Riverdale Round Table: The Smoking Gun

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Alice, Veronica and Archie teamed up to find dirt on FP Jones, Mary Andrews returned to town for the big Riverdale High Homecoming weekend, and Cheryl discovered Jason's missing ring onĀ Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11.

Below, TV Fanatics Mandy Treccia, Jack Ori, Paul Dailly, and Justin Carreiro debate the framing of FP Jones, their favorite musical moments on Riverdale, and their final predictions for Jason Blossom's killer.

1. Someone has framed FP Jones by planting a gun in his home. React!

Mandy: I loved this twist. Like Betty, I was so mad at Archie and Veronica for going behind Jughead's back. But now it's working out in their favor.

Jack: Like Mandy, I didn't like Archie and Veronica going behind Jughead's back. Now I'm worried about whether anyone will be able to get Jughead to believe that FP was framed since he took it so hard when he heard about the arrest.

Paul: I loved this twist. I also loved when Veronica and Archie told Betty the box was not in the house. Even though they broke the law, there was a method to their madness.

Justin: This was a great moment for the plot. I figured FP wasn't the killer, but to see someone go to desperate measures to frame him was a good twist. This killer is getting sloppy.

Let's Make Sweet Music Together - Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11

2. We've seen many of the characters sing on Riverdale (Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jose and the Pussycats). What's been your favorite musical moment so far? Or is there someone you want to see perform next?

Mandy: I want to see more of Josie and the Pussycats. It would be so great if they had an actual story rather than only being used as props. I did enjoy Archie and Veronica's duet, though. I'm a fan of upbeat performances. And it was hilarious watching the parents dance to it.

Jack: I love music, so anytime the characters are singing or playing is a positive for me. I too would love to see more of Josie and the Pussycats in a real storyline. I'd have liked them to have been more of a factor in the Valerie/Archie relationship. It would have made that attempt at a relationship more interesting.

My favorite musical moment so far, though, is when Archie had his first audition for the talent show and was super nervous. It was a realistic moment that offset a lot of the bigger drama we've seen this season.

Paul: Archie and Veronica performing on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11 was the best one yet. It was great.

Justin: I would love to see Betty perform again on the show. We only got to see her sing "Happy Birthday" and it would be nice to get a full song from her.

Reunion Couple - Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11

3. Mary and Fred had a great time together at the dance, and she didn't care about his affair with Hermione. Is there a chance for reconciliation or are they just friendly exes?

Mandy: I don't think so. Not when she's talking about taking Archie to Chicago. She didn't seem bothered by his relationship with Hermione, so that tells me she's not interested in rekindling things. I'm guessing she's just being nice for their son's sake.

Jack: Yeah, I'm with Mandy on this one. Mary was getting along with Fred for Archie's sake. Of course, that could always grow into actual feelings being rekindled, but at this point, I don't see it happening.

Paul: I agree with Mandy. There is nothing there between them anymore. I think if they had no children, the pair would be able to get their separate ways, without so much as talking to one another.

Justin: I could see a fleeting kiss in their future. Some sparks are still there, but they won't get back together. They've already moved on from their relationship.

4. Clifford and Penelope Blossom said Jason threw the engagement ring at Clifford while running away. Do you believe their story?

Mandy: I don't believe anything they say. There's nothing trustworthy about them. I could see Jason blowing up at them and wanting to leave the family. But the ring thing doesn't make sense since he was close to his grandmother and it was hers.

Jack: Something about their story just does not feel right, and not just because they're pathological liars who say whatever will paint them in a better light than their late son. I think they got the ring back after Jason was killed.

Paul: Their story has a lot of holes, but I'm having a hard time believing they killed Jason. Either Penelope is a great actress or she genuinely wants the killer to go away.

Justin: Not even for a second! They looked very suspicious when Cheryl said she "flushed" the ring down the toilet. One of them must have grabbed the ring forcibly after Jason died.

Dance Night Drama - Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11

5. There's a chance Archie, Jughead and/or Veronica might move away from Riverdale. Is this twist a possibility or is it pointless?

Mandy: Pointless for the audience because we know it's not going to happen. It reminded me of One Tree Hill Season 1 Episode 22 when Lucas left town. We knew he'd be back.

Jack: Pointless. I felt like this was written in as a contingency plan in case the show was not renewed, so that they could wrap up with everyone leaving. But not that it is coming back for a second season, none of that is necessary.

Paul: Meh. It's a tired old trope. I bet at least one of them leaves at the close of Riverdale Season 1, but that person will return after a time jump when Season 2 debuts.

Justin: Pointless. I could see Jughead leaving Riverdale for the summer to be back together with his family, and Veronica going on vacation to New York for the summer. However, they'll all be back for the next mystery.

Spillin' The Punch - Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11

6. Jason Blossom's killer has been teased to be revealed on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 12. Share your final predictions!

Mandy: I think it's Mr. Cooper. He's the most expendable of the parents. And he had time to plant the gun on FP after the dinner party broke up. He hated Jason for getting Polly pregnant.

Jack: I've been suspicious of Sheriff Keller for a while, and this cinched it for me. There'd be nothing easier than planting evidence while searching the house. I'm not sure of his motive, but ever since his board was destroyed, I've had a bad feeling about him.

Paul: I think Hermione could be the killer. Yes, it's out there, but I think she did so on Hiram's orders.

Justin: As I theorized in the review for Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11, my top theory right now is that Penelope Blossom is the killer. She killed Jason by accident and FP Jones cleaned up the mess/drugs (he kept the jacket as leverage). However, I'm also leaning to maybe Clifford Blossom being the killer, with Joaquin framing FP Jones as the killer. I need to know!

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Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.

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Riverdale Season 1 Episode 11 Quotes

Alice: Well, well, well...Mary Andrews.
Mary: Well, well, well...Alice Cooper.
Alice: I saw you swanning in earlier with Fred and Hermione. I didn't realize that you were polyamorous.
Mary: I don't think that's an actual word.
Alice: It's a compliment, Mary.
Mary: Huh.
Alice: I couldn't be seen in the same room with those two not after all of their monkey business. Oh. Oh, did you not know?
Mary: You have been playing the same game since Junior High and it was tired even back there. Fred is a big boy and he can do as he pleases. I came here tonight to have fun with both of my dates. So if you have a problem with that...

Betty: Kevin said someone tipped off his dad. Was it you?
Alice: I was at the dance.
Betty: Answer the damn question, Mom. And don't lie. Was it you?
Alice: It was not. Though, I'm glad that you're safe and as much as I like Jughead, I am so glad that you're done with that family.
Betty: Done? I love Jughead. He's as much as my family as you are, more so right now.
Alice: You are not going anywhere, young lady.
Betty: I'm going to look for Jughead. Do not push me tonight, Mom, because I will push back.
[She leaves]