06x11 - Chapter One Hundred and Six: Angels in America

[bunniefuu]

[Jughead] Every town has
that one special place

where its community comes together.

In Riverdale, that place
is Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe,

a home away from home.

But the diner has had a
secret history as well.

Across the decades,
it has been a battleground.

Wars fought at Pop's have
shaped the town's identity.

And, lo and behold,
another battle was brewing.

[Alice on TV] It is my great
pleasure to introduce

a dedicated council member,

selfless philanthropist,

and successful businessman,
Percival Pickens.

Welcome, Percival.

Thank you, Alice. Delighted to be here.

[Alice chuckles]
So it's my understanding

that you have a game-changing
announcement

for the future of our fair town.

That's right, Alice.

I've been putting together a project

that I hope will galvanize
and revitalize Riverdale.

A new privately-owned railway

that will drive right through
the heart of Riverdale,

bringing with it much-needed
jobs, tourism, and revenue.

What does he mean by "through
the heart of Riverdale?"

[Alice] So, would this rail
line have an official stop here

- in Riverdale?
- [Percival] Oh, absolutely, Alice.

Are you familiar with
Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe?

- [Alice] Mm.
- Well, that would be

the most ideal central
location for a station.

It would mean bidding adieu to
Pop's, but progress demands it.

I will never sell the
diner to you, ever.

Well, that is disappointing.

I had hoped that as a council member,

you'd be able to put
Riverdale's best interests

above your own personal, craven ones.

Are you honestly going to
deny the economic, social,

not to mention labor benefits, this
project would bring to our town?

To favor a diner that...

let's be honest,
is well past it's heyday.

I don't know what your angle is
with this sham train project,

but the only person
it will benefit is you.

Hmm.

Well, your neighbors
may feel differently.

They, in fact, may want you to
do what's best for the town...

[distorting] and sell me that land.

Hmm.

Again, never.

[Percival] Hmm.

Archie, we can't let Percival do this.

Pop's is my family's legacy.

The first Black-owned
business in Riverdale.

We have to fight him.

Tabitha, I can't go up
against Percival right now.

All right? He pummeled my ass.

He knows my weakness. So I'm sorry.

Until I come up with a
workaround, I gotta lay low.

[sighs]

[Betty] You need to
keep away from Percival.

We all do. He's dangerous.

He can get inside your head.
Get you to do things for him.

And no matter what, never ever
be alone in a room with him.

You heard what Percival
said on TV, Toni.

He's coming for Pop's now.
And if he's coming for Pop's,

then he's coming for the Whyte Wyrm too.

Not exactly.

He's claiming that his new station
wouldn't affect the Whyte Wyrm.

He's building above us, where Pop's is,

but supposedly we wouldn't
need to shut down for a day.

Not that I believe him.

[sighs]

I'll support you in whatever
way you need, Tabitha,

but devil's advocate?

Your satellite Pop's is doing
gangbusters business for us.

Why not take the money
Percival's offering you

and re-open a new and improved diner

in a much better, safer location?

[Cheryl] Dearest Tab-Tab...

though I've missed most of
Percival's antics to date,

I do agree he is a scourge on this town,

as all Pickens men are.

I will help you destroy him.

Great.

Just as soon as I learn
to control certain skills

I've been developing.

I'm rather a work-in-progress,
as they say, but I am getting there.

[exhales]

[sighs]

Ah.

Kevin.

- What news?
- Just as you predicted,

Tabitha is trying to rally support
for the Chock'lit Shoppe.

Not getting much traction, I'm hearing.

Well, not yet, but she's tenacious.

Ultimately, she won't
be able to stop me,

but she might slow me down.

That would be annoying.

- Totally.
- Mm.

Oh, well...

I gave her a fair chance.

[Tabitha] Percival's
painted me into a corner.

To the point where there's a part
of me that's started to wonder

is it possible his proposal is
actually what's best for the town?

[Jughead] No. No way.

Pop's has endured for a reason.

It's Riverdale's anchor.

People may have forgotten
about that, but it's true.

Yes, but if you ask those same people

what would benefit the town more,

Pop's staying open, or a
bright, shiny new railroad,

it's hard to argue.

