving Hanna plenty of cash to spend on Mona. So, ironically, Spencer, Aria, and Emily attend Camp Mona without Hanna. Camp Mona turns out to be an over-the-top bash, complete with massage deck, food tents, makeshift hair parlor, and matching T-shirts for all attendees. Her gift table is piled high with presents.
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When Hanna is hospitalized due to her run-in with "A" at the end of the party, Mona visits her in the hospital and apologized, realizing that she was mad at Hanna for a stupid reason. Hanna gladly accepts her apology and they become BFFs once again. While visiting Hanna, Mona told Hanna the reason she chose her to be her best friend. At a party, chubby Hanna vomited while on the trampoline. When she realized everyone was laughing at her she bowed, no longer affected by peoples remarks. Mona found that to be a life lesson. Mona believed that if Hanna could get over people teasing and ignore it, so could she.
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Mona throws a surprise "Welcome Back!" For Hanna party when she was released from the hospital. Mona and Hanna are still BFFs but not like before. Their friendship isn't as strong, due to the fact that Hanna's relationships with her former BFFs are growing once again.
Mona is going for a part in the play Ezra is directing. Later, she is seen gossiping with Hanna about her morning shower with Caleb. At the school play with the rest of the Liars, she witnesses Aria slip up and refer to Mr. Fitz as 'Ezra' and raises an eyebrow. She wonders about who is evil or naughty in the play and wonders how she is going to play a selfish character.
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Mona is worried about Hanna's breakup with Caleb and states she takes the blame, knowing she should have stopped him from getting to close to her friend. At the Festival she is helping Hanna with a booth and Caleb suddenly shows up. Hanna hides and Mona talks to him while taking a letter from him to give to Hanna, which expresses his love for her. She reads and promptly destroys the letter, due to feeling the need to protect Hanna from being hurt again. Hanna does not find about this until later and thinks even more badly of Caleb as a result.
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When Hanna finds out from Caleb that Mona never forwarded Caleb's goodbye letter to her, but instead lied. She is distressed and angry with Mona and Caleb. Noel Kahn returns to school, and Mona begins dating him, to Hanna's surprise. Hanna is angry with her friend for lying to her but agrees not to judge her for dating Noel. Eventually, Hanna confronts Mona later, just before her date with Noel. When Hanna leaves, Noel detects something wrong, and Mona just sulks.
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Mona tries to invite Hanna to sit with her, but Hanna is still too sore at her to be her friend again, so all five girls sit at separate lunch tables, eating alone. Hanna and Mona eventually rekindle their friendship; Mona calls it spiritual. They agree to keep their romantic lives out of the discussion for the time being, while their friendship repairs, in order to avoid more arguments. However, Hanna does find out why Mona is dating Noel: "He has bad-boy cred now too."
Mona takes over as the boss of the fashion show. Spencer expresses an intense dislike for Mona's attitude. Despite her bossiness and aggression, she is able to have the show run smoothly until "A" sabotages the CD. In an open display of favoritism, Mona appoints Noel as fashion show DJ.
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Mona accompanies Hanna in blowing off school to try on her bridesmaid dress for Isabel Randall's wedding. Before meeting her, Mona had formed a negative opinion of Kate, however, when she meets Kate Randall, she immediately takes a liking to her style and accepts her an invitation to lunch and later a horse farm. The girls had managed to lose Kate's horses. Hanna snaps at Mona, accusing her of befriending Kate for selfish reasons, and Mona counters that Hanna has been bad-tempered ever since Caleb left. She listens to Hanna when she expresses her negative feelings towards her step-family. Mona does seem sincerely apologetic about her mistake and the fallout Hanna has with Kate and her friends.
The girls tell Dr. Sullivan about A. That day, Dr. Sullivan attends the school in an assembly to talk about bullying, and about people threatening you. Mona is seen during Dr. Sullivan's assembly on cyber-bullying and rolls her eyes at Hanna, mouthing the word "boring." Ironically, Mona is "A" and probably cared a lot more about what Dr. Sullivan was saying.
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In October of 2008, Mona is insulted by Alison after trying unsuccessfully to sit with her and the other girls in the school cafeteria. Rebuffed, Mona goes next to Lucas' table. Later on, in the school hallways, she witnesses Alison bullying Lucas. When Alison walks away, Lucas growls that she will get what's coming to her, and Mona nods uncomfortably in silent agreement. At Noel's Halloween bash, Mona is dressed as Catwoman. Alison doesn't seem to recognize her when Mona approaches Alison and with a warm hello. When Alison asks if she knows her, Mona mysteriously responds no, but Alison will. When Jenna saunters away from her own exchange with Alison, Mona declares Jenna the best Gaga, and the two introduce themselves, seeming to start a friendship.
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When Hanna plans a surprise birthday party for Caleb she does not invite Mona, thinking her still against Caleb. However, she invites herself and Noel, claiming they're friends now. Hanna agrees, and the couple saunters away together in the Rosewood High hallways. At the party, Mona and Noel question Hanna's decision to order 12 pizzas with green peppers as Noel is allergic. After the boat fiasco, Mona is seen with Noel outside, dripping wet, after they "took a dip" in the lake.
The next day in school, Mona expresses her worry to Hanna that she is losing Noel. Apparently, he spent most of the previous night on the phone, and she had to convince him to go skinny dipping just to get his attention. As Mona walks with Hanna in the school hallways, they see a student taking down Hanna's homecoming picture; Mona barks at him in her friend's defense. When she continues speaking, Hanna is completely inattentive. Mona is hurt by her friend's insensitivity, and Hanna rushes to a bathroom stall, leaving her pal behind. Later, Spencer sees Mona getting off the train in Rosewood. Mona tells Spencer that Noel broke up with her, looking heart-broken. She offers Spencer some of the cashmere sweaters she had bought. Spencer declines and comforts Mona with empowering words, telling her she's better than Noel. Mona thanks her and gives Spencer a rare compliment.
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Hanna tries to console Mona over her break-up with Noel, but Mona is still upset with Hanna. Mona grabs a necklace out of her locker and tries to return it to Noel, who is standing nearby. He promptly dumps it in the trash and laughs when Mona begins to cry. Hanna follows a tearful Mona into the bathroom and tries to comfort her, though she can't seem to find the right words. They agree to use their fake IDs at Rive Gauche later that night. But, when they get there, Hanna and Mona spot Jenna and Noel sitting together in Rive Gauche.
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Mona is her usual impertinent self during the school "Truth-Up Day" Program. Ashley runs Mona's and Emily's focus group, and Mona mocks and gives attitude, even to her best friend's mom. Mona looks on as Emily is told off by Vice Principal Tamborelli, and Emily notices her staring. She decides to approach Mona about it. She apologizes to Mona for letting Alison torture her all those years. Even though Mona puts on her nonchalant exterior, she seems genuinely affected by the apology. She sides with Emily and lets her know Tamborelli isn't so lily-white himself. She hacks a computer and confronts Tamborelli with his own shady dealings, securing Emily's place back on the team. Mona shows a more friendly side to the girls.
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When Mona begins to receive texts from "A," Hanna confesses that "A" is someone who is tormenting her and her friends. Mona replies that if she can live through Alison, she can survive this anonymous texting. Later, Mona shows Hanna an incident report from when Hanna shoplifted the sunglasses. The report was put into Mona's mailbox by "A." Mona had to give the incident report to the Rosewood Observer or else she'd be filling out a police report herself. The next day, Mona reveals that she went to the jewelry store and returned the necklace she stole. The store owners called the police and her mom is working out a deal. Hanna thanks her and Mona replies that she wouldn't do anything to hurt her best friend and her mom. At school, when Hanna passes by Mona's table, Hanna invites Mona to sit with her, Aria, and Emily. Mona was reluctant first but eventually agrees to sit with them.
