Some towns are football towns, some are hockey towns.
Riverdale High had a so-so football team.
And in the dead of winter, kids played hockey on Sweetwater River
once it had frozen solid.
But at its heart, Riverdale was a basketball town.
Long past its heyday, some would say,
which was when the Riverdale High Bulldogs,
led by point guard Fred Andrews,
were state champions three years running.
That's another big loss for Riverdale.
Hey, look, fellas. We fought the good fight out there.
We got the rest of the season
to dust ourselves off, get back on top.
Not if we keep playing like pansies.
You're all a bunch of spineless, pillow-soft chumps.
You're lucky my parents still sponsor us.
We're a panic and a half!
Cut the gas, Captain.
Nobody's jazzed about what happened out there.
The Bulldogs?
We used to be unstoppable.
Back when your dad played,
they were the champs, not the chumps.
Now, I know that you don't want to spoil that legacy.
What did Mr. Blossom want?
I finally convinced our lead sponsor
to let me recruit an outside player.
A kid who knows how to win games.
You know me, I'll take any help we can get.
Who's the guy? A ringer?
No, he's a farm kid out of Duck Creek.
6'3", 220 lbs. Pure muscle, but fast.
What's his name?
Mantle.
Reggie "The Blur" Mantle.
-The Blur? -'Cause you never see him coming.
You know, I've been thinking. What if you and I went steady?
Went steady?
How would that work?
It's not like you can pin me or like we can walk down the halls holding hands.
I know, but it could be just for us.
Our secret... only we know.
Unless you don't want to.
It's just kind of a thing squares do.
You know? Go steady.
That's a fair point. Anyway...
It's kind of like we're already secretly going steady if you think about it. So...
You sure I can't give you a hand?
No, I'm good.
So you're from Korea?
My mom's Korean.
My dad was born here, I was born here.
My Uncle Frank said you played basketball for Stonewall Prep.
What happened?
You writing a book?
There's not much to tell. I dropped out.
I had a great chat with your folks, Reggie.
We're all squared away if you want to say your see-you-laters.
All right.
Archie and Frank told me that you grew up on a farm.
Yes, ma'am.
What was that like?
The farm's everything we have. It's our family's legacy.
My dad came home from the war with a chunk of shrapnel
stuck in his shoulder, so, it slowed him down.
I couldn't let the family business fall behind, so I stepped up.
Pitching in as much as I can.
What about the GI Bill? Doesn't the government help you out?
The army doesn't give us any money.
We're not considered eligible.
Well, we are. Why not you guys?
Why do you think?
That's terrible.
Mayor Blossom will make sure your family's farm stays afloat financially.
So you can just concentrate on playing ball.
Thanks, Coach.
This is your cot.
Some more blankets down the hall
if you get cold or anything.
Oh, I emptied a drawer.
If you need any more space, I can make some...
Who is that?
Uh, that is my neighbor.
Uh, you'll meet her at school.
We're actually supposed to be keeping our curtains closed from now on.
Betty, can I talk to you for a minute?
Sure, Dad. What's the word?
Uh, well, I was talking to Dr. Werthers.
He wonders if it might not be prudent to get you exercising more.
You know, to burn off some of your excess energy.
He doesn't want me to go back on Riverdale Grandstand, does he?
No, no, no, no.
He, uh, he says too many temptations there.
Hmm. Boys.
Well, he wondered if you... If you might not fare better
spending more time with nice, decent girls.
Hmm. Unlike Veronica.
Now, I've spoken with Clifford Blossom,
and he's going to arrange it all with Cheryl.
Cheryl? What does Cheryl have to do with any of this?
Um, well, Dr. Werthers thinks,
and your mother and I both agree,
you should join the Vixens.
Well, you looked snappy at the game, Topaz.
Never seen a wool sweater filled out so nicely.
Thanks for the apple butter, Lizzo.
And let me guess.
You and the queen of the paper shakers
got chummy in the janitor's closet afterwards?