Not to mention, how can I fight him

if I don't have anyone's support?

- [dishes clinking]
- You do have support. I support you.

[suspenseful music]

How did you know I was thinking that?

I didn't say anything.

Uh...

You answered a direct question
that I was only thinking.

Jughead, what's going on?

And don't say "nothing"

because weird stuff has been
happening for a while now.

Yeah.

All right. Yeah.

I have something to tell you.

[intense music]

Okay, so you can read thoughts.

Betty can see threatening auras.

Archie is invulnerable unless he
comes into contact with palladium.

Cheryl is a fire starter,

and Percival can control people's minds?

[Jughead] Yes. But he
didn't manipulate you...

which is interesting.

This all makes a twisted kind
of sense, and not just with you,

but just given all of the interactions
I've been having lately.

But... Look, I have an idea for
how to make the diner bulletproof.

I tried it back in the day

when they were trying to
tear down the drive-in.

We declare Pop's a
historical landmark, right?

Then they can't bulldoze it.

I mean, wouldn't... wouldn't Percival

and the council just block that?

No, you apply for landmark
status at a state level,

so it has nothing to do with him.

All we have to do is prove

that Pop's has some
historical significance.

[Pop] This should get you started.

It's a box of keepsakes and memorabilia

that document the diner's
history over the decades.

If there's an argument to be made

that Pop's is a historic
landmark worth saving,

it's in that box.

This is incredible. Thank you, Pop.

[Pop] Yeah.

Oh, my gosh.

[chuckles]

This is a copy of The Green Book.

Once a safe haven, always a safe haven.

Hey. While we work,

how about a grilled cheese
and tomato soup for dinner?

Yeah, that's great.

Tabitha, this box that Pop
gave us is like a time machine.

Every significant event in Riverdale
happened here at Pop's.

Moral crises, national tragedies,

they all took place inside these booths.

The Rockland County historical society

is not going to deny our application.

That's great news.

[diner bell jangles]

[sinister music]

[g*n fires]

["Jingle Bells" by Glenn Miller
and His Orchestra playing]

_

[Titus] Hey, Teresa.

We got 'em.

[chuckles]

- Why did you just call me Teresa?
- Oh, I still can't believe

that Pop's made it into The Green Book.

- [taps]
- [Tabitha] Oh.

[Titus chuckles]

- _
- [dramatic music]

Hey, you mind setting these out?

Huh.

Jughead!

What the hell is going on?

Where are we?

When are we? Is it really ?

Yes, Tabitha. It's .

The world is at w*r, and Titus
Tate... is your great grandfather.

Why did he call me Teresa?

Why is he acting like he knows me?

It's how his mind is comprehending
your sudden appearance.

And also, I'm not Jughead. I'm an angel.

I'm your guardian angel.

An angel who just happens
to look like my boyfriend?

Well, I've assumed this form

because it's someone that
you're comfortable with,

and someone you trust.

If you saw my real
form in all its glory,

you'd lose your mind and go insane.

I'm one of the good guys.

My name is Raphael.

Wait, is your name...
is your name Raphael?

It is.

The real Jughead is back in your time,

by your bedside in the hospital.

I... I remember Jughead and I were here,

researching the diner when
some stranger came in...

with a g*n. He sh*t me.

Jughead raced you to the hospital.

You're now on life support.

If you are my guardian angel,

where have you been all my life?

Near you.

We're only allowed to show ourselves

in times of cataclysmic events

or extreme cosmic significance.

This qualifies.

So, how or why did getting
sh*t catapult me to ?

And how do I get back to
the present? My present?

I don't have all the answers.

Only the Almighty does.

Why don't you read this?

_

Okay. So, according to this book,

I might be something
called "chrono-kinetic."

Meaning you're a time traveler.

Before I came here, Jughead told me

that the expl*si*n under Archie's bed,

the shock of it had unlocked
certain abilities in him,

and Betty, and Archie.

So, what if the trauma of getting
sh*t unlocked my gift too?

Sounds like a very plausible theory.

Except I didn't do it consciously.