Hanna tells Mona that Caleb is in Montecito with his family as they walk down Main Street at night. Then she asks if Mona has gotten any new texts from "A." She says no and begins to complain about the community service she has to do. Aria, Mona, Spencer, and Emily all converge on Hanna, who informs them her mom is "hot on the A trail." Ashley thinks the police report was sent to Hanna, not Mona, and gave it to Wilden because she thinks it will keep them safe. Mona has an idea. It requires a big lie and apparently she is terrible at that. She asks which one of them is the best liar and they all point to Aria. Slightly affronted, she asks Mona what lies she has to tell.
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In the hall at school, Mona hands Hanna an old cell phone which will bill to her account and stay off her mom's radar. When she leaves, Spencer makes a joke about Mona's sense of entitlement. Mona makes some jokes and threats about Jenna to Hanna, unhappy about how she poached Noel Kahn right out from under her. She expresses that Spencer should be grateful she's not with Toby anymore, but Hanna knows how much Spencer has been hurting, she isn't so sure. Mona tells Hanna that Spencer is really smart and helped her through a tough breakup. Hanna wishes she could get Toby away from Jenna for 5 minutes to talk some sense into him. Mona immediately formulates a plan to remind Toby of who Jenna is.
marches up to Hanna in the hall, upset about the latest text from "A" that says if she doesn't break up "Hanna and her hottie" she'll go back to being "a junior high hottie." When Caleb shows up, Mona leaves but promises to be there afterward for their slumber party. At Hanna's request, Mona and Caleb watch Melissa while in a car. They make awkward small talk until Mona explains that though neither of them wants to be there, they are doing it for Hanna. She describes how her close friendship with Hanna changed once Caleb entered the picture and admits that she had been jealous of their relationship. Emily texts Mona "Showtime," and they proceed to make out as Melissa walks out of a building. Caleb pulls away, but Mona assures him they are doing it "for Hanna" and kisses him again and Melissa takes notice.
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We find Hanna has been visiting Mona in the Radley Sanitarium, and that Wren Kingston is working as one of her doctors. Hanna shows up for answers, wanting to know what she did to make Mona hate her so much. Each time Mona just sits their still and almost lifeless. She has a glazed look in her eyes and remains with a stoic expression. After Hanna leaves, Mona spies as Wren and Hanna speak about her. Later when Wren calls Hanna he states that Mona is making progress and he thinks that it's from Hanna's visits. Hanna tries to get through to Mona again and asks her if she wants her to keep coming back. Mona looks over and smiles but is smiling at an empty chair. Mona is actually hallucinating and sees Alison holding her "Lolita" book, wearing a red coat, smiling back.
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Mona is still catatonic. Hanna gets frustrated this time and yells at Mona about how she feels about her ruining her life. Even when Hanna throws a chair across the room, Mona just stays quiet. Wren explains to Hanna what she's suffering is an ambiguous loss - the person she cares about is still there, but she's lost them anyway. Hanna finally figures out a way to break through to Mona - giving her a makeover, complete with eyeshadow, foundation, and mascara. Mona looks indifferently at her reflection in the mirror. Mona speaks for the first time since Hanna's visits - "You're getting them again, aren't you? The texts?" Before Hanna can get anything out of Mona, she's shuffled out of the room. Alone in her seat, Mona slides tweezers out from under her and pricks her finger with it, allowing a drop of blood to bloom.
Hanna visits Mona again. She is now talking much more and somewhat bubbly. She goes on talking about new pills, water, and gum in a somewhat delusional way. Mona also mentions her parents had come to visit her but they just stare at her like they don't know who she is anymore. She acts clueless when Hanna mentions the new "A," and bluntly asks "Have they found what's left of Alison?" Lucas also visits her after Hanna to see if "she is really mental." He thinks Mona is faking in order to stay out of jail. Caleb later visits her to warn her to not mess with Hanna. As she plays cards she taunts him about past events, then flips over the table and starts screaming. She is last seen lying awake in her bed singing “In the Eye Abides the Heart” to herself, holding one card from her game with Caleb, The Queen of Hearts.
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Aria visits Mona at Radley. She tells her that Hanna was sent the Ouija board that Mona and Hanna once used to ask what happened to Alison. Aria asks Mona who is trying to hurt them but Mona says that it isn't her and to tell Hanna that she's sorry. Mona lures them into the Children's Ward. Mona brushes a doll's hair and repeats:
"Miss Aria, you're a killer, not Ezra's wife." - Maya knew.
"Where were we? Maya's away sleeping sweet until Garrett's all rosy count on me." - www.massugar.com
"No one to save Ali from evil." - Not safe.
Mona is then sent back to her room. Later, Hanna tells Aria, Spencer, and Emily that Mona was using a code that they had once used to write mean stuff about Alison on her missing flyers. Using the first letter of each word, they realize that the second code/riddle (see above) translates into "www.massugar.com" - Maya's website.
The hospital thinks that Mona has been slipping some of her meds to a visitor. They decide to move her to a maximum-security facility in Saratoga, New York. Realizing that the girls' chances to get more answers about "A" are getting smaller, Hanna approaches Wren about convincing the hospital board to let Mona stay. Wren tells Hanna that he can't do anything about it, so Hanna gives her own formal speech to the board. However, Hanna throws her speech aside and speaks out as Mona's friend to the board. They decide to let her stay.
Mona leaves Radley dressed as a nurse. Later, she is seen wearing a black hoodie and taking instructions from someone by phone. She goes to "A's" lair and reports someone, who also wears a black hoodie, that she changed plans. near the end of the episode, Mona is talking to another member of The "A-Team", who is revealed to be Toby. She tells him about her disappointment that the plans didn't work out as they should.
Mona is seen singing the children's song "Teddy Bears' Picnic" and painting a mask, saying she wanted to do it for an art project. She turns around and a black hoodie is revealed. She says she loves Halloween, because of dressing up and tricking people. She hands the person a mixture of pills and bullets, then says "This is going to be the best Halloween ever." "I bet somebody's life on that." When a nurse is checking on Mona, she tricks them by putting her art project under her blankets, making it seem like she is sleeping. Later, a person wearing the same costume as Caleb begins to dance with Hanna. Hanna realizes that this person is a fake, and tears off their mask, revealing another mask and a blonde wig, made to look like Alison. Later, a nurse checks on Mona, and she is smiling with the second mask she was wearing on the ground, meaning she was pretending to be Caleb.
Mona is released from Radley. Being forced to go back to Rosewood High by her parents, she visits Hanna and pleads for forgiveness. At school, people make fun of her and avoid her, with only Jason having a good attitude towards her. Then, with the creepy Janitor on the loose, Caleb uncovers a secret...Mona was never forced to go back to school, in fact, she begged to return. Soon after she gained back a minor amount of popularity with a crying out video. She is shown looking at Meredith towards the end of the episode...who ends up falling into an "A" trap.
Mona joins the Academic Decathlon, which Spencer is in, taking Brad's place (who was injured on that tampered bike). She later competes against Spencer for the title of captain, she would win as Spencer was too cocky. She later celebrates with the club at the Brew when Hanna tells her not to talk to her ever again. Since Mona was blackmailing Lucas and Lucas even tried to scare her by setting the schools shed on fire. Mona is later seen in her "A" hoodie talking to another person on the phone, as she watches Byron leave.
Mona is seen talking to Toby in the "A" lair. She is seen hacking into something on the computer, then precedes to tell him that she doesn't call the shots. At school, Mona is seen meeting a group of people, acting friendly and innocent. Later, she is seen in her "A" gear and is seen in Toby's apartment, sitting at the table Spencer set up for her and Toby's anniversary, smiling. It could be implied that she placed Toby's Radley I.D. on his desk to be found. She could have also changed his locks. Earlier in the episode, Mona said were all set for "tomorrow" (possibly meaning that the next day was Spencer and Toby's anniversary), meaning that she and Toby planned for him to be exposed.
Mona tells Spencer that she would hate to see Toby drive all the to the Academic Decathlon competition just to cheer for her. She also says that she's been off her "A" game lately.
