On the eve of the Mayoral Debate, as Archie Andrews goes door-to-door, he doesn't mention of the murder of his classmate, Midge Klump. {...} Most people believed Midge was murdered by someone else but not Archie. He was certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Black Hood was back, as was his next-door neighbor, Betty Cooper. Who had, in fact, laid eyes on the Black Hood and suspected he was much closer.

"Chapter Thirty-Three: Shadow of a Doubt" is the twentieth episode of the second season of Riverdale, and the thirty-third episode of the series overall.[2] It premiered on May 2, 2018.






Archie campaigns for his dad

On the eve of the Mayoral debate, Archie goes door-to-door campaigning for his dad, though that is not his sole purpose. He looks each resident in their eyes as he approaches, hoping to match their eyes to those of the Black Hood. When one voter says that he's voting for Hiram Lodge, Archie corrects him in explaining that it is in fact Hermione Lodge who is running for Mayor. Unfortunately, Archie has no such luck in locating the killer. While most people believe that Midge Klump was murdered by someone else, possibly a copycat, Archie is certain that the Black Hood has returned and that Midge was only his first victim.


Betty suspects her father of being the Black Hood

Much like Archie, Betty is also certain that the Black Hood has returned and that he is none other than her own father, who sits right across from her and her mother at the breakfast table. Hal notices that Betty is troubled and asks if there is something on her mind. Betty claims that she had been thinking and had come to the conclusion that Chic was a test. Everything that he did to them and brought on them was a test. Betty believes that they're stronger after surviving it. Alice remarks that this supposed strength remains to be seen, but Betty is positive that they are stronger. Furthermore, they'll survive whatever comes next.


Veronica covers Archie's bruises

Archie stops by the Pembrooke to see Veronica. With make-up, she covers the bruises he sustained while being held for ransom by Nick. Speaking of which, Veronica reveals to Archie that word of her exploits serving Nick his comeuppance has seeped into the demimonde of the mobsters and molls that her father used associate with. So the five families are sending their youngest and brightest, their "princes," as it were, to court Veronica, the rare Mafia Princess. Thanks to Veronica's hand in turning the tables on Nick and holding him for ransom, the families are looking to make business and/or political alliances with her mother and father. Hiram then interrupts to speak with Archie.


Hiram tells Archie to reform the Dark Circle

In the study, Hiram informs Archie that his spies have told him that Archie was out campaigning for his father. Archie reveals that he was actually looking for the Black Hood. Archie remembers his eyes. Admittedly, what he was doing is insane, but he has no other choice but to go house-to-house. Hiram explains to Archie that he may be wasting his time and going about this all wrong. He recalls Archie saying that he wanted to make his bones. Assuming this is still true, Hiram tells Archie to reform the Dark Circle. He'll want back-up should he identify the Black Hood. While Reggie and the Bulldogs are surely fired up, Archie explains that they're loose cannons. To help with that, a new Sheriff has taken over, Michael Minetta. Someone Hiram knows very well. He instructs Archie to coordinate his efforts with the new Sheriff. Hiram will arrange a meeting between the two of them, but they have to move fast as there's no telling when the next attack will take place.


Jughead and Betty talk about Chic

Betty and Jughead walk to school. Jughead asks if Betty has heard back from Chic. He too, like everyone else, is under the impression that Betty took Chic to the bus station, when in actuality, she set him up to be killed by the Black Hood. Nonetheless, Betty hasn't heard from him since that night. She hopes that he's gone for good. The silver lining to all this is that it can't get any worse by Jughead's account. Betty states that her dad could be the Black Hood, which would, in fact, make things worse. Jughead takes it as a joke, but she couldn't be more serious.

Hermione waits in the dining room with all five of Veronica's suitors from the mob families. Hermione informs Veronica that they've come to pay their respect. While she is eager to hear their proposals, Veronica has to get to school. Hermione isn't pleased with Veronica putting off such an important matter, but Veronica has her own way of doing things.