More or less.
Nice work, if you can get it.
You figured out a good hustle.
You find these ripe cherries knowing they're in the closet,
which means there's a shelf life on them.
Can get what you want and move on.
No fuss, no muss.
Look. I gotta boogie.
I'll catch you later.
It's so good to see you, Toni.
You too, Tabitha.
How's the tour with Mrs. Till been going?
Well, let me tell you,
she has been so strong.
So inspiring.
But the tour itself...
Going from town to town and seeing up close
what some people are capable of doing?
The inhumanity, the hatred.
-The racial injustice. -I can only imagine.
Now give me the scoop.
What have you been doing to keep busy?
Well... Don't laugh, but I'm a cheerleader.
You are?
That's fun.
But you are still writing for the Blue and Gold, I hope.
Honestly, I haven't been doing much writing lately.
No.
So Betty Cooper is now a River Vixen?
Newly minted as of last night.
Much to my chagrin, might I add.
And you now own the Babylonium.
The paperwork was finalized this morning.
Right. And weren't you the popcorn girl two days ago?
What can I say?
Veronica Lodge likes to burn rubber.
Hey, gang. Do you mind if we join you?
That all depends.
Are you going to introduce us to your strapping flutter bum of a new pal?
Hey. I'm Reggie Mantle.
I just got recruited to the Bulldogs.
Ah, I suspected a tall drink of water like you was a sportsman.
Careful, Veronica. You might get a ticket for speeding.
Hi. I'm Cheryl Blossom.
My parents sponsor the Bulldogs,
and I am the captain of Riverdale High's cheerleading squad, the Vixens.
So we'll be working closely together.
What about you?
You a cheerleader?
I am. I'm Betty.
Nice to meet you, neighbor.
Neighbor?
Reggie's bunking with us.
Yeah, he's gonna help turn things around for the Bulldogs.
Well, he's already turned my day around.
But fill us in, Reginald. Where are you from? What you do for kicks?
And do you like the movies?
There isn't a theater in Duck Creek.
My family and I, we don't have a TV set.
Oh, well, you must come to the Babylonium here in town.
It's a movie palace I own.
I own my own business, yes.
Or if you're interested in picking up some part-time work,
I'm always on the hunt for a few good men.
You'll have to excuse Veronica.
Clearly, she was raised by wolves.
I appreciate the, uh, invitation,
but I'm just here to play basketball and win games.
Speaking of, where's the gym?
I could show you.
Come on. I'll take you.
Don't I know you?
Weren't you the guy who was supposed to help me
keep track of my homework from afar?
Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry.
Tabitha, I... I got preoccupied. I...
It's... It's okay.
It was actually much easier to coordinate
with Principal Featherhead than I anticipated.
So you are hereby absolved.
Well, that's a relief.
So, tell me, why are you so preoccupied?
Oh, I... I got a job.
I'm writing comic books.
Oh! How fun. What kind?
It's a broad range, but I also got to meet
and start working for a literary hero of mine, Brad Rayberry.
Oh, my gosh. I know Brad Rayberry,
I mean, not personally, but I've read his books.
His stories.
You read science fiction?
I read across all genres, including science fiction.
Say, would you want to meet him?
Would it be an imposition?
No, no, not at all.
It's, um... negative perspiration.
I'm sure he would love it.
Okay. Great.
Veronica. Hey.
Kevin.
Don't tell me you're here to see Singin' in the Rain again.
I would think you'd have the whole picture memorized by now.
I do, and I'm not. I...
I'm actually here because I wanted to see about getting a job.
At school, you mentioned you were looking for...
A few good men. Yes, I am.
Since I called it quits with the basketball team,
I've been looking for something to do, and I love the movies.
Well, that's my biggest prerequisite.
And you're already pals with Clay.
I am.
Well, he's up in the projection booth even as we speak.
But maybe you could help me with something.
Yeah, with what?
Well, between us...
I happen to think Clay is... extremely dashing.