It was like a reflex.

The b*llet hit me, and it...
and it triggered a time jump.

But... why to ?

Maybe you're needed here.

For a mission.

Well, the book didn't say
anything about a mission,

but it did say I need a totem,

a talisman, an object
that I can focus on

in order to hone my power to control it.

And if I can do that,

I might be able to will myself
to return to my own time.

So what's your totem?

I have no clue.

But it would have to be
an object of symbolic,

mythic, or religious power,

to me or the world.

Sounds like you could
be searching for years

for a needle in a haystack.

Why don't you focus?

On why you're here.

My mission.

Though you can't or
won't tell me what it is.

Teresa, are you coming with me?

Uh, where?

To the community meeting
at the high school.

To determine if Riverdale should
become a sundown town or not.

Come on. This will decide our future.

Titus didn't see you?

No one can see me except you.

And this... meeting...

this is probably my mission, right?

Sounds a lot like it to me. Yeah.

Thank you all for coming
this close to the holiday.

I know that this is a contentious issue,

and I wanted to give people the
chance to be able to be heard

before I make my decision.

So I'd like to begin
with Sheriff Perkins.

Now, you believe that if Riverdale
was to become a sundown town,

that this would cut down on crime?

Yes, Mayor Keller, I do.

I mean, just look at Greendale,
Centerville, Seaside.

Their crime rates plummeted %
once they became sundown towns.

Sheriff Perkins, I think we'd
all appreciate knowing exactly

what these sundown laws entail.

Well, it's quite simple,
Principal Cooper.

All black people, citizens or otherwise,

must be outside the
town limits by sundown.

If they aren't, then they'll
be treated as trespassers.

You can't possibly be considering this.

Besides the fact that you're making
the completely r*cist assumption

that only Black people commit crimes.

What about all the
Black families in town?

The Black-owned businesses?
What are they supposed to do?

How are they going to survive?

Well, I don't believe we've
had the pleasure, miss...

but if certain groups of people

can't abide by this fairly
straightforward law

maybe those people ought
to move to a different town.

Like hell.

I did not fight in a w*r
to defend this country,

to come back to a town
where people, any people,

are not free and welcome to come
and go as their God-given right.

Thank you, Archie.

It's Artie, miss.

And not to mention five of the men

in my fire department are Black.

Now, they're friends of mine.

- They've saved countless of our lives.
- [Mayor Keller] Fire Chief Andrews

and Sheriff Perkins, I'll tell you what.

Clearly I have a lot to think
about from this evening.

So, if I suggest, you know,
take a step back,

reconvene in the New Year,

and we'll settle this difficult
matter once and for all.

How does that sound?

Something is seriously messed up here.

To my knowledge, Riverdale
was never a sundown town.

It's almost like someone is
trying to rewrite its history.

And I think I know who.

Sheriff Perkins.

He has a counterpart in
my time, Percival Pickens.

And he is evil.

What if I'm meant to stop him?

To derail his plans.

Maybe that's why you were sent here.

To this specific moment in time.

[frantic knocking on door]
We need help. We need help.

We have a child. Please,
they're coming for us.

We need help. We have a child.

[baby crying]

Thank you.

- There you go.
- Oh, thank you.

[baby fusses]

Our car ran out of gas while we
were driving through Centerville,

just as it was starting to get dark.

Centreville's a sundown town.

We almost got caught by the police,
but we escaped into the woods.

And then we remembered this diner.

We'd read about it in The Green Book.

So we walked here,

avoiding the roads.

Do you think we can
maybe stay here a while?

Just 'til the morning.

And then we'll go back to our
car, if it's even still there.

It's Christmas Eve.

Of course you can stay.

Thank you.

[sirens continue blaring]

Oh, my God.

[police sirens blaring]

It's okay.

Stay calm. I will go deal with them.

Sorry, gentlemen, but we're closed.

[Sheriff Perkins] We're not
here for milkshakes, Miss.

We understand you may be harboring
criminals in this establishment.

Our colleagues in Centerville
identified some trespassers

in their town after dark, gave pursuit.

Last they saw, the criminals
were headed this way.

