This is the story of two teenage boys
living under the same roof.
They go to the same school.
They think about the same things,
mostly cars and girls.
But very different passions drive them.
On a normal typical morning,
the first thing these two boys do
is go for a run through the still-asleep town.
For Reggie, a run is a warm-up,
before he turns to his true love, basketball.
For Archie,
it's a different kind of warm-up,
before putting pencil to paper.
Mind you, today isn't a normal, typical morning.
It's the day after Halloween,
when a car full of Bulldogs
drove off a bridge and into Sweetwater River.
Team captain Julian Blossom had been behind the wheel.
All the Bulldogs most likely would have drowned if not for Reggie,
who pulled them from the water one by one.
But Julian Blossom was unconscious,
hovering between life and death.
Even as Frank Andrews was doing his best
to calm down an enraged Clifford Blossom.
I knew bringing that punk in was a bad idea.
It's his fault, it had to have been.
And I want him off my team.
Mayor Blossom, we're still
piecing together what happened,
but it's my understanding
that it was Julian behind the wheel.
You know what I do know?
That that thug has been trouble since the day he got here
and I want him gone.
Mister Mayor, you shouldn't
be thinking about the team right now.
You should be focusing on your son.
Everything else can be sorted out later.
And the Bulldogs weren't the only Halloween tragedy that night.
The milkman had tried to murder my bud, Ethel Muggs.
It's the same milkman that I saw
leaving my house after he killed my parents, Sheriff.
But I wrestled the knife out of his hand
-and then... -It was self-defense, Sheriff.
In case you're getting any funny ideas.
Well, at least all our questions have finally been answered.
Are you joshing us?
Now I have even more questions.
Should I go to the station and make a statement?
No, uh, that won't be necessary.
It strikes me as a open-and-shut case.
Open and shut?
Sheriff, whoever this maniac is, killed Ethel's parents,
killed Mr. Rayberry and tried to bump off Ethel.
If you have all the answers, who is he?
Huh?
Who is the milkman?
I will get to that.
Maybe his fingerprints are on file at the office,
but in the meantime,
we need to get Ethel back to the Sisters.
- No! - No, no, no.
The Sisters were abusing Ethel.
She'll come with me.
She needs to be in the care of an adult, Jughead.
Well, that may be so, but not the Sisters.
Frank, Archie, do you have any news?
Wait. Jughead, slow down.
What is this about Ethel?
Ethel, dear.
Mary and I have been discussing everything,
and we've made a decision.
Given everything that's been going on,
we both think that it might be best
if you stay with the Coopers.
What, again?
No, the last time that I stayed with Mrs. Cooper,
she sent me away to that horrible place.
Oh. Honestly, Ethel,
sending you to the Sisters was more Mr. Cooper's idea.
So let's get you settled in my sewing room.
Come along, dear.
If you hadn't been there,
those Bulldogs would've drowned.
You saved their lives, Reg, even Julian.
-You're a hero. -I'm no hero.
When I realized I was the only one
who'd gotten free from the car and kicked to the surface,
I knew that I had to dive back down there
and get everyone out.
Even in that moment, I knew that if any of those guys died,
especially Blossom, that I'd be blamed for it.
They would have locked me up for the rest of my life.
Or done worse than locked me up.
Good morning.
I'm heading to school now, Ethel,
if you wanted to walk with me?
-Sure. -Don't be ridiculous, Elizabeth.
I'll be driving Ethel to school this morning.
My mom is such a phony-baloney.
She sent Ethel away to The Sisters of Quiet Mercy,
and now she's playing nice with her
and treating me like I'm some unwanted guest?
Yeah, I tell you, Vee, I have half a mind to run away from home.
You don't have to sell me on the pain of phony parents.
And I'd invite you to stay with me at the Pembrooke,
but, truth be told, I've been living at the Babylonium
ever since my parents locked me out of our apartment.
What? You're living at the movie theater?
Veronica Lodge is nothing more
than a common squatter.
Let me ask you, have you tried breaking back in?
I know that this is a difficult time,
but I did want to share aloud
a poem that one of you turned in last week.
It's titled "Phantom."
