The 'A' Theory That Could Have Saved Pretty Little Liars... no seriously

[@heyna.]

17:37 Also when you mentioned being rotten to the core, it made me think of the saying that “one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” (Which also ties into your point that none of this would’ve happened if Jessica had acted differently)

[@Hazeljv3]

It still baffles me that the show had so many characters that had groundwork laid that would justify them being A, and yet they really just went "... Yeah, let's go with the secret evil twin that we did absolutely 0 work to set up. That's definitely the best narrative choice." Makes me wonder what kind of drugs they had stashed in that writer's room.

[@genesisfillmore1194]

Omg seriously! Like really that was the best you could do? an evil twin? I think the writers were too focused on trying to confuse the audience instead of making a good ending. In the book Allison just stays as being A, I would have liked that better than making her "good"

[@itscherylplayz8925]

Imagine how legendary the finale and show would’ve been if it was not as long and actually had villains that made sense and, “Ello sistah.” Never happened

[@teriyakishrimp9480]

"Ello sistah" is the actual A, Alex was a decoy.

[@draculena]

ELLOH SISTAH

[@itscherylplayz8925]

@@draculena 🤣

[@itscherylplayz8925]

@@teriyakishrimp9480agreed

[@MiniMeags]

Bro I heard that comment in my head in Troian’s horrid accent

[@kajolpaul91]

For me, it’s the fact that it ended so many yrs ago, but we collectively aren’t over the disappointment of the ending

[@Dash120z]

let's be honest we will never get over that bizarre ending; this show started with a huge premise and honestly it could've been one of the best teen mistery shows ever.. only to get ruined by endless plot holes and missed opportunities.

[@Frogface91]

I've never watched the show but I LOVE the idea of a grieving mother going a bit loopy at the supposed death of her child and pretending to be them to work out who did it.

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Me too! Or alternatively, her being the one to hurt Alison and then playing the fake role of a grieving mother

[@Frogface91]

@@SerenaSkybourne OOOOH, deliciously scandalous!

[@VanessaMarieBooks]

I think the biggest problem with PLL was the writers kept trying to give us an "A" reveal that no one would've suspected or guessed, instead of just giving us a good storyline with plausible villains & motives. They cared more about shocking the audience with their reveals rather than writing a good story. The show started off great and had so much potential, but the longer the show ran, the worse it got.

[@brh.1892]

Same problem with Gossip Girl!

[@sarahmcmanus6745]

I agree I think with people guessing so much they were always trying to outdo each reveal

[@pam9919]

Like we all know Mrs D can keep a secret with burying Alison which show she ain't winning mother of the year. But it also makes the earlier seasons feel creepier like she would show up doing charities or fashion shows in Alison name. Knowing what happened to her daughter the whole time and milking her disappearance. Like imagine your Jason or Kenneth someone you loved when missing and your mom/wife knew the truth the whole time.

[@michelar9356]

Why did I never think of this?? Jessica would’ve been a PERFECT A!!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Rightttt that’s what I’m sayingggg why does no one ever talk about this??

[@Missmagazinebura]

Or Mary drake could be A

[@sunnycastiglioni7512]

Maybe the real Mary was the Jessica we found along the way

[@codezero7981]

this was one of the most overlooked theories we all had back in season 4

[@SerenaSkybourne]

@@codezero7981yeah for real this is an underrated theory

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I ALWAYS liked the idea of 'A' being a parent and I'm glad they didn't go down the route of it being Byron because that would have been so embarrassing 😂🤡🤡

[@michanone]

Nah, Byron was caught by Aria and Alison when he cheated. No way he suddenly changed and became a super villain. He didn't have the brains for that! 😅😂

[@nicoleackerman205]

I remember the Byron in theory. 😂😂

[@Nightwing-Gemini]

Jessica would have been the most SHOCKING A! Especially if she had killed Mary Drake and pretended to be her all throughout Season 6B and Season 7. I would have been floored. And it would have tied the whole show back to a character from Season 1. Instead of a whole new character.

[@codezero7981]

true, Jessica being -A would've been an extremely satisfying ending to the show but.. they ruined everything with "ELLO SISTAH" 😭

[@LaScoot149]

I even like the idea of the show setting up Aria to be A, but then it’s just Jessica framing her!

