Riverdale (2016–…): Season 5, Episode 3 - Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation - full transcript

From the start,

this story has been
about a town,

and the people
who lived in that town,

and the darkness that lived
in some of those people.

Clifford Blossom.

The Black Hood,
the Gargoyle King,

the Stonies.

Add to their ranks,
my sister, Jellybean,

who had been
the Voyeur/Auteur,

making the videotapes
that have been

disturbing our town for months.



This isn't your fault, Jug.

It just feels like it.

I was the one that
convinced her to move out here

away from everything
she ever knew.

And then I ignored her.

You were in the fight
of your life

at Stonewall Prep.

JB is tough.

She'll get through this.

Hey,
how is she?

I don't know.

I really don't know.

I don't know if you're
gonna like this idea, FP,

but I've been
looking into child therapists



and I found one
that has excellent references.

Well, I hope they're in Ohio,

because that's where
I'm taking Jellybean.

Back to Toledo.

Maybe you're right.

She might need her mother.

And her father.

What does that mean?

Alice...

she's my little girl.

And if this
isn't a cry for help,

I don't know what is.

Can we at least have
a conversation about this?

Yeah. Yeah, we will.

But first things first.

Jellybean finally told me

where her accomplices
were hiding out most nights.

Jug, Mr. Jones,
what's going on?

We need you
to open up your gym.

What, right now?

After we make
a couple of stops.

Gentlemen,

to what do I owe
this late-night call?

You need to reinstate
Tom Keller as Sheriff, Hiram.

Right the hell now.

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Asleep, they almost
looked innocent.

It's just messed up.

We survived the death
of Jason Blossom,

and the Black Hood,
and the Gargoyle King,

but I didn't even consider

how the fallout of all that
would affect the generation

coming up behind us,
including Jellybean.

Unless a meteorite
strikes this town in two days,

we'll have survived graduation,

but will they?

And are we just doomed
to be haunted by this town

for the rest of our lives?

Dad? Dad, what gives?
Take the picture.

The ceremony starts
in the gym in 10 minutes.

Yeah, Dad,
what's taking so long?

I... I can't believe
we're here.

Archie, you're graduating.

Didn't think I'd live
to see this day.

*RIVERDALE (US)*
Season 05 Episode 03

Episode Title:
"Chapter Seventy-Nine: Graduation"

Aired on:
February 03, 2021

Mom, it's not even
graduation yet.

No, but it is your
last day of high school.

We don't know that yet.

I do. I have
a really good feeling.

You've been applying yourself
so much lately.

Yeah, we'll see.
Love you, Mom.

Love you.

As honorary chairperson
and de facto queen

of tonight's semi-formal...
This one's for you, JJ.

Pour moi?

I know it's been a while since
you've worn any pearls for me,

so maybe
you'll

wear them for the
last day of school.

Is it true what they say
about your dad?

That he's
the devil incarnate?

I stand by my father.

Please stop crying.

You know, I was already
picturing Thanksgiving break

and you were gonna come home
on the train from Yale

and everyone would be here.

FP, Jughead, Jellybean,

you, Charles, Polly,
and the twins.

Yeah, that would have
been nice.

Now it's just
gonna be me, alone.

Hey, even if it's
just you and me

having turkey meatloaf
at Pop's,

I will be here
for Thanksgiving, okay?

And Christmas.
And whenever you need me.

I love you so much, Elizabeth.

I love you too, Mom.

Seventy-five years ago, the
first senior class of Riverdale High

buried a time capsule
just before they graduated.

And now, as our seniors prepare
for their own graduation,

it's time to open it.

Ladies.

A copy of
The Riverdale Register

from June 12, 1945.

The Blue and Gold
also from that same year.

This one's for Jughead.

A Pop's menu from when
hamburgers only cost 15 cents.

Baseball card of
Ambrose "The Rocket" Pipps,

Riverdale's hometown hero.

Comic book.

And lastly,

a photo of four seniors

and it's written here
that this was taken

days before the boys
headed off to war.

All of these items will be
on display in the hallway

for closer inspection
during graduation week.

And, fellow seniors,

enjoy your last day
of high school.

Guys, doesn't this
feel so weird?

Like this is the last time
we'll all be hanging out

- in the lounge together.
- Hmm.

Except for reunions?

Yeah, and Homecoming, Kev.

It just won't be the same.

What exactly
are we waiting for again?

Hot off the presses, chums.

Oh, year books.

But Honey banned those,
didn't he?

Yes, but Mr. Honey is gone.

Brava, well done, ladies.

This is amazing.

There's even an entire page
dedicated to The Serpents.

And a shout out
to the Pretty Poisons.

And the musicals.

Despite the fact that...

Archie Andrews
and Jughead Jones

to the principal's office.

