| “ | You see, given enough time, society always curdles, rots, corrupts. I want a land that I rule as I see fit. Where my enemies are at my mercy. I want a land controlled by the dark arts, free from the laws that stifle the rest of this country. The Sovereign State of Percival. That's what I want Riverdale to be. A wild, untamed land where I control it all, every last bit. Even the dead. | ” |
Percival Pickens is a recurring character on The CW's Riverdale. He is portrayed by Chris O'Shea.
Percival is a magical sorcerer from Rivervale, who made a deal with the devil in exchange for immortality. He arrived in Riverdale after stepping through a rift between universes following the explosion at the Andrews house. Under the guise of General Pickens's descendant, Percival invades the town, hoping to claim it as his own sovereign state and raise the dead.
Quick Answers
Who portrays the character of Percival Pickens in the CW's Riverdale?
What was the deal that Percival Pickens made with the devil in Riverdale?
How did Percival Pickens arrive in Riverdale?
What is the significance of the name 'Percival' in the context of the character Percival Pickens?
What are Percival Pickens's intentions for Riverdale?
Character Description[]
Riverdale's newest resident. Although he presents as charming (and is), Percival's also manipulative, powerful and increasingly dangerous as he comes into conflict with our characters, most especially Archie. A descendant of one of Riverdale's founding fathers, General Pickens, Percival wants to turn Riverdale into a "utopia," a dark agenda he pursues quietly but ruthlessly.[1]
Early Life[]
In 1580, Percival arrived in the New World, on the shores of Sweetwater River, in a ship called the Ruby Pearl. Making the journey with him were the ancestors of those who reside in Rivervale currently; Asher Andrews, Blessing Cooper, James Jones, and Charity Blossom. Together, they began building up Sweetwater Village whilst Percival pursued witchcraft and sorcery, which ultimately led to his sentence to death. However, Percival was freed by the devil, to whom he also sold his soul in exchange for immortality. Percival would spend the next 400 years going from town to town, acquiring forbidden knowledge.[2]
Throughout Riverdale[]
Season 6[]
Arrival in Riverdale[]
Percival offers to buy Andrews house
Percival has just moved to Riverdale and is in search of a house when he comes across the charred remains of the Andrews house. Even in its current condition, he is willing to make a generous offer if they're interested in selling. While Mary is, Archie isn't. Nevertheless, he leaves his card in hopes that they will reconsider his offer.[3]
Percival attends the council meeting, where he introduces himself to the community. Alice welcomes Percival, who reveals that he's related to General Pickens and that with a little bit of luck and hard work, Riverdale could become one of the greatest and most prosperous towns in America. He has many ideas he'd like to share with the council. However, before he can finish, Toni arrives after stopping a gang war from erupting.[4]
Bussing out the homeless[]
Percival admits to writing the article
Percival submits an anonymous article to the Riverdale Choice, exposing Riverdale for all its flaws and faults. This results in a town meeting, where he comes forward as the author and proposes a solution to one of their biggest problems, that being the homeless on Sketch Alley. He proposes they simply bus the homeless out of town, but Archie is very much opposed to this solution. After the meeting, he stops by the Cooper house to hopefully convince Alice to get rid of the homeless population. Percival assumed Alice would have a personal stake in making Riverdale safer, given what happened to Polly.
Percival has powers
After a second town meeting, where Archie pitched building micro houses for the homeless, he and Archie have a one-on-one. Percival believes that with some investment and a bit of hard work, their town can be the next Marsha's Vineyard, but he and Archie will never come to an agreement regarding the homeless, as Percival perceives Archie's thinking as fundamentally flawed. The people of Sketch Alley don't want help, they want handouts. And if they try to lift them, they'll only bring the property value down. After visiting the Kellers in the hospital following Kevin's attack in Sketch Alley, which was seemingly orchestrated by Percival, he meets with Jughead at the Riverdale Choice to discuss his article. However, in doing so, he discovers Jughead's ability to read minds, as Percival can control minds, which is how he got Doc to attack Kevin and the man at Veronica's casino to kill himself.