"They tell me I'm solid.
They pat me on the back.
They see a son, student, a team player.
They see a boy like any other.
But I look in the mirror,
and there's no one there.
Just smoke and mirrors,
and I do not know how to be solid."
Any thoughts, class?
It was beautiful.
Yeah.
That was incredible, Clay.
I agree, but I didn't write it.
No. It was not Mr. Walker's poem.
It was Mr. Andrew's work.
I wish you'd speak up more in class, Archie.
Based on this poem, it's clear.
You have a lot to say.
All right, fellas, listen up.
Now, we're scheduled for our big game
against Stonewall Prep this Friday night,
but after recent events,
we've decided to name a new captain
while Julian, God willing, recovers.
And that captain...
will be Archie.
Now, let's all take a knee,
say a prayer for our Bulldog brother in distress.
We're so happy to have you back with us, Ethel.
Yes, I admit, it's quite the reversal,
but you proved your sanity
by single handedly dispatching that, uh, drifter.
A drifter? Who said that the milkman was a drifter?
Sheriff Keller, if I'm not mistaken.
It's obvious what happened, this drifter.
His mind was poisoned by the dreck Pep Comics publishes,
and he was inspired to go on a murderous rampage,
much like the original comic book.
And then he must have stolen
a milkman's uniform and begun killing
to satisfy some insane bloodlust.
Well, that does make perfect sense.
Except why would he kill Ethel's parents
and then Brad Rayberry,
and then tried to get Ethel herself?
Do you really think that a drifter would do that?
Yes. Don't drifters usually move on?
Drift.
Neither of you are in a position to theorize.
We have told you exactly what happened.
Now, I hope that you both
finally see the very real danger
in what comic books pose to society.
-Uncle Frank? -Hey, Archie.
I, uh... I'm honored
to be named captain of this team,
but shouldn't it be Reggie?
He's our strongest player, by a mile.
Well, that may be so, Archie, but this wasn't my call.
Clifford Blossom wanted you to step up.
And given the fact that he sponsors the Bulldogs,
I thought it would be best to respect his wishes.
Clifford Blossom's had it out for Reggie since day one.
The Bulldogs are the mayor's pride and joy, Archie.
My strong advice, leave this one alone.
But I'm glad you came to see me.
There's something I want to give you.
-Is that... -Your dad's captain's patch.
I know he'd want you wearing it
for your first game as team captain.
Okay, Uncle Frank.
I'm leaving.
I'm going to stay with my friend, Veronica.
It'll just be the two of us
in her apartment doing whatever we want.
When have you not, Elizabeth?
Where did you learn how to do that?
Pick a lock with a bobby pin.
Don't laugh, but my Tracy True Teen Detective Handbook.
Laugh?
Betty, I love those books.
Okay, question.
How quiet do we have to be in here so as not to alert...
His name is Smithers,
and we can be as loud as we want
when we're in the apartment.
It's just when we're going up and down the back staircase
that we have to be mindful,
I told the boys that too.
What boys?
-Archie and Reggie? -God, no.
I actually want to have some fun.
So I invited Kevin and Clay
to come over after closing up at the Babylonium.
Father.
I just got back from the hospital.
Please tell me the rumors
about basketball season continuing
whilst Julian languishes are just that, rumors.
Your brother's always been a dunce.
He made his bed, let him lay in it.
As for the season,
yes, Cheryl, it will continue as scheduled.
It must.
Are you truly so desperate
to relive your glory days as a Bulldog
that you would forsake your own son?
Yes.
I was a Bulldog...
and I'd do anything to go back to those days again.
When I first realized that a winning team
can unite a town.
You give the people that, they'll follow you anywhere.
I certainly won't be shaking my pom-poms
while my brother hovers between life and death.
Oh, yes, you will.
You will put on your little happy face
and you will cheer your little heart out
until your spoiled pink lungs bleed,
or you'll suffer a fate worse than Julian's.
- Do I make myself clear?
Sing it, Betty.
- Care for a top-off? - Yes, please.
Thank you, Vee. This rum is so sweet and yummy.
Isn't it? I'll say this about my parents,
they keep their liquor cabinet well-stocked.