Archie Andrews
and Jughead Jones

to the principal's office.

Dead teens walking.

Guess who's graduating?

Holy crap, you're a legend.

- Phew!
- What about summer school?

No more pencils, no more books,
no more teachers' dirty looks.

I'm happy for you, Jug.

Archie, he's ready for you.

It's gonna be all right.

- All right?
- Yeah.

I get no pleasure in
telling you this, Mr. Andrews,

but despite your efforts,

you will not be graduating
with your classmates.

So it's summer school
for me, then?

Unfortunately, that's
not going to be enough.

You'll have to
repeat your senior year.

I understand this is a shock,

but no one is going to hold
this year against you, Archie.

I appreciate
you saying that, sir.

Uh,
can I still...

Walk with your classmates?

Of course you can.

In fact,

though it's last minute,

I was hoping you might record
the graduation song for us.

Yeah, I'd be happy to, sir.

What's the verdict?
Summer school, yay or nay?

Summer school as expected.

But Weatherbee's letting me

walk at graduation
with you guys.

And I'll have my diploma
by the end of June.

That's a relief.

Now you can enjoy
the last day of school with us.

Yeah, definitely.

Working on your speech?

Mmm-hmm.

Well, don't keep me
in suspense.

What's it about?

Well, considering
I haven't written any of it,

I guess you'll just
have to wait and see.

Oh, I'm sure you'll crack it.

You always do.

Ronnie, what's going on?

I was cleaning out
my room

and I came across
some choice items

that you've left
over the past three years,

and I wanted to
give it back to you.

Oh.

Also, despite everything
that's happened between us,

I wanted to be
with you tonight...

if only for one last time.

Is that crazy?

No, not at all.

In fact, I can't think of anything
I want more in this moment.

At school yesterday,

I spied you
looking at that picture

from the time capsule.

What gives?

I was just wondering what...

what must have been
going through their minds.

Most of their classmates
were heading to college

or into their
family businesses.

These guys were going off
to fight a war.

You're not getting
any crazy ideas, are you?

Not unless you consider
summer school crazy.

Hey, I was thinking, uh,
after graduation, I'd...

go to Toledo
with you and Jellybean.

No. Uh-uh.

Well, you said it yourself,

family is what's
most important right now.

You're the first Jones man
to get into college.

You're going to college.

And you're old enough to be
on your own. You understand,

right, boy?

And this,

Nana, has been my locker

since the end
of sophomore year.

Hmm. It's a lot nicer

than the one you had
at Southside High.

But all your things are
still in it, Antoinette.

I know.

I'll clean it out
over the weekend.

A lot of special memories
with a lot of special people.

Including my girlfriend.

We're so incredibly
proud of you, Toni.

The whole family is.

You've honored the Topaz name.

- You okay?
- Yeah, I'm okay, Mom.

I'm just missing Dad.

I wish he was here.

Here's here, honey.

He's here.

Ladies and gentlemen,

it imbues me
with such pride and joy,

to invite to the stage

the senior class's
valedictorian,

Miss Elizabeth Cooper.

Hi.

I admit I've been struggling

with what I wanted
to say today.

High school is supposed to be
this amazing, safe time.

But our years were co-opted
with heartache and drama...

and even death.

And it's not fair

that so many of our classmates
aren't here

to walk with us today.

And it's not right
that some of our parents

aren't here to watch
those of us who are.

Those younger than us
have known no Riverdale

other than the one
steeped in violence.

Our class is lucky enough
to remember a time

before the era of tragedy,

when this was just a small,

sleepy, slightly boring town.

That's the Riverdale
I wish upon the generation

coming up behind us

and the one I want us,

our class to remember
as we head into the future.

So, please,

stay young

for as long as you can.

Stay innocent
for as long as possible,

even if it's only
for one more moment.

Thank you.

♪ Another turning point ♪

♪ A fork stuck in the road ♪

♪ Time grabs you by the wrist ♪

♪ Directs you where to go ♪

♪ So make the best
Of this test ♪

♪ And don't ask why ♪

♪ It's not a question
But a lesson learned in time ♪

♪ It's something
Unpredictable ♪

♪ But in the end, it's right ♪

♪ I hope you had
The time of your life ♪

♪ So take the photographs
And still frames in your mind ♪

♪ Hang it on a shelf
In good health in good time ♪

♪ Tattoos of memories
And dead skin on trial ♪

♪ For what it's worth,
It was worth all the while ♪

♪ It's something
Unpredictable ♪

♪ But in the end, it's right ♪

♪ I hope you had
The time of your life ♪

♪ It's something
Unpredictable ♪

♪ But in the end, it's right ♪

♪ I hope you had
The time of your life ♪

Cheryl, Cheryl!

Mother?

What's going on?