Percival informs Archie that the homeless are gone
Percival informs Archie and the gang that his micro houses will no longer be needed, as he took it upon himself to encourage the homeless to move on and start over somewhere else. When asked how he arranged that, Percival credits his "power of persuasion." For this, he is celebrated at the town hall meeting, where he announces that he'll be joining Tom as a deputy to keep Riverdale safe. Percival then returns home and opens a blank page in his journal, where he writes down Jughead's ability to read minds. In his office, there's also a board of Riverdale's most prominent figures, ranging from Archie to Veronica, to Tabitha, to the Blossoms.[5]
Targeting Toni[]
Percival motions for Toni to be removed
Percival conducts a town-wide consensus with the council's approval. This allows him to meet his neighbors in a more personal setting, however, Archie is not convinced and kicks him out in the middle of his conversation with Frank. Still, Percival completes his consensus, which indicates that the main sense of anxiety stems from the gang war between the Serpents and the Ghoulies, leading him to call out Toni directly and propose simply disbanding the Serpents. At the next council meeting, Percival submits a motion to remove Toni from the council, given her position as Serpent Queen, which is put to a vote, one that is nearly unanimous. After Toni is removed, Percival targets her at home with the sheriff's department after getting a report that she and Fangs have guns in their apartment, which they confirm after the raid.
Percival antagonizes Toni
Next, Percival has Baby Anthony abducted by the Ghoulies and has Twyla Twyst arrange for a shoot-out with Toni and the Serpents in exchange for Anthony's safe return. However, unbeknownst to Toni, Percival has orchestrated this trap in order to kill off her and the Serpents. Although, when they arrive with their guns drawn, Toni and the Serpents surrender, all the while recording the ordeal, forcing Percival to take them in rather than kill them. At the station, Percival visits Toni in her cell and tells her she won't be released until the morning. Regarding Anthony, Percival claims that they found him while raiding a Ghoulies lair. They got him out safely, though the same can't be said about the Ghoulies, who are all dead except for Twyla, who escaped. The following day, with Toni in her cell, Percival is nominated for election to the town council, filling the vacancy left open by Toni.[6]
Targeting Tabitha and Pop's[]
Percival's revitalization of Pickens Park
Percival meets with Veronica at the Babylonium to discuss him possibly taking up residence in one of her champagne suites, for which he's willing to pay a year's rent in advance and cash. After securing housing from Veronica, Percival attends the council meeting, where he announces his plan to clean up Pickens Park and reinstate a new statue of his ancestor, Augustus General Pickens, which the town is very much against, given that General Pickens was a murderer who slaughtered the Uktena tribe and stole their land. 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 Pop's, which angers Tabitha, though Percival insists that he's not her enemy and even tells her about the upcoming meeting to discuss which business will be awarded the last remaining billboard. Ultimately, they decide to go with the Babylonium over Pop's.
Percival goes after KO
Percival makes Veronica a proposal for a more robust partnership, by becoming an investor, and when Veronica shows hesitance, he tells her that Reggie has been lying to her in order to seed distrust between the two. Percival then visits Archie and attempts to mind-control him into cutting himself with a box cutter, but Archie somehow resists his sway, forcing Percival to retreat to the casino, where he tells Veronica that Toni and Tabitha have stolen her clientele and proposes that they firebomb Pop's and the Wyrm in retaliation, but Veronica she turns down his proposal and tells him to leave. Percival does just that and goes after KO Kelly, mind-controlling him to walk into traffic and get hit by a car, allowing Percival to fill his spot in the boxing match against Archie.
Percival defeats Archie
After mind-controlling Betty, learning that Archie is invulnerable and that his only weakness is palladium, Percival steals Betty's palladium and hides it in his glove during the fight. So, when he fails to force Archie to let him win, Percival uses the palladium to weaken Archie to the point where Percival can inflict damage and knock him out. And per their agreement, Archie personally reinstates his great-grandfather's statue in Pickens Park. With the statue up, Percival heads for a stroll through the park with Tom and Frank, revealing to them that he intends to get rid of Tabitha.[7]
Percival shoots Tabitha
Percival announces his latest plan in his grand scheme to take over Riverdale by building a new railroad, which will require the demolishing of Pop's, though Tabitha's resistance to give up is an ever-growing problem, so he sends a hitman after Tabitha, which ultimately unlocks her ability to time travel and sends her back in time. Much like Tabitha, Percival appears in Riverdale throughout various points in time to rewrite history and take over the town, starting in December 1944, where Percival has taken on the persona of Sheriff Perkins, who wishes to turn Riverdale into a sundown town to lower the crime rates. And when he gets word of a couple on the run from Centerville police, he tracks them to Pop's, though Tabitha refuses to allow him in without a warrant. And so, he and Deputy Keller wait outside of the diner until the warrant arrives. However, they are blinded and driven crazy by the true form of Tabitha's guardian angel, Raphael. Percival is then taken to an insane asylum, which he eventually escapes and returns to Pop's to shoot Tabitha, sending her back through time.
