Riverdale mourns the death of Midge as the Black Hood makes his dramatic return.

In The CW’s Riverdale 2×19, Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) announces that the Vixens will not stop until Midge’s (Emilija Baranac) murderer is brought to justice. Hermione (Marisol Nichols) recruits Cheryl to take down Sheriff Keller (Martin Cummins) for his incompetence regarding the Black Hood. Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) become suspicious of Chic’s (Hart Denton) motives for coming to Riverdale. They theorize that the Black Hood is working with an accomplice and investigate Chic’s background at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy to see if there’s any connection. Betty and Jughead uncover an unexpected secret about Chic. Betty, Jughead, and Alice (Mädchen Amick) confront Chic about his past and the Black Hood calls Betty to play his game of psychological torture.

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Archie (KJ Apa) is on edge regarding the Black Hood’s return and worries about everyone that was targeted in the past. In his attempt to uncover more information, he gets captured by mysterious figures in black! Nick (Graham Phillips) captures Archie to seek retribution for Archie beating on him before. Nick holds Archie for ransom as he calls Veronica (Camila Mendes) to demand one million dollars for her boyfriend’s safe return. Veronica leans on Hermione and Hiram (Mark Consuelos) to assist her in getting Archie back, but unbeknownst to her, her parents aren’t willing to set a precedence by exposing their weakness for Veronica’s boyfriend. Veronica takes matters into her own hands and forms her own plan to get Archie back.

Here to discuss the Black Hood’s return, Chic impersonating Alice’s real son, Veronica’s plan to deal with Nick, and more is our Riverdale roundtable:

Yari (@msluvchocolate) – Fangirl before it was cool. My favorite quote is “Live long and prosper… Peace and long life.”

Łukasz (@CiesielL) – Student, geek, pop culture enthusiast, #BugheadIsEndgame

Rachelle (@hombriarachelle) – Fangirl, one direction, and kali <3

Stacey (@StaceyONeale) – Multi-published author of young adult and adult fantasy, and a contributor for TV After Dark

Heather (@xoheatherkw) – Senior microbiologist, writer for TV After Dark, dog mom, and fangirl extraordinaire

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1. Cheryl threatened Sheriff Keller and vowed that the Vixens will not rest until Midge’s murderer is brought to justice. What were your thoughts on her article calling out the Sheriff?

Yari (@msluvchocolate): Cheryl is out for justice. She is determined to get it however she can. Cheryl had every right to write the article. Was is it fair? Probably not, but she had to do it even though she was prompted by Hermione. Now, where can I find these articles?

Łukasz (@CiesielL): I think that Sheriff Keller is quite incompetent. I mean this whole time a bunch of teens are doing his job. So I think Cheryl taking matters into her own hands is a good thing. I do feel bad for him, though. It’s not like he was intentionally doing a bad job.

Rachelle (@hombriarachelle): I think that Sheriff is doing his best and the article is a way to bring him down.

Stacey (@StaceyONeale): He hasn’t done much as a sheriff. High school teens are solving the crimes in Riverdale. I mean, I get it. I thought the letter was a bit over-dramatized, but that’s Cheryl.

Heather (@xoheatherkw): Cheryl is looking for someone to blame. I do believe Sheriff Keller is doing the best he can, but they probably don’t have the resources to conduct a proper investigation into the identity of the Black Hood. Sheriff Keller should have called in for backup from the FBI or another agency when he knew he was in over his head. If anything, Cheryl’s article made him realize that someone else might be better suited to solve this mystery.

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2. The return of the Black Hood may impact the mayoral election. Has your guess for the winner of the election changed? Why or why not?

Yari: I think it could still be Fred but now by a small margin. Hermione is already making sure she gets her point out.

Łukasz: I think Fred should win. It would be a much better solution for the town and its citizens. When it comes to Keller, I do think they should hire someone else to catch the Black Hood, but I don’t think they should fire Keller.

Rachelle: My guess hasn’t changed. I still think Fred will win the election. I don’t really think, or want, Hermione to be the mayor.

Stacey: Hermione is playing the smarter game by feeding into the town’s outrage over the Black Hood. Fred isn’t much of a contender because he’ll try to win the honest way. Hermione will do whatever it takes to win so she probably will.

Heather: I’ve been rooting for Fred to win. We’ve seen that the Lodges will stop at nothing to get what they want, and I think it would be eye-opening for them to see that money can’t buy everything. The Black Hood’s return could tip the scales in Hermione’s favor though if Fred stands by Sheriff Keller and doesn’t acknowledge the mistakes in his investigation of Svenson.

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3. Team Bughead investigated Chic’s past and found out he isn’t who we thought he was. What do you think his motives were for impersonating Charles?

Yari: Chic was about getting whatever he wanted from the Coopers. He saw the desperation on Alice’s face when she came looking for her son and thought it was payday for him. And he got it. I just wonder how long it would have continued if he didn’t get caught?

Łukasz: I really have no idea. Maybe he just wanted a free and safe place to crash. He must’ve known the truth will eventually come out.

Rachelle: Honestly, I don’t know. I can’t think what Chic’s reason would be to do that.

Stacey: He was living in a dump motel. I’d say he just wanted a better life.

Heather: He likely wanted a way to get out of his circumstances. If he really was close to Charles, he could have wanted to make Alice realize the error in turning away her son.