Well, we don't have any criminals here.

Though we do have a young family.

But the last time I checked,

Riverdale was not yet a sundown town.

True, but Centerville is,

and they broke the law there,

so those trespassers are coming with us.

And we'd be happy to
come in and get 'em.

Do you have a warrant?

No, I do not.

Well, then, you're not stepping
foot inside this diner.

Because I know what happens
when people are arrested

for violating sundown laws.

They vanish, and worse.

Well, I think I'd like to
speak to your boss.

I'm right here.

[r*fle cocks]

And let me just reiterate,

no one is coming into my
diner without a warrant.

Well, in that case, if you don't mind,

we'll just wait here
while I radio Centerville,

have them draw up that arrest warrant.

It should be here first
thing in the morning,

and we'll conclude our business,
and justice will be done.

Radio Centerville, Deputy,
and, uh, settle in.

It's gonna be a long night.

We bought ourselves a few hours,

but the second that warrant arrives,

there's no stopping those lawmen
from forcing their way in here

and taking you all away.

What if we just snuck out the back

and made a dash through the woods?

I don't think we can do that, Flynn.

Baby Annie's asthmatic.

- What if she has an att*ck?
- [sighs]

We don't have her medicine.
We left it in the car.

Damn. What we need is
a Christmas miracle.

Yes.

That's exactly what we need.

I can't interfere directly.
It's one of the rules.

It's Christmas Eve. You're an angel.

Isn't this the one night of the year
you can and should get involved?

What would you have me do?

Something you said earlier.

That if I saw your real form,
it would drive me insane.

Did you mean that literally?

Yes.

Your eyes would start to bleed,

and your mind would snap in two.

Does that mean the sheriff's
mind would snap in two as well?

All right, I'll see what I can do.

Oh, thank you, Raphael. Thank you.

But just... give me a second.
I want to call Chief Andrews,

and then I will bring
everybody back here.

[Tabitha sighs]

Hey, I told them to hang
back away from the doors.

- You can't see this either.
- I won't.

And thank you, Raphael.

[doorbell jangles]

[men screaming]

Fire Chief Andrews is gonna
meet us and help get you home.

But we have to make a detour first.

What happened to them?

Come on, let's keep moving.

Titus will call and have them picked up.

[Tabitha] I thought you'd be here

burning the midnight oil, Mr. Mayor.

It has been a restless
Christmas Eve for me.

I didn't get a chance
to fully explain myself

at that meeting before.

So I thought I'd introduce
you to some friends.

This is Tracy, Flynn, and
their daughter, Annie.

Tonight, they were hunted
down like criminals,

for being caught in
Centerville after dark.

They are why you can't
let Sheriff Perkins

turn Riverdale into a sundown town.

It would cost Riverdale
its soul, Mr. Mayor.

- _
- [swing music]

That was Tracy.

She and Flynn and baby Annie
made it home safe and sound.

So I guess all's well that ends well.

But I have to tell you something.

My name's not actually
Teresa. It's Tabitha.

And you...

You're actually my...

[door opens]

You won't b*at me, so stop trying!

[g*nsh*t]

[Martin Luther King, Jr. on radio]
And you know, if I were standing...

at the beginning of time with
the possibility of taking...

a kind of general and panoramic view

of the whole of human
history up to now...

That's Dr. King.

His "Mountaintop" speech.

... and the Almighty said to me...

Which means today is April rd, ,

and tomorrow Dr. King's gonna be...

Going to be what, Tina?

I... I need to borrow some
money for the bus, Pop.

I need to stop something from happening.

[hissing]

Nothing from the mechanic yet?

Nope. And this is gonna take
him two, three hours to fix it.

Which means...

Well, we're not getting
to Memphis anytime soon.

Is there another bus I can take?

To Memphis? No, ma'am, this is it.

- [sighs]
- [ringing]

I know what you're trying to do.

Save Dr. King's life.

But as painful as it is, Tabitha,

there's nothing you can do about it.

I don't accept that, Raphael.

Betty once told me that the
FBI office in the Riverdale

opened up in the s.

Maybe they can help.

