Riverdale Top Moments from Episode 1×12 “Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder”

RIVERDALE TOP MOMENTS FROM EPISODE 1X12 “CHAPTER TWELVE: ANATOMY OF A MURDER.”

Season 1 episode 12 reveals the sticky, dark truth of Jason Blossom’s murder.

Things are not always as they seem in Riverdale.

In this week’s episode of Riverdale, Archie (KJ Apa) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) are shocked to learn of the arrest but know they need to come clean to their parents about what they uncovered. Still hurt by the betrayal of his friends and torn over who to trust, Jughead (Cole Sprouse) reluctantly joins in a quest for truth. Meanwhile, Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) confronts her mom about why Jason wanted to run away from home.

Let’s take a look at this week’s Top Moments.

RELATED |RIVERDALE 1X12 “CHAPTER TWELVE: ANATOMY OF A MURDER” SYNOPSIS, PHOTOS & PREVIEW

Joaquin has some explaining to do.

Based on information from Alice (Madchen Amick), Betty casually questions Joaquin’s (Rob Raco) involvement in Jason’s murder. Kevin (Casey Cott) immediately comes to his defense and dismisses the accusations. As a result of learning FP’s (Skeet Ulrich) only phone call was Joaquin, Kevin and his friends interrogate him.

“Don’t bring my boyfriend into this.” Kevin Keller

It turns out, Joaquin did help FP clean up the crime scene. He arrives after Jason (Trevor Stines) is already dead, which means he couldn’t confirm that FP is the murderer. Joaquin takes the group to see another Serpent who he thinks might have more information, but he’s already dead when they arrive at his motel room. Right before he leaves town, Joaquin tells Kevin where he hid evidence that might offer additional clues.

The incestual truth of Polly (Tiera Skovbye) and Jason’s relationship.

Someone broke into the Cooper home. Alice, holding a loaded gun, heads down the stairs with Betty behind her. But before she pulls the trigger, Hal (Lochlyn Munro) reveals himself. He tells them that he’s the one that broke into the Sheriff’s house and stole all the evidence. He is afraid the Sheriff would learn the connection between the Blossoms and Cooper’s.

“Sorry to interrupt the witching hour at Thorn Hill.” Alice Cooper

Hal reveals that the two families are related, which is why he never supported Polly and Jason’s relationship. That’s also the reason he sent her away. Betty questions how far the Blossom’s will go to hide their incestuous relationship. Fearing for Polly’s safety, they go to Thornhill to get her back. Polly is shocked to learn the truth and returns home with her family.

FP redeems himself.

FP Jones confesses to the murder of Jason Blossom. He also admits to stealing evidence from Sheriff Keller. Why is he taking the blame for something Hal Cooper did? It becomes clear that he’s hiding something. But it isn’t clear to Jughead until he visits his father in jail. Something about his confession just isn’t sitting right. He calls Betty to confirm her suspicions.

“You were right. He’s hiding something.” Jughead Jones

Accordingly, the gang watches the video, and their doubts are validated. FP did not kill Jason Blossom. The killer was threatening him. If he didn’t confess, the killer promised to murder Jughead in retaliation. After all the disappointments and doubt, FP is trying to keep him safe. And he is willing to spend the rest of his life in jail to protect his son.

Betty is the ultimate detective.

After talking to Archie and Veronica, Betty learns that the gun the police found was not in FP’s trailer when they searched inside. She knows FP is not the murderer. Long after Jughead and the rest of the gang have given up, she refuses to let go. Information from Joaquin leads them to a duffel bag hidden the forest. At first, it appears it’s just Jason’s jacket inside, but Betty’s sure there must be more to it.

“Nancy Drew strikes again.” Kevin Keller

Since they went out of there way to hide the jacket, she insists there has to be a reason they didn’t destroy it. FP said it was his contingency plan, which meant there is something they aren’t seeing. She asks Archie to put the jacket on while she frantically searches for clues. She finds a hole in the jacket pocket. Inside the lining, she discovers a USB flash drive containing the video of Jason’s murder.

We finally get the truth.

The newspaper reports that FP Jones has confessed to the murder of Jason Blossom. All Cheryl’s friends are happy for her, assuming she feels better knowing that the mystery surrounding her brother’s murderer is solved. But her inner anguish is revealed when Cheryl slaps Jughead after he tries to apologize on his father’s behalf. Betty confronts her afterward, and she admits that something doesn’t feel right. Her nightmare is over, and yet, she feels no relief.

“You did a bad thing, Daddy.” Cheryl Blossom

Next, Cheryl tries to get information from her mother. She questions the circumstances surrounding Jason’s attempt to run away. Was he angry with his parents? Did he see or hear something he wasn’t supposed to? Did this have something to do with the family business? All her fears are confirmed when Betty calls to warn her that she’s in danger. Her father, Clifford Blossom (Barklay Hope) is the murderer.

FINAL VERDICT: ‘Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder’ is an episode filled with shocking truths and character revelations we weren’t expecting. We were kept on the edge-of-our-seats and left salivating for more.

In ‘Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder,’ directed by Rob Seidenglanz and written by Michael Grassi, is another stand-out episode that perfectly blended high school teen drama with a murder-mystery that left viewers desperate for more. The writing style kept tensions high and never let up. It was a heart-pounding episode from beginning to end.

RELATED | RIVERDALE CAST ON SPOTIFY

This episode of Riverdale had us second-guessing up until the last five minutes of the show. And we were shocked to learn the identity of the killer. As suspicious as the Blossom’s have always been, we didn’t see that one coming. For this reason, we’re dying to see what happens in the season finale next week!

RIVERDALE airs this Thursday at 9|8c on THE CW