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The Auteur[]

At home, Alice, FP, and Jellybean compliment Jughead and Betty before the kids go to prom night. Alice also takes a picture of them.

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Alice and FP are shocked by the snuff film

FP, Alice, Jughead, and Betty then go to the prom at the gym at Riverdale High School, where Alice and FP spend the evening with other parents including Hermione, Hiram, Mary and her partner, Brooke Rivers, while the kids meet with their friends.

The party goes on, and Principal Weatherbee interrupts the dance to announce this year's Prom King and Queen. Cheryl Blossom and Toni Topaz are crowned prom queens. During her speech, Cheryl is delighted to be Riverdale High's first openly gay royal couple. However, no queenship is complete without their court. So she invites her dear cousin Betty, Jughead, Veronica, and Archie for the traditional promenade court dance. As they dance, flashing images of a rave party are projected on the big screen, including the violent murder of David, owner of the Blue Velvet Video who is killed in a snuff film by stand-in for Archie and the Gang, wearing masks with their faces.[1]

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Alice and FP want to celebrate Jughead's collage acceptance

At home, FP, Alice, Jughead, Betty, and Jellybean are setting the table for lunch. Jughead receives an acceptance email from the University of Iowa's Writers' Workshop. Even if it's not Ivy League and still in the Midwest, it's still something. FP is thrilled and hugs Jughead. He is proud that his son will go to college. Alice says this calls for a celebration. FP proposes to go to Pop's. All the cheeseburgers and banana splits they can eat. Jellybean, however, doesn't seem very happy.

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Alice and FP watch the last tape

Next day, Jughead finds a new videotape from the Auteur. The whole family watches the video in the living room. Alice is shocked when the video shows someone breaking into their home at night, and she holds onto FP's arms. After a shot of Betty and Jughead sleeping, the Auteur goes to Jellybean's room and moves a kitchen knife to her cheek while she sleeps. Jughead turns off the TV. FP tells everyone to pack their bags. They're going to check into the Five Seasons. [2]

The End of Falice?[]

FP comes downstairs and Alice asks how Jellybean is doing. FP really doesn't know. Alice has done some research and she doesn't know if FP agrees, but she has found a therapist with excellent references. FP hopes he's in Ohio, because that's where he's bringing Jellybean. Back to Toledo. Alice agrees, back to her mother. And her father, adds FP. He's moving back there too. Jellybean is his little girl, and he can't ignore this cry for help. Alice is on the verge of tears and asks if they can talk privately about this. FP agrees, but first things first. They have to track down Jellybean's accomplices.

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Alice is feeling left behind

The next day, in Betty's room, Alice is crying. Alice was already picturing Thanksgiving break and Betty were gonna come home on the train from Yale, and everyone would be there. FP, Jughead, Jellybean, Charles, Polly, and the twins. Now it will be just her. Alone. Betty tells her that even if it's just them having turkey meatloaf at Pop's, Betty will be back for Thanksgiving. And Christmas. And whenever she needs her. Alice says she loves Elizabeth very much, and Betty replies that she loves her too, hugging her mom.

Graduation day. In the high school hallway, FP, Alice and Jellybean take pictures with Betty and Jughead, enjoying the moment, and then listen to Betty's speech. She's valedictorian of her senior year. Betty wishes upon the next generation a more carefree and quiet life, in remembrance of the sleepy, and slightly boring Riverdale before the tragedy that marked their high school years. Alice is very proud of her, and the parents really enjoy the graduation ceremony while the kids get their diploma on stage.

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Alice bids goodbye to FP

After the ceremony, FP and Jellybean are ready to hit the road with their sidecar before the sundown. After promising Jughead that, in time, he will tell Jellybean that he was willing to renounce Iowa for her, Jughead must now go to college. A special occasion for the Joneses. They says goodbye, and then FP bids Alice goodbye as well. She asks if this is the end of their story, and FP hopes it's not. Alice understands what FP is doing and she loves him for it. They share one, last passionate kiss before FP leaves on his bike with Jellybean in the sidecar, escorted by four other Toledo Serpents, leaving Riverdale for an indefinite time.[3]

Saving Riverdale High[]

Seven years later, Betty returns home after spending the evening at Pop's with her old friends. She brought a milkshake for her mom. Alice tells her to be quiet because the twins are asleep, and to put the milkshake in the fridge while she tidies up the living room. Polly isn't home yet from work even if it's late. Alice justify it by telling Betty that she knows what her sister is like.

