Veronica Lodge/Season 3

Archie's Trial

Veronica works at Pop's

Three months have passed since that fateful evening in the school gymnasium where Archie was framed by Hiram Lodge and arrested for the murder of Cassidy Bullock. It's now the summer before the gang's junior year of high school, during which time, each of them spent the summer invested in their own activities; Veronica's been working at Pop's.

Veronica at Archie's trial

Archie's trial is now in session. He sits alongside his mother, Mary, and Attorney McCoy, both of whom are acting as his counsel. Veronica, Betty and Jughead are all in attendance. Archie is being prosecuted by District Attorney, Ms. Wright. The evidence and testimony presented during court supposed tells a dark tale, that Archie has a history of violent behavior. She attempts to paint Archie as a bad person in her closing argument as Mary attempts to shed light on all the good deeds Archie has done, such as helping solve the murder of Jason Blossom, providing the Southside Serpents with refuge as they hid from the police, and punching through a layer of ice in order to save Cheryl from drowning. With that in mind, Mary takes the opportunity to remind the jury that there were no witnesses, murder weapon or motive to the killing of Cassidy Bullock. After hearing from both the prosecution and the defense, the jury begins to deliberate.

Archie and Veronica on the courthouse steps

While the jury deliberates, Veronica, Betty and Jughead find Archie sitting on the courtroom steps alone. Archie reminds Betty and Jughead how much fun they had together every summer at the swimming hole. Coincidentally, Betty and Jughead has also been thinking about it. However, they stopped going after they got covered in leeches one summer. Unfortunately, Veronica had never been and would like to go in fact. However, that would have to wait as Kevin interrupts to inform them that it's time to return to the courtroom.

As Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Mary, Archie and Fred leave the courtroom, Hiram makes a remark towards Archie, resulting in Fred punching him in face. The two are then separated before the incident can escalate.

Cheryl invites Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Archie to her End-of-Summer party

Veronica, Betty, Archie and Jughead grab a booth at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe. Betty thinks they can vindicate Archie if they find the gun that Andre used to kill Cassidy, however, Veronica tore the Pembrooke apart in search of the murder weapon but failed to find it. According to Veronica, after the riots, her father erased all traces of Andre. Jughead concludes that Andre most likely ditched the weapon at Shadow Lake. They contemplate returning to Shadow woods with metal detectors in search of the gun, but Archie doesn't want to spend what could be his last weekend looking for evidence that isn't there. They see it as three extra days to save Archie from going to prison, but he would rather follow the Judge's advice by spending time with them. Enter Cheryl, who invites them to her epic End-of-Summer pool party at Thornhill. Cheryl warns them that while they're welcome to invite whom ever they please, she's in the mood for some hell raising.

Veronica begs Hiram to save Archie

At the Pembrooke, Veronica tells her father that his attempt to keep her and Archie apart will fail. She knows that he's framing Archie for murder. And so, only he can stop it. So, Veronica asks her father to stop the trial as Archie is innocent. However, Hiram argues that Archie's dangerous and has a history of violence. Veronica pleads with her father to save Archie as he won't make it in prison though Hiram has no interest in stopping any of it, claiming that it is beyond his control. Veronica asks one last time, but he refuses.

Veronica plots to break into the Five Seasons with Betty and Josie

The following day, just as planned, Veronica attends Cheryl's End-of-Summer pool party at Thornhill. Veronica tells Betty that she went to see Archie's mom and Attorney McCoy, to ask them to put her on that stand. She wanted to get in front of that jury, to tell them the truth about her father, to see if that might make a difference, but they said it's too late. Josie interrupts to inform Veronica that she may not be too late after all. The jury is being sequestered at the Five Seasons. Third floor, room 301. The security's tight, but Josie thinks she can get Veronica in. Veronica's thinking that she only needs to get to one Jury member. To convince them that her dad's the villain here, not Archie, for there to be a hung jury. Which would give them more time to prove Archie is innocent.

Veronica attempts to tamper with the jury

Dressed in a maid's uniform, Veronica walks the third floor of the Five Seasons hotel before finding room finding room 301. She knocks on the door, claiming that she's housekeeping, but before she can even get in, she is intercepted by Sheriff Minetta, who was sent by Hiram, who suspected Veronica might attempt to pull such a stunt.

Veronica is scolded in the Sheriff Station by her mother for attempted jury tampering. Veronica explains that she had no other choice. For the last three months, all she could think about is how to help Archie. Her father is a monster yet her mother just stand by him complacent, like some Park Avenue trophy wife. Veronica being Hiram's daughter affords her a certain amount of protection that her mother doesn't enjoy. He'll never harm a hair on Veronica's head, but Hermione can't say the same for herself. She won't leave Veronica alone in the world with Hiram. Hermione's a prisoner. But she is not his puppet.

Archie, Veronica, Betty and Jughead drive to the swimming hole

The next day, Veronica, Betty, Archie and Jughead drive down to Sweetwater Swimming Hole in Archie's jalopy. They get undressed and jump into the water. Afterwards, the four of them sit around a campfire. No matter what happens in court, Archie informs them that this is the best last day of summer a guy could ask for. In a one last-ditch effort to keep Archie out of prison, Jughead suggests that he make a break for it. Past that treeline, there's a road that goes through the mountains to Quebec. There are Serpents north of the border that will keep him supplied. Betty says that he doesn't deserve it, but Archie questions if he does. He's guilty. He didn't kill Cassidy, but he left him alone with Andre. Had Archie stayed, he might still be alive. More than just that, Archie blames himself for everything that went wrong last year. And he has to take responsibility for that.

Archie and Veronica talk about their future

Veronica and Archie have split off from Betty and Jughead and have sex. Afterward, as they lie awake, Archie tells Veronica that if he does go away, he doesn't want Veronica visiting him while locked away. Should that happen, Veronica will be taking the bus every week with all the other prison widows and bringing Archie Magnolia Cupcakes from New York. As well as working on his appeal. This is exactly what Archie doesn't want. He doesn't want Veronica spending the rest of her high school waiting for him. Veronica refuses to let go of Archie. She's not letting her dad take away the one thing that she loves. Archie accepts this as Veronica seems to determined for her mind to be changed. He then opens up to her, revealing that the thing that keeps him up most nights isn't that he might get shivved. It's that he won't be able to graduate with them.

Jughead, Veronica and Betty's reaction to Archie pleading guilty

Labor Day weekend is over and Archie's trial is now in session. Veronica, Betty, Jughead, as well as the rest of Archie's friends and family are in attendance, as well as his enemies. However, the jury could not reach a verdict. They're deadlocked. Six-to-six. With that, the jury is dismissed. Archie wonders what will happen next. Mary explains that the judge will declare a mistrial and they'll have to do it all again. In lieu of another trial, the State is prepared to offer a deal for a lesser sentence, Ms. Wright says. Instead of prison, time served plus two years in juvenile detention, if Archie will plead guilty to the crime of manslaughter. Despite his mother's counsel, Archie takes the deal, much to the court's surprise. Archie explains that he can't put all the people he cares about through this again. The court accepts Archie's guilty plea and he is taken directly from the courthouse to the Leopold and Loeb Juvenile Detention Center, where he will serve out his sentence beginning immediately. Betty consoles Veronica, who breaks down as Archie is taken away.

Veronica disowns her father

Once they return home, Veronica asks her father if he's satisfied now that Archie's locked away. It all worked out, just as he planned. Archie didn't play by Hiram's rules, so he was punished, Veronica surmises. However, this would be incorrect. Her father didn't frame Archie because he threatened him. Hiram did it because Veronica betrayed him. Archie's arrest is her punishment. She chose Archie over blood. Hiram can't believe his own daughter would do that. To this, Veronica replies that he doesn't have a daughter anymore.

Veronica plans to keep everything in order at Riverdale High

While working behind the counter at Pop's, Veronica joins in on Fred, FP and Tom's conversation regarding Archie. Fred gets off the phone with Warden Norton. Veronica is relieved to hear that Archie has gone through processing and that he is fine. In other developments, Fred got a line on the three thugs that gave false testimonies against Archie. Tom is friends with the Sheriff over in Shadow county. They found remains of a campfire in the deep woods. Veronica is disgusted with the fact that while Archie's in jail those who gave a false testimony are camping. Not for long, FP replies. Until Archie's release, Veronica intends to keep everything in order at Riverdale High so that everyone knows he'll be back in time for Homecoming.

Veronica confronts Cheryl over stealing Archie's presidency

As Archie's girlfriend and former running mate, Veronica approaches Mr. Weatherbee to make him aware that she'll be stepping in as interim student body president. Unfortunately for Veronica, Cheryl has already petitioned to be president. Veronica confronts Cheryl in the girls locker room for trying to steal Archie's presidency. Cheryl replies by asking who would Veronica have lead them through the super dark times of junior year, someone like Ethel Muggs, who Cheryl had bypassed earlier as she was going on about a winged creature that was after her. Veronica answers that she intended to keep Archie's seat warm until his return. Cheryl questions why, as it's not Veronica's duty.

Veronica visits Archie

Veronica visits Archie at the Leopold and Loeb Juvenile Detention Center. During visitations, Veronica notices that Archie is sitting awkwardly. A result of the beat down he received from the Ghoulies, unbeknownst to Veronica. Archie claims that he's just sore from working out though she doesn't believe him, especially since he's also missing his shoes. However, Archie has an excuse for this as well, claiming that the Warden took them along with all his other clothes. When Veronica continues to push, Archie changes the subject. He asks about school, Veronica's speakeasy and her becoming student body president in his place.

Veronica forces Cheryl out of Pop's

Cheryl enters Pop's with a few of her friends and takes a seat in a booth. Veronica, working from behind the counter, spots Cheryl as she enters and confronts her. Cheryl mistakes Veronica's arrival as her wanting to take orders, but as Veronica explains, she owns Pop's and as of this moment, Cheryl is no longer welcome. Cheryl then excuses her friends to talk with veronica privately in order to figure what Veronica is actually upset about. Veronica is still mad over Cheryl's play for student body president. Veronica made a promise to Archie that when he gets out, she'll have everything in place waiting for him. And that includes his presidency. Instead of attacking her, Cheryl suggests that Veronica channel that rage into something more productive. Like getting Archie sprung. There's an organization called the Innocence Project. Cheryl looked into it when she was accused of Jason's murder.

Veronica asks her mother for a letter of support

Veronica intends to start her own chapter of the Innocence Project in Riverdale. So, she visits her mother at Town Hall to request a letter of support issued by her mother, the town Mayor. Hermione reminds Veronica that she has no desire to get in the middle of the war between Veronica and Hiram. But Veronica is there as a citizen. One of Hermione's constituents sits in juvenile detention, wrongfully convicted. And Veronica intends to get him acquitted. Her mother's endorsement could help sway a lot of dubious minds. With that in mind, Hermione agrees to have a letter drafted.

Reggie and Veronica buy Archie new sneakers

Veronica and Reggie visit Archie. They brought him a gift. A brand new pair of blue and gold sneakers. Veronica comments that they'll be prefect for his triumphant strut out of center when the Innocence Project gets his conviction overturned. Reggie adds that he could've wore the shoes to the Pep-rally. As for the Bulldogs, Coach Clayton is working them harder than ever. Varsity squad is going to be tough to beat this year but they're missing their star running back, that being Archie.

Veronica supports Archie's plan for a football game

Veronica is in full support of Archie's plan to host a football game but she wonders that it may be dangerous. Archie tells her that it's fully sanctioned. Everyone wants it, including the Ghoulies and Serpents. They all want to feel free. Veronica wishes she could be there, cheering him on to victory. Archie wishes she could be there too. If ever there was a group of guys who could use a Pep-rally, it's them. This seems to give Veronica an idea.

Veronica approaches Cheryl in the locker room after reconsidering her bid for student body president. Veronica admits that Cheryl was right; that protecting Archie's presidency doesn't help him in any meaningful way. However, Veronica does have an idea that would boost Archie's spirits, but she'll need the help of Cheryl and the River Vixens.

Veronica and the Vixens perform outside the detention center

Just outside the fence of the detention center, Veronica, Cheryl, Josie and the rest of the River Vixens cheer on Archie and the inmates as they football game takes place. As they perform, the boys storm the fence in excitement before returning to the game as the girls continue to perform. During which time, Hiram arrives, much to Veronica's displeasure. Hiram informs her that the Warden is a friend and business associate. He told Hiram about the game and invited him to see it. Hiram refuses to watch as Hiram throws her life away for Archie. So, he has made arrangements that will prevent Veronica from visiting Archie anymore. Despite all of her father's effort, Veronica refuses to allow him to break her and Archie up. As the games is underway, the guards attack the players under the claim that they were rioting. Archie initially fares well against the guards, taking out several of them before being overwhelmed and beaten as Veronica, Cheryl, Josie and the Vixens watch in horror.

"Monica Posh" visits Archie as part of Riverdale's chapter of the Innocence Project

Veronica and Cheryl return to Pop's, where they discuss the lengths at which Hiram is willing to go to break her and Archie up. She can't even visit Archie anymore after her name was put on a do not admit list. Cheryl advises Veronica to get a new name. Before leaving on her iconic road trip to California with Toni, Reggie got them fake IDs, so they could get into the Viper Room. Cheryl's certain that he could hook Veronica up, too. Having taken Cheryl's advice, Veronica, with a fake ID from Reggie and a blonde wig, despite being put on the do not admit list for visitation, manages to fool the guards, claiming that her name is Monica Posh and that she is with Riverdale's chapter of the Innocence Project and that she will be working to get Archie released.

La Bonne Nuit

Betty encourages Veronica to open the speakeasy

At Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, Veronica expresses her concern for the diner to Betty. She’s overwhelmed with bills as Pop’s is hemorrhaging money. Betty inquires about the speakeasy, hoping that it is near. Veronica confesses that the speakeasy is ready and it has been for a while but she hasn’t opened it because she’s waiting for Archie to be released. Betty reminds Veronica that putting her life on hold is precisely what Archie asked her not to do. Betty suggests that Veronica focus on herself and open the speakeasy.

Josie, Kevin, Reggie and Veronica discuss the grand opening

As Reggie guides Josie and Kevin down into the speakeasy, Veronica explains that she hired some of the Serpents from the Whyte Wyrm to sell drinks, cocktails only. Veronica then asks Josie to be her resident chanteuse. Josie graciously accepts as she has been working nonstop to find her new sound as a solo act and is in need of a place to try it out. As for Kevin, Veronica asks him to be her emcee. He accepts only under the condition that he occasionally gets to sing. Reggie answers the phone to learn from Pop that Penny Peabody is upstairs.