What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted
Mona is quietly sitting at a lunch table with the rest of the Decathlon members. She doesn't say anything when Spencer accuses her of taking her off the team or when she asked: "is there anything else you want to take away from me?" Mona would send the "good doctor" Spencer's way. She is at the Decathlon practice and starts to talk to Spencer about her being cray-cray, her break up, and if she has any friends. Spencer snaps and attacks Mona, Mona would get help up and says she's fine.
Mona, mentioned by Spencer, is in New York during the time Spencer was locked in the sauna. Mona is at the Brew ordering a latte when Spencer confronts her about "Deepest Sympathy" wreath. She claims she has no idea what she is talking about but tells her not to put the orchids in the sunlight like she did they didn't make it the through the night- before leaving. Mona is at the Brew again when she gets a phone call and leaves, with Spencer following her. She ends up in the woods and briefly disappears, however, just as Spencer is about to lift Toby's helmet off his head, she reappears and says "He's dead." This leads Spencer to chase Mona, Mona would get away.
In a flashback of Ali and her in Church, and Mona was singing the song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" enthusiastically. Ali laughs at her. Ali and Spencer leave after Church they see Mona standing alone at the top of the stair. In realtime, Mona pays Spencer a visit. She brings cookies for Spencer. Mona tells her she came to visit the nurses because they have treated her kindly and she knows how to pay back a favor. Spencer asks why she killed Toby. Mona says if she'd actually killed Toby she wouldn't want to talk to her. Mona tells her that Alison told her she was never pregnant; she was just worried she might have been. Mona also has all of Alison's diary entries on a tablet and says she has answers to questions "you haven't even thought of. You need me." She also offers her a chance to join the A-Team again.
Mona gets the chip out of the computer in Wilden's police car showing Ashley hitting Wilden with her car. Back at the Hasting's, she plays "third degree" and reveals what she knows and doesn't know. In the morning when the girls wake up Mona has disappeared but then she brings in their favorite coffee drinks and breakfast. She won't hand over the computer chip but agrees to take them to the A lair. In the lair, she tells them that Wilden and Melissa were dressed as the Queen of Hearts on the Halloween train and has a video showing Wilden, but someone hacks and deletes the file before the second person is shown. Mona tries to rekindle the friendship with Hanna and the two go shopping one day after school. It is clear to Mona that Hanna is just pretending and hands over the computer chip as a gesture of goodwill. She points out that they once did have a true friendship. They find a cell phone which ends up being Ashley Marin's in Wilden's casket.
Mona comes into the Brew where the girls are and says that she has been thinking a lot about the Ali thing and Hanna then accuses Mona of putting Hanna’s mom’s phone in Wilden’s coffin. Mona says no and says she will do anything to prove that all the girls are in this together, so Spencer says to take them to A's RV. Mona drives up to where the RV is, with the girls in separate cars behind her and is in shock when the RV is gone. Hanna and Spencer leave in their car, while Aria and Emily wait, and they watch Mona. Mona gets into her car and then all of a sudden, from the back seat, a hooded figure with an Ali mask starts to choke Mona. After a struggle, Mona finally gets the flashlight and whacks "A" with it and jumps out of car gasping for breath as Aria and Emily run over to her. Mona’s car starts up and A drives the car and tries to run over the three as they narrowly escape by jumping out of the way. Later, she is talking to the police to eavesdrop on Wilden's murder case.
Mona is eerily absent. The Liars discuss in the opening scene that she was missing from school. They want to hide Ali's stuff they got from Jessica DiLaurentis before Mona sees it. Emily points out she's more concerned when Mona isn't around then when she's with them.
Mona shows back up at The Brew wanting to talk to Spencer. Spencer insists that she can say whatever it is in front of Aria and Emily and Mona reveals that Toby gave A the RV lair and Spencer was hiding it from them. Mona may not be A anymore but she can still do reconnaissance and has evidence. Spencer admits what Mona is saying is true. Later at school, Emily goes to Mona saying she "wants in" and wants to know what she found on Toby. Mona says she wishes she knew and points out that she is not the one pulling the strings anymore and all she has is an empty RV. A has proof of everything bad she and the Liars have done, with one wrong move everything could go up in flames.
Mona is helping Hanna with a plan to save her mom from a conviction, but since Caleb doesn't trust her, she proves her loyalty in an unexpected way by admitting she was the one who killed Wilden.
In this episode, Mona sticks to the fact that she killed Wilden. And puts up quite a performance when she is interviewed by a detective. However, Mrs. Hastings reveals that some of the evidence does not match with what Mona is saying. Mona is later taken back to Radley where she devilishly smiles at a piece of carved writing stating 'will the circle be unbroken?'
In Radley, Wren passes Mona a sketch of a happy-looking family on a farm and asks for her emotional response. Mona says that it's a happy picture and Wren asks her how it makes her feel. She replies, "happy", and he asks what her response is. She makes a sarcastic comment about the artist's drawing ability. Wren wants to know how she feels about what she's said she's done. Mona says that "Look, those girls used to make me feel bad. But recently I've realized that... we're on the same side." She says that she wanted to make up for all the bad things she's done and that Wilden was bothering them so she got rid of him, and she'd do it again. Mona asks why would she ever be honest with him, to which he says that she used to be. Mona replies that that was before she realized where his loyalties were. Wren says he doesn't know what that means but he thought that they'd trusted each other when she was first a patient there. Mona says that that was before she found out that he was keeping secrets from her.
When Mona's life appears to be threatened by "A," The Lairs begin watching her make sure nothing happens to her. When Toby follows Shana to River Valley Bed and Breakfast in Ravenswood, Mona knits on a porch and Shana approaches her. Mona asks if Shana is sure “she is okay with this”, but Shana says “she” doesn’t have a choice. She hands Mona an envelope.
Mona pulls up in Jenna’s old car—it is hinted that what she was doing with Shana was buying Jenna’s car from her. Paige and Emily discuss swimming, but Paige notices that something else is on Emily’s mind, resulting in Emily lashing out at her. In the halls, Mona approaches Hanna, but Hanna rebuffs her. After Ezra’s class, Ezra tells Aria to stay for a minute. Over coffee, Mona and Ezra discuss Ezra’s reading list for the class, and Mona hints at the possibility that Ezra is truly hiding something. Ezra subtly warns Mona to back off, or else.
Aria and Emily find Mona coming out of Aria’s bedroom. When Mona is asked what she is up to, Mona says that Mike invited her. Before leaving, Mona comments on Aria’s wallpaper and zips her bag. The next morning, Aria catches Mike and Mona talking and laughing in the school courtyard. After they part ways, Aria stops Mona and inquires her about her true intentions. Mona tells her that Jesse, the new guidance counselor of the school patched up Mona and Mike after Mona was thrown out of the “inner circle” of the Liars again. Before leaving Mona asks Aria to suck up the fact that she is hanging out with a different group.
The Lairs watch Mona walk into Ezra's classroom. She comes out with a stack of papers. She later appears in Spencer's film noir dream. Hanna watches Ezra and Mona on the balcony outside his apartment. She hands him a drink and they go inside. Hanna runs into Mona on the street. Mona asks Hanna if she lost something. Mona calls Spencer and tells her there's a "blonde package waiting for you" at Ezra's apartment.
Aria arrives home to find Mona and Mike on a date. Mona asks Aria if everything is okay or not but she goes straight to her room without replying. Mona then looks guilty or possibly sorry.
They see Mike and Mona arguing about their relationship. Ezra also sees this and after Mike leaves they exchange a glance. Mona tells Emily she initially wanted to stop Ezra after Emily confronted her. The deal she made was she'd help him with his book if he edited out the parts about her. Everything she did as "A" would bring the federal charges that would throw her in prison. Mona admits to dating Mike so she could get closer to Aria. Ezra wouldn't let her out, but she broke up with him to save him. She says Ezra thinks he knows who stole the game from her at Radley.
Mona is seen watching a news update in The Brew which shows The Liars, including Alison, as missing. Displeased, she turns to put on her jacket, and tells someone in a red jacket, that "this changes everything". Mona is next seen talking to someone on her cell phone, before telling Lucas that the Liars are not in Philadelphia, they're in New York. Mona has congregated an army of people who were victimized by Alison prior to her disappearance, to fight against her return. The group includes Lucas, who was the first member, Paige, and Melissa.
