[ominous music playing]
[Jughead] It's not every day you learn that you're at ground zero
of an extinction-level event.
In less than 18 hours, Bailey's Comet was going to obliterate Riverdale.
One last twist of the knife, courtesy of Percival Pickens.
There was nothing we could do.
Or, apparently, escape.
What did you find out?
I've had the Serpents out all night, on every road and every highway.
And all along the town's limits, there's some sort of invisible barrier
completely surrounding Riverdale, and it's keeping us from leaving it.
It gets crazier, though.
When we were out there, on the highway, a car drove into town,
like there was no barrier.
So it's basically like we're trapped in a roach motel.
-You can get in, but you can't get out. -Jughead, what about a portal?
I'll take any dimension over this.
I tried. I can only open portals within town limits. No other dimension.
Tabitha, what about you? Have you tried to time-travel?
In every timeline I've gone to, past and future,
there's always a comet that's about to destroy Riverdale. Imminently.
-How is this happening? -It's Percival.
But was really he powerful enough to get Bailey's Comet to change course?
I mean, it's a comet.
He is, and powerful enough to weave the binding spell that's keeping us here.
Shouldn't the government shoot the comet? Why isn't this all over the Internet?
It's a facet of the spell. Percival doesn't want anyone to help us.
So as far as the world is concerned,
Bailey's Comet is passing over Riverdale tonight, as it has every 65 years.
Great. So that's it then. We're all gonna die.
-I'm so happy I moved here sophomore year. -Well, not everyone's gonna die.
-Archie's invulnerable. -What about Big Anthony? He's immortal.
Archie and I have talked about that. They might be the only ones to survive.
Especially if they're in the bunker when the comet hits.
Uh, let's not go there yet. We have time to make sure we all survive.
Percival was a sorcerer, and pulling down the comet and making this barrier
are all spells he cast.
They are spells, Archie.
Incredibly elaborate ones rooted in dark, arcane magics honed over centuries.
-Far beyond my knowledge. -And mine.
But there might be someone we can consult with ancient knowledge
-that rivals Percival's. -Great.
Frank and I, and anyone else who wants to help,
are gonna go into the mines.
If we dig deep, maybe we'll find a tunnel that passes under the barrier.
[scoffs]
Whatever happens, I'm just so grateful that we can face it together as a family.
I am so sorry that I can't protect you girls from what's coming.
It's a comet, Mom.
And I am so sorry that I wasn't a better mother.
-I was awful. -No, Mom.
We're okay.
We know that you would do anything for us.
And we love you.
So, so, so much.
Oh, I love you too.
[tender music playing]
-[Reggie] How does it feel to be back? -Unsettling.
I'm still hoping for an eleventh-hour save.
Speaking of, I have something for you.
I saved it from Percival's shop before we burned it down.
I really can't seem to get rid of this thing, can I?
[Veronica sighs]
Thank you, Reggie.
[Jughead] All things considered,
there are more banal ways to go out than being obliterated by a giant comet.
I've completed almost everything on my bucket list.
[lighthearted music playing]
-Alexandra Cabot? -Tabitha Tate?
-What are you doing here? -I'm here to make your dreams come true.
[slurps] Mmm!
Every time. Okay, so you've heard of Tommy Comets, right?
The diner chain that went belly-up? Yeah?
Well, I've just closed a deal to buy all of their facilities,
which means that we can take them over
and open up Pop's Diners across the country, ASAP.
Instant franchising,
investors are lined up, and we're good on the financials, so...
all I need from you, Tabitha, is an immediate yes.
-Alexandra, this is amazing news. -But what? Just say yes.
The thing is your timing--
I just think it's a lot to take in right now.
[cell phone ringing]
Okay. And this is one of my investors right now. Um...
I'm at The Five Seasons. Think on it, but you have ten hours to decide.
And I promise you, this is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.
Hi, this is Alexandra.
[rock music playing over speakers]
There you go.
All done.
So does this mean I'm a real Serpent now?
Um... Not just a Serpent.
Serpent King.
Anthony, you're our son.
You've got the best shot of surviving whatever's coming.
It's up to you to make sure the Serpents don't die out.
And being King is your birthright.