Percival warns Tabitha
Tabitha is sent to April 3, 1968, where Percival is an FBI agent by the name of Perry Pierce. Following the assassination of Dr. King, Percival and Agent Keller stop by the diner to inform Tabitha of the rioting in Greendale, Centerville, and Seaside last night. With that in mind, the mayor is banning all public gatherings effective immediately. She has until 6 PM to disperse or else they will start arresting people. Percival claims that he simply wants to make sure their emotions don't spill over into unrest and violence. Later that evening, Percival receives a call from Director Hoover at the field office, who calls off "Operation Turkey Shoot" and fires Pierce, which he suspects to be the work of Tabitha. And so, he plants a bomb at Pop's, sending Tabitha's spiraling through time yet again.
Percival attacks Tabitha
November 1999, Percival is living in Riverdale as a shop keep by the name of Paul Prince at the new Curiosity Shop, where he has used his power of persuasion to coerce children into doing his bidding and committing various acts of vandalism. He catches Tabitha breaking into his shop and trying to steal the Holy Grail. Armed with a sword, he attacks. He says that his names are "legion," but if she blows out the candle, he is the dark. Tabitha grabs the Spear of Longinus and fends him off, explaining that in college, she was on the fencing and debate team. She uses her sword fighting skills to defeat Percival and burn the entire shop down.[8]
Becoming mayor[]
Percival and Alice come up with a plan
After learning that Archie, Betty, Jughead, and Tabitha intend to stage a coup to overthrow the Council and become the new town leaders, Percival and Alice stall their meeting by ordering a curfew due to the fog rolling into town that some are even referring to as the wrath of God. The following day, after the fog has come and gone, Percival joins Alice on her morning talk show to announce that he's the new town mayor. While everyone else was waiting for the fog to lift the previous night, the Council, minus Tabitha, met, dissolved itself, and appointed Percival mayor, collecting enough signatures to ratify the Council's endorsement.[9]
Percival takes Jughead's book as collateral
As his first official act as mayor, Percival intends to close down the library to make room for a new hotel, but first, he goes door-to-door in search of overdue library books, starting with Jughead and Kafka's The Metamorphosis, which Jughead hasn't seen in over ten years. Percival claims that the replacement will have to be an exact version and takes collateral in the meantime, the collateral being Jughead's inscribed Baxter Brothers book from his grandfather. He then heads over to ask Archie about his overdue book, and when he also has no idea of its whereabouts, Percival takes the guitar he was taught to play with by Ms. Grundy as collateral. Next is Veronica, who checked out Kiss of the Spider Woman. The late fees run into the thousands, which Veronica is willing to pay until Percival tells her that she could also face criminal misdemeanor charges. But all late fees will be waived if she finds the book. In the meantime, he takes Hiram's portrait as collateral.
Percival recites a spell
Percival heads over to Thornhill, where he asks Cheryl about the Flowers in the Attic book she checked out and never returned. Unfortunately, she doesn't have it, and the last time she read that book, she was with Heather, of who Percival is aware. Until she finds it, Percival needs collateral, taking Cheryl's trunk with Jason's bones inside. Percival's final stop is at Mantle Motors, to collect the workbook Reggie checked out to help children with dyslexia learn how to read. Unlike his friends, Reggie has the book on hand and gives it over. After instructing Kevin to return his overdue Lord of the Flies book, Percival strikes a match and lights several black candles while muttering a spell around the objects he took from Archie and the gang.
