Any loyal Pretty Little Liars fan understands the concentration it takes to stay in front of all those secrets, lies, and crazy plot twists. Even the most dedicated little liar needs some reminding every now and then, especially when they start dropping info in flashbacks and switching up points of view. The night that Alison disappears may just go down in TV history as the most complex mystery ever to involve a dark wig and being buried alive . . . twice. Now that we're almost at the end of the current season, it's time to unpack that fateful night. Here's a timeline to that dark and twisty night that she disappears, fake dies, leaves Rosewood, and what some key players were doing then too.
Further Reading:
"A" made their presence known long before they started stalking the liars, back in 2008.
"The Jenna Thing" happens, and an intricate cover-up/extortion plot unfolds.
Alison is in Hilton Head with Ian — and a pregnant Melissa.
We know that she later calls the police from a payphone on that same street.
Still reeling from her rejection from Ian, Alison visits Jenna in the hospital, but it's not to bring her flowers.
Alison arrives home to a warm welcome from all the girls. Everyone comments on that tan she's rocking, and can't believe she got it while visiting her sick granny.
Alison visits Emily to give her a "special present."
Alison hops from meeting to meeting, threatening, blackmailing, and extorting her way through Rosewood's residents. Her first stop is Toby.
The strange man turns out to be Ezra, and he is upset with her about her lies about her age.
Alison meets Ian at the Kissing Rock.
Shortly after Ian leaves Ali at the Kissing Rock, the NAT Club convenes in her room to search for the stolen videos (there's some pretty damaging stuff on them).
Before they can get very far, Jenna and Garrett run into Alison in her backyard and they argue.
Spencer follows Alison into her house and they continue an ongoing argument about Melissa and Ian.
While Spencer returns to the barn, Alison runs into none other than Mr. Montgomery.
CeCe tracks Alison down in a last ditch effort to convince her to turn over those videos.
Alison walks home, alone, in the middle of the night, because Rosewood is a supersafe place. She is feeling very self-satisfied, thinking she got the upper hand over "A."
The next thing Alison knows, dirt is being shoveled on her as she lies in a shallow grave.
Carla Grunwald has an ominous premonition about Alison.
Alison's backyard is the Rosewood hotspot on this particular evening and draws all sorts of folks.
As luck would have it (probably not luck, since this is PLL) Mona happens upon the bedraggled Alison.
Alison didn't know she was giving advice to her possible stalker and attempted murderer. After she watches Alison drive away, Mona retreats to her "A" lair. Here she plots her own transition into the horrible version of herself we know and love.