Cheryl and Betty talk about Hal and the Black Hood

Betty pulls Cheryl into the Blue and Gold offices to ask her about Jason's killing and her father being the culprit. Before she saw the video of her dad shooting Jason, Betty asks Cheryl if she knew her father was a murderer, which Cheryl did, subconsciously that is. Betty then reveals to her that there's a chance that her father may somehow be the Black Hood. Cheryl is doubtful considering that Hal doesn't seem like much of a killer. While Betty hopes this isn't the case, everything in her body is telling her otherwise. Cheryl suggests going to the authorities given that the new Sheriff may be more competent than Sheriff Keller. However, Betty wants to be 100% positive that her father's the killer before confronting him. In that case, Cheryl advises Betty to get proof or a confession. She'll first need to buy herself sometime while she investigates.


Hermione and Hiram plan for the Mayoral debate

Back at the Pembrooke, Hiram and Hermione discuss the Mayoral election. Hermione and Fred are neck-and-neck. And with the town divided over their prison, the debate is the single most important event of the election. While they already control the Sheriff Station and the Register, they need the mayor's office as well so that the prison can't be blocked. Hiram's counting on Archie's Dark Circle to cause unrest within the community. If Fred can't control his own son, then he certainly can't control a town on the verge of sliding into chaos.


Archie calls on the Dark Circle

If what happened to Midge taught them anything, it's that no one is safe and that the town needs the Dark Circle. So Archie rallies the guys in hope that they will join him. This time around, they'll even have the Sheriff's support. Kevin is there as well, but only to help catch the guy that took his father's job. Moose has a confession to make. The night of the musical, he and Midge got into an argument because she admitted that she was seeing someone else, a Southside Serpent is all he could get out of her. Reggie is outraged as he knew the Serpents would do something the second they stepped foot into the school. When Kevin asks why Moose didn't say anything before, he explains that he didn't want to become a suspect. Archie wants to go to the authorities with this information, but Reggie would rather find out on his own who the Serpent is that was hooking up with Midge.


The Dark Circle interrupts the Swords & Serpents meeting

Jughead calls a meeting of the Swords & Serpents to reveal that their old adversaries, the Ghoulies, had been released from Shankshaw Prison. He informs Sweet Pea, Fangs, Toni and the other Serpents that word on the street is that they want Serpent blood. They want war. Their meeting is interrupted by Reggie, Archie, Kevin, Moose and the rest of the Bulldogs. They've come for answers to who was hooking up with Midge. Reggie immediately points his finger at Sweet Pea, who does not take the allegation lightly. He claims that while he didn't know Midge, he completely understands why she wouldn't want flees from the mangy Bulldogs. Reggie is angered by Sweet Pea's insult and pushes him. This nearly leads to a fight. Thankfully, Archie and Jughead are there to keep their respective sides at bay.

The next day, at the Cooper house, Betty sits at the table with her parents. Given that her father has been so busy at the Register, Betty proposes that her mother join him. She is already moderating the debate. Betty sees no reason why she shouldn't report on it as well. Alice likes the sound of this. As does Hal. Betty even offers to help with proofing and layout after school. Hal couldn't be happier to have them both back the Register.


Fangs admits to Jughead that he was hooking up with Midge

At Sunnyside Trailer Park, Fangs tells Jughead that on the opening night of "Carrie: the Musical", when Jughead was filming his documentary and found him in Midge's dressing room, he wasn't just giving her notes. They were hooking up and to make matters worse, Fangs hid this from Sheriff Keller. Fangs is visibly shaken. He knows how guilty this makes him look, but it wasn't him who killed Midge. When Fangs asks Jughead to delete the footage off his camera, Jughead explains that he already gave the video over to Sheriff Keller as evidence. Fangs is now to lay low until further notice. The Serpents have his back should anything arise.

The time has come for Veronica to hear the families' proposals. She meets with her suitors at Pop's. One family wants to open a meat cannery, which Veronica declines. Another family wants to open a five-thousand-seat arena in Riverdale, much like the one they have in Pacific City, which Veronica also declines. She also turns down the offer of a horse track. However, she finally settles on one family, who operates the largest chain of casinos in the region.