Percival comforts Kevin
The following day, he is confronted by Betty at the Curiosity Shop. While he cannot allow her to leave with her diary, which he took as collateral, he does allow her to read it at the shop. Percival is then visited by Reggie, who needs the book back, as he can no longer read. Instead of the book, Percival uses his power to force Reggie to give Veronica a Glamerge egg. When Kevin comes by to return his book, Percival tells Kevin to let that part of him go that feels unworthy of love and kisses him. He then receives another visit from Reggie, who accuses him of being a wizard. Percival refers to himself as a "magic man" and welcomes Reggie to his side. Later, Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and Cheryl confront Percival at his Curiosity Shop and demand their belongings back after handing over the replacement books. However, he notices that Kiss of the Spider Woman isn't among the books, but Veronica tells him that she isn't interested in her father's portrait, as no one has power over her.[10]
Building a railroad[]
Percival warns Archie
Percival and Reggie confront Archie outside of Pop's. He still intends to demolish the diner to make room for his new railroad. Archie retorts that Percival will have to go through him first, but Percival won't be intimidated, especially now that he has a ring made completely out of palladium. And he doubts Archie's body or bruised ego can survive another round with him. Later, he and Reggie are confronted by Veronica after Reggie ambushed her during the shareholder's meeting, though he insists it was all Reggie's doing.[11]
Percival poaches Archie's employees
After getting word that Archie and Tabitha have rallied a crew to help tear down Pop's and safely move it to a new location, Percival attempts to poach his workers by offering long-term job opportunities for them with higher wages and a signing bonus. His railroad project is set to begin soon, but Archie tries to intervene. However, Fangs is the first to take the offer, reasoning that he and Toni are drowning in legal bills. Percival is confronted the following day by Tabitha, who accuses him of breaking into her moving truck and placing all the furniture and decor back into the diner. Percival claims to not know about her accusations, reminding Tabitha that he wants her gone more than anything. But Tabitha isn't convinced, knocking a vase onto the ground on her way out. Later, Reggie informs Percival that he thinks Jughead and Veronica made him forget something, but he's not sure what. Percival suspects that Jughead's telepathic abilities have gotten stronger since they've first manifested.[12]
Percival is abusing his crew
Construction is nearly underway for the new railroad as Percival rallies the crew to discuss how he is charging them a rental fee for the tools and equipment being supplied, which will be taken from their pay, which is already substantially less than what they initially agreed on. After taking a look inside Reggie's mind, Percival confirms that Jughead did in fact steal a memory. Fortunately, he comes up with a plan to incapacitate Jughead. The following night, at Veronica and Jughead's show, Reggie uses a ventriloquist doll to distract Jughead by throwing his voice. Meanwhile, Percival sneaks into his mind and tries to open the floodgates, so to speak. However, the door to Jughead's mind is locked, forcing Percival to retreat. He realizes that he'll need to pry his way in with a talisman, an object of Jughead's that's an essential part of his being, like his beanie, which Reggie reveals that Jughead wore throughout childhood.
Percival in Jughead's mind
From Reggie, Percival not only acquires Jughead's beanie but also his Serpent jacket and a picture of him with Jellybean. However, before taking another trip in Jughead's mind, Percival calls Archie and extends him another job offer, but when Archie declines, Percival warns him to stay away from his crew, as it is causing people to get hurt. Once Percival gets the call from Reggie that Jughead is vulnerable, he recites a spell and enters Jughead's mind while wearing his old beanie and Serpent jacket, allowing Percival to open the door and keep it ajar with a newspaper, flooding Jughead with the thoughts of everyone around him. With Jughead out of the way, Percival visits Kevin and informs him that not only is he not Baby Anthony's biological father but that Anthony is in the way of his future. The following morning, Percival meets with Archie and learns that his crew is on strike.[13]
Percival has a nose bleed
Percival is on a tight schedule, and the strike orchestrated by Archie has brought him to a halt. In one month's time, Bailey's Comet will pass over Riverdale, and they must have the railroad built by then. Otherwise, they'll have to wait another 65 years for its return. When Percival explains that the comet possesses celestial energies that will benefit his plan, Frank suggests that he simply mind-controlling the strikers. And so, Percival does just that. He heads over to Pop's and uses his mind-control abilities to force the crew to return to work. And while this proves effective, it takes a toll on Percival, whose nose begins to bleed. However, he later learns that Archie and Tabitha managed to break his hold on the crew. Admittedly, he's underestimated them, and now that the workers have established tethers, it will be difficult to reassert control over their minds. Frank wants to do some old-school union busting, but Percival has other plans in mind. He assures Frank that the price those who stand against him will pay will be truly biblical.[14]
Biblical plagues[]
Percival rots the food
Riverdale is riddled with plagues due to Percival's sorcery, though the frogs, flies, and lice are mere preludes to his symphony of Biblical horrors, as he begins the next stage of his attacks. After turning the water blood-red, he reaches out to Archie and insists that he call off the strike. Percival warns him of the forces at play and tells him that soon, the crew will be begging to resume work for him. Percival then performs another spell, causing the food at Toni's rehearsal dinner to spoil. However, Cheryl performs a spell of her own, attacking Percival and attempting to burn him alive, but he recites a counter spell to redirect the attack to Nana Rose. Percival is later confronted by Archie after boils begin to manifest on his crew. He offers to get the crew back to work if he takes away the boils, but Percival doesn't believe they've learned their lesson just yet. However, if Archie were to work on his railroad solely, Percival will make the crew's boils and pain subside with time.