Mm. Kev, this is so much more of a kick
than when you and I were going steady.
Oh, I agree.
And speaking of dating,
how was your Halloween with Archie and Reggie?
With everything that happened, I forgot to ask.
Ah...
It seemed like something was percolating with Archie
and we did kiss,
but then...
I'll be honest. I thought you and Reggie might've
made a love connection.
Mm.
Well, now that we're talking about both Archie and Reggie,
Kevin, Clay,
you fellas are always in the boys' locker room together.
Tell us. Who's packing the most heat?
Veronica!
-Uh... -Hard to tell.
Oh, come off it. We all know how it goes.
It's after gym class.
You're having a steam.
You're snapping towels.
Are you seriously telling us that neither of you
has ever cast an eyeball their way?
I will say that both Archie and Reggie
both have a lot to be really proud of.
I am not surprised.
- I felt as much with Reggie. - -Okay,
but, uh, the real story
-coming out of the boys' locker room. -Oh.
-Yes. Julian Blossom? -No.
- Fangs Fogarty? - No.
Dilton Doiley.
No!
It's always the little ones.
Well, to Dilton Doiley
and all the boys of Riverdale High.
To all the boys.
And now that you've met our starting lineup,
please give a big Riverdale welcome
to the man who's going to lead us
to certain victory against the Stonewall Stallions,
and our new team captain...
Archie Andrews!
Are you okay, Cheryl?
I'm fine.
Just doing as is demanded of me.
Captain Andrews,
will you please say a few words to your loyal fans?
- Yeah, take us to victory, Archie! - -All right!
Um...
Uh, the fact is, I'm not really great with words,
but, uh...
It was nice, what you said in the gym.
Come on, Mrs. Thornton.
I was awful.
Well, it might not have been the Gettysburg Address,
but it's hard to speak off the cuff like that.
However, when you write, you do so with passion,
clarity, heart.
Well, that's swell of you to say, Mrs. Thornton,
but we both know that I'm not--
No, no. Stop right there.
I know putting pencil to paper is not as exciting
as... as being captain of a sports team,
but I assure you it can be.
And I hope you'll think about
putting as much energy into your writing
as you do into basketball someday.
Holy hell, freckles.
Well, from what I've been hearing, you survived those crazy nuns,
took out a killer and cleared your name.
That's not bad for a teeny bopper.
Not bad at all.
Thank you, Mr. Fieldstone.
I'm really just jazzed to be back.
Well, let's get you drawing another story ASAP. Hmm?
Jughead here will write a script for you.
Oh, golly, we'd love that.
I am looking at the dream team.
So, pitch me. Sky's the limit.
Name it. Anything you want to do.
Well, in that case, I would love to do a sequel
to the "Milkman Cometh" story.
I think that we could really just make something--
Anything but that.
Forget about the milkman. The milkman is dead.
I mean, literally, you killed him.
-He's old news. -Well, Ethel and I were discussing that.
Uh, "The Milkman Cometh" is still
one of your best-selling issues of all time.
With everything that's happened recently,
why not capitalize upon it?
Because the heat's on us right now.
Everybody's talking about the latest editorial
that quack Werthers wrote.
Hell, even the AP picked it up.
We gotta be circumspect.
For a little while, at least.
So give me a story about a zombie or a goblin.
Anything but a milkman, capisce?
From now on, consider me lactose intolerant.
As Coco Chanel allegedly said,
"The best cure for a hangover
-is spending money on new clothes." -Hmm.
It sounds better in French, but the point still stands.
Are you girls finding everything all right?
Mrs. Andrews, these pieces are stunning.
Your taste is tres magnifique.
Thank you.
Could you please have these two dresses boxed up
and sent over to the Pembrooke?
Of course.
-And yours too, Betty? -Yes, please.
You're staying there as well?
Yes, ma'am.
But don't worry, my mother is copasetic with it.
"Copasetic."
What the hell? They've got Peppy!
Give our mascot back.
Hey, simmer down, Red.
You'll get your chance to win him back on the court.
Of course, Mantle there, he's a choker.
Yeah, you put him under pressure and he cracks.
