| This article is about the team of people affiliated with "A". You may be looking for "A", Red Coat, or The Black Widow. |
| “ | You're not the only genius in this car. You bitches underestimated me! | ” |
The A-Team is a secret group of people who use the pseudonym "A" to threaten Alison DiLaurentis, Aria Montgomery, Hanna Marin, Spencer Hastings, Emily Fields, and later Mona Vanderwaal. They operated with instructions from a leader that differed at times, but each had their own agenda for wanting to torment the girls. It was initially led by Mona Vanderwaal until her admittance into Radley Sanitarium. After Uber A started to torment the girls years later, a second, unofficial A-Team was born from the ashes of the old with Alex Drake leading it until she revealed herself a year later.
Overview
When Mona revealed herself as the "Original A", she tried to convince Spencer Hastings to join what she referred to as the "A-Team". She had to earn it, the right to be a part of it. After Mona was admitted into Radley Sanitarium, she continued to plot how to continue her game with her team. A mysterious woman in a Red Coat visited Mona and stole the game from her, crafting a team of their own in response. Mona wanted to keep the playing the game after her release, but knew a stronger person had stolen it from her. The new A brought Mona into the fold as a player, but kept her at bay as to conceal their true identity.
Toby Cavanaugh joined the A-Team to keep Spencer safe, a feat he accomplished until she uncovered the truth and joined the team as revealed to be helping Mona, there were plans alluded that referred to a mysterious phone call, that never got made. Toby had helped Mona orchestrate the events surrounding Garrett Reynolds frame-job for the murder of Maya St. Germain.
The A-Team, as of "Game Over, Charles", has consisted of Charlotte, Sara, Spencer, Mona, Toby, Lucas, Melissa and Wilden.
Series
Season 1
The possibility of a team of more than one "A" tormenting the Liars was practically unheard of. The Liars were of the belief that "A" was only one person. However, despite the overall teams status, Mona had helpers throughout her tyrannical reign. The most notable being Lucas Gottesman.
Season 2
In "Touched by an 'A'-ngel", Spencer, Emily, Hanna and Aria talk about the possibility of "A" working with multiple people. At the time, the Liars were suspecting Jenna and Garrett of being "A", and that Jason killed Alison. The Liars talked about how Jenna, Garrett and Jason were all working together, and "playing on the same team".
In "A Hot Piece of A", the Liars begin to think that the person in the greenhouse wasn't actually "A", but a helper.
Throughout the season, the Liars continue to suspect Jenna, Garrett, and later, Melissa, of being "A". They often referred to "A" as "them", believing there to be multiple people involved.
In "UnmAsked", Mona attends the Rosewood Masquerade Ball with the other girls and later, goes with Spencer to the Lost Woods Resort, after Spencer deduces that "A" had rented the room next to the one Alison was staying in. In the room, they find sketches of a Black Swan costume and conclude that "A" must be wearing it at the ball. Mona offers Spencer a stick of gum, but Spencer turns her down. While going through "A's" belongings, Spencer locates a gum wrapper from the same brand of gum Mona just offered her. She tells Mona that she changed her mind and that she'd like a stick of gum after all. Mona agrees, but says she doesn't have any more on her, but that she can go get some out of her car while she goes to call Hanna. She leaves the hotel room while Spencer continues to search. A few minutes later, Mona returns to the room and angrily says "I found the gum!". Spencer looks up from the book and says "You didn't call Hanna.. because you're "A". Spencer turns around and to see Mona wearing a black hoodie. Mona admits she's "A" and congratulates Spencer on figuring it out, right before knocking her out with a flashlight.
Spencer wakes up in a car with Mona driving recklessly towards Lookout Point. Mona says that she wants Spencer to join the A-Team. Spencer asks if the reason Mona became "A" was her anger at them for letting Alison bully her. Mona laughs and says that she got over that a long time ago. She became "A" because she hated them for stealing Hanna's friendship from her. Spencer pleads with Mona to stop, assuring her that Hanna is still her friend. As they drive, Spencer is secretly recording their conversation on her phone and sending the video to Aria's phone. Aria, Hanna, and Emily leave the ball immediately and drive to Lookout Point. When they show up, Spencer and Mona struggle, resulting in Mona falling off the edge. Spencer reaches out, trying to save her, but fails. Mona falls to the rocks below but survives her injuries. She is admitted to Radley Sanitarium by a mysterious strange in a red jacket. Mona remarks she did everything that she was told.
Season 3
It is confirmed that Mona has had the help of an accomplice. While Mona is still in Radley Sanitarium, the Liars are still getting texts from "A". Also, it is revealed that after the events of "UnmAsked", Spencer, Aria and Hanna returned to "A"s lair and all of "A"s pictures of the liars had been removed. Spencer also mentions several occasions where Mona was with them at the same time they received texts from "A" proving that she has "friends" who help her.
In "Blood Is The New Black", the new "A" is seen buying various black sweaters and gloves while wearing a red coat. The cashier says asks if they're buying the supplies for a team.
In "Single Fright Female", two black-hooded figures are seen together. One hands the other the key to "Room A".