[@AndSoWeLaughed]

She def could've started the game up again after losing her daughter to it and wanting to avenge her through the game and as her dying wish.

[@cleo4644]

I love this theory so so much and it got me thinking about how Mona could still be intertwined. What if Jessica found out about Alison's bullying towards Mona and used that to her advantage to recruit her as the first A she could say something like "I've noticed how my daughter and her friends have been treating you, what if I told you I know a way of how to get back at her and her friends for what they've done to you." Then Mona would do her bidding while scheming on how to ruin Alison and the liars lives. Omg just thinking about the theory is so fun lmao.

[@sunnycastiglioni7512]

I never really considered Jessica Dilaurentis as "A," but this video presented such a compelling argument that it may end up being my second favorite theory (with Lucas actually being my number 1 theory). I do think that Jessica was definitely *a* villain, even if she wasn't *the* villain, and I agree that the show really downplayed her role in everything that happened. On my rewatch of some of the earlier seasons, I end up really wishing they would take the focus off the Montgomery family mini-series/soap opera and put more of a spotlight on the Dilaurentis family. They've just suffered a tremendous, tragic loss and we have so many questions about Alison left over from seasons 1-(3? 4?) that directly correlate with her family and are never addressed. Like, apparently she's sneaking into bars and basically living in some city nearby using a fake name and a wig and her parents don't even know some boy is taking her out for flying lessons? What the heck were her parents doing?? Did they know? Did they care? But instead of bringing any of that up, they give us hours and hours of The Montgomery Family Drama that does considerably less for the story as a whole than if they had shone a spotlight on the Dilaurentis family.

[@codezero7981]

also more spotlight to the Hastings family seriously Alison and Spencer have such interesting back stories.

[@not-a-ghost2206]

Idk Spencer pissed me off the first episodes 😂 whining for her sisters boyfriend (who does that?). but Melissa is the bad one in all of this. Sure. She was so self righteous as all of the girls were. Hannah was my all-time favourite even though she was ridiculed so much when the show came out

[@Killixn_]

This is one of the best PLL Theory videos I've ever seen. I have never even thought about Jessica being A, even though there was clearly so much that could've proved it. What a great theory. I wish it was the truth 😭🔥

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Same 😭💕

[@DixiNormous50150]

As someone who read all books, including the prequel, I love this theory, and how it would have stayed on theme with mental illness creating the horror aspect without copy pasting the whole book plot

[@briebrownn]

The show was primarily about the catty viciousness between girls and what that can do to the ppl experiencing it. Though this has been done before, they tried to nuance it by making it more sinister, adding the element of murder, redemption, and cycles of family trauma. Making Jessica Uber A really would have worked well with this theme. They should have pulled a Sybil and really went all in exploring the dark, twistedness of narcissistic mother/daughter relationships, and the devastating and lasting effects that can leave on a daughter, and throughout generations of a family. There was clearly always a strong link to the Dilaurentis family as the origin of A; the 'rotten fruit doesn't fall far from the tree' vibes. And there's something so much creepier knowing it's a parent and not a kid. I think if they really wanted to make it Spencer they could have done it in a diff way to make it work, since technically she is in the family. The problem is they got so caught up in making A someone we never would have guessed that it ended up not really making sense for the rest of the plot, and they left WAY too many loose plotlines. Waiting to the last episode to pull an 'evil twin' card who wasn't even a character through the rest of the show is such a cop out and disservice to the fans that spent countless hrs playing detective, making murder boards, and trying to connect the dots to figure out who A is. I know that in the books it ended with A being Ali's evil twin sister. But they decided to change up everything else in the show, so why stick with the twin idea? They needed to make A someone we've seen around in other episodes, hiding in plain sight from the beginning. PS. I will nvr forgive Marlene for "ello sista" 😂

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I hope you loveeeee this video! It was too fun. Any other theory videos you want from me, to cover ALL the clues?