Percival breaks free
As Percival gears up for war, he is confronted by Betty, who has learned from Kevin that he intends to use the Stockade of Legarius on her. But it's not only Betty he wants. Percival also wants Baby Anthony and demands that Betty bring the child to him. Betty does just that and returns with the child not long after, however, Percival quickly realizes that it's merely a doll, meant as a distraction while Betty and the rest of the gang trap him in the Stockade of Legarius and lock him away in a vault. However, Percival calls for the locusts to help break him out of the stockade, which they eat away at until he can break free of his confines and escape the vault. After breaking out of the stockade, Percival heads to Thornhill, where he smothers Nana Rose, as she is the eldest living firstborn child in Riverdale. Her death will serve as a harbinger for his final plague, the death of all firstborns.[15]
Percival locks up Reggie, Kevin, and Marty
After learning that many died from his plague, including Archie and Baby Anthony, Percival returns to his shop, where Reggie awaits after returning from his trip to Rome to recover the Daggers of Megiddo. Reggie is upset to learn about the death of his friends, but Percival informs him of the silver lining. With Veronica so grief-stricken, he took the liberty of calling an emergency board meeting and suggested that Reggie be installed as CEO, effective immediately. Percival then turns his attention to Kevin for his betrayal. He has Kevin restrained in the safe at the casino and attempts to use his powers to force Kevin to reveal what his friends are up to at Thornhill, but Kevin resists Percival's powers of persuasion. And so, Percival looks to Reggie to execute Kevin as a message to all those who would oppose him. And should Reggie comply, his father will receive Kevin's heart. However, not only does Reggie refuse, he tries to rescue Kevin, which results in the two of them, as well as Reggie's father, being captured and locked in the safe, where Percival reveals that he intends to execute the three of them.[16]
RIVW Exclusive! Percival's Origin Story[]
Percival visits Alice to offer her an exclusive sit-down interview, Barbara Walters style. Since his victory is almost upon them, he wants to consign his story to posterity. In addition, RIVW will broadcast the execution of three traitors to his cause – Reggie and Marty Mantle, and Kevin Keller – Alice is shocked by this revelation, but Percival immediately regains control of her mind. They are on the verge of war. They have to instill terror and exert absolute control. Moreover, Alice should consider the rating boost.
Percival in 1580
On the day of the interview, Percival and Alice sit across from each other in the RIVW studio. Percival starts telling his story, beginning in 1580. He came to North America with a ship named the Ruby Rose, landing with a motley assortment of passengers on the territories near the Sweetwater River. These hardy settlers founded the first colonies of the New World. Alice doesn't believe Percival can be one of these early settlers, but Percival asks her to be patient. Along with him were the ancestors of several of the current townspeople like Asher Andrews, Blessing Cooper, James Jones, and Charity Blossom. They began building up Sweetwater Village like good little workers while he pursued the practice of witchcraft and sorcery. Every night, while his neighbors slept, he disappeared into the Sweetwater woods to perform arcane rituals. During one of these nights, he was interrupted during the sacrifice of a girl by Asher Andrews.