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Alice speaks for the school board

Next morning, Alice has a meeting with Principal Weatherbee, Ms. Doris Bell, and teachers Kevin Keller and Archie Andrews with school counselor Toni Topaz. The school board has serious doubts about the reopening of the school. Alice asks Kevin how many classes he is teaching. Five? Kevin answers by listing drama, debate, biology, gym, and sex education. Alice claims there are several board members willing to keep the school open if they can find suitable staff who do not have questionable references. They agree on this plan, but if they lose, they will lose the school. The last nail in Riverdale's coffin, says Archie.

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Alice reads the defamatory article

The next morning, Alice is preparing breakfast and updating Betty on the conditions at home and Polly's work. Betty asks about Polly, who Alice claims works is a waitress at the Roving Eye. Betty finds it a little sketchy, but Alice tells her she doesn't have the right to come back, take a look and start judging. Someone rings the doorbell, and Betty answers. It's Toni. Hiram Lodge is running a smear campaign with an article published that discredits Toni's credibility as a school counselor, which reads "Local school counselor runs seedy bar and snake dances." Alice will play damage control and takes it upon herself to call the board members one by one if she has to. In the meantime, Toni plans to retaliate against Hiram.

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Alice finds out Hiram's secret agenda

The next morning, Weatherbee informs Doris, Alice, Archie and Kevin that two other teachers have defected to join Stonewall Prep. Toni comes with even worse news. One of her girls managed to get her hands on some documents at the Town Hall, and discovered Hiram's secret agenda for the town meeting. More than just closing down Riverdale High, he wants to unincorporate the town into his SoDale project. Archie doesn't know what this means, and Alice explains that all state funds for public services, maintenance, and education will go into his hands and Riverdale as a town cease to exist. Kevin asks if they can keep the school open despite this. Alice thinks so, but it will be much more harder. Toni says they will then have to fight harder. Toni asks Alice to keep this secret from the news, but they will need more citizens to vote against Hiram. Meanwhile, Archie thinks he can find replacement teachers. Alice asks who he knows with a degree and qualifications needed for teaching. Toni thinks that if they become a private school they could choose whoever they want. Weatherbee points out that by doing so they will lose public funds. With the incorporation they will lose them anyway, Toni retorts. Kevin says they need an investor. Toni thinks she knows the right one, and she suggests that Archie call his favorite candidates.

In the kitchen, Alice is cooking while Polly is finishing her makeup, and Juniper and Dagwood color at the dining table. Alice says it's not everyday that Pop Tate is retiring, and they should go to the party. They can bring the twins. Polly doesn't want to, saying she has to go to work. Betty intervenes, revealing that Polly is no longer a waitress as she claims. Betty asks her sister what she is doing with the Ghoulies. Dealing drugs? Tricks? Polly yells at her, telling Betty that she has no right to judge their life since she deserted their family. Alice is stunned, and she tries to avoid the escalating situation but Polly leaves.

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Alice at Pop Tate's retirement party

At Pop's, Alice, Betty, Kevin, Tom, Fangs Fogarty, Sweet Pea, Doris Bell, Weatherbee, Archie, Toni, Tabitha, Cheryl, and Jughead are there to celebrate Pop Tate. Archie gives him a Bulldogs varsity jacket, and Pop Tate tells how he had to drop out of school to work and that he was never able to graduate. The jacket means a lot to him. Jughead then has a heartfelt speech, listing all of Pop's beautiful qualities, including that of giving him a home. They toast to Pop Tate with milkshakes.

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Alice votes against Hiram's motion

At the Town Hall, Toni gives her speech for her motion. Thanks to Cheryl Blossom's donation they will be able to keep Riverdale High open as a private school, which will be tuition free. She then presents the new teacher personnel. Sergeant Archie Andrews, Yale graduate and FBI agent trainee Elizabeth Cooper, Barnard College graduate Veronica Gekko, and published author Forsythe Pendleton Jones III. They won't be at the mercy of Hiram Lodge's destructive whims. Hiram takes the blow, and then moves his motion. By a majority vote, including Reggie Mantle's, Hiram declares township is dissolved.

Back home, Alice allows herself a glass of wine and isn’t too concerned, as she’s used to Polly storming off whenever there’s trouble.[4]

The Disappearance of Polly Cooper[]

Betty comes home late in the evening and needs Alice for a lead regarding Polly's disappearance. Betty suggests she sit down before revealing what she found out about Polly.

