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Every fairy tale comes with the same warning. Good children should never go into the woods alone... Stray from the path and who knows what you'll encounter. A hungry wolf. A handsome devil. Or maybe something worse.


"Chapter Sixteen: The Watcher in the Woods" is the third episode of the second season of Riverdale[2], and the sixteenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on October 25, 2017.

Synopsis[]

TAKING A STAND — Frustrated by the lack of progress made in catching his father's shooter, Archie takes matters into his own hands in order to send the gunman a message. Meanwhile, Veronica is thrilled when Hiram's attempt to start fresh means she gets to introduce him to her friends, including Archie. Elsewhere, Jughead starts his first day at Southside High and is befriended by a Southside Serpent named Toni, while Kevin's attempt at having a little fun causes Betty to grow concerned for his safety. Finally, an unexpected turn of events leads the town to realize their darkest chapter may be far from over. [3]

Plot[]

SPOILERS AHEAD


RD-Caps-2x03-The-Watcher-in-the-Woods-03-Midge

Midge screaming for help

In the late hours of the night, Kevin passes over a bridge leading into Fox Forest, where he meets a young man of his liking. They are up against a tree, kissing and groping when several gunshots echo throughout the forest. Kevin's sexual companion immediately takes off while Kevin, on the other hand, follows the sound. Upon further investigation, he finds Midge, climbing out the passenger's side of Moose's car, screaming for help and covered in blood as she runs into his arms. Kevin would come learn that they were attacked by a man wearing a black hood. Fortunately, Midge is unharmed due to Moose's heroic actions in using his own body to shield her from the gunfire.

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Veronica asking if her friends can come over

As Hermione nears Hiram's study with his morning coffee, Veronica steps in front of her, offering to take it to him as she has something that she wants to ask of him. However, Hermione reminds Veronica that she isn't allowed in her father's study. Those ate the old rules, Veronica retorts. Which still applied, Hermione explains. Hearing their voices just outside the door, Hiram joins them in the main room, allowing Veronica to ask if she can have her inner circle of friends over to watch the season premiere of the Matchlerette. She even invites Hiram to join them as her friends are supposedly dying to meet him.

With football practice set to begin, Reggie runs onto the field to inform the team that practice has been cancelled and that Coach Clayton is at Riverdale General Hospital with Moose and Midge, who were attacked late last night at Lover's Lane. Fortunately, both of them are alive, but Moose was shot multiple times while using his own body to shield Midge.

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The gang in the student lounge

Kevin met up with Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead in the student lounge to discuss his finding of Moose and Midge at Lover's Lane the night prior. He describes the incident as being "full-on Carrie", after hearing Midge's Banshee-like scream and finding her covered in Moose's blood. Concerned with Kevin's well being as he too could've been shot, Archie asks what Kevin was doing in the woods, to begin with. While he actually entered Fox Forest for a late night hook up, Kevin lies, telling his friends that he was on a jog. Archie now hopes that they can all agree that there is a killer on the loose, though Betty isn't convinced that the recent crimes are related. Veronica interrupts their discussion of the killer to invite them all over to her place to officially meet her father. Back in New York, he was always in his study, doing very bad things as it turned out. Veronica wants to know her father's life and he needed to know hers. Reggie then passes through the lounge to see if Archie wishes to join him in visiting Moose and Midge. Jughead realizes that he is thirty minutes late for meeting his peer mentor at Southside High. Betty tells him to wait, hoping that he could just continue to attend Riverdale. He tells Betty that he will be fine, before giving her a goodbye kiss.

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Betty asking Kevin not to return to Fox Forest

While being unknowingly followed by Cheryl, Betty confronts Kevin in the hall about his unconvincing night jogging story. He claims that he is trying to get in shape for wrestling, though with Betty knowing him better than most, she can see right through his lie, which forces Kevin to confess that he went cruising in Fox Forest. However, his claim to join the wrestling team remains true. Betty understands that he has been lonely ever since Joaquin left town, but she hated cruising. Why can't you just use Grind'em, Betty asked, to which Kevin replied that no one is ever who they say they are online. At least when cruising, what you see is what you get. Betty reminds him that Moose and Midge were shot literally three hundred yards from Fox Forest, and the person who did it was still out there. She insists that he refrain from going out there again, at least until the shooter is caught.