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Mike spots Mona outside the Brew, picking up a large box, and runs over to greet her. Upon asking if she needs help, to which she declines, Mona tells Mike she has bought whistles for every girl in school, so they can protect themselves, in case Alison's rumored 'kidnapper' is still out there. Aria finds Mike and Mona sitting next to each other holding hands. Mike leaves the room for a brief moment. Aria claims that Mona is doing her 'research' in her house, but Mona refutes this, by telling her Mike invited her over. Mona then hands Aria her own whistle, claiming that she doesn't want what happened to Alison happen to another girl. Aria interrupts this as a threat and tells Mona that the Liars know exactly where Mona was on the night Ali disappeared. In return, Mona asks Aria how Ezra is doing, letting Aria know that she knows what happened in New York and that their cover story is a lie. Mona comes up behind Alison at the Mausoleum. She tells her that it was she who sent the threatening text and that she should have signed her real name, telling Alison that "I don't have to hide, you do. And you're gonna wish you stayed dead," before walking off.
Mona finds Aria at her locker and present her with a 'Get Well Soon' card for Mr. Fitz, and asks "you know what happened in New York". Aria tries to tell her that Ezra was mugged, but Mona innocently tells her that he was shot, but now he is back. Not at school, but in Rosewood. Aria doesn't want to sign the card, but Mona insists she does sign, even if it is for the sake of appearances. In flashbacks, Mona consoles Hanna over Aliosn's death but at the same, Mona begins grooming Hanna into a popular girl with her expectation. In the present, Hanna spots Mona in the Brew and approaches her. Hanna tells her that Mona essentially turned her into Alison, but Mona tells Hanna that she wanted the change as much as she did.
Mona and Lucas are in a darkened classroom at Rosewood High, where Mona calls Lucas naive for thinking they can just call everything off. Lucas tells her he’s having second thoughts, but Mona tells him what they’re doing isn’t punishment, it’s a preventative measure. To get him back on her side, Mona tells Lucas that Alison’s story is just that, a story, and she can prove it. Mona approaches Paige who is putting some things in her car. Paige asks what Mona is doing as they have nothing to talk about. Mona disagrees and Paige tells her that her answer is still no. Mona tells Paige that she heard Alison’s dad wanted to take her away from Rosewood, Alison doesn’t want to go, but maybe they could change her mind. Paige again tells Mona that her answer is no. Mona tells her that she doesn’t get to be some kind of social Switzerland, “if you’re not with me, you’re against me”. Paige says she not with anyone, but Mona tells her she is but reminds her Emily is with Alison.
At the church, Mona confronts her about New York, claiming that she has proof. She tells her former bully that she wants her to leave town not caring where she goes. Mona says that while Alison may have convinced Hanna and the other girls that she's changed, and maybe she is trying to be a decent person, but it won't last long. Alison turns the tables and tell her the real reason wants her gone. She's afraid of Alison regaining her former status. while reminding Mona that Alison made her Mona Loser once, and she can do it again. Angry and upset, Mona slaps Alison. Recovering from Mona's hit, Alison slaps her back, cutting her face and demands Mona to leave her alone. When Alison and the other Liars walk into the cafeteria at Rosewood High, Mona, and her army band together and confront Alison. When Spencer says they’re not afraid of Mona, Mona steps in front of Cindy and Mindy, “afraid of me? What lies has she told you? Alison attacked me last night, and when she started saying things like she could make me disappear, I turned my phone to video”. Passing her cell phone to Spencer, the Liars watch Alison’s verbal attack on Mona which included Alison slapping her. Later, she meets with Jenna and Sydney where they discuss how to get rid of Alison.
As Mona is walking down the stairs in the hallway of Rosewood High, Emily asks about what happened to Paige, and Mona exclaims, “oh, the rat?”, before saying it makes her irked just to think about it. Greeting Sydney, Mona says that it’s such a creepy thing to do to someone as sweet as Paige, and asking Emily how Paige is, Emily tells her she stayed at home today, scared, only for Mona to say a dead rat has “boy written all over it”. When Emily asks her any particular boy, Mona tells her none come to mind, and when Emily suggests Noel Kahn after spotting his name on one of the books Mona is carrying, Mona tells her he leaned her his notes, “as a favor”, before excusing herself and walking off. Mona is watching the Cavanaugh house when Emily walks past, commenting that she’s a little out of her neighborhood, and Mona tells her that “sometimes I just like to walk”. Saying that it’s pretty awful, how things change so quickly in “this town”, Mona goes on to say “somebody’s your girlfriend, then they’re not. One day there’s a house, then the next day, it’s gone. Poof”. After Emily says to Mona that if she or one of her goon squad played that trick on Paige, but before she can finish, Mona cuts in, telling her that she can call her a lot of names, “but don’t call me an amateur. A dead rat, really?”
Mona is singing a song, still waiting for her audition, when Hanna snaps, telling her that they get it, she can freaking sing. As Ms. Adinolfi calls the next group of people for their auditions, including Mona and Hanna, Mona faints. Regaining consciousness, Mona asks Hanna what happened, and as she tries to sit up, Hanna tells her to lie back down and explains that she fainted. Mona asks Hanna where her bag is, and when Hanna says that it’s over there and that Ms. Adinolfi is on the phone with Mona’s mom, Mona tells Hanna to give her bag to her, “I need my bag”. While Hanna is getting Mona’s bag for her, Mona calls out, “Hanna, my bag”. Later, Mona and Hanna spy on the police where they find Cyrus Petrillo's mug shot. That is the one they're looking for. Mona later confides in Hanna on how she has suffered panic since Alison came back and is still scared of her.
No One Here Can Love or Understand Me
In the movie theater, Mona looks up to Aria when she arrives. Byron explains to Aria that her mom had to cancel, and Mona comments, “lucky me”, before patting the seat next to her. As the doors of the theater open, Mona looks over her shoulder and watches as Paige and her date made their way to their seats. As the film is showing, Mona looks adoringly towards Mike. While captivated in the film, Aria leans over to Mona and whispers something in her ear. Suddenly taken aback, Mona whispers an “excuse me” in Mike’s ear and gets up to leave the theater. Dabbing away tears in the ladies room, Mona tells Aria that she is very good, she knows where to put the knife “and you’re not afraid to twist it”, when Aria comes looking for her, “Alison underestimated you”. As Aria says that she’s sorry, Mona tells Aria not to insult her and that she’s right, Byron should hate her, “he should throw me out of the house. After all the things I’ve done to you. The way I treated Mike”. Mona comments that Mike deserves someone better than her, someone nice, “which I am not”. Taking a step closer, Aria asks questions her about New York, and Mona says that she knows some things, and she can guess at some others. Mona says that she has to ask Aria something, and when Aria asks her what, Mona questions if she thinks Mike really likes her.
At Mona's house, the Liars visit Mona to ask for her help. Mona is reluctant, but upon learning her army is disbanded because Alison had gotten to them. she fully commits. They plan to break into Radley to find incriminating on Alison where Spencer and Mona are disguised as nurses. She and Spencer discover that Bethany Young knew Alison and had threatened to hurt Alison and her mother more than once. To their surprise, Mrs. DiLaurentis had an affair with Bethany's father. After forming a theory of Alison luring Bethany to Rosewood to kill her, she calls Aria to her that Alison is "A" and she has proof this time. However, "A" breaks into her home and attacks her off-screen. When the Liars arrive, the house is a bloody mess. Det. Holbrook confirms that Mona was murdered. Outside of the Fields’ house, ‘A’ approaches the nativity set and takes Jesus out of the crib, replacing him with the Mona doll. Walking back to their car, ‘A’ lifts the trunk and places the Jesus doll next to Mona’s dead body.
