-[dramatic music playing] -[Jughead] Portrait of a town in flames.
Thanks to a fire extinguisher Mr. Andrews kept stored in the hall closet
and another one under the kitchen sink,
what could have been a suburban inferno was, instead, merely the latest indication
of how far the now non-existent town of Riverdale had fallen.
An arsonist on the loose, and no firemen to battle the fires.
Archie.
You see this guy in the front?
That is my Grandpa Artie.
He was a fireman back in the day.
Oh, jeez, I think I know where this is going.
The best counterattack is not to fight fire with fire,
but to fight fire with a fire department.
What, no mano a mano with Hiram Lodge?
I called Ronnie. She's gonna talk to him.
Oh, Ronnie is. That's interesting.
[Archie] You see this rookie?
He ended up becoming Riverdale's fire chief for 20 years.
He's retired now, but he still lives in Riverdale.
Well, go get him, soldier.
[Betty] I'm hoping we already know the answer, Dr. Curdle Junior, but...
is this my sister's body?
Your sister's been missing for a week.
These remains have been in Swedlow Swamp
for approximately three years.
The bog preserved her.
Well, do you have a cause of death yet?
At first blush, blunt-force trauma to the head.
What happens to the body now? To-- To her?
Without identification, she'll be sent to the crematorium for disposal.
Dr. Curdle, will you just wait a beat while I do some digging for her identity?
Of course.
All right. I'm going back to Swedlow Swamp.
Polly, or at least her phone, is still out there.
[Veronica] Daddy. Someone set fire to Archie's house last night
and this attack has your fingerprints all over it.
Why would I wanna burn down the Andrews family home?
The rash of arson cases around town
is meant to drive any remaining long-term residents away
so your precious SoDale becomes the only game in town.
Am I getting warm, Daddy?
Riverdale can't be saved.
Your high school is a joke.
Heck, you haven't had garbage pickups in months. The place smells like a corpse.
It's not coming back to life.
We'll see about that, Daddy.
This just became personal.
[dramatic music playing]
[Russell] Wow. Was I ever that young?
Feels like a lifetime ago.
It doesn't have to be, Chief Russell.
I mean, you could come out of retirement.
This town needs a fire department.
Hiram Lodge didn't just shut down the department,
he firebombed the firehouse.
Then we'll operate out of my gym.
And I'll be the first volunteer, following in my Grandpa Artie's footsteps.
It was an honor working with your grandpa, Archie.
But this is a young man's battle.
-[door opens] -[bells jingle]
♪ Gotta go big If you want it ♪
♪ If you want it, if you want it Gotta go big ♪
♪ When you flaunt it ♪
[dramatic music playing]
Well, well, well. If it isn't Miss Winchester herself.
Come for another surprise visit, Cheryl?
Thank you for taking care of the River Vixens
whilst I was self-isolating,
but, as Elton John likes to say:
"The bitch is back in town."
And this squad is my birthright.
Wrong. The Vixens are mine now, hon.
I restarted them,
I'm financing them,
and we've been doing all the work.
So, what are you gonna do about that?
What every Vixen throughout history has done to settle a dispute:
-challenge you to a dance-off. -I'm pregnant.
-Does that mean you forfeit? -I'll dance for Miss Topaz.
As her proxy.
You know, I usually have a rule about annihilating high school students,
but you seem particularly insufferable.
♪ DJ, turn it up DJ, DJ, turn it up now ♪
♪ DJ, turn it up DJ, DJ, turn it up ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm about to go H.A.M. I'mma, I'mma, I'mma ♪
♪ I'mma, I'mma, I'mma I'm about to go H.A.M. ♪
[girls cheer]
♪ Let's go Go, go, go ♪
♪ Let's go ♪
♪ I'm about to go H.A.M. ♪
[sighs] Now, let's decide this.
All those in favor of moi as your HBIC?
[cheers and applause]
And all those for me?
[cheers and applause]
A tie.
In that case, I'd be willing to share control of the Vixens...
if your ego could handle that.
Agreed. For now.
[playful music playing]
Why are you buffoons just standing there? Take it from the top!
[girls chattering]
Well, I spoke with my father, and, of course, he denies
having anything to do with setting your porch on fire, Archie.
Figures. And I spoke to the old fire chief,
and he won't help.
