Riverdale Season 3, Episode 10 recap: The Gargoyle King’s identity revealed… kind of?

Who has the time to worry about the SATs when the Gargoyle King’s identity is revealed? Riverdale unmasks the killer (maybe) and unleashes more trouble.

It’s the moment we have all been waiting for on Riverdale: Who is the Gargoyle King? Even when we thought we already knew the answer, the series rips the mask off the winged creature for a real look at who’s behind the horrifying hauntings.

Meanwhile, the kids prepare for the SATs, but Betty must have herself a family reunion first. The Black Hood returns, and it’s not for the reason you think.

Let’s dig into the five most shocking moments from the latest jaw-dropping episode of Riverdale. (Warning: It’s about to get real spoilery in here.)

1. And the Gargoyle King is…

Tallboy! Wait, wasn’t he also the fake second Black Hood last season? Alas, the confusing narratives featuring the vaguely familiar and often presumed dead disgraced Serpent continue!

More from CW

• The CW’s culture of pulling shows continues as Everyone Else Burns and Run the Burbs are removed from the schedule
• All American: Homecoming season 3 release updates, strike delay, and more
• The CW is out of the superhero business with Superman and Lois canceled
• The Spencer Sisters filming locations: Where is the CW drama filmed?
• The Librarians: The Next Chapter release updates and everything we know so far

As it turns out, Fangs successfully infiltrated the Gargoyle Gang, and during his initiation in the woods, Jughead and the Serpents crash the party and unmask the Gargoyle King. Tallboy later admits to working with Hiram, taunting Alice and Betty at home, and other nefarious things.

But as quickly as he was unmasked, he died. How much do you want to bet he’s not the actual Gargoyle King and he’ll be back next season as a decoy Big Bad?

2. Archie’s back, and he’s got the blues.

Riverdale tried its best to prank us with Archie’s death, but no one in their right mind would ever believe that Archie — the first character credited — would die in the ninth episode of the third season. Nice try!

His healing from the bear attack occurs off camera, and he waltzes back into his home without alerting Fred because Archie apparently forgot phones exist? Just like when Buffy died and her friends brought her back to life, Archie goes through the motions, but he can’t shake the trauma he’s experienced.

Finally, something makes sense! After his official breakup with Veronica, he numbs the pain with booze, a punching bag, and Marie Kondo-ing his room into a jail cell. Unhealthy coping mechanisms for 400, Alex!

3. The SATs!

Oh, yeah.  Friendly reminder that the teenage cast of Riverdale is supposed to be in their junior year of high school. Being so, they buckle down and take their SATs, as if they have been spending the past two years focusing on their schoolwork.

Suddenly they care about college? Sure, Jan. In the middle of the test, Archie walks out and punches a mirror. But he at least learned the meaning of the word “iconoclast.”

Watch your favorite shows on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

4. Betty reunites with the Black Hood a.k.a. her dad.

When Betty tries to pay for the gang’s milkshakes*, her debit card gets declined. She later finds out Alice drained her bank accounts and gave all of her savings and spending money to The Farm. Because Betty has a lawyer on retainer (Josie’s mom), she discovers Alice forged Hal’s signature when transferring Betty’s money, but Betty must have her father sign an affidavit before proceeding with legal action. Got that? Well, it’s beside the point.

Betty seeks his signature but winds up having a reunion with her father the serial killer from his Hannibal Lecter cage, and it’s unsettling. He claims to have been the Gargoyle King during the Midnight Club’s ascension night, but sike! He just wanted to reconnect with, and probably manipulate, his daughter.

If there’s one person she shouldn’t be confiding in, it’s the convicted murderer, but go off, Betty. And her ponytail continues to snatch tighter and tighter.

5. Who shot the Man in Black?

Let’s not beat around the bush here. Sometime after Archie dramatically walked out of the SATs, Hiram was shot. We didn’t see who shot him, but we did see Archie’s extensive desire to kill Hiram.

Veronica connects the dots, too. Archie claims he didn’t pull the trigger, but maybe the same person who killed Claudius Blossom (!) from behind bars of his citizen’s arrest (!) tried to off the notorious Man in Black.

Perhaps Hermione, sick of Hiram’s destructive demands, put on a mask and shot her husband. The theory checks out since she appoints FP as sheriff (!) in an all but certain attempt to regain power.

Odds & Ends:

• Is Tallboy the real Gargoyle King? Are we all assuming Hiram’s the actual wizard behind the curtains, but he’s far too stuffy to throw on the costume? Have we succumbed to the confusion too much to care anymore?
• Archie’s obsessed with killing Hiram. Is this the only way Archie can find peace and end this madness? Surely, there’s a Plan B.
• *You have to love that Archie’s friends know him so well that ordering a root beer float instead of a strawberry milkshake has them shook and worried about him. But also, oooh Archie’s so dark now with his root beer. This show…
• “Musical amuse-bouche.” Veronica needs to be stopped, but she also better never change who she is for anyone.

What did you think of the latest episode? Let us know in the comments?

Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.