Riverdale

Previously on Riverdale:

This story's about a town, once wholesome and innocent...

...now forever changed by the mysterious murder of Jason Blossom on the 4th of July.

The bookkeeping position at my company? It's still open, if you're interested.

Yes, yes, yes!

Oh, Hiram.

A donation to your reelection campaign.

And Lodge Industries gets one of the most prime pieces of real estate in Riverdale.

What did Jason do that was so bad?

Jason and Polly had a fight.

Afterwards, Polly was pretty devastated so we sent her to a hospital.

If your parents lied about Jason and Polly, there's probably more that they lied about.

Dad, Jason and Polly were engaged.

-Did you know that? -I'd die before I let them steal my daughter.

-Where is she? -She is sick.

Fear. It's the most basic, the most human, emotion.

As kids, we're afraid of everything. The dark...

Will you stay in my room tonight, Polly? Please?

...the bogeyman under the bed...

Mom won't let me, Betty. But I'll leave the night-light on, okay?

...and we pray for morning, for those monsters to go away.

Though they never do, not really.

Just ask Jason Blossom.

Oh, Mom, I forgot to mention. I invited Jughead over for breakfast.

Hmm.

So, Jughead...

...I suppose we have you to thank...

...for Betty's ongoing obsession with this Jason Blossom ghoulishness.

Actually, I was the one who asked Jughead to help me write it for the Blue and Gold.

Relax, Betty, I'm just making conversation.

-Do you guys have a bathroom I could use? -Sure, I'll show you.

No, I'll show him.

Follow me. Jughead.

Another fun fact about fear? Sometimes it grows up with you.

Or it curls up inside of you, tightens around your guts.

Archie Andrews?

Each fall, Riverdale High hosts a variety show.

This event is no mere student frolic.

And what will you be auditioning with?

Uh, an original song that I wrote called "I'll Try."

Try harder! Maybe try not sucking so much.

Take your time, Archie. Though, we do have people waiting.

Oh, my God, what's happening?

He's choking.

Archie? Clock's ticking.

Excuse me. I'm sorry. I gotta go.

Good stuff, man. Good stuff.

Woo!

When I was up there, looking out, I don't know. I just froze.

That was stage-fright, Archie.

But when I'm on the football field, the stands can be packed.

Packed. It doesn't affect my game.

Singing makes you vulnerable in a way that football doesn't.

Or maybe what I was missing out there on stage was my team, or at least a partner.

-What if we sang "I Got You." -Archie, I'm a Pussycat.

-We're headlining the show. -Sing with them first and then me?

Just this once. To help me get my sea legs.

Have you met Josie?

I can't step over the 'Cats.

"The Sisters of Quiet Mercy."

What is that, like a church? Or a charity?

No, it's a "home for troubled youths."

"Where disenfranchised teens will learn such virtues as discipline and respect...

...enjoying lives of quiet reflection and servitude."

Poor Polly.

It's been months, there's got to be a reason my mom and dad don't want me to see Polly...

-...but I don't care anymore. -What are you guys talking about?

Anything I can help with?

We're attempting a stealth operation.

If we go in there with the entire Scooby Gang, forget it, we're compromised.

Well, don't you have to practice for the variety show?

-Uh, no, I don't. -Except that yes, you do.

Thanks to a certain Veronica-Ex-Machina.

- Excuse me. - What do you mean?

Oh, nothing, just that I had a few words with our director-slash-host...

...and reminded him that he's heard you sing on numerous occasions.

Though it compromises my artistic integrity?

Cutting to the chase, you have a slot, if you want it.

Veronica, thank you, but you saw what happened.

We all did.

Playing my songs in front of you guys is one thing...

...but getting back up on that stage by myself?

I'm not sure I'm ready.

If it's a partner you're looking for, Veronica Lodge is more than willing and able.

-Veronica, I didn't know you could sing. -Like a nightingale.

What do you say, Archiekins? Be the Jay to my Bey?

When the sun goes down We light up this town

Let your voice be loud

Hold up, hold up. Look, Val, you don't sing on the bridge.

Actually, the bridge is meant to be sung by two voices.

-What is up with you today, J? -What is up with you today, Mel?

You're asleep at the snare drum.

Relax, Josie, it's a variety show in the auditorium...

...not Showtime at the Apollo.

Whether you are performing at Madison Square Garden...