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Archie and Reggie check in on Moose

Archie and Reggie arrive at the hospital to check in on Moose. Archie tells him that he is the single greatest reason for Midge's survival. Reggie asks Moose if his nurse is attractive. If so, he runs the risk of getting a boner during a sponge bath. Moose laughs. Archie then asks Moose what he remembers of the attack, specifically the killer's black hood and supposed green eyes. While Moose did confirm that the shooter was wearing a black hood, he is interrupted by Midge before he could answer the question in regards to the shooter's eyes. Midge explains that his eyes were blank as if there wasn't even a person behind them, comparable to Michael Myers or even the devil.

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Toni and Jughead in the cafeteria

Jughead makes his way over to Southside High, where he is stopped at the door by the metal detector because of the pins in his hat. He is approached by his peer mentor, Toni Topaz, who calls out to him by his birth name, Forsythe Pendleton Jones III. Toni guides him throughout the school, explaining that the classrooms don't have Wi-Fi. The bathroom stalls don't have doors. And the school paper, The Red and Black, had closed down long ago due to budget cuts. To their right was a rare glimpse of Jingle Jangle being consumed in its natural habitat, though Jughead has no understanding of what she means. Toni tells him that it is a highly addictive gutter drug that's better off avoided. In the cafeteria, Jughead learns of the Ghoulies, a rival gang of drug dealers, street racers, and rumored cannibals, who sate on one side of the cafeteria. As for the two of them, they sit on the other side with the Serpents. Despite her kindness and warm welcome, Jughead would rather sit alone. Toni is confused by his willingness to stray from the Serpents considering that he is a "Serpent by blood"; the son of FP Jones. While this is true, Jughead isn't a pack animal. He identifies as a loner. Toni advises him to hang with the Serpents. Should the Ghoulies discover that he's vulnerable and alone, they'll seize the opportunity to attack.

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Fred and Archie discussing the shootings

Archie returns home to inform his father of the shooting and the matching description given between his shooter at Pop's shoppe and Moose's shooter at Lover's Lane. Unfortunately, much like Betty, Fred has yet to be convinced that the shootings are in any way related, though Archie has his mind made up that these aren't isolated incidents. If Sheriff Keller isn't willing to take that seriously, Archie suggests that they buy a gun for protection. However, Fred will not stand for a gun in his house. He'd much rather allow the police to do their job.

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Hiram meeting Veronica's friends

Later that evening at Veronica's, Archie expresses his frustration with the lack of effort being made to apprehend the shooter. His dad keeps telling him to leave it to the police, but if memory serves, they were the ones that succeeded in catching Jason's killer, when the Sheriff couldn't. Archie is starting to suspect that they were being specifically targeted. Veronica tells him that when they had a getaway on the Cape, all of them got together and hired private security to keep out the riffraff as an added layer of protection. Her parents then enter the room on their way out for dinner. Veronica introduces Hiram to each of her friends, starting with Betty, then moving on to Jughead, who Hiram wishes the best of luck. FP is a good man that valued family. Hiram hopes his return comes sooner rather than later. Finally, he meets Archie, the boy whose captured his daughter's heart. Hiram couldn't help but overhear their previous discussion in regards to their frustration to the Sheriff's inability to catch the killer. As someone who's had his fair share of run-ins with the law, Hiram could say with confidence that the police aren't always the solution. Sometimes, they needed to take matters into their own hands. Before leaving, he invites Archie over for dinner later in the week, as he looks forward to seeing what Archie comes up with to save Riverdale.

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Archie with his gun

Inspired by Hiram's words of motivation, Archie heads home, to his garage, where inside a dusty toolbox, and under a stack of comics, was the gun that he had previously received from Dilton Doiley. After giving the gun a quick look, Archie picked up one of the comics, The Red Circle comic, to be exact, giving it a long look.

The following morning, Hermione advises Veronica against pursuing the dinner with Archie. While it may not have been Veronica who extended the invitation, Hiram's actions stemmed from his desire to please her. Veronica, on the other hand, simply wants her father's approval. Veronica wanted for everything to change overnight, and for him to be friends with her friend. While one day her friends will be in a great place with her father, it was a working process, not something to be rushed.