[@LaraOmar]

A video on MELISSA HASTINGS! That girl needs a psychologist deep dive

[@SerenaSkybourne]

@@LaraOmaroohhh the Melissa is A theory was always a good one

[@brandireifsnider4840]

Wren!

[@hannaparoledelectrice1869]

Oh my God !! This is mindblowing ! It makes so much sense, I would have loved seing this unravel in the series. Well done, Serena 🥳

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I’m so glad you agree; I put way too much thought into this 💕

[@maunymarie9661]

please never stop these videos they’re soo entertaining !

[@charliescozycorner]

I would’ve loved Jessica being A, in fact I thought she was at one point. I also wanted (A)ria

[@Missmagazinebura]

Or maybe have Kenneth be A with Jessica

[@___Alina___24]

Having an adult being A is so messed up haha especially a much older one 😅

[@liaisanxious425]

I'm sorry. I will listen, I promise. But THAT SHIRT??!! Stunning on you.

[@SerenaSkybourne]

It’s a dress! Thankyou love 💕

[@winterfromwisthollow]

Great, now I don't know if I like this theory better or the one where Alison and Aria are A together. I guess I could have taken either, both would have been miles better than what we actually got.

[@anab9667]

You’re a GENIUS Serena. I can’t believe I didn’t pick up on this!!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

🥹 I’m so glad you like it

[@JayeKisses]

I’m surprised that out of all the girls Alison is the only one that went straight to her mom about the🅰️threats

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Same, I would have thought she’d keep it a secret as long as possible

[@JayeKisses]

@@SerenaSkybourne yeah even when Mona knew her secrets & sent her threats Alison asked for help. The other girls were literally extremely scared to tell anyone except for there boyfriend’s & girlfriend

[@shani3228]

I love this theory! I feel like Jessica could have had such an interesting motivation and it would have made sense unlike some of the other characters, and her character was there from the beginning, so it wouldn't be random. It would also be a good option if the writers wanted to keep the idea of the girls as a group of friends by not having any of them as A. Jessica would be a great balance between making sense and being guessable with clues throughout the series, whilst at the same time maintaining the mystery and not being too obvious.

[@quinntribolet6593]

Twins being genetic usually skip a generation, so the likelihood of MD having twins is really low! So it didn't even make sense in that way either!

[@Sam_Antha74]

I’m an ultrasound tech and it definitely happens from time to time.

[@quintecence]

That's actually a misconception. Identical twins usually come from the eggs splitting (which is controlled by genetic). If you don't produce eggs, the eggs won't split but the gene for egg splitting can be passed on by either parent. It ends up looking like it skips a generation but it's just that the people who carry the gene don't all express it. Biology is weird and I learnt this fact last week 😂

[@Smita-Says]

Your PLL videos are the best, so insightful!!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Wow, thank you!

[@Isthatthegrimreaper170]

I remember hoping that Peter Hastings would be A, not only because of how easy that would’ve been to pull off and because it would be so funny

[@carriesnaps3508]

I can't believe I've never thought of this, but it actually would've made so much sense! And now I'm disappointed at the writers again for missing out on another opportunity to create a great final villain.

[@happycupcake2016]

Thank you for keeping this show alive for us 💜 also you are beautiful!!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Thankyou my love 💕💕

[@ilove_shoes]

I love your pll videos!! Can you make a video about Caleb and the Ravenswood ordeal.. watching the season now when he comes back and it's just so...

[@SerenaSkybourne]

The whole ravenswood spin-off is something in itself lmao

[@Missmagazinebura]

Was Caleb ever A?

[@martina-dd6vb]

​@@Missmagazineburanope!

[@nocte.animam]

Amazing video as always! So satisfying to see more PLL content from you. You make it so deep, interesting and addictive. 😊❤️

[@Aaarandom]

This idea blew my mind. It never occurred to me but I can see it! Thanks for the fresh take ❤

[@maddiesharpe7118]

I HAVE BEEN SO EXCITED FOR THIS HEHEHEHHE OMG

[@grace-4072]

honestly this is one of my favorite theories ive heard! And you defend it so well!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

🥹🥹

[@ameliajade711]

That top was made for you!! 💕

[@Princessm2025]

Whoaaaaa this would have been sooooo good!! Never thought of this!

