-[narrator] Previously on Riverdale: -We will not rest
until those responsible for the murder of our sister is rightly punished.
[Kevin] Fangs.
Mrs. Klump. The Sheriff Department is working around the clock.
You were supposed to be protecting our children.
-What's this? -Ransom money.
Not for Archie. I got him back.
This is from when I turned the tables on Nick and held him for ransom instead.
I haven't made my bones with you.
Only one man I'm interested in bringing down.
-Black Hood. -Whatever I can do to help you
you can count on me.
[Black Hood] The Black Hood speaking.
[Betty] And I got a letter. These symbols look so familiar to me.
I used to check out this book.
[Jughead] How could the Black Hood know that?
[Black Hood] Put it on.
-Why are you doing this to me? -To show you we're the same.
Where is he, Betty? Where did you take Chic?
-Did you kill my brother? -I didn't mean to hurt him.
I'm gonna give you a head start.
Mom, where's Dad?
-Hello. -Hello, sir.
I'm campaigning for my dad. He's running for mayor and could use your vote.
[Jughead] On the eve of the debate, as Archie Andrews goes door-to-door...
he doesn't mention the murder of his classmate Midge Klump.
Excuse me. I'm campaigning for my dad, Fred Andrews.
-I'm voting for Hiram Lodge. -You mean Hermione Lodge?
Take the flyer, sir, in case you change your mind.
Sure.
[Jughead] Most 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.
Penny for your thoughts, hon?
I was thinking that he was a test.
-Who was? -The imposter. Chic.
Everything that he did to us and brought to us was kind of a test.
-We survived and we're stronger for it. -Well, that remains to be seen.
No, Mom, we are. We'll survive whatever comes next.
[Archie] Can't see my bruises anymore.
Yes, no reason whatsoever to bring up Nick's failed attempt
to kidnap and murder you.
Speaking of.
-There's one thing I wanted to tell you. -What's that?
Word of my exploits serving Nick his comeuppance
has seeped into the demimonde of mobsters and molls
my father used to associate with.
So, the five families are sending their youngest and brightest,
their princes, as it were, to, well, come court the rare Mafia princess
who can belly up to the bar with the big boys.
What do you mean court?
Thanks to my play, the families are looking
to make business and/or political alliances with my parents.
It's all very Borgia-Medici.
Archie. If you have a moment?
Go ahead. We'll meet up at lunch. After I welcome the tributes.
My spies tell me you're campaigning for your father.
I'm not campaigning, Mr. Lodge. I'm trying to find the Black Hood.
It sounds insane, but I remember his eyes.
So, I'm going house-to-house to...
Stare into men's eyes? That sounds like looking for a needle in a haystack.
But we don't even know if that needle is in the haystack.
You wanted to make your bones. Is that still true?
-Yes. -Then...
reform your Dark Circle. You'll want backup should you identify Black Hood.
Reggie and the guys are fired up, for sure,
but I need focused lasers, not loose cannons.
To help with that, a new sheriff's taken over for Keller. Michael Minetta.
A man I know well. You could coordinate with him.
-Really? -Yes.
I'll arrange a meeting, but move fast, Archie.
Every hour that passes, our killer could be planning his next attack.
Any word from Chic?
No. He hasn't called since I took him to the bus station, so, who knows?
Maybe he's gone for good.
Silver lining to all this Chic stuff over the last weeks is...
that's as bad as it gets, Betty. It can't get worse. How could it?
My dad could be the Black Hood.
[chuckles] Yeah. Okay, well...
that would be worse.
Well, well, well. Aren't you boys a handsome assortment of he-devils?
Veronica, these young men have come to pay their respects.
I know why they're here.
While I'm dying to hear your proposals, I'm late.
Maybe I can squeeze you in tomorrow?
Uh...
-Tomorrow? -You do things your way, Mom,
I do things mine.
[Betty] There's no one else I can talk to.
No one else who might understand what I'm going through.
Dear cousin, you look harrowed. What is it?
Cheryl, before you saw the video of your dad...
shooting Jason...
did you know that he was the murderer?
Subconsciously, yes.
Why do you ask?
I think there's a chance that my dad...
