| “ | Heroes. Some are born on the gridiron and baseball diamonds. Others are ripped from the pages of comic books. But then there are folk heroes, champions of the common people. You've heard of them. John Henry, Johnny Appleseed, Davy Crockett. Folk heroes are symbols of courage for the oppressed. Riverdale was being threatened by a villain with a seemingly supernatural ability to control minds. We needed a hero to defeat him, one who wouldn't manipulate our neighbors towards their worst impulses but inspire them to do their best. We needed a modern day folk hero. | ” |
— Jughead
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"Chapter One Hundred and Five: Folk Heroes" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of Riverdale and the one hundredth and fifth episode of the series overall.[2] It premiered on April 17, 2022.
Synopsis[]
THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST MAN — To get the town of Riverdale out from under Percival's grip, Archie, Jughead and Betty devise a plan to turn Archie into a modern-day folk hero by performing a series of impossible feats. Meanwhile, Percival takes aim at Veronica, Toni and Tabitha, pitting them and their businesses against one another. Finally, after falling ill, Cheryl makes a surprising discovery about herself.[3]
Plot[]
Jughead devises a plan to create a modern day folk hero in an attempt to stop Percival from taking over Riverdale.
Percival needs a home
Percival meets with Veronica at the Babylonium to discuss him possibly taking up residence in one of her champagne suites. He apologizes for going after her casino upon his initial arrival, realizing how he underestimated her and it's potential. And now that he's stepped down as deputy to open up a curiosity shop in town, he's no longer concerned with law and order. Regarding the suite, he's willing to pay a year's rent in advance and in cash. He's also a good singer, having sung at Caesar's Palace, Sydney Opera House, and Moulin Rouge. The ladies love him, as do the men, so he claims.
After Britta's parents learned that Cheryl was going to adopt her, they thought about it and are ready to accept Britta for who she is. With that in mind, she intends to return home, but first, Cheryl thanks Britta for freeing her from the confines of Abigail's mind. For that, Cheryl tells Britta that she will always have a place at Thornhill and hugs her.
town council meeting
Up next on the agenda for the council meeting is the Pickens Park revitalization program, spearheaded by Percival, who wishes to clean up the park and reinstate a new statue of his ancestor Augustus General Pickens. However, Archie, speaking for the town, explains that General Pickens was a murderer who slaughtered the Uktena tribe and stole their land. Before anything is approved, Tabitha informs Percival why the statue was removed in the first place; for a lot of people, General Pickens is an offensive reminder of their town's dark history. Percival concedes and moves forward with the next item on the agenda, which is the new town sign, with an updated design that doesn't feature the town's slogan, "Home of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe."
Tabitha confronts Percival
Tabitha confronts Percival after the meeting after he pushed for Pop's to be removed from the town's sign. Percival insists that he's not her enemy and advises her to be more concerned about Veronica and her casino. The council is holding a meeting to approve a billboard promoting the Babylonium. And since that stretch of highway is only zoned for two billboards, the town's and one other, Percival believes it would be in Tabitha's best interest to fight for Pop's advertisement instead.
Jughead wants to make Archie a folk hero
Archie, Betty, and Jughead plot their next move against Percival, who seems to have the entire town wrapped around his finger and convinced that he's a good guy. Fortunately, Jughead has been reading up and has come up with what he believes could be a way to resist Percival's mind control through an emotional anchor. It essentially acts as a tether to their core identity. And as long as they stay connected to whatever that is, Percival can't get a grasp on them. However, this won't protect the rest of the town, which is why Jughead proposes they turn Archie into a modern folk hero, someone who can point them in the right direction and regain control of the town. Archie will, however, need proof of his folk heroism. Fortunately, Jughead's former literary manger has a connection to the Guinness Book of World Records. Also, Jughead needs for Archie to contact KO Kelly.
Cheryl catches on fire
Whilst reading a book in the chapel, Cheryl makes eye contact with the Abigail doll and tells her that she'll never get out of her cage and back into her body. Suddenly, Cheryl begins to sweat profusely, followed by her book spontaneously catching fire before she herself catches fire. Cheryl pats the flames frantically before waking up screaming from what was clearly a nightmare.
Archie and Jughead invite everyone to see his feats
Archie interrupts the council meeting to announce that effective immediately, the El Royale will be unavailable for town hall meetings, as he's decided to reopen it as a boxing gym for local kids. Percival questions if this is a good idea, but Jughead interjects that it would inspire the community and fill the youths of Riverdale with a sense of civic and personal pride. In addition to, the El Royale is about to be world-famous, due to it being owned and operated by Archie, the world's toughest man alive, as an adjudicator from the Guinness Book of World Records is in route to Riverdale to witness Archie perform a set of feats of human endurance, for which they're inviting everyone to attend.