I've been dropping hints that I'm interested in something
more than a professional relationship with him.
But so far, no bites.
Maybe you could help me
suss him out a bit.
Um, do you mean, like...
Like is he seeing anyone, that sort of thing?
Yeah, maybe.
Well, in that case, when can you start?
All right, you turkeys. Bring it in.
We have ourselves a new player.
His name is Reggie Mantle.
So let's see what he can do.
We are going to split up into two teams.
Julian, you're captain of one team.
Reggie, you've got the other.
Everyone else, pick a side.
Come on, guys.
We can't have a game if it's three against seven.
We'll take Doiley too.
That'll be enough.
The water boy?
Yeah.
- What is this, a gag? - Can it, Julian.
Dilton, you up for it?
Well, come on.
Yeah!
Thirty-eight, all. Anyone's game.
Let's go. Game point.
Yes! Yes!
Guys, how about we get some burgers at Pop's?
Reggie hasn't tried 'em yet.
Come on. It's our post-practice tradition. What gives?
Actually, I can't.
I got a bunch of homework to catch up on.
No, Andrews, you're right.
It is tradition.
I'm hungry enough to eat a horse.
Last one to Pop's treats.
You can come too, pipsqueak.
Gather around, Vixens.
Now that our team's roster is finally complete,
and with my family's first big booster event coming up,
it is time to assign each Vixen to their respective player.
Wait. What do you mean, "assign"?
It means that you show your particular player
extra-personalized support throughout the season.
Baking him cookies, wearing his jersey,
helping him with his homework.
I, of course, will be paired with Julian.
And Toni, you and Archie will be matched.
As for our new star player,
I was thinking Betty could be with Reggie.
Maybe we leave him a note and try again tomorrow?
Yeah, that's a good idea.
Hey, maybe we can go catch a flick.
I think the Babylonium is playing It Came from Beneath the Sea,
and Ray Harryhausen did the giant octopus.
Oh, um...
Yes.
I would love to go to the movies with you.
Toni.
What's going on?
We need to get real, Cheryl.
What about?
I can't do this anymore.
The Vixens.
Is this about being paired with Archie?
Would you prefer someone else?
No. I don't want to get paired with anyone.
That's the thing.
Baking for my own personal meathead
is not really what I want my life to be about.
This whole thing just doesn't feel right anymore.
It's not me or who I want to be.
A cheerleader.
I see.
Toni, this doesn't have anything to do with me
asking you to go steady, does it?
No.
But now that you mention it, I'm not the settling-down type.
And I feel like I've lost myself.
I don't know. This whole square scene isn't for me.
I need to figure myself out.
I'm sorry, Cheryl.
I just need some space.
Can we do a double-size popcorn,
a large cola with extra ice,
two packs of the Senior Mints,
a Butterflinger, a pack of those Mint Bogos,
Three Buccaneers and a Skit-Skat?
Do you want anything?
Uh, no, I'm okay. Thanks.
That'll be 75 cents.
Here you go.
Perfect.
Keep the change.
-Enjoy the movie. -Thank you.
Well, isn't that fascinating?
What?
Jughead and Tabitha going to the movies together?
I find that interesting. Don't you?
Could be they both like science fiction flicks.
You know, Jughead and I were entangled for a New York minute.
What happened?
-I ended it. -How come?
He's plenty handsome.
I suppose.
But between you and me, he's a total oddball.
Lives in a train car too.
I prefer my men to be a bit more continental.
Worldly.
With an air of mystery about them.
I... I should skedaddle to the booth.
- Get the next reel cued up. - Of course.
But Clay...
Just think about picking up what I'm putting down.
Uh, what did you get for problem four?
You know, you don't have to do this.
What do you mean?
Oh, helping you with your homework is one of my Vixen duties.
I'm also supposed to discreetly find out
what your favorite kind of cookie is, so I can bake you a batch.
-You don't have to do that either. -Oh, but I do.
On the hush-hush. It's sort of my court-appointed punishment.
