Riverdale

From the start, this story has been about a town.

And the people who lived in that town.

And the darkness that lived in some of those people.

Clifford Blossom.

The Black Hood.

The Gargoyle King.

The Stonies.

Add to their ranks my sister, Jellybean,

who had been the voyeur-slash-auteur

making the videotapes that had been disturbing our town for months.

This isn't your fault, Jug.

Just feels like it.

I was the one that convinced her to move out here,

away from everything she ever knew. Then I ignored her.

You were in the fight of your life at Stonewall Prep.

JB's tough.

She'll get through this.

Hey. How is she?

I don't know. I really don't know.

Don't know if you're gonna like this. I've been looking into child therapists.

I found one that has excellent references.

Well, I hope they're in Ohio because that's where I'm taking Jellybean.

-Back to Toledo. -Maybe you're right.

-She might need her mother. -And her father.

What does that mean?

Alice...

she's my little girl.

If this isn't a cry for help, I don't know what is.

Can we at least have a conversation about this?

Yeah. Yeah, we will.

But first things first.

Jellybean finally told me where her accomplices are hiding out most nights.

Jug? Mr. Jones? What's going on?

-We need you to open up your gym. -Right now?

After we make a couple stops.

Gentlemen. To what do I owe this late-night call?

You need to reinstate Tom Keller as sheriff. Right now.

Asleep, they almost looked innocent.

It's just messed up.

We survived the death of Jason, the Black Hood and the Gargoyle King,

but I didn't even consider how the fallout of all that

would affect the generation coming up behind us,

including Jellybean.

Unless a meteorite strikes this town in two days,

we'll have survived graduation.

But will they?

Are we just doomed to be haunted by this town for the rest of our lives?

Dad. Dad.

What gives? Take the picture.

-The ceremony starts in ten minutes. -What's taking so long?

I-- I just can't believe we're here.

Archie, you're graduating.

Didn't think I'd live to see this day.

-It's not even graduation yet. -No, but it is your last day.

-Well, we don't know that yet. -I do. I have a really good feeling.

You've been applying yourself so much lately.

-Yeah, we'll see. Love you, Mom. -Love you.

As honorary chairperson and de-facto queen of tonight's semi-formal,

this one's for you, Jay-Jay.

Presents? For moi?

It's been a while since you've worn any pearls from me,

so maybe you'll wear them for the last day of school.

Is it true what they say about your dad?

That he's the devil incarnate? I stand by my father.

Please stop crying.

I was already picturing Thanksgiving break.

You were gonna come home on the train from Yale

and everyone would be here.

FP, Jughead, Jellybean.

You, Charles, Polly and the twins.

Yeah, that would have been nice.

- Now it's just gonna be me, alone. -Hey.

Even if it's just you and me having turkey meatloaf at Pop's,

I will be here for Thanksgiving, okay?

And Christmas. And whenever you need me.

I love you so much, Elizabeth.

I love you too, Mom.

Seventy-five years ago, the first senior class of Riverdale High

buried a time capsule just before they graduated.

Now, as our seniors prepare for their own graduation, it's time to open it.

Ladies.

A copy of The Riverdale Register from June 12th, 1945.

A copy of The Blue and Gold, also from that same year.

This one's for Jughead. A Pop's menu

from when hamburgers only cost 15 cents.

A baseball card of Ambrose "The Rocket" Pipps,

Riverdale's hometown hero.

Ew. A Red Circle comic book.

And lastly, a photo of four seniors,

and it's written here that this was taken days before the boys headed off to war.

These will be on display for closer inspection during graduation week.

And, fellow seniors, enjoy your last day of high school!

Guys, doesn't this feel so weird?

Like, this is the last time we'll all be hanging out together.

-Except for reunions. -Yeah, and homecoming, Kev.

-It won't be the same. -What exactly are we waiting for again?

Hot off the presses, chums.

- Whoa, yearbooks. -Oh.