[telephone ringing]

Can we help you with something, ma'am?

[Tabitha] And if I tried
to call the Lorraine Motel?

Where I know Dr. King
is staying tonight?

The clerk wouldn't believe you,

or the line would cut out.

Or both.

This isn't right.

- Or just.
- I know.

But some events are
fixed points in time.

In history.

And sadly, this is one of them.

Certain incidents from the past

affected the fabric of
the world so enormously

that the universe won't
let them be altered.

So what do I do?

Is my mission Percival-related again?

You could try and find your talisman.

That's still out there.

I can't imagine that I'll be
able to focus on anything

other than what's gonna
happen tomorrow night.

I'll wait with you, then.

["I Wish It Would Rain" by
The Temptations playing]

[news broadcaster] Good evening.
We interrupt this broadcast

with a message from
Senator Robert Kennedy,

who is speaking to us from Indianapolis.

[Kennedy] I have some very
sad news for all of you,

and I think, uh, sad news for
all of our fellow citizens

and people who love
peace all over the world,

and that is that Martin Luther King
was sh*t and was k*lled tonight

- in Memphis, Tennessee.
- [people screaming in shock]

[plates shattering]

Grandpa.

[Kennedy] Martin Luther
King... dedicated his life

- ... to love and...
- [Tabitha sobbing]

[news broadcaster] Dr. King,
accompanied by fellow activists

- in support of the sanitation workers...
- What do we now?

Should we shut down the
diner out of respect?

I think that we should stay open.

I think people need to feel like
they're not alone right now.

Like they're part of a community.

[Tabitha sighs]

[Tabitha] And maybe things
will be better tomorrow.

- Can I help you with something?
- Morning.

How are you all holding up?

- We're just fine.
- Good. Good.

See you've got a full house in there.

Well, uh, there was terrible
rioting in Greendale,

Centerville and Seaside last night,

so effective immediately,

the mayor is declaring
a state of emergency,

banning all public gatherings in
Riverdale until further notice.

I need you to get all the people
out of this diner by : pm.

Nobody's rioting here.

People just wanna be together
right now to grieve and pray.

And since when does the
mayor give the FBI orders?

Mayor asked for our boss's help.

We were happy to oblige.

We'll be back at : pm.

You just have everyone
out of that diner by then.

- Or?
- Or we're gonna start arresting people.

Can I ask you something?

What the hell is your problem?

Someone who meant everything to
us was sh*t down in cold blood,

and all we're doing is listening to
the radio and talking peacefully.

What difference does it make to you?

We understand you and your friends
are very emotional right now.

We just wanna make sure those
emotions don't spill over into unrest.

v*olence, bloodshed.

You're like a powder keg in there.

Hate for it to blow.

What'd that piggy want?

To... keep us from gathering.

By enacting a curfew. We need
to clear out by : pm tonight,

or we'll all be arrested.

I heard a protester was b*at up
by police at Seaside last night.

- We need to do something.
- Yeah.

Like hit the streets
and raise some hell...

What right do they have to tell
us if we can gather or not?

They don't.

But we are not going to
play into their hands.

Because believe me, they are
looking for reasons to come at us.

What do you suggest we do, then?

Look, I know that agent.
He wants v*olence.

He wants bloodshed. Our blood.

He doesn't want us to gather peacefully

because he wants us scattered

and... and agitated, and out on her own,

looking for trouble

so that we are easy targets
for him and his thugs.

But we are not going
to fall into his trap.

At sundown, we are going
to be right here at Pop's.

Together.

Singing, and praying,
and having community.

You just said we'd all be arrested.

No, that's what he said.

I may have an idea to keep
that from happening.

One that agent Pierce, gave me himself.

This is Miss Tate, still holding
for director Hoover.

And I'm just confirming
you told Mr. Hoover

that I know all about his secret files.

- [receptionist] Please hold.
- [sighs]

J. Edgar Hoover.

Director of the FBI?

How did you get his number?

I called the main switchboard,

and I've been transferred
like ten times.

[dialing]

[Hoover] This is Hoover.
With whom am I speaking?

Director Hoover.