What do you mean?
Oh, I was ordered to join the Vixens
to curb my unhealthy physical urges.
Oh, you mean, you haven't heard?
Yeah, I sort of flashed my underwear on live television.
You know, like Marilyn Monroe style.
Is that how come
you and Archie have to have your curtains closed?
Oh, no...
Archie and I...
Well, you'll probably hear about it anyways.
We were basically caught having a peep show in our windows.
A peep show.
Yeah, if you can even call it that.
You know what?
I should... I should probably go.
Oh, no. No, no, no. Nothing happened between us.
We didn't. No, we're not...
- I'm completely... - Yeah.
Still, I'm living with the guy.
And we don't go in much for peep shows
and flashing panties in Duck Creek.
So, it's... This is...
Consider yourself relieved of your, uh, Vixen duties.
-Okay? -But I... I...
Reg, you, uh... You want to grab lunch with us?
Thanks for the invite, but I'm gonna pass.
Well, it wouldn't be with the team.
It would be with my other friends.
All the same, I'm good.
I want to try something out on you cats.
Ever since Featherhead refused to publish my Emmett Till article
in the Blue and Gold,
I've been keen to start a literary society for Riverdale's Black students.
A club that publishes a journal
focusing on Black voices and writing.
I think that's an excellent idea.
Yeah, I've been craving a forum where I can publish
my literary criticism, poetry and short fiction.
And this is something that you would do in addition to cheerleading?
No, I gave that up.
What happened?
I joined the Vixens for the wrong reasons.
It was because I had a crush on a girl.
Cheryl Blossom.
But now that's over, so...
Anyway, I think publishing this journal
could really make a difference for the Black students at Riverdale.
It would. Definitely.
But what happened with Cheryl?
On the level,
we're just so different.
She's rich, she's white, she's a Blossom.
The whole thing, it would just be impossible.
I mean, it's hard but it's not impossible.
For Kevin and I, we're also very different.
So everything's a conversation.
But he's up for getting to know me and what I'm all about, and vice versa.
I hear that, Clay, but you're also both preppies.
So, at least you're starting off on the same foot.
Fair enough.
I guess it all depends on how much you like the person.
Kevin, you haven't seen Clay, have you?
He's running late. Had some stuff at school.
Can we chat about something?
Of course.
It's just, it...
It seems like you're coming on really strong with Clay.
I might be.
Clay would never say anything.
But is that really appropriate?
Oh, Kevin. Don't be such a wet rag.
What's wrong with a little workplace flirtation?
It's not like Clay is even remotely interested.
He's not.
I know that for a fact.
Oh.
And why is that?
Because he's not attracted to assertive women?
No, he's not attracted to any women.
Neither am I, for that matter.
I knew it.
I knew you were both secret friends of Dorothy.
You knew?
How?
You're both dreamy flutter bums
who can quote every line of Norma Desmond's dialogue in Sunset Boulevard.
If you knew, why would you make a play for Clay?
To test my hypothesis, of course.
You lucky dog. He is a hunk.
Say, what are the chances...
Clay swings both ways?
Uh, he doesn't. We don't.
Double-checking, that's all.
You're okay with this?
Absolutely.
Kevin, the only thing better than having a hunky boyfriend
is having hunky friends who are boys.
The thing is, I've always had more fun going out with Tony and Tab
than, say, Steve and Dennis.
Steve McQueen and Dennis Hopper.
Don't worry, we'll get you up to snuff.
Oh, Kevin, I'm so excited.
This hick town is finally starting to feel like home.
All right, fellas. Huddle up.
Julian has an announcement.
Tomorrow night,
my parents are hosting their annual Bulldog booster basketball mixer.
This year, it's also a fundraiser.
To build us a new gym.
Are the cheerleaders invited?
Absolutely.
So dress spiffy.
Okay? Coats and ties.
Make sure you shower.
And, of course, we'll be welcoming our newest Bulldog to the family, I suppose.