Meanwhile, as Betty prepares to leave for school, she gives her mother an envelope that she found on the front porch with their last name on it.

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Archie forming the Red Circle

Archie holds a meeting in an empty classroom with many of his fellow students, including Reggie and Dilton. They are all under attack, as were their friends and family. This time it was Moose and Midge, next time, it could just as easily be one of them. Running and hiding is no longer an option. Archie proposes that they start a watch group to focus on the students, staff, and parents of Riverdale High. While his first thought was to take to the streets, he came to a more civilized solution, that wouldn't require violence and weapons. A patrol, which would provide an extra set of eyes and ears for the police. What if we run into the killer, Dilton asks. Archie instructs him to call Sheriff Keller as they weren't vigilantes. They were watch-dogs, though their official name would be The Red Circle. They hold the line, meaning they would no longer wait around for the follow-up attack. From that point forward, it was their duty to protect their own.

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Jughead asking Mr. Phillips to revive the Red and Black

In class, Toni warns Jughead against answering Mr. Phillips' question in relation to the dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451, though Jughead fails to heed her warning by correctly answering the teacher's question. He explains that Fahrenheit 451 is the temperature at which paper burns. Having learned from Toni that Mr. Phillips used to advise the school paper, Jughead approaches his desk after class to find out why it was shut down. Drugs and gangs came to Southside High, Mr. Phillips states. Trying to get students interested in the school paper was an exercise in futility. However, he hadn't yet met Jughead, who is actively seeking to revive the Red and Black. His experience with writing for The Blue and Gold at Riverdale High makes him the perfect candidate. With his past articles up for viewing online, Mr. Phillips agrees to look them up.

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Cheryl eavesdropping on Betty and Kevin

Betty confronts Kevin in the student lounge after he failed to show up at Veronica's. He claims that something came up. Something in the woods, Betty asks. Alluding to another cruising in Fox Forest. Kevin hopes that Betty wouldn't take what he was about to say the wrong way, but he asks her how many years did he listen to her talk on and on about Archie, and now she's doing the same with Jughead. She didn't ask his permission to date them because she didn't need Kevin's permission nor did he need hers. She attempts to explain that there's a difference between what he was doing and dating, but Kevin doesn't stick around to listen. Unbeknownst to Betty, Cheryl was listening in on their conversation. She questions what was so bad about Kevin's sudden sex drive. Betty tells Cheryl that it was putting him in danger, leaving her to wonder why he wouldn't stop. Kevin used to be a lonely, awkward, fat boy with acne. Now, he's a smoke show, though, in his mind, he's still unattractive, so now, he is seeking validation, Cheryl explains.

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Veronica at Pop's with Archie

With incredible news to share, Veronica meets up with Archie at Pop's to discuss their upcoming dinner with her parents, though the timing was less than ideal considering the shooter was still on the loose. However, Veronica wants to put that to the side just for one night as the dinner was nonnegotiable. The drive-by her father did during the Matchlerette was a kind gesture, but the dinner was more like a test. Archie asks what he was being tested for. Veronica corrects him, saying that the test is for her father, to see if he's capable of being a normal father without any agenda, other than getting to know someone that is important to her, that being Archie. With that being the case, Archie agrees to attend the dinner. Sadly, she didn't have time to teach him Spanish, but she selected a few common phrases for him to practice with. Most importantly, during dinner, Veronica requests that he refrain from any talk of the Red Circle or as she referred to it, his "private army".

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Geraldine's glasses and Fred's wallet

Betty returns home that evening to learn that her mother had received a letter from the killer, who is now calling himself the Black Hood. In the letter, he takes responsibility for shooting Fred, Midge and Moose, as well as killing Ms. Grundy in Greendale. Betty questions the authenticity of the letter as it could've been sent by anyone. However, as proof of his crimes, the Black Hood took souvenirs from his victims, including Fred' missing wallet and Ms. Grundy's red sunglasses, which he included in the envelope sent their house.

After leaving Pop's with Veronica, Archie, Reggie, Dilton and their fellow Circle members go around town posting and passing out flyers, instructing residents to call them should they need protection or feared for their life. It is during River Vixens practice, that Veronica, Midge and Cheryl are given one of the Red Circle's flyers.