Toby is revealed as "A"
In "The Lady Killer", Nate St. Germain/Lyndon is revealed to have been Maya's killer. Mona walks with a black-hooded member of the "A-Team" back to Radley Sanitarium. She wishes they could have made "the phone call", but says that even the best-laid plans can go awry. She promises to see the A-Team member soon, and Toby turns around.
In "She's Better Now", Toby tries to run down Lucas while wearing a black A hoodie. Later, a hooded figure tampers with someone's bike and the person, Brad from Decathlon Club, crashes. Mona ultimately takes his place on the team.
In "Misery Loves Company, Mona told Toby that "they" need to understand that she's in charge, confirming that "A" is indeed a girl.
In "Dead to Me", a member of the "A" team was seen by a drugged Emily digging Alison's grave. Red Coat was also there - to supervise - and leaves when Emily begins to yell at them stop. Spencer also found the second "A" lair, but it was empty.
In "I'm Your Puppet", Aria goes to pick up Malcolm from karate, but finds that he has already been picked up by an "Aria Montgomery". She goes to his cubby and finds a carnival flyer with an "A" circled. Aria heads over to the carnival; while talking to her mom, she sees Malcolm getting a balloon with a black hoodie standing by him. Malcolm watches a puppet show and eats popcorn with a black-gloved person. After finding him, Malcolm tells Aria that her friend "Alison" picked him up. Spencer is shown putting her pills in her pillow and takes out a black hoodie, along with two puppet show tickets, and thinks about how she joined the "A" team, meaning it was her who took Malcolm.
In "A DAngerous GAme", the other Liars learn that Spencer is working with "A" and unbeknownst to Mona; Toby and Spencer infiltrated for the same reason: Spencer wanted to protect the other girls and Toby confirmed that he did it to protect her. In the fire, started by other "A-Team" members, Mona revealed that she started the "A-Team" and had few followers, but Red Coat wanted to start a partnership and then took over. Mona, Spencer and Toby are expelled off the team. Mona is now a victim of "A". A mysterious person in a Red Coat saves the girls' lives. It was Alison, who really only saved Hanna, as someone else saved the others.
Season 4
After Mona is kicked off the team. "A" is believed to work alone, but still has Toby under their thumb by promising answers about his his mother's apparent suicide.
Another person they blackmailed to help was Jessica DiLaurentis, who was protecting the one who attempted to kill her daughter. Jessica had buried Alison that night, which A knew. She handed someone a suitcase in "Unbridled", indicating she was helping someone in the shadows leave. After Jessica writes an email saying she can't protect the person anymore, she was murdered and buried her in the Hastings backyard.
Season 5
Shana follows the Liars in New York to kill them and Alison as justice for the Jenna Thing. Aria kills Shana and the girls believe Shana was Big A, but it was later confirmed it was justice for Jenna.
In "Miss Me x 100", "A" blows up Toby and Jenna's house. They are no longer working with a team.
Season 6
Red Coat returns and appears to be working with Charles DiLaurentis. They sabotage Aria's art gallery and get tickets to the Rosewood High School prom.
CeCe is revealed to be Charles, aka Charlotte DiLaurentis, and she made a deal with Mona that if she helped Mona get out Radley, Mona would let her play the "A Game" with her. Unknown to Mona, Sara Harvey was another member of the team who acted as a decoy for Charlotte as Red Coat and The Black Widow.
After Charlotte tells the Liars her story, she tries to blow up Radley with the DiLaurentis family in with her. The Liars stop the plan with Sara getting punched out by Emily and Charlotte declaring "Game Over" after she nearly commits suicide; thus the A-Team is disbanded.
Members and Motivations
Mona's Team
| Image | Real Identity | Episode Revealed | Motive |
|
Mona Vanderwaal | "UnmAsked" | Wanted revenge for the harassment she received from Alison and her gang.