So, now I have no fire engine, no volunteers, and no one to train them.
I could maybe help with that.
My best friend Katy Keene's roommate, Jorge,
his ex-boyfriend is an actual New York firefighter.
Let me see if I can get him out here for a day or two.
Ronnie, that would be amazing. Thank you.
In the meantime, after my tête-à-tête with dear old Daddy,
I came up with a crazy idea
to bolster Riverdale's struggling economy.
Listen up, guys.
This week, you're going to learn how to revive a dying economy.
Namely, ours.
Step one, create jobs.
Who wants to renovate a seedy video store and turn it into a jewelry shop?
And be exempt from the midterm exam?
[murmuring]
[breathes deeply]
Tabitha. Check this out. Spent the afternoon at the library.
Found an article about Old Man Dreyfuss and his crew.
[Tabitha] "Four of the five miners detailed an encounter
with the frightening humanoid creature they described as a Mothman."
Well, he wasn't lying.
Or he was lying to you now and they were lying back then.
Except I kept looking for more articles
and I found that one written two months after the Mothman one.
"A group of residents in the town of Riverdale were stunned late last month
as they watched a mysterious sight unfold.
Unexplained lights materializing and hovering in the dark sky."
Read the last paragraph. Do you see who's quoted as an eyewitness?
[dramatic music playing]
No way.
You think you can get me an interview?
Hey, sarge. Nice digs.
What? Jackson. When did you get released from the hospital?
A couple of days ago.
I signed up for the program the VA was offering,
the therapeutic housing.
Why? You don't need that, do you?
[snickers]
Some of us need help transitioning to civilian life, yes.
I'm sorry. No, I'm happy for you.
Figure I'd take up your invitation before I go.
Well, your timing's perfect. I'm about to go to the bar to meet some friends.
Come inside, drop your stuff off, and we'll go.
So, I went through all the archives in the sheriff's office, Dr. Curdle,
and there was only one missing person filed
in the last seven years, Margaret Harper.
I'm sorry, Miss Cooper, but Margaret Harper isn't a match, either.
According to this police report,
Margaret had braces at the time of her disappearance.
There's no evidence of braces on our Jane Doe.
Okay. So, she's not Polly or Margaret.
She's a third missing girl.
And three's a pattern.
[suspenseful music playing]
[rock music playing over speakers]
Guys, this is Eric Jackson.
We served together. I trust him with my life.
-Eric, these are the guys. -Nice to meet you, fellas.
Jackson, thank you for your service.
My dad served as well.
No greater honor.
So, I'm looking for a few good men.
Story of my life.
I'm hoping to assemble a volunteer fire department
to replace the one Hiram Lodge disbanded.
Guys who aren't afraid to run into a burning building and save lives.
So... I figured I'd start with you guys.
We don't know the first thing about firefighting.
Except for what I learned watching Backdraft over and over in junior high.
And that is why Veronica's getting an expert from New York.
It's gonna be fine. Trust me.
So, who's with me?
[inhales sharply] Civilians.
[Betty] Thank you for coming in, Miss Harper.
I don't want to reopen old wounds,
but I was working on another missing person's case
when I came across your daughter's file.
Margaret was... a bright girl.
[tender music playing]
But she fell in with the wrong crowd.
Were you and Margaret close?
Not so much.
I think she... felt like she couldn't talk to me.
Once she--
She started going with the truckers.
Miss Harper, what do you believe happened to your daughter?
I--
I have no idea.
Which, in a way, makes it so much worse.
Yeah. I understand.
Sheriff Keller did what he could.
But he was one man.
And the whole town was falling apart.
There was a social worker... named Toni.
She was a godsend.
Hmm.
Well, well, well. If it isn't Cheryl Blossom.
I'd heard rumors that Queen Elsa had come down from the mountain.
It was a Vixens emergency.
Well, how are your art skills these days?
Flawless as ever. Why?
I want you to design something for me.
Something that would fit on this printing plate.
[playful music playing]
I was a Cavalry Scout before being selected for sniper school.
By the time I graduated, I could bull's-eye a playing card at 500 meters.
All right, guys. Last question for Corporal Jackson.
Ask him anything.
-What was the commander like in the Army? -[students chuckle]
I'll show you.
[tender music playing]
I got this nifty hunk of metal from a grenade on the battlefield.