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Sheriff Keller reading the letter

Meanwhile, at the Mayor's office, Alice and Hal give Sheriff Keller the letter that they received earlier that morning from the Black Hood. Sheriff Keller reads the letter and within, the Black Hood confesses to being the one who shot the "adulterer", Fred Andrews, at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, killed the "child predator", Geraldine Grundy, in Greendale as well as shooting the "drug and sex-addicted" teenagers, Moose and Midge, retrospectively, at Lovers Lane. The letter goes on to say that he won't and cannot be stopped due to Riverdale needing to be cleansed of degenerates and hypocrites. In the spirit of public safety, and not wanting to cause panic among the residents, Mayor McCoy wishes to keep the letter a secret. However, Alice and Hal disagree with this approach as they feel that it's their responsibility to inform the public. Sheriff Keller requests a media black-out for at least the next twenty-four hours. He'd also be taking the letter into evidence, though he would send them a copy afterward. However, there was no need since Alice and Hal had made their own copy just before sending it to the printer for tomorrow's front page.

He is later approached in the hallway by Mr. Phillips, who after reading his online articles, is considering re-opening the Red and the Black, but under two conditions; those conditions being that he isn't allowed to traffic in gangs or drugs. Should he fail to comply, Mr. Phillips will shut the paper down.

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Archie and Mr. Weatherbee

The next day, Sheriff Keller finds Archie at school to confront his influence in the creation of the Red Circle, though he referred to them as a militia. Archie informs the Sheriff that people are scared and that they were merely trying to help. But a lynch mob would be counterproductive, Sheriff Keller remarks. Mr. Weatherbee soon joins the discussions. He tells Sheriff Keller that the Red Circle is a school club, claiming that Archie had shown tremendous initiative. He refuses to fault them for wanting to protect each other.

RD-Caps-2x03-The-Watcher-in-the-Woods-77-Sweet-Pea-southside-serpents

Sweet Pea asking Jughead and Toni to join them

In the Red and Black offices, Jughead and Toni unpack their belongings. He remarks that while it wasn't anything compared to New York Times for instance, it was the safe space that he had been searching for. Looking to Toni, hoping that she would agree to join him, Jughead states that all he is missing is a photographer with an amazing eye and a hunger for social justice. Before Toni could agree to join him, they are interrupted by Sweet Pea and two fellow Serpent members, who were hoping that Toni and Jughead would accompany them at the quarry. Jughead declines Sweet Pea's offer, sarcastically remarking that he didn't have his beach body yet. Sweet Pea takes great offense to Jughead's refusal to join them, concluding that they were good enough for him to ask for help, but not good enough to hang out with. He tells Jughead not to come crawling to them when some random Ghoulie decides to earn his stripes by taking out FP Jones' kid. This is duly noted, and while Jughead appreciates all the Serpents have done for him and his father, he has no desires in being one of them, which angers Sweet Pea, enough to make him attack. Fortunately, Toni is there to keep the two separate. She jokes that Jughead just isn't that into him.

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Hal, Alice, and Betty learning that Polly is leaving

After reading the latest print from the Register, Polly tells her family that she is leaving Riverdale to live at the Farm. She has already called to make sure they still had room for her. What farm, her mother asks. Polly replies that it is the very same farm that she and Jason were going to run off to before he was killed. Before any rash decisions are made, Hal suggests that they all sit down and talk about Polly's sudden urge to leave. Polly's need to evacuate stems from her fear of the Black Hood, who is targeting sinners. Betty does not believe that Polly is a sinner, but Polly counters that she is an unwed mother, that is carrying her cousin's babies, making her the poster child for sinners. Leaving Riverdale is the best way to avoid being targeted. Alice strongly objects to this, saying that Polly will leave Riverdale over her dead body, to which Polly replies that might be over Alice's body, but it certainly won't be over hers or her babies'. She then leaves the room, with Hal following closely behind.