Penny attempt to shake down Veronica

Veronica greets Penny in the diner. She asks what Penny wants. Penny retorts that it’s not what she wants, but instead what Veronica wants — protection. She and the Ghoulies are offering their services for a modest price. Veronica concludes that the protection would only be against Ghoulie attack, to which she is correct. Penny remarks that the diner is nice and Veronica’s speakeasy is probably nicer and she’d hate for something bad to happen to it. So, she leaves, allowing Veronica to come to a decision.

Veronica approaches Cheryl and Toni in the student lounge as she is in need their help spreading the word about her speakeasy. In exchange for promoting La Bonne Nuit, she’s offering them no cover and free drinks all night. With a heavy card stock and valet parking , Cheryl and Toni can’t help but say yes. One last thing, Veronica tells them to ensure that Sweet Pea and Fangs are in attendance.

Veronica's been set up with a stash of Jingle Jangle

A shirtless Reggie brings down a delivery into the speakeasy. When he and Veronica open the packages, they discover a large stash of Jingle Jangle inside. They then receive a call from Pop Tate that Sheriff Minetta is upstairs, leaving them to conclude that they’ve been set up. Reggie is tasked with disposing of the drugs while Veronica distracts Minetta upstairs. Sheriff Minetta explains that he’s there for an inspection. By the time Veronica brings him down, Reggie has sufficiently disposed of the Jingle Jangle, much to Minetta’s dismay. Given the failed set up, Minetta then reveals that he’s collecting donations for Riverdale’s under funded sheriff department, which Veronica deduces as being nothing more than a classic shake down. Sheriff Minetta tells her that he’ll be back to collect the donation after her opening event. As Minetta exits, Veronica shares with Reggie her suspicion that the drugs were sent by Penny Peabody. She and Reggie know these encounters are a result of her father trying to bait her into a confrontation.

Veronica looks for Jughead on the Southside

Veronica makes her way over to Sunnyside Trailer Park, where she finds Toni photographing Cheryl. She asks if either of them have seen Jughead, which they haven’t but Cheryl surmises that he’s off with Betty. However, she’s sure that she and Toni can be of assistance. Veronica reveals that Penny Peabody paid her a visit, followed shortly thereafter by Sheriff Minetta. Veronica’s certain that her father is puppeteering them and she wants to call them off but she first needs leverage, and Veronica knows that Jughead has been keeping tabs on the Southtside. Toni admits this is true; for instance, they discovered that over the summer, the Ghoulies had set up shop in the basement of the Whyte Wyrm, which Hiram owns. Sweet Pea and Fangs think they’ve turned it into a Jingle Jangle lab, and lucky for Veronica, Toni used to bartend at the Wyrm, so she knows all the secret entrances and exits.

Veronica, Cheryl and Toni sneak into the Whyte Wyrm

Veronica, Cheryl and Toni sneak into the basement of the Whyte Wyrm in an attempt to gain leverage over Hiram. While inside, they discover that Sweet Pea and Fangs were correct in their belief that the Wyrm has been made into a Jingle Jangle lab. As the lab workers exit, Veronica, Cheryl and Toni move in. Toni takes several photos of the lab as proof of Hiram’s corrupt business.

Veronica enters her father’s study to inform him that she’s not paying protection money to anyone, especially not Penny, Minetta or him. Hiram offers Veronica a piece of advice. He tells her not to make enemies of the people trying to help her. Veronica warns Hiram to back off or else she’ll send the photos Toni took of the drug lab to the FBI. Also, Veronica wants $10,000 a week in perpetuity. She has turned the tables as she is now shaking him down. She welcomes him to keep the photos as she has copies.

Veronica welcomes her guests

The night of the grand opening for Veronica's speakeasy has arrived. The place is pact. She welcomes Toni and Cheryl as they enter. Veronica thanks them for all their help as Cheryl takes to social media to post Veronica to her Instagram story.

After a brief conversation with Sweet Pea, Veronica learns from Reggie that her father is upstairs. Veronica and Reggie head topside, where they find Hiram in the diner with a portrait of Veronica that he thought would be more fitting at the speakeasy, which he is sure will be a roaring success. While he knows that Veronica doesn’t want to hear it, he is in fact proud of her. Veronica is glad he came, if only to see how a legitimate business it run. So, she invites him downstairs and tells Reggie to keep an eye on him.

Veronica in her room

After a successful opening, Veronica returns to the Pembrooke. Hiram enters her room to congratulate her on a successful opening night. She noticed that he left early, to which he replies he had some business to attend to. Given that he showed up with her portrait while knowing she had photos of his drug lab, Veronica concludes that he already cleared out the Whyte Wyrm and moved his operations to a new location. "What drug lab?" Her father responds.

Veronica learns that G&G is banned

Given the growing dangers that the teens of Riverdale are facing, the town Mayor, Hermione Lodge, decides to personally visit Riverdale High to provide clarity on the dangers they face. Veronica, Betty, Cheryl, Jughead, Reggie, Josie and Kevin are all in attendance. Hermione explains that Dilton Doiley and Ben Button have already taken their lives, and Ethel Muggs attempted to. All three victims are linked through playing Gryphons and Gargoyles. From what little they do know about it, the game seems to be targeted at impressionable developing minds. Hermione elaborates that the game’s quests and role-playing scenarios are specifically designed to foster delusions, paranoia, and violence. As mayor, Hermione officially bans Gryphons and Gargoyles. On top of that, Mrs. Burble is going to be holding extended office hours and Hermione has set up a 24-hour crisis hotline overseen by Kevin.

In the Blue and Gold offices, Veronica and Betty discuss Gryphons and Gargoyles and just how dangerous it’s becoming. Veronica isn’t playing and neither is Betty and Jughead. However, they’re still trying to figure out why their parents were so triggered by them having the manual. Betty then gets a call from Dr. Curdle Jr, informing her of a discovery he made in the morgue archives.

Archie's Prison Break

Veronica ignores her father's antagonizing ways

Veronica reads the paper at the breakfast table. Hiram returns from his morning run and tells her that some inmates tried to escape and that Archie was the ring leader. However, they were all captured and punished. They might even add an extra year to Archie’s sentence, Hiram says, hoping to get under Veronica’s skin. Though, she ignores his efforts, retorting that she will see that Archie is freed.

Veronica asks Elio for a favor

Veronica arranges a meeting with Elio, the son of a mobster family. He compliments her on her speakeasy and even makes a few suggestions to improve it, but that’s not why she called him. Veronica’s recently discovered that Leopold and Loeb has direct ties to the mob, and after not seeing Archie for weeks and coming to a dead end with the Innocent Project, she’s hoping that Elio could help. He agrees to talk to some of his father’s friend to see what he can find out, but Veronica will be expected to return the favor.

While checking the register at La Bonne Nuit, Veronica gets a call from Elio, who informs her that he can get her to Archie. She’ll come as his date but she’ll have to dress incognito.

Elio and Veronica arrive at Archie's fight

Elio fulfills his promise in getting Veronica to Archie by taking her to the Seaside recreation center, better known as the pit, an underground fight club. Veronica, wearing a blonde wig and sunglasses, catches sight of Warden Norton, causing her patience to wear thin. As the match is set to begin, Archie is brought into the ring to fight another fighter. Elio assures Veronica that she has nothing to worry about as Archie always wins.

Archie and Veronica reunite

After his match-up, Veronica finds Archie in the locker room. She rips off her wig and gives him a hug and a kiss. When Archie questions how she is there, Veronica replies that she knows people. They proceed to have sex in the locker room. Afterward, Veronica tells Archie that while she’s been pursuing legal options, she keeps hitting dead-ends, which is why she’s thinking an old fashion prison break may be Archie’s only option. However, no one has ever broken out of Leopold and and Loeb before. This may be true, but as Veronica points out, they’re not in Leopold and Loeb. The security she and Elio went through was tight, so they’ll need another entry point. While it’s a long shot, Archie recalls Warden Norton having him hose down the pool to get rid of all the blood a couple weeks ago. There’s a drain under the ring, but Archie has no idea where it leads or if he can even get through it. But if there’s a chance, they have to take it. Veronica will do some research to see where the drain leads and tells Archie to be ready when the time is right.

Veronica enters the Blue and Gold offices, where she finds Betty, Josie, Kevin, and Reggie. She tells them how Archie is caught up in some diabolical teen fight club and that she intends to break him out of juvie with all of their help.

Betty, Veronica, Kevin, Josie and Reggie devise their plan

Veronica, Betty, Kevin, Josie and Reggie reconvene at La Bonne Nuit. Archie’s stuck behind bars and his life is in danger. As much as possible, they must follow the plan. The slightest deviation and Archie could end up dead. They will need a distraction if they’re going to disorient the guards and save Archie. Something they can sneak into the location easily, that won’t arouse suspicion, something they’ll have to make themselves, so Josie, Kevin and Reggie sneak into the chemistry class to make smoke grenades, masqueraded as beverages. As for the getaway route, Veronica already has a position picked out for Betty. So long as she sticks to the woods, their cars shouldn’t be able to follow her. Just in case, Betty suggest adding another precaution to the plan.

Veronica and Reggie con their way into the fight

Veronica and Reggie, while incognito, pull up to the fight. Their entry is blocked by security, who asks for the password. When they give the wrong password, Veronica is forced to improvise. She claims her name is "Monica Norton", suggesting a relation to Warden Norton. She and Reggie, who she states to be her fiancé, want to see blood. Whether that be of from the fighters or the guard matters little to her. So she threatens to call Warden Norton should her entry into the building be denied. The guard folds, allowing them both in.

Josie, disguised as a waitress, brings Veronica and Reggie over a dozen or so "beverages". She overheard the guards betting heavily against Archie. They say he’s going down. Reggie remarks that Archie’s opponent is huge and that Archie doesn’t seem to have much time left. So, Veronica orders the others to get in position and wait for her signal.

Veronica enacts her plan

While getting into position, Veronica is made by her father. Hiram grabs Veronica by the arm, demanding answers. Whatever scheme she’s cooked up, he orders that it come to an end, but Veronica disobeys, stomping on his foot and then signaling Josie and Reggie. The three of them proceed to throw the smoke grenades disguised as beverages into the ring. It quickly fills with smoke. When it does, Archie makes his escape through the drain.

After meeting up with Betty and retrieving Archie, Veronica and Archie meet up with Josie and Reggie on the side of the road. They duck down behind the car at the sound of passing police cars, and once the coast is clear, they put Archie in the back of the car and drive off.

Everyone makes a pact to keep Archie's whereabouts a secret

After Veronica, Betty, Josie, Kevin and Reggie arrive at Dilton's bunker to regroup with the others, Toni patches Archie up and tells him not to make any sudden movements. Archie reveals that it was Joaquin who stabbed him though Archie thinks the Warden made him do it. He then asks where are they, to which Betty explains Dilton’s bunker. The only people who know about it are in the room and it is the safest place in Riverdale. Veronica then notices the branding on Archie’s side, courtesy of Warden Norton. Veronica then calls for everyone’s attention. Since her father saw her, she has to do some damage control on the home front. But, someone needs to stay with Archie at all times. Betty and Jughead volunteer to take the first shift. Equally important, Veronica announces that everyone in the room, herself, Betty, Jughead, Cheryl, Toni, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Josie, Reggie and Kevin, are all part of a pact. From this moment on, no one is to know where the bunker is. No one was involved with the breakout and no one knows where Archie is. They are all expected to take this to the grave.

Veronica returns home to meet her mother's rage. Hermione states that this obsession that they both Veronica and Hiram have with Archie will destroy them all. Hermione then exits, hoping that she can somehow contain the mess they’ve made.

Archie and Veronica together in the bed

Veronica and Archie lay up in bed together in Dilton’s bunker. Archie tells Veronica that he believes the Shadow Lake boys are in the abandoned mines and that he just needs to get to them to prove his innocence. However, just outside the bunker, there’s a manhunt underway for Archie; roadblocks, checkpoints, wanted posters, etc, Veronica explains. Nevertheless, Archie learned from the Warden that the boys were paid off, meaning they are the only ones who can clear his name. While it may be a long shot, Veronica recalls Betty working on Archie’s case with his mom and attorney McCoy at his house, meaning the case files are there. Unfortunately, they had been through them all. Archie tells Veronica to keep his whereabouts a secret from his dad as he doesn’t want him to get wrapped up in it. Veronica explains that they had no choice but to break him out. However, Archie reminds Veronica that the reason he took the plea deal was to spare everyone from another trial. Still, they helped him because they love him. Now, she needs him to trust her and stay put.

Veronica and Betty in class

Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Cheryl, Josie, Kevin, Reggie, Sweet Pea, Fangs, and Evelyn sit as Sheriff Minetta confronts them with his suspicion that Archie had help in escaping Leopold and Loeb Juvenile Detention Center. Sheriff Minetta informs them that hiding a convict and information from the law is a felony offense. So, whoever aided and abetted Archie is just as much a criminal as he is. A few students in particular catches the sheriff's attention. When he asks where Josie was during the time of the breakout, she struggles to come up with an alibi, eventually settling with her being alone in the music room. Sheriff Minetta will be looking into all their alibis. As he continues to antagonize Josie, she suddenly has a seizure. Cheryl rushes to her aid, catching Josie and telling the sheriff to back off.

While going over Archie’s case files, Veronica comes across an edit point in Sheriff Minetta’s interrogation footage of one of the Shadow Lake boys. Hiram enters, curious as to why Veronica has Archie’s case files. But Veronica simply promises him that Archie isn’t going to be behind bars ever again.

Veronica calls Kevin and Archie

Veronica arrives at the bunker to find that Archie and Kevin are gone. So, she calls Kevin to ask where he and Archie are. She then demands to speak with Archie, who takes full responsibility. He tells Veronica that he’s headed for Shadow mines to clear his name. However, Veronica’s already in the process of doing just that. She found ten minutes of missing footage from the interrogation of the Shadow Lake boys. She suspects that her father is hanging on to the deleted footage somewhere. She suspects that it may be in her mother’s office. Nonetheless, this does not change Archie’s plans.