Well, I wasn't about to miss
my only child's graduation,

so I snuck in the back
at the last minute.

Also, I wanted to tell you

about a decision
that I've made.

With you being
a grown woman now,

I'm going to turn myself
over to the authorities

to pay for, well, some
of the crimes I've committed.

What? But, Mumzie,

you're a hothouse flower.

I've spoken to Hiram Lodge.

He's promised to take
proper care of me

in his private jail.

And with good behavior,

I may even be out in time

to see you graduate
from Highsmith College.

Mumzie, if that's
even happening.

Nightmare child,
what do you mean?

Got to hit the road if we
want to make it by sundown.

Dad.

Boy, I know you would have
given up Iowa for Jellybean

and I promise you she's gonna
know it too, but...

you going to college,

being a success,

that's good for us Joneses.

I love you.

I love you too, Jug.

So is this it?

The end of our story?

God, I hope not.

But, you know, for now...

I know.

I know what you have to do.
And I love you for it.

It's not too late, is it?

No, it's not too late.

And we're happy
to discuss options with you,

but this isn't a decision
to be taken lightly.

I understand. I'd love to hear
what you have to say.

Hey, Pop,

can I grab a clean menu?

It's for something
Betty has planned.

I've been doing this
a long time.

It's never easy watching
you kids head off to college.

Which reminds me, Pop,

the paperwork's
coming your way,

but the gist of it is

I'm signing over
full ownership

of Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe Diner
to you.

Veronica,

I don't know what to say...

except
thank you.

You know, it's funny,

when I first came to Riverdale,

I never imagined
I would call it home, ever.

And then I came here...

to Pop's

and that's exactly
what it felt like.

Home.

Did everyone bring an item?

I am putting in today's copy

The Riverdale Register
The Blue and Gold,

my last edition
as editor-in-chief.

And a bobby pin
in case anyone needs it.

I'm putting in a football
signed by all of the Bulldogs.

Long may they roar.

I'm putting in a Pop's menu

and a La Bonne Nuit matchbook.

I'm putting in
programs for my musicals

as well as a pair
of Josie's cat ears.

I wish she was here with us.

Oh, HBIC shirt,

I found no one
deserving of you.

Therefore, toodles.

The Pretty Poisons were fun,

but, uh, I'm gonna keep
my Serpent jacket

'cause I'll always
be one at heart.

Well, it's getting pretty full
in there, but...

Finally.

Putting in a guitar pick

and a hammer
from my dad's toolbox.

You guys
are the best friends

anyone could ask for.

Uh-oh. Sounds like
another vow is coming on.

So let's make vow. Really.

The four of us right now.

That in one year,

no matter what's going on
in our lives,

we'll meet back at Pop's.

One year from today.

And every year
after that. Deal?

Deal.

Good.

Okay.

There's...
There's something else.

Dramatique
this evening, Archie.

I'm joining the army.

I know it's sudden.

But I enlisted

and I leave for basic training
in the morning.

It's kind of
the same plan I had

going to the Naval Academy.

Hardly.

In fact, it's nothing
like the Naval Academy.

I can get
my high school degree

without repeating senior year,

which I was gonna have to do.

I'd be set up for college.

Look, guys,

for the first time
in a long time,

I don't feel scared

or uncertain about my future.

Well, if that's what you feel

is the right thing
for you, Arch, then...

Sorry, but no.

I won't sit here
and support this.

Wait, Ronnie.

Wait. Wait, Ronnie.

You do know
there's a war going on, right?

Of course.

You don't have a plan.

And I get that that's scary.
But this...

This is straight-up lunacy,
Archie,

and I won't indulge it.

Ronnie.

Toni, I have something
to tell you,

and it's not going to be easy.

I'm not going
to Highsmith College.

I'm confused.

Because it doesn't
have cheerleading?

That, and...

it just doesn't
feel right anymore.

If you don't go,
I'm not going.

No, you must.

You will thrive there.

But I have to fix things here.

What are you talking about?
What things?

The Blossom family name
conjures a horror show

in this town,
and rightfully so.

But now that I have control of
the maple factory and groves,

I have a chance
to lift up this town

and rehabilitate
our Blossom family legacy.

But I need to be here,

where the damage was done.

If this is about my nana,

you need to get that
out of your mind.

She's starting to come around.

Hell, she even asked me

if we were gonna be living
in the same dorm room

so she could
send us care packages.

That's progress, right?

Toni.

You know I love you
with every ounce of my soul.

But I don't want you
to have to choose

between your family and me.

And perhaps, if I'm successful,
you won't have to...

and we can be together
with their full blessing.

But...

in the meantime...

Don't say it.

I don't want
to hear you say it.

Then you never shall.

How's Veronica doing?

Confused, angry, worried.

Yeah, makes sense.