In a flashback, Mona and Hanna are at the snowflake wishing tree. Hanna asks Mona what she wished for, and Mona tells her that Hanna is her first friend, “I wished for us to always stay close”. Hanna tells her they will, besties forever, she promises. Mona then asks Hanna what she wished for, and after Hanna tells her she wished for Jimmy Choo’s, Mona tells her she’s getting those. When Hanna questions that she is, Mona comments that if Santa doesn’t bring them, “we’ll steal ‘em”. As the Ghost of Christmas, Mona appears in the DiLaurentis living room and startles a dreaming Alison. She shows her a past where she began her habit of lying thanks to Jessica. Later, she shows Alison a future where she is dead and no one has come to mourn her. When surrounded by other spirits, Alison is screaming Mona’s name in her sleep, and appearing at Alison’s bedside, Mona tells her to “wake up, bitch”. Saying that it’s Christmas, Mona tells Alison that she promises that she doesn’t want to miss it, before again disappearing into thin air.
Four months after Mona was murdered, a funeral service for her takes place in the Rosewood Church. Mona’s body has still not been found, and instead, her coffin has been filled with keepsakes. In a flashback, Mona sits on her bed while Hanna holds onto Henry James’ ‘Terminations’. Mona asks Hanna if she wants to borrow the book, and when Hanna says that she can’t read it, Mona tells her she should, “Henry James understood girls”. Hanna comments that the book is more of Spencer Hastings’ type, to which Mona tells her that she’s smarter than Spencer Hastings. When Hanna says that she isn’t, Mona insists that she is, “you just pretend like you aren’t. It’s another way to hide”. Mona questions, “haven’t I taught you anything?”, before telling Hanna that she doesn’t have to hide from anyone anymore, “let other people hide from you for a change”. Later, video footage of her being attacked in her home I recovered by the police. Mona, frightened and injured, tries to crawl away but to no avail.
Oh, What Hard Luck Stories They All Hand Me
In a flashback, Mona holds a flashlight up to her face as sits on her bed reading to Hanna. Getting up from her bed Mona puts the book away, before turning back to Hanna and telling her that she has three wishes, “what do you want?” Saying that Hanna can’t wish for more wishes, Mona listens as Hanna mentions that she doesn’t like wishing games as they just remind you of what you don’t have. Mona comments that Hanna is “such a thud”, before questioning what’s the point of breaking your shell if you turn into such a dull omelet. Hanna mentions that Mona makes better wishes anymore, and saying that that’s true, Mona tells Hanna that she would wish for a stopwatch. When Hanna questions her, Mona explains that when you press down on the stem, not only does the watch stop but all time stops, “everything freezes and you can walk around and take anything you want from the stores. And go into people’s houses, even when they’re there. And spy on them. You would have all the control, and nobody would ever know it was you. They wouldn’t even know they were being controlled. That’d be the best part”. When they discuss Alison, Mona believes if she didn't recognize anyone as they had forgotten her, Alison would go insane.
In a flashback, Mona is on her phone with Lesli when Mike comes into her room. and startled, Mona tells Lesli that she’ll have to call her back. Mike notices the blood vials and asks what it all is, and after having picked up one of the vials, Mike wonders what the hell is going on. Taking the vile back, Mona tells him not to touch it. As Mona goes to close her bedroom door, Mike questions what she’s doing, and Mona tells him that she’s been offered the chance to make things right for Aria and her friends. Mike questions what Mona is talking about and Mona says that she’s talking about exposing ‘A’ and finally bringing that person down. Looking back over to the cooler, Mike wonders if it’s Mona’s blood, to which Mona says that it is, “and soon it’s going to be smeared all over this house”. Mona goes on to say that Alison DiLaurentis will look responsible for killing her because ‘A’ wants to see Alison locked up. Mike wonders why Mona would want to be a part of all this, and Mona says that it’s because ‘A’ came up with this plan, “and it’s brilliant”. Telling Mona to stop, Mike questions that she’s been talking with ‘A’, to which Mona explains that she hasn’t directly but will eventually. Telling Mike that she has to earn it, Mona says that to do so, she has to commit to this plan 100%, “that means I go away. And when I find out who ‘A’ is, I come back, Alison gets out of jail, and your sister and her friends are finally safe”. As Mike, disbelieving what he’s hearing, starts to walk from Mona’s bedroom, Mona adds that she’ll be everyone’s hero.
Footage of Mona being attacked by "A" is presented at Alison's trial.
She, like the girls, was trapped with the girls outside the dollhouse until A lets them back in after days. When A gases the hallways he kidnaps Mona. She appears again in a Candy Stripper uniform and tells the girls that the girls that three rings mean they have to go to their rooms or else. Three weeks later, she is trapped in a hole and is emotionally unstable. She is rescued by the girls and is later seen with an ambulance.
Mona returns to Rosewood and reveals to Hanna that she is afraid of Alison planning some revenge since Mona was the one who sent her to jail. Hanna declares that Alison changed and they all got bigger worries now. Mona states that she also might get punished by the police for trying to fake her murder, but Hanna tells her that they are looking for Charles now. As Mona is afraid to go to the police department on her own, she asks Hanna to drive her. On their way to the Rosewood PD they stop by The Brew, Lesli walks over to them, she's angry with Mona for being summoned by the police, because they made her an accomplice for the faked murder. She tells her that all she worked for is now in jeopardy because she thought Mona is a victim. While Mona listens quietly how Lesli blames everything on her, Hanna steps in, saying that Mona never tried to hurt her and she doesn't like her tone. Mona apologizes to Lesli, but she doesn't care and tells her to never contact her again and walks out. Later, Hanna and Spencer find Mona in Radley, who is about to steal Lesli's files. It gets revealed that Lesli stayed in Radley long enough to know Mona and Charles. When Mona calls Lesli to tell her that she failed to get the files and the Liars know about Lesli's stay at Radley now, Lesli freaks out. She declares that she only asked for one thing, but Mona screwed it up.
While Aria, Hanna, and Spencer are at the lab, trying to lure escaped animals back into their cages, the lights go off. A light turns back on and Mona stands in front of the girls. She did it so the campus police won't find them. However, the girls think she is working with A, who they strongly believe is Lesli. Mona reveals that two people escaped Radley the night Alison went missing: Bethany Young and Charles DiLaurentis. Spencer gives Charles' medical files to Mona to prove that he is dead, but Mona quickly shoots the idea down upon seeing the medications Charles was on. She explains that no one would want his organs and he wasn't an eligible donor. The girls claim that they have a picture which shows that "A" is a girl. Mona says that if they have a picture, it's because A wanted them to have it. Campus security shows up but the girls stay hidden.
Mona is in her room with Aria, Hanna, and Spencer. Even though Lesli promised to be there, she didn't come. Lesli texts Mona, telling her she is afraid this kind of confrontation might set her stability back. Aria wants to drive to Lesli's because she is sure, she knows more about Charles. Mona tells her, if Lesli did, she would have told her and Mona would have told them. Spencer asks if she saw a guy, who could have been Charles, the night Alison disappeared. Mona states she wished she had seen somebody, but she didn't. Aria asks her, who she met at Radley and who might have stolen the game from her, but Mona doesn't remember who she was talking to, because she has been on drugs. Mike visits Mona to bring back the dolls from Aria. He wants to talk to her, but Mona refuses and asks him to leave. She says, she knows what she put him through and she made the wrong decisions. Mona declares she might have deserved to be in the dollhouse. Mike states what she did, doesn't matter to him, because all that matters is that she is alive. After telling Mona that she has to forgive herself, he takes her hand and asks if she wants him to leave. She shakes her head and they lean in for a kiss.
The Liars and Sara follow a person in a red cape, who reveals herself as Mona. She informs the girls that she has been following Alison since yesterday's morning but lost her when they stopped Clark Wilkins, who she knew was a cop. Mona states that she has been snarfing Alison since she came back to town and that she started receiving texts from Charles the day before. She finds out that the signal source is coming from the Carissimi group and they go there. At the Carissimi group, the girls listen to Charlotte's story. When it is revealed that Charlotte hit Alison, Mona tells the liars that she was the one who hit Bethany, because she thought it was Alison. As they find out that Charlotte brought her family to Radley, the girls rush to get there, but Mona stays and says that she needs to know how the story ends.
