Key Aspects:
* The Queen Bee: Alison was the popular, manipulative, and often cruel leader of their group of friends in high school before her disappearance. She controlled the social dynamics and held secrets about everyone.
* The Missing Girl: The series begins with Alison's disappearance, setting the stage for the mystery and the girls' torment by "A."
* The Return: After being presumed dead for two years, Alison mysteriously reappears, bringing with her more secrets and adding new layers to the mystery.
* The Catalyst: Alison's disappearance and her return are the major catalysts for the events in the series, driving the girls' fears, paranoia, and their fight to uncover the truth.
Throughout the series, Alison's true nature is a subject of debate:
* Is she a victim? Some believe she was a target of "A" from the start, and her "mean girl" persona was a facade to hide her vulnerability.
* Is she a manipulator? Others argue that Alison was cunning and manipulative, even before her disappearance, and her return is motivated by a desire for control and revenge.
In essence, Alison is a complex character who is both a victim and a perpetrator. Her past actions, secrets, and even her motivations remain shrouded in mystery throughout the series, making her a key figure in unraveling the truth behind "A."