[@e.l.8429]

I still stand by that this shows ending was my first true heartbreak. I invested so many years being in love with the plot, the characters, the relationships. It saw me through my teens and early twenties. Then BAM “Ello sistah” 😭💔

[@marimiranda7425]

Officially accepting this into my headcanon 🏆

[@nocte.animam]

Considering A has this Ali-like attitude or way of speaking, it'd make a lot of sense. Maybe she raised her daughter to be like her and they could have an unhealthy relationship. It'd bring up the whole nature vs nurture thing: could Alison have been a good person if it wasn't for her mom?

[@nocte.animam]

She should also have a past as a mean girl.

[@melissadacostacaturichi8249]

24:00 and then tippy the bird days the most ominous sentence of PLL'S entire run - "Want sweet potatoes?". 😂😂I absolutely died laughing when I watched this scene

[@claram0nster]

Respectfully ur top omg!!

[@hidansektas]

girl i love the topic but oh my god youre a goddess

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Thankyou 🥹

[@Anti-Social_Socialite]

UGH the quality of your video is just too good - i love your thought processes!

[@ruhsaanjones4750]

Out of all the liars Spencer didn't let Alison bully her in the flashbacks.

[@WoolCat5]

i have so many thoughts about this oh my god 1. jessica must have known that spencer was mary's daughter right? is that why she was so nasty to her (aside from just copying alison)? 2. jessica would have been a much more satisfying A since she'd been around from the very start, and it was revealed later how unhinged she was (drowning that baby and blaming mary). i know that reveal came from mary but someone else could have revealed it instead if jessica was pretending to be mary after killing her 3. jessica was having multiple affairs like this woman knew how to lie, manipulate, and keep secrets - perfect for A 4. jessica being A instead of Cece and Alex would have worked well for explaining why Alison wasn't exempt from the A torture, since we know jessica isn't above being aggressive with alison and putting her at risk, whereas Cece supposedly loved Ali dearly so it never sat right with me that she included Ali in the A shenanigans

[@happybaby8346]

Making Jessica the villain would have been such a great reveal. Everyone was shocked when Ali revealed that her mom buried her alive. They should have kept that going instead of killing her off then bringing up another secret twin plotline. Having Jessica steal Mary's place would have been so good. There were so many characters and motives this show could have went with instead of "secret sister with misplaced intentions because we didn't write a good storyline". It was so frustrating. It's even worse that they did it TWICE.

[@sandraolson8635]

I think your theory would have made a much more satisfying story. The screenwriters on PLL left so many plot holes, misdirects that went nowhere, and A had the money, time, and resources to be a small level James Bond villain. In what world does someone spend so much money and time on a petty revenge issue. I loved the show and watched it all, but I was continually dumbfounded by how stupid the writing was.

[@perryjones7771]

The books were right there and I’ve read every single one.

[@Nightwing-Gemini]

The books had the ultimate A and they WASTED it.

[@perryjones7771]

@@Nightwing-Gemini LITERALLY

[@mchjsosde]

I've never watched PLL and have never considered it but I've watched so many of 6our videos about ut and they're so entertaining! I actually get excited when u talk about it again so i can hear kore about it

[@morganf1968]

Oh wow I never even thought of her but you’ve convinced me…Anything would’ve been better then what we actually got at the end😂

[@heyna.]

Have I ever watched an episode of PLL? No. Did I watch both the Mike’s Mic recaps in full? Yes, and now I want his thoughts on your video!

[@genesisfillmore1194]

This is such an epic idea!! You should have written the last couple seasons for them, I absolutely loved the show but so disappointed with the ending.

[@monicaalpizar2763]

I really like this theory. It would have been SO much better than what it ended up being. But what would have been Jessica's motivation? Pure craziness?

[@jamiedanae2550]

I still love the idea of Aria being A (maybe because it would make me feel better about the Ezria relationship as she would be the one using him-I’ll always wish she would have ended up with someone else) but this would have been A-mazing too! So wish they would have consulted you for the finale ♥️

[@Girl2TheCity]

Serena ❤I am here for all the PLL content lately. Dragging us OG PLL fans from all across the KZbin verse. Let me get my hot cocoa and listen 🎧 to your theory.