That's why it's up to you to make sure that that legacy, our legacy...
continues.
-Okay? -Yes, Mom.
[dramatic music playing]
[both] Return to us, spirit from beyond Abigail Blossom, we ask to correspond
We seek your wisdom, help and insight Appear before us, sister of the night
Pray tell, why have I been conjured?
Abigail, hi.
We need your help.
An evil sorcerer has called a comet down upon us
and bound us to this town, so that no one can leave.
Good. Whyfor should I help you?
Listen, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot.
So, yes, I'm asking you to show a little mercy.
Also, I'll free you from that ceramic hell doll.
A long, long time ago, when I was still alive,
I spent the most sublime evening with my beloved Thomasina.
She was an astronomer and scientist as well as a witch.
It's called Bailey's Comet.
It's... beautiful.
Just like you.
What's it made of?
Ice, my love.
Comets are made of ice.
I hear what goes on in this house.
You possess the Power of the Phoenix, don't you?
As soon as the comet gets close enough to Earth, project your power at it.
And melt it?
That's kind of basic but also kind of genius.
But if it is to work, it will require all of your Phoenix Power.
-And such an effort will come at a cost. -What about Percival's trap?
Can you help us undo his binding spell?
Mayhap, though that will take a greater effort to undo.
Therefore, in exchange, I will require something more
than an appeal and my freedom.
Okay. We're listening.
Oh, my underworlders, any luck finding a safe passageway out?
Not yet.
Every time we follow a tunnel that leads us to what should be the edge of town,
-we hit the barrier. -Luckily,
I may have divined a pathway through our little conundrum.
Come. Everyone's gathered at Thornhill.
[indistinct chatter]
Listen up, Riverdalians.
Thanks to some ancestral advice, I believe I might--
Might be able to melt the comet with my Phoenix Powers.
Whoa, that's incredible news.
And there also may be a way to undo Percival's binding spell,
so that we can evacuate the town, but...
Toni, you and I need to speak about that privately.
-Okay... -[Veronica] Hold on.
Is it really as easy as melting the comet?
No, Veronica, there is one huge catch.
It will take all of my Phoenix energies to extinguish Bailey's Comet.
Which means, if I successfully melt the comet,
one or more of the dead I've resurrected will surely perish.
-[dramatic music playing] -What--? Wait, why?
Because it is my powers that are keeping the resurrected dead alive.
-Who knew? -So who's on the chopping block, exactly?
[Cheryl] Archie, Jughead, Polly,
my Nana, Dagwood, Alice,
Frank, Sheriff Keller, Fangs, and Toni.
If Riverdale is to live, one or many of you or your loved ones...
must die.
What can I do to help, Cheryl?
My ancestor, the witch, Abigail Blossom,
is going to help us figure out a way to break Percival's spell
and escape Riverdale's borders.
But first, she wants to spend one final evening with her beloved.
In carnal form.
And we need two vessels to make that happen.
I would be Abigail's, and you, pending your agreement...
would be her beloved.
Thomasina Topaz, your ancestor, who was also a witch.
Okay, but what about Fangs and Heather?
Well, Heather's a witch, so she's kind of fine with whatevs.
As for Fangs...
it isn't technically cheating. Our souls will be elsewhere--
-And where would our souls be, exactly? -Not to worry.
Heather will keep our spirits in a jar until the lovemaking ends.
[suspenseful music playing]
-There you are. -[door closes]
Mom.
-You shouldn't be here. -What are you talking about?
Why are you covered in dirt?
I'm on a job.
Let me get cleaned up.
Archie, one of the reasons why I came back was...
I wanna tell you that Brooke and I are getting a divorce.
What? What happened?
-I thought you two got along great. -Oh, we do get along.
Just, we both realized that we don't wanna spend the rest of our lives together.
It's okay. You know, it happens.
But life...
Life is precious.
You don't wanna waste a single minute. You know?
Cheers, Daddy.
And hopefully, whatever happens, we don't cross paths in the afterlife.
[poignant music playing]
[haunting music playing]
[knocking on door]
What's going on? Good news about the comet?
No. Um...
Personal news, actually.
I'm gonna ask Betty to marry me.
