'Riverdale' Season 2, Episode 10 'The Blackboard Jungle' Recap: The Snakes Slither In [SPOILERS]

“Riverdale” returns with more teenage angst, and this time the FBI is involved. The Black Hood was captured,  meaning everyone can peacefully live their lives. There’s no more Arkangel towering over them with his gun. But even without a murderer roaming the shadows, there are other things to worry. Southside High shutting down isn’t sitting well with Jughead (Cole Sprouse) since it means he and his other Southside buddies have to go to Riverdale High. Meanwhile, Betty (Lili Reinhart) meets her long-lost brother Chic Cooper (