Percival meets the Devil
Brought in front of the Sweetwater Village's Council, he was sentenced to be chained to a pillory in the woods and left to die a slow, agonizing death from starvation and exposure. Alice inquires on what was exactly his crimes, to which Percival replies he was trying to conjure the devil. And while his ritual wasn't completed, he had succeeded in getting his attention. Louis Cypher appeared to him one night as he was pilloried, and offered freedom at the price of his soul.
Percival on the Rivervale and Riverdale rift
Alice is caught by the story and wants to know more. Percival reveals that after some negotiation, he managed to procure from himself his immortality as well as his freedom. Alice complimented on his cleverness; the devil can't have his soul if he's never going to die. Percival goes on to tell his story. He left Sweetwater Village and spent the next 400 years going from town to town, acquiring forbidden knowledge. The knowledge that he will use to conquer or destroy the town of Rivervale. This catches Alice off guard – doesn't he mean Riverdale? The mayor continues his explanation. When he was headed back to where Sweetwater Village was founded to take his revenge on the place, a curious thing happened. As he neared the town limits, he heard the sound of an explosion. And he noticed that the town sign, whereas before it had said Rivervale, now he was being welcomed to Riverdale. He found himself in a new universe by accidentally stepping on a rift that had opened up. With Riverdale being very similar to his universe but devoid of the supernatural, he was suddenly the most powerful being in town. He also realized that a version of the descendants of his enemies were living in this place. And they were caught up in petty squabbles, dramas, and romances. He decided to stay, doing what Alice described as weaving himself into the fabric of Riverdale – he tried to buy Andrews house, became a deputy, joined the town council, and opened his shop. As he slowly took it over, he started to sideline his enemies. But then the descendants started developing powers, complicating the matter. In any case, he focused on building his ghost train in preparation for the final battle for Riverdale's soul. Alice wants to know more about the nature of the descendants' powers. Percival surmises that as he slipped out of Rivervale, some of its arcane energies must have escaped, seeped into Riverdale and some townspeople started developing abilities. Perhaps the Universe wanted, if not a fair fight, at least an equal one. But that doesn't matter because he had centuries to master his powers, whereas his enemies had them for months if not weeks. And with the Bailey's Comet arriving, he'll be at his most potent.
Percival explains his plan
Alice wants to know what Percival's Riverdale will be like in case he will win the epic battle of good versus evil. Keeping his poise, Percival explains that when coming from the old countries, the men and women abroad the Ruby Pearl were talking about hopes and dreams, and a new beginning in the land of freedom and opportunity, with worker's rights and equal rights and good wholesome family values. Percival, however, believes it to be a bunch of lies. He explains to Alice that given enough time, society always curdles, rots, and corrupts. He wants a land to rule as he sees fit. Where his enemies are at his mercy. Land controlled by the Dark Arts instead of hypocritical laws – The Sovereign State of Percival. By this point, Percival loses his composure by beginning to rant about his revenge and desire for control, losing some of his mental control over Alice, who turns a concerned look at the crew. Now, Percival says, it is time to broadcast the execution.
Percival heads to the vault to pick up the prisoners with Frank, but the room is empty. While Percival wonders how this could have happened, Frank receives notification that the railroad exploded. Percival then sends a group message to Archie and the gang with a picture – Alice, Tom, and Frank are bound and blindfolded with a black bandage in front of three guillotines at the Babylonium, ready to be executed.[2]
The Fall of Percival Pickens[]
Percival channels the hellmouth
After decapitating the three traitors to the cause, Percival levitates in his bedroom in a circle of candles with his legs crossed and hands on his knees, channeling the energy of the Hellmouth and approaching Bailey's Comet.
At his new office at the Babylonium, Percival accepts to meet with Veronica and Archie. Before they start, Percival informs Ms. Lodge that he has filters in his nostrils and his body is coated in a special sealant. Any kind of venomous attack will fail. Veronica and Archie claim they only want to negotiate a way out of this mess. First thing, they want their dead back. Archie offers himself as a prisoner of war for Percival to do as he pleases. He can do to him whatever he wants to him since he's invulnerable. Percival is not impressed and shows them a golden mace forged in the fiery pits of Asgard, strong enough to break anything, even forged skin. Like the Daggers of Megiddo, Percival calls it his "great equalizer." It's the reason he doesn't have to make any deal with any of them.