-What? -Yeah.
Today?
I was gonna use the ring my dad gave me, but...
I lost it. Probably in the explosion.
So since I don't have a lot of time, I was wondering if...
you might still have some rings from the jewelry shop you used to run.
-I'm sorry if that's a weird thing to ask. -No, not at all. Um...
Actually...
Yeah. You're in luck, Archie.
I have an amazing diamond ring in my personal stash Betty would flip for.
Franchising Pop's has been your dream. You've been protecting the diner all year.
The is the best way to ensure its longevity.
Honestly,
as long as there's a hunk of ice hurtling towards us,
I'm not committing to anything.
Though, I do appreciate you willing to be the Jack to my Rose.
Who?
Jack and Rose?
From Titanic. Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet.
-Oh. -Jack dies, so Rose can fulfill her dreams
like flying solo around the world.
-Never seen the Titanic. I know. -What?
I'm more partial to early James Cameron.
You've gotta be kidding.
Titanic is one of my favorite movies of all time.
-We have to watch it. -"We have to watch it."
-Yes. -Isn't it like four hours long?
Three hours and 14 minutes.
Look, I know the clock is ticking, but trust me:
We need to do this.
[eerie music playing]
If you're ready, let's begin.
Hear ye, hear ye, great above Send two spirits, deep in love
Take these vessels for the night An earthly realm to reunite
Switch the souls, let flesh remain Shake thy broom, let love aflame
Abigail?
-Can this truly be happening? -Yes.
Yes, my love, this is real.
Come. We have, oh, so much to catch up on.
["Edge of the Dark" playing]
♪ I don't know I just wanna beg for your love ♪
♪ Tearing through the bounds Just to feel something more ♪
♪ Baby, I know what it's like To feel alone ♪
♪ Waiting for a spark Just to light up the cold ♪
♪ Waiting at the edge of the dark Can't get enough ♪
♪ Sitting here, watching you ♪
♪ Waiting at the edge of the dark Thinking about us ♪
♪ Sitting here, watching you ♪
My mom's here. She's in Riverdale.
Oh, my God. Did you tell her about the comet?
[stammers]
-I mean, where would I even start? -Arch, you gotta tell her.
Yeah, maybe.
But first...
What are you doing?
[poignant music playing]
We may not have much time...
but I know what I wanna do with it.
Marry me.
-There's a comet coming. -And I wanna be with you for it.
Then be with me.
Arch...
I love you so much.
That's not part of my hesitation, okay?
But can we talk about what's going on with you right now?
You put so much pressure on yourself to be a hero.
When you already are one.
Sometimes, you can't save everyone.
Sometimes, you can just be scared.
And that's okay.
That's human.
Do you remember when we were kids and you asked me to marry you?
I told you to ask me again when we turned 18.
So how about this?
Ask me again...
after Cheryl melts that comet,
and you and me and everyone else survives.
Or we find another way out of Riverdale.
Deal?
I'm gonna do that for us.
What--? Where are you going?
I'm gonna break through that barrier, so I can marry you, Betty Cooper.
[tender music playing]
Cheryl?
Yes, Toni?
[speaks in French]
Do you... remember anything?
No.
-You? -No.
No, um... neither do I.
Toni...
-Thank you. -Of course.
Anything to possibly save the town.
So tell me, dearest ancestor, how was your tryst with Thomasina?
Beyond my wildest imaginings.
-Thank you, Cheryl. -Of course.
Now, tell me, how do we undo Percival's binding spell?
Look there. On the altar.
[dramatic music playing]
What is that?
The knots represent the various mystical barriers surrounding the town.
Once the rope is untied completely,
you and the others should be able to leave Riverdale.
-Agent Cooper, it's been a minute. -Drake, hi.
Yeah. Things have only gotten more insane since TBK,
if you can believe that.
What's up?
Director Wilcox wants us to head up the FBI Serial Killer Division.
Oh, my God.
That's quite the promotion.
The thing is, there's a lot going on in my life right now.
I'm sort of in a transitional period.
You know, weighing my options...
for the future.
But there's no better hunter of hunters than you are.
I think that chapter of my life is over, being hunter of hunters.
