Riverdale Round Table: Betty's Betrayal

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Betty and Jughead broke up, Hiram schmoozed an important investor at a gala, and Veronica's old flame Nick tried to rape Cheryl on Riverdale Season 2 Episode 5.

Below, TV Fanatics Jack Ori, Paul Dailly, and Justin Carreiro debate the affect of Jughead joining the Southside Serpents, his kiss with Toni, and The Black Hood forcing Betty to hurt the people closest to her.

1. Betty had to hurt Alice, Veronica and Jughead due to The Black Hood's request. Which betrayal were you sad for the most?

Jack: Jughead. I really love Betty/Jughead, or I did until Betty allowed herself to get blackmailed by The Black Hood with no assurance that he was even anywhere near Polly or that her behavior was really going to stop him.

She made up with Veronica, and Alice had something coming to her, so I didn't really care about either of those too much. But, her breaking things off with Jughead (or letting Archie do it for her) was heartbreaking, especially because he's felt for so long that he isn't good enough for her.

Paul: I was sad the most for her hurting Veronica. The Bughead breakup was coming, so that did not surprise me. However, Veronica has been so close to her of late that it blindsided her when Betty said it to her.

Justin: As I mentioned in the review for Riverdale Season 2 Episode 5, the Veronica betrayal hurt a lot to see. Betty and Veronica is my favorite BFF duo. It's a shame that The Black Hood forced her into doing something really vile.

Out Of The Loop - Riverdale Season 2 Episode 5

2. Jughead has become a full-fledged member of the Southside Serpents. Will they start listening to him now or did he make a mistake?

Jack: I think this was a mistake. The Serpents are probably going to torment him and get him to do all sorts of stuff he doesn't want to do.

Paul: Yeah, they are going to turn him against everyone he knows on the north side of town, and it's going to be tragic to watch.

Justin: Jughead had the best of intentions, but it was short-sighted. The Serpents aren't going to follow his advice, even if they do listen to him. I agree with the others that they are going to force him to do something he doesn't want to do.

3. Betty kept Archie in the loop about the calls from The Black Hood. Why do you think she confided only in him and not her other friends?

Jack: I think Archie is her oldest friend, and the fact that he started The Red Circle nonsense made her think he could do something. Plus, he wasn't on the list of people The Black Hood wanted her to cut out.

Paul: It was surprising that Archie was left out of the list of people on the list. Maybe the killer knew living in close proximity to Archie would be tempting and wanted to see how close her bond with Archie was.

Justin: Even though Betty mentioned all of her reasons for choosing Archie, I think the truth is that they've been friends for so long that she trusts him regardless. She can turn to him for anything. I'm surprised she didn't go to Kevin since he's far removed from the central drama.

Tough Toni - Riverdale Season 2 Episode 5

4. Jughead and Toni shared a kiss together. Share your thoughts of this new romance.

Jack: Not happy. This is just going to be in the way if, and when, Betty ever comes to her senses and tries to make amends for what she's done.

Paul: This was textbook teen drama, and I thought Riverdale was a show that wanted to defy expectations. Not impressed.

Justin: I'm not going to put much stock into this new romance. It seems to be a distraction until the relationship is fixed. Plus, Toni and Jughead work better as friends and I don't want the quick romance to ruin that.

Dressed To Kill - Riverdale Season 2 Episode 5

5. Nick tried to rape Cheryl. React!

Jack: I'm not surprised considering his behavior with Veronica. I'm glad that Riverdale treated this as rape and didn't engage in victim blaming as happens so often with these types of stories. Also, I was wondering if Cheryl set him up so that the other girls could beat him up for what he tried to do to Veronica rather than his failed attempt at raping her being accidental.

Paul: Nick is a loose cannon. He thinks his money and social stature amount to a whole lot of power. I loved the girls kicking the living daylights out of him. It's not like the police in Riverdale are great at solving crimes.

Justin: What Nick did was disgusting. No amount of money and power gives him the right to do that to anyone. I'm glad the girls arrived in time to save Cheryl and kick his butt.

Nick St. Clair - Riverdale Season 2 Episode 5

6. Betty gave Nick's name to The Black Hood as the next target. Will we see him as the next victim on Riverdale Season 2 Episode 6?

Jack: I doubt it. The Black Hood is messing with Betty. Instead of outright killing her, he's trying to mess with her psychologically and destroy her self-esteem. I wouldn't be surprised if he targets Polly despite his claims that he won't as long as Betty does what he wants.

Paul: Nick will be killed and it will put a damper on the deal between the Lodges and his family...until Betty threatens his parents with leaking the fact that the kid tried to rape Cheryl.

Justin: I think Nick will be killed next. The Black Hood looks to Betty as his soulmate and if he betrays her word, like by killing Polly and not killing Nick, it could ruin his "relationship" in Betty's eyes. She gave him a name and he's going to follow her direction.

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Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.

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Riverdale Season 2 Episode 5 Quotes

The Black Hood: Give me another name. Right now!
Betty: What?
The Black Hood: If you want to save your sister, give me another name. The name of someone guilty. Come on, Betty, one little name.
Betty: I won’t. I can’t do that.
The Black Hood: Then I’ll kill your sister...and your mother...and your father...and everyone you hold dear!
Betty: Nick St. Clair. He’s staying at the Five Seasons.
The Black Hood: I told you we were the same.

Nick: You’re not a bad person, Veronica. You’re smart, vivacious, you’re sexy...
[He places his hand on her knee]
Veronica: Nick, I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I’m with Archie.
Nick: Oh come on, Vee. You barely looked at that hayseed yokel all night, you were all over me.
Veronica: Nick, we’re friends. We’re old friends.
[He pushes forward and tries to kiss her]
Veronica: Nick, I mean it! Stop!
Nick: Same old Veronica. You flirt and you tease, but in the end, you think you’re better than me.
Veronica: You’re a pig.
Nick: With the power to implode this pathetic deal your criminal father so desperately trying to make happen. So unless you want that to go away, I’d be thinking of ways for you to start showing your appreciation. If you need any help, I can suggest a couple.
[She slaps him and walks away]