Veronica looks for evidence of coercion in the mayor's office

Veronica sneaks into her mother’s office. She’s guesses her mother’s password, which is Veronica’s birthday. After gaining access to the computer, Veronica discovers a file labeled with the same runic symbol on Archie’s hip. Inside the file is the deleted interrogation footage, which consist of Sheriff Minetta bribing the Shadow Lake boys with $10,000 to say they saw Archie kill Cassidy Bullock. Veronica emails the video to herself. Before long, her mother’s assistant and a deputy comes barging in. It turns out that Hiram and Hermione specifically said to call the sheriff department if Veronica ever broke in again. Veronica is then placed in handcuffs and taken away.

Veronica calls Fred

While sitting in a cell at the sheriff station, Veronica is joined by her father. He wonders what she was hoping to find in her mother's office. Veronica asks if her mother even knows what her father has hidden on her computer, to which he replies that Hermione no longer has a computer. Veronica then reveals that she has requested to speak to a lawyer. Hiram obliges. Veronica’s one call is to Fred. While Archie asked her not to say anything, Veronica reveals that Archie’s headed for the mines with Kevin to find the boys that testified against him. Veronica’s intuition tells her that Sheriff Minetta is doing the same. Veronica then tells Fred to tell Archie that she found what she was looking for. She only needs to get it to a judge. And lastly, Veronica asks that Fred call attorney McCoy for her.

Veronica reveals to attorney McCoy that she has evidence of coercion

Veronica is released from her cell after attorney McCoy posts her bail. Veronica asks how Josie’s doing. Sierra states that she’s resting. As for Veronica, she sarcastically asks if one has proof of coercion and tampering of evidence, would that be enough to free Archie.

Veronica returns home and informs her mother how her father left her in a jail cell. Veronica admits that while she shouldn’t have been in her mother’s office, it was worth it as she found the deleted tape of Sheriff Minetta coercing witnesses. And now, attorney McCoy is meeting with a judge to overturn the conviction, meaning that Minetta is going down. And if Hermione or Hiram go down with him, so be it, as far as Veronica is concerned.

Veronica cries as Archie ends their relationship

While setting up a welcome home party at the speakeasy for Archie, Veronica learns from Kevin that Archie is gone. Archie then calls Veronica from a pay phone. She informs him that attorney McCoy worked it out with a judge and Archie is a free man. Archie thanks Veronica for all she’s done for him. She asks where to pick him up, but Archie has no intentions on coming home. While Sheriff Minetta may be going to prison for a long time, Hiram is still free. And Archie can’t escape him as long as he and Veronica are together. And everyone close to Archie will be a target, including Veronica. Again, Veronica asks where he is, but Archie doesn’t say. He begins to cry as he recalls when he first met Veronica. She was everything he could’ve ever wanted and he reminds her just how much he loves her. On the other end of the phone, Veronica starts to cry as well, telling him that if he loved her, he would come home, but he can’t, as they both know Hiram will never stop. Kevin comes to comfort Veronica as she cries hysterically.

Veronica is leaving the Pembrooke

At the Pembrooke, Veronica packs her belongings. She tells her mother that she’s leaving. Hermione presumes this is about Archie and that Veronica intends to find him, but that is wrong. Veronica isn’t going after Archie. She’s leaving because Sheriff Minetta is officially missing and the authorities suspect that it may be a possible kidnapping. Veronica finds it convenient that he goes missing just as she gathers ironclad evidence that he coerced the Shadow Lake boys into giving false testimony. Hermione explains that Minetta was a corrupt man who had many enemies. Veronica questions if that was her mother’s murder confession. Hermione is shocked to hear that Veronica just might believe that she’s capable of such an act. Veronica states that she doesn’t know what to believe anymore, which is why she’s leaving. She advises her mother to do the same, but Hermione can’t, stating that Hiram is her husband. Veronica leaves, but not before admitting that Hiram won in finally getting rid of Archie, and now her as well.

Veronica moves into La Bonne Nuit and sleeps on the couch. She wakes up at 6:00 AM the next morning to get an early start at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe. Pop Tate is pleasantly surprised by her initiative, questioning just how early she arrived, unbeknownst to him that she is living in the speakeasy.

Reggie and Veronica come up with a side hustle

Veronica eventually heads back downstairs, where Reggie is working behind the bar. He asks if she’s still upset about Archie leaving town, which she is, but it’s not the only reason she’s upset. La Bonne Nuit is just barely scraping by. Reggie counters that business is steady. However, one thing Veronica learned from her father is that steady is one bad week away from broke. They’re never going to turn a profit selling five-dollar mocktails to high schoolers who sit around all day playing G&G. Reggie takes this to mean that they need to start a side hustle. This gives Veronica an idea.

Veronica asks for Elio's help

She approaches Elio hoping that he can assist in turning her speakeasy into a casino. Veronica states that it’s for one night only. It was initially Elio’s suggestion and she’s done her research. She’s heard all about his exclusive blackjack club in the city. If he agrees to provide Veronica with some games and bring some of his high-roller friends, who are guaranteed to play, she’ll give him 10% of the proceeds. They go back and forth on the percentage, eventually settling on twenty-five. As for how Veronica will cover expenses, the house always wins, she remarks. She’s counting on that to be the case. In terms of startup cost, Veronica took out a second mortgage against Pop’s. With that being said, Elio agrees. The last thing Veronica asks of him is that he keep this arrangement between the two of them.

Veronica tells Hiram to leave

As Veronica works the front counter at Pop's, her father enters the diner as both he and her mother are worried about her. They know she’s been struggling since Archie left town. He also heard through the grapevine that she’s hosting a casino night. Hiram is disappointed that she went to a rival family instead of coming to him for advice and help. He also finds it ironic for all her high talk on wanting a legitimate business, but is now inviting a bunch of criminals into her establishment. Veronica retorts that they’re not criminals. They’re Elio’s friends. Hiram asks Veronica how she thinks Elio’s family built their gambling empire. They did it through cheating, and they’re going to rob Veronica for all she has. Veronica then shifts the conversation, making it about Archie, who Hiram chased off. Hiram denies doing any such thing. Nevertheless, he came by to remind Veronica that he and Hermione are still there for her, to welcome her back with open arms. However, Veronica doesn’t want to hear it, telling her father to get out.

Veronica plays Elio in a game of blackjack

Later that day, Veronica hosts Casino night as planned. Thanks to Elio, they’re going to pull in bank. However, Reggie counters that he might break it instead. He claims that Elio is going to wipe them out as he hasn’t lost a single hand all night. Reggie surmises that he’s cheating, which comes as no surprise to Veronica as Elio is a criminal from a family of criminals. Reggie suggests roughing him up and throwing him out but Veronica has a better idea. She approaches Elio and warns him to cash out and walk away while he still can. Elio refuses. He heard of Veronica’s estranged relationship with her father and now believes that he has nothing to worry about. Veronica takes a seat next to Elio, asking to be dealt in. She wants to raise the stakes of the game. One hand of blackjack, winner takes all. Veronica is gambling the deed to Pop’s and by extension La Bonne Nuit while Elio is gambling with all his winnings from the night. When the game seems to tilt in Elio’s favor, he remarks that Veronica will always be welcome at his speakeasy, adding that he might even rename it to "Veronica’s". Miraculously, against all odds, Veronica wins the game of blackjack, retaining her ownership of Pop’s as well as taking all of Elio’s winnings.

Veronica reveals to Reggie that she played Elio

As the night comes to an end, Reggie notes that Veronica made some serious money tonight. He admits that he was worried that Veronica could’ve lost it all, but she didn’t. He swears that he thought Elio was cheating, but apparently he wasn’t considering that he lost to Veronica. She then let’s Reggie in on a secret. A couple hours before the doors opened for Casino night, her father summoned her to his study. Some business associates of his had informed him that Elio has nefarious intentions going into Casino night. Something Veronica’s not aware of. He plans on fleecing Veronica because he thinks she’s weak as she’s no longer under her father's protection. Hiram suggests that Veronica beat Elio at his own game. Like his father, Elio is a compulsive gambler. The best way to beat players like him is fast with no remorse. One hand. Winner takes all. With the deck stacked in Veronica’s favor. Hiram knows of a dealer who Veronica may want to bring in. Johnny Goldwater. Reggie is amazed, stating that Veronica scammed the scammer.

Veronica learns that Sheriff Minetta is dead

The following morning, Veronica is approached by Pop Tate, who first inquires about Casino night, then informing Veronica that the diner is a family place at heart. It’s been in his family for generations in fact. Crime-free, he says. Veronica explains that neither the speakeasy nor the diner was bringing in enough money. So, she had to bend the rules a bit. Pop Tate pleads with Veronica to not be like her father. Veronica questions if maybe deep down, her father isn’t so bad. However, Pop Tate would beg to differ after hearing the news that Sheriff Minetta’s body was found in the marsh last night. At least they think it is his body. They don’t know for sure because it was decapitated and the hands were sawed off.

It was a day like any other as Veronica, Cheryl, Toni and the River Vixens prepared for the annual pep rally. However, while walking down the hall, all the Vixens, with the exception of Cheryl, collapse and begin seizing on the floor. Kevin tends to Veronica and Cheryl tends to Toni, calling out for help.

Veronica wakes up at the Pembrooke

Veronica wakes up in her bed at the Pembrooke to the sound of her mother and father fighting. She enters the study, questioning why she is home. They brought Veronica home when Weatherbee called them to inform them of her seizure. Hiram explains to Veronica that the seizure was a result of all the stress she is under. Which is why they have decided to send her to New York, to finally get some rest and see the best doctors. However, Veronica refuse to leave town given all that has occurred, including Sheriff Minetta’s dismembered body turning up. Veronica questions why they’re choosing now to send her off, but neither Hermione nor Hiram can sum up a response.

Veronica plots with Reggie against her parents

Veronica shares with Reggie at Pop’s how her parents are up to something and even tried to ship her off to New York. It’s almost as if they don’t want her around for what’s coming next. Kevin, Moose and the rest of the RROTC come barging into the diner giggling hysterically. Veronica initially suspects they’re on Jingle Jangle, but Reggie informs her that it’s not that. Her father’s pulled that off the market and replaced it with some new candy, Fizzle Rocks, dealt not by the Ghoulies, but a new gang, the Gargoyles. Veronica is certain that it all ties into G&G. So, she requests that Reggie do sum sussing for her to find out what he can about Fizzle Rocks. Last year, Veronica helped her parents spin their criminal web and good people got hurt. This year, Veronica feels responsible for taking them down.

Veronica learns of the school board meeting

At Riverdale High, Principal Weatherbee announces over the intercom that they are closing the student lounge, much to Veronica and Cheryl’s disappointment. Given that they’ve already stopped extracurriculars and sports, Veronica suspects that something is going on, hoping that Cheryl can fill her in as student body president. Cheryl doesn’t know much, but emails went out pertaining to a meeting that night regarding possibly closing down the school, with Veronica’s parents leading the charge. This is exactly what Veronica’s dad did with Southside High and she refuses to allow that to happen again. Principal Weatherbee then turns the corner, accompanied by at least half a dozen men in blue hazmat suits. They begin rounding up the "infected". When Weatherbee points out Veronica, she makes a run for it.

Veronica discovers that her father is supplying the Fizzle Rocks

Veronica finds haven in La Bonne Nuit with Reggie. She questions how drugs, gargoyles, mystery men in hazmat suits and secret school board meetings tie in together. While Reggie has not the slightest clue, he did do as asked, providing Veronica with suss. The Fizzle Rocks distributors, otherwise known as the Gargoyles, are giving their product up for free. Veronica’s familiar with this scheme. Hook them with the first taste and they're customers for life. Furthermore, Fizzle Rocks are coming from the Southside prison that Veronica’s dad is building. She concludes that this must be where he moved shop after she, Cheryl and Toni busted his lab at the Whyte Wyrm. Veronica then calls Cheryl to ask for the time and place of the school board meeting.

Veronica and Cheryl interrupt the board meeting

Veronica and Cheryl break up the school board meeting as they have a few matters they would like to address. They reveal that the CDC hasn’t stepped foot in Riverdale High. Veronica points out just how similar her father's plans sounds to Southside High, which is now being used as a drug factory. Alice was user the impression that the land was being turned into a prisoner, however, as Veronica reveals, that’s exactly what he wanted them all to think. Veronica suspects that this is just another one of her father’s attempts to trump up a huge parcel of land on the cheap and then expand his ever-growing drug empire, which now consists almost exclusively of Fizzle Rocks. Her mother questions what Veronica’s talking about.

Veronica accuses her father of hooking teenagers on Fizzle Rocks

Hiram seeks to address Veronica’s concerns as the point of the meeting is to air out concerns. He admits that when he called the CDC, they wouldn’t send anyone to such a low risk, low priority crisis. They think it’s all psychological, forcing Hiram and Hermione to take initiative. The men they saw in hazmat suits were hired from a private firm to run tests. Lastly, he insists that Southside High is becoming a prison, not a drug factory. He even offers to provide a list of the guards they recently hired. Still, Veronica accuses him of producing Fizzle Rocks and giving it to every teenager for free in order to get them hooked. Hiram ridicules Veronica, stating that he’s also the Gargoyle King, as previously stated by Jughead. Penelope adds that the seizures supposedly also cause hallucinations, and this is worth noting given that Veronica is one of the infected. On that note, Cheryl questions the whereabouts of the seizure stricken Vixens. Supposedly, those girls were taken to Riverdale General. Cheryl is not satisfied, demanding real answers. Penelope stands from her seat, almost as if to confront Cheryl, but begins to seize. Alice and Hermione run to her to assist.

Veronica declines her father's offer to join him

Veronica is called into her father's study, where he commends her. The gusto she showed in the school board meeting was audacious. He congratulates Veronica on being right about most of what she said during the meeting. However, his plan is so much bigger than what she’s given him credit for. His plan is going to be biblical. Years in the making. What Hiram wants is what every king wants — a kingdom and legacy. Once things are in place, he’s hoping Veronica will join him. Take a seat at his right hand to help him oversee the new order. Veronica sees her father’s plan as insane, calling him deluded and reminding him that he’s not untouchable. Maybe he is in Riverdale, but there’s a whole world that’ll see what he’s doing, thought Hiram isn’t the least bit concerned. He approaches Veronica, pointing out how he never sees her wear pearls anymore. He hopes she will start wearing them again.

Veronica gets a call from Betty, who much to her surprise is at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. Veronica hadn’t heard from Betty in days, and was under the impression that Betty was at the Farm. Betty doesn't have much time to talk, but she does have a plan that’ll require Veronica’s help.