[@nadya4681]

great video🖤 my top choice for a will always be ezra

[@BenCrowie]

U go girrrl!!!...Thanks 4 always putting so much effort and love...it really shows❤

[@madisonbusby1457]

Also Jessica always had a thing against Spencer yet even when A tried to frame all the girls - A’s main target was Spencer

[@SmartNotShunsho]

I also loved the Hanna's twin theory or even her being A... Otherwise why was she exposed to so many twin plots

[@dianaszuts398]

Great video as alwyas! And, not the point, but I love the colour of your top🌸

[@SerenaSkybourne]

I love purple 💜🦄☔️

[@dianaszuts398]

@@SerenaSkybourne Me too😊

[@aliairving]

Oh babe the girls look GOOD

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Thankyou ❤️😆

[@Tristenbrady]

This video made me hate the ending of Pll so much more because I get not wanting to ruin the main character's character growth but they could've picked someone so much better Jessica Melissa maybe even Lucas

[@emillee-raine]

Would you ever do a video about how you would rewrite the whole series? I'd be really interested to know how you would tell the story.

[@msbranch2879]

Barely a minute into the video and I’m excited bc I’ve never seen this theory before !

[@SerenaSkybourne]

its so underrated!

[@rebeccakickass1776]

Some grown-ups never really "grow up," so if Jessica DiLaurentis was a "mean girl" in high school it makes sense that she would push Alison into also being an other queen bee 🐝 "mean girl" (which would have made for a better storyline... pushed to madness thinking that one of Alison's friends had killed her or Alison's mom was in on the whole entire "A" thing after Mona is found out... Or some how from the beginning getting Alison to push Mona over the edge from the start. Any of these choices are better than the CC and then Twin twist endings we got (both if which sucked...lol

[@samanthalacerda5362]

this would be SO GOOD!

[@Lelina.Marelle]

It's such a good theory! Another thing that wasn't mentioned is the secret cellar in aunt Carols house, where the Liars find all these records and pictures. What if they found one of A's secret basements? And maybe there was a deeper connection to the Carissimi Group? I think it's a bit unlikely, that a just a Teenager as Charlotte invested her money so well even If she studied while she was in Radley. Loved the Video - thank you! 🫶

[@johnnyraven7980]

awesome video!

[@lilyderooij]

I haven't thought about the show in 2 years and I am just here for your videos

[@tammiedarrell9179]

i can't believe how thorough the apple connotations were and they didn't choose to use it! i always liked the idea of it being a parent, and jessica made the most sense for sure. for it to be a parent enables the power imbalance even more versus the girls. and you're right, A's attitudes to the girls mimics jessica's/alison's. emily was favoured but it was twisted and complex for sure. spencer was the most hated and suffered the most, literally ending up in radley where jessica's daughter had been. and mona!. literally quoting to hanna the things that alison had said to her. and aria getting off the lightest, like alison didn't seem to have such a strong opinion about her!

[@Lina_rose226]

I introduced my bf to pretty little liars and were currently on a rewatch of season 3. it’s so interesting to see his pov. He was completely baffled by the first A reveal.

[@michaelstone5298]

And moreover in addition to the film noir bant, 📽️ thank you for this very much and I could get behind this actually very much so, all the more she could still have an Alison redemption ark with this plotline, (her mom is the main villain of the piece), is her parents who taught Alison to be the way she used to be.

[@elitettelbach4247]

This was very interesting!

[@graceyhunt5828]

I love these videos so much! Also, you look amazing in that dress. As soon as I saw you in it, I said "WOW", just beautiful!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Thank you so much!!☺️☺️

[@caitlynl7213]

this would have been so amazing!

[@CheesePoutine]

this theory is EVERYTHING and im keeping it near and dear to my heart ... im going to pretend it's what actually happened 😂

[@SerenaSkybourne]

🥹🥰

[@aquata-p2c]

The actress of Jenna made a post that there's going to be a pll comeback. Idk what that's supposed to mean but I'm quite hyped (and probably going to get disappointed). My biggest dream would be a remake of the later seasons 😂

[@codezero7981]

they should redo 6x10 and give us a better -A reveal

[@kcnbt99]

Omg, girlie where did you get that top/dress??? It's stunning! Wonderful video as well 💕

[@Missmagazinebura]

Didnt Alison mention in a flashback to Veronica about having rotten apples ?

