5 burning questions we need answered after the Riverdale season 2 finale

Who’s joining the Serpents, who’s getting arrested, and who’s considering a proposal? We have five burning questions ahead of Riverdale Season 3.

After the second season of Riverdale began with Archie fighting for his father’s life, you would have never anticipated that the season would later end with the redheaded hero fighting the law. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First things first, the season finale revealed the fate of a fan-favorite character and unmasked the second Black Hood killer.

Meanwhile, Betty grapples with her supposedly hereditary darkness in the aftermath of her father’s confession, and Veronica makes some big moves on the chessboard to battle her daddy dearest. For all of its ups and downs, the completed vision of the season came full circle with a juicy cliffhanger: Is Archie going to jail? Let’s dig into five unanswered questions from the  jaw-dropping Season 2 finale of Riverdale. (Warning: It’s about to get real spoilery in here.)

1. Will Betty accept Jughead’s proposal?

Say what you will about the Serpents, but they’re movers and shakers. When life throws lemons at them, they catch them and throw the sour fruit right back. Jughead awakens in his hospital bed to learn that the Serpents have gone extinct thanks to Hiram’s dutiful extermination plan. However, with tip-offs from Cheryl and Veronica, Jughead mobilizes the remaining snakes. They fight to stay at Riverdale High and welcome Jug as their new “king.” But will Betty agree to Jughead’s offer to be his queen? And exactly what does Serpent Queen entail?

2. Cheryl joins the Serpents… Huh?!

Speaking of the Serpents, one time anti-South Side socialite Cheryl Blossom lets bygones be bygones and dons a Serpent jacket (in her signature red, no less). Wait, what? Cheryl… a Serpent? I’d say stranger things have happened, but have they? Cheryl’s in love with Toni, and for now we’re blindly supporting her next (emancipated!) chapter. Also, a North Sider joining the Serpents could signal a transition for the gang. More than anything, Cheryl’s initiation should be a guarantee that significant Choni scenes and storylines are on the horizon for Season 3.

3. What’s Polly up to?

Apparently Riverdale thought we wouldn’t catch that evil glint in Polly’s eye. Much of the season finale held space for Betty coming to terms with her father coming clean as the Black Hood, and the darkness in her blood that could overtake without cause. But Betty might not be the Cooper child catching her father’s evil streak. Alice, despondent in the wake of Hal’s reveal, receives support from her eldest daughter. Polly offers the services of a “friend” she met on the “farm” who could help “heal” Alice, punctuated by a devious grin and sip of tea. Just remember I threw Polly out as a Black Hood contender in the beginning of the season.

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4. Can Hermione stop Hiram from the inside?

There’s good news, and there’s bad news. Let’s rip off the bandage with the bad news first: Fred lost the mayoral race despite a valiant campaign effort that included making breakfast for Serpents. But the good news is that Hermione doesn’t appear likely to use her reign as mayor to further the tyrannical motives of Hiram. She understands now — thanks to Veronica’s candor — that Hiram merely utilized her as a plaything in order to advance his town takeover. In the wake of her win, Hermione shows up at the Andrews’ house to shake Fred’s hand. Is she officially switching sides?

5. Is Archie going to jail?

Unfortunately, all of my hopes/dreams/predictions for the finale did not come true. Hiram didn’t meet his maker or lose an ounce of his power. He simply shifted some things around and strengthened his assets. After Archie hurls empty threats at Hiram about making his bones, Hiram seeks to tear apart Veronica’s inner circle by pinning Archie for the murder of Cassidy (the armed robber from the foursome’s weekend in the woods). Police arrest Archie during his swearing in as student body president, and Archie clocks Hiram smirking in the shadows. Suddenly, Season 3’s game plan of Archie vs. Hiram comes into sharper focus.

Next: The problems with Riverdale’s depiction of gay characters

Odds & Ends:

• The finale skates by this info dump: Hiram hired Tall Boy as the second Black Hood to target Fred for political gain. Also? Tall Boy’s dead. This seems like too easy of an answer, but we’ll take what we can get.
• Veronica tries to buy the Whyte Wyrm out from under Hiram in order to hinder his domination. But after learning he fired FP from Pop’s, she instead decides to trade her father for the diner. And she’s already making renovations. Season 3 will find the basement speakeasy restored and will further feature the musical talents of Josie and the Pussycats.
• Even though a pivotal scene about Cheryl and Toni moving in together was ultimately cut from the finale (another instance of Choni scenes hitting the cutting room floor), creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa promises a deeper focus on the couple next season.
• Nothing good can come from Hiram joining forces with Penelope and Claudius on top of his bonds with Penny Peabody, the Ghoulies, Sheriff Minetta, and whoever else.
• Season 3’s set for some courtroom noir. Please, oh, please let Molly Ringwald come back to save the day.

What did you think of the season finale? Lets us know in the comments!

Riverdale returns with Season 3 in October on The CW.