2. It’s too obvious. Is “A” ever who the Liars think it is? Nope. The show likes to keep its reveals as fresh as possible, and learning that “A” is exactly who the Liars suspect it to be would be a tad anti-climactic. No, we think PLL is trying to pull yet another a bait-and-switch, Distracting us with clues that Ali is “A,” only to reveal the true villainess in a moment of terrible glory. Come to think of it, this might be “A”’s strategy, too. After all, if the Liars are busy watching Ali, she’s free to cause mayhem.

3. Ali’s new army. In the summer finale, Alison started building an army of her own. Started. “A” already has an army at her disposal, as evidenced by the group of black hoodies who surrounded the Liars in that NYC playground. And, if Ali were “A,” why would she build her army in plain sight? The reason “A” has been able to stay anonymous for so long is because no one — not even her minions — seem to know who she is or who else she’s connected with.

4. Mona and Ali, working together? Earlier in the season, we saw Mona meet up with someone who looked a lot like Alison as they watched Hanna get a makeover. This seems curious, given that Ali and Mona are supposed to hate one another and that “A” seems responsible for Mona’s death. Have Ali and Mona been working together this whole time, trying to figure out who “A” — their common enemy — truly is?

5. No face, no case. The hoodied figure who stalked into Mona’s house then apparently killed her at the end of the summer finale had long, blonde hair reminiscent of Alison’s. However, the camera went to great pains not to show us the killer’s face. If Alison were “A,” then it would make more narrative sense for the show to fully commit to a storyline of intense dramatic irony. The fact that we’re still kept in the dark makes us suspect Ali is not “A.”