But if it weren't for your commander, I'd have been sent home in a body bag.
Sergeant Andrews is the kind of man that never stops giving back.
Hell, that's why he's trying to start a volunteer fire department on his own.
Wait. Can we help with that?
What, with the fire department?
No, you got school and football.
Due respect, so do you, sir.
Damn.
My own friends turned me down, and you guys are in?
-Yeah. -[student] Yeah.
Okay then.
But you have to be 16 to sign up and you need your parents' permission.
[David] What's this, Miss Lodge?
Prototypes.
The real money will be printed, not photocopied.
So... There was a town in Oregon on the verge of economic collapse,
much like our beloved Riverdale.
Until they started printing their own money.
Money they could use as actual currency, but only in their town.
So, it keeps getting reinvested in the town.
-How does that work? -Simple.
I pay you for remodeling my jewelry shop with Riverdollars,
which you then funnel back into Riverdale's economy
by spending it at Pop's or the Bijou.
And they'll accept it?
Yes. Which they can either redeem with me
or hopefully use it to pay their own employees
to keep the flow going.
I've already sold one of my Glamergé eggs for $50,000,
which will serve as collateral for the new currency.
It's an investment I'm happy to make, especially if it gets people in the habit
of spending more and supporting local businesses in Riverdale.
Any questions?
Yeah. When do we get paid?
[students chuckling]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Betty] Mom?
[Alice] I found Polly's phone.
No sign of her, but... I found this in the swamp.
That means Swedlow Swamp is exactly where we should keep looking.
[Toni] Betty Cooper. What can I get you?
Toni, does the name Margaret Harper mean anything to you?
Yeah. She went missing a few years ago.
Yeah. I've been looking for Polly, as you know,
and I came across Margaret's file.
And I talked to her mom, who said that you really helped her.
I mean, I tried to.
The truth is there's a lot of Margarets in Riverdale.
She's just one of the few that went missing and got reported.
-Yeah. -I tried to set them up with jobs
or a support group, but it's hard, you know?
Of course.
Toni... I found a body in Swedlow Swamp.
Oh, my God.
It wasn't Polly.
It wasn't Margaret, but...
my mom found Polly's phone there.
Something really bad is happening... in that swamp.
And we need your help searching it.
Well, the Serpents are at your disposal, Betty.
Thank you.
[Jughead] Thanks for coming to meet with us, Pop.
No problem. Any excuse to visit the Chock'lit Shoppe now that I'm retired.
So, about that article we called you for, the one with the lights,
you were quoted, I was wondering if you remember what happened.
Clear as day.
It was one night about 50 years ago.
It was late.
[upbeat music playing]
There were probably five or six people in the diner.
Here you go. And here you go.
Two world-famous burger combos. Enjoy.
When all of a sudden, you could feel this, I don't know, electricity in the air.
[record scratching and music stops]
["Chances Are" playing]
[toy squeaking]
♪ Chances are 'cause I wear a silly grin ♪
♪ The moment you come in--♪
[suspenseful music playing]
[whirring]
We all walked out to the parking lot to take a look.
Then, a few minutes later...
the lights were gone.
And it was just a beautiful autumn night.
That's incredible, Grandpa.
-What do you think it was? -We all had theories.
Some said aliens.
But the most credible explanation I heard
was that it was military testing from an army base outside Riverdale.
Did it ever happen again?
The lights?
No.
But I'll tell you,
a part of me wished the lights would come back.
I just got goose bumps.
You know who else was here that night you should talk to?
-Who? -Who?
Cheryl's grandmother.
[dramatic music playing]
-Nana Blossom. -Yeah.
Welcome to day one of Riverdale's Volunteer Fire Academy.
Today's our first day of training with a real firefighter from New York City,
who's gonna help get us into shape.
Bernardo Bixby from Engine 141, the floor is yours.
Thanks, Archie.
So, a show of hands, how many of you have had prior experience fighting fires?
[playful music playing]
That's okay. We're gonna start with the most important lesson.
You must work as a team.
No one goes into a burning building alone.
Now, a team is only as strong as its weakest link.
And on my crew, there are no weak links!
