Previously on Riverdale...
If we divorce,
I can testify against you in court.
And no one would believe that the she-wolf of Wall Street
didn't know about the dirty dealings going on in her own business.
Archie...
I'm staying in New York.
Ronnie... don't do this.
I'm not going to stop looking for Polly.
I will get justice, Mom.
I have a favor to ask.
I have some personal trauma that I can't access...
I need someone that I trust to just watch over me.
You have to get some real writing done.
I'll be back in the morning.
- Write. - Tabitha.
Tabitha, don't!
Oh...
my God.
Uncle Frank, Kevin's dad said there was a prison break.
Boom.
I overheard some of my fellow inmates saying they're getting paid
to trash the town, especially this school.
Only Hiram Lodge would be crazy enough to do that.
Hiram's escapees trashed everything.
They pulled wires from walls, smashed circuit breakers,
even broke sinks and toilets.
How long till we can get this place
back in shape, Mr. Andrews?
Well, we're looking at at least three weeks.
And that's if I can pull a crew together.
Count me in, Archie.
Well, let's get started.
I guess it's back to remote learning.
Miss Veronica. Welcome back.
Smithers.
Oh! Is that my special delivery?
Oh, yes, it came last night.
Uh, there's something you should know.
- Your father... - Wait, let me get eyes on the opal first.
Uh...
Oh, Smithers...
My gem contact in Ethiopia did not lie.
This blue opal is even more stunning than I imagined!
And just in time, too.
I've got a buyer coming into town from Montreal, Mr. Sand.
I can use the commission from the sale of this gem
to start paying back Chad's investors.
Something happened while you were gone.
Your father's prison was compromised.
What?
The town was flooded with convicts
wreaking havoc and mayhem.
Hit hardest was Riverdale High.
Oh, my God!
Archie. Thank God.
I heard about the prison break.
- Are you okay? - I'm fine.
I mean, the school's a mess, but it could have been a lot worse.
How did things go with Chad?
Did he sign the divorce papers?
Not exactly.
Chad threw me a curveball.
I could explain, but for legal reasons,
it's better you don't know the details.
I know, I'm sorry.
I really hate that I'm dragging you through this.
I appreciate it, Ronnie,
but until you and Chad are officially done,
I think we should keep our distance.
I mean, we can be friends, but that's it.
Not until those papers are signed.
I suppose that makes sense.
And I'm gonna be busy anyway.
I told Tom that I'd help him round up any convicts
who are still causing trouble.
- Only when I feel like it. - Well, you are legally senile.
Good morning, sisters.
What are you so happy about?
Life, Cheryl. Everlasting life.
Whilst in prison, I started my own ministry.
And now that I'm free,
I can see plainly that continuing my good work
is precisely what this wicked little town needs.
We'll hold two services a day, right here on the estate.
A ministry.
Shouldn't you be hiding in the walls again
per chance the Po-po come a knocking?
Actually...
due to my active spiritual work,
I was up for early parole.
What we need is money.
Not some sham religion created by and for convicts.
God is on our side, child.
When we start this church, he will provide.
- Hello? - Is this Betty?
Yeah, who's this?
- It's Tabitha. Tabitha Tate. - Hi.
Listen, I know this is out of the blue,
but I can't find Jughead anywhere.
I was supposed to watch him, long story,
but now he's missing, and I'm worried about him.
Look, Jughead's been known to go off grid
for days at a time.
But I can stop by Pop's tomorrow
and check in with you if you want.
I appreciate that.
- Thank you, Betty. - Yeah.
Give me all the cash in your register! Now!
Okay, no problem. Please just don't hurt anyone.
Give me the money!
Jeremiah Peterson.
Serving five to ten years
for two counts of armed robbery.
Well, it's about to be three
unless you can help us find your fellow escapees.
Most of them are long gone.
High-tailed it out of Riverdale right after the prison break.
- But a few stayed behind. - How many?
I want a lawyer and some more meds.
Maybe after he's had some rest and some painkillers,
he'll want to talk to us.
Mmm. I'll look in on him periodically.
All right.
Isn't it beautiful?
I was tracking this opal down for months.
Finally came in.
It's sublime.