That somehow...
he might be the Black Hood.
Oh.
Oh, Betty, I don't know.
I've seen your pater sneak around Thistlehouse,
and he has all the stealth of a Marshmallow Man.
-Wherefore comes this accusation? -Intuition.
I don't want my dad to be a murderer.
It would destroy our lives even more, but...
I don't know. I can feel it in my bones.
If you're coming to me for advice, fine.
Let's get you to the po-po. Maybe this new sheriff has half a brain.
No. No. Not yet.
I need to be sure before I involve anyone else.
It's hard to explain, but if my dad is the Black Hood,
I need to be the one who confronts him, who stops him.
In that case, absorb my hard-learned advice.
You need concrete proof or a confession or both.
Buy yourself time while you investigate.
-Means pretending everything is normal. -Well, that's my specialty.
You're playing a very dangerous game, Betty Cooper.
I don't think he would hurt his own daughter.
I never thought my dad would shoot his son.
But that's the world we live in.
Tread carefully, cousin.
You and Fred are neck and neck, and with the town divided over our prison,
-this debate-- -Is the most important event
of the election, I know.
-I know, basta. -We already control the Sheriff's Office,
and the Register, but we need the mayor's office as well.
So the prison can't be blocked.
I'm hoping Archie's Dark Circle will cause unrest.
If Fred can't control his own son,
he certainly can't control a town on the verge of sliding into chaos.
If what happened to Midge taught us anything, it's no one is safe, anywhere.
The town needs us, needs Dark Circle.
And this time, we'll have the new sheriff's support. No offense, Kev.
None taken. I'm here to catch the guy
-who cost my dad his job. -Guys, I gotta tell you something.
The night of the show, Midge and I got into a fight backstage
because she admitted... she was seeing someone else behind my back.
-Who? -Who?
-She let it slip it was a Serpent. -What?
I knew it. I knew it the second they set foot in this school.
Moose, why didn't you say anything to us?
-Or my dad? -I didn't wanna look
like the jealous boyfriend, have people think--
-We talk to the new sheriff. -[Reggie] Screw that.
Some Serpent scumbag was doing Midge. We just gotta figure out which one.
[Jughead] War Baby called my father and I from Shankshaw.
Our adversaries, the Ghoulies, have been released.
They want Serpent blood. They're gunning for a rematch.
They want war.
-Which of you was screwing Midge Klump? -What is going on?
-This is a private meeting. -I'm guessing it was you, Sweet Pea.
-Reggie, that's enough. -Ass. I didn't even know Midge.
I get why she wouldn't want fleas from you mangy Bulldogs.
-Reggie, no! -Hey!
-Serpents, back off! Now! -Dark Circle, stand down!
So, I've been thinking...
Dad, you've been so busy at the Register lately,
maybe Mom should go back to work.
I mean, she's moderating the debate, why not report on it, as well?
-That's not a terrible idea. -And I could help, too, after school.
-With proofing and layout. -My two best girls back at the Register?
[Fangs] It's bad, Jones.
It's really bad.
-Talk to me. -On the opening night of Carrie,
when you were backstage filming your documentary
and you found me in Midge's dressing room...
I wasn't just giving her notes.
You were hooking up?
And you didn't tell Sheriff Keller?
-You know how guilty this makes you look? -I know. I know.
[sighs]
Did you do it?
Of course not. You've gotta believe me, Jones.
-I do. -Delete the footage off your camera.
I already gave the footage over to Keller as evidence.
-What do I do, Jones? -Nothing.
Lay low. Serpents got your back.
I got your back.
[pop music playing]
Okay.
Canned meat isn't exactly sexy, but it's making a comeback.
Tell your folks we should open a cannery in that maple syrup factory.
I like my meat free-range and grass-fed.
My family runs a 5000-seat arena in Pacific City.
They're looking to do the same here. Have a favorite boxer?
Michelle Rodriguez in Girlfight.
My family owns a track. If you get your old man to invest with my old man,
-I'll name a horse after you. -I want ships named after me, not horses.
We own the largest chain of casinos in the region, Miss Lodge.
-And we're looking to expand. -I'm not opposed to games of luck, Elio,
-but are your dice loaded? -No. No need to be crooked.