Jughead confronts Archie over the Dark Circle posters

Jughead arrives at school to find Dark Circle posters taped to all the lockers. Jughead confronts Archie with what he refers to as forceful branding. Archie claims that Reggie made them, not him. Jughead asks Archie that he call the Circle off the Serpents even though they were right about one of them hooking up with Midge. But he didn't kill her and Jughead refuses to give Archie Fangs' name. Rest assured, none of Jughead's guys are the Black Hood. Hearing this, Archie agrees to talk to Reggie about backing down. In the meantime, Jughead needs to get back some possibly incriminating footage from the new Sheriff. While Archie has yet to meet him, he asks Jughead to come with him.


Archie, Jughead, Hiram and Sheriff Minetta at the Sheriff station

Archie and Jughead arrive at the Sheriff Station. They are greeted by Sheriff Minetta and Hiram Lodge. Hiram had already told the Sheriff all about Archie and Jughead. Jughead explains that he stopped by to ask about the documentary footage that he lent to Sheriff Keller before he stepped down. While they chat in the Sheriff's office, Hiram asks that Archie accompany Veronica as she entertains Elio, the casino suitor.

In a booth at Pop's, Veronica explains that out of all the offers, Elio's inspired her the most. So she suggests that their families partner up for a casino that they could name the "Sweetwater Casino". When Veronica heads into the restroom, Elio asks how Archie got in with the Lodges. Archie explains that it's mostly through his relationship with Veronica. However, Elio had heard from his father that Archie is Hiram's Capo and that he made his bones by killing Poppa Poutine, whose son is now looking for payback. However, Archie informs Elio that he had no involvement in Poppa Poutine's death.


Betty and Cheryl at the Register

At the Register, Alice and Hal head out for dinner while Betty hangs back to finish up her work. Once they are gone, Betty unlocks her dad's drawer and makes copies of his planner. After calling Cheryl over, Betty explains that she cross-referenced every day of the Black Hood attack with her father's schedule, and they all line-up. He worked late the night Midge and Moose were attacked at Lover's Lane. He had an early meeting the morning Fred was shot. He even had a business trip the night Geraldine Grundy was killed in Greendale. This isn't proof though it is corroboration. The phone rings. Betty answers. It is Dr. Curdle from the coroner's office. A corpse recently turned up of an unidentified male in his mid-twenties. His mutilated body turned up on the highway, just out of town. Impersonating her mother, Betty tells Dr. Curdle that she'll be there soon to see the body. He replies by telling her to bring small bills, as always. Betty reveals to Cheryl that she sent the Black Hood after Chic. Maybe he didn't make it and it is his body lying in the morgue, Betty wonders.


FP and Jughead discusses Fangs' predicament


Archie returns home to find his father in the kitchen with a note from the Black Hood that says he's next. According to Fred, it was pinned to the front door. Not long after, the police are called. Hiram and Hermione make their way over as well. Prank or not, Hiram, Hermione, and Archie want to cancel the debate, but Fred wants to go on. He asks if Sheriff Minetta can tighten security at Town Hall, which he can. Fred explains that the town is scared, but they need to show that they can't be cowed.


Cheryl and Betty at the coroners officer

Betty and Cheryl arrive at the coroner's office. While Betty isn't the Cooper he was expecting, her money is good just the same. After paying him off, Dr. Curdle unzips the body-bag. The man was found in the men's room of a rest stop outside of Greendale. Luckily for Betty, the man inside the body-bag isn't Chic. Betty and Cheryl return to school, where Betty sobs on the steps. Cheryl assures her that everything is alright as it wasn't Chic. But Betty argues that it could've been. Chic could be dead somewhere because of her. Or he got away, Cheryl counters. Betty delivered him to the Black Hood. That makes her a killer herself. Betty is disgusted with her actions. The Black Hood got what he wanted. They're the same. Cheryl tells Betty that none of this is her fault. However, part of Betty wanted Chic dead for everything he dead. If Chic is dead, that's the Black Hood's doing, Cheryl explains. She then advises Betty to confront her father with as much of the truth as she dares to see how he reacts.


Betty confesses to giving Chic up to the Black Hood

Betty takes Cheryl's advise and at the dinner table reveals to her mother and father that when the Black Hood was first killing people, he was also calling her, asking her to do things as they were alike. He offered to help get rid of Chic. So Betty delivered Chic to the Black Hood. If Chic's dead, that makes her accomplice to a murder, and Betty's okay with that. There's always been this darkness inside of her. She thought Chic could help her understand it, but really it was the Black Hood who did. She says all this to potentially bait her father. Alice is left speechless. Hal holds Betty's hand and tells her about his own darkness. When he was away from Betty and Alice, it felt like he was drowning it. This is why they need each other.