Well, isn't this a small world?
Wait.
You're those psychos from Thanksgiving seven years ago.
Don't even think about it, darling.
Hands up, both of you.
Dodger, smash and grab!
We'll take that, too.
Hope your insurance is all paid up.
What the hell just happened?
- Synced and corrected by VitoSilans - -- www.Addic7ed.com --
Hey, guys, you should see this.
...managed to round up
the majority of these criminals.
But we believe there's a small group of escapees
that are still at large in the town formerly knowns as Riverdale
Local philanthropist, Hiram Lodge, and I
are offering a reward for any information
that may lead to a safe capture of any and all prisoners.
Wait, so Hiram sets free a bunch of cons
and now he's offering a reward for bringing them back?
It's a PR stunt to paint themselves as heroes.
Archie, where are you going?
We need money to fix this school,
and they're offering it.
I'm rounding up some criminals and I'm cashing in.
Well, if it isn't my old friend.
Hello, Archie.
Hiram. Governor Dooley.
I saw the press conference.
I'm going after your prisoners for the bounties.
Do you have a list of the missing convicts?
Here is at least some of the names
of the inmates confirmed to be at large.
Thank you. You'll hear from me.
And keep your checkbook handy.
This is a mess, Hiram.
Blowing up the prison was never a part of our greater plans.
- As far as you know. - Cut the crap!
Just give me my cut of the palladium.
I've told you, over and over again, Governor,
that we didn't find any beneath the prison, sadly.
And I don't believe you, partner.
But I'll give you 24 hours to change your tune.
Be careful out there, Donald.
A lot of dangerous folk still on the loose.
Might wanna watch your back.
Ronnie.
You said you needed my help,
but I'm done doing clean-up work.
Reggie, thanks to your and my father's machinations,
that thug, Dodger Dickenson,
and his crazy mom ravaged my store.
They got away with half my stock.
Not to mention an Ethiopian blue opal
which you, Reginald, are going to help me find.
Yeah, no. This is not high school, Ronnie.
I work for one Lodge, and it's not you.
How did that even happen?
My dad got into some money troubles
and turned to your dad for help.
Now I'm working off my old man's debt.
Reggie, it's not too late to switch sides.
Fight with the good guys.
Nah, the bad guys pay better.
But I'll help you find your rock for old times' sake.
Thank you, Reggie.
Wow, so Jughead is taking psychedelics
to help him write, now.
I guess I'm only sort of surprised, actually.
I thought if I cuffed him,
he'd be contained until I came back.
But I couldn't stay. Not after...
What?
When he was high, he made a pass at me.
And when I rebuffed him, he said...
What did he say?
He said, "Don't be a such a Betty.
First sign of fun, you try to kill it."
Okay, um, I'm sorry
that Jughead put you in this really awful position,
but he shouldn't really be my problem anymore.
Or yours for that matter.
But yeah. Yeah, I'll help.
Last time I didn't act on a missing person was my sister.
We'll start at the bunker. I wanna see it for myself.
Thanks.
Hey. What are you giving him? That's my prisoner.
Darla Dickenson?
Didn't realize I'd made such an impression on you folks.
Mission accomplished.
In about two minutes,
Jeremiah won't be saying much of anything to anyone.
Oh, and I hooked us a little bonus prize, too.
Well, he left his phone here.
That's never a good sign.
Okay, although this will be potentially cringey,
I think we should read Jughead's manuscript.
See if there's any clues about
where he may have wandered off to.
We'll each take half.
What am I looking for?
Any conspicuous locations or people that he mentions.
Anything that might be a lead.
Oh, what do we have here?
Fallen on hard times, friend?
I'm just trying to keep warm.
Hey, uh, you wanna make some money?
- No, I'm good. - No, really, take it. I insist.
Oops.
Uncle Frank, my mom's building a case
that should grant you an early release
because of the heroism you showed
the night of the prison break.
If you can help us find these convicts,
it should bolster your chances.
Oh, hell yeah, I'll help you find 'em.
I might even know where some of these guys are hiding.
I also heard of a group of convicts
squatting at an old tuna fish warehouse out on the docks.
Great, we'll start there.
- No answer? - No.