♪ The best things in life are free ♪
♪ But you can give them To the birds and bees ♪
-♪ I need money ♪ -♪ That's what I want ♪
♪ That's what I want ♪
♪ That's what I want, yeah ♪
♪ Oh, that's what I want ♪
♪ That's what I want ♪
♪ Your love gives me such a thrill ♪
[inaudible dialogue]
♪ But your love can't pay my bills ♪
-♪ I need money ♪ -♪ That's what I want ♪
-♪ That's what I want ♪
♪ That's what I want ♪
Yeah.
-♪ Yeah, that's what I want ♪ -♪ That's what I want ♪
Why's Veronica printing Monopoly money with her face on it?
-[students chuckle] -Relax.
You will still get your normal paycheck. This is mad money, to spend in Riverdale.
Like here or at the Bijou or--
Whiskey. We better make that a double.
♪ I know a coupla things That we could do ♪
[blows whistle]
I've seen a porcelain doll possessed by my deceased brother
move faster than you lot!
What the hell is this, Cheryl?
Vixens practice, obvi.
We need to be doing two-a-days if we want to avoid public embarrassment.
We're supposed to be coaching together.
Clearly you went behind my back and scheduled a practice.
Well, I knew you would cause a scene like this, Toni. Duh.
-[girl] Oh... -Vixens, call Nurse Nightingale.
Cheryl, this ends now.
Vixens, like Blossoms, are forged in fire.
Hmm, wow. Sounds like something your mother would say.
Careful where thoust treads, Toni.
You're on thin ice.
[dramatic music playing]
[man] Polly!
[girl] Polly!
[boy] Hey, Polly?
[engine roaring]
[tires screeching]
That's far enough!
Every one of you is trespassing on private property.
Retreat immediately or face the consequences.
Hiram.
My daughter's missing.
She might be somewhere in your swamp.
Alice, as a father, I feel your pain,
but I can't have people wandering through here.
All of this is gonna be my new turnpike.
Well, it's also a crime scene.
Well, if it is, it's not your jurisdiction, sheriff.
Well, I'm with the FBI, so the FBI is declaring this a crime scene.
Oh, I think you're gonna need better
than that badge you got out of a JackerCrack box, Betty.
In the meantime, off my property.
Now.
[tense music playing]
[Tabitha] Nana Rose, my grandfather claimed
that you were at the Chock'lit Shoppe 50 years ago
when a bright light appeared in the sky.
Oh, yes. I remember it well.
My suspicion is that the light came from the Mothmen ship.
"The Mothmen"? Again.
[Nana] A few weeks after the incident,
I found a hideously misshapen body
in the maple forest.
A Mothman corpse?
An autopsy was performed.
An autopsy--? Like an alien autopsy?
Nana Rose, why has no one heard about this before?
Oh, the Mothmen didn't want us talking about it.
You spoke to them?
Well, they came to Thornhill looking for their missing friends.
They... don't like to be known.
And they didn't like me keeping their deceased, either.
I told them it had been cremated.
Had it been cremated?
No. I kept it.
Perfectly preserved in a barrel of maple syrup.
I could try to find it for you if you like.
[suspenseful music playing]
Congratulations.
We've successfully introduced 50,000 Riverdollars
into our town's economy.
-[students whooping and clapping] -[students] Yeah!
So, what's next?
We pump more money in.
Exactly. But how much more?
Another thousand? Ten thousand?
[all] Ten thousand!
Wrong. If we flood the market with new bills, we risk inflation,
or triggering a run on the bank, which is me.
And... since I'm the one on the hook,
I say we build our economy slow and steady.
[Hiram] Very clever, mija.
-[dramatic music playing] -Daddy.
I'm in the middle of a class.
I'm sorry for interrupting,
but I had to congratulate you on your newest enterprise.
Plastering your face over currency.
Even at my most audacious, that thought never occurred to me.
Well, it's a good thing I've never limited myself to what you thought possible.
-Mm. -Now, if you'll excuse me--
Oh, wait. You and Archie?
Printing money.
Starting a fire department.
Who does such things?
We believe in Riverdale.
And we're bringing it back.
Now, really, Daddy, take a hike.
Where were we?
-[men laugh] -So, then sarge over here decides
to try and feed this stray dog outside the outpost.
Now, this dog looked more like a wolf to me.
-Don't believe him. It was a dog. -How big are we talking?
Oh, timber wolf-size.