You don't know me,
but I know you very well.

For instance, I know that
you keep secret illegal files

on so called threats
to the American public.

Young lady, you are gravely mistaken.

Like the ones about the
Kennedy-Monroe affair.

This is absurd.

And, of course, the
especially juicy file

all about your boss,
President Lyndon Johnson.

Question. He doesn't know about
your secret files, does he?

Be a shame if he found out.

He'd probably be upset with you.

You'd never get to the President.

I got to you, didn't I?

- What do you want?
- Not much at all.

I just need you to muzzle a
very problematic agent of yours

in Riverdale.

Agent Perry Pierce.

[telephone ringing]

Yeah, this is Agent Pierce.

Director Hoover.

Uh, yes, sir. We were just about to go

and break up an illegal
gathering of violent indivi...

Are you sure, sir?

Yes, sir, I understand.

What did Director Hoover want?

He called it off.

Operation Turkey sh**t
has been cancelled.

Also, he fired me.

He fired you?

Why?

Someone must have gotten to him.

That agitator from the diner.

["Take My Hand, Precious Lord"
by Mahalia Jackson playing]

♪ Take my hand ♪

♪ Lead me on ♪

♪ Let me stand ♪

♪ I am tired... ♪

Keep going. Keep going.

Keep going.

Keep going.

♪ I am worn ♪

Was that my test? My mission?

Banishing Percival?
Keeping the diner open?

It seems like it to me.

Something awful might have
happened in Riverdale tonight.

And you stopped it.

I wish I could do more.

Well, maybe your mission is ongoing.

Tina, we're running low on ketchup.

Would you mind refreshing
a couple of bottles?

On it.

[clicking, whining, timer ticking]

- [intense music playing]
- Percival.

[expl*si*n]

Oh, there you are, Tessa.
Hurry, I need your help.

Why? What happened?

Someone spray-painted
something awful on the diner.

[Tabitha] I don't understand.

- What's ?
- Symbols of hate.

is a code used by white supremacists.

But why would anyone
paint that on our...

on your diner?

sh**t, I caught him in the act.

He's inside with Sheriff
Keller right now.

_

Unfortunately, we've been
fielding phone calls non-stop,

but a wave of vandalism went
through town last night.

New millennium, same hate, I guess.

_

Was it all kids?

Yeah. They all responded the same way

that Brian Talbot here did
when you caught him, Pop.

Which was how?

When I confronted him,
he seemed to be in a daze.

He says he didn't even remember
spray-painting the diner.

Like he was hypnotized.

How about I take him home
and talk to his folks

and see if they give us any insight?

We can discuss pressing
charges tomorrow.

Sounds good.

But do you mind if I
talk to him for a sec?

Sure.

It's Brian, right?

Yeah.

I... I'm really sorry about
what I did to your diner.

I don't even remember doing it.

So you said.

I found this outside.

Thought it might belong to you.

[gasps]

It... it does.

Ambrose, "The Rocket" Pipps is like
the Holy Grail of baseball cards.

He's Riverdale's only
Major League ballplayer.

I... I just got it.

Where did you just get it?

Uh, from the Curiosity
Shop that just opened up

on the outskirts of town.

The guy who runs it
gave me a sweet deal.

All I had to do in
exchange for it was...

Brian?

I can't remember now.

Uh-huh.

And what was the name
of the shop's owner?

Do you remember that?

Paul something.

Paul Prince, maybe.

And where did you say
his shop was again?

_

Sorry I'm late.

[chuckles]

I was wondering when
you'd turn up, Raphael.

You're getting better at this
whole time traveling thing.

You "jumped" again.

Almost an entire second
before the expl*si*n.

But I am still playing
catch-up to Percival.

[Angel Betty] Hmm!

You go. I'll keep lookout.

[intense music playing]

[exhales]

[camera whirs, clicks]

Why does Percival keep popping
up at moments of crisis?

In the ' s, he tried to turn
Riverdale into a sundown town.

In , he wanted the town
to erupt into v*olence.

And now, in , he's trying to
poison the town with pure hatred.

There are some men whose
hearts are so cold,

they burn down villages
just for the warmth.

