The fifth season of the American mystery drama television series Pretty Little Liars began airing on ABC Family on June 10, 2014. Shooting for the season began on March 24, 2014, and ended on November 20, 2014. The season aired from June 10, 2014, to March 24, 2015. Like the second season, the season consisted of 25 episodes, including a special holiday-themed episode, instead of a Halloween episode which was written by I. Marlene King and her assistant Kyle Bown and was directed by King. It also contained the 100th episode and the episode was written by showrunner I. Marlene King. The promotional poster was released on May 28, 2014. A second promotional poster was released after the hundredth episode was aired, on July 9, 2014. A third promotional poster was released on January 5, 2015, as a promotion for the second half of the fifth season, which began the day after the release of the poster. It was announced on June 10, 2014, that Pretty Little Liars was renewed for two additional seasons, making the show ABC Family's longest running original series. The fifth season garnered positive reviews from critics and averaged 2.01 million viewers an episode, down from the previous season, and a 0.9 demo rating, also down from the previous season. The premiere was watched by 2.72 million viewers, while the finale was watched by 2.65 million viewers. Overview After Aria inadvertently kills the rooftop shooter, revealed to be Shana, the Liars try to adjust to the new world in which 'A' is presumably dead and Alison is very much alive, while still trying to keep up with Ali's new lie about her whereabouts over the last two years. However, 'A' returns, blowing up the Cavanaugh house and leaving the liars more afraid than ever. With Alison back, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer notice how their friendship has changed since Ali's disappearance. The other residents in Rosewood also deal with Alison coming home, and it leads to Mona making an army against her, consisting of residents whom Ali bullied back in the day. The liars try to figure out who killed Mrs. DiLaurentis, and if there is a connection between her and the girl who was buried in Alison's grave, Bethany Young. With Alison back, Hanna starts to have an identity crisis, and it progresses when Caleb comes back from Ravenswood and Alison moves into the Marin