I don't want that carved on my gravestone.
Um, hate asking, but is this because of Archie?
Or... because TBK messed with your head?
No.
This has nothing to do with TBK or Archie. This is all...
This is me.
It's my decision about how I wanna spend the rest of my life.
For however long that might be.
Doing what?
I'm moving towards the light.
Take care, Drake. And don't be a stranger.
-Bye. -[laptop chimes]
So, Ronnie, if we survive... what's the first thing you're gonna do?
Hmm.
Maybe a shopping spree in Paris with Katy.
Oh!
-You? -Get a dog.
-Aw. -Always wanted one. Name him...
Vader.
-Yeah. -That's sweet.
Reggie, the reason I asked you over...
should we still be here this time tomorrow...
I want you to have the Babylonium. Sole ownership.
-Wait. Really? -Mm-hm.
-How come? -The casino was your idea.
Your baby.
The only thing that's really mine is my absinthe.
Maybe I'll focus on that.
And should the sun rise tomorrow
and we find ourselves no longer business partners,
-any chance you and I get back together? -Tempting...
but no.
I think it's good we're off that carousel ride, don't you?
[Reggie] Mm-hm.
And besides, if there is another chapter for me still...
I think it's time for a hard reboot. On all fronts.
Instead of being so relationship-focused,
I'll be single and fabulous, and date a lot.
Work on my friendship skills.
Starting with, if you're amenable, you, Reggie.
Yeah. I'm down to be friend-zoned by you, Ronnie.
Good.
Cheers to that, Reggie.
And if you want, when it's comet time,
you can come over and we can watch the fireworks together.
Sounds good.
-As--? -Yes, Reggie, as friends.
-Just checking. -Okay.
[dramatic music playing on TV]
I had no idea.
Right?
It's amazing, isn't it?
You know, you know how it's gonna end,
but it's still a gut-punch.
Couldn't they have both held on to the driftwood at the end?
No. Because it wouldn't have supported them both.
And Jack knew that they would have sunk,
so he let go so that Rose could live.
I mean, the resonances are startling.
Only, you're a lot cuter than Leo.
In my opinion.
Can you make me a promise? No matter what happens,
if Cheryl stops this comet, or if I live or I die,
that you take Alexandra up on her offer, take Pop's national.
-Jughead-- -I won't be able to die or live peacefully
if you don't swear to me.
And you're an angel, so I'm pretty sure that means you can't lie.
-Just swear that no matter what happens-- -Okay.
I swear, but in exchange,
I just want you to agree to go on one last epic...
date with me.
Okay.
But define "epic," because we're trapped in Riverdale,
and time is now appallingly finite.
Not for me.
I'm chrono-kinetic, remember?
All I need is one minute.
One minute?
That's all we'll need.
[poignant music playing]
[ominous music playing]
Archie!
Why didn't you pick up? I've been calling you.
Mom, you shouldn't be here.
-You don't understand! -I do!
Betty told me everything.
About Percival, about you dying, and Cheryl bringing you back to life.
I mean, my God, Archie.
-Did she also tell you about--? -About the comet? Yes.
Yeah, she did.
And about how now I'm--
I'm trapped too.
[dramatic music playing]
[Archie] I'm sorry, Mom.
I'm sorry you got caught up in all this insanity.
-None of what is happening is your fault. -Mom, if you--
If anyone dies because of me, I couldn't live with myself.
Archie, shouldering this guilt, this responsibility,
it's crazy.
Like Betty said:
It's okay to be scared.
But it's not okay to be out here hiding from the world.
No one loved this town more than Dad.
He built so much of it with his own two hands.
What do you think he'd be doing right now, if he were me?
Probably exactly what you're doing: fighting till the end.
But your dad also knew when to put down his tools,
and come home to the people he loved and who loved him.
We should all be together for whatever's coming.
Well, Daddykins... it's just you and me.
[pensive music playing]
Figures.
It's been a hell of a year.
Your entire body is basically one giant biodialysis machine.
There's a reason you stayed in Riverdale.
Oh, my God.
Sorry, Daddy, I just figured out a way to save my friends.
Amazing!
Well, I can't wait to start working together.
Uh, which would be when, exactly?