RD-Caps-2x03-The-Watcher-in-the-Woods-87-Kevin-Moose

Kevin visiting Moose in the hospital

Kevin visits Moose in the hospital, where like many others before him, Moose asks what Kevin was doing in the woods, though Kevin didn't respond to the question, rather, turning the question back on Moose, asking what he was doing in the woods with Midge, other than drugs. Moose reveals that the Jingle Jangle was Midge's idea. She has a bit of a wild side. While Moose likes Midge, he isn't always sure that they are the greatest match. He then looks to Kevin, who has a troubled look on his face. Moose asks if everything is alright with him. Kevin admits that he hasn't been making great decisions lately. He's been lying to his father and going into the woods despite knowing the dangers he faces while doing so, almost as if he didn't even care. Moose explains that guys like them, in a town like Riverdale, didn't have many options. So, even if they risk certain danger, they go for it because of the slightest chance that they won't be alone for the smallest amount of time. Having grown uncomfortable with the discussion, Kevin leaves the hospital, but not before Moose tells him that he can come back whenever he felt like hanging out or talking.

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Hermione warning Veronica

As Veronica cleans the silverware in preparation for her upcoming dinner with Archie, she is warned by her mother that she is playing with fire and that she should be more cautious when doing so. While Veronica's agenda may have consisted of the family getting to know Archie over a civilized dinner, Hermione isn't too convinced that this is Hiram's agenda. However, from Veronica's perspective, Hermione is the only one failing to put forth the effort. What do you think daddy is going to do to Archie, Veronica shouts. She is tired of the veiled threats, so she tells Hermione to admit that Hiram is dangerous or to otherwise drop it as a whole because they were to never have the conversation again. Hermione, unfortunately, stands there, quietly, as Veronica reminds her that she is responsible for welcoming Hiram back into their lives.

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Archie and Reggie going on patrol

That night, with a baseball bat in hand, Archie runs outside and hops in Reggie's car. Reggie immediately points out the bat, and how Archie previously said no weapons because they weren't vigilantes. Archie counters that he's had the bat since he was ten. Reggie then tells him to look behind the seat. In the back seat, is a pipe and a lug wrench, on standby, in case patrol turned violent.

Betty pays Jughead a surprise visit to Southside High. She comes bearing gifts to make his new office at the Red and Black a bit more comfortable. While Jughead is happy to see her, he says Betty shouldn't be walking around the Southside at night, unless she's armed. She replies that she is armed, holding up a tea kettle as a joke. She then learns that Jughead discovered the local component of Clifford Blossom's drug pipeline (Jingle Jangle) is coming from the school. Jughead recalls his father previously stating that the Serpents never dealt with hard drugs, but a rival gang did; the Ghoulies. Betty questions if it is a good idea for Jughead to write about gangs and drugs while attending the Southside High. Are you worried about me? I thought you liked me reckless, Jughead responds. The two of them start to kiss until being interrupted by Toni, who Jughead introduces as the Red and Black's photographer. Toni comments that Betty isn't at all what she expected of Jughead's girlfriend, she pictured someone more like Emily the Strange or Winona Ryder from Beetlejuice.

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Hiram helping Hermione with her zipper

As Hiram and Hermione prepare for another night out, Hiram assists Hermione in zipping up the back of her dress, during which time he tells her that sound carries in the apartment. Even in his study with the door closed, he could hear Hermione's conversation with Veronica earlier in the day, as if they were all together. If Hermione wished to burn down her relationship with their daughter, that was her business, but Hiram warned her against ever trying to poison Veronica against him.

Cheryl sits in a booth, alone, at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, where she notices Kevin heading out for another run, presumably to resume his cruising of Fox Forest. Oh Kevin, you precious, beautiful, compulsive, piece of trash, she remarks. Cheryl then devises a plan that would surely satisfy her craving for trouble and drama.

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Archie saving Ethel

Walking home alone from school late one night, Ethel notices that she is being followed by a van, which she suspects of being driven by the Black Hood. As the van proceeds to follow her, Ethel calls Archie, who picks up while patrolling with Reggie. Archie instructs Ethel to get someplace safe, and for Reggie turn back around towards Hastings street. Upon their arrival, Archie and Reggie get out the car, calling out to Ethel along the cornfield. As they inch closer down the dirt road, a van, watching them from the nearby street, quickly speeds off. It is then that Ethel responds to Archie's calls. Running out from within the field, and explaining that a man pulled up and circled around approximately three times while she was walking home. Unfortunately, she didn't recognize the driver.