Five years later, she is present at a rally for Veronica Hastings campaign where she and Spencer talk and she asks if Spencer if she still has nightmare from the Dollhouse because she still does. Mona is also present at the hearing to decide whether Charlotte should be released or not. To everyone's surprise. She tearfully says that Charlotte deserves to be at home with her family.
It's revealed by Damien, a reporter, that Mona initially wanted to work on Mrs. Hastings' campaign but was turned away, so she went to work on Mrs. Hasting's opponent's campaign instead.
Mona recovers Yvonne's phone after Spencer uses it to look for evidence. When asked if she set this up to spark a conflict between Toby, Yvonne and her, Mona compares it to high school drama saying "We don't do those kinds of things anymore, do we Spencer?" before walking away.
While at a boutique, Mona reveals to Spencer that she told Yvonne to leave her phone at their meeting to prove that she couldn't trust her, but didn't tell Yvonne that Spencer took the phone. Mona tells Spencer that she's sorry about Veronica and prays that she'll be okay, causing Spencer to ask why she went through all the trouble. Mona says that the campaign plans on leaking the report, which is wrong, and that she doesn't believe that Yvonne or her mom knows. Mona quickly realizes that Spencer had no idea that Veronica was sick and apologizes.
Mona approaches Spencer and angrily confronts her about the leak of Yvonne's abortion. She does something genuinely good and ends up paying for it. Mona adds that the Phillips campaign is now going through everything and Mona files of Veronica are discovered which causes her termination and damaged credibility. Later, Mona attends Hanna's shower with a wedding dream book that they made the summer of eighth grade as a present. who offers her a present. After Aria gets burned, her shower gift is shown to be among the damaged gifts. Saddened, she feels her good intentions that look like trash. Emily sees her key chain which looks like the one a witness described for the police about Charlotte's mysterious caller. She gets in the car with Emily.
She reveals to Emily that she called Charlotte to meet her at "The Two Crows" to talk about what Charlotte still had on her, but Charlotte never showed up. Later, she encounters Sara and tells her to leave the girls alone. However, Sara taunts her by telling her no matter what good deeds Mona does, none of the girls are going to trust her and without her games Mona will be alone forever.
She goes to the Hastings' campaign to make amends and later help the girls, Caleb, Toby and Ezra set a trap to catch Uber A.
Tick Tock, Bitches
In the Hastings' Living Room with the rest of The Liars and current boyfriends to help find Charlotte's Killer for A.D. After Ezra questions the group whether or not they will be able to find the identity of Charlotte's killer within 24 hours, Mona tells the group that "This is the first time we've all been working together, that's what makes it different." Mona also suggests that Mary has to be working with somebody because while they saw her walking around the woods, somebody else stole Hanna from the Motel room at the resort. Mona also adds that she's sure each one of the people in that room have some idea of who killed Charlotte. Mona is at the Hasting' kitchen island reading off the names on the slips of paper in the bowl. This is their method of getting an anonymous popular vote of who they think killed Charlotte. At the motel, Caleb, Spencer, Toby, and Mona see Mary Drake carrying duffel bags from a van into the Resort. They follow her, Caleb and Mona. They tail her to a lot where a few men are loading up misc. supplies into her van, and then to what Caleb predicts to be Alison's house. Mona tells him to cut the lights, which he obeys. When the van pulls past the DiLaurentis house, Mona remarks that Mary is going to Spencer's house.
Mona is seen again driving the car The Liars were driving when they killed Elliot. The car is fixed and Mona says she got it fixed where the people won't ask questions or give answers. She got suspicious of Elliott when Ali started going insane. She tracked Elliott's phone and found the car with the bloody windshield. She says burning the car would've been a "bonehead move". She asks Hanna and Aria where Rollins' burner phone and both are confused as to what she is talking about. Mona and The Liars are at the Radley discussing their next move. She says that they know they can't be sure of anything. She is also stunned that Jenna is back in Rosewood. Mona tries tracking the burner phone and is unsuccessful. Mona apologizes to Hanna and states she wanted to help, but Hanna says she has. Hanna tells Mona that she and Jordan broke up. Hanna realizes she lost her bracelet in Elliott's car. At the car, Mona is keeping watch. Mona keeps urging Hanna to hurry up and Hanna finds her bracelet. They hear a phone ring and Mona finds the burner phone and is surprised to hear Jenna on the phone.
Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists
Alison is in her new Beacon Heights home when she hears odd noises coming from her basement. She is about to descend to the basement when there's a knock at the door. She goes to the door and is surprised by Mona, who is holding a kitchen knife. Moments later Mona raises a pastry box and calmly states that she brought pie.
Mona sets the pie on the table and sits as Alison asks why she's here. Mona explains that she works at BHU for recruitment and admissions. She returned to the States to devote her time on her passions, including game design. She left France after the reasons she was there escaped her. Alison is still not following, so she elaborates that ten months ago she was hired at BHU to refine their faculty selection process, and chose her to come. Alison is angered she wasn't told but admits she wouldn't have come if she did ask. Mona admits she wanted to come here for a fresh start, and it was easier to gain people's trust when you haven't given them enough reasons not to. Alison relates - Emily loves her but is struggling with the past. Sometimes they're happy, sometimes they're not, which is why Alison is ready to shed her past as a mean girl. She wants to help the students, and Mona says she will as she begins to pack up the pie. That's when Alison notices Beacon Guard, which Mona explains it's the school's security system. She says she'll give Alison a tour tomorrow as she packs the pie, and asks Alison to store it for later. As she leaves, Mona, looking at the mirror, comments that Alison is as determined as ever.
MONDAY: Mona and Alison begin the tour, with Alison commenting on the philanthropy of the Hotchkiss family to build BHU from the ground up. They pass the Taylor Hotchkiss Memorial Garden, dedicated the Hotchkiss daughter who milled herself a year ago. Alison asks how Mona knew her, to which she says she simply searched her up. Mona adds that Alison is now living in her house, but the furniture is all brand new much to Alison's distress.
Mona entered her apartment immediately after she discovered Nolan's keycard being used to access her apartment. Everything seemed where she left it, aside from an ominous giant present box on her desk. She carefully opened it and was both surprised and creeped out to discover it was filled with cupcakes that spelled out, "Can we be pals?" across the tops and paired with googly eyes.
The next day, Mona gathered Alison and the Perfectionists together. The Perfectionists explain that they think the person targeting them, and the one who ran Caitlin over with the car is none other than Dana Booker. Mona seemed hesitant to believe that and reminded them that just the other day they were convinced it was Mason Gregory. She added that someone else was acting suspicious - Taylor. Alison questioned her issue with Taylor, to which Mona explained that someone broke into her apartment and left her cupcakes. Dylan remarked that it didn't sound too bad, a statement he retracted after Mona offered him one of the untouched "Can we be pals?" cupcakes.
She sat the box next to Dylan as she explained that whoever left her the message used Nolan's ID card to access her apartment. Alison wanted to know how she knew that, to which Mona hesitated before admitting that she stole Taylor's RV and hid it in the woods. Everyone was shocked at her admittance, but Mona quickly explained that it was a mini Beacon Guard. Alison remarked that she had seen the RV and it was junk. Mona than reminded her of the underground dollhouse she was trapped in. The dollhouse appeared to be a bunker on the outside, too. Ava remarked that they had to Google the pair, to which Mona stated that they were minors at the time so all the records were sealed. Dylan asked where they grew up, to which both Alison and Mona responded Rosewood, Pennsylvania.
Appearances
Pretty Little Liars (92/160)
|
Season 1 (11/22) |
Season 2 (15/25) |
Season 3 (15/24) |
Season 4 (13/24) |
Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists (10/10)
|
Season 1 (10/10) |
Romantic Relationships
Noel Kahn: Dated/Ex-boyfriend (see "Nona")
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- Started: "It's Alive"
- Ended: "Let the Water Hold Me Down"
- Reason: Noel lost interest in Mona and/or he cheated on her with Jenna Marshall.