Or haven't you heard?
The house always wins.
Tell me more, Elio.
Oh, and it's Veronica, not Miss Lodge.
[Jughead] That's pretty forceful branding, Archie.
Reggie made those, not me.
I need your Dark Circle to lay off my Serpents.
-Though they were right about something. -What do you mean?
One of my Serpents was canoodling with Midge, but he didn't kill her.
And I'm not gonna give you his name, so don't ask,
but rest assured, none of my crew is a middle-aged white guy with green eyes.
-And that's who you're looking for. -Yeah.
-I'll tell Reggie to lay off. -Thank you.
In the meantime, I need to get back some possibly incriminating footage
from this new sheriff.
-Have you met him yet? -No. You mind if I tag along?
[Hiram] Gentlemen.
The man I was telling you about. Archie Andrews
The one organizing the safety initiative.
The Dark Circle. A man after my own heart.
And this is the other one.
The muckraker.
The troublemaker.
Hmm.
You forgot iconoclast.
I was wondering if I could have a word about some documentary footage.
That I lent to your predecessor?
Sure. Let's chat in my office.
Mm. Archie, Archie, Archie.
You said you wanted to introduce me to Sheriff Minetta.
So, I took it upon myself to stop by.
Well, since you have so much free time,
Veronica may have mentioned she's entertaining a young man
from a prominent family tonight. I'm hoping you'll accompany them.
Absolutely, Mr. Lodge.
[Veronica] Out of all the offers on the table, Elio, yours inspired me the most.
So, what if our families were to partner up for, say, The Sweetwater Casino?
Nothing would make my father happier.
Perfection.
Now, play nice, boys, while I go powder my nose.
How'd you get in with the Lodges?
-I'm mostly just with Veronica. -My dad says you're one of Hiram's capos.
You made your bones taking care of Papa Poutine?
No.
That wasn't me.
Word is Papa Poutine's son Small Fry is looking for payback.
No one in Riverdale had anything to do with that.
Sure you don't wanna take a break and join us for dinner?
I'm not hungry right now.
Get me a tomato bisque for later?
[clears throat] And maybe an Orange Freeze?
Sounds great, Dad.
I got into my dad's planner and cross-referenced the dates
of every Black Hood attack with his schedule, and they all line up.
Okay. Worked late the night Midge and Moose were attacked.
Early meeting the morning Fred was shot.
Business trip the night Miss Grundy was killed.
Business trip to Greendale.
This isn't proof, but this is corroboration.
[ringing]
Register.
[Curdle] Mrs. Cooper, this is Dr. Curdle from the coroner's office.
How...?
How can I help you?
I have a warm corpse for you.
Unidentified male, mid-20s.
His body turned up off the highway, just outside of town. Mutilated.
Mrs. Cooper?
Are you there?
Yes.
I'll come by to see it. Thank you, Dr. Curdle.
As always, small bills are preferable.
-We have to go to the morgue. -Why? Another Black Hood victim?
I sent the Black Hood after Chic.
I gave Chic a head start and told him to run,
but maybe he didn't make it.
Sheriff wouldn't give me back my footage. He wants to go through it frame by frame.
Only a matter of time before he puts two and two together and brings Fangs in.
Damn it. Of all the girls in Riverdale High.
What do I do?
If Fangs runs, he looks guilty.
If he gets caught withholding the truth, he'll look like the killer.
[scoffs]
It's a perfect storm. The Lodges endorsed this new sheriff.
They want Midge's killer caught.
-If it's a Southsider, much better. -Then we hunker down.
Get ready to fight.
Dad?
What are you still doing up?
I got this note. Pinned to the door.
I can only assume it's our old pal, the Black Hood.
[Hiram] It's clear what has to be done. We cancel the debate.
It's not a risk we can take.
Until the Black Hood's caught, we have to be careful.
Can you beef up security at the town hall?
-Fred-- -You can't be serious.
We'll lock town hall down tighter.
The town is scared. They need to be shown we can't be cowed.
Well, if Fred's in, so are we.
[Curdle] You're not the Mrs. Cooper I was expecting.
Yeah, well, my money is good just the same.