Don't you think
it's crazy that

she had no idea what Archie
was planning to do?

I don't know,
maybe it's just me,

but... it kind of seems
like the two of them

have been squirrelly
since prom.

Did you notice that?

I just don't know
what the problem could be.

What could have
got them derailed?

I think I may know
what happened, Jug.

I have to tell you something.

Oh, no.

During
Hedwig,

Archie and I kissed.

Once, only once. I swear.

And I'm guessing
Archie told Veronica,

and that's why
they've been acting so weird.

I didn't tell you, Jug,
and I'm so sorry.

I should have told you

right when it happened.
I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

All right,
I better get going

if I'm gonna get Archie
to the bus stop.

Yeah, I should go see
and be with Veronica.

Hey, when I get back, can we...

talk about us?

Yeah, of course.

I love you, Jug.

I love you, too, Betty.

- Ready to go?
- Yeah, just about.

Hey, come here.

Be a good boy, okay?

Look after Mom.
I love you, buddy.

I love you, Mom.

I love you.

Thank you for everything.

Hey.

I have to apologize to you
about something.

I know, Bee.

And I'm not mad at you.

I can't be. Not today.

I'm

too upset.

I'm sorry.

Listen, Jug.

Before I leave,
I have to tell you something.

Archie, I know.

About you and Betty?
She told me.

It's okay.

Seriously?

Yeah, seriously.

I know neither of you did it
to hurt me or Veronica.

Maybe a little
normal high-school angst

is good for us.

So, yeah, we're okay.

Seriously, we always will be.

I feel so responsible

for what's happening
between you and Archie.

It's not that, Betty. It's not.

It's how it's all ending.

So sudden and unresolved.

I wish I had
said goodbye to him.

You know?

More than anything,
I wish...

I wish I had hugged him
one more time.

Then, let's do that.

His bus may not have left yet.

I know exactly how
we're gonna get there.

- Guys?
- Jughead, where's Archie?

The bus left like a minute ago.
He's gone.

Well, not yet, he's not.
Get in.

♪ Will you follow me
Into the dark ♪

♪ Will you follow me
Into the dark ♪

♪ If you lose it all... ♪

I just... I love you, Ronnie.

♪ Will you follow me
Into the dark... ♪

I love you, Archie!

I love you, too, Ronnie.

Sir, can you pull the bus over?
Please?

It's my girl and my friends.

You stay safe,
Archie Andrews.

I mean it.

I will.

I love you.

I love you.

Later, bro.

Don't "bro" me.

See you in a year, Arch.

See you in a year, Betty.

♪ Will you follow me ♪

♪ Follow me, follow me ♪

♪ Follow me, follow me ♪

We'll rebuild here, Nana.

And not just our
ancestral mansion, Thornhill,

which I burned down
in my youth,

but the Blossom name

and legacy.

Once Archie had left,

it was as if the glue
that held our group together

had begun to dissolve.

First to go was Veronica.

Guys, I'm gonna
take a little time off

before school starts.

Spend the summer

with my mom and Andy Cohen
in the Hamptons.

Your mom will love that.

She was gone within a week.

As for Betty and me,
things had changed.

We never talked
about her and Archie,

about the growing distance
between us.

Not even when she announced...

I'm going
to New Haven early.

My mom and I
are taking a road trip

before she drops me off.

You guys deserve the R-and-R.

What's gonna happen to us?

I still love you.

I'll always love you.

I'll always love you, too.

But for now,
you should focus on Yale,

and I'll focus on Iowa.

After Betty left,

it didn't feel right to keep
living at the Coopers' anymore.

So, I moved
into Archie's house,

which was empty
for the time being,

waiting to be sold.

Then they cut the electricity.

Which was fine, but,
then the gas was shut down

and with it the hot water.

So, I sought refuge in a place
I knew all too well.

Honey? I'm home.

I stayed there until August,

when it was finally time
for me to go

where no Jones man
had gone before.

College.

But I couldn't leave town
without one last burger.

I'm gonna miss seeing you
in here every day.

I'm gonna miss you, too, Pop.

As I paid the check and headed
towards my future, I wondered...

would we keep the vow
that we made on the bleachers,

to return home to our booth
at Pop's one year later?

Only time would tell.

♪ I can't blame myself
For loving you the way... ♪

Another refill, Jug?

Uh, no, I'm good.
I think it's time I take off.

I'm sorry they didn't make it.

They're probably just busy.

Yeah, probably.

♪ You're nonchalant
And kind of wild... ♪

♪ I can't blame myself
For falling in love with you ♪

♪ So love me now... ♪

It would be six years
before I saw my friends again.

We'd be different people,

each of us,

brought together by, of course,

a new crisis and mystery.

But that's another story

for another day.

Sync corrections by srjanapala