Anyways.
Sarge pours out this MRE out onto his hand,
sticks it through the fence,
and then the dog almost bites his arm off, and--
-Show them your scar, sarge. -[men chuckling]
[wheels squeaking]
Afternoon, sir.
How can we help you?
-Thought this place was shut down. -It was. We reopened it.
Now it's gonna house the new volunteer fire department.
-Do you live on Sketch Alley? -I do. Name's Earl.
We haven't had a fire department in a long time.
Lot of buildings burned down 'cause of it.
Well, things are changing.
We're gonna make this town better for you, your friends.
For everyone.
Heard that talk before.
Hope you can back it up.
Come on, Glen. There has to be someone you can send my way.
Betty, you have a Jane Doe and two missing girls
with problematic histories. Look, you gotta let the local police handle this.
It's one sheriff, Glen.
Up against a rich psychopath who won't let us search his land.
-So, I'm begging you-- -Betty.
He's back. The Trash Bag Killer.
[dramatic music playing]
-What? -TBK's re-emerged.
-In Tulsa, we think. -How man--?
-Are there any victims? -Two. So far.
Look, why don't you send me what you got and I'll see what I can do.
No, Glen.
Uh... You focus on TBK.
Catch that bastard, okay? I'm gonna handle everything here myself.
And I'll check in with you.
-[dramatic music playing] -[screaming]
[rustling]
Damn it, Betty, we warned you. You're trespassing on private property.
I'm not going anywhere.
My sister is missing.
Other girls, too.
My mom is suffering, and it's because of your boss
that I'm the only person out here who can do anything about it.
So, if you wanna stop me, you'll have to shoot me.
[Reggie] Wait.
[dramatic music playing]
I found something while patrolling the swamp.
But cone of silence, Hiram can never know I told you.
Okay, you have my word. Cone of silence.
What is it?
Another body.
Cadet Burns!
When O2 rapidly enters an oxygen-depleted environment
causing an explosion, what is that phenomenon called?
A backdraft, sir!
Correct! Your reward is 30 more pushups.
Next question!
-You guys the fire department? -Trying to be.
-The pool hall's burning down! -What, here on the alley?
-Let's move! -Grab the hose! Go, go!
[suspenseful music playing]
-We got eyes on a connector! -Get the hose! Archie, get everyone back!
Earl's in there! My friend Earl's still inside.
Sarge, don't even think about it.
-[man 1] Sarge, no! -[man 2] Archie, stop!
[dramatic music playing]
[sighs]
-[keypad beeps] -[line ringing]
Mija. Has the Treasury Department shown up to arrest you yet?
Daddy, that Riverdollar bill you had in your fist, where did you get that?
It's amazing what you find in the trash when there's no one around to collect it.
I knew it.
So, now you're printing fake Riverdollars to sabotage me?
You accusing me of counterfeiting your counterfeit money?
My numbers aren't adding up, and my numbers always add up.
Someone is flooding the economy with money I didn't print.
Which devalues the money you did print. Funny how economics works, isn't it?
As Archie would say, Daddy, you suck.
[line disconnects]
Where did you find this body, Miss Cooper?
[dramatic music playing]
I didn't... exactly. An associate did.
In the swamp. And I kn-- I know it's not Polly, but is it--?
Margaret Harper. Yes.
The tell-tale braces are present on her teeth.
Likely cause of death, trauma.
The left side of her body was pulverized.
As if... with a wrecking ball.
Oh, my God.
[Cheryl] Wherefore are my precious Vixens?
[Toni] I canceled practice.
We need to talk.
For starters, they're our Vixens, as we agreed.
Fine, fine, fine.
They're our Vixens. Happy now?
No. I wasn't gonna do this, Cheryl, but I'm officially calling you out.
You've gotten away with murder in this town
because of your money and your privilege.
And I know you've been through hell and back time and again.
But that doesn't give you a right to be a holy terror in this town for no reason.
As if you have any idea what it's been like for me,
holed-up in Thornhill for the last seven years.
Oh, spare me. This isn't Drag Me to Hell.
You cursed yourself.
And what you're doing isn't some grand sacrifice, it's selfish.
Oh. So, now funding the school is selfish.
Money alone isn't gonna solve the problems of this town.
There are people out here every single day putting in real work.