Yeah, but how is he doing this?

Is he being reincarnated?

Is he an immortal time
traveler? A demon?

Wait. This is the Spear of Longinus,

said to have pierced the side of Jesus

at his crucifixion.

It's one of the most
powerful objects in history.

And this is the Holy Grail.

The chalice used at the Last Supper.

Tabitha, this could be
your needle in a haystack.

This may be your Holy Grail.

What you use to focus and
return to your timeline

before you get sh*t.

And what about Paul
Prince, aka Percival?

Go get the Grail, and
then we'll deal with him.

[wood creaking]

We meet again, and again, and again.

But nevermore after tonight.

[grunts]

Who are you, really?

My names are legion.

Blow out the candle, and I am the dark.

[eerie music]

[both grunting]

One thing a lot of people
don't know about me...

- [yells]
- ... in college,

I was on the varsity fencing
team. And the debate team.

My favorite philosophical argument was,

"If you could go back in time
and k*ll h*tler, would you?"

I always said, "Yes."

[Angel Betty] After Percival
vanished, what did you do?

I b*rned the entire shop down.

Except for the Grail.

Percival's tried to get
a foothold in this town

over and over again,
but you stopped him.

Though I think, Tabitha, it's time
to focus on getting back home.

Your real home.

I feel ridiculous even
saying this, but what if...

the Grail isn't my talisman? Then what?

If it isn't, then you keep looking.

You keep fighting.

But I'm hopeful.

Drink up.

To the future.

[intense music playing]

[grunts]

What the hell?

He's one of Percival's g*ons.

Though he may not remember that
when he regains consciousness.

But he came here to k*ll us.

Well, me, at least.

Well, what am I missing?

A lot. [breathing heavily]

I think it's my turn
to do the explaining.

After we tie him up and
stick him in the freezer.

You're a time traveler?

I'm chrono-kinetic. Yes.

With the help of an angel?

Why didn't I get an angel, or
Betty, or Archie, or Cheryl?

I think I was being trained, Jug.

For a w*r that has been brewing
for decades, if not centuries.

And its major battles
are still ahead of us.

w*r? As in...

There was the same villain
in every time period,

who was always hellbent
on destroying everything

that was good, and fair,

- and decent in Riverdale.
- Percival.

He kept turning up like
the ultimate bad penny.

Look, I'm not sure what he is,

but I do not think he is human.

He's like the personification of evil,

and it's gonna take all of us,

all of us with powers,
working together to stop him.

[Cheryl] I'm confused.

If, in the past, pesky Percival
has wanted to destroy Riverdale,

then why is he bringing a
railroad to the town now?

Well, we don't think
that's his ultimate goal.

[Archie] Though he's making it happen.

I overheard my Uncle Frank
talking to someone on the phone.

Maybe your mom, Betty.

Percival's trying to get
Governor Dooley on board

with this train plan,

blocking any attempt to landmark Pop's.

Because Pop's is where
the resistance will gather.

Where the forces of good will marshal,

where the final battle will be fought,

and he wants to wipe it off the map.

Tabitha, how do you know all of this?

Well, once I finally figured out
what my time-talisman really was,

I got better at time-jumping.

Wait. Your talisman wasn't the Grail?

No. Pop's was my talisman all along.

It was like Dorothy
and the ruby slippers.

This diner is my personal,
limited-functioning time needle.

Makes sense.

All of us have our tethers that allow
us some semblance of control.

- Pop's would be yours.
- Okay, but... but wait.

- Tabitha back up.
- Right.

So, it took me a minute to
get the hang of time-jumping.

But once I did,

I tried moving forward into the
future instead of backwards.

[Tabitha] In the future, the
diner was an empty shell.

Even worse, outside,
the sky was full of ash.

And as far as the eye could
see, Riverdale was just gone.

A wasteland.

Is this future definitely
going to happen?

Or is it something we
can change or stop?

I don't know.

Certain events are fixed points in time,

and the future I saw
might be one of them.

But make no mistake,

it is the apocalypse
we're talking about.

In Riverdale.

And we are sitting at ground zero.