Veronica plans with Cheryl

Veronica calls Cheryl to inform her that Betty is at the Sisters and that they have a mission. According to Betty, Hiram's testing Fizzle Rocks on the patients at the Sisters. Moreover, Betty saw Cheryl’s uncle Claudius with them, using Blossom maple trucks to make the delivery. Veronica’s father is planning something big, which he likened to the apocalypse. He could possibly even be the cause of the seizures. So, Veronica is thinking they could ask Cheryl’s mom since she’s in cahoots with Veronica’s father, which Cheryl is more than willing to help with given that Toni and the Vixens have already fallen to the seizures.

Veronica and Cheryl torture Penelope

At Thistlehouse, Veronica and Cheryl tie Penelope to a chair and drown her with maple syrup as an interrogation tactic. Penelope tells them that Hiram’s plans will turn Riverdale into something worthwhile. A place where they can all pursue their various enterprises, such as drug dealing and prostitution. Veronica demands specifics on how he plans to accomplish this. Penelope points out that he’s in bed with the mayor and there’s now no law enforcement in Riverdale. Making Hiram virtually unstoppable.

Veronica and Cheryl approach Kevin, Moose and the other RROTC cadets at Pop’s. Veronica informs them that their meals are on the house and that she needs them as back up. When Kevin asks what this is about, Cheryl dramatically stomps on the table and tells the cadets that they’re going to war.

Veronica's too late

Veronica, Cheryl, Kevin, Moose and the other RROTC cadets barge into the mayor's office. They know the endgame and so Veronica attempts to relieve her mother of her mayoral duties. Veronica tells her to step away from the phone before she makes the biggest mistake of her life. Hermione informs Veronica that she can’t depose her as she’s an elected official. Furthermore, Veronica’s too late. The order went out ten minutes ago. She was just about to call and tell Veronica. All their phones receive a message simultaneously as a siren begins to sound throughout town.

Veronica, Kevin, Moose, Pop Tate and the cadets stand around the diner in sorrow as the sirens continue to sound off.

Veronica welcomes Cheryl and Toni as they arrive at La Bonne Nuit. She points them in the direction of their table. She then convenes with Reggie, who informs her that business is well. Even her mocktails are selling out.

Veronica has cooked the books

Veronica is very apologetic for her father’s actions after learning that he had the Gargoyle Gang intercept and ambush Reggie on his beer run and attack. Admittedly, she should’ve seen this coming. What Reggie doesn’t get is how they knew he’d be there. He never takes the same road twice. Hiram made it very clear that if Veronica wishes to run La Bonne Nuit in a post-quarantine Riverdale then she has to give him 10% of her earnings, which Reggie is very much against. However, Veronica has come up with a plan to minimize that price. Pop Tate hands her a cooked book for the speakeasy, which’ll hopefully deceive Hiram into thinking that he’s getting 10% when in actuality he’s only getting 5%. Reggie is impressed, calling Veronica a bad ass.

Veronica brokers a deal

Veronica calls her father down to La Bonne Nuit to discuss business. Hiram claims to have no involvement in the attack on Reggie and her cargo, but he did hear that someone sent the Gargoyle gang to apply pressure. With no other choice, Veronica is willing to pay her father for protection, pleasing Hiram, who informs her that the Gargoyles won’t mess with her business again. Veronica lies, stating that business is slow, however, Hiram has already learned from his capos Leo and Nico that the parking lot for La Bonne Nuit has been packed every night. Veronica retorts that her father is walking tall these days and that she hopes the Sisters don’t flip on him and reveal that he was supplying them with drugs. With that, Hiram agrees to settle for 10%, but he wants to see Veronica’s books. As they continue to discuss their terms, Hiram notes that Josie, who is singing on stage, sounds incredible.

Veronica finds out about the attack on Josie

Veronica and Reggie rush over to the Five Seasons after learning that Josie was nearly attacked by one of the Gargoyles. Again, Veronica is very apologetic. Veronica’s paying a lot of money to ensure that this doesn’t happen. However, Josie is very much aware of Hiram’s affiliation with the Gargoyles. Whatever problems Veronica has with her father, Josie refuses to be dragged into it. Either Veronica straightens this out or she'll have to find a new singer for La Bonne Nuit as it’s too dangerous for Josie to be there.

Veronica confronts her father following the attack on Josie considering that she’s paying him to avoid such incidents. Hiram reveals that Josie was attacked because Veronica had the audacity to try to deceive him by cooking the books. Now, he wants the full amount that he’s owed and the Glamourge egg that was taken. Hiram suspects it was Cheryl based on the red lipstick kiss mark left on his painting in his study.

Veronica and Jughed come up with an arrangement

Veronica goes to see Jughead, demanding that he retrieve the egg from Cheryl, who’s been ignoring Veronica’s calls. Jughead questions when Veronica decided to align herself with her father. She explains that this isn’t the case. He’s squeezing her and her business. Now, not only does he have her paying protection, but he’s made her responsible for getting the egg back. Having learned that Veronica is paying Hiram for protection against his own gang, Jughead has a solution to both of their problems. He offers the Serpents’ protection. Veronica gets real protection and the Serpents get a steady income. Veronica agrees, but only if Jughead gets her the egg back.

Reggie and Veronica meet with Jughead

Veronica and Reggie meet with Jughead at Pop’s, who returns the egg. From there, Veronica and Reggie gives Jughead and the Serpents their first assignment, asking if he’d ever heard of the Gargoyle gang.

Veronica, along with Jughead and Betty briefly appear in Archie's dream/hallucination. Betty asks if he’s been working on any new songs. However, Archie isn’t that person anymore, he says while teary-eyed. Archie doesn’t want to play, but it’s his only way back to Eldervair, Riverdale and innocence. They then guide him through his finale quest.

Later, Veronica performs on stage in a long purple gown, catching Reggie's attention. Afterward, once the place has cleared out, they share a kiss.

Veronica is surprised by Archie at La Bonne Nuit. Veronica hugs him before asking a series of questions, from where he’s been to why he dyed his hair. Archie explains that he did so to keep from being recognized in case Hiram came looking for him. Archie apologizes for having left her, though Veronica’s simply happy that he’s back, and the two proceed to kiss at the bar.

Archie, Veronica, Betty, and Jughead reunite

Afterward, Veronica and Archie convene upstairs at Pop’s with Betty and Jughead. Jughead notes the dramatic changes with Archie both inside and out. As for what he missed while he was gone, Veronica informs him of the town quarantine orchestrated by her father, which resulted in Pop’s being shut down and just recently re-opening. Hiram’s also been attacking shipments to the speakeasy, but thankfully, Veronica’s hired the Serpents as her full-time protection. And that service extends to Archie. Jughead assures Archie he has no need to worry about Hiram as he has the Serpents looking out for Archie 24/7. Also, Jughead has a possible lead that may bring an end to it all. He had Fangs go undercover in the Gargoyle Gang. While he hasn’t met the Gargoyle King yet, when he does, they are going to take the him down. Jughead is certain that Hiram is the man under the mask, which would come as no surprise to Veronica. Betty then mentions the SATs, which has completely slipped Archie’s mind, and they are coming up Saturday. Betty assures Archie that they will all help him study. Pop Tate then returns to their table to inform Betty that her card has been declined, and so Veronica steps in to take care of the bill.

Veronica comes up with an idea to welcome Archie back

Reggie approaches Veronica at her locker and tries to kiss her, but she pulls away. He asks if something’s wrong as she didn’t text him back the night before. Veronica informs him that Archie’s back. While Veronica and Reggie may have kissed, she can’t tell him that it happened, her being his ex-girlfriend and Reggie being a close friend. Reggie understands and falls back. He wonders how Archie’s doing, to which Veronica explains that he’s unsettled and stressed. While she can’t do anything about the former, the latter, she can help with.

Veronica sings at Archie's welcome home party

Veronica hosts a welcome home party for Archie at La Bonne Nuit. In attendance is Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Kevin, and many others. Archie, Betty, and Jughead take a seat as Veronica sings on stage for Archie. Not far away, Reggie sits visibly annoyed, though this goes unnoticed by all. As Veronica continues to sing, Archie seems to become overwhelmed by all his grief and suffering, taking off right in the middle of Veronica’s performance.

Veronica and Reggie discuss Archie’s recent strange behavior, though Veronica does come to his defense, claiming that it all may be a bit too overwhelming for him, being back in Riverdale and all. However, the Archie they both saw last night is a different person. As for what this may mean for Archie and Veronica’s relationship, Veronica's too afraid to say out loud.

Archie and Veronica hook up

Archie returns home to find Veronica sitting on his bed crying after she had learned from Reggie that Archie is aware of their kiss. Archie tells Veronica that she didn’t do anything wrong. When they broke up, Veronica was angry at her father for chasing Archie away, but she was mostly angry at Archie for not fighting to stay by her side. And the more time passed, the more Veronica got tired of missing Archie. And now that he’s back, Veronica can’t even sum up the words as this is the worst time to talk about it. Archie suggests that they don’t talk about it, instead finishing the conversation tomorrow. For tonight, he only wants to be with Veronica, and so they have sex.

Veronica chases after Archie

Saturday has finally arrived and the gang must now take their SATs, this includes Veronica, Archie, Jughead, Betty, Reggie, and Kevin. Archie immediately begins to struggle with his test, so much so that he ups and leaves class without so much as a word. Veronica attempts to go check on him, but if she does, it’s an automatic zero. Archie rushes into the bathroom, hoping to regain a sense of reality. However, the more he thinks about all Hiram put him through, the angrier he becomes, to the point where Archie shatters the bathroom mirror with a single punch.

Veronica questions if Archie her shot her father

Veronica rushes to Riverdale General Hospital after her father is shot. Archie arrives at after receiving several frantic calls from Veronica. Her father lays on a hospital bed, unconscious, with her mother at his side. They don’t know if he’ll recover as he just got out of surgery. Veronica informs Archie that her father was shot some time after Archie ran out the SATs, leading her to believe that Archie may be the shooter. Archie denies doing anything of the sorts and can’t believe that Veronica would think he did. With this, both he and Veronica realizes that their relationship is over.

As Veronica watches over her father, who lays in his bed unconscious, she receives a visit from Reggie, whose come to offer moral support, and so they hug.

Investigating Her Father's Shooting

Veronica dismisses Elio

With Hiram laid up in the hospital, just barely hanging onto life, the Lodge family has become vulnerable. While at La Bonne Nuit, Veronica is visited by Elio, who’s brought flowers on his family’s behalf. Elio claims that he delivered the flowers personally to let Veronica know that he’s hoping that Hiram pulls through. However, Veronica informs Elio that reports of her father’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Nonetheless, Elio warns Veronica about the potential attacks from other families as many are eager to swoop in on Hiram’s territory. Jobs like the hit on Hiram are very rare to go unfinished.

Veronica pays Jughead to look into her father's shooting

Veronica enters the Blue and Gold with a job for Jughead. She wants him to find out who shot her father. She pays him half the money upfront and assures him he’ll get the other half when he provides the name of the shooter. Veronica even gives him his first suspect, that being her own mother. Veronica recalls an argument between her parents just a few weeks ago that happened just before the quarantine, when she had her seizure. She walked in on her mother berating her father on breaking a promise.

Veronica fires Nico and Leo

At Riverdale General, with the mob underworld smelling blood in the water, Veronica attempts to present a strong front, hoping to control the narrative, though Nico and Leo believe it may be too late for that. People are already talking as no one has seen Hiram lately and no one is collecting the vig, which angers Veronica. She wants to start collecting immediately but Nico and Leo have other ideas. They think it might be in the Lodges best interest to align with Elio’s family, the Grandes. However, Veronica is very much against this. But as they remind her, Hiram took a bullet two inches from his heart and that their next move could be their last. So, she needs to be realistic. Rather than hearing them out, Veronica fires Nico and Leo, citing their inability to do their jobs.

Veronica calls her inner circle

After firing their last two capos, Veronica calls forth her inner circle, that being Reggie and Smithers. They need to show strength during a time of weakness. Smithers recalls a moment back in the trenches, where their numbers were greatly diminished and their enemy could storm the barricade at any moment. And so Smithers collected the helmets from their dead and propped them atop of their bayonets, high enough to create the illusion that their numbers were greater than they actually were, causing their enemies to pause. From that, Veronica comes up with an idea that’ll require Smithers’ bus driver cap.

Veronica arrives at the docks. With Smithers as the driver and Reggie in the back with his face hidden and only the hat on his head visible as he impersonates Hiram, Veronica begins collecting from all the businesses her father has a hand in. And her ruse works like a charm.

Veronica confronts her mother

While entering the day’s take into her father’s ledger, Veronica discovers a shady collection of invoices and receipts with her mother’s name on them, and so Veronica takes it upon herself to confront her mother. In digging a little deeper, Veronica discovered that her mother is apart of her father’s the Fizzle Rocks empire. She also ordered the quarantine and paid the invoices. Hermione has an answer for all this. She found out that Hiram and Claudius were making drugs in the new prison and the Blossom maple factory. So, she told him to shut it down. She evens helped him create a distraction so that he could do it quickly and cleanly i.e. the quarantine. But then, Hiram lied to Hermione and took this opportunity to consolidate everything into the prison. Hermione wants no part of it just the same as Veronica. With them on the same page, Veronica comes up with a plan to destroy the Fizzle Rocks and the means of production, and burn it to the ground. However, Hermione recommends selling it. She already has a buyer lined up. He’s willing to take the drugs, the lab, and everything else.

Veronica goes to Reggie with her suspicion that her mother may have hired someone to shoot her father so that she could make a profit from the sale of his drug operation. So, Veronica devises a plan to break into the prison, burn the drugs and destroy the equipment before her mother can sell it. Veronica then gets a call from Archie, and she leaves Reggie to meet him.

Veronica offers Archie a shoulder

Once there, Archie updates her on the attack on her father’s life. After checking in on her father, Veronica gives Archie a hug. While she’s grateful for his actions, she asks what Archie was doing there. Archie lies and tells her that he came looking for her, to apologize for his actions at the speakeasy. Veronica also apologizes for ever thinking that Archie would’ve shot her father. While there may have been a time when he would’ve, Archie doesn’t hate Hiram anymore. Veronica then informs Archie that her father’s awake and that he’d like to speak with him. But before Archie goes in, Veronica reminds him that she’ll always be there for him if he ever needs a shoulder.