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4. Nick thought he would turn the tables on Archie by kidnapping him but was held for ransom instead. What were your thoughts on Veronica’s plan to deal with Nick?

Yari: You would have thought that having your legs broken and some guy beating you up while said legs were broken would deter you from seeking revenge from the Lodges. So what happened to Nick was exactly what he deserved. I knew Veronica had a plan. She is her father’s daughter after all.

Łukasz: It was kind of predictable. I’ve seen it coming. It was very satisfying seeing Nick knocked out by his own drugs though. I like how she handled things with him.

Rachelle: First, I thought Veronica would do what Nick wanted. But I’m surprised that she turned the tables on Nick!

Stacey: I believe Veronica will regret what she did. You don’t mess with the mob and walk away. I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last from that family.

Heather: Nick deserves much worse than what Veronica did to him. I’m impressed that Veronica used her ingenuity and quick thinking to get back at Nick. I hope that’s the last we’ll see of him!

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5. Betty made a deal with the devil– the Black Hood. What were your thoughts on her turning over Chic to him?

Yari: Betty wanted Chic gone however she could get it. Giving Chic over to the Black Hood let her mother and her off the hook.

Łukasz: Betty is getting more surprising by the minute. I’m happy she did what she did, but I wonder what the repercussions will be for her.

Rachelle: I think it was a really good idea because I really do think Betty’s dad is the Black Hood.

Stacey: I thought that was a smart move. Chic is unstable. He would rat them out to the police in a minute. If the Black Hood kills him, the Cooper family is in the clear. I would’ve done the same thing.

Heather: I was surprised that Betty handed him over so easily. Although I think she made the best call for her family because if the Black Hood removed Chic from the picture, then there would be no one to reveal what happened to the shady man’s murder and subsequent cover-up.

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6. The Black Hood is back and seeking justice against sinners. Who is your current guess for the identity of the Black Hood?

Yari: It’s not Hal. That’s what they’re trying to imply. Not sure, because I thought I knew. Now I’m baffled like everyone else!

Łukasz: I mean the most obvious one is definitely Hal, but I really don’t see his motive in all of this. Is Hal really that much of a monster to kill a teenager and make a show out of it, like The Black Hood did in the musical episode? Also maybe Claudius, but I don’t know… another Blossom as a major killer? I am really not sure.

Rachelle: I think Hal Cooper is the Black Hood.

Stacey: They hinted that it was Hal Cooper which I why I don’t believe it’s him. It’s never who they suggest. I’m starting to think it’s more than one person. It would be funny if it ended up being two teens like the movie Scream, especially since Skeet Ulrich was one of the killers in that movie.

Heather: The show set up Hal as a possible suspect for the Black Hood when he went out looking for Betty. But I don’t think it’s Hal. I’m not sure who the Black Hood could be. Maybe it’s someone we haven’t seen yet.

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7. This episode was full of shocking reveals. Which one took you by surprise the most?

Yari: I think I was surprised by how Hiram wasn’t willing to help Archie. Then I got over it.

Łukasz: The most shocking reveal to me was that Ethel actually made all of those letters back in the musical episode. That really makes her a suspect! When it comes to the rest of the reveals, although they were major and very important, they weren’t very shocking or surprising to me. All the fan theories pretty much covered it before.

Rachelle: It was most shocking to me that Alice had a child with FP!

Stacey: I wasn’t surprised that FP was the father of Alice’s baby, but I am surprised Charles is dead. I thought they’d bring him in next season. That would add an uncomfortable twist to Jughead and Betty’s relationship. I hope Chic lied and he’s not dead.

Heather: I was surprised that Betty handed over Chic to the Black Hood, and didn’t divulge that the Black Hood has been in contact with her. I was also shocked that Chic was really an imposter!

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Final Verdict: Riverdale is full of twists and turns!

The Black Hood admits that he set up Svenson for the fall earlier this season. After Betty and Jughead discover that Chic is really an imposter, they confront him and find out that Betty’s actual brother died, allegedly of an overdose. The Coopers are in a tough spot as Chic could reveal the murder and cover-up that occurred at their house. So, Betty gives in to the Black Hood’s request to hand over Chic. We finally find out the father of Alice’s son when she went to confess to FP (Skeet Ulrich). Fueled with rage for Nick setting up his “date” with Veronica, Archie breaks free of his capture. Archie and Veronica have a heartwarming reunion as Veronica gives Nick a taste of his own medicine and roofies him. We always knew Veronica is not to be reckoned with, but she proves it yet again in her plans to go behind her parents’ wishes and deals with Nick herself.

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One of the most shocking reveals is that Betty is keeping her contact with the Black Hood a secret from those closest to her. That didn’t work well the last time, so it’s surprising that she didn’t lean on Jughead or her family this time around. We can only hope that she opens up to someone in the coming episodes. Did you catch the comment Hiram made about Archie not being blood and Hermione’s response that they would come after Veronica next? Could Veronica’s father be someone other than Hiram? We have to wait and see if that will be explored in the remainder of this season.

In the next episode, Betty and Cheryl are seen identifying a body, but the audience isn’t privy to their identity just yet. The town continues to deal with the Black Hood’s return as he threatens sinners in Riverdale. We don’t have to wait long for answers because Riverdale returns in just one week!

Riverdale returns Wednesday, May 2nd at 8/7c on The CW