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Betty confronting Kevin in Fox Forest

Elsewhere, Kevin, on his cruise to Fox Forest, is interrupted by Betty and Cheryl. Betty is disappointed that he broke his promise. She wanted him to have more respect for himself. While they had been friends for a long time, Betty still had no idea of the difficulties Kevin faced as being a homosexual male in such a small town. Betty acted as if they had the same set of options, when in reality, this couldn't be further from the truth. Kevin went on to say that she lived in a pale-pink world of milk shakes and first kisses, where her biggest romantic obstacle is whether she is going to date Archie or Jughead, except for when she exploring her BDSM sexuality, which again, she's allowed to do, but he's not. Fox Forest is all he had. So, he didn't need Betty telling him how disgusting she thought it was. If she couldn't accept what he did, then they aren't truly friends.

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Locked Southside High doors

Back at Southside High, Jughead is leaving the Red and Black when he heard a startling noise, which causes him to stop momentarily, though he then resumed walking, that is until the lights shut off and an unfamiliar voice begins calling his name. Visibly frightened, Jughead turned the corner and rushed down the steps only to discover that the back door had been looked with chains. He proceeds down the hallway, hoping to find another exit, but is ambushed and repeatedly hit and kicked.

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Archie marking a map

The following morning, as Archie marks a map of Riverdale, his father asks how the war on terrorism is going. "It's going", Archie replies. Fred wants to discuss Archie's upcoming dinner with the Lodges. Hiram Lodge was more than just his girlfriend's father, he's also Fred's business partner, which Archie and Veronica had already discussed. Archie promises his father that he will be a complete gentleman. He wouldn't do anything to offend Veronica or her parents. The problem with that is that Hiram is the kind of person to find a way to be offended if that's what he wanted, so Archie is advised by his father to proceed with caution.

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Toni at FP's trailer

Following the attack, Jughead is cleaned up by Betty at his father's trailer. Betty applies alcohol to Jughead's wound, which he claims that he sustained during a motorcycle incident, though Toni knows what actually happened. For a moment, Betty suspected that he had been attacked by the Ghoulies, which he supposedly had, but he would rather not worry Betty with the truth. Toni interjects, telling Betty that the Serpents would never allow that because they have Jughead's back. Even though he wasn't an actual member, there's still a connection of family loyalty. Once Betty left, they were able to talk freely about the attack, which Toni had previously warned Jughead about. She's hoping that this would serve as a lesson and teach him to take the threat more seriously.

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Archie at the Lodges for dinner

As planned, Archie showed up for dinner at the Pembrooke, where he is visibly nervous, as his leg shakes uncontrollably under the table. Veronica places her hand on Archie's lap to calm his nerves. After commenting on the delicious dinner prepared by Hermione, Hiram asks him about Ethel, and his heroic actions in saving her the prior night. Sadly, the creeper got away. Admittedly, they need to be a lot faster with their response time. Hiram understands Archie's urge to be ahead of the threat. He asks if Archie's ever had rum, to which Archie replies that he hasn't. There's a signature Lodge family label that Hiram had in his study. He wonders if Archie would like to try some. Of course, he would, Veronica says. Though, she mistakes this as an invitation to join them, however, Hiram asks that she stay behind, providing him and Archie with the opportunity to talk man-to-man. Poor little princess. The king will always keep her at arm's length. She'll never be allowed in his private throne room, Hermione commented as she finished off the remaining of her drink.

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Polly and Betty saying goodbye

Betty stands by Polly at the front door as she prepares to leave for the farm with her bags packed and a cab just outside the house. Betty questions if Polly truly wanted to leave things how they were with their parents without saying goodbye. It would appear that Betty is the only member of the family that Polly is extending this courtesy to, as neither of their parents know that Polly is on her way out of town. Betty insists that their mother is sorry. She's always sorry, Polly says. Right up until the moment she does the next thing that sets everyone off. Polly tells Betty that she will be fine. She and Betty then share one last hug.

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Hiram giving Archie advise

As Hiram and Archie look up to the portrait of Veronica hanging in the study, Hiram expresses the joy he feels with Veronica hanging over his shoulders to keep him honest. On a more serious note, he asks about the Red Circle, and Fred's position on the community watch group. Veronica listens from the door as Archie explains that his father is still trying to wrap his head around it. Moving forward, Hiram is hoping that they could grow to respect each other. This meant no more of Archie sneaking into Veronica's bedroom. Looking to revisit the topic of the Red Circle, Hiram did offer a thought. While it was a noble idea, evil had no regards for nobility or good intentions. Sometimes, defending one's self just isn't enough. Striking back is often in order. The killer, now calling himself the Black Hood, is waging a war based on terror and fear. Those are his weapons. They should be yours too, Hiram says in closing to Archie.

