Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!

"Fear. It's the most basic, the most human emotion. As kids, we're afraid of everything. The dark... The boogeyman under the bed... And we pray for morning. For the monsters to go away. Though they never do. Not really. Just ask Jason Blossom."

- Jughead Jones

"Chapter Six: Faster, Pussycats! Kill! Kill!" is the sixth episode of the first season of Riverdale.

Synopsis
ROMANCES AND RIVALRIES — With Riverdale High's annual variety show around the corner, Valerie's efforts to help Archie prepare for his big performance lead to some major fallout between her and Josie. Meanwhile, Betty and Jughead's investigation into Jason's death brings them to a home for troubled youth and face-to-face with Polly. Just as her relationship with her mother was on the upswing, an unexpected betrayal sends Veronica spiraling, while Josie deals with her own pressures at home after her overbearing father returns for her performance at the variety show. Finally, Hermione’s first day at Andrews Construction finds her and Fred growing closer.

Plot
Betty invites Jughead over for breakfast, which proves to be a ploy to distract Mrs. Cooper while Betty rifles through her mother’s purse. Betty manages to find a check made out to an organization   called the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, “a home for troubled youths.”

Meanwhile, with Riverdale High's annual variety show approaching, Archie is trying out for Riverdale High’s annual Variety Show with an original song. The auditions are run by Kevin. He gets a stage fright, never mind the bulldogs in the back mocking him. For a moment, Archie sees the jocks as if they have terrifying wolf faces, making him flee the stage. In the hallway, he sits with Valerie, who comforts him, saying it’s just stage fright. He asks her to sing with him, in addition to headlining the variety show with the Pussycats, but she declines, knowing Josie won't cooperate, and plus she can't step over the 'cats.

In the meantime, Betty and Jughead's personal investigation into Jason's murder brings them to a home for troubled youth and they come face-to-face with Betty's sister Polly, who is revealed to be seven months pregnant. Polly is happy to see Betty, but she does not react well to the news of Jason's death.

Valerie's efforts to help Archie prepare for his big debut performance at the event leads to some major fallout between her and Josie over Valerie's spare time with Archie.

As Veronica decides to rebuild her relationship with her mother, she learns that Hermione is using her for her own advantages. At the same time, Hermione's first day at working at Andrew's Construction brings her and Archie's father, Fred, closer.

Veronica decides to join Josie's band as the new backup singer after Valerie quits. Josie deals with her own family pressure after her overbearing and difficult father visits for her performance at the variety show. After Archie realizes that Valerie did not know about Josie's father being in town, he encourages her to reconcile with Josie.

Betty finally confronts her parents about Jason Blossom's death where they continue to deny any involvement in the murder. Later, Betty and Jughead grow closer when they find a car hidden in the woods containing drugs and Jason's belongings, but when they bring the police to the scene, an unseen person who has been following Betty and Jughead torches the car and destroys any incriminating evidence. When Betty and Jughead return to the mental hospital that same night to see Polly, they learn that she has escaped.

Starring

 * KJ Apa as Archie Andrews
 * Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper
 * Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge
 * Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones
 * Marisol Nichols as Hermione Lodge
 * Ashleigh Murray as Josie McCoy
 * Madchen Amick as Alice Cooper
 * Luke Perry as Fred Andrews

Guest Starring

 * Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle
 * Casey Cott as Kevin Keller
 * Martin Cummins as Sheriff Keller
 * Robin Givens as Sierra McCoy
 * Reese Alexander as Myles McCoy
 * Asha Bromfield as Melody Valentine
 * Hayley Law as Valerie Brown
 * Lochlyn Munro as Hal Cooper
 * Tiera Skovbye as Polly Cooper

Co-Starring

 * Elan Ross Gibson as Severe Nun
 * Eden Summer Gilmore as L'il Betty
 * Cody Kearsley as Moose Mason
 * Kadence Roach as Li'l Polly
 * Trevor Stines as Jason Blossom (Uncredited)

Quotes
"You're unbelievable, Archie. You literally have zero loyalty. You, Ginger Judas!"

- Archie partners with Val over Veronica for the variety show

"Hey there, Juliet."

- Jughead appears at Betty's bedroom window

Trivia

 * First episode where Cheryl Blossom is absent.
 * Polly is revealed to be pregnant with Jason's baby.
 * The logo for Josie and the Pussycats on Melody's drum set is similar to the one used in the original comic series.
 * In reference to the Josie and the Pussycats movie, Josie mentions playing at a bowling alley which is a location they played at in the movie.
 * This episode has Jughead and Betty's first kiss.
 * This episode also has Valerie and Archie's first kiss.
 * The title for this chapter is inspired by the film Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!.