Veronica and Reggie burns Fizzle Rocks

Veronica meets back up with Reggie, and together, they burn all the Fizzle Rocks. As for what she'll tell her parents when they ask, Veronica says that she'll tell them the truth. Or maybe she won't.

Veronica is confronted by her mother after discovering that she burned all the Fizzle Rocks. Veronica admits that she along with Reggie destroyed the drugs and equipment. Hermione reminds Veronica that she had a buyer lined up and that they paid in advance. However, Veronica isn’t too concerned, suggesting that her mother just give the money back to the buyer. However, she can’t. Hermione used the money to pay off Governor Dooley to keep their names clean. The buyers coming. And when they find out there aren’t any drugs, they’ll want blood. Veronica changes the subject from what she did to what her mother did and the fact that she’s not the only one who knows it.

"Forget it, Jughead. It’s Riverdale."

As Jughead finishes his writing, Veronica joins him in the Blue and Gold to find out who shot her father. After he woke up, it was the first thing he asked. Veronica told him it was Tall Boy, and she thinks he bought it. So, if it’s good enough for her father, it’s good enough for her. With that, Veronica gives Jughead the second half of his payment. As she exits, he asks if she wants to know who really shot her father, but she doesn’t care, simple stating "Forget it, Jughead. It’s Riverdale."

Veronica, Betty, Jughead, and Archie sit in a booth at Pop’s, enjoying their meal and having conversation.

Reggie and Veronica are forced to scrape together the buyer's money

Veronica and Reggie meet with Hermione at Town Hall since the two of them decided to take it upon themselves to burn all the Fizzle Rocks that she had already sold. Since this is their fault, Hermione has decided to make them responsible for paying back the money that’s owed. Hermione suggests that they start with the speakeasy’s coffers. However, as Veronica explains, they don’t make nearly enough to pay it off, though this is no longer Hermione’s problem. Her mother recommends that she come up with the money fast as the buyer has a reputation for being dangerously unhinged. Veronica asks who the buyer is, but Hermione refuses to tell her, only explaining that they’re sending an intermediary. As for how much money they owe, Hermione hands Reggie and Veronica a piece of paper with the exact amount on it and it is indeed a heavy sum.

Veronica wonders how they'll come up with the money

Time is running and Veronica and Reggie have yet to come up with a way to pay back the mysterious buyer, whose Fizzle Rocks they burned. Veronica’s combined her liquid funds from Pop’s and La Bonne Nuit. Even with that, they’re not even close. Reggie suggests robbing a bank, which Veronica is opposed to as they tend to have round-the-clock guards with guns. Instead of robbing a bank, Reggie comes up with a robbery on a smaller scale. He wants to rob his father’s dealership, where he keeps a safe. Veronica is initially against this, as she does want Reggie stealing from his own family. Reggie explains that everything is insured, so his dad will receive a nice pay out, which is more than he deserves for all the black eyes he’s given Reggie over the years. His father’s security is only on duty at night, after closing, so they can hit the lot during the day, while his dad is usually at Pop’s with a customer, trying to close a sale. Veronica recommends that he wear a Gargoyle mask, so as not to get recognized. Veronica even offers to join Reggie as the getaway driver. They then share a kiss.

Veronica as the getaway driver

Veronica sits in the getaway car reading a book as gunshots ring throughout the neighborhood. In her rear view mirror, she sees Reggie, disguised in a Gargoyle mask, running towards the car with a bag of money. He’d been shot in the arm, though he’s alright, and so the two of them make their getaway.

Veronica and Reggie return to La Bonne Nuit, where Veronica patches up Reggie’s wound, where he was grazed by a bullet. Reggie then opens the bag to see how much money they got away with only for the dye pack to explode, covering both Reggie and the money in blue dye.

Veronica and Reggie's moment is interrupted

At the Pembrooke, as Veronica and Reggie are about to have sex, their phones ring. It’s Veronica’s mother and Reggie’s father. Reggie worries that maybe his dad knows that it was him who robbed the dealership.

Veronica calls her mother down to La Bonne Nuit with an update. But first, they would have liked for her to have informed them that the buyer was Jughead’s mom. Hermione is surprised that Gladys showed up herself as she was supposed to send an intermediary. Furthermore, Gladys has no intentions on returning to Toledo and plans on making Riverdale her home once more.

Veronica denies having done anything to her father's business

Veronica is called into her father's study as he readjusts back into business after his shooting. In the short time that he was laid up, some valuable equipment and stock went missing from his prison. Veronica puts blames on her mother, stating that she said that it had to be destroyed because of the feds. Tall Boy, an ex-Serpent, tried to kill Hiram. FP, also an ex-Serpent, is now Sheriff. And Gladys, a Toledo Serpent, is back in town after years away and suddenly Hiram is out of very valuable assets, leaving him to conclude that the Jones played him. Veronica disagrees however. Still, Hiram is convinced they had the help of someone close to him to pull this off.

Veronica hesitantly agrees to be Gladys' spy

Veronica supplies Gladys with this week’s payment as part of their previously agreed upon payment plan for the drugs Veronica burned. Veronica tells Gladys that Hiram suspects she and FP are behind his recent troubles, and that Gladys came back to Riverdale to steal his drug trade. Gladys couldn’t care less about Hiram being fired up. She even suspects that Veronica’s only telling her this because she’s worried that Hiram will find out that Hermione tried to sell his business out from under him. Gladys orders Veronica to be her spy, and in return, she’ll slightly ease Veronica’s debt. Veronica refuses to do so, which Gladys doesn’t take kindly to. She’s now in a race with Hiram to rebuild the candy trade. Gladys explains to Veronica that they both want the same thing, for her to rebuild the candy trade and to keep Hiram out, meaning it would be in Veronica's best interest to help her.

Veronica wants her father to direct his energy to the prison

Veronica shares her concerns with her father. She knows that he’s been dealing drugs, but it’s all gone now, along with the equipment he’s been using to manufacture them. Veronica thinks that this is an opportunity to go clean and build a new empire. She suggests that he refocus on his prison. He could fill it with criminals, making more money by imprisoning drug dealers than selling to them. Hiram likes the sound of this, but it’s small thinking. He has an idea of his own. Hiram recalls that Penny used the Ghoulies to manufacture and sell candy. Now that she’s missing, her gang is leaderless. If Hiram gains control of the Ghoulies, then he regains hold of the trade.

Veronica informs Gladys that her father is going after the Ghoulies because they’re the cooks and the runner, so if Gladys wants to win this war, she needs soldiers to fight it. Gladys is pleased with this information, granting Veronica another day.

Veronica confronts Gladys

Veronica barges into the Jones’ trailer to confront Gladys and remind her of their agreement. Veronica makes payments and deliver information, and in exchange, Gladys stays away from them. While this is true, Gladys informs Veronica that it was Hiram who called her, not the other way around. Still, Veronica threatens to tell Jughead about Gladys’ plans to take over the drug trade if she moves forward with this. Gladys is amused. She doesn’t care if Veronica tells Jughead as there’s nothing he can do about it. Hiram, on the other hand, will bring pain to Hermione should he find out that she went behind his back. Gladys proceeds to tell Veronica that if her meeting with Hiram doesn’t go her way, she reveal everything to him regarding Hermione’s betrayal.

Veronica sits in on Gladys and Hiram's meeting

Veronica purposefully interrupts her father’s meeting with Gladys. Veronica and Gladys exchange pleasantries to keep up the rouse that they’re strangers. Veronica requests to sit in on their discussion. While initially hesitant, Hiram agrees. Gladys takes a seat and asks what the purpose of the meeting. Intimidation, she suspects. Rumor has it that Hiram’s starting from scratch. Hiram and Gladys proceed to go back and forth until Gladys proposes that she focus on the drug trade while Hiram focus on his prison. Hiram finds it interesting that Veronica made the same pitch. Unbeknownst to Hiram, just as Gladys is about the reveal the truth about Hermione’s betrayal, Veronica interrupts. She agrees with Gladys’ proposal and will help her father see it through just like he’s always wanted. After thinking it over, Hiram agrees to the proposal, but he’ll need a steady stream of prisoners. He assumes that FP, Gladys’ husband and town Sheriff can see to that. As for Hermione, Hiram says that she’s a non-factor.

Veronia admits to burning the drugs

Hiram approaches Hermione after getting off the phone with the Governor. He told Hiram that Hermione made a contribution to him not a day after he was shot. Around the same time that Hermione was getting rid of his business holdings. Veronica comes to her mother’s defense. She admits to burning her father’s drugs and equipment. She explains that Hermione was just covering for her with the story about the feds. Veronica did it for all of them and she doesn’t plan on apologizing. Hiram takes this in and then tells Veronica that she burned $75,000 worth of drugs and equipment and that’s how much she owes him.

Veronica wants to turn La Bonne Nuit into a casino

At La Bonne Nuit, Veronica and Reggie watch helplessly from the bar as Gladys and her companions cause commotion. Reggie asks if Veronica would like for him to bounce someone out, but with their current standing with Gladys, that would be impossible. Veronica's father then approaches Veronica as he too is at the speakeasy. He’s courting several important perspective clients. Veronica wonders where she should charge for the expense of the drinks, however, Hiram has no intentions on paying as he believes the drinks should be comped because of the money Veronica currently owes. Gladys and her Serpent pals then proceed to make a mess of things after knocking over a table. As the night comes to an end, and Veronica and Reggie are all that’s left in La Bonne Nuit, Veronica wonders just where everything went bad. Gladys and her father are running all over the speakeasy and Veronica doesn’t have any leverage because she owes them both money. So, every dollar she makes goes straight to them. Reggie states that they need a new line on a cash cow, which reminds her of Casino night with Elio. They’d be able to pay off their debts in weeks, but Reggie is rather hesitant, however, he comes to agree.

Veronica and Betty catch up

In the student lounge, Veronica and Betty play catch up, during which time Betty tells Veronica that her mother still intends to sell the house and Betty’s still trying to sabotage her, but it’s only a matter of time until she finds someone who wants to live in a death house. Betty then waves at Kevin as he passes with Evelyn and the Farmies, but he does not wave back. When Archie asks about Kevin’s odd behavior, Betty explains to the gang that the Farm got Kevin and soon enough her house. Jughead reminds her that his offer still stands. While his trailer is cramped, she’s more than welcome to stay. Veronica and Archie extend the same welcoming to their respective homes. Archie then tells them about Ricky, the homeless kid in his garage, who ran away from a group home and was squatting in the gym. Jughead remarks that this sounds an awful lot like him during sophomore year. Archie then informs them of the branding on Ricky’s arm. The same one Warden Norton gave him. Archie isn’t sure if he’s playing G&G, but he left him at Pop’s for the day. Betty recommends that he call Ms. Weiss, whose helped both Betty and Jughead in the past.

Reggie and Veronica plan the casino upgrade

Veronica and Reggie welcome Josie along with more than half a dozen employees to the casino of La Bonne Nuit. They’ve got poker on the floor, blackjack at the bar, nickel and quarter slots along the wall, and a horse race-themed wheel of chance in the corner. Reggie already called dibs on spinning it. It goes without saying that discretion is of the upmost importance. But Josie is forced to ask the obvious question. What to do if they’re raided? Veronica and Reggie have made upgrades to the place to account for such a threat. They have a number of compartments and close-in doors to hide all the Casino paraphernalia. At which point Veronica will bat her eyelids and say "What secret casino, Officer?"

Veronica cuts a deal with her father

Veronica is approached by her father after learning that she is turning her speakeasy into a casino. It’s fortuitous for Hiram as he is in the process of courting the business of a gentleman who owns a playing card company. And Hiram’s pitching him the idea of moving the production of his factory to the prison. He gets the produce of those cards for pennies on the dollar, and Hiram’s for-profit prison earns a small wage. Veronica tells her father that this is shady, though he seems unbothered. If Veronica helps him land this client, she wants 5% of her debt wiped away.

At La bonne Nuit, Gladys reveals to Veronica and Reggie that when she was their age, she used to perform at the Whyte Wyrm. Veronica concludes that Gladys is looking to make a comeback, and should she agree to allow Gladys to perform on stage, she has to shave 5% off of the debt Veronica owes, to which Gladys agrees.

Veronica welcomes Gladys to the stage

Veronica welcomes Gladys to the stage, making her debut at La Bonne Nuit. As Gladys performs, she is taunted by Hiram’s business associate. Reggie wants to kick him out, but Veronica won’t permit it given her agreement with her father. Hiram suggests that his associate give Gladys some tips, to which she responds by pulling out a knife and telling them that she has a sharp tip of her own to give to them. As things are getting a bit too heated, Veronica finally allows Reggie to bounce Larry, who is in disbelief that he’s being kicked out. As Reggie escorts him out, Hiram warns Veronica that there will be trouble if she just cost him a million dollar deal.

Veronica plots to deal with Gladys and her father

Veronica comes down the stairs of La Bonne Nuit to find Gladys serving herself at the bar. She claims that Reggie waters down her drinks. Her father then enters the speakeasy with another one of his associates, though he tells him that he owns the speakeasy, which only further aggravates Veronica. She is near her breaking-point, telling Reggie that this must come to an end. He is in agreement, so much so that he even misses the Serpents as they could use the muscle. Veronica asks how their take has been since the casino upgrade. He replies that their profit has almost doubled. With that, Veronica devises a plan that’ll require for her to siphon some of that off.

Veronica hires the Pretty Poisons

Veronica invites Toni to a sit down at Pop’s. Where she makes her a proposition. Veronica would like to offer the Pretty Poisons full time employment at La Bonne Nuit. Toni declines as her girls aren’t waitresses, though she seems to have misinterpreted Veronica’s offer. Gladys and Hiram have been swarming around the place like they own it. And Veronica fears that their presence may come at the cost of her business as well as her sanity. She needs muscle to keep them out, and that’s where Toni and her gang comes in. The gig also comes with an advance. Veronica understands if Toni has to run this buy Cheryl first, but Toni does no such thing, accepting Veronica’s offer on the spot.

Veronica and the Pretty Posions secure La Bonne Nuit

Gladys arrives at Pop’s with intentions on heading downstairs to La Bonne Nuit though her entry is blocked by Toni, Peaches ‘N Cream, and the Pretty Poisons. Under new house rules, Gladys is no longer permitted into La Bonne Nuit without an engraved invitation. Gladys doubts they can stop her, but Veronica joins the girls and tells Gladys to step off. She hired the girls to block her admittance until Gladys learns to play by Veronica’s rules. Her father then enters the diner, hoping that Veronica saved for him his favorite booth. However, Hiram isn’t permitted into La Bonne Nuit either, at least not until he starts to show Veronica proper respect. She also warns him not to flex his financial hold over her. She’ll pay him back as they agreed. But, moving forward, she’s running her business, her way.