Mike Montgomery: Dated/Ex-boyfriend (see "Mina")
First Relationship:
- Started: "Bite Your Tongue"
- Ended: "Cover For Me"
- Reason: Mona admits to Emily that she started dating Mike so she could get closer to Aria Montgomery and find out information for Ezra, but she fell for him and didn't want to drag him into her mess, so she ended the relationship.
Second Relationship:
- Started: "Whirly Girlie"
- Reason: Mike missed Mona so he invited her over for pizza.
- Ended: Possibly between "Game Over, Charles" and "Of Late I Think Of Rosewood"
- Reason: Unknown.
French Man: Boyfriend
- Started: Possibly between the one-year time-jump between "Farewell, My Lovely" and "'Til Death Do Us Part"
- Reason: Unknown, he helped Mona kidnap Alex and Mary, plus, they moved to France together.
Mason Gregory: Hookup (see: Masona)
Relationships
The Liars
Hanna Marin: - Best friends (see "Manna")
After Alison's disappearance, the four girls (Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily) grew apart, and Hanna grew closer to Mona, as they had many common interests. They both loved vogue, they both wanted to be popular and together they gave themselves full makeovers and became the 'it' girls of the school. They love to go to the mall and shoplift. In the season 2 finale, It is revealed that Mona is the elusive A tormenting the girls. However, the two of them started up their friendship again, with Hanna even letting Mona stay with her after she was released from a psychiatric facility. Mona helped Hanna several times, and Hanna learned to trust Mona again even after all she did to her.
Alison DiLaurentis: - Former enemies/rivals (see "Monison")
Alison and Mona have a complicated and long history, mainly due to Alison's antagonistic ways towards Mona while the pair were in High School. Alison often bullied, mocked, and shunned Mona, nicknaming her, "Loser Mona", and turning everyone in the school against her and making her an outsider. This caused Mona to loathe Ali, and she became the infamous villain known as, "A", to punish her and her friends. She planned to kill Alison one night, and followed her out and through the woods. She hit her over the head, but was shocked to see that it wasn't Alison but Bethany Young. Later that night, Mona was driving home when she saw Alison walking. She pulled over and realized that Alison had been buried that night. Mona than gave her a ride to the Lost Woods Resort and told her to run away. Alison the disappeared, and Mona became the original A to punish Alison's friends for bullying her. When Alison returned, Mona was originally afraid, but the girls eventually settled into an understanding after a miniature war took place. Mona then faked her death and framed Alison as the murderer. She did so in the hopes of catching the new A and becoming a hero. However, her plan backfired and she was kidnapped by A and Alison was sent to prison. Alison then helped to find Mona and The Liars, and the two settled into an understanding once more. In the present day, Mona and Alison are friendly towards one another for the sake of Hanna, but still, have a large distrust for one another. Additionally, Mona is the killer of Alison's adoptive sister and biological cousin, Charlotte DiLaurentis. They are no longer enemies and have stopped tormenting one another. They aren't considered friends and mainly tolerate one another when in public settings.
Spencer Hastings: - Friends/rivals (see "Spona")
Mona and Spencer were educational rivals throughout High School, and when it was revealed that Mona was A, Spencer and Mona became enemies. Over the years, they have become friends due to Mona's relationship with Hanna. In many episodes, Mona says things that the Liars don't understand but Spencer can. Spencer also helped the other Liars free Mona from the whole she was in at the Dollhouse. She also agreed to be "friendly" towards Mona for the sake of Hanna.
Emily Fields: - Friendly (see Monily)
Originally, Emily only knew Mona through her negative interactions with Alison. After Alison's disappearance, Emily became a distant friend to Mona due to Hanna's friendship with both of them. When Mona started receiving texts from A, Emily grew closer to Mona but they still weren't considered one another friends. After Mona was revealed to be the infamous A torturing them, Emily didn't trust Mona and never fully had. Years later, Mona helped Emily (and the other Liars) find out information about Charlotte, and Archer, who Alison's sperm donor was and the doctor who performed the procedure and helped her (along with the other Liars) beat Liars Lament. The two are now friendly with one another. Emily doesn't completely trust Mona and probably never will, with Mona wanting to earn Emily (and everyone else's) trust.
Aria Montgomery: - Frenemies (see Monaria)
The pair barely interacted before Alison's disappearance, though Mona knew her as the girl who did nothing to stop Alison's bullying. One day Alison and Aria were walking one day when Mona tried to follow them. She wanted to hang out with the pair. Aria told Alison maybe they should wait, but is convinced to run away from her. Their relationship didn't seem to get any better when Mona started dating Aria's younger brother, Mike. Aria did not trust Mona, due to what she's done in the past. Eventually, Aria warmed up to Mike and Mona's relationship. Years later, Mona was the first to figure out Aria was on the A.D. team. When Hanna brought Mona to Aria and Ezra's rehearsal dinner, Aria was not pleased to see her.
The Perfectionists
Caitlin Park-Lewis: Mona is Caitlin's guide at Beacon Heights University.
Family
Leona Vanderwaal: - Mother/Daughter
Leona and Mona have an interesting relationship, as Leona has only interacted with Mona on a few occasions. Following Alison's return, Leona was afraid that Alison's tormenting and bullying had begun again with her daughter, and confronted Hanna about it. Over the Christmas holiday, they planned to leave town to visit their family. Mona had to stay behind to handle some things but promised to meet her mother there. When Mona was believed to be dead she went after Alison as she believed that Ali had killed Mona and knew where her daughter's body was. When Mona returned to Rosewood from the Dollhouse, Leona picked her daughter up from the hospital and the pair went on a spa trip together. They also visited Saratoga together.
Other Friends
Lucas Gottesman: - Friends and former allies
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Lucas and Mona initially bonded over their mutual hatred for Alison. They both feared Alison resuming her bullying when she returned to Rosewood High following her disappearance. Lucas was a member of "Mona's Army", and helped her attempt to stop Alison from rising to popularity again. Their goal was to stop her from bullying anyone else. Additionally, Lucas was rather nice to Mona when they were both at the bottom of the social rankings in high school. This made Mona feel better when Alison would torment her.
Lesli Stone: - Former friends
Lesli (center) yelling at Mona (left)
Lesli and Mona met when the duo were both patients at Radley Sanitarium. No one knew about the pair's friendship except for Mona's mother, Leona. Lesli first appeared after Mona's faked death and seemed genuinely upset about the fact her friend was dead. She also helped Mona put Alison in prison, by falsifying and exaggerating the evidence for her. However, when Mona returned, Lesli lashed out at Mona and blamed her for the fact that she was now an accessory to Mona's crime (faking her death). In an attempt to make it up to Lesli, Mona tried to steal Lesli's Radley file so that the Liars wouldn't find out that she was in Radley and knew of Charles. Mona failed and this lead Lesli to lash out at Mona and the two consequently stopped being friends.
Mason Gregory/Bad Bishop: - Co-chess player and friends
Notes
- It was unclear whose side she was on; "A"'s side or The Liars'. However, in the Season 5 mid-season finale "Taking This One to the Grave," Mona was revealed to be on The Liars' side as she was helping them find out about Bethany Young.
- It was later revealed that she was helping "A" to make the Liars think that Alison was "A". After the Liars (included Mona) were rescued from "A"'s dollhouse, she returned to being on the Liars' side to help them find out who Charles really is.
- Janel Parrish had a recurring role for the first two seasons, but was upgraded to a series regular for Season 3.
- In "Touched by an 'A'-ngel," we learn that Mona can speak French conversationally, which is also referred to at the end of the episode "Je Suis une Amie." She was also part of Rosewood High French club as we learn in Now You See Me, Now You Don't.
- Mona wanted to be friends with Hanna after she saw her bow after doing a backflip on the trampoline and puking.
- In "The Naked Truth," we learn that Mona can do perfect impressions of people. We also learn that, like Caleb, she is an expert hacker. She was able to easily access the school's private database, even though she did not know the password.