Nana Rose takes Cheryl's temperature, discovering that she has an alarming temperature of 103 degrees. Nana Rose advises Cheryl to rest, however, she won't be able to take care of Cheryl, as she has to take vigil over the Abigail doll. In the meantime, Nana Rose will hire a night nurse to tend to Cheryl's needs.
Veronica and Tabitha meet with the council
Veronica and Tabitha have brought their proposals before the council, who have decided to go with Veronica and the Babylonium billboard, Frank announces. Alice explains that while Pop's represents Riverdale's past, they want to look towards the town's future, and the casino promises more revenue, short and long term. Percival adds that Pop's will always be part of the town's legacy, which Tabitha takes issue with, as Pop's is also part of Riverdale's present and future.
Archie's feats
With Jughead at his side and Betty and Veronica cheering him on from the crowd, Archie begins to perform his feats of toughness in front of the Guinness Record adjudicator, ranging from him lying on a bed of nails with cinder blocks on his chest, to him being pounded in the abdomen with a large hammer, to him being locked in a freezing freezer. With this, the town of Riverdale appears to rally behind Archie.
Archie is now the world's toughest man
According to Mr. Guinness, Archie is now the world's toughest man. Jughead then reveals that he's having a statue commissioned to honor Archie in effort to mythologize him. Also, KO has agreed to the fight and is on his way. But Archie fears that he might hurt KO and ruin his reputation. Fortunately, Jughead reveals that since KO went professional, his shtick is that he knocks ever opponent out. So, all Archie has to do is stay standing by the time the final bell rings. KO Will get the technical win, but Archie will get the Rocky-esque inspirational victory.
Toni and Tabitha discuss the Babylonium
Toni is sad to hear that Tabitha didn't get the billboard. She'd been trying to get one herself for years. However, that's not Tabitha's only concern. She recalls Percival mentioning that the casino is a threat to Pop's. Tabitha went over her books and ever since Veronica opened up the Babylonium, her revenue has gone down, which Toni can relate to, as her business is also suffering, due to the casino giving out free drink. When Tabitha questions why it's eating into her customer base, Toni proposes they check out the competition.
Cheryl is being tended to by Darius, the night nurse, who she thanks for watching over her. Hopefully, her fever will have broken by morning.
Toni and Tabitha arrive at the Babylonium
Toni and Tabitha arrive at the Babylonium to find Percival signing, but what they find to be most troubling, is that the casino is serving diner food and liquor infused milkshake shots.
Cheryl awakens to discover that Darius is nothing more than ashes and that nothing remains of him but his lower legs and feet, which she immediately reports to Nana Rose, suspecting that it was Abigail's doing, but Nana Rose claims that the doll hasn't twitched all night.
KO arrives at the gym and embraces Archie, taking notice of his new physique. Archie is planning to set the ring up himself. KO would stay to help, but Katy told him about Veronica's new casino, which he intends to check out.
Betty investigates Darius' death
Betty arrives at Thornhill to find what remains of Darius. She finds bones within his ashes and wonders why his feet didn't burn, two questions she can't answer herself, so she decides to seek out assistance from Dr. Curdle Jr.
Toni fears that neither she nor Tabitha can compete against Veronica and the Babylonium. So, they decide to join forces. Tabitha can apply for a liquor license and serve alcohol, placing all her orders through the Wyrm, and Toni can install a few slot machine downstairs, maybe even a craps table, but most importantly, they'll need live entertainment, which leads Toni to decide to resurrect the Serpent dance.
Percival makes Veronica a proposal
Percival makes Veronica a proposal. He wants to explore a more robust partnership. He can become an investor and take the casino to the next level, but Veronica already has a partner, Reggie, who is supposedly helping his dad with the dealership, but Percival claims otherwise, telling Veronica that she should go see for herself.
Veronica learns the truth about Reggie
Off her conversation with Percival, Veronica heads down to Mantle Motors, where she finds Reggie running a satellite casino behind her back with slot machines stolen from the Babylonium. Reggie claims it's just a side hustle and that they're both benefiting, but Veronica isn't convinced. Reggie explains that he wanted something of his own, where he could call the shots. And so, Veronica bans him from the Babylonium and her bedroom, though she does allow him to keep the slot machines.