Fangs is arrested

The next day, at school, Toni shows Jughead the leaked behind the scenes documentary footage of Fangs in Midge's dressing room. According to Toni, it was posted on the Registers' website. Jughead and Toni set out to find Fangs as Mr. Weatherbee announces over the intercom that he's looking for him. Luckily, they find him fairly quickly. However, so does Reggie, Kevin, Moose and the rest of the Dark Circle. On one end of the hallway stands the Dark Circle, on the other ends stands Sheriff Minetta and his deputies. Fangs insists that he didn't do anything, but when he tries to run, Sheriff Minetta wrestles him to a wall as he resists arrest. In doing so, a switchblade falls out of Fangs' pocket. Seeing this, Sheriff Minetta slams Fangs onto the ground before cuffing him.

Hiram and Veronica talk about her casino proposal in which they would partner with Elio's family. However, Hiram explains that no business run by Elio's family is legal. Their casinos serve as fronts for numerous criminal activities. Unfortunately for Veronica, this partnership doesn't make sense for them to do considering they're on the verge of coming out the shadows and into the light.


Archie stands guard

Archie stands guard with a baseball bat that night in case the Black Hood decides to strike. Fred assures him that there's no need for this as a deputy is just outside the house, but Archie is worried that a deputy won't be enough. He could fall asleep and the Black Hood could slip past him. Archie doesn't think he'll be able to stop the Black Hood should that happen. What happened at Pop's changed everything. Archie felt helpless. Everything broke that day and Archie's been trying to put it back together ever since, first with the Red Circle and now with Hiram Lodge. Fred understands his frustration with feeling helpless, especially when it seems as if the whole world is on fire. He then hugs Archie.

Halfway across town, Reggie leads Kevin, Moose and the Dark Circle as they set a dumpster on fire and slash all the tires just outside the Whyte Wyrm.


Fangs gets interrogated

Archie falls asleep on the living room couch while standing guard. He only wakes up when Jughead calls with news of the Dark Circle's attack on the Southside, which initially unbeknownst to Jughead, Archie was not involved in. After learning that Archie played no parts in the attack, Jughead meets up with Attorney McCoy outside the Sheriff Station. Inside the station, Sheriff Minetta interrogates Fangs. He demands to know what he was doing inside Midge's dressing room the night of the play. Fangs insists that they were only talking, but it's clear Sheriff Minetta already suspects him of being the killer. Attorney McCoy brings an end to the interrogation, telling Fangs not to say another word and stating that she'll be representing him from here on out.

As Fangs sits inside a cell, Attorney McCoy explains he's being held for possession of a weapon on school property. While his switchblade may be for protection, they can hold him for 24 hours. In that time, they'll try to stick a charge on him. In the meantime, McCoy tells him to exercise his right to remain silent.


Archie tries to disband the Dark Circle

Archie calls a meeting of the Dark Circle to scold Reggie, Moose, and Kevin for their actions in vandalizing the Southside. Reggie claims they were celebrating Fangs' arrest. Archie explains that his wrongful arrest isn't something to celebrate. However, Kevin argues that Fangs had a knife on him, making him look very guilty. Archie refuses to argue with them anymore. With that being said, he announces that the Dark Circle is officially disbanded. However, Reggie, Moose, and Kevin have no intention of stopping. It's not Archie's decision to make as Hiram is the one paying them. He even suggested that they go out and have a little fun. While Archie may have started the Dark Circle, Hiram stated that it is now Reggie's.

Veronica stops by the Five Seasons for Attorney McCoy's help. She compensates her for an hour of legal advice. Hypothetically speaking, Veronica asks about building a casino in Riverdale. For starters, they'd need a gaming license, which is difficult to obtain without connections.


