The mystery continued to unravel in Riverdale season 4, episode 16, “Chapter Seventy-Three: The Locked Room.”

Somehow, Riverdale managed to shock me two weeks in a row by revealing huge parts of its previously molasses-slow-burn mystery. After leading us on for most of the season, within two episodes Riverdale both confirmed that Jughead was alive and exposed the mastermind behind his attempted murder.

Unfortunately, while I absolutely loved the first part of the verdict that was delivered in last week’s episode, I wasn’t as crazy about Riverdale season 4, episode 16. Where episode 15 adeptly navigated twists and misdirects and perfectly manipulated the tension, this episode just kind of felt like a whole bunch of exposition. Even though Cole and Lili’s delivery was excellent, the whole episode was a lot of talk and not much action.

As happy as I am that I don’t have to see the smug faces of those Stonewall brats anymore, I would’ve preferred that Riverdale drew Betty and Jughead’s discoveries out over a few episodes. Both to create more drama and to let us see more Bughead sleuthing. It would’ve been a win-win!

That being said, I did really like how Riverdale brought everything together for the big reveal. Everything we’ve learned about Stonewall Prep somehow factored into the mystery, which was very cool.

It turns out Mr. DuPont is even creepier than he seems. We’re talking full on serial killer level creepy. After he swindled Forsythe I out of the Baxter Brothers story, he killed the rest of their classmates so nobody could ever come after his future empire. He tried to kill Forsythe, but he saw him coming and fled, tragically leaving his family, including F.P., behind without a trace.

From there, DuPont kept up his string of sadism with his “perfect murder” challenge. Betty and Jughead discovered that each of the mysterious “Stonewall 4” went missing at a time when the Baxter Brothers contract was changing hands. DuPont would challenge his students to plan the perfect murder, actually meaning for them to execute the perfect murder.

Related: What should the Riverdale characters do after graduation?

Moose and Jughead were both recruited as potential victims, but Mr. Chipping crumbled under the weight of his past crimes (remember, he won the Baxter Brothers contract too) and future ones, and forced Moose to leave before killing himself. That left Jughead as public enemy number one and only.

That brings us to Jughead’s botched murder. The Stonies really did try to kill him, because they’re all crazy like that, but they failed because they picked the weakest member of their posse to wield the rock. They probably picked Joan because of her diplomatic immunity, but seriously, use your heads guys.

With Charles’s help, Betty, Veronica and Archie got Jughead to help and then to hiding while they all plotted a way to get back at the Preppies, and the rest is history. It was really cool seeing how things went down and how the core four got other people involved in Riverdale season 4, episode 16. The relief that came over F.P.’s face when Betty told him the news was amazing, and I’m so glad he wasn’t hurting the whole time.

In one last twist of the episode, it was revealed that Donna’s grandmother was Jane Dallas Brown, one of the students murdered by DuPont. Jane invented the Tracy True character in the Baxter Brothers novels. After everything, the contract was given to Donna, who was going to rebrand the series to feature the female lead.

Unfortunately for her, Betty had other plans! You don’t come for Betty’s boyfriend without consequences, so Betty politely let Donna know that if she didn’t give up the contract, she could link the entire murder back to her because of her clear motive. I really love that Donna was the true mastermind and that she’s not a sociopath. She’s definitely still evil but at least there’s a reason for it!

It was pretty awesome to see the hammer come down on the Preppies. I highly doubt DuPont will go down as a “man of honor,” Bret got exactly what he deserved, and Donna was shaking in her stilettos. It was pure and beautiful vindication for everything they’ve put Jughead through this season!

Riverdale season 4, episode 16 ended on an optimistic note, with F.P. reconciling with his father and the core four making a new vow to make the most of the rest of their senior year, including getting Jughead and Archie to graduate. I’m guessing that optimism will last for approximately 5 seconds into the next episode of Riverdale, but it’s still nice to see!

That’s almost it for this week. However, since it’s Riverdale’s senior year, each week I will be giving out some yearbook superlatives for the episode. Check them out here!

‘Riverdale’ season 4, episode 16 awards

Cutest couple: Bughead, no contest. Riverdale season 4, episode 16 revolved around them! And Jughead risked death so he could “give betty a fighting chance.” I mean, come on!
Best dressed: Strangely, Jughead. Is it just me or was he looking pretty suave in that bunker?
Most likely to grow up to be a super sleuth like her brother: Jellybean Jones. Way to crack that case, girl!
Most likely to have a messed up face for his mugshot: Bret. I don’t even feel bad.