Riverdale Roundtable: Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night (Season 2 Episode 21)
The town of Riverdale devolved into absolute chaos as several storylines converged on Riverdale Season 2 Episode 21, “Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night.”
Veronica and Hermione faced the consequences of Hiram’s mob-related misdeeds. The Ghoulies and the Serpents made Riverdale their battleground, amidst an already-raging riot over Fangs’ release and shooting.
But perhaps most importantly, Betty and Alice finally came face to face with the man who has been terrorizing the town for months: the Black Hood himself.
Tell-Tale TV writers Lacy Baugher, Mary Misasi, and Alamin Yohannes discuss the episode below.
1. Hal Cooper really is the Black Hood after all! React to this reveal.
Alamin: Finally, we know who it is!! It’s no secret that I find Hal very, very boring, and this moves him off the board. But I am mostly happy that we finally know. There’s been a lot of conversation surrounding whether the Black Hood was back or not. I’m just happy we know who it is.
Lacy: Not only do I think that Hal is a super boring choice to be the Black Hood, the idea that Betty has somehow “inherited” her dark side from her crazy family of murderers is also kind of a tired trope.
Maybe she’s just tired of being a goody two shoes, show? She’s not into “exploring her darkness” because her dad and grandad loved killing people! Ugh. Whatever. The faster the show moves on from this storyline the better. Which is a shame, since Season 1 proved this show is capable of doing a season-long murder mystery in a compelling way.
I mean, there were easier ways to give Alice a chance to get with FP, Riverdale. Divorce exists!
Mary: I agree with Alamin and Lacy. This reveal was boring and so against what I really wanted. However, there is still someone else in a black hood: the one who went after Fred.
I’m not holding out hope for it, but what if Hal is simply covering? It just seems too easy for a show like Riverdale. But, at the same time, I’m over this story as a whole. It’s gone on long enough that it’s no longer that intriguing.
2. Hermione and Veronica were attacked by Small Fry, looking for revenge on Hiram for his father’s death. Will this finally mark a turning point for the Lodge women?
Alamin: This will probably be it for Veronica. This finally draws the line in the sand, because she’s clear on just how little Hiram cares about anybody else in the world. The twist about Hermione also being a crime boss was a fun change, but it also will probably keep her by Hiram’s side.
Killing Small Fry was scary because Veronica was almost hurt, but she is no stranger to what Hiram is like. Hermione may be shielding herself from what Hiram’s capable of, but I don’t see Small Fry’s actions changing her mind.
Lacy: SMALL FRY. I just still can’t get over the fact that these dudes think “Papa Poutine” and “Small Fry” are somehow names that will strike fear into gangland mobsters everywhere. Whew.
As for Veronica, her sudden about-face when it comes to her father feels kind of whiplash-y. Especially when we remember how EXTREMELY into the idea of being a mafia princess she was for, oh, every other episode this season.
So, I think technically that makes all of this extremely lazy storytelling. But Hiram’s mob story is hands down the worst part of the show this season so I kind of don’t care if magical fairies handwave it all away, as long as it stops.
Mary: I hope that it means a turning point for both of them. The only thing holding me back from believing it wholeheartedly is Hermione’s track record of seeming over her husband’s bullshit and then standing by him.
However, I truly believe it’s a change of heart for Veronica. I think this, coupled with finding out his involvement in what happened to Jug, will really set her apart from Hiram.
3. Someone who definitely wasn’t Hal attacked the Andrews house and shot Fred again. Who might this second Black Hood be, and what does he want?
Alamin: I really hope there is not a second Black Hood and this is just Hiram trying to win his wife the election, because I don’t think my patience can take another Black Hood mystery.
Lacy: It’s not bad enough we had to sit through ONE Black Hood???
My gut says that this is probably somehow connected to Hiram, and maybe he tried to piggy-back, copy-cat style, off the town’s crazy serial killer for his own gain.
But then again, I’m confused about the timeline. Hal insists it was Betty’s town hall speech that made him get in touch with his inner murderer, but didn’t Fred get shot BEFORE all that started happening?
Mary: Ugh. Can this just be done? Like I said before, it would be super intriguing if this guy is the REAL Black Hood. However, I doubt it is anything more than a convenience situation.
Hiram could definitely be the shooter. In fact, it’s the only character that makes sense. Also, I kind of believe the attacks on Fred aren’t really connected to the others. If it is, Hiram making both attacks makes complete sense.
4. Jughead offered himself up to Hiram and Penny to protect the Serpents. What did you think of this sacrifice? Is he really dead?
Alamin: I doubt he’s dead. I can’t believe they would kill Jughead, of all the characters on the show.
Jughead sacrificing himself is not a surprise because he’s been working so hard to save the Serpents and the Southside all season. He’s committed to taking down Hiram, but he won’t sacrifice all his friends and his dad to win that battle.
Mary: Jughead is definitely not dead, but he’s obviously severely injured. His actions are actually the most Jughead move he’s made all season.
I’m really glad he’s returning to his roots with his actions to protect everyone he cares about. It seems that this rioting has shown him just how real the gang life is and how dangerous it can be.
I wonder if this will cause him to pull back from the Serpents.
Lacy: If you believe Jughead is actually dead, I have a bridge to sell you.
Though I do agree with Alamin and Mary: his decision to try and trade himself for his friends is the most Jughead thing he’s done all season.
5. What was your favorite line, moment, or scene?
Alamin: Cheryl Blossom getting her Arrow on! When she walked into the frame with her red hood and arrows, I nearly passed out from excitement.
Mary: As a Jughead girl, I have to mention the moment he decided to save his “brothers” from a slaughter by sacrificing himself. It’s one of the best Jughead moments since Season 1.
Don’t get me started on that emotional call to Betty.
Lacy: Cheryl going Thea Queen in her driveway after the world’s fastest costume change is going to go down as one of Season 2’s most iconic moments.
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What did you think of this episode of Riverdale? Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below! You can also catch up with our review of Riverdale Season 2 Episode 21, “Chapter Thirty-Four: Judgment Night,” right here.
Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
Caralynn Lippo
Caralynn is a freelance writer and editor, but most importantly, she is a diehard TV addict. A few of her current favorites are Mr. Robot, You're the Worst, iZombie, and The Vampire Diaries. She also writes about TV for Romper, The TV Junkies, and TV Fanatic.