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Alice finds Polly's wallet

The next day, Alice and Betty scour the sides of the road where Polly was last seen running and scared, likely still tripping due to Jingle Jangle. Alice finds her purse and wallet scattered on the side of the road among the weeds.

At home, Alice is upset and paces back and forth in the kitchen holding Polly's things. Betty can't explain what happened, but if the man they have in custody at the sheriff's station was responsible he wouldn't tell them exactly where to look. Alice says they have no lead and Polly could be anywhere. Betty replies that they found Polly's smartphone and can use it to track the cell company. Maybe they can. Or the FBI. Alice trembles and cries, wondering what they can do. Betty says they wait and hope.

At home, Betty, Alice and Kevin are in the living room looking at a map of the area. Betty heard her friend Todd from the FBI. He traced the call somewhere in the Swedlow Swamp region. Alice doesn't understand what Polly was doing in that area. And she has no idea how they're going to find her. They are acres and acres of marshland. Betty suggests that they keep calling her phone until they hear it ring.

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Alice, Betty and Kevin find a body

Kevin, Alice and Betty scour Swedlow Swamp for hours, and it's getting really dark. Kevin is tired and cold, and proposes to reprise tomorrow. Alice shushes him, saying she thinks she heard something. Betty orders them to split up. Shortly after Kevin finds an arm sticking out of the ground and the three start digging frantically.[5]

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Alice finds out the body wasn't Polly's

Alice, Betty and Kevin are at the morgue. Betty asks Dr. Curdle Jr. if the body they found in the swamp belongs to Polly. Dr Curdle Jr replies that her sister has been missing for a week, while the body has been in Swedlow Swamp for approximately three years. The bog preserved her. Cause of death appears to be blunt force trauma to the head. Kevin asks what will become of the body. Dr. Curdle Jr. explains that without identification, she will be sent to the crematorium for disposal. Betty asks if he can wait bit while she does some digging and find out who she is. Alice, on the other hand, returns to Swedlow Swamp. Polly or at least her phone is still there.

Betty comes home and finds muddy footprints all over the floor. Alice is standing in the dining room, covered in mud from head to toe. She found Polly's phone in the swamp. But no sign of her. Betty deduces that Swedlow Swamp is where they have to keep looking.

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Alice confronts Hiram

Alice, Kevin, Betty and Sheriff Keller continue to search for Polly in the swamp, shouting her name. Hiram arrives in a jeep along with Reggie and other men, accusing them of trespassing on private property. He tells them to retreat immediately or face consequences. Reggie is carrying a rifle. Alice confronts Hiram, reminding him that her daughter is missing and could be in his swamp. As a father, he feels her pain, but he can't have people wandering through here. All of this is going to be his new turnpike. Tom tells him it's also a crime scene. Hiram replies that it is not his jurisdiction. Betty, however, is with the FBI and declares it a crime scene. Hiram is unimpressed and tells Betty that she will need more than a badge out of her Jacker Crack box. In the meantime, off his property. They leave when Reggie and the other men load their rifles.

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Alice and Betty talk with Deanna

At the FBI center, Alice, Betty and Toni meet Deanna Harper, Margaret's mother, one of the bodies found in the swamp. Deanna is relieved that after all these years she at least knows where her daughter is. She can say goodbye. Deanna asks Betty who to hurt her daughter, but they don't know yet. Other girls including Polly are missing and Betty swears they will find the person responsible.

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Betty thinks there's a serial killer on the loose

In the evening, at the Cooper house, Alice serves coffee to Toni, Tom and Betty as they discuss the case over a table covered with files and pictures. Two young women went missing on the Lonely Highway. Margaret Harper and Polly. They found Margaret's remains in Swedlow Swamp where Alice found Polly's phone. They also found another set of remains in the swamp belonging to an unidentified young woman. Tom says he has reached out to sheriff's offices in the counties that touch along the Lonely Highway, asking about any unsolved missing person's reports, specifically young women. They came back with 13 names. Toni has been in touch with a network of social workers in towns the Lonely Highway runs through, and she got 11 names back. Five of which overlaps with Tom's list. They are talking about 21 missing girls. Betty wonders how many of them are they going to find in Swedlow Swamp. Alice replies that at least Hiram agreed to let them search the area. Betty doesn't think all 21 girls are runaways. Toni wonders if it could be a case of human trafficking. But Betty speculates a serial killer, with the general concern of those present.[6]

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Alice is relieved it's not Polly's body

Alice is in the living room with Juniper and Dagwood. She tells her grandchildren that their artwork is beautiful. Their mom will love it when she'll come back home. Betty enters and says good morning before receiving a call from Mr. Keller. They found another body in Swedlow Swamp. It's probably not Polly. Tom says it's like the other bodies. It's been there for a while.