That's how it was when he played for us at Stonewall.
And dollars to donuts,
he's gonna fold like a sheet again this weekend.
Shut your mouth
-before I give you a freaking knuckle sandwich-- -Save it for the game.
You know, we're real sorry to hear about Julian.
It was such a tragedy.
But, hey, you know, we were, um,
we're thinking of getting a wager going with you chumps
but, uh, Stonewall doesn't play for food stamps.
Come on.
I know these turkeys.
I played with them, so I know how to beat 'em.
First up, Weston Wallis has legitimate skills
but can't sink a shot from outside the key.
Fangs, it's your job to keep him there.
That way, he'll be tossing up air balls all night.
Nothing I dig more than humiliating a rich boy.
Consider it done.
Good man. Next up, Tank.
Looks like Boris Karloff, but panics when you crowd him.
Archie, that's your target.
Stay on him like the paint on the side of a barn.
Andrews, you with us?
He's a barn, I'm paint. Got it.
Righteous.
What's eating you?
Is it because Peppy got dognapped?
Don't worry. We'll get him back, guaranteed.
It's not that.
It's...
I feel like an imposter.
I shouldn't be the captain of this team, Reg.
You should be the captain.
I mean, you're made for it.
Heck, it's your dream.
I don't think about that kind of stuff.
As far as dreams, I don't have any.
I have a plan.
To win the game this Friday night
and then the game after that,
and to keep on winning until I go pro.
You got your eyes on the prize
and you know what to do to get it.
I wish I could say the same about myself.
Can't you, Captain?
I play basketball
because it's a way for me to feel close to my dad.
Not because it's my passion.
So what's your passion?
Cars? Girls?
You wouldn't believe it if I told you.
Hey, we talked about this.
Didn't you hear what Mr. Fieldstone said?
We got an ixnay on the ilkman-may.
I can't.
I can't, Jughead.
Well, what gives?
Is it really so important to do another milkman story?
You know, since this whole thing started,
no one but you
has believed me.
People were telling me that I was delusional
or that I flipped a lid or that I killed my parents,
to the point where I... I I started to doubt my sanity.
And now, the milkman is dead...
and everybody is still trying to tell me
what happened and how it happened.
Why, I don't know.
But I do know that I am so tired,
of people telling me what I went through
and what I experienced.
I want to tell my story.
Or at least a version of it.
Even if it's just in a comic book.
Well, hey, that makes a lot of sense.
And you'll draw the heck out of it.
We just have to figure out
a creative way to have our cake and eat it.
Without a glass of milk, of course.
This particular shade of pink is Grace Kelly's favorite.
It's from the most fantabulous
makeup shop on Larchmont Boulevard.
My mom used to take me and we'd do exactly this.
She'd paint my nails right before bedtime.
My mom stopped tucking me in
after I got my "gift" from Mother Nature.
She said that I was now a woman and didn't need to be coddled.
It's funny.
I practically ran away from home,
and she... doesn't seem to care.
Will you look at us?
Sixteen years old,
living without our mothers, effectively orphans.
-Can I tell you something, Vee? -Of course, Bee.
Anything.
I feel so different from everyone else in my family.
Sometimes I wonder if I was adopted.
Is it just you and your parents?
I have an older sister, Polly.
But she left Riverdale as soon as she turned 18.
Do you ever talk to her about how you feel?
She's so busy.
Well, if you were adopted,
your family is the luckiest on Earth
because you, Betty Cooper, are aces.
Not to mention, beautiful to boot.
You know, if we're divulging our deepest, darkest secrets,
I've always had this paralyzing fear that...
That I was a mistake,
unplanned, and that my mother and father
never stopped resenting me for that.
I mean, they were fine having me around
when I was a little doll
they could dress up however they wanted,
but when I finally became old enough
to have my own mind with my own thoughts...
It was bye-bye, Veronica.
Let's make a pact.
To never grow up to be anything like our parents.
You know who I do think
are a happy and healthy couple?
- Kevin and Clay. - Ah.
Aren't they the dreamiest?
I'm so happy for them.
Me too.
I'm also slightly jealous.