And I'm not gonna let you take over the Vixens
for reasons of vanity or revenge.
Cheryl, I want you out here with us,
on the ground, one of the good guys.
But you're gonna have to take a good hard look in the mirror
and get it together first.
Your cruelty... is beyond words.
[dramatic music playing]
[sighs]
Nana Rose! I need your wisdom.
My heart has once again been shattered.
[dramatic music playing]
Oh. Miss Marble.
To what do we owe this pleasure?
Miss Blossom.
I went to sell your brother's portrait
and made the most disturbing yet fascinating discovery.
It was a forgery.
A very skillful forgery.
And before I call the authorities, I thought we should chat.
Don't you agree?
Mm.
What did Bernardo say, sarge?
Rule number one, don't run into a burning building alone.
Never gonna let me live this down, are you?
No, sir.
Well, the good news is you're okay, and you managed to save that man's life.
We know what started the fire yet?
Well, I mean, it's an old building. It wasn't up to code.
-Still, it's hard not to think it was-- -Arson.
Probably started by Hiram Lodge.
Wait. Who's Hiram Lodge?
[Keller] Well, he used to be mayor.
Now he's building a new town next to here
and doing everything he can to try and run the rest of us stragglers out.
Another fat cat lining his pockets by gaming the system.
[Keller] Welcome to Riverdale.
All right. I'll see you, fellas.
-Bye, sheriff. -Yeah.
Man, screw that Hiram guy.
It's okay, Eric.
This is just how life is. For now.
No, it's how life always is.
Guys like us are just cannon fodder for scumbags like Hiram.
That guy you pulled out of the building, Earl, he's one of us. A vet.
Another grunt who got chewed up and spit out by corporate greed.
[dramatic music playing]
Man. What the hell are we fighting for over there
if this is what happens to us when we come home?
[Hiram] A second body.
They found a second body in the swamp?
How do you think they did that, Reggie?
I don't know, boss. It's a big swamp. But this is not the hill to die on.
No, no, no. The turnpike, just like the rest of SoDale,
is a necessary smokescreen.
I know.
But... you could either be a villain
and pour concrete over the swamp,
or you could be a hero... and let them search it properly.
Sure, the turnpike gets delayed.
But who cares?
We both know that's not the real endgame.
[dramatic music playing]
You make a good point, Reggie.
We'll acquiesce to the Cooper ladies. Let them... wade into the muck a while.
I'll make the call.
[Betty] We're so, so sorry, Deanna.
But you're-- You're--
You're sure it's my Margaret?
Yeah. It's her.
[tender music playing]
No question.
All these years.
At least... At least now I know where she is.
I can say goodbye.
Who hurt her?
We don't know yet, Miss Harper.
And my sister is also missing.
Other girls, too.
And so, I swear to you...
we will find out who did this.
[bells jingle]
-Wait, that's not-- -[Tabitha] It is. Yeah.
A special delivery, courtesy of Nana Rose Blossom.
Straight from the Twilight Zone.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Tabitha] Damn, the smell alone.
That's maple syrup and decay.
It's like a rotting tooth.
It could be anything, Jughead.
It could be-- It could be human bones mixed with fake synthetic bones or--
Or it's a Mothman.
It's--
-It's-- -We're not experts.
This person is, though.
-Who? -This is Dr. Diane Whitley.
She's an anthropology professor at Centerville U.
She specializes in ancient cultures
and urban legends and extraterrestrial phenomena.
I say we call her and see if she'll come here
and examine this and tell us what we're dealing with.
So what? In the meantime, it's just--
It's business as usual
while a Xenomorph melts in my diner's back room?
I'll take the night shift. I'll make sure no one stumbles upon our little friend.
[mysterious music playing]
[Veronica] We have to get to the bottom of this.
I suspect my father has flooded the market with counterfeit bills.
So we'll have to do an in-depth forensic accounting,
recall all the Riverdollars in circulation
and determine how deep a hole we're in.
But for now, sadly... we'll have to shut down our operation.
[dramatic music playing]
Where did you get those ink stains on your paws?
And don't say "art class."
I want the truth. Now.
We printed up ten grand instead of one.
Wow.
So it wasn't my father who screwed me over, it was you guys.
You got greedy and triggered an economic collapse.
Well done, class.
F's for everyone.