Tomorrow, bright and early.
I thought we could take out the food truck and post updates on social.
That sounds like a great idea.
Then why the long faces? What am I missing?
[cell phones chiming]
Cheryl...
in the event that you melt the comet,
I believe I should head back to Greendale.
Resume my life there.
Whyfor would you do that?
Because I saw something when we were doing the ritual.
I adore you, Cheryl.
But you and Toni are forever soul mates.
How could you possibly know that?
I'm a witch, silly.
I know these things.
Heather...
you opened my heart again.
And Toni's with Fangs, anyway.
For now.
[poignant music playing]
But you and Toni, your fate is written in the stars.
It transcends time.
[cell phone chimes]
[Archie] Thanks for sending my mom to me.
Yeah, it kind of seemed like a "mom-tervention" was necessary.
Yeah, my mom thinks I have a hero complex.
She's probably right.
I think it comes from me feeling like I'll never be able to live up to my dad.
Your dad would be so beyond proud of you.
You've been such a rock for everyone this year. Especially for me.
You supported me. You comforted me.
You loved me unconditionally. So thank you for that.
I'm sorry for proposing to you in the middle of all this insanity.
So end of the world or not, we're on your timeline.
No pressure. Ever again.
Well, about that, Archie...
I've been thinking about my life...
my future, if I have one...
and what I want.
-And? -And I know I said I wanted to wait...
but will you marry me?
Are you serious?
As serious as a comet hurtling towards Riverdale--
Yes.
I'll marry you.
[cell phones chime]
Okay, this is a crazy Hail Mary,
but I may have an idea for how to bolster Cheryl's power to,
one, improve our chances of taking down that comet,
and two, augment her Phoenix energy,
so that when she uses them up, no one has to die.
I am so happy you uttered that and not me.
I'm a human dialysis machine, right?
I pulled the sepsis from Charles's blood and leeched the thujone out of wormwood
-to distill my poison-free absinthe. -Randomly, yes.
No. Not randomly, Bee.
Everything has happened for a reason.
What if I can use my gift to absorb all of our abilities, our strengths,
and give them to Cheryl to augment her Phoenix Power?
Again, the stronger she is, the less chance her powers will be used up
and the less chance one or more of us will die.
But, Vee, our powers aren't poison or sepsis that need to be removed.
It's semantics.
Poison, strength, superpowers, whatever you wanna call them.
It's what you said, Tabitha.
This is why I stayed in Riverdale,
so that I can do this, right now, at this exact moment.
And maybe, maybe the multiverse gave each of us our specific powers,
so that they could come together,
-combine and save us. -How would you absorb them?
I would need access to where your powers are most potent and present:
your blood.
Remember when we all went to see It at the Bijou?
How the Losers Club cut their palms and all held hands in a circle?
We need to do the same.
Wound to wound, blood to blood.
And I will take in our collective life force.
I can't cut my hand.
I present to you:
[dramatic music playing]
one Dagger of Megiddo.
Fine, but no one is cutting into my alabaster flesh.
Sorry, there are limits.
Don't worry, Cheryl.
I will be transferring our powers to you via... a kiss.
A, that's queerbaiting,
and, B, won't your poison kiss kill me?
A, it's not queerbaiting. It's saving the world.
B, pretty sure your Phoenix Power trumps my poison power.
["Play" playing]
[Jughead] I don't say what I'm thinking,
that for all we know, giving Cheryl our powers
and her trying to use them all at the same time
may actually make things worse
or have unintended, devastating consequences.
We simply don't know.
♪ She know me, know me ♪
♪ She know me, know me She know me, know me ♪
♪ Just rock and then sway ♪
♪ Look her eyes, look her eyes Look her eyes ♪
[suspenseful music playing]
Did it work?
-Only one way to find out. -[gun cocks]
-Oh! -Whoa, Vee!
Interesting.
You're threatening me and I can see an aura around you.
And I can't.
Let's go two for two.
The bullet didn't penetrate.
-I'm invulnerable. -[Archie] Guess that means I'm not.
[Jughead] Veronica's nuts. What if that hadn't worked?
[Tabitha] I should have stayed in Chicago.
I can hear your thoughts.