Veronica and Toni sing

Veronica sings on stage with Toni and the Pretty Poisons at La Bonne Nuit. After closing at the speakeasy, Reggie asks Veronica to talk business. He’s invested a lot of time there. Being a bartender, a bouncer, a delivery man, and Pit boss, amongst other things. He’s also made sacrifices, like giving his car to Gladys. So, Reggie would like to become business partners with Veronica. While he has been helpful and dedicated, Veronica still owes a hefty debt to Gladys and her father. It wouldn’t be wise for her to begin another partnership. Reggie however doesn’t accept that. He knows his worth and wants Veronica to know it too. Veronica knows his worth, but to quote her abuelita, "no one walks on water in my place, except me."

Veronica reports a violent altercation with a customer

The following day, while working a shift at Pop's, a violent interaction with a customer leads her to call the police. FP arrives, with Jughead in tow. Veronica explains that a Fizzle Rocks junkie spazzed out and threw hot coffee all over a waitress before running out. Jughead had presumed that Fizzle Rocks were gone and that the candy epidemic was over. However, FP has heard rumblings of someone looking to reopen the candy business. As his father takes Pop Tate and Delores’ statement, Jughead looks at Veronica, suspecting that it may be her father trying to reignite the candy crisis.

Veronica tries to pay Reggie for his help

After thinking over their previous conversation of making Reggie a business partner, Veronica hands him an envelope of money. She gives him what she believes to be a good and fair starting salary. Reggie feels insulted, as if he’s nothing more than a helping hand to Veronica. He accuses her of just trying to clear her own conscious. Before the situation escalates, Veronica suggests that Reggie take the rest of the night off to clear his head and recalibrate his attitude. He agrees, sitting the money back down on the bar before leaving.

Veronica reveals that Gladys is taking over the drug trade

As planned, Betty stays over at Veronica’s. Veronica asks how Betty’s relationship with Jughead’s been since his mother has returned. Betty reveals that all is good, but he told her that she could stay in the house with them, in her old room, which is too weird for Betty, though it would give her the chance to get to know Jellybean and Gladys better. Veronica only asks because there’s something she has to tell Betty about Jughead’s mom. Veronica can’t risk Betty getting caught up in this and so she reveals that Gladys is taking over the drug trade in Riverdale. Fizzle Rocks is getting ready for a comeback with Gladys leading the charge. Betty wants to know everything so that she can in return share this with Jughead.

Veronica scolds Reggie

Gladys brings Reggie back to La Bonne Nuit after catching him trying to steal his car back before Gladys and Veronica settled their account. Veronica hopes to make it up. She offers to cover the expenses for FP’s birthday at the speakeasy. Gladys agrees and tells Veronica to keep Reggie under control. Veronica questions how he could’ve done something so reckless when they’re so close to paying off their debt to Gladys and her father. Reggie apologizes. But, he’s still upset about his disagreement with Veronica. He gave her everything. He at least wanted to get his car back.

Veronica gives Reggie his keys back

After a night off, Veronica and Reggie meet back up at La Bonne Nuit. Veronica asks if he is self-destructing because she won’t make him her business partner. Reggie admits this is part of the reason. He also has an issue with how he’s being treated by Veronica. He wants to be more than just her errand boy, Pit boss, and casual hook up. Veronica assures Reggie that he matters, but lest they forget that she just went through a wrenching breakup with Archie just a few months ago. Reggie questions if they would even be dating if not for the speakeasy, which Veronica admits that they probably wouldn’t be, but she’s glad they are. Reggie feels as if Veronica owes him for all he’s given up for her, but he’s not given an ounce in return. Having heard enough, Veronica returns Reggie’s car keys to him after buying it back from Gladys. Now they don’t owe each other anything. With his keys in hand, Reggie leaves the speakeasy.

Veronica later attends FP's 50th Birthday Party at La Bonne Nuit along with the rest of the gang, during which time Jughead gives a speech.

At Pop’s, Veronica sings while getting the diner in order and placing a help wanted sign on the front door as she’s in search of a new bouncer.

The Heathers

At school, Veronica and Betty stand aside Cheryl and join her in song. Cheryl was distraught after her break up with Toni, but then she gave herself the role of HBIC. Veronica and Betty are playing the other Heathers, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke. Cheryl, Veronica, and Betty resume their act, that is until Toni, Peaches 'N Cream, and the Pretty Poisons arrive at school. Reggie, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Archie, Josie, Peaches, and Evelyn then come down the hall to join in and make their way to the auditorium. Veronica, Betty, Kevin, Cheryl, Reggie, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Archie, Josie, Peaches, and Evelyn get on stage, where they conclude their performance. Afterward, Kevin announces that there’s been a slight change to their creative team. While Evelyn has been helping him produce the musical, he’s recently asked her to step up and be his co-director.

Veronica, Archie, Betty, Cheryl, Toni, Josie, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Reggie, and Peaches lay on their backs in the student lounge as Evelyn tells them that everything in their lives matter. There are universal truths within each of their experiences. In rehearsal, they’re going to explore their own personal traumas and experiences and exercise them through their art. Kevin interrupts to inform Cheryl, Veronica, and Betty that "Candy Store" set and costumes are ready.

Betty, Cheryl, and Veronica perform Candy Store

Once in the auditorium, Kevin explains to Cheryl, Veronica, and Betty that this number is about the Heathers undeniable power that each of them can get at any given time. Toni, Peaches, and the Poisons are also on stage. Toni, as choreographer, wants to start with some simple steps, but Cheryl, still upset over their breakup, doesn’t want to hear it, telling both Toni and Kevin that she, Betty, and Veronica have already worked out their own choreography. Toni’s attempt at being professional is undermined by Cheryl, who along with Betty and Veronica, begin their musical number. Toni, Peaches, and the Poisons join in on the number, which upsets Cheryl, leading to a showdown between the two, who go back and forth on stage.

Veronica cries at her parents' divorce

Veronica returns home to find her mother and father awaiting her arrival. Veronica tells them that she’s just popping in to change as she’s attending a cast party, but they have something important to tell her. Hiram and Hermione reveal that they’re separating. Veronica takes this as a joke initially, but it is anything but. Hiram in fact will be staying at the Five Seasons indefinitely. Veronica can’t believe that it has come to this. Whatever has happened, she wants to figure it out as family. When she asks to be clued in, Hermione reveals that Hiram knows the truth. That she sold the drugs out from under him while he was in the hospital. Realizing that this could mean that her father may retaliate, Veronica asks her mother what she is planning to do, to which Hermione replies that she’s going to take a bath.

Reggie and Veronica at the cast party

The cast meets up at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy compound as planned. Given the night she’s had, Veronica could use a liberation and she decides to take a shot, as do Reggie, Sweet Pea, and Fangs. Veronica, Reggie, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Kevin, Cheryl, Evelyn, Josie, and Archie then start to sing and dance. Reggie and Veronica break off from the others to perform a duet and make out. With the exception of Betty, who watches from afar, everyone comes back together to finish the musical number.

Veronica and Reggie return to the Pembrooke, where they hookup. Afterward, Reggie reveals to Veronica that he was afraid that the two of them were never going to get together again. But maybe the two of them are meant to be together. Veronica calls out Reggie’s name as if to tell him something, but she kisses him instead.

Betty comforts Veronica

Veronica, Archie, Jughead, Betty, Cheryl, Toni, Josie, Sweet Pea, Fangs, Reggie, Peaches, Evelyn, and Kevin meet back up in the auditorium the following day. They’re each going to share something they’ve never told anyone before. Sweet Pea reveals that it hurt him to see Archie and Josie getting cozy last night. Under the suspicion that he may have been nothing more than a rebound, Reggie asks Veronica if she knew of Archie and Josie’s relationship. Veronica had no idea, she claims. Evelyn then asks if Veronica has anything to share. She tells the group that her parents are separating. Admittedly, her family is unconventional, but she always thought no matter what that they’d stay together. Hearing this, Betty goes over to comfort Veronica.

Reggie and Veronica break up

Reggie now realizes that the real reason Veronica wanted to get back together is because her parents are separating. Veronica wanted to ignore it and feel better, so she kept it to herself. Reggie also makes her feel better. She knows how this may seem, which is why she would understand him not wanting to talk to her again, however, that’s not what Reggie’s saying. While what’s happening in Veronica’s home life is tragic, he doesn’t think that he and Veronica should be together at the moment.

Veronica fails to convince he father to come home

Veronica goes to the Five Seasons hotel hoping to convince her father to come home. Hiram reveals the real reason that he and Hermione are getting a divorce is because he found out that she tried to have him killed twice. While Veronica claims to have had no knowledge of this, he believes that at least part of her already knew. Veronica reminds her father that he always says "Family is the most important thing." However, as Hiram points out, family’s trust. Veronica and Hermione betrayed him, so there isn’t a family anymore.

Veronica's solo

It’s time for Veronica’s solo in the auditorium. Kevin was going to talk about the devastating loneliness that Veronica’s character feels at this moment, but it seems like Veronica’s already there. Veronica then starts to sing on stage. Afterward, she calls her parents to ask them to meet her at La Bonne Nuit. While she recognizes their irreconcilable differences, she has one request to make. She wants them to come to opening night of Heathers: The Musical. To make one last happy memory.

Ending of Heathers: The Musical

Opening night has arrived. Backstage, just ten minutes out, Veronica peaks out from behind the curtain to see her parents sitting next to each other. The musical ends with Veronica, Betty, Jughead, Archie, Sweet Pea, Toni, Reggie, Josie, Cheryl, Kevin, Evelyn, and Fangs on stage singing "Seventeen". As the musical concludes, Edgar Evernever rises from the audience, clapping slowly and very dramatic-like. He is joined by over a dozen members of the Farm, who are all wearing white and join in on the slow clap. From the stage, Evelyn states that she knew her dad would like it. Weatherbee and Mrs. Klump appear to be one with the Farm as they too are wearing white and applaud the performance.

Betty and Veronica discuss her parents' separation

At Pop’s, Betty asks Veronica if there’s any way she can see her parents’ divorce as a good thing. Veronica has tried, but her parents have raised her to believe that family is the most important thing. Evelyn enters the diner with fliers for the Farm's upcoming open house. They’re opening their doors to visitors. Everyone is welcome to tour their renovated premises, meet with Farm elders and learn about their values and practices.

Veronica and Betty attend the Farm’s open house. Kevin is their tour guide. At the Farm, they like to nurture everyone’s unique talents. Betty makes a snide remark in regards to the Gargoyle chamber before asking about a particular room labeled 317, to which Kevin claims is just the janitor's closet. As Kevin prepares to take the group to the garden, Betty crosses paths with her mother, who in typical Farm fashion, is wearing an all white outfit.

Veronica discovers that her mother may be in danger

With the official opening of her father's prisoner approaching, her mother feels as if she should be there if only for appearances, however, Hiram refuse to allow her to attend. There’s going to be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Governor Dooley in attendance. And Hiram has very selfishly decided that Hermione isn’t invited. Veronica sides with her father, reasoning that her mother tried to have him killed, twice. Hermione explains that it’s more than just a photo. It’s just a matter of time before their enemies find out about the divorce. Without Hiram’s protection, Hermione’s life could be in danger. She’s made moves and there are people with grudges because of it. In their line of work, when a marriage unravels, the wife of a mafia boss often simply disappears.

Veronica agrees to help free Mad Dog

Veronica gets a call from Archie, who asks her to meet him at his gym. Veronica questions why her father would just give him a gym, but Archie simply replies that it’s a long story. He tells Veronica that Mad Dog and the others are in danger of being transferred to her father’s prison. He recalls how hard Veronica worked to get him out, but as Veronica reminds him, she broke him out. However, before that, Veronica worked with the Innocence Project petitioning the Governor. As a matter of fact, Veronica happens to know that Governor Dooley is in town, so Veronica wants to address him in person.

Veronica blackmails Governor Dooley

Veronica proceeds to invite the governor to the Pembrooke, where Archie awaits him, though the Governor was under the impression that he was meeting Hiram. Veronica explains that was a pretense to lure him in and then she introduces Archie, who wishes to speak with the Governor about the transfer of inmates from Leopold and Loeb to Hiram’s private prison. Archie tells the Governor to put a stop to it, and if he doesn’t, Archie will take his story to every 24-hour news channel and paper in the tri-state. While Archie and his friends were forced to box for L&L’s illegal fight club, Governor Dooley and Warden Norton were at fundraisers having lobster dinners. And there are five other inmates who will swear that the Governor attended these illegal fights with Warden Norton as his guest. Veronica adds that they’ll testify in court, and so If Dooley wishes to avoid this, she wants the Governor to pardon the prisoners today.

Veronica brings her parents together

Veronica brings her mother and father together to recommend they see a marriage counselor. They both scoff at the idea. There’s nothing for them to discuss by Hiram’s account. Veronica threatens to call the Monsignor to remind them that marriage is ordained by God, and therefore, non-negotiable. Hermione, much like Hiram, is against it. She refuses to beg Hiram for mercy or forgiveness. While they’ve given up, Veronica is still fighting for their family. She reminds her father of his former vendetta against Archie and asks just how many times her father tried to kill him. Hiram claims that it’s all water under the bridge, though Veronica isn’t so willing to write it off as minor pass indiscretions. Her father raised her to believe that family is the most important thing in the world. And she believed him. And it cost her Archie. When he came back and her father was in the hospital, she chose him over Archie because she had thought that they needed to come together and give him strength. And now, Hiram has the gall to break apart their family. While Veronica’s made her point, there’s no changing her father's mind.

Veronica learns that her mother was sent two dead fish wrapped in red wrapping paper to her office. This is clearly a message. Someone looking for payback wants Hermione dead. One of their enemies. Maybe the St. Clair’s. Or even maybe Hiram. Veronica takes her mother’s hand, hoping to comfort her.

Hiram denies threatening Hermione

Veronica heads down to the Five Seasons to confront her father over her suspicions that he may have been responsible for the dead fish in her mother’s office. Hiram claims that he made no threats of any kind towards Hermione’s life. If that’s true, then it was one of Hiram’s associates or enemies. Veronica insists that he protect her mother from any possible threats. Veronica requests that they don’t get a divorce, which Hiram gets a laugh out of. Barring that, Veronica asks that he at least not shun her in public so the whole world doesn't see that’s she’s alone.