Later, Betty phones to inform Alice that the corpse is not Polly. Dr. Curdle Jr. says the remains are over a year old. Alice is relieved. This means that Polly is still out there. It means she's still alive. Betty tries to give her comfort, telling her to hang on such hopes.

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Alice got a phone call from Polly

Alice spent the night sitting in front of the phone and when Betty comes into the kitchen, she tells her that Polly called. She's alive. Betty asks confirmation if it was really Polly and not some pranks, and to tell her everything. Alice retorts, saying that she knows her own daughter's voice. She then tells what happened. The phone rang. Polly was hysterical and Alice tried to keep her on the phone, but she was scared. She couldn't see anything. She was held captive in the dark. Everything was cold and smooth, Like metal. Quite frankly, it sounded like a spaceship. Betty tries to be rational. In many of the cases of missing people, after two days the chances of the victim being found alive are almost nothing. And Polly's been gone for weeks. Alice doesn't want to listen to this, and she begins to move frantically around the kitchen, shouting that her daughter is alive. She called and she's calling back.

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Alice and Betty find the phone booth destroyed

Alice and Betty are sorting mail at the kitchen table when the phone rings. It's Polly. She's panicking. She's at some pay phone in the middle of nowhere. She says she ran as fast as she could, and they've to come get her. She's on the Lonely Highway. Betty and Alice immediately start driving to reach the Lonely Highway. There, they find the telephone booth completely destroyed and splashed with blood.[7]

A Dead End?[]

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Alice is depressed

Alice is resting on the sofa in the living room when Betty goes to wake her up as it is almost time for the game. On the table, a half-empty bottle of wine and a bottle of tranquilizers. Betty tries to reassure Alice, saying that Polly's out there. They don't know if it was her blood on the phone booth. Alice replies that Polly called half an hour before they got there. Whose else could the blood be? Betty replies that she will know when the FBI calls back with their analysis. Betty tells her mom that maybe she should go back to her support group with the other moms, but Alice refills her glass with what's left of the wine.

Alice is sitting in the dark in the living room, staring into space. Betty is concerned about how to tell her they've had blood results back. But it wasn't Polly's, it was 0-positive. It wasn't a match. Alice hugs Betty, crying with relief.

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Alice is baking cakes

The next morning, Alice is back to her exuberant personality and bakes sweets. It's perfect timing Betty's awake. Alice ordered a platter of cold cuts from Pop's. She asks Betty if she minds running to get it. Betty is confused by what is happening. Alice explains that she decided Betty was right about returning to the support group. Alice is hosting it today. She then reminds Betty to go and get the cold cuts.

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Alice finds out Betty lied

A few days later, Alice is in turmoil after receiving a visit from FBI Agent Glen. He came to check on Betty. Alice is crying again, accusing Betty after discovering that Betty lied about the blood analysis, leading her to believe that Polly was still out there. Alive. Glen promises Alice that he'll make sure this investigation is handled thoroughly, by the book. Betty objects, saying that she will investigate the disappearance of her sister. Glen dismisses her claims, saying that he'll leave no stone unturned.[8]

Home Invasion[]

Alice is garnishing a cake in the kitchen while the other is ready and Betty doesn't understand why Juniper and Dagwood can't share a cake. The phone rings and Alice gets the call. Juniper and Dagwood had an accident.

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Alice and Betty questions the twins

At home, Alice and Betty sit at the table in front of the twins. The principal at their school seems to think that they pushed their classmate, Jerry down some stairs, on purpose. Dagwood justifies himself doing it because Jerry said their mom is dead. Alice explains that Jerry got a concussion and broke his shoulder and it could've been much, much worse. Betty interjects, saying he could've died. The twins shrug their shoulders, smiling. Alice and Betty share a concerned look.

In the evening, in the living room decorated with festoons and balloons, Alice and Betty are setting the table for the twins' birthday. Someone rings the doorbell. Alice asks Juniper is she minds getting the door for grandma. Betty asks her if she is expecting anyone. Lei she isn't lei, although she may have forgotten to invite the Blossoms. Charles and Chic in prison uniforms enter the room holding Juniper by the hand. Charles greets his mom, while Chic asks Betty if she missed him.