This poor creature was found in the men's room of a rest stop.
-[Cheryl] It's okay, it wasn't Chic. -[sobbing] But it could have been.
Chic is probably out there, with a bullet in his--
Or he got away and he's on a train back to Transylvania.
I delivered him to the Black Hood, Cheryl.
That makes me a murderer.
I've been trying to prove my dad's a killer,
when, really, all I had to do is look in the mirror. Oh, my God.
He got what he wanted.
We're the same.
None of this is your fault, Betty.
Part of me wanted to punish Chic for what he did.
If Chic is dead, that's a psycho's doing, not yours.
I don't know how much longer I can keep going before I snap and say something.
I think you should say something.
I think you need to confront your father with as much of the truth as you dare...
and see how he reacts.
I have something to confess.
Well, what is it, honey?
While the Black Hood was first hurting people...
he was also calling me.
Asking me to do things.
He said I was like him.
He offered to help me get rid of Chic.
So, I delivered Chic to the Black Hood.
If he's dead...
that makes me an accomplice to murder.
And I think...
I'm okay with that.
The truth is there's always been this darkness inside me.
I thought Chic could help me understand it, but really...
it was the Black Hood who did.
Honey.
I don't know what to say.
[Hal] Betty.
I experience it, too.
The darkness.
When I was away from you and your mom...
it felt like I was drowning in it.
It's why we need each other.
Jug. Did you see it?
-What? -Fangs was dating Midge
-and forgot to tell Sheriff Keller. -Where'd you get this?
Posted on the Register's website. Somebody leaked it.
-It makes Fangs look guilty as sin. -[Weatherbee] Attention.
This is Principal Weatherbee. I need Fangs Fogarty
-to come to my office. -Where is he?
-I don't know. -We have to find him
-before the Dark Circle does. -What the hell? This video's everywhere.
-How'd it get out? -We have to get you out.
You're dead, Vixen killer.
-This way. -[Minetta] Mr. Fogarty.
-We need you to come with us. -I didn't do anything.
Okay, come on, come on. Hey, hey.
I know today's all about the debate, but I was curious.
Did you get my proposal?
About partnering with Elio's family on a modestly-sized casino?
I did, yes.
But no business Elio's family runs is legal.
Their casinos are fronts for numerous criminal activities.
No, Daddy.
Elio assured me.
This partnership just doesn't make sense for us.
Not now. Not when we're on the verge of coming out of the shadows
and into the light ourselves.
Surely you understand that?
You don't have to do that. There's a deputy out there.
What if the deputy falls asleep and the Black Hood slips past him?
-What if I can't stop him again? -Again?
-Look, what happened at Pop's-- -Changed everything.
I really thought you were gonna die, Dad. I felt...
helpless.
Everything broke that day.
I've been trying to put it back together ever since.
-First with the Red Circle, and then... -Hiram Lodge?
Is that what this is about?
You backing him, working for him?
Makes you feel...
I just hate feeling like I can't do anything.
I know you do, son.
Especially when it seems like the world is on fire.
All right, War Dogs.
Let's have some fun.
[cell phone ringing]
Jug, what's up?
You and your Dark Circle went wilding on the Southside last night,
-that's what up. -That's impossible.
Unless it was some other group in letterman jackets
who set a dumpster on fire and slashed our tires.
Archie, Hog Eye saw you guys.
I swear, I don't know anything about this.
-I wasn't there. -Jughead.
-Attorney McCoy. -Where is he?
You were in Midge Klump's dressing room doing what?
We were just talking. I didn't kill her.
Didn't you? With this knife you had?
Don't say another word. I'll be representing Mr. Fogarty,
and I'd appreciate it if you'd stopped harassing my client.
You're being held because you were in possession of a weapon
-on school property. -For protection.
Yes, they have 24 hours to make something stick.
In the meantime, you exercise your right to remain the hell silent.
Have you lost your minds? Vandalizing the Southside?
-We were celebrating Fangs' arrest. -That's not something to celebrate.
-He didn't do it. -He had a knife on him.
We're not having this argument, guys. The Circle is disbanded.
That's not your decision to make, dude. You're not the one paying us. Hiram is.
Wait.
