Riverdale

Our story is about a town, a small town,

and the people who live in the town.

From a distance, it presents itself

like so many other small towns all over the world...

Safe.

Decent.

Innocent.

Get closer, though,

and you start seeing the shadows underneath.

The name of our town is Riverdale.

And our story begins, I guess,

with what the Blossom twins did this summer.

On the Fourth of July, just after dawn,

Jason and Cheryl Blossom drove out to Sweetwater River

for an early morning boat ride.

Are you scared, Jason?

The next thing we know happened for sure

is that Dilton Doiley,

who was leading Riverdale's Boy Scout Troop

on a bird watching expedition,

came upon Cheryl by the river's edge.

Jason...

Riverdale Police dragged Sweetwater River for Jason's body,

but never found it.

If he is dead, Hal,

I hope in those last moments he suffered.

May Jason Blossom burn in hell.

So a week later,

the Blossom family buried an empty casket

and Jason's death was ruled an accident,

as the story that Cheryl told made the rounds.

That Cheryl dropped a glove in the water,

and Jason reached down to get it,

and accidentally tipped the boat,

and panicked, and drowned.

As for us, we were still talking about the "July Fourth tragedy"

on the last day of summer vacation,

when a new mystery rolled into town.

Now brace yourself. The apartment's small, a pied-à-terre,

- but "quality, always." - "Quality, always."

Plus, it's the only piece of property in my name

and not your father's.

Ms. Hermione!

- Welcome home! - Smithers!

Oh, you are a sight for sore eyes.

- How was the ride? - No traffic, thank God.

Smithers, I'd like to introduce you

to my daughter, Veronica.

- It's a pleasure, miss. - Hi.

- I'll get the bags. - Would you?

Oh, and would you like some menus, ma'am, so you can order in?

Oh, no. I have been craving

one of Pop Tate's cheeseburgers since noon.

Is his Chock'lit Shoppe still open?

What is a Chock'lit Shoppe and why does it sell burgers?

Subtittle By | SupunWe |

Are you excited? Nervous?

Both. I haven't seen him all summer.

Which is why nerves are acceptable,

but we agreed, Betty... It's time.

You like him, he likes you.

Well, then why, Kevin,

hasn't he ever said or done anything?

Because Archie's swell,

but like most millennial straight guys,

he needs to be told what he wants.

So tell him, finally.

Well, we'll see. I mean, it depends.

Oh, my God!

What?

Game-changer. Archie got hot!

He's got abs now.

Six more reasons for you to take that ginger bull by the horns tonight.

So, what was the highlight?

Of my internship?

The Toni Morrison book release party I organized, by far.

At the end of the night, Toni Morrison,

who is, as you know,

- my literary hero, says to me... - Yes. Yes.

"Don't rush this time, Betty.

"It goes by so fast at your age.

"One summer can change everything."

Wow. That's so true.

How was working for your dad?

It was... Pouring concrete,

every day, all day long.

To pass time, I would start composing

these poems, in my head.

And at night, I'd go home, I'd write them down...

You don't even like reading poetry.

They weren't poems, they were song lyrics.

And working on them made me feel like...

What, Archie?

It made me feel like

I'd finally broken through to something real.

About my life

and what I should be trying to do with it.

Music.

Starting this year, tomorrow.

Amazing.

Will you ask Ms. Grundy to tutor you?

- I'm not sure, maybe. - What about football?

- Can you do both? - I'll try out, at least.

- Well, have you told your dad? - No.

Until I've got things more figured out,

you're the only person I'm telling, okay?

Well, I'd love to hear them sometime.

Your songs.

- Yeah? - Yes.

Yeah, I'm finishing a couple of demos tonight.

Great. Also...

I've been thinking

about us, Archie,

and our friendship, and how it's time we...

I called in an order, for Lodge?

Two burgers, yeah, almost ready,

but you gotta wait.

- Hi. - Hey.

How are the onion rings here?

So good.

Can we get some onion rings, too, please?

- Yeah. - Thanks.

My mom and I just moved here, so...

- From where? - New York.

Wow.

Do you guys go to Riverdale?

- We do. Both of us. Together. - We're sophomores.

Me too.

- I'm filled with dread. - Why is that?

Are you familiar with the works of Truman Capote?

I'm Breakfast at Tiffany's,

but this place is strictly In Cold Blood.

Veronica Lodge.

Archie Andrews.

Uh, this is Betty Cooper.

Wait, are you...

Supposed to give you your tour tomorrow? Yes.

I'm your peer mentor.

Do you want to join us?

Hey, maybe we can un-fill you with dread.

My mom's waiting for me.

But, to be continued.

Yeah.

- What were you saying? - Nothing.

Hey, Dad. First day of school and I'm already late.

Hey, Vegas.

Hey, you, uh, you stopping by the site later?

Dad, it's my first day.

Oh, we got to get you going in the office,

so next summer you're not on the crew.

Well, I can't. I've got football tryouts.

Or is that not okay?

No, it's, uh... It's okay. Good luck.

Hmm.

Betty. This coming year is critical for colleges.

Grades are important,

extracurriculars, athletics.

Maintaining a decent character

is hugely important, they do look at that.

Mom, I'm a sophomore.

You've accomplished so much,

I don't want anything jeopardizing that.

I mean, just think of your poor sister.

She was such a shining star

before she let that Blossom boy ruin her.

Mom, I'm not Polly.

You missed curfew last night.

By seven minutes.

I was with Archie, who has red hair, yes,

but is nothing like Jason Blossom.

Oh, but sweetie, all boys are like Jason Blossom.

I love you so much, Elizabeth.

I just need you to be smart, okay?

And stay...

Focused.

I refilled your Adderall.

Seems you forgot to pick up your prescription.

Bro, you are ready for football.

I'm not kidding you, dude. You got ripped.

Dude, you're a beast. Look at this arm, it's diesel!

How much are you benching, like 220? 225?

You got to give me some tips, man.

Romanian deadlifts, right? Taking some T?

Ginseng?

Maca root?

Tribulus terrestris?

It's from working construction, Reg.

Oh, yeah, yeah, that's right. Yo, Moose.

- Look who grew up over the summer. Hey!

Yo, be honest with me.

You work on any houses? Any private homes?

Yeah, a couple.

Did you tap some cougar ass this summer?

You know what, I think that's more a fantasy

from your wank-bank, Reggie.

- I'll catch you guys soon. - Peace out, brother.

- Totally did it, bro. - He totally did it.

So, I usually start off my tours

with a little history and context.

Riverdale High first opened its doors in 1941 and...