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Alice, Betty and the twins are held hostages

Charles and Chic take a seat next to the twins at the table while Betty and Alice gather the food in the kitchen, Betty asks Alice to explain what's going on. Alice confesses she's been visiting Charles in prison over the years. They notice the two criminals have guns, but Alice doesn't think they will harm them. Let's just get through whatever this is.

Betty asks why they have come back. Charles reveals that he and Chic would like to be married with their family present. Charles had Alice get ordained online a while back. So, Alice officiates their marriage in the living room. However, they are interrupted by the arrival of Glen Scot, Charles old rival at the academy. Betty realizes that this must be the reason behind Glen's dissertation of her family. Since Glen is so interested in what makes a serial killer tick, Charles suggests they play a game.

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Charles forces Alice, Betty and the twins to play Pincushion Man

Chic and Charles play a game called "Pincushion Man." It's where the youngest member of a family takes a pin and sticks it in the pincushion man, that being Glen. And with Juniper being the youngest member of their family by three minutes, Chic hands her a large kitchen knife and tells her to stick it in the Pincushion Man. Betty begs Charles to spare Juniper, as she's only nine years old and this will scar her for the rest of her life. While they may be lost causes, Juniper and Dagwood still have a chance at normal lives. Charles concedes and says that Betty must take her turn. Betty takes the knife and Alice sends the twins upstairs. Betty stabs Glen in the stomach and throws the knife into Chic's chest whilst Alice wrestles with Charles for control of the gun, resulting in Charles getting shot.

The next day, Betty gets off the phone with Glen, who’s recovering from his flesh wound, as Betty intended. As for Charles, he’s still in the ICU at Shankshaw Prison, but it seems like he’s going to make it. Betty then reveals that the FBI have decided to relocate the Lonely Highway case upstate, closer to their northern office, but she’s not going to stop looking for Polly.[9]

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Alice checks the school's damages with Weatherbee, Archie, and Kevin

Alice checks the damage done to Riverdale High by convicts who escaped from the Lodge Detention Center together with Principal Weatherbee, Archie and Kevin. Hiram's escapees trashed everything. Alice explains they pulled wires from the walls, smashed circuit breakers, and even broke sinks and toilets. Weatherbee wants to know from Mr. Andrews how long it would take roughly to get the school back in shape. They're looking at least three weeks if he can pull a crew together. Kevin says to count him in. Alice surmises it's back to remote learning for the moment.[10]

A Blast from the Past[]

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Young Alice, Penelope, and Hermione at Javier Luna's funeral

At Javier Luna's wake, in 1993, young Alice Smith and Hermione Gomez comment on the state of Javier's son, Jaime, who now goes by the name of Hiram Lodge and is Hermione's boyfriend. Alice finds him to be too calm for his father's funeral and Hermione thinks it's the shock. Penelope Blossom interjects, saying that Hiram works for a gangster and earns money illegally. That's how he can afford fancy cars, and brining Hermione to nice dates. Hermione nervously replies, saying that Hiram thought he'd be able to make a better life for his family and to him, family is everything. Can they two "skanks" say the same? Hermione leaves, with Penelope and Alice standing speechless near the buffet.[11]

Hunting Down the Trucker[]

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Alice and Kevin join the Coyote Ugly Plan

The search for the truck driver who could be responsible for the deaths and kidnappings on the Lonely Highway resumes. Alice and Betty meet with Tabitha, Kevin, Cheryl, Veronica, and Reggie at the Whyte Wyrm. Betty explains that they'll be checking everyone's IDs, writing down their names and driver's license numbers after Tabitha's new cameras catch their faces coming in. Alice will be working the bar and keeping an eye out for anything sketchy since Toni can't be there to help due to her pregnancy. Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, and Tabitha will be performing. And while they keep the truckers busy, Kevin and Reggie will be picking open their trailers and looking for anything suspicious.

As planned, Betty, Tabitha, Veronica, and Cheryl perform at the bar in front of a room full of truckers while Kevin and Reggie pick the locks to their trailers. They come across one truck with blood in the back and call down to Alice at the bar. Alice then signals Betty.[12]

Alice is in the living room embroidering a portrait of Juniper and Dagwood when Betty enters, having something to say to her. She has captured a trucker that she believes may be the man who killed Polly and the other young women on the Lonely Highway. Alice is shocked. Betty sits next to her on the couch, explaining how serial killers often dehumanize their victims before killing them. Despite being risky, Betty asks her to meet him as she believes that if she sees Alice as a grieving mother and Polly as a human, he might confess. Alice agrees to do it.