Taking into consideration what Veronica had to say, Hiram decides to present a united front, and so he, Hermione and Veronica attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for his prison together, along with Governor Dooley. Today not only marks the opening of the Lodge Detention Center, it also represents a milestone for the town. The building is a promise for a safer future.

Veronica learns her parents' marriage has been annulled

Veronica returns home just as her father sees Monsignor Montgomery out the door. He had come to deliver the news of her parents' marriage being annulled. It’s much less public than a divorce and so far as their community is concerned, her mother remains under her father's protection. But in the eyes of God and the church, it’s as if the marriage never existed. Hiram knows this is not at all what Veronica wanted. Since she is the one that sent her mother those dead fish, he concludes. It took him a while to figure it out, one of Veronica’s better tactics. Threaten her mother’s life, so that he would have to protect her. Veronica admits this is true. She thought that if she could get him to protect her in public, then he’d have to pretend. And if they pretended long enough, they’d start to actually love each other again. However, Veronica now sees that no matter what she does, her parents’ marriage is over.

Supporting Archie's Boxing Career

Betty tells Veronica, Archie, and Jughead about the Farm

Veronica, Betty, Archie, and Jughead gather in the student lounge, where they discuss the upcoming boxing tournament. Archie hopes that Veronica can help get his crew into the tournament by talking to Elio. Betty has explained to the others that the reason her mother and Cheryl have joined the Farm is because they are allowed to talk to Charles and Jason. Jughead tells Betty to prove to her mother that Charles is dead since she’s lost touch with reality. The best way to snap her out of her delusions may be a harsh dose of reality.

Veronica asks Elio to participate in the Gilded Gloves

In an attempt to fulfill her promise to Archie, Veronica ambushes Elio in the men’s steam room. She wants in on the boxing tournament. She recalls how Archie almost beat Ronson. However, as far as Elio is concerned, Archie is a poor fighter who has no place in his tournament. Veronica leaves, but not before telling him to remember this moment where she tried to keep things civil.

Given Elio’s refusal to allow Archie in his tournament, Veronica turns to Alice for help. She, along with a news crew head down to Archie’s gym, where she reports on Veronica’s latest business venture as the promoter of the boxing club. Veronica proceeds to promote the facility, including its fighters and staff. Archie then begins reading his lines from cue cards. He offers three free personal training sessions. Lastly, he issues a challenge to Randy Ronson at the Gilded Gloves.

Veronica flips for venue

Veronica arranges a meeting with Elio at La Bonne Nuit, who’s impressed with Veronica’s efforts and Archie’s challenge to Randy. With this, Elio agrees to allow the El Royale boxers to participate in the Gilded Gloves. However, Archie’s going to have to move up a weight class as Randy’s now fighting in the middle weight division. They flip for the venue. Heads for Archie’s gym and tails for Elio’s gym. The coin lands on heads.

At Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, Veronica serves Archie a large platter of burgers and fries to help get his weight up for the fight. It’s now time for the fighters to weigh in. Veronica, Tom, Mad Dog, and Elio also attend. Randy Ronson weighs in at 159 lbs while Archie weighs in at 154 lbs.

Veronica and Archie learn that Betty locked her mother in the bunker

Betty, Jughead, Archie, and Veronica reconvene in the student lounge, where Betty informs them that she locked her mother in the bunker. Betty reasons that it’s the only place her mother will be safe from the Farm. Betty is determined to follow through with her attempt at deprogramming her mother. The four of them follow a loud, banging sound into the hallway, where they find a Vixen slamming her head repeatedly into the lockers. Foaming at the mouth from G, aka Fizzle Rocks, and blood running down her head, a couple other Vixens restrain her and take her to the infirmary.

Veronica brings Archie new gear

Veronica surprises Archie with a new set of boxing attire. He thanks her for believing in him. No matter what happens, Veronica will always be in his corner.

Veronica, Josie, and Fred watch from the crowd as Tom escorts Archie out to the ring for his fight. Josie asks if Veronica’s nervous, but she isn’t in the slightest. Josie then notices Archie’s new robe and trunks. Veronica explains that Archie’s officially sponsored by Pop’s. She continues to watch the fight, during which time, Archie knocks Ronson out in the second round.

Mad Dog, Archie, and Veronica confront Elio

Following the fight, Randy Ronson is taken to Riverdale General Hospital, where Mad Dog, Fred, Tom, Josie, Archie, and Veronica sit in the lobby, waiting to hear news of his fate. Just a few feet away sits Elio with Randy’s family. Unfortunately, Dr. Patel arrives to deliver the news that Randy did not survive. As he proceeds to take Ms. Ronson to claim the body, Archie and Mad Dog inform Dr. Patel that Randy was on drugs and that Elio was his supplier, though Elio claims to have had no knowledge of any substance abuse, which Veronica, Archie, and Mad Dog know to be untrue. Mad Dog states that Randy’s blood is all over Elio’s hands, though Elio retorts that it literally all over Archie's.

Veronica and Betty asks Hiram for a prison transfer

Veronica and Betty meet with Hiram at La Bonne Nuit, where Betty asks Hiram for a favor. Her father is incarcerated two hours away in a windowless cell. He heard about Hiram’s facility and how some of the cells have a view of Sweetwater River. Betty explains that her father would like to be transferred there. Veronica assures her father of all the publicity that would come with it, and with that in mind, Hiram says that he’ll see what he can do.

Archie, Veronica, and Mad Dog hold a press conference

Veronica bails Archie and Mad Dog of jail. Mad Dog insists that they’ll pay her back, though that’s the least of their worries as Elio has flipped Randy’s death on Archie. Archie, Mad Dog, and Veronica head down to Pop’s, where they watch the news report of Elio claiming that Archie provided Randy with the drugs that killed him. It’ll be a nearly impossible task to prove that it was in fact Elio who gave Ronson the drugs and that he’s setting Archie up. However, Veronica has a plan, which starts with a drug test for both Archie and Mad Dog. Afterward, Veronica holds a press conference outside of Pop’s to announce that Archie and Mad Dog’s drug tests have come back negative. Randy’s sisters, Ms. Ronson, led by Elio, interrupts the press conference and accuses Archie of murdering Randy. Archie swears that he didn’t kill Randy, but if he could take back what happened, he would. However, the Ronsons are still distraught over Randy’s death, and his sister slaps Archie. Again, Archie apologizes, saying that he wishes it could’ve been him instead of Randy.

Veronica wants to plan a benefit

Archie races over to the Pembrooke to talk to Veronica as he can’t stop thinking about Randy and his sister, who called him a murderer. Veronica tells Archie that Randy’s death is Elio’s fault, though Archie still feels responsible and wants to help them somehow. Veronica recommends a benefit concert at La Bonne Nuit. After all, Josie has been calling her about doing a set. Veronica will arrange it all.

Veronica, Archie, and Josie, convene at La Bonne Nuit, where Veronica informs Archie that on top of everything else, Elio is also refusing the Ronsons Randy’s insurance money. Veronica is hoping they can make Josie’s show tonight a benefit, with the proceeds going to the Ronsons. Archie then gives Josie a kiss and heads off to settle things with Elio.

Just before the show, Josie looks into the crowd, though there’s no sign of her dad, and Veronica checked the front door, and he never picked up his ticket.

Veronica convinces Archie to keep fighting

Mad Dog calls Archie into the ring as he needs a sparing partner. Veronica advises him to get back in the ring or he never will. Archie believes that may be for the best as he doesn’t want to be known as the Riverdale Reaper. Veronica says to Archie that he made amends with the Ronsons the best way he could, and now it’s time to look into the future. Archie’s not Riverdale’s Reaper. If anything, he’s it’s red hope. Veronica pleads with him to pick back up his gloves, and so he does just that, joining Mad Dog in the ring.

When Betty returns to the Pembrooke, Veronica informs her that her dad and a few other inmates who were being transferred to the new prison were involved in some kind of accident that left no survivors.

Veronica and Betty arrive at the crash site

Veronica and Betty arrive on scene of the prison bus crash to find charred remains lined along the road by deputies. FP is already on site, and he tells the girls to stay back. Betty informs him of the Black Hood’s return as her father was on the bus, and likely caused the crash to escape. However, FP tells her no one survived the crash. There were five inmates and one driver on the bus. Six in total, which is the number of heads they’ve found. DNA tests will confirm their identities. Betty grows concerned that her father escaped, and is now loose in Riverdale.

Veronica gets Archie into the Regional tournament

While sparring in the ring, Veronica, who comes baring good news, approaches Archie and Mad Dog. She has Archie’s fight application for the regional tournament. All Archie has to do is get one of his parents to sign off on it. This is the perfect opportunity to jump start Archie’s boxing career. Mad Dog tells Veronica to keep him in mind should she ever decide that she wants another boxer under her roster. Fangs comes running from the back soak and wet. He tells them about a busted pipe, which he shut off, but it needs fixing. Archie volunteers to fix it, but Veronica would rather he call a professional plumber. Speaking of which, as Archie’s manager, Veronica had been thinking about updating the gym. She even offers to front all the money. La Bonne Nuit has been doing well, and she would like to diversify her portfolio with property on the south side.

Archie, Veronica, Betty, and Jughead discuss the crash

Veronica, Archie, Betty, and Jughead meet up in the student lounge, where Betty shares with the group her conclusion that she was used by her father so that he could escape from prison. Veronica was with Betty, and having seen what was left of that bus, she doubts that Betty’s father survived the crash. However, if he did, Jughead assures Betty that she has him, the Serpents, and Archie’s fight club looking out for her. Jughead also extends Betty another invitation to move back in with him considering things have calmed down since his mom left. Archie asks how Jellybean is faring during this time. Jughead is surprised by how well she has taken to everything. She’s even filled in some key blanks. Apparently, there’s a Gospel of the Gargoyle King out there somewhere. Could be important, so Jughead’s dad has been sweeping Junkyard Steve’s. Cheryl interrupts to inform them of the upcoming Fire and Ice Junior Prom. She and Toni are running for Prom Queens, and Cheryl would appreciate their vote. This, however, is the first that the gang is hearing about Prom. Betty asks Jughead to go to Prom with her, to which he agrees.

Archie and Veronica buy Prom tickets

Archie finds Veronica at school to give her his application with his mother’s forged signature. She asks if he’s sure. If he thinks it’s too soon, Veronica could always send Mad Dog. However, Archie insists that he’s ready. He then asks Veronica to go to Prom with him, as friends. They proceed to purchase their prom tickets from Cheryl and Toni. Cheryl concludes that Archie and Veronica are back together considering that they’re going to Prom and apparently, she and Toni had some kind of wager going. Veronica corrects Cheryl, informing her that she and Archie are going as friends. Evelyn then approaches the ticket table to inform Cheryl and Toni that campaigning for Prom Queen is strictly forbidden. The Farm prohibits it because it goes against their strictures of equality. Cheryl retorts that it’s easier for Evelyn to brush it off as she’s likely been to many Prom given how much older she actually is. Evelyn tells Cheryl and Toni that this is a test. They can either be Queens for one night or they can live in the glory of the Farm for all eternity. Cheryl answers that she wants both.

Veronica meets with an appraiser from the bank at Pop’s. The appraiser tells Veronica that without question, the diner is a unique and handsomely maintained property. Pop Tate grows concerned as he is under the impression that Veronica is selling the diner, though she eases his worries, explaining that she is just taking out a loan so that she can upgrade Archie’s gym. Pop Tate, like everyone else, thought that Veronica and Archie were over, which they are. Veronica explains that she’s just helping a friend and business associate.

Veronica agrees to drive Archie

Veronica learns from Archie of the weight he must lose by Friday while jumping rope. He asks that she give him a ride back to the gym after as he has to focus in the car on his second fight, but this time with Fangs. Archie explains to Veronica how his mom invited a recruiter to see him box. Veronica tells him that he shouldn’t try to fight twice in the same day. She suggests that he invite his mom and the recruiter to the tournament, but he can’t do that because his mom doesn’t know he’s fighting in the tournament. Archie reveals to Veronica how he forged his mother’s signature. She doesn’t want him boxing, so much so that she’s brought a recruiter from Minneapolis. With that being said, Veronica agrees to get Archie back in time.

Veronica doesn't want Archie to fight again

Archie limps back to Veronica’s car after having lost the Regional tournament fight. Even after the major loss, Archie intends to go through with the exhibition fight with Fangs, which Veronica says is a bad idea. Veronica is willing to do whatever she has to, but she’s not allowing Archie into the ring. Veronica later arrives at the gym to inform Fangs, Mary, and Brooke that Archie has food poisoning and that he can't make the fight. However, Archie comes out the back geared up and ready to fight. Archie faints and hits the canvas as he enters the ring.

Veronica tells Pop Tate that she’s closing La Bonne Nuit early as most of her regulars will be at Prom. Pop Tate then reveals to Veronica something he learned a few months back. As it turns out, she doesn’t own Pop’s or La Bonne Nuit. Hiram still does. He gave her a fake deed and kept the real one.

Veronica tells Archie about the deed to Pop's

Veronica recalls the back-to-school dance and how much has changed since then. Archie states that some things have remained the same though. Veronica then shares with Archie the bombshell Pop Tate dropped on her, that her father owns the diner and La Bonne Nuit as he gave her a fake deed and kept the original. All this time, Veronica has been working for her father. However, to her advantage, he doesn’t know that she knows. And she’s going to act as if nothing has changed. She is going to manipulate him into digging his own grave. As they reminisce over the old days and their time spent together, Veronica asks Archie to help her take down her father for good.

Veronica, Jughead, Archie, Kevin, Fangs, Evelyn, Cheryl, Toni, and Peaches stand in the crowd as Betty is announced as the Prom Queen, though no one seems to know where she is. Jughead asks Archie and Veronica, but they are unaware.

Veronica eavesdrops on her parents

Veronica eavesdrops on her parents, who are discussing her father's plan to buy Riverdale. However, her mother is very much against this. Hiram believes the only way to save Riverdale is to privatize it and assume leadership. With or without Hermione’s support, Hiram intends to buy Riverdale.