With Kevin's phone going straight to voicemail, Betty decides to drop by his house. Unfortunately, he wasn't there. But his father was. Betty goes on to tell the Sheriff all about Kevin's cruising of Fox Forest.

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Kevin bleeding from stab wound

Kevin, while in Fox Forest, comes across a parked car with an unfamiliar man inside. Kevin asks how the driver is doing, then telling him that he is waiting for someone one. The driver offers Kevin a ride to a destination of his choosing. However, after willingly entering the vehicle, Kevin is stabbed in the abdomen with a knife by the driver. Fortunately, this turns out to be a momentary vision of one possible outcome had he gotten in the car. Still, on the outside of the car, Kevin declines the driver's offer, who initially believes that he is playing hard to get. The driver then becomes frustrated, raising his voice and demanding that Kevin get in the car, which frightened Kevin, so much so that he takes off.

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Kevin and Tom hugging

After a close call in the woods, Kevin returns home, where his father waits at the table, ready to confront him on his recent reckless behavior. Tom had learned all about Kevin's cruising of Fox Forest from Betty, who Kevin initially attempted to use as an excuse for why he returned home so late. With everything that is going on, Tom needed to know that he is safe. He knows that there were some things they didn't talk about, but maybe it was time they start trying. The two of them then shared an emotional hug.

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Veronica proposing a more active role in the company

While reading the morning paper at the breakfast table, Hiram notices Veronica staring at him with a big smile on her face, one that he was especially familiar with. He Veronica proposes that she be granted an active role in Lodge Industries considering that she's a shareholder, though that is merely an honorary title, Hiram explains. In response, Veronica suggests that they make it a legitimate title. She wants to get her hands dirty and be in the room where it all happens, to get a peek behind the curtains so to speak. Hiram agrees that as a Lodge, it is her right to be more involved in the family business.

Jughead returns to school, and walks over to Toni and Sweet Pea in the cafeteria, asking if he could join them. As he sits, he and Sweet Pea exchange looks, nodding to one another after coming to an understanding.

Betty arrives at school, arm in arm with Veronica, before heading over to her locker. She looks over to Kevin, who is just a few feet away at his locker. However, as she attempts to speak to him, he turns away in the opposite direction. It became apparent that Kevin is upset with Betty for going behind his back, to his father.

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The Red Circle sending a message to the Black Hood

Having taken inspiration from Hiram's words at dinner, Archie and his fellow Red Circle members, all of whom, with the exception of Archie, were wearing red hoods, record a video from his garage as a public message to the Black Hood. "This is a message for the coward calling himself the Black Hood. You think you can attack us from the shadows. But Riverdale is a lot stronger than you. And we're not afraid. See, there's only one of you. But we are legion. We're called the Red Circle. And we're coming for you... We will find you. We will hunt you. And we will end you."

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Trivia[]

  • The episode title comes from Florence Engel Randall's 1976 novel, which was adapted into the 1980 British-American horror film of the same name.
  • According to the original tweet by showrunner, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Kevin Keller should not go into the woods. The context behind this warning was not elaborated upon.[4]
  • Moose Mason and Midge Klump survived the attack from the Black Hood. Moose shielded Midge from gunfire, taking the brunt of the attack, while Midge was left physically unharmed.
  • This episode marks the first appearance of Toni Topaz and Sweet Pea; two Southside Serpents members. Toni also acted as a guide to Jughead Jones.
  • This episode features some Red Circle Comics issues, an imprint of Archie Comics Publications, Inc., launched in the late 1970s as a fantasy/horror imprint but switched over to superheroes in the 1980s. This is the iteration featuring a reboot of the Black Hood.
  • Two first names are revealed: Sheriff Keller's being Tom, while Mr. Weatherbee's is revealed to be Waldo, the same name he has in the Archie Comics.
  • Cheryl's description of how Kevin used to be fat and have acne is a nod to how Kevin did have acne and was quite scrawny growing up in the Archie Comics.

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