We're sorry.
What can we do?
Well...
you're responsible for that money you printed.
Ten thousand dollars.
And unless you've got a secret stash of baby Glamergé eggs,
you'll have to work it off.
By providing Riverdale a much-needed service.
[dramatic music playing]
Jackson.
Earl didn't make it.
No.
Yeah, and I found out more about your pal, Hiram Lodge.
That bastard's done plenty to deserve what's coming to him.
Jackson.
You put that rifle down. Now.
That's an order!
Sorry, sarge, we're not in the army anymore.
No.
I'm sorry. I won't let you do this.
I won't let you ruin your life over Hiram Lodge!
My life's already ruined!
I lost my leg fighting in a war that didn't change a damn thing!
None of us mattered.
Eric, I know this is dark now, but when you get into that VA home,
they'll help you see that things can get better.
They canceled my slot.
I found out this morning.
I needed help. A lifeline, man. I'm lost.
Damn it, I'm lost, Eric!
The only reason I'm fighting so hard to save this town
is because it's the only thing keeping me sane.
I'm white-knuckling it out here, too. I promise you.
And my friends don't know... because they wouldn't understand.
[sighs]
What are we gonna do, sarge?
For a start?
I think you should stay in Riverdale. The fire department needs a new commander
and I can't think of a better man for the job.
And maybe--
Maybe... we can help each other stay sane.
[jukebox clicks]
["Chances Are" playing]
♪ Chances are ♪
♪ 'Cause I wear a silly grin ♪
[record skipping]
[rumbling]
[bell ringing]
[gurgling]
[cash register dings]
[mysterious music playing]
[wind whistling]
[panting]
[mysterious music playing]
[Jughead] It was exactly as Pop said. Things started to shake.
-The jukebox turned on. -Uh-huh.
It was 2 a.m. I went outside. There was this bright white light.
And then I woke up in a booth and it was 6 a.m.
Hours had gone by. I lost time.
It was a dream.
Prompted by my grandpa's story.
Or is it possible that you were sleepwalking?
Or... had you been drinking?
That's... besides the point.
I haven't gotten to the craziest part yet. Will you follow me?
Please?
[suspenseful music playing]
After I woke up, the first thing I did was come in here.
Oh... my God.
-I don't understand. -Me neither.
But something very strange happened in Riverdale last night.
Paying off your debt while cleaning up the town.
If there ever was a teachable moment.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a delivery to make.
[Archie] So, what's up, guys?
Gossip around the teacher's lounge is that Weatherbee nixed your RROTC cadets
from being volunteer firefighters.
Yeah, well, he was pretty pissed I brought them to a burning building.
Well, we wanna sign up. Like we should have done in the first place.
I appreciate that, guys, but it's too late. Bernardo's back in New York.
-No one left to train us. -[footsteps approaching]
Maybe I can help on that front.
Chief Russell.
Word got around. About a crazy hero running into a burning building.
Alone.
Gotta say, it inspired me.
Okay, chief. You're the expert.
What do we need first?
Well... a firetruck might be nice to have.
[siren wailing]
[Archie chuckles] You gotta be kidding me.
Ronnie, what the hell?
What? I wanted to do my civic duty.
To help you and hurt my father.
-How--? How much do we owe you? -Oh, don't worry.
We'll be putting out a "Firefighters of Riverdale" calendar
to defray the costs.
But in the meantime, I just wanted to help.
Anything for you, Archie.
Two young women went missing on the Lonely Highway:
Margaret Harper and Polly.
We found Margaret's remains in Swedlow Swamp.
Where I found Polly's phone.
And we also found another set of remains in the swamp,
belonging to an unidentified young woman.
And I reached out to sheriffs' offices
in the counties that touch along the Lonely Highway
asking about any unsolved missing persons reports,
specifically young women.
And they came back with 13 names.
And I've been in touch with a network of social workers
in towns the Lonely Highway runs through,
and I got 11 names back.
Five of which overlap with Tom's list.
So, we're talking about 21 missing girls.
How many of them are we gonna find in Swedlow Swamp?
At least Hiram has agreed to let us search it now.
Twenty-one girls.
-They can't all be runaways. -What do you think?
Human trafficking?
[tense music playing]
Or a serial killer.
[theme music playing] aways. -What do you think?