Monica Moreno

In the season five premiere, which takes place in the moments following the shocking season four finale, Aria and the Liars are reeling from Ezra’s (series star IAN HARDING) shooting at the hands of “A.” The five girls quickly realize that as the one person who knows “A’s” identity, Ezra is in grave danger. While Aria stands watch over Ezra at the hospital, Alison and the other girls lay a trap to finally flush out “A,” but are shocked by who is ensnared. Meanwhile, Detective Holbrook (recurring guest star SEAN FARIS) steps up his efforts to find the girls and puts the Hastings family on alert. And as news of Alison’s “resurrection” spreads — that she is truly alive and returning to Rosewood — Mona Vanderwaal (series star JANEL PARRISH) is not pleased.

With Alison now back in Rosewood, she attempts to regain the role of leader of the group, but she finds her four friends are not as willing to blindly follow her every whim as they once were. Besides feeling the pressure from Ali, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer are also feeling under the microscope at school as the high school focuses their attention on the Liars. While most kids are morbidly curious about what happened to Ali, some are more focused on planning for Ali’s return to school. Meanwhile, Aria’s depression continues to spiral, and she looks for comfort from an unlikely source.

The day has finally arrived: It’s Alison’s first day back at Rosewood High and neither the Liars nor Alison are really ready for it. Determined to put on a brave face, Alison also hopes to help heal the damage she did years ago. But are apologies enough for those who Alison has hurt in the past? Not if Mona and her army have anything to say about it. Meanwhile, Caleb and an old foe return to Rosewood.