- The lyrics Mona sang in "Kingdom of the Blind," are:
- In the eye abides heart
- Every pure and tender feeling
- All emotions worth revealing
- Through the eyes their charm impart
- which is a song by Beth Nielsen Chapman; the song was written in 1841 and was originally composed in German as “In den Augen liegt das Herz” by Franz von Kobell.
- Mona secretly gave Hanna a website and other words like "Maya knew." and "Not safe."
- In Crazy," Mona says "I miss my dolls." In "The Lady Killer," once Mona gets to visit the new lair, we see her dolls of the girls in the dollhouse and their accessories laid out in front as if she had just been playing with them.
- At the end of the video Mona made in "She's Better Now," Mona is heard talking to an unknown person, who seems hesitant, and asked him/her to back out if they can't take it.
- Although Mona and Hanna broke friends often, they were friends when she died and Hanna was extremely upset as she was crying more than the other girls when Mona was pronounced dead.
- Mona's personality is slowly revolving around Spencer (she joins the Decathlon Team, she starts to dress like her [scholarly and preppy], she listens to classical music, and even "admires" and "respects" her). They even have similar jobs after the time jump.
- Mona's last name was spelled Vanderwall in Season 1 and 2 but it was changed to Vanderwaal in Season 3 for unknown reasons, most likely because that is how Sara Shepard spelled it in the series.
- Mona is the one who convinced Alison to disappear.
- In in Season 5 summer finale, "Taking This One to the Grave", Mona was believed to have been murdered in her home by an unknown assailant.
- In Pretty Isn't the Point, Mike reveals that Mona intended to fake her own death as part of a plan to expose "A", but "A" double-crossed her.
- In Welcome to the Dollhouse, it is revealed that Mona is, in fact, alive and being held captive by "A".
Trivia
- Janel Parrish originally auditioned for the role of Spencer Hastings. After being informed she did not get the part, she re-auditioned for the role of Mona, and got the part.
- In "Never Letting Go," Mona mocks Aria at the fashion show dress rehearsal while Aria is practicing her catwalk: "Are your legs always that short, Aria?" In the same episode, Spencer alludes to Mona being five feet tall. Mona's and Aria's Wikia page both show that they share the same exact height: 5'2"!
- Mona along with Hanna has appeared in character in commercials for TRESemme hair products including TRESemme Climate Control Mousse and TRESemme Fresh Start.
- Mona is up on her Wizard of Oz references, as she tells Lucas in "The Perfect Storm" to ask the wizard to give him a penis. "A" is up on their Wizard of Oz references too, custom designing a fortune cookie that reads "There's No Place Like Homecoming." (Dorothy's words at the end of the film: There's No Place Like Home.") Also, in "Can You Hear Me Now?," "A" sends a flier towards the Pretty Little Liars that reads, "Ding Dong, the Bitch is Dead," a reprisal of the film's song "Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead."
- Janel Parrish revealed in an interview that she did not know she was "A" until a week before they started filming for the finale, but she was always hoping that she was "A."
- Mona is released from Radley in "She's Better Now" which implies what the title meant.
- Mona's favorite Holiday is Halloween, she likes it better than Christmas because it involves more makeup.
- Mona got kicked off the A team at the end of the Season 3 finale and is now considered to be part of the liars.
- "A" puts a doll of Mona with the liars in the dollhouse in "A is for A-L-I-V-E."
- Mona is one of the two female characters with history of mental illnesses. The other one is Meredith Sorenson.
- In "EscApe From New York," Mona formed a group (including Lucas Gottesman, Melissa Hastings, and Paige McCullers) of people who have been mistreated by Alison in the past. It is known as "Mona's Army".
- In 'Til Death Do Us Part , Mona kidnaps Mary and Alex and holds them captive in her own dollhouse in Paris, presumably to make sure they can't start the game again.
Book Comparisons
- Main article: Mona Vanderwaal (Book Character)
- In the show, Mona has dark hair and brown eyes. In the books, she has blonde hair and blue eyes.
- In the books, Mona witnessed The Jenna Thing and received burns from the accident. While in the show, only Toby saw what The Liars did.
- In the books, Jenna and Mona were friends, but in the series, they hardly knew each other.
- In the TV series, Spencer is the first to find out that Mona is A. In the books, it was Hanna.
- In the show, Mona dated Noel. In the books, she hooked up with Noel's brother Eric, before her death in Unbelievable.
- Mona dies after she's revealed as "A" in the books. In the TV show, Mona survives the fall and is admitted to Radley Sanitarium and becomes an ally to the liars after the events of A DAngerous GAme.
- In the books, Mona becomes "A" as revenge for the Liars taking part in the blinding of Jenna Cavanaugh. In the TV show, Mona starts being A and also created the "A-Team" because she feels that the Liars (possibly including Alison, as she received notes from "A" as well) "took" Hanna away from her.
- In the books, Mona is the first A, and seems to have no accomplice. In the show, Mona started the A-Team, and while she was in Radley, Charlotte DiLaurentis stole the game from her.
- Mona dated Lucas before Ali disappeared in the books. This never happened on the show.
- In the books Mona was much more reckless, getting wasted, helping Hanna crash Sean's car, and showing her underwear to guys for fun.
- In the books, Mona's friendship with Hanna was just a ploy to get information, whereas, in the show, they had a real friendship with Mona seemingly atoning for being A.
- In the show Mona and Mike are dating, however in the books they barely interact.
- In the book, Mona is killed when she accidentally falls off a cliff after a fight with Spencer at the quarry whereas, in the TV show, Mona is still alive. In the TV show, she also fakes her death in Taking This One to the Grave, in order to get Alison arrested.
- On September 25th, 2017, it was announced that Mona would return for the Pretty Little Liars spinoff, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists.
Quotes
Mona [to Hanna]: This sounds totally gay, but if I saw you struttin' it in that dress and kickin' up those heels, I would think about doing you. |
Hanna: We had so much fun last summer. Mona: And some of it was even legal. |
Mona [to Lucas]: You can go now. This beauty doesn't need a beast. |
Mona: I was eating three almonds a day, and you were getting liposuction? |
Mona [to Hanna]: I'm making sure you don't host a pity party for yourself and invite a cheese cake. |
Mona [about her birthday gifts]: Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll love it. And if not, I'll return it. |
Emily: I can't blackmail a school official. Mona: Honey, you can't be a shark if you're toothless. |
Mona: People are toads. |
Mona: Frankly, I'd like to take that cane and whack her like a pinata. |
Mona [to Spencer]: You're not the only genius in this car. You, bitches, underestimated me. |
Mona: It's easier to forgive an enemy than it is to forgive a friend. |
Mona [to Spencer]: I admire you Spencer, so I'm going to let you choose how this ends tonight. You can join the 'A-Team' or disappear. |
Mona [to Aria and Hanna]: Miss Aria, you're a killer, not Ezra's wife. |
Mona [to Emily, Spencer, and Aria]: Look, I'll take heels over a hoodie any day of the week. But just because I'm not A anymore, doesn't mean I can't recon your asses when I need to. |
Mona: And who's looking cray-cray now, Spencer? |
Mona: Looks like someone's been skipping their anger management class. |
Hanna: You were on the Halloween train dressed like Caleb. Mona: To think we were this close to our first kiss. |
Mona [to Alison]: I don't have to hide, you do. And you're gonna wish you stayed dead. |
Mona [to Aria]: Alison is "A"! And now I can prove it. |
Mona: Game over Alison. I win. |
Mona: Mona? I know it's been a while, but I haven't changed that much, have I? You guys it's me. Alison. |
Mona: It thinks it beat me! But I am still here! I am the one who's winning the game! |
Mona [to Emily]: Seems whatever I do ends up this way. Good intentions that look like trash. |
Mona [to Wren disguised as A.D.]: Are you here to kill me? |
Mona [to Alison outside BHU]: By my calculations, he could be...dangerous. |
Gallery
 Mona Vanderwaal has a photo gallery. |
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References
- ↑ mentioned in 5 Years Forward
- ↑ As seen in "This Is A Dark Ride"
- ↑ "Burn This"