[@codezero7981]

she did

[@LaurenKaminski]

I love this idea!!!

[@KingKissan]

This show could’ve easily lasted 10 seasons tbh I always thought Wren should’ve took CeCe’s place as A and Ezra should’ve been the final one. I had a theory where they were both in it together and just duped everyone, it was pretty fantastic.

[@Kdkd35000]

Love your channel

[@Kdkd35000]

Almost to 50k

[@yezenia9830]

It makes sense that A would be someone older with money and enough time on their hands. Really interesting theory 😍

[@Ambivlaent]

The ending we deserved but never received 😢 this video was so compelling and honestly shows just how much we missed out!! Ahhhh

[@_Celine_26]

You're incredible!

[@SerenaSkybourne]

Thankyou 🥰

[@ambibambi6479]

They need to do “what if” but for PLL 😂

[@CrystalMarieShannon]

Wouldn’t the plot twist of all plot twists have been that Penn Badgley was A

[@eneyavorodecky]

As somebody who also learned words from reading and not by hearing them, fyi, homage is supposed to be with a silent h for whatever weird reason. 😅

[@xletragedyx]

It's French

[@yuffiefan7637]

I am soooo sure Aria was planned to be A. But the producers and author left too much clues on Twitter, the fans found out and they had to find a new A

[@JayeKisses]

I’d love for u to do a “Riverdale” character deep dive

[@BeckiBlack26]

Love this theory, Alison’s mum was sooo scary

[@daisydaisy0121]

please do one on Ezra as A next! agghhhhh!

[@nicoleackerman205]

He should have been. Him and Wren where my favorite choices. Can't believe Wren is the dad of Emily's babies.

[@jovanakrivokapic]

ELLO SISTA

[@MissChiaki.Nanami]

I like the fact that If Jessica Drake, faked her death to then kill her sister? It would have been pretty amazing + it would have worked with the twins’s reveal in a better originality and unexpected way. We’d get to understand her reasons to be a villain; to kill her own kin,and fake her death. The siblings would remain the same, Jessica Dilaurentis/Mary in that scenario being the mother of Alison & Jason, Alex and Spencer being siblings twins. That would signify that when Spencer’s father had an affair Mary Drake, it would be actually be Jessica. They would still be related. Jessica could have become a good villain if the writers thought about the idea and became committed to the idea. Vivian Darkbloom would have made sense too. Now..who wouldn’t have loved the plot of both Mother and daughter being “A” or “Final A” instead of being Alex, who is a weak villain?? I can forgive Cece’s “A” introduction, not Alex due to how Spencer is so centered in the 7th season + her reasons to replace Spencer and even…trick the liars. Weak, disappointing. Mother and Daughter being the final Villain, keep in mind that Alison would have been better as a villain. Would. Actually. Work, repeating it’d be a good damn plot and so juicy. All your opinions, I have to agree with.

[@music_YT2023]

The mother of villains/dragons, yessss.

[@snugglebear6836]

The families lowkey were unhealthy in their own ways

[@Missmagazinebura]

Everyone could be A

[@___Alina___24]

Especially the Hastings family 😢

[@FaithBetta]

I always block out the fact that Alex exists… it’s so bad my brain actually forgets it lol

[@puredemon5926]

Okay but Jessica always made me uneasy, she would have been such an interesting A. I still wish Aria was A at some point, (at least after Mona.) Literally anyone would have been better than Charlotte and whatever the hell AD was lol. I didn't watch the show after the final time jump. But Jessica would make so much more sense than Spencer's twin and Mary Drake. The twin thing got ridiculous for sure. They just kept going for shock factor rather than logical storytelling after season two.

[@MylesSpearsASMR]

Take me back to the good ole day when A was Jenna or Mona hahaha

[@samanthalacerda5362]

YES. i knew the pll videos were never over 🤭🌈