Straight to voicemail again. Thanks for asking.
I talked to your dad earlier, Kev.
He knew we were meeting here.
Well, it's Riverdale. He could be doing literally anything.
Onwards with the plan. Are we going in armed?
Yeah. Batons, tasers, and zip ties.
No guns, minimal bloodshed.
Let's go get 'em.
All this stuff about Mothmen and Mole People.
Where did Jughead get the shrooms anyways?
His ex, Jessica, came up from New York to deliver them.
Maybe he's reached out to her.
Seven years later, still the same passcode.
Hey, Jones, How was your trip?
- Is this Jessica? - Yeah, who the hell is this?
This is Betty Cooper. I'm...
Wait, the Betty?
Oh, my God, I have so many questions for you.
I'm calling because you sold Jughead psychedelic mushrooms,
and now he's missing.
Has he reached out to you?
No, but don't worry.
Sometimes when he has writer's block,
Jones goes on these walkabouts, he calls 'em.
Um, he's not blocked, he wrote his book.
Such as it is.
I thought "Diner Girl"
was supposed to watch him.
He slipped past her.
Amateur. I'll come up to help you look for him.
No, that's really not necessary.
Also, he owes me, like, $500.
Text me your address.
Okay, I guess we'll see you tomorrow.
Maybe she can actually help us.
Also, I'm a little curious to meet her now.
Efforts are afoot to rebuild Riverdale.
But this town shan't be saved until its soul is saved.
What say ye?
We pray our souls be saved.
Amen, I say back to ye.
Now, give yourselves over to the holy sweetness.
Drink of his sweet water and be saved.
Who exactly is "He," Mumsie?
Whose sweet water are they tasting?
The sweetness of this water
comes from a son
who died for the sins and the darkness of this world.
I speak of my son... Jason.
For years, I searched to find meaning in his death.
But then, I realized something.
Jason was a sacrifice
to lay bare the sins of this accursed place.
And now it is up to us
to shepherd the soul of this township
back into the light.
To that end,
if you have any coins or bills that you could spare,
even a penny will help to ensure
Riverdale's spiritual future.
Praise be.
I'm gonna drain the vein.
- What the hell? - There are warrants out for your arrest.
We're taking you in.
You don't have guns.
That was a bad idea.
Drop it, before I drop you.
Let's go.
What are you doing here, Ronnie?
Our old nemeses, Dodger and Darla Dickenson,
stole my blue opal.
I just got one of the cons to spill.
Dodger was here talking up some fancy rock,
but slipped out before you clowns stormed in.
That's my buyer. He's getting restless.
Okay. I have to deal with him,
but Archie, please,
I need you to find Dodger and Darla and get my opal back.
All right, let me just get this straight.
You went off to New York, which I didn't want you to do,
you may or may not have spent the night with your husband,
who definitely didn't sign any divorce papers,
and now you want me to go find some rock for you?
I'm sorry about what happened with me and Chad.
But you're going after the Dickensons no matter what, right?
Then you can get me my opal.
Fine.
Hey. You should rest. You're banged up pretty bad.
- You changed my bandages? - Yes, sir.
You've got a fever. Probably an infection.
I gave you aspirin, but what you really need are antibiotics.
Sent a pal of mine out to score you some.
You're shivering. Here.
Thanks.
Yeah, those guys, they kicked the tar out of ya.
You're lucky you're alive.
I'm lucky you were there. What's your name?
Calvin. But people call me Doc.
There's this one guy named Doc.
He would stay up all night
just to make sure the junkies didn't mess with me.
And one day,
these drunken businessmen
who had heard about our little shantytown,
they found Doc.
They beat the life out of him.
I didn't move, I didn't say anything.
I watched.
What's yours?
- Henry. - Well, Henry,
You wanna tell me how you ended up on Sketch Alley?
- Uh... I took some shrooms. - Mmm-hmm.
I had a bad trip.
I was in and out for a while.
And then I guess I wandered here.
I really should go. Thank you very much.
No, whoa, hey.
You're not going anywhere.
Look, my friend will be back soon.
Until then, you sleep.
There you go.
Donald, it's Hiram.
I have some new information
regarding what we were discussing earlier.