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Alice talks with the trucker

At the high school, Alice shows Martin Tucker, the trucker kidnapped by Betty, photos of Polly's childhood, and tells how her little golden girl loved to dance and swim. She was a baton twirler. He's chained to a bench as Betty stands by. Alice tells him the horror of having no idea where your child is. He replies that her daughter squealed like a pig when he slit her throat. Alice is so enraged by that that she begins to punch him in the face and is dragged away by Betty.

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Alice tells Betty to kill the trucker

At home, Alice dips her bruised hand in ice-cold water as they plan their next move. Appealing to his humanity didn't work. Betty proposes that maybe if he believed he was about to die, he would talk. Alice asks why Betty doesn't just kill him. That scumbag killed her daughter. But Betty doesn't think it's a good idea, and isn't going to make her feel any better. Alice replies that she'll feel better knowing that her daughter's killer is dead. Blinded by pain and anger, Alice "gives permission" to Betty to kill that monster but Betty wants to try one last thing first.

Late that night, Alice and Betty are sitting in front of the fireplace with a glass of rum. Alice asks her daughter if she did it. Betty replies that he did it to himself. He bit off his own tongue, swallowed it, and choked to death. Betty surmised he was probably afraid of what she was going to do to him. Or maybe finally felt guilty about what he had done. Alice sighs. The killer took his secrets to the grave and they are nowhere close finding Polly. Betty adds that they will have to wait to see what Dr. Curdle Jr.'s autopsy report will say. Betty asks her mom if she feels better knowing she is dead. Alice does. She believes that lives were saved tonight. Betty feels good too, but based on what the trucker said, her guts tell her there might be a family of killers, hunting together.[13]

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Alice talks to Jughead

Alice is depressed and lonely. She opens the door when Jughead Jones shows up one evening at the Cooper house looking for Betty. Alice tells him that she is not at home, but on the Lonely Highway doing God knows what. Alice and Jughead stand in the doorway for a while, staring awkwardly before Jughead takes off.

A few nights later, Alice is fast asleep on the sofa with all Juniper and Dagwood's toys scattered around a messy living room, so off-putting given Alice's obsession with order. Beside Alice, there is an empty bottle of wine. Betty covers her with a woolen blanket before leaving the house, headed to the Lonely Highway.[14]

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Alice goes back to work

Alice is getting ready to go to work. She's headed to the station. She don't mind the distraction. Since Tom called and said there’s been another body found in Swedlow Swamp. Betty knows. She went to the morgue, but she doesn't know if it's Polly. The body was dismembered. She gave her DNA to run some tests, but they're also finding evidence to know if the corpse may belong to Squeaky, a Pop's waitress that went missing. Alice leaves the house, asking her to keep her posted.

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Alice releases a message

Later, Alice is on TV talking about the recent murders, addressing the culprit directly and telling them to stop. Every time the phone rings, she pray it 's about her daughter. She prays for closure. Just today another victim was found. Their dismembered body is down at the Riverdale Morgue. What does it says about her that she wants it to be her daughter... so that this nightmare will end? So that she can wake up.

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Alice and Betty finds a corpse

After Betty discovers the identity of the kidnappers (the Starkweather family, an illegitimate branch of the Blossom family living in the woods), Alice and Betty visit Old Man Dreyfus' junkyard where they find what looks to be Polly's corpse in the trunk of one of the old battered cars. Completely in shock, they cry in each other's arms.[15]

Mourning Polly[]

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Alice hallucinates her perfect children

Alice is dressed like in a '60s sitcom in a beautiful yellow dress. She tidies up the living room singing. Charles and Polly, also dressed in a Bulldogs varsity jacket and a 60's dress, cheers her up, singing and dancing in the living room. They sit on the sofa, throwing popcorn at each other and looking at photos from an album. However, suddenly Polly and Charles freeze, and Alice returns to reality. It was a daydream. Alice is actually on the sofa sobbing over family photo albums. Betty turned off the record player as it was skipping. Alice says she is tired and is going to take a nap.