Percival gives an ultimatum
Veronica proposes to split the town in half along the former Northside and Southside line. But Percival isn't interested as he wants to rule over the whole town and revenge on all of them. He suggests they surrender, turn over their properties, revoke the town's charter and pledge their undying alliance to him. On their knees. Archie rebuffs his proposal. They talked about this, and they will never surrender. Percival shrugs, claiming that he tried. Veronica threatens him, reminding him how she dealt with the former Riverdale great tormentor – Hiram Lodge, her dad. Her only regret was not killing him herself. Veronica shoots Percival in cold blood, but a flower bouquet is all comes out with a bang. For Percival, the time of negotiation is over. They shall meet again tonight for their final act. 8:30 PM at Chock'lit Shoppe. Whether by war or surrender, Percival says, they will submit to his generous and merciful authority. As proof of that, he allows them to take their dead back to mourn and bury them. Perhaps this gesture will prove that not everything needs to be bloodshed and destruction.
Percival cast a dark spell
Twyla Twyst is confused by Percival's gesture as they watch the coffins taken away from a balcony. Percival mocks her little knowledge of true warfare. He explains that Archie and his meddlesome associates scuttled his plans for the dead. It's only time he pays them back in kind. While he returned the bodies, the heads are not in the coffins.
In his office, Percival lights black candles around the dummies of Jason Blossom, Reggie, Glen Scot and Abuelita Lodge. Through the dummies, Percival controls the four real people they represent to attack Cheryl, Archie, Betty and Veronica, respectively.
At the Babylonium, Twyla Twyst is worried about the army. Even if Percival is controlling them, they're newbies. Percival scoffs at her thought that his victory hinges on feeble misfits. The band of Ghoulies-surrogates are simply shields to be shattered, cannon folders. Pawns to be sacrificed. As is she. Twyla is taken aback, telling Percival that he's messed up in the head. As the Southside Serpents starts banging on the door, Percival orders Twyla to investigate.
Percival shoots Kevin and Anthony
Kevin and another guy barge into Percival's office, who immediately shoots point-blank at Kevin, wounding him in the shoulder. However, the other guy is not injured by the bullets, alarming Percival. The guy reveals to be Baby Anthony, all grown up. Before Anthony can stab Percival with a dagger of Megiddo, Percival rushes to his chair and as it spins, Percival appears naked outside the Babylonium leaving nothing but his clothes in the chair. Percival seals shut the casino with a spell, trapping everyone inside.
At 8.30 PM, Percival shows up in Pop's parking lot. Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, and Reggie watch from inside the diner as Archie, armed with a metal baseball bat, faces off in the parking lot against Percival, armed with his Asgardian mace. Percival gains the upper hand but becomes distracted after noticing that Archie's friends have exited the dinner, allowing Archie to gain control. Surrounded by the gang, Percival is pummeled by Archie, Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, and Reggie. Archie grants Percival the opportunity to surrender, but instead, he conjures up another spell, this time, he turns their powers against them; he poisons Veronica, blinds Betty, freezes Cheryl, and turns Archie into an iron statue, and Reggie into a life-sized dummy.
Percival confronts Jughead
Percival enters the diner and joins Jughead inside a booth as Gilda and the remaining ghosts bear witness. Rather than a fight to the death, Jughead proposes a game, where the winner takes the soul of Riverdale while the loser gets lobotomized. Percival agrees to Jughead's terms and they enter each other's minds. Jughead is halted, as the door to Percival's mind is locked, whereas Percival uses his vast knowledge and sorcery to gain access to Jughead's mind, where he immediately begins tearing out memories. However, Percival has seemingly walked into Jughead's trap. While he was in Jughead's mind, he left his body vulnerable to his friends, revealing that they were no longer in Riverdale.