Betty and Cheryl break into Hal's ShareBnB room

Betty calls Cheryl to reveal what she had learned. While her father hasn't confessed to any crimes, he did admit to not being his best self when he's was kicked out the house. It was just a hunch but Betty gained access to his credit card statements and learned that he's still making weekly payments to the ShareBnB he'd been renting even though he's back at home. Cheryl wonders if maybe he has a serial killer lair. With that, they decide to break into it to get to the bottom of it. Cheryl stands lookout as Betty picks the door open. They're looking for anything unusual or incriminating. Cheryl finds a Nancy Drew book. The same book, in fact, that the Black Hood used to write the cipher that only Betty could solve. Betty's dad knew she was obsessed with the book growing up. Betty then gets a call from her dad, who asks where she is. Betty lies and says that she's at Pop's with Cheryl. Hal tells Betty that he and Alice are about to head to the debate. When he offers to pick her up or wait for her, Betty says that she'll meet him there.


Mayoral debate

Hiram is approached at the debate by Veronica. She's done her research, and has figured out how they can make the casino happen without involving Elio's family. However, Hiram doesn't seem interested. He brushes Veronica off and asks that they save the discussion for later. On stage, Alice welcomes all in attendance for the Mayoral debate. Archie stands a few feet away from Fred. Veronica and Hiram stand just a few feet away from Hermione. Betty sits in the crowd, not that far away from Hal. Jumping right into the debate, fear and unrest rule the streets, so Alice asks how Hermione plans to restore safety to the town. Hermione claims that they're already making strides. She and Hiram personally recruited Sheriff Minetta from Centerville after Tom Keller resigned. Not one week on the job, and he's supposedly apprehended Midge Klump's murderer. Fred argues that they don't actually know that Fangs is the killer. He makes a point to not call for blood until they've had a trial.


The Black Hood shoots up the Mayoral debate

Regarding his comment about calling for blood, Hermione enlightens him about the Dark Circle, who she refers to as a dangerous, radical group that traffics in terror, violence and street warfare. This group, she points out, was started by Archie. Hermione adds that they can't trust Fred to run a town when he can't even keep his own house in order. Veronica then spots the Black Hood on the balcony with a rifle. He shoots at Fred, but Archie tackles his dad to the ground, saving him from being shot. As the Black Hood continues to shoot from the balcony, Betty calls out to her dad, who is no longer in the seat behind her. She suspects that it is him shooting from the balcony, but it's not. Hal grabs Betty and the two of them hide as the gunfire continues. Meanwhile, Hiram, Veronica, and Hermione hide behind their podium as shots fire. Fred and Archie are hiding behind his podium as well.


Sheriff Minetta plans to catch the Black Hood

Afterward, at the Sheriff station, Fred remarks that Sheriff Keller isn't looking so bad considering that Sheriff Minetta failed to secure the debate. Sheriff Minetta explains that there's a trap door leading from the balcony to the roof that isn't on any building plans. Sheriff Minetta then informs Hiram that he's got cars all over downtown. The shooter's not going to get far. He assures Hiram they'll catch him before the night's end. Given that Archie's come face-to-face with the Black Hood, looking him right in the eyes, Hiram suggests taking Archie along to help identify him. When asked if he's up for a ride along, Archie looks to his dad and decides to go home with him to ensure his safety.


Attorney McCoy explains Fangs release to Jughead

Jughead gets a call from Betty, informing him of the shooting at the debate. Jughead relays this to Attorney McCoy and wonders why Fangs is still in lockup. Attorney McCoy explains that what happened at the debate and what happened to Midge are being treated as separate incidences, but if they don't charge Fangs within the next hour, he'll be released. However, there are lots of protesters outside. Fangs' release is going to make a lot of people in town very unhappy.


Veronica urges Hermione to drop out the Mayoral race

The Lodges return to the Pembrooke. Hermione is shaken up. She can hardly hold her glass still. Veronica notices this. However, Hermione insists that she's fine. Veronica understands that she wants to be strong for the campaign, but if tonight was any indication of what's to come, then maybe she should drop out of the race. Hiram refuses to allow that to happen. They've worked too hard on their plans. They can't quit when they're so close. Veronica reminds him that they were shot at, but Hermione agrees with Hiram that the plan must move forward. The campaign is bigger than her. She assures Veronica that she'll be fine. Veronica explains that Hiram is willing to put Hermione's life at risk all for his plan. Hiram demands respect from Veronica, but she questions where was her respect when he asked her to entertain the sons of his enemies or the respect that he showed her when she explained that she worked everything out with the casinos, only for him to brush her off. Regardless, Veronica's done the work and plans to go along with the casino plans on her own. Little does she know that Hiram has already put her the money that she got from Nick's ransom in a trust that she won't be able to touch until she's 21.