On some level,
it must be easier for two boys to date than a boy and a girl.
None of that "battle of the sexes" stuff to navigate.
Fun fact,
I read in Dr. Kingsley's book
that 81% of girls experiment
with other girls before they turn 18.
Isn't that shocking?
Sounds about right to me.
I mean, I've... I've kissed a girl before.
I won't say who, but you would know her.
Oh, my gosh.
Have you ever?
No, I haven't.
But I've thought about it.
It's only natural.
With who?
With you.
Is it okay that I said that?
I'm glad you did.
Do you...
Do you want to try it?
Me too.
Miss Veronica, we're coming in.
Smithers.
I stand corrected, Mrs. Andrews,
You were right about the squatters.
A mother's intuition always is.
Okay, girls. You need to tell me everything.
Julian.
I know we don't always get along, but...
I love you.
Call me crazy, but I...
I miss your grating voice,
I miss your horsey laugh.
Brother, dear...
Please come back to me.
If not for your own sake,
then for mine.
I beg of you.
Oh, jeez. Would you stop it with the waterworks, sis?
- You're embarrassing both of us. - Julian?
Told a guy in a coma he has a horsey laugh.
I'm gonna remember that.
Alice told you what?
"I'm not your mother anymore."
Unspeakable.
A mother disowning her own child.
And Veronica, your parents evicted you?
Via telegram, via Smithers.
You poor things.
I knew something was wrong.
But don't worry.
I'm going to fix everything.
Are we worried that the Mantles may try
to take legal action
against us or the school board?
Oh, don't be daffy, man.
Oh, they'd never be able to find a lawyer
to represent them in a case like that.
And even if they did, they wouldn't be able to afford the fees.
Of course you're right, Mr. Mayor.
Yeah, well, in any case, uh, tell me a little bit more
about the Mantle boy's replacement.
Difficult keeping it all hush hush, Mr. Mayor,
but we just finalized the papers.
Your new ringer from Boston, KO Kelly,
will transfer to Riverdale High as soon as next week.
Once Mantle gets us that win against Stonewall,
we'll just swap him out
for a normal, red-blooded American lad, a real one.
One that's just as good a player, but more like us.
Then I will send that Mantle packing.
Of all the no-good rotten things in this world.
What kind of mother disowns their own child?
When you have a child,
do you know what your middle name becomes?
Sacrifice.
I mean, we mothers were put on this planet
to nurture our children.
And here I thought Penelope Blossom was bad.
And you can bet your bottom dollar
that I said the same thing to Hermione Lodge.
That you should both do everything in your power
to write these horrific wrongs
and to regain your moral footing.
And you had best pray
that you can repair the damage that you've done.
Here you go, sweetie.
Oh, so am I your daughter again?
Of course.
You and Ethel are.
Archie.
Cheryl.
I heard the good word from the bird about Julian.
It is truly a miracle,
but I need to talk to you about something else.
Namely, Reggie, and my father's nefarious plans for him.
They're planning what?
After we play Stonewall,
Clifford Blossom's gonna cut you from the team
and bring in some goofball ringer
from Boston named KO Kelly.
How much you want to wager
the new ringer is a few shades lighter than me?
Look, I'm in knots about this, Reg.
What do you want to do?
I want to finish what I was brought here to do.
I want to lead the Bulldogs
to their first championship in a decade.
And I want to do it as Captain.
Well, that's what I want too.
Same with all the guys on the team.
So let's see if we can make it happen for you.
What do you think, Mr. Fieldstone?
It's not about a milkman. It's about a mailman.
-In case that wasn't obvious enough. -Hmm.
It's subversive.
But, uh, it's kinda cheeky and I like that.
Says something without being ham-fisted.
It's...
Well, kiddos, I don't know how to tell you this,
but, uh, I think it's brilliant.
Oh, gee, thanks, Mr. Fieldstone.
We tried other things.
We just kept circling back to, uh...
The mailman. Yeah, I get it.
That's a pretty neat workaround, I must admit.
But Werthers and the powers that be
will not be as tickled as I am.
You know, if we publish this, it's...