-But Honey banned those, didn't he? -Yes, but Honey is gone.

Brava.

Well done, ladies. This is amazing.

There's even an entire page dedicated to the Serpents.

-And a shout-out to the Pretty Poisons. -And the musicals.

Despite the fact that--

Archie Andrews and Jughead Jones to the principal's office.

Archie Andrews and Jughead Jones to the principal's office.

Dead teens walking.

-Guess who's graduating. -Holy crap. You're a legend.

-Whew. -What about summer school?

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks.

-I'm happy for you, Jug. - Archie.

He's ready for you.

It's gonna be all right.

-All right? -Yeah.

I get no pleasure in telling you this, Mr. Andrews,

but despite your efforts, you will not be graduating with your classmates.

So, it's summer school for me.

Unfortunately, that's not going to be enough.

You'll have to repeat your senior year.

I understand this is a shock.

But no one is going to hold this year against you.

Yeah, I appreciate you saying that, sir.

Uh...

-Can I still--? -Walk with your classmates?

Of course you can.

In fact, though it's last-minute...

I was hoping you might record the graduation song for us.

Yeah, I'd be happy to, sir.

What's the verdict? Summer school? Yea, nay?

Summer school, as expected.

But Weatherbee's letting me walk with you guys.

-I'll have my diploma by the end of June. -That's a relief.

-You can enjoy the last day of school. -Yeah. Definitely.

-Working on your speech? - Mm-hm.

Well, don't keep me in suspense. What's it about?

Considering I haven't written any of it, I guess you'll just have to wait and see.

Well, I'm sure you'll crack it. You always do.

Ronnie. What's, uh--? What's going on?

I was cleaning out my room, and I came across some choice items

that you've left over the past three years.

And I wanted to give it back to you.

Oh.

Also, despite everything that's happened between us...

I wanted to be with you tonight.

If only for one last time.

-Is that crazy? -No.

Not at all.

In fact, I can't think of anything I want more in this moment.

At school yesterday...

I spied you looking at that picture from the time capsule.

What gives?

I was just wondering what--

What must have been going through their minds.

Most of their classmates were heading to college or in their family businesses.

These guys were going out to fight a war.

You're not getting any crazy ideas, are you?

Not unless you consider summer school crazy.

Hey, I was thinking, uh, after graduation, I--

-I'd go to Toledo with you and Jellybean. -No. Uh-uh.

Well, you said it yourself, family is what's most important right now.

You're the first Jones man to get into college. You're going.

And you're old enough to be on your own. You understand?

Right, boy?

And this, Nana, has been my locker since the end of sophomore year.

Hmm. It's a lot nicer than the one you had at Southside High.

But all your things are still in it.

I know. I'll clean it out over the weekend.

A lot of special memories with a lot of special people.

Including my girlfriend.

We're so incredibly proud of you, Toni. The whole family is.

You've honored the Topaz name.

-You okay? -Yeah, I'm okay, Mom.

I'm just missing Dad.

I wish he was here.

He's here, honey. He's here.

Ladies and gentlemen, it imbues me with such pride and joy

to invite to the stage the senior class's valedictorian,

Miss Elizabeth Cooper.

Hi.

I admit, I've been struggling with what I wanted to say today.

High school is supposed to be this amazing, safe time.

But our years were co-opted with heartache and drama.

And even death.

It's not fair that so many of our classmates aren't here

to walk with us today.

It's not right that some of our parents aren't here

to watch those of us who are.

Those younger than us have known no Riverdale

other than the one steeped in violence.

Our class is lucky enough to remember a time before the era of tragedy.

When this was just a small...

sleepy, slightly boring town.

That's the Riverdale I wish upon the generation coming up behind us.

And the one I want us, our class, to remember as we head into the future.

So, please...

stay young...

for as long as you can.

Stay innocent for as long as possible.

Even if it's only for one more moment.

Thank you.