If you could meet me ASAP, I'm at the office.
Satisfied?
Not until I get my share of the palladium.
Or you're dead.
Or both.
Archie said Jughead has been living in here.
Oh, my God.
Well, Jessica, what do you think?
Our apartment back in New York was even messier.
What the hell has he been doing these days?
The maple mushrooms I gave Jones
shouldn't have triggered a psychotic episode.
Was he taking anything else?
Not that I know of.
Well, we should confirm that.
Luckily, I know all about hiding places.
Especially his.
We can search for him and his stashes.
See if there are any other drugs
he might have been sampling.
Where else could he be hiding out?
Or hiding contraband?
Well, it's a long shot,
but he did live under the stairs
at Riverdale High once.
And he has a desk there, same as the rest of us.
Well, that's our next stop, then.
Well, he is not in the teacher's lounge.
He's not under the stairs.
Pretty sure he's not hiding in a desk drawer.
Where would he have done most of his writing,
if not here or his crib?
Well, the bunker. But we already checked it.
Yeah, but you don't necessarily know what we're looking for.
Take me there.
Okay.
You're shameless, Mumsie.
Swindling those people out of their money
whilst defiling the memory of Jay-Jay.
I am doing no such thing.
I've spent enough time with corpses to know the truth.
There is no invisible world, just eternal rot.
We're worm food at best.
Do you honestly believe that?
Well, there was a time when I wanted
to believe in something more.
The time when I actually thought
I was speaking to Jay-Jay in the beyond.
But you ruined that.
Your gaslighting, your lies,
your deranged Julian doll.
You showed me that there is nothing eternal,
just the cruelty of mothers.
Any faith I had went up in flames
when I give Jason his Viking funeral.
But, Cheryl, there is a realm beyond this mortal coil,
where maple syrup flows in rivers.
Don't you want to be part of something larger?
Of course I do.
I just don't think you're a part of it, Mother.
Daddy, I can't talk right now.
Veronica Lodge. You don't know me,
but my associates and I have taken your father hostage.
See, he owes me something, and he won't give it over.
So, if you want to see him or his fellow captives,
Governor Dooley, or Sheriff Keller, alive again,
you better follow my instructions.
- What do you want? - Palladium.
We dug it out of the ground for your father,
and now, we want our share.
But he won't tell us where it is.
So I thought maybe you could get through to him.
We're at the El Royale. There's three of them. He's got...
Daddy!
Do not cooperate with these thugs.
What the hell is palladium?
I don't know what they're talking about.
- Daddy? - That was Double D
putting a bullet into Governor Dooley's stomach.
It'll probably take a few hours for him to bleed out.
The next bullet goes into your father.
So, if you want to save their lives, find me that palladium!
Wait. Double D?
Is Dodger Dickenson there?
And does he have a blue opal?
He might.
I'll get you the palladium.
But I want my father and the others back.
And my opal.
- Deal. - I'll be in touch.
What was that about?
Reggie, what do you know about my dad and palladium?
Okay, now I'm officially worried.
My dad has never been out of touch this long.
Your dad's been in tough spots before, Kev.
He'll be okay.
We're gonna find him.
- Veronica? - Archie, where are you?
I'm at home. We haven't found Dodger or his mom yet.
I know where they are.
They're with some other guy named Ted.
Oh, crap.
I know that guy. He's a beast.
They're holed up at the El Royale,
and they're keeping my father, Governor Dooley
- and Sheriff Keller hostage. - Wait, what?
They're looking for a stash of palladium,
but Reggie thinks he knows where it is.
Can you meet us at Daddy's SoDale office?
Yeah, we're on our way.
I know where your dad is.
Confirmed. My father is literally Lex Luthor.
If he's hiding any palladium, it's in there.
Archie, you still ride with those tools in the back of your truck?
Yes, I do.
Do you guys want to give me a hand?
And I will track down a dolly.
Well done, fellas.
Depressing.
I can see why Jones likes this place.
Damn it. Where is it?
Where's what? What are you even looking for?
At the moment, Jones's manuscript.
Uh, I have it.
I took it with me when we searched this place earlier.
Can I read it?
Is there anything in there that will help us find Jones?