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Alice is in pain

Alice looks at photo albums and refuses Betty's offer to go out with her. Betty knows she is grieving, but she has to find a way to move on. But Alice is totally alienated, lost in her memory lane. She asks Betty if she remembers their ski trip to the Catskill Mountains, showing her some photos of their vacation. She and Polly didn't want to came off the bunny hill. Alice misses the highs and lows of life, when everything was nonetheless perfect, but Betty misses her mom. Charles and Polly keeps appearing to Alice, luring her to stay in the daydream where everyone's happy.

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Alice hallucinates Polly and Betty

The next morning, it's Mother's Day. Alice is playing the piano. She ordered it on Glamazon. When they were little, she gave piano lessons to Betty and Polly and they loved them. Betty asks Alice if she wants to go to Archie's for dinner. It's just next door. But Alice refuses. She's cooking Polly's favorite for dinner; Meatloaf. For all of them. Betty accepts, but there is something she needs to pick up first.

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Alice is in denial

At Mother's Day dinner, Alice has other visions of Polly and Charles. Alice knows she has gone a little overboard, but the dinner table looks nice and she is happy to have all of her children with her. Betty starts getting freaked out because Alice talks as if Polly and Charles were really there. So Betty sits next to her mother and takes an urn out of her bag. It's Polly's ashes. Betty thinks having them can bring Alice comfort and closure.

Betty proposes to go to New York to watch a Broadway show. Alice accepts.

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Alice accuses Betty of Polly's death

Alice and Betty are finishing their makeup. Betty summarizes the program. Their Smarty’s reservation is at 6.30 pm and their Moulin Rouge tickets are at "will call". She has their tram track confirmation. And she splurged and got them two business-class seats. Alice, however, has visions of Polly who's angry that there are only two tickets and accuses Alice of leaving her behind. Charles also makes an appearance, siding with Polly. Alice is not ready to leave the house. Alice begged Betty to stay and she left. For seven years she was gone. And when she finally came back, all of this with Polly started. Betty drove her away, and she died. Alice is in so much grief that she accuses Betty of being responsible for Polly's death.

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Alice apologies to Betty

The following day, Alice comes downstairs and finds Betty in the living room. She took away the record player. Alice won't need it anymore, she says. Years ago, she promised her she would come back to Riverdale, which she broke. But she is now making a new one. She's not living Alice alone. Ever. They hug and Alice apologizes for the horrible things she said to Betty last night. Alice takes the urn with Polly's ashes, fearing that she has lost her last moment of lucidity. But Betty tries to tell her that things will get better. They may not be okay, but they are tough and they will try anyway.

That’s when Alice sees Charles and Polly leaving the house. Charles is wearing the Bulldogs uniform and Polly the clothes she was wearing the day she died. They exit the house, disappearing. All Alice ever wanted was for them to be a normal family. Betty knows they're not. Far away from that, but maybe they're the best thing next to normal.

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Alice and Betty at Polly's funeral

Early in the morning, Alice hans't slept. Alice is sitting in the dark in the living room holding a family photo. Every day, she fights what she feels, but some ghosts never go away and some wounds don't heal. Betty reminds her that she's okay, she doesn't have to be happy as long as she's happy to be alive.

Alice, Betty, Juniper and Dagwood and the rest of their close friends are at the graveyard for a final farewell to Polly, and Alice places a white rose on her headstone.[16]

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Alice hands Betty her diploma

Alice attends Betty's surprise party to celebrate her FBI promotion with their friends. Alice hands Betty her diploma and embraces her daughter. Fangs then encourages Betty to give a speech, in which she thanks them all for coming. Kevin then emerges with Betty's FBI themed cake.

Frank is happy to hear that Alice is doing better in dealing with Polly's death. He asks if she's been getting out the house much. She's confessed that she's been trying to and asks if Frank has something in mind.

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Alice holds Hiram at gunpoint

Archie and Veronica have taken Hiram out to the town's border for exile, where the rest of the gang awaits, all armed with various weapons, not the least Cheryl and her bow and arrows. Just on the edge of town, Veronica reveals that they have Hiram on camera as he murdered Vito Alto in his bed, and in exactly one hour, Betty intends to hand the video footage over to the FBI. As for Hiram's belongings, they'll sell whatever he has left in town and use it to rebuild Pop's and Riverdale. Faced with insurmountable odds, Hiram is forced out of Riverdale at gunpoint.