You know, that Blossom mixer may sound a little stuffy,
but they're always a gas and a half.
Yeah, well, let me know how that goes.
-You're not going? -No, I can't be distracted.
The NCAA is giving out scholarships for college,
and if I get one of those, I'm made in the shade.
Reggie, no man is an island.
Can't you do all that stuff and still cut loose a little?
Hell, Julian made it seem like you're the guest of honor.
If that's what you heard, you're a lot more naive than I thought.
Why are you being such a killjoy, Mantle?
Why can't you meet anyone halfway?
Meet halfway?
Julian and those guys haven't taken one step towards me since I got here.
And you haven't heard anything I've been saying.
Sophomore year, I was recruited by Stonewall Prep.
And I was juiced to be there, but I never belonged there.
And my teammates made that very clear.
Oh!
You guys like rice, don't you?
Is that enough to take back to your farm, yellow-belly?
And that was day one.
During practice, the other players would foul me on purpose,
and they did whatever they could to run me out of there.
And guess what?
It worked.
So this time, I'm not meeting anyone halfway.
Not giving anyone an opening.
A chance to humiliate me ever again.
All right?
All right.
Reggie...
I'm sorry that happened to you.
But we're not like that here.
Aren't you?
Cheryl.
Toni.
-Hello. -How are you?
I'm being stoic and strong for the sake of my Vixens.
-How are you? -Well, I'm petitioning for a new club.
And you, as Junior Class President,
are in charge of the student council's financing.
I was hoping you could help us secure some funding.
What kind of club is it?
It's a literary society for Riverdale's Black students
to share their ideas, stories and writings
with each other and the student body.
A way to express ourselves on our own terms.
That's a really wonderful idea.
I'll put the request through today,
but Toni, everything has to go through Featherhead, so...
I know.
And I appreciate you trying.
And if Featherhead doesn't approve, we'll make it work.
We always do.
Maybe a bake sale or something.
Well, I would contribute my legendary cherry scones.
Toni, can I ask you a question?
Is part of the reason you broke up with me because I'm white?
There was a lot of reasons, Cheryl.
All interconnected, but that was part of it.
Yeah.
I will try my absolute best with Featherhead.
I promise.
Fancy meeting you here.
Well, howdy doody, Betty.
And how's it going being a paper shaker?
Oh, swell.
Werthers thought it would help me burn off some excess energy.
Grown-ups don't have a clue.
No, they don't.
Anyways, I don't think I'll be a Vixen for much longer.
And why is that?
Once my mother finds out that I've been assigned
a basketball player to take care of, she will flip her lid.
Oh, crap.
Um, will you excuse me, Betty?
-I... -I'll take it.
Thanks.
Archie. Your uncle's telling me that you're sharing a room
with our, uh... Our secret weapon.
Uh, you mean Reggie?
Yes, I am.
Well, as a former Bulldog myself,
I do appreciate the sacrifice.
Well, it's no trouble at all.
I'm cranked to do it, really.
Well, I know I couldn't.
I mean, bunking with, uh...
We look upon him as a necessary evil, Dennis.
A means to an end.
She's talking about winning.
The Bulldogs must be champions this year.
The town needs something to rally behind.
And you know, Frank, when you suggested
bringing on a Korean prodigy...
Well, I was skeptical.
But having seen him play...
I now see how inspired your thinking was.
Tell me something, Archie.
Does he, uh, actually realize the opportunity
we're presenting to him and his family?
He does.
He just doesn't want to fall behind on his... On his schoolwork.
Good for him.
But, uh, well, we don't care about that.
We just need him to be a loyal soldier
and bring us our championship trophy.
He does that, preferably with a smile on his face,
there'll be no problems for us.
And none for his family.
If you'll excuse me.
-I'm gonna get some fresh air. -Yeah.
Good stuff.
Well, Coach, here's to a winning season.
Reggie Mantle.
And here I thought you weren't a fan of the movies.
I didn't say that.