Not that we could pinpoint.
Okay.
Hmm. New idea.
If this is where he tripped, should we do the same?
- I'm sorry, what? - I have some shrooms.
They're from the same batch that I gave Jones.
If we take some, maybe we could see what he saw,
experience what he experienced.
It will be like retracing his steps.
Can you just give us a sec?
We've just never tripped before.
- Yeah. - Just gonna...
We're not going to do that.
What is she trying to pull here?
I don't know but she gave him drugs,
she's trying to get us to take drugs.
Clearly she's got multiple agendas going on.
This was, I think, a really bad idea.
- Let's pivot. - New new idea.
I'm wondering if I should go back to New York.
You two clearly have Riverdale covered.
But what if Jughead is on his way back there to confront his demons?
- That might be a good idea. - Good idea.
But it is a long ride back to the city.
Can we... Can we grab a bite before I go?
Jones couldn't stop talking about Pop's when I met him.
- Yeah, for sure. - Mmm-hmm.
Okay. Come on, ladies. It'll be my treat.
Doc?
Did you get the palladium?
Yes, but there's a catch.
It's locked in a safe.
We have it, but not the combination. Luckily...
I have the man who does.
All right.
But I want you to make the delivery, not your boyfriend.
Just you.
Deal. I'll be there in half an hour.
I give you the safe, you give me my opal and free the hostages.
And Archie tells me you're a military man,
so I know you'll honor your word.
Okay. What's the plan, boys?
Once I'm inside, I can buy us, say, 30 seconds.
Ted knows the El Royale. That's why he chose it.
He'll have eyes on all the entrances.
No, not all.
When I took over the gym, I put in a new roof.
There's an old skylight covered with tarpaper.
We tear it off and drop in like Batman, with the element of surprise.
And he doesn't know you're working with us, Uncle Frank,
which gives us a small advantage.
They've got my dad. I'm going in, too.
Count me in as well.
Same.
Good.
We'll need the manpower against Ted.
You really didn't have to do that.
I own this diner.
No way.
I love splurging on new friends.
It's a lesson I live by.
Help out when you can. And maybe don't leave people alone
when they're tripping on maple mushrooms.
I assumed he'd be safe in the handcuffs.
Well, another lesson,
maybe don't give psychedelics shrooms to someone in a delicate state.
Yeah? How about don't betray your boyfriend the way you did?
Getting with his best friend,
that's some Shakespearean level treachery.
Okay. Yeah.
Clearly, in the stories Jughead has been telling,
he's cast himself as the blameless victim here.
But Jughead is not so innocent.
Yeah. No, actually, he left me
this voicemail, mmm, two years ago.
Betty, where the hell are you?
You said you were gonna come to my release party,
but, what, you bailed?
Of course you bailed.
You've just been blowing me off for years.
Why should I have even expected anything different?
You know, I see you, Betty.
I see what I should have seen seven years ago.
You pretend to be nice, but you're only looking for weak spots.
And when you find them, you press on them like a bruise.
Like when you hooked up with Archie.
You know, you found the one person
that would hurt both me and Veronica, and you just went there.
You're a cold, fake, duplicitous bitch.
And once people read my book, everyone's going to see that.
- Wow. That's darkness. - Yeah.
I was living with Jughead then.
Yeah, things were good for a while.
But then these writing deadlines
started to get the best of him,
and he started spiraling into this destructive behavior.
To be fair, so did I. I'm a writer as well.
I mean, we cared about each other.
We just weren't good for each other, you know?
I couldn't be around that energy, so I got out.
Hmm. Are you guys hot?
- Mmm-mmm. - I'm feeling hot.
Oh, crap.
I feel bad now, but I'm just going to say it.
When I got the fries, I sprinkled some dried maple mushrooms on them.
- Are you kidding me? - You did what?
I knew they tasted different.
I'm sorry. I was just going to chill
until you guys started tripping,
and then grab the manuscript.
Wait, is that why you came here?
Why didn't you just ask for the manuscript?
Probably PTSD from asking Jughead
if I could read whatever he was working on,
and then him biting my head off.
Anyway, we should get you guys someplace safe.