...or Ace Bowling Alley, you do it at 150 percent.

I'm sorry...

...did you want to say something to me, Valerie?

I don't have to deal with diva crap when I work with Archie.

Working with Archie how?

Co-writing songs. Singing with him.

Unacceptable. You sing with the Pussycats.

Or with Archie. But not both.

In that case, I quit.

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

How's the, uh, first day going?

Um....

It's your books, Fred.

You only have enough in the bank for three weeks of payroll.

I just don't wanna-- I-- I can't let my guys go.

Last time I fired someone it was not good.

I trust those guys, you know? They trust me. That's worth everything.

Yeah, but...

...I mean...

...even putting your business at risk?

I'm waiting to hear on this huge bid.

It's a long shot, but....

That new development where the drive-in used to be?

I'm thinking that the construction could actually put me back in the black.

If I knew who the buyer was, I would plead the case myself.

So, I'm gonna do the next best thing.

Mayor McCoy is handling all the arrangements for the buyer so I invited her to dinner.

Figure I could try to woo her into giving me the contract.

So I was thinking maybe you could be my co-host.

-Yeah, I mean, of course. -Good.

Actually, why don't we have the dinner at my place?

-Well, it's nicer. No offense. Heh. -Yeah.

Hey, I just wanted to let you know, I....

I bought tickets for all the guys at work to come see you in the variety show.

Yeah, me and Hermione, we're-- We're gonna go together, with each other.

I don't know how to say this.

I don't wanna make too big a deal....

-Dad, it's okay. You're good. -Yeah?

-Yeah, heh. -Good, because I do like her.

And I-- You know, I think maybe I'm ready.

If this is something that makes you happy, I say go for it.

You're good. Mom's good. I'm good.

All right.

- Mom, Valerie quit the Pussycats. - Replace her.

Val writes our songs. She's irreplaceable.

No, Josie, you're irreplaceable. Everyone else is disposable.

You know, maybe it's not such a bad thing to try a new voice.

A different sound. You know how your father feels about pop music.

It's not pop music this time.

Okay, well, he's catching a red-eye and missing two concerts to see you in this variety show.

I would hate for you to let him down.

I understand and I won't.

Good, because if you do, he will somehow blame me.

Find yourself a new Cat.

Someone skinny and beautiful, but not more skinny and beautiful than you.

And a woman of color, please, Josie, don't forget our branding.

-Okay. -And Josie?

Don't disappoint.

Are you gonna leave Dad when he gets out of jail?

-Ronnie, why would you ask such a thing? -I saw you, Mom.

With Fred Andrews. In the trailer.

Oh, Veronica.

Honey, I am so sorry that you did.

But I want you to know that we've-- We've never even kissed before.

-Until today. -What about Dad?

What happens when he comes home?

I'm not sure.

I'm so sorry, baby.

It just happened, Veronica.

And I know that this must be confusing.

Yeah, it is.

So, what can I do to help?

You know what, Mom? There's actually nothing.

I've got you And you've got me

I've got you And you've got me

Not to be that girl, Archie...

...but I didn't get the memo we were adding another voice to the mix.

Ronnie, hey. Great news. Valerie quit the Pussycats.

So that makes me, what then? Back-up?

No, you were just doing it as a favor to me, right?

You are unbelievable, Archie.

You literally have zero loyalty, you ginger Judas.

Ronnie, what's wrong?

What's wrong, Archie, besides the fact that you have no integrity whatsoever...

...is that your father kissed my mother.

Um....

-Maybe I should leave. -Now, hold on. Hold on.

When my dad told me how he felt, it seemed they were both into each other.

They're married. To other people.

Hey, my mom and dad are separated, and your dad is--

My dad is what?

He's.... He's incarcerated, right?

-That is so not the point, Archie. -Of course not. I'm sorry.

You're right. Do you wanna talk about it? We can go somewhere and talk?

Or do you want your part back?

-Oh, don't do me any favors, Archie. -Veronica--

Your hunt for a new Pussycat is over.

I can sing and I've got a lot of aggression that needs channeling into something positive.

Hey, don't judge a home for troubled youths by its facade, right?

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Cooper. I'm here to see my sister Polly.

-May I see some identification? -Yeah.

Sign in here, please. He'll have to wait.

Polly's room is right this way, though right now it's silent reflection time...

...and she usually spends that time in the Garden of Deliverance.

Thank you.