It's gonna thicken the storm that's coming,
and believe me, a storm is coming.
Like the wrath of God, a storm is coming.
Well, the way I see it is we have two options.
We either bury our heads in the sand
and pray that the storm will pass over us.
But, like you, I don't really see that happening.
Or, we run headlong into the thunder
and thumb our noses at it.
Jughead, you are wise beyond your years,
- you know that? - Shucks.
Well, what do you think, girl genius?
I vote we thicken this milkshake.
Ah, to hell with it!
I've always been a thumb my nose at the world kind of guy.
Bernie, call the printers!
We got a comic book to publish.
Shouldn't you be resting up before the big game, boys?
I want you at your best.
We know what you have planned, sir.
We're here to give it to you straight.
We're not letting you replace Reggie with another player.
In fact, I'm turning over my captainship to him.
It's what he deserves.
You don't have the authority to do that, Andrews.
Not even your uncle does, only I do.
Well, in that case,
if you don't make Reggie captain
for the rest of the season, then I walk.
Me too.
And if Archie and Reggie walk,
we all walk. We're a team.
We stand together.
I'm guessing it'd be pretty embarrassing
for the mayor of Riverdale
to derail a championship season
out of what, spite?
Well, let me make one thing abundantly clear to you boys.
I do not take kindly to threats.
This isn't a threat, Mr. Mayor.
Just laying out your options.
So what will it be, sir?
-Hello? -Phew, it's you.
I was so worried your mom was going to pick up.
Veronica.
That is so strange, I was just about to call you.
Well, I was only calling to say good night,
and that I miss you.
What were you calling about?
Same.
Great minds.
I love you, Bee.
I love you too, Vee.
Say,
were you gonna go to the big game tomorrow?
Against Stonewall.
I almost forgot, I guess I am. You?
I suppose so.
You want to sit together?
That way, you can explain all the esoteric rules to me.
The few I picked up as a River Vixen?
Fab.
What should we wear, do you think?
Before we head out,
is there anything you'd like to say, Captain?
Just thank you.
I know the only reason
Mayor Blossom rubber-stamped me
is 'cause of the way you fellas supported me.
No one's ever done that for me before.
Also, um...
my folks made the trip from Duck Creek
to watch my first game as captain.
So...
So let's win this for Reggie's folks.
And for Peppy!
For Peppy!
Hey.
Don't even give 'em a second to breathe.
Count on that.
From the opening tip-off,
the Riverdale Bulldogs,
led by team captain Reggie Mantle,
dominated the Stonewall Stallions,
who broke school records
in points, rebounds and assists.
Indeed, all the Bulldogs treated friends,
family and neighbors
to a night they won't soon forget.
Playing bravely in honor of their teammate,
Julian Blossom, who, as we understand it, is on the mend.
While proving beyond any shadow of a doubt
that this was the team, led by Mantle the Magnificent,
that could take Riverdale
all the way to the state championship.
At the final buzzer,
in a show of good sportsmanship,
the defeated Stallions shook hands
with their victors at center court
before returning the statue
of Riverdale's beloved mascot, Peppy.
So how's it feel?
MVP and record breaker?
I'm not gonna lie.
I'm happy my parents got to see me win tonight.
Oh, they were so proud of you, Reg.
They were on cloud nine.
You earned it.
Which is why I, uh, I wanted to give you something.
Your dad's captain patch?
Archie, I... I can't.
I want you to, Reg.
It'd mean a lot to me.
And to him.
I'll honor him, I promise.
And then, I'll give it back to you
at the end of the season.
So are you, uh,
sticking around on the team or what?
Well, I guess.
Maybe for a little while.
I gotta watch your back.
What about writing poems?
That's what you love to do, right?
That's your passion, isn't it?
Maybe.
I don't know. I'm not sure the world's ready
for, uh, Archie Andrews, beatnik poet.
Maybe.
Ha, maybe not.
For a brief moment,
they were two teenage boys...
friends, practically brothers,
on the cusp of pursuing very different dreams.
Unaware that a storm was coming,
as Mr. Fieldstone said.
Like the wrath of God, it was coming,
and that all of us would be smashed to pieces by it.