-I think your dialysis worked, Veronica. -In that case,
you're as ready as you'll ever be, Cheryl.
For all our sakes, I pray you're right.
[suspenseful music playing]
Toodles.
["End of the World" playing]
Mom, Dad...
-I'm scared. -Hey...
♪ Breathe the air again ♪
♪ It's a beautiful day ♪
♪ I wish this moment Would stay with the Earth ♪
♪ Some primal ♪
-♪ Paradise ♪ -♪ Paradise ♪
♪ But there you go again ♪
♪ Saying everything ends ♪
♪ Saying you can't depend on anything ♪
♪ Or anyone ♪
-♪ If the end of the world was near ♪ -♪ If the end of the world was near ♪
-♪ Where would you choose to be? ♪ -♪ Where would you choose to be? ♪
♪ If there was five more minutes of air ♪
♪ Would you panic and hide? Or run for your life? ♪
♪ Or stand here and spend it with me? ♪
♪ If we had five more minutes ♪
♪ Would I, could I make you happy? ♪
♪ And we would live again ♪
♪ In the simplest of ways ♪
♪ Living day after day ♪
♪ Like some primal ♪
-♪ Animals ♪ -♪ Animals ♪
♪ We would love again ♪
♪ Under glorious suns ♪
♪ With the freedom That comes with the truth ♪
♪ Mmm ♪
-♪ If the end of the world was near ♪ -♪ If the end of the world was near ♪
-♪ Where would you choose to be? ♪ -♪ Where would you choose to be? ♪
♪ If there was five more minutes of air ♪
♪ Would you panic and hide? Or run for your life? ♪
♪ Or stand here and spend it with me? ♪
♪ If we had five more minutes ♪
♪ Would I, could I make you happy? ♪
♪ So it finally came to pass ♪
♪ I saw the end of the world ♪
♪ Saw the madness unfold ♪
♪ Like some primal ♪
-♪ Burial ♪ -♪ Burial ♪
♪ And I looked back upon ♪
-♪ Armageddon ♪ -♪ Armageddon ♪
♪ And the moment of truth Between you and me ♪
♪ If we had five more minutes ♪
♪ Of air to breathe ♪
♪ And we cried all through it ♪
♪ But you spent them with me ♪
♪ On our last few drags ♪
♪ Of air we agreed ♪
♪ I was, and you were ♪
♪ Happy ♪
[suspenseful music playing]
Let the fire within me blaze in glory
And project upon what's come before me
Combined with the gifts From each of my allies
Keep this comet From falling out of the skies
Let the fire within me blaze in glory
And project upon what's come before me
Combined with the gifts From each of my allies
Keep this comet From falling out of the skies
Let the fire within me blaze in glory
And project upon what's come before me
Combined with the gifts From each of my allies
Keep this comet
From falling from the skies!
Let the fire within me blaze in glory
Keep this comet From falling out of the skies!
[pensive music playing]
[Jughead] So, what happened next?
Did Cheryl, with our combined strengths, melt the comet?
And did Veronica's last-minute plan to augment Cheryl's Phoenix Powers
save our loved ones' lives?
[alarm clock ringing]
The answer is yes.
["Only You" playing on radio]
But I suspect that the milkshake-like combination of all of our gifts,
arcane magic, time traveling, opening portals into other dimensions,
did something wholly unexpected
and yet also utterly inevitable.
Riverdale and its citizens survived the ultimate battle between good and evil.
And it was still our Riverdale.
But somehow, we were in a different time.
Maybe to survive, we had to go back to a simpler time.
Before Jason Blossom's murder, before the Black Hood.
Back to a truly innocent time.
Mom? What's wrong? What's going on?
I just heard the news on the radio.
And it's in the morning paper.
It's so awful, Archie.
He died.
He was so talented and so young.
Who's dead? Who died?
James Dean.
[Jughead] It was true.
The night before, the actor and teen idol James Dean
had died in a car crash in California.
Somehow, the year is 1955.
And somehow, Archie Andrews and all of his friends, me included,
are teenagers again.
And I'm the only one who remembers what our lives were like B.C.
Before the comet.
[dramatic music playing]
[theme music playing] g]