I said we didn't have any theaters in Duck Creek.
I stand corrected.
And the fact that I might have been here tonight
didn't influence your decision, I suppose?
If I'm being honest...
Oh, I insist upon honesty at all times.
Not at all.
Truth is, I forgot that you worked at this place.
I don't work at it.
I own it.
Now, what can I get for you?
A small popcorn?
No butter. I'm training.
Here you go.
On the house.
Thanks.
How rude can you get?
Anyway, there's plenty other fish in the sea.
True.
But take a powder, Herman Melville,
because that is the real Moby Dick.
Wow, this is like the Orient-Express.
That's exactly what I said.
-Here you go. Yeah. -Oh, thank you.
Um, I actually, I brought you something.
Here.
This is for you to keep.
Darkwater: Voices from Within the Veil,
by W.E.B. Du Bois.
-Du Bois. He is a sociologist and a civil rights activist. -Du Bois.
He's also one of my favorite authors.
Wow, it's a great title.
Which one should I start with?
Well, we've established that you're a fan of science fiction.
-Mm-hmm. -And though it's more speculative fiction,
I would suggest a story that Du Bois wrote called The Comet.
-What's that one about? -Oh, it's fantastic.
It's, um, it's about this comet that hits New York City
and it kills everybody except for two people.
A man named Jim and a woman named Julia.
And it's sort of about this unlikely relationship that develops between them.
And what's really interesting is that Jim is Black and Julia is white,
and it's sort of one of the first times an interracial relationship
has been depicted in science fiction.
Well, it sounds terrific.
-Yeah. -I can't wait to read it.
Actually, I was thinking that maybe we could read it together.
Tonight. Aloud, if you wanted.
Yeah, that sounds swell.
How was the mixer?
It was dullsville. Honestly, you didn't miss out on much.
Hmm. How were the cheerleaders?
All dolled up?
I don't really want to talk about it.
Hey, I'm gonna grab a shower.
Okay, you lug nuts.
Coach is in a meeting, so I'm running warm-ups today.
Everyone good with that?
In that case, let's play ball.
Yeah!
Come on.
Hey, banana boy, pass me the ball.
Pass me the ball!
Whoa!
Man, come on.
Listen up.
We are not doing this crap.
If you haven't noticed,
Reggie here is our strongest player,
our only shot at making the playoffs this year.
So we're going to rise to his level.
So if you don't want to be chummy with him, that's fine.
But the minute we hit this court,
we are teammates, fighting for each other.
If you can't get on board with that, the door's right there.
And that includes you too, Captain.
I hope this will suffice. Funds for your new club.
Thank you, Cheryl.
I'm shocked Featherhead approved a Black literary society.
He didn't.
Those funds were earmarked for... something else.
But I believe your club to be a much more worthy endeavor.
Well, I won't ask any more questions.
But thank you.
Of course.
I look forward to reading your first issue.
Cheryl, wait.
Yes?
What are you doing after cheerleading practice?
No plans. Why?
If you want,
maybe we could meet at the Dark Room.
I would love that.
Do you mean to talk?
Yeah, about...
what it would mean if we tried again.
I didn't sock Julian for you.
I know you don't need saving.
I did it for my own sake and for the team's.
I didn't want to believe you were right about this town.
But, hell, maybe we are just as...
As messed up as any other place.
I don't know.
Want to grab a burger at Pop's on the way home?
Maybe we'll run into some of the other fellows there.
Sure, if you're sure.
I am.
Just don't expect me to sit with anyone or anything.
Tabitha and I stayed up till dawn,
reading and discussing Du Bois' stories.
The next day, I wanted to tell Mr. Rayberry all about my swell night,
so I went back to his apartment.
Wha... What happened?
I'm sorry to tell you this, but Brad Rayberry is dead.
Wha...
How did he die?
He, uh, killed himself.
Hung himself.
He left a note.
"I can no longer continue living this way."
I'm sorry, Jughead. I know that he was your friend.