Dr. Curdle Jr. suspects spontaneous human combustion
Dr. Curdle Jr. informs Betty that Darius' death was the result of spontaneous human combustion. However, Betty recalls his feet being intact and his chair being untouched. In such cases, Dr. Curdle Jr. reveals that the fire is contained within the body so that often times, some limbs are sparred, as well as objects in direct contact with the victim.
Betty reveals to Cheryl that Darius supposedly died from spontaneous human combustion, which worries Cheryl, as her temperature continues to rise. Betty assures Cheryl that she'll be fine and offers to stay by her side throughout the night.
Archie cuts his arm
Archie receives an unexpected visit from Percival, who uses his mind control abilities to force Archie to cut his arm with a box cutter. However, the blade breaks as he presses it against his skin. So, Percival attempts to try again, but Archie regains control after focusing in on a photo of his dad on the wall, forcing Percival to flee.
Veronica and Percival reconvene in her office, as both have had a rather frustrating and disappointing evening, though Percival believes that it's better to know the truth than live unaware. In the spirit of the truth, he takes Veronica to the Whyte Wyrm, where she discovers that Toni and Tabitha have stolen her clientele with live entertainment, drinks, and singing and dancing.
Betty puts Cheryl in the tub
Betty places her hand on Cheryl's head, who is quite literally burning up. Fearful of what may come next, Betty puts Cheryl in the tub and runs her an ice water bath. Fortunately, her temperature drops, but only temporarily. They need a more permanent solution. Betty informs Cheryl of a division at the FBI that specializes in phenomenons such as Cheryl's and plans to reach out to them.
Archie tells Jughead about his latest run in with Percival
Archie tells Jughead about his latest run in with Percival, who was fully in his head until Archie recalled what Jughead said about focusing in on his tether. However, this is only a temporary solution. After Archie's big fight with KO, the Guinness Book of World Records will present him with his reward, and then they'll reveal Archie's statue and he'll say a few words at the press conference to rally the town behind him and force Percival out.
Pop heads out back to dump the trash, where he discovers a drunken man peeing on the diner.
Toni performs the Serpent dance
Toni performs the Serpent dance in front of a crowned bar of customers. It is then that Fangs arrives, in complete disbelief.
Percival notes that the casino is quiet and rather empty, likely due to Toni and Tabitha declaring war against the Babylonium. Veronica Will think of something. Percival personally suggests that they firebomb Pop's and the Wyrm.
Pop confronts Tabitha about the selling of alcohol in their family restaurant. Meanwhile, Fangs confronts Toni, given the fact that they're currently in a custody battle for Baby Anthony, and if someone caught her performing such a provocative act, it would reflect poorly on them as parents.
Veronica tells Percival to get out
Surprisingly, Percival's powers of persuasion don't appear to work on Veronica, who tells him that she's not her father, before instructing him to leave.
The wise guys attempt to cheer Reggie up, who is upset over losing Veronica and the casino, as they were his future. They advise him to take the casino back, also referring to Veronica as garbage, to which Reggie takes offense, but he is still willing to discuss deepening their partnership.
Percival approaches KO outside of Pop's claiming to be a fan of his work. He then uses his ability to force KO to walk into traffic and get hit by a car.
Archie and Jughead learn that KO is hurt
Archie meets with Jughead at Riverdale General Hospital after learning of KO's incident. Fortunately, it seems he'll be fine, as he just got out of surgery. Jughead explains that he calmly and willingly walked into traffic, suspecting that Percival is responsible. As if on cue, Archie gets a call from Percival, who insists that he isn't responsible for KO's injury and offers to step in the ring with Archie to fill KO's place. Percival was top of his boxing class at Cambridge and can hold his own. If Archie wins, Percival resigns from the council, but if Percival wins, he wants Archie to personally reinstate his great-grandfather's statue in Pickens Park. Jughead fears that he'll try to mind control Archie in the ring, but Archie insists that won't happen, as he'll be thinking about his dad.
Veronica gets a call from Tabitha and asks if they can meet.
Agent Drake tells Betty about pyrokinesis
Betty meets with Agent Drake at Pop's. She's been wanting to meet Betty since the Starkweather case, but the reason they're meeting now is because she has some inside information on the case Betty's working. Despite Dr. Curdle's findings, Agent Drake suspects that Darius' death is the result of someone manifesting pyrokinesis, which is the ability to create and control fire with the mind. The onset of such an ability is usually triggered by puberty or intense traumas. A pyrokinetic person generates far more heat than the average person, and at some point, they have to discharge it, or else it will build up and cause them or anyone near them to self-immolate. They can discharge the heat with practice, which Agent Drake offers to help with.
