Pep Talk: Riverdale Episode 220, "Shadow of a Doubt"

Chaos comes to RIVERDALE as all the sordid little threads start to come together in a tapestry of terror.

Moose Mason (CODY KEARSLEY) comes clean with the Bulldogs that he and Midge had a fight the night of her murder, because she had confessed to him that she'd been seeing someone else: one of the Southside Serpents. It doesn't take long before word gets around that this Serpent was Fangs Fogerty (DREW RAY TANNER), who was caught on camera when Jughead (COLE SPROUSE) filmed all the behind-the-scenes footage of the school musical. That footage was handed over to the sheriff's department, which is now run by Sheriff Michael Minetta (HENDERSON WADE), a man firmly in the pocket of Hiram Lodge (MARK CONSUELOS). And when that footage is used to arrest Fangs at school, a scuffle ensues, revealing that Fangs carries a switchblade knife. He's looking guiltier by the second.

Betty (LILI REINHART), however, thinks she has found the key to the Black Hood mystery, and that it lies closer to home than she ever feared. She turns to her cousin, Cheryl Blossom (MADELAINE PETSCH) for advice and assistance, and together they investigate their suspect: Betty's father, Hal Cooper (LOCHLYN MUNRO). What they uncover isn't a smoking gun, but it definitely is enough to confirm Hal as the Black Hood in Betty's "book," and she steels herself to confront her dear old dad.

Archie (KJ APA) has his own methods of looking for the Black Hood. Encouraged by Hiram, he re-engages the Dark Circle vigilantes. But they quickly fall out of his control, and under Hiram Lodge's. Now led by Reggie Mantle (CHARLES MELTON), the Dark Circle are more interested in confronting Southsiders than hunting down the Black Hood, who has left a warning note for Fred Andrews (LUKE PERRY).

Meanwhile, Veronica (CAMILA MENDES) has her hands full with family business. Now that word has gotten around as to how she took care of the St. Clair family, all the other families want to send their sons to court the up-and-coming mafiosa, presenting her with ideas and proposals for political alliances. One such alliance is a casino, completely above board. It's the one idea that intrigues Veronica -- but when she presents it to her father, he blocks it out of hand. Doing her own research, Veronica finds a way to make it work -- legally -- and she has the money to do it. Or maybe she doesn't, when she learns that her father has committed against her what may be a politcally fatal betrayal, leading Veronica to pull her support from the mayoral campaign of Hermione Lodge (MARISOL NICHOLS) and placing it with her opponent.

At the mayoral debate, the Black Hood makes good on his promise to Fred Andrews, and shows up with a gun. People scatter, and Betty scrambles looking for her parents. She finds her father -- as the Black Hood is shooting. It would appear that Betty was completely off base with her suspicions, and the Black Hood is still a mystery person.

Or is he?

With time running out for charging Fangs, he is released from jail -- and into the arms of an angry mob, as Northsiders and Southsiders alike throng the sheriff's department. Jughead leads a blockade of Serpents to surround and protect Fangs as they leave, but that may not be enough. Reggie has been alerted by Hiram Lodge that Fangs is being let go, psychologically pushing him to take justice into his own hands. When Archie arrives on the scene, he sees Reggie working his way through the crowd -- and he sees the gun. He races to tackle Reggie, forcing him to the ground. But the gun is out. A shot is fired. And someone is hit.

The fuse has been lit on the powderkeg of Riverdale, and a riot erupts.

Meanwhile, all is quiet and serene at the Blossom household, as Cheryl curls up with a good book. She's interrupted by a knock at the door, however. Assuming it to be one of her mother's many gentlemen callers, she answers the door.

Sweet dreams, Cheryl.