What is so important about this manuscript
that you would drug us to get it?
It's, it's literal gibberish.
After he used you as fodder for The Outcasts,
I was afraid he was going to write about our time in New York,
and I really don't want my parents or my friends reading that.
Go ahead.
You probably won't even remember writing it.
If he ever turns up.
I'm sure you guys don't want any more advice from me,
but just let the trip take you
wherever it may go.
It should be gentle and mellow.
Ride it out together.
Don't fight it, okay?
Just let the tunes wash over you.
And thanks for understanding.
? Doors locked ?
? Blinds pulled ?
? Flames high ?
- ? My body ? - ? My body ?
? My body ?
- ? My body ? - ? My body ?
? My body ?
? Your body is walking ?
? In space ?
? My soul is in orbit ?
? With God face-to-face ?
? Floating, flipping ?
? Flying, tripping ?
? Tripping from starlight to moonlit ?
Search her.
Show me the blue opal first.
Okay. Now, you can search me.
Isn't it fab?
It's from Lacy's new fall line.
A dozen hidden pockets for that businesswoman on the go.
You better not be wasting my time.
And that's 30 seconds, you Neanderthal.
? Jet black ?
? Blue brown ?
? Yellow crimson ?
? Green orange ?
? Purple pink ?
? Violet white ?
? White white ?
? Our eyes are open Our eyes are open ?
? White light ?
? White ?
I take it that's worth a lot.
It is.
Tomorrow, I'll hand it over to my buyer,
but, tonight, this blue baby is all mine.
Thanks to you and your A-team.
So, when the Governor regains consciousness,
we'll be asking him to give your uncle a full pardon.
I won't say no to that, Ronnie.
So...
we're still feeling good about our decision,
to hold off until my divorce is final?
Yeah.
But I am torn.
Well, then, I better work on making this divorce happen
as fast as humanly possible.
I'll be seeing you soon, Archie.
Thought you might like an update.
Where is the palladium?
That doesn't really matter as far as you're concerned,
because I'm not sharing.
Not now, not ever.
I have moved heaven and earth to get here.
I've dedicated years of my life to this cause.
You have no idea.
So, as soon as you're healthy enough,
I suggest you go back to that
cushy little mansion of yours and never return.
Or else...
Are we clear?
Yeah.
Morning. Feeling better?
Yeah, actually.
A friend came by with antibiotics.
He gave them to you while you were out.
Hey, that guy...
- Did I... - Kill him?
No, but you knocked him out.
Dragged him to the edge of Sketch Alley
and dumped him on the curb.
Someone will find him.
But you need to get home.
Well, I can't yet.
Why is that?
Something happened to me in New York.
I know it's something horrible, I just can't remember what.
I keep getting these delusions. They're like images,
or memories maybe.
And I, uh...
I just know I can't go home until I figure it out.
Sounds like you know where you're going then.
My name is not Henry, it'...
Jughead. I know.
- You knew? - Well, not right away,
but I figured you had your reasons.
I'm so sorry for everything that happened, though.
I wish I could have done something.
Well, you were a kid.
There's nothing you could have done.
You just focus on yourself.
Find your way back from wherever it is you've been.
Thanks, Doc.
I'll come back and see you.
Oh, my gosh.
How many days did we sleep through?
A week and a half it feels like.
Oh, my gosh.
Did I give Jessica Jughead's manuscript?
You did. Yeah.
And you played his message,
- the message, for us. - Oh, God.
It's okay, Betty. It is a secret amongst friends.
And, look, I know we haven't found Jughead, but, um,
what you're doing, looking for those missing girls,
I want to help.
I appreciate that, Tabitha.
Speaking of messages.
It's Jughead.
Is he okay? What's he saying?
Oh, God. Where to start?
Look, I'm... I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I haven't called.
I'm just sorry for everything.
If you're blaming yourself about me wandering off, don't.
I was high out of my mind.
I'm fine. I'm safe, more or less.
I'm heading to New York.
There's something I need to confront.
I'm not sure what, but I know I wouldn't have got this far without you.
When I get back to Riverdale, maybe we can finish that dance.
Okay.
- Synced and corrected by VitoSilans - -- www.Addic7ed.com --