Getting revenge on the Liars for "stealing" Hanna away. |
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Lucas Gottesman | "'A' is for A-l-i-v-e" | Blackmailed by Mona Gave Emily a massage in "Touched by an 'A'-ngel". |
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Melissa Hastings | "Face Time" | Blackmailed by Mona Was the Queen of Hearts and Black Swan. |
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Toby Cavanaugh | "The Lady Killer" | Worked alongisde Mona to protect Spencer. |
Charlotte's Team
| Image | Real Identity | Episode Revealed | Motive |
|
Charlotte DiLaurentis | "Game Over, Charles" | Getting revenge on the Liars for "wanting" Alison dead. Wanted revenge on her family. |
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Mona Vanderwaal | "A DAngerous GAme" | Wanted to keep playing the game after her release. Worked for Red Coat |
|
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Toby Cavanaugh | "The Lady Killer" | Worked alongisde Mona to protect Spencer. |
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Spencer Hastings | "I'm Your Puppet" | Find out if Toby was alive Learn the identify of Red Coat. |
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Melissa Hastings | "Face Time" | Blackmailed by Mona Was the Queen of Hearts and Black Swan. |
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Darren Wilden | "'A' is for A-l-i-v-e" | Blackmailed by Charlotte Was the first Queen of Hearts. |
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Sara Harvey | "Game Over, Charles" | Sara loved Charlotte and wanted to help to repay Charlotte for taking care of her. Was Red Coat and The Black Widow. |
|
Noel Kahn | "The Wrath of Kahn" | Helped Charlotte torture the Liars in the Dollhouse. |
Alex's Team
| Image | Real Identity | Episode Revealed | Motive |
|
Alex Drake | "'Til Death Do Us Part" | Wanted revenge on whoever killed Charlotte. Wanted to become Spencer and have Spencer's life. |
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Wren Kingston | "'Til Death Do Us Part" | Was in love with Alex and wanted to help her. Donated sperm to impregnant Alison. Had Mona released from Welby so she could join Alex's team. |
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Jenna Marshall | "Wanted: Dead or Alive" | Promised to fund surgery that would help regain her sight. |
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Sydney Driscoll | "Power Play" | Blackmailed Alex used Sydney because she "fit the hoodie". Met with Aria under the guise of being A.D. |
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Aria Montgomery | "The Glove That Rocks the Cradle" | Blackmailed by Alex. Destroyed Emily's nursery and hid a body. |
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Mary Drake | "'Til Death Do Us Part" | Assisted in keeping Spencer hostage. |
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Mona Vanderwaal | "'Til Death Do Us Part" | Double Agent Watched the Liars in a "Melissa mask". Incapacitated Spencer. |
Former Suspects
- Jenna Marshall - She meets an unseen person (Shana, from the costume shop) in the park and hands them an unknown item with the instructions "You know what you need yo do". She was also seen associating with the Black Swan. Jenna hates the Liars for being involved in The Jenna Thing. Also, she and Shana moved Det. Wilden's body after Ashley ran him over. (Season 1, 2, 3, 4)
- Ian Thomas - He may have started the N.A.T. Club to film people for someone other than himself, Jason and Garrett.
- Noel Kahn - He has dated both Mona and Jenna, and hates Aria for cheating on him with Ezra. He helped Alison remain in hiding and is anxious to not be caught for it. (Season 1, 2, 3)
- Alison DiLaurentis - Alison's behavior is strikingly similar to A's. Alison was also the black hooded figure, who the girls referred to as "A", who pushed Ian off the bell tower. In Season 5, she bribed Cyrus in "A Dark Ali", and seemed to know Bethany, when her mother seemed to be having an affair with Bethany's father. She seemingly lured Bethany into Rosewood to kill her and is now forming an army of her own when The Liars cut their ties with her. Later, The Liars found out Mona planted fake information about her. (Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
A's Lair
A's lair is "A's" base of operations. It is where "A" would meet up with the other members and would create their plans. The original lair was located in Room 2 of the Lost Woods Resort. The room contains pictures, newspaper clippings, and dolls resembling the girls and Alison. There is a hole in the wall behind a picture frame so "A" could watch Alison in Room 1 next door. Spencer concludes that "A" was stalking Alison. This is where Spencer figures out Mona is "A", due to the gum wrapper and the cashmere sweaters.
Once the original lair was discovered by Spencer, the other "A"s cleared out the room and began to find and rent a new room elsewhere for the lair. Mona was seen in the lair in "The Lady Killer" discussing plans with another "A". In "Dead to Me", Spencer finds the second lair, with the help of a private investigator, but it is empty when she arrives. The lair was re-housed to an R.V., which Big A blackmailed Toby into returning.
In "Welcome to the Dollhouse", it is revealed that Big A built a dollhouse with the help of allies to kidnap, Mona, Sara, Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily. A also used the Campbell Farm as a temporary lair, in order to frame Andrew. In reality, A had worked alongside Noel Kahn to build the dollhouse, operate it, and torture the Liars with mental manipulations.
Trivia
The Alternate endings for pAige and cAleb
- The betrAyer and the second member of the A-Team is revealed to be Toby. Multiple endings were shot to avoid the real one from being leaked. Alternates for the betrAyer role were Caleb and Paige. These alternate endings are available on the Season 3 DVD.
- Producers revealed Mona didn't do two of the things "A" did in the first two seasons. This is most likely Emily's massage (she was with Hanna) and killing Ian (she has no known connection to him, and he clearly knew the person that pushed him off the bell tower).
- The person that gave Emily that massage was Lucas, as revealed by Mona in "'A' is for A-l-i-v-e".
- Alison is revealed to have pushed Ian in "A is for Answers".
- It's possible that the leader wore red while the recruiters wear black, such as the person who visited Mona at Radley.
- "A" carries around Vivian Darkbloom's driver license and uses it.
- In Season 4, Toby is a victim of the "A-Team" because "A" knows what happened to his mom and uses that information to get Toby to steal the lair.
- It was revealed that after the lodge fire, "A" had only one helper, as Red Coat and The Black Widow are the same person.
- This person was then shown to be Sara Harvey, who was working with Charlotte at the time. It is unknown what other identities Charlotte made Sara wear.
Revealed Identities
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Charlotte DiLaurentis/CeCe Drake/Big A