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Alice and Betty at the town hall meeting

The town hall meeting is underway. Archie explains that they're not looking to reincorporate a town that was, but a town that may one day be, with the proper leadership that is. Which is why they're hoping that it won't be a mayor that'll lead them into glory, but instead a council of four. Unfortunately, the meeting is interrupted by Cheryl, who presumes that Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead will lead the council. However, much to her surprise, Archie reveals that the council consists of Tabitha, Toni, Frank, and Alice. With no objections to his proposal of the council, Cheryl then asks Archie about the past, which he refuses to address. And so, moving forward, Thornhill and her lands shall cede from the corrupt township of Riverdale, Cheryl decrees, before leaving with Britta. Moving back to the subject of the council, Archie reveals the four nominees have deep roots in Riverdale and will each swear an oath to put Riverdale's collective needs before any single individual. And with a unanimous vote, the town of Riverdale is reincorporated under the leadership of the new council.

Veronica and Reggie approach Tabitha, Toni, Frank, and Alice with the idea of a family-friendly casino in Riverdale, which will provide more jobs, as well as a cash flow. Reggie claims that Riverdale can be the next Atlantic City. However, the counsel is doubtful and also have greater concerns like traffic lights and potholes to fix first, as well as Pop's. Although, Toni does suggest that they bring a full proposal to next month's meeting.

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Alice and Frank at the town sign's reveal

Archie constructs a new town sign, which now includes Pop's diner. Alice remarks that it's Archie's best work yet. More than just a sign, Frank believes that it represents everything Archie has done this year. Suddenly, heavy wind hits Riverdale. The gang feels it at the town's borders, as does Jughead and Tabitha outside of Pop's.[17]

References[]

  1. Hasan, Ace & Murray. Greg (writers) & Romanovsky, Pamela (director) (January 20, 2021). "Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 1. The CW.
  2. Janine Salinas Schoenberg & Devon Turner (writers) & Correa, Gabriel (director) (January 27, 2021). "Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Preppy Murders". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 2. The CW.
  3. Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto (writer) & Correa, Gabriel (director) (February 3, 2021). "Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 3. The CW.
  4. Grassi, Michael (writer) & Andelson, Steven A. (director) (February 17, 2021). "Chapter Eighty-One: The Homecoming". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 5. The CW.
  5. Jackson, Ariana (writer) & Correa, Gabriel (director) (February 24, 2021)."Chapter Eighty-Two: Back To School". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 6. The CW.
  6. Sullivan, Ted (writer) & Correa, Gabriel (director) (March 10, 2021)."Chapter Eighty-Three: Fire in the Sky". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 7. The CW.
  7. Anderson, Arabella (writer) & Talalay, Rachel (director) (March 17, 2021). "Chapter Eighty-Four: Lock & Key". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 8. The CW.
  8. Hasan, Ace (writer) & Seidenglanz, Rob (director) (March 24, 2021). "Chapter Eighty-Five: Destroyer". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 9. The CW.
  9. Maroon, Chrissy (writer) & Correa, Gabriel (director) (March 31, 2021). "Chapter Eighty-Six: The Pincushion Man". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 10. The CW.
  10. Allen, Aaron (writer) & Blake, Tessa (director) (August 11, 2021). "Chapter Eighty-Seven: Strange Bedfellows". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 11. The CW.
  11. Peterson, Brian E. (writer) & DeWille, James (director) (August 18, 2021). "Chapter Eighty-Eight: Citizen Lodge". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 12. The CW.
  12. Kyle, Evan (writer) & Correa, Gabriel (director) (August 25, 2021). "Chapter Eighty-Nine: Reservoir Dogs". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 13. The CW.
  13. DeWille, James (writer) & Amick, MädchenM (director) (September 1, 2021). "Chapter Ninety: The Night Gallery". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 14. The CW.
  14. Schoenberg, Janine Salinas (writer) & Givens, Robin (director) (September 15, 2021). "Chapter Ninety-Two: Band of Brothers". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 16. The CW.
  15. Turner, Devon (writer) & Boltt, Nathalie (director) (September 22, 2021). "Chapter Ninety-Three: Dance of Death". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 17. The CW.
  16. Williams, Tessa Leigh (writer) & Richard, Ronald Paul (director) (September 29, 2021). "Chapter Ninety-Four: Next to Normal". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 18. The CW.
  17. Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto & Murray, Greg (writers) & Correa, Ronald Gabriel (director) (October 6, 2021). "Chapter Ninety-Five: Riverdale: RIP(?)". Riverdale. Season 5. Episode 19. The CW.
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