Veronica goes to Archie's house, where she informs both him and his mother of her father’s plan to buy Riverdale. Not to mention that he still owns Pop’s and by extension, La Bonne Nuit. Veronica then comes up with an idea to frame her father for all the illegal activity that occurs in the speakeasy as his name is on the deed, thus making him liable. Fortunately, Mary is well connected and knows of someone who might be of assistance.

Veronica and Archie meet Agent Ardelia

Mary’s aforementioned connect, a federal agent she attended Sarah Florence with. Agent Ardelia explains that they’ve had their eyes on Hiram Lodge for quite some time. He served less than a year for embezzlement, so whatever they charge him with, it has to be big. Veronica informs her of the serving of minors, illegal casino operations, and book doctrines, but Agent Ardelia is very much aware that these are Veronica’s crimes. No worries, they only want Hiram, not Veronica. Archie asks what they’ll have to do in order to put Hiram away. She tells them that their only chance is to catch him in the act of an illegal crime.

Archie receives a surprise visit from Veronica, who has a plan to put her father being bars and stop him from buying Riverdale. It’s going to require them both to play their parts, and Archie’s is first.

Veronica tricks her father

Not long after Hiram agrees to box Archie for the fate of the town, he is confronted by Veronica. She is upset, though heer father reasons that Archie challenged Hiram in the presence of several business associates, who he couldn’t look weak in front of. Once again, Hiram is baited, but this time by Veronica, who tells him that the odds makers are betting against him. Veronica’s been getting calls. The underworld is abuzz. They’re all wondering if she’s taking bets at La Bonne Nuit, though Veronica claims to have turned them down. Hiram advises her otherwise, as they can make money off this. All the betting will be ran through the speakeasy. Hiram will even calls some friends. Little does he know, he has fallen into Veronica’s trap.

Veronica calls Reggie and asks him to meet her at Pop’s because she’s about to pull off her biggest con yet, and she needs her best conman for the job. Veronica wants Reggie’s help in taking down her father, to which he agrees.

Veronica performs

Veronica takes in bets at La Bonne Nuit as the fight is about to commence at El Royale. Veronica thanks Reggie for agreeing to help. He then asks how she’s holding up, to which she responds not well, but they have to keep up appearances. Veronica then takes to the stage, where she performs. The FBI then raids the speakeasy. Veronica and Agent Ardelia have a rehearsed exchange of words. She asks if Veronica’s the owner of the establishment, to which Veronica says she is not and that her father is the actual owner, who is currently at El Royale participating in an illegal boxing match. Veronica and Agent Ardelia then part ways. Unfortunately, all is not good as Veronica had hoped it would be. She gets word from Reggie that some last minute bets are coming in, and they all wants odds that Hiram is going to kill Archie in the ring.

Veronica holds Archie

Hiram delivers blow after blow, eventually knocking Archie down to his knees. As he prepares to end Archie, he reminds him that he asked for this. Hiram goes in for the finale punch, but Veronica pleads with him to stop, and so he does. Hiram looks down to Archie and tells him that he’s beaten him and that he’s the better man. However, Archie was simply keeping Hiram busy. FP arrives at the fight and places Hiram under arrest for conducting illegal activities at his establishment. Hiram can’t believe that he’s been betrayed by Veronica. As he's taken away, Mary comes down to ringside and asks Archie if he’s okay as Veronica holds him close, reassuring Archie that they finally beat her father.

Veronica won

Her father has been placed in a holding cell at the sheriff station. He questions why Veronica betrayed him, suspecting that Archie may be to blame. But, Veronica did it for her. She found out that her father lied, that he still held the deeds for La Bonne Nuit and Pop’s. Hiram recommends that Veronica chalk it up to a lesson learned. Regardless, all of Hiram’s assets are being seized by the government, and Hiram’s empire will be put up for public auction. In the meantime, Veronica leaves her father with the parting thought that she won and he lost.

Veronica tells Archie that she wants to be with Reggie

Archie stops by the Pembrooke to tell Veronica how he feels about her. However, upon his arrival, he discovers Reggie is there as well. Veronica explains that Reggie was helping her earlier at La Bonne Nuit and came by to tell her that he wanted to be with her, and she said she wanted to be with him too. Veronica hesitantly admits this is true, and so Archie decides to leave.

Veronica and Hermione receive ownership of all Lodge investment properties

In the wake of Hiram’s arrests, Veronica and Hermione gain full ownership of the Pembrooke, and all over Lodge investment properties. Veronica and Hermione are now officially the co-owners of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe and La Bonne Nuit. Lastly, Veronica inquires about the El Royale Fight Club, which she seeks to give to Archie. She then calls him to inform him that he now legitimately owns the gym. After calling Archie, Veronica receives a black gift box sealed with a red ribbon, with a letter attached.

As it turns out, Archie and Jughead got the same letter. And so, the three of them meet at Pop’s. Jughead’s been trying to get in touch with Betty, but she’s not answering. The invitations say not to tell anyone or bring their cellphones. It’s obviously a trap, but they don’t have much of a choice.

Archie and Veronica at Thornhill's Nature Preserve

The letter was an invitation sent out by Penelope Blossom to Thornhill's Nature Preservation. Veronica, Archie, and Jughead await for Betty at the dinner table, with Penelope seemingly as the host of the event. To Betty’s right, stands Sister Agatha Woodhouse, with a loaded gun. Apparently, she is in cahoots with Penelope. She was one of Penelope’s mentors who cared for her when she was at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. It was she who taught Penelope everything she knows about poisons. Betty pieces together that the nuns who she had previously found dead in the chamber with blue lips must’ve been Sister Woodhouse’s doing. Penelope states that the sisters were simply looses ends. Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead on the other hand are featured players. The sons and daughters of the original Midnight Club.

Penelope, Archie, Veronica, Hal, Sister Woodhouse, Betty, and Jughead witness the Gargoyle King unmask

Penelope calls in the two remaining guest, the Black Hood and the Gargoyle King. The Black Hood rips off his hood, and as suspected, it’s Hal Cooper. Before the Gargoyle King takes off his mask, Penelope gives Jughead a chance to guess his identity. The Gargoyle King then unmasks, and as Jughead suspected, it's Chic, though he has dyed his hair red since their last encounter. Hal explains that he didn’t kill Chic because he recognized a kinship in him and spared him. He begged for mercy and pledged his life to Hal in service of his mission. But it wasn’t just Hal’s mission. He started working with Penelope, who also has a grudge against Riverdale.

Veronica listens to Hal and Penelope's story

Betty recalls the affair her father had with Penelope in the middle of the Black Hood attacks last year. Penelope takes credits for cultivating Hal’s murderous impulses in order to take her revenge on a town that allowed her to be sold to the Blossoms as a child bride. Their parents knew, but they did nothing but mock her. And years later, when Jason was murdered, none of them even reached out to her. Riverdale is a cruel and hideous place by Penelope’s account. She and the Black Hood were on a mission to exterminate the town’s sinners, and they were doing well until Hal was arrested. But that’s when Chic came to Penelope in search of purpose. And so, with Chic, she decided to continue her work, but instead with the Gargoyle King. Penelope introduced G&G to their parents 25 years ago and reintroduced it this year to Chic, who gave it to Ben Button, who started playing with Dilton Doiley and Ethel Muggs. From there, the game spread like a virus. This whole time, the true mastermind behind it all, the true king, Jughead says, is Penelope. Now, it’s time for one final round, with them, the Midnight Children, as she refers to them. It’s to reveal their true nature. To prove they’re as dark-hearted as the town that birthed them. If they win, they escape. If they lose, they die.

Penelope takes Veronica, Archie, Betty, and Jughead into the woods, where she presents them with their task. They must go into the woods and survive the night. Each of them will be tested. Should they refuse her test or try to escape, her Gargoyle minions, the Gargoyle Gang, will kill them. With that, the final quest begins. Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead head deep into the woods, intent on completing this final quest and proving Penelope wrong.

Veronica,Betty, and Jughead watch Archie fight

The first quest is staged with a Red Paladin card. This alone is for Archie to complete. The Red Paladin must conquer the grizzled beast, i.e. a grizzly bear. However, when Veronica, Archie, Betty, and Jughead arrive at the pit, he finds a gigantic man wearing the pelt and skull of a bear. Archie rushes the grizzled beast, though he doesn’t fare well at all, landing very few hits. Archie is greatly outmatched in size, though somehow, he manages to best the beast, hitting him with a combo of punches before finishing him of with a large bone. Archie returns to Betty, Veronica, and Jughead victorious. Veronica greets him with a hug. They now move on to the next quest.

Veronica drinks from the chalice

Veronica, Archie, Betty, and Jughead find the next quest. On a table sits six chalices. Each filled with Gargoyle blood. This quest is for Veronica, the Enchatress. She must choose her closest companion, and they will take turns spinning the bottle and drinking from the chosen chalice, though one of the chalices contain a lethal, rapid acting venom. Should they refuse, they’ll all be killed. Given the fact that she and Veronica are best friends, Betty volunteers. They both recall prom night, sophomore year, where they played a similar game at Cheryl’s party. Veronica spins first, and from there, she and Betty take turns spinning the bottle, each time taking a sip from one of the six chalices. It’s Betty’s turn when it comes down to the last chalice, which must be the lethal, rapid acting venom. Before Betty can drink from the chalice, Veronica snatches the cup from her hand and drinks it instead because she cares that deeply for Betty. Penelope appears with two armed Gargoyles at her side. She reveals that this was a character challenge. A test towards Veronica’s loyalty. However, all the chalices were poisoned, though they’re slow acting, and the only way to get the antidote is to finish the game.

As Betty and Jughead move forward, Archie falls a few steps behind as he wishes to tell Veronica that he loves her. Veronica reveals that nothing happened with her and Reggie the night after the fight when he showed up at the Pembrooke. Her heart ached because she feels the same way he does. Veronica reciprocates the love, and the two of them proceed to kiss under the Devil’s Hand In Pickens Park.

Betty, Veronica, and Archie watch Jughead battle Chic

The third quest is for Jughead. The Hellcaster. The battle of kings. Jughead must battle Chic. They simultaneously run for the ax, planted in the tree stump, but Chic gains a hold of it first. He swings at Jughead several times, just narrowly missing. After Chic loses the ax, he and Jughead struggle for control of the fight. Chic manages to get on top of Jughead nearly strangling him to death. Fortunately, Jughead wins the fight by hitting Chic over the head with a nearby animal skull. Although victorious, they must keep moving as the poison is starting to take effect, more so on Veronica.

The gang discusses the unholy trinity of Hal, Penelope, and Chic

As Veronica, Archie, Betty, and Jughead search for the finale quest, they attempt to figure out how everything is connected. Penelope, Hal, and Chic have created an unholy trinity with direct links to everything bad that has ever happened in the last 3 years. It’s as if Jason’s death begat the Black Hood, which begat the Gargoyle King, which Veronica points out existed before Jason was killed. To Jughead’s point, then it’s a case of a serpent eating its own tail. A cycle of never ending madness that continues until someone breaks the chain.

Veronica and Jughead console Betty

Veronica, Archie, Betty, and Jughead have reached the final quest. Betty’s quest. She and Jughead express their love for one another before starting the quest. Betty finds a black box tied with a red bow. Inside is a load gun with one bullet. The Black Hood then appears. He rips off his hood and tells Betty that this has to end. Hal tells Betty that she must kill him. It’s her destiny. He then pulls out his gun and points it at her. either she kills him and gets the antidote or he kills her and her friends. He counts down from three, leaving Betty with no other option. She fires, but rather than killing her father, she simply shoots off his fingers, as she’ll never be like him. Hal falls to the ground in pain, with his gun just a few feet away. Penelope calls an end to all of it. Hal has outlived his usefulness, and so Penelope pulls out her gun and shoots Hal in the head. Jughead and Veronica console a grief-stricken Betty as Archie claims their prize and retrieves the antidote.

Veronica takes the antidote

Veronica, Archie, Betty, and Jughead won. They survived the night and proved they are better than the town. Nevertheless, Penelope sentences them to death, instructing her minions, the Gargoyle gang, to kill them. And now it’s a race for their lives as Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead take off into the woods with the Gargoyles just behind them as the sun rises. Fortunately, as they near the road, the Pretty Poisons and Serpents, led by Cheryl and Toni, begin firing arrows at the Gargoyles. As they begin to retreat, the Poisons and Serpents charge forward. As for Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead, they’ve taken cover behind one of the trucks and Betty and Veronica have taken the antidote. Once they’re in the clear, the four of them have a group hug. Betty then asks Cheryl about her mom. Cheryl reveals that it was Alice who freed her and told her to find Betty as they’re planning to ascend tonight.

Veronica, Archie, Betty, Jughead, Toni, and Cheryl arrive at the Farm

Veronica, Archie, Betty, Jughead, Toni, and Cheryl arrive at the Farm, where they find Kevin in the fetal position, crying in the chamber. He says they left him because someone had to stay behind to explain what happened. The worthy ascended. Betty asks about her mom and Polly. Kevin claims that they’re gone, along with everyone else from the Farm, and they’ll never be seen again.

Hermione makes a startling discovery from their attorney in regards to something Hiram kept hidden from her. Before she can share this information with Veronica, agent Ardelia and several other FBI agents kick in the door and place Hermione under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder against Hiram. As Hermione is handcuffed and taken away, she tells Veronica that everything is going to be fine and to call Sowerberry.

Veronica, Betty, and Archie around a fire

Veronica and Archie meet with Betty and Jughead at Pop's, where they learn that Betty and Jughead's half brother Charles is alive and an FBI agent, and that Betty's mom is an undercover FBI informant. As for Veronica’s mom, she’s trying to cut a deal with the DA. But in the meantime, Smithers is her legal guardian. Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead decide to make a vow. With senior year ahead of them, they vow to be done with death cults, murder mysteries and everything of the sorts. Their senior year may be the last time they’re all together and Archie doesn’t want to let anything ruin that. To that, the four of them toast. Flash forward to Spring Break, senior year. Archie, Betty, and Veronica stand around a campfire, barely clothed and covered in blood. Betty tells Archie and Veronica that they have to burn all their clothes, including Jughead’s beanie, which Archie has in hand. They’ll wash off the blood in the swimming hole, and after tonight, they are to never speak of what transpired. Not to anyone. They finish their senior year, graduate, and then go their separate ways. It’s the only way they won’t get caught. Reluctantly, Archie throws Jughead’s beanie in the fire, though Jughead is nowhere in sight. Return to present day, back at Pop’s, the gang toasts their milkshakes and promise that they’ll be friends forever.