Veronica, Toni, and Tabitha come to an agreement
Veronica, Toni, and Tabitha embrace following their meeting, during which they came to an agreement that will benefit all three of their businesses, which doesn't go unnoticed by Percival, who Veronica informs that they found a way to support each other. She's giving away two of her Babylonium slot machines to the Whyte Wyrm, and in return, Toni is giving her 10%. And as for Tabitha, they're opening a Pop's booth in the grand lobby and splitting the profits. Percival tips his hat to Veronica, but she reveals it was actually Tabitha's plan.
Cheryl's temperature is rising. At a steady 119 degrees, Betty tries to get Cheryl to discharge her built-up heat by focusing on the logs in the fireplace, but Cheryl is burning up and finding it difficult to focus.
Percival and Archie box
Archie enters the ring with Jughead at his side. On the opposite side, stands Percival, with Tom in his corner. Jughead reminds Archie not to forget his tether and the fight begins, with Frank officiating. They exchange blows until Percival attempts to use his powers to force Archie to allow him to win, but Archie remains in control, forcing Percival to actually fight. Surprisingly, he lands a hard hit which not only knocks Archie to the ground but causes him to bleed.
Cheryl uses pyrokinesis
Betty continues to try and encourage Cheryl to discharge her fire. She compares Cheryl to a phoenix, reminding her of all the instances in which she thrives in fire. Jason was baptized in fire, Abigail was consumed in fire, Cheryl even burned Thornhill down and rebuilt it. Cheryl herself even said that she could control the elements. Her entire life has been building up to this moment. Nana Rose then clocks her at 262 degrees. With her temperature now rising even further to 303 degrees, Betty grabs Penelope's picture and places in on the fire place, commanding Cheryl to visualize all the pain her mother has ever caused her and set her on fire, which Cheryl does almost immediately, with little difficulty, releasing the fire before fainting on the couch.
Archie is knocked out
Back at the fight, Percival is completely dominating Archie in the ring and knocks him down for a second time. As Frank counts, Jughead tries to convince him to stay down, but Archie pulls himself back to his feet with help from the ropes, only to be knocked down a third and final time with a single hit from Percival, who is victorious.
Betty joins Archie and Jughead in the locker room after learning of his loss to Percival. To make matters worse, Archie won't be getting a medal from Guinness. Percival somehow out played them and was able to inflict pain on Archie. They suspect that he somehow became aware of Archie's weakness to palladium and got a hold of it. The only palladium Betty knows of is that of which was given to her by Archie for safe keeping, but when they go to the field office to recover it, Betty discovers that it's missing, meaning that Percival somehow learned the truth about them.
Percival gets in Betty's head
Back at his shop, Percival writes down in his journal that Archie is invulnerable and that his only weakness is palladium, which is why he had a piece of palladium hidden within his glove. He then recalls the night before, in which he mind controlled Alice into allowing him into Betty's room, where he then used his abilities on her and forced Betty to tell him everything about Archie, before making her forget. Tom then enters the shop to report that Archie was a man of his word and put the statue up in Pickens Park.
Cheryl uses her power
Cheryl resumes her reading in the chapel while watching over Abigail. She is quickly getting a hang of her new ability and uses it to light the candles in the room as she reads the Stephen King horror novel Firestarter, about a young girl who also develops pyrokinesis.
Frank and Tom join Percival in Pickens Park as he looks upon his great-grandfather's statue. Percival admits that Tabitha and her false virtue weights on him, as she and her diner stand in the way of his progress. With that, he declares that Tabitha isn't long for their new world.
Cast[]
Starring[]
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Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
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Soundtrack[]
- Black Honey - Believer
- Scene: Archie performs super human feats.
- Riverdale Cast feat. Chris O'Shea - My Funny Valentine
- Scene: Toni and Tabitha arrive at the Babylonium to find Percival singing and learn that the casino is serving diner food.
- Riverdale Cast feat. Vanessa Morgan & Erinn Westbrook - Private Dancer
- Scene: Toni and Tabitha perform at the Whyte Wyrm.
- Luvrs - Wicked
- Scene: Toni performs the Serpent dance.
- DJ Snake feat. Rick Ross & Rich Brian - Run It
- Scene: Archie vs Percival boxing match.
Trivia[]
- Cheryl is seen reading Stephen King's horror novel, Firestarter.
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
Screencaps[]
Videos[]