Betty confronts Hal on being the Black Hood

Betty sits at home with the Nancy Drew book that she took from her father's room at the ShareBnB. Hal comes downstairs as he prepares to meet Alice at the Register. However, Betty confronts him before he does. She doesn't know what she saw at the town hall, if that was really even the Black Hood, but she and Cheryl went to his room at the ShareBnB. When they broke in, they found the book that the Black Hood used for his cipher all those months ago. She wonders why Hal has it. Hal had no idea that the Black Hood used that book. All he knew was it was Betty's favorite. She checked it out of the library practically every weekend. He found a copy online and was saving it for Betty's birthday. Hal then realizes that Betty suspected him of being the Black Hood. He assures Betty that the book was merely a present. They then share a hug.


FP called Joaquin back to Riverdale

Jughead returns to the trailer to inform his father that Fangs is getting out. Much to Jughead's surprise, Joaquin is also in the trailer. FP called him back to Riverdale to help Fangs disappear. Joaquin explains that he has a place in San Junipero that he can sneak Fangs out to. First, they need to get Fangs out of the station in one piece as there is an angry mob outside waiting for his head.

Hiram calls Reggie over to inform him that Fangs is being released sometime after midnight, but there's nothing anyone can do about it, short of taking justice into their own hands. Hiram is manipulating Reggie. He tells him that they must have faith in the justice system, even if it sometimes allows the guilty to walk free.


Veronica and Archie have sex

Veronica stops by the Andrews house to see Fred. When Archie and Fred answer the door, Veronica reveals that she will be supporting his run for Mayor. She can't in good conscience, stand with her father anymore. She believes in Fred. Archie and Veronica head upstairs into his bedroom. Veronica gets undressed, and she and Archie proceed to have sex.

At the Cooper house, Betty sits in her bedroom, looking at the Black Hood she previously took. She calls her father. Hal asks if everything is okay. Betty tells him that they need to finish the conversation they started earlier. He asks if she should come home, but Betty wants to meet where it all began, with her speech at town hall. (see: Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter) She wants it to just be between the two of them, just like it's supposed to be.

Jughead calls Archie from the Sheriff Station to inform him that the Dark Circle is out of control. He needs Archie's help as the mob has grown restless and they want to rip Fangs apart.

Meanwhile, Betty arrives at town hall with Nancy Drew book and the gun she stole from Geraldine Grundy.


Fangs is shot

Back at the station, Jughead tells Sheriff Minetta that the can't take Fangs out front and that they should take the side exit. However, a crowd has formed out there as well, meaning the station is surrounded. Jughead, Toni, Sweet Pea, and Fangs are left to wonder what move they have left to make. Fangs begins to panic as he doesn't wish to die. Jughead assures him that he won't. They'll stand together so that none of them fall. Together, they recite that "In unity, there is strength". Jughead, Toni, and Sweet Pea shield Fangs from the crowd as they escort him out. FP joins them, though the crowd is massive. Archie arrives at the station just as they're making their way through the crowd. As does Reggie. However, he has a gun and he's come to see to it that Fangs doesn't get away with Midge's murder. Archie spots the gun and before Reggie can use it, Archie tackles him to the ground. They fight on the ground over the gun, which unintentionally goes off, shooting Fangs in the abdomen. FP, Jughead, Sweet Pea and Toni tends to Fangs as he lays on the ground bleeding. While Jughead yells out for help, Sweet Pea looks to Archie and Reggie as his hate for them builds. A fight then erupts within the crowd.

While Betty waits for her father to arrive at town hall, Cheryl receives an expected visit at Thistlehouse. She opens the door and it's the Black Hood.



Guest Starring





Promotional Images




  1. Final Adjusted TV Ratings for Wednesday 2nd May 2018 - SpoilerTV
  2. Season 2 Episode Title - Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa‏ (@WriterRAS) - Twitter
  3. Riverdale - Episode 2.20 - Shadow of a Doubt - Press Release

Episode Guide
