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. He's missing.

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 4th 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.

Miss Hermione.

- Welcome home. - Smithers.

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?

Would you like some menus, ma'am, so you can order in?

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?

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...

- Yes, yes. - ...says to me, "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 I'd go home, write them down. - You don't like reading poetry.

Oh, they weren't poems. They were song lyrics.

And working on them made me feel like...

What, Archie?

It made me feel like I've 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.

- 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.

- 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 that we take it to the next level...

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?

- 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.

This is Betty Cooper.

Wait. Are you...?

Supposed to give you your tour tomorrow? Yes.

- I'm your peer mentor. - Do you wanna join us?

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 stopping by the site later?

Dad, it's my first day.

We gotta get you going in the office, so next summer you're not on the crew.

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

Or is that not okay?

No, no. It's okay.

Good luck.

Hm.

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 just 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.

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. How much are you benching? Like, 220, 225?

You gotta give me some tips, man. Romanian dead lifts, right?

Taking some tea?

Ginseng?

Maca root?

Tribulus terrestris?

- It's from working construction, Reg. - Yeah. That's right.

Yo, Moose. Look who grew up over the summer.

Yo, be honest with me. Did you work on any houses? Any private homes?

- Yeah, a couple. Did you tap...

...some cougar ass this summer?

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...

And hasn't been redecorated since, apparently.

Honestly, I feel like I'm wandering through the lost epilogue of Our Town.

So, what's the social scene like here? Any nightclubs?

A strip club called the Ho Zone, and a tragic gay bar called Innuendo.

Friday nights, football games. Tailgate parties at the Mal-Mart parking lot.

Saturday night is movie night, regardless of what's at the Bijou.

Get there early because we don't have reserved seating in Riverdale. Sunday nights?

Thank God for HBO.

Veronica Lodge, Kevin Keller. Veronica's new here, Kevin is...

Gay. Thank God. Let's be best friends.

Is it true what they say about your dad?

That he's the devil incarnate?

I stand by my father.

Does everyone here know?

Wonderful.

Ten minutes in and I'm already the Blue Jasmine of Riverdale High.

What?

Now we are here

We won't back down

Write this in the sky

We own the night

And we fear nothing

- Nothing - Nothing

Call us outrageous

- Playing in lace - Ooh-ooh

Lost in the moment

- Dancing in cages - Ooh-ooh

Mm.

Excuse me. This is a closed rehearsal.

I'm sorry. I...

Josie, right? I was hoping I could talk to you about some songs that I wrote.

Let me just stop you right there.

You're staring at our Pussycat ears, which is rude...

...but let me break it, and them, down for you.

The Pussycats are building a brand.

Creating a signature look, okay? We're telling a story.