Cypher drags Percival to Hell
Percival awakens to discover that he's been stabbed multiple times, leaving him weak. He looks around and sees Archie and the gang surrounding him despite leaving them incapacitated in the parking lot. Jughead then reveals that those he sees before him are his Rivervale friends. When Percival stepped through the doors of Pop's, he came through a portal to Rivervale. Percival reminds them that he's immortal and can't be killed, which is why Tabitha takes him 440 years into the past, to 1580 where Tabitha presents him to Mr. Cypher before he made his deal with the devil. Percival points out that if this is before he became immortal it means it's also before struck a deal, rendering the contract null and void. Mr. Chyper, however, takes the contract out of his pocket stating that the contract is valid no matter what universes or loopholes. Before he is taken away, Percival exclaims that if he can't have Riverdale then no one will, muttering a spell as Mr. Cypher grabs him and they both disappear in a cyclone of flames.[17]
Powers and Abilities[]
Percival mind controls Betty
Percival is an immortal, inter-dimensional sorcerer.[17] After making a deal with Louis Cypher, Percival was granted immortality and spent over 400 years learning arcane knowledge and mastering his several powers. In addition to being immortal, Percival has displayed the ability to control people's minds, the "power of persuasion," as he refers to it. He's used this ability many times, first on an unsuspecting gambler at the Babylonium, who was on a $20,000 winning streak until Percival made the man hang himself in the private room in hopes of driving the casino out of business. He also used this ability on Doc, forcing him to hit Kevin over the head with a hammer in order to deter Riverdale residents from further assisting with Archie's micro house project. Perhaps the most impressive instance is when he commanded an entire community of homeless people to leave Riverdale and to force his construction crew to resume work, though maintaining control over so many people is not without difficulty, as over-exerting himself can result in nose bleeds. Supernatural objects and places, such as Bailey's Comet and the land under Pop's, which is a Hellmouth, are able to boost Percival's powers, which include spell casting, levitation, and teleportation.
In addition to controlling minds, Percival was also able to detect when Jughead was reading his mind, as well as read memories, such as when he entered Reggie's mind and discovered that Jughead stole a memory from him. That said, his powers are not without their limits, as demonstrated when Archie was able to resist his influence. This is done through what is known as an emotional anchor. It essentially acts as a tether to their core identity. And as long as they stay connected to whatever that is, that being Fred Andrews in Archie's case, Percival can't get a grasp on them.
Physical Appearance[]
Percival is a young man with blue eyes, short brown hair, and fair skin. He is tall yet slim and wears a business suit.
Personality[]
Percival is a manipulative businessman who arrived in Riverdale intent on conquering the town and shaping it in his image, often relying on his "power of persuasion" to coerce people into doing his bidding. However, he has been known to rely on his wit, charm, and deceitful ways as well. With his shrewd mind, Percival even cheated Louis Cypher, aka the devil.
Percival has a pessimistic view of the world and a very cynical view of society, believing that they are doomed to fail in their promises of equality and solidarity as power corrupts everything. This probably stemmed from the Sweetwater Village town council that condemned him to death causing Percival's disdain for unions and groups. Percival believes in autocracy as opposed to righteous people ruling together till they curdle. In an interview with Alice, Percival also commented on his desire to be free from the laws that stifle society. Percival is a believer in the Dark Arts and his over-self-confidence in the abilities he honed over the centuries made him arrogant. This caused his defeat.
Appearances[]
Season 6[]
- "Chapter One Hundred and One: Unbelievable"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Two: Death at a Funeral"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Three: The Town"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Four: The Serpent Queen's Gambit"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Five: Folk Heroes"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Six: Angels in America"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Seven: In the Fog"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Eight: Ex-Libris"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Venomous"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Ten: Things That Go Bump in the Night"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: Blue Collar"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Twelve: American Psychos"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen: Biblical"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen: The Witches of Riverdale"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen: Return to Rivervale"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen: The Stand"
- "Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen: Night of the Comet" (mentioned)
Trivia[]
- Percival is not a character from the Archie Comics. He's an original character, created specifically for the series.
- Percival is loosely inspired by Randall Flagg, a powerful sorcerer from The Stand, a 1978 novel by Stephen King. The novel is referenced in "Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen: The Stand".
- Percival's Curiosity Shop is similar to the one managed by Leland Gaunt in Needful Things, a 1991 horror novel by Stephen King.
- The Biblical plagues that Percival used are similar to those of the Ten Plagues of Egypt in the Book of Exodus. After Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites held captive in Egypt, Yahweh, God of the Israelites, inflicted ten terrible plagues that fell upon his realm. Those ten plagues in order were: water turning to blood (especially those of the Nile), frogs, lice, flies, pestilence, boils, a thunderstorm of hail and fire, locusts, three days of darkness, and the killing of the firstborn.
Gallery[]
- See also: Category:Images of Percival Pickens