Mr. Lodge is paying you?
Yeah. He was the one that suggested we go out and have a little fun.
Said you might've started the Dark Circle, but it was mine now.
[McCoy] I'm afraid I've already taken on my pro bono case for the week.
That should cover an hour of legal advice, I hope.
-What can I do for you? -Let's say someone wanted to open a casino
in Riverdale.
For starters, they'd need a gaming license.
Which are difficult to obtain without...
connections.
Let's say one wanted to do this strictly aboveboard.
[cell phone buzzing]
Has he confessed yet?
No, but he said something about not being his best self
when my mom kicked him out. Just a hunch,
but I got into his credit card statements, and he's still making weekly payments
to the ShareBNB he'd been renting even though he's back at home.
Think it's his serial killer lair? Tell me we're breaking in.
What are we looking for exactly? Trophies from his victims?
Just anything unusual or incriminating.
Betty?
Does your father have an affinity for kiddie lit
or would this be considered unusual?
Cheryl...
the Black Hood used this book to write the cipher.
The cipher only I could solve.
My dad knew I was obsessed with this book growing up.
[cell phone ringing]
-My God, it's him. -Don't answer it.
-Hi, Dad. -Betty, where are you?
-Um, I'm at Pop's with Cheryl. -Your mom and I
are about to head to the debate. Want us to wait, pick you up?
No, uh, just go ahead. We'll meet you there.
Daddy. I've done research. I've figured out how we can make the casino happen
without involving Elio's family. Legal, like you asked.
I didn't ask. We're moments away from your mother's debate. So, if we can table this?
[Alice] Welcome, one and all, to tonight's mayoral debate.
[audience applauding]
Jumping right in. Fear and unrest rule the streets.
Hermione Lodge. How would you restore safety to the town?
[Hermione] We're already making strides, Alice.
My husband and I personally recruited Sheriff Minetta
from Centerville after Tom Keller resigned.
Not one week on the job,
and he's apprehended Midge Klump's murderer.
[all applauding]
-Fred. Rebuttal. -We don't know if he's the killer.
[audience booing]
All I'm saying is let's not call for blood until we've had a trial.
What does that say about us? About Riverdale?
You talk about not calling for blood, Fred.
Are you aware of a group called the Dark Circle?
-No, I'm not. -Let me enlighten you.
The Dark Circle is a dangerous, radical group
that traffics in terror, violence and street warfare.
A group...
started by your son, Archie.
Now, I ask you, citizens of Riverdale,
how can we trust a man to run a town when he can't keep his own house in order?
Oh, my God. It's the Black Hood.
[gunshots]
[Betty] Dad.
Mom?
[all screaming]
-Betty. -Dad.
-Are you hurt, son? -No. Are you okay?
Excuse me. Thank you.
I guess Sheriff Keller's not looking so bad now, huh?
There's a trapdoor from the balcony to the roof not on any building plans.
I've got cars all over. He's not gonna get far. We'll catch him tonight.
Sheriff, if I may?
Archie's come face-to-face with the Black Hood,
looked him in the eyes. Maybe he could help identify him.
You up for a ride-along?
I'm gonna head home. Stay with my dad. Make sure he's safe there.
All right, then.
[whispering indistinctly]
Just got off the phone with Betty. The Black Hood turned the town hall
into his own shooting gallery while Fangs was here.
-Why are the sheriffs holding him? -What happened tonight
and what happened to Midge are separate incidents.
But if the sheriff doesn't press charges in the next hour, he has to let you go.
There are protestors outside.
His release is going to make a lot of people in this town very unhappy.
Mom.
You're shaking.
I'm fine.
I know you wanna be strong for the campaign,
but if tonight was any indication of what's to come...
-maybe you should drop out of the race. -[Hiram] Nobody's withdrawing, mija.
-You serious? -We've worked hard.
-Can't get skittish now. -A serial killer played
target practice with Mom.
Your father's right, Veronica.
This campaign is bigger than what happened tonight.
I'll be fine.
He is willing to put your life in jeopardy. And for what?
His plan, his vision, his decisions.
-You will show me respect. -Like the respect you showed me?
When you asked me to entertain the sons of your enemies?
Or when I tried to tell you I'd worked everything out with the casino
and you brushed me aside? Guess what, I'm going ahead with it.
I've done the work and I have the money.
The money you swindled from the St. Clairs?
You think I'd let my daughter keep cash like that lying around?
I put it in a trust
that you won't be able to touch until you're 21.
When hopefully you'll be more rational and clear-minded.
[door slams]
I'm gonna meet your mom at the Register.
Actually, Dad, I need to talk to you about something.
I don't know...
what I saw at the town hall, if that was really the Black Hood...
Cheryl and I went to your ShareBNB and broke in.
You and Cheryl?
And I found this book...
that the Black Hood used for his cipher months ago. Why do you have it?
I had no idea that the Black Hood used that book.
It was your favorite. You checked it out of the library practically every weekend.
I found a copy online. I was saving it for your birthday.
What? What are you talking about?
You didn't think that...?
Oh, Betty.
Wait, wait, so...
this book is really just a present?
For me?
Of course, Betty.
What else would it be?
Dad, I just got back from the station. Fangs is getting out tonight.
Joaquin. What's he doing here?
I called him. He's gonna help Fangs disappear.
I can sneak him out to San Junipero. I got a place there.
Maybe. First, we need to get him out in one piece.
There's an angry mob outside yelling for his head.
Something's happening. It's gonna make you...
and the rest of the Dark Circle very angry and frustrated.
Fangs Fogarty...
-is being released. -What?
Sometime after midnight. But there's nothing you or I can do about it.
Short of taking justice into your own hands.
We must have faith in the justice system.
Even if it sometimes allows the guilty... to walk free.
[knocking on door]
-Ronnie. What's up? -I came here to see your dad.
-Is everything okay? -Everything's fine, Mr. Andrews. I just...
I wanted to tell you that I'm supporting your run for mayor.
I can't, in good conscience, stand with my father anymore.
I believe in you.
[Wolves' "Ride" playing]
♪ Don't know what move is right ♪
♪ Or what paradise Is on your mind tonight ♪
♪ I just wanna hang with you ♪
♪ It was sent to you all that time ♪
♪ Don't disapprove ♪
♪ You might miss your chance On me tonight ♪
♪ Boy, take me to your Eden ♪
♪ I'll let you try ♪
♪ Want you to be my ticket to ride ♪
[phone line ringing]
[Hal over phone] Betty. Is everything okay?
Dad...
I think we need to finish the conversation we started earlier.
-Should I come home, Betty? -No.
Meet me at the place where this all began.
With my speech at town hall.
You understand.
-Of course. -I want it to just be between you and me.
Just how you wanted it from the beginning. Just like...
it's supposed to be.
[buzzing]
[sighs]
-[Jughead] You've gotta get down here. -Slow down. I can't hear you.
Get your ass to the station. Your guys are here.
-They're out of control. -The Dark Circle? They're not my guys.
Well, they wanna rip Fangs apart. He's getting out.
We need help. Please.
[line disconnects]
[chanting] Justice for Midge! Justice for Midge!
Free Fangs! Free Fangs! Free Fangs!
Okay, Dad.
Let's talk.
We can't take Fangs out the front. Side entrance.
Crowd's there, too. Pick your poison.
-What do we do, man? -I don't wanna die.
Hey. You're not going to.
Look at me, okay?
We stand together so none of us falls. In unity there is strength.
[all] In unity there is strength!
[pop music playing]
♪ Like he was a savior ♪
♪ Blind leading blind ♪
♪ Everything looks darker ♪
♪ Then you close your eyes ♪
♪ What were we thinking ♪
♪ Back at the beginning ♪
♪ The beginning of the end ♪
♪ What were we thinking ♪
♪ Back at the beginning ♪
♪ The beginning of the end ♪
♪ The end ♪
[gunshot, then all screaming]
♪ Rise and the fall ♪
♪ Descending into madness ♪
♪ The writing's on the wall ♪
♪ So watch it burn ♪
Get help!
♪ The beginning of the end ♪
[knocking on door]
I swear, Mother, if this is one of your gentlemen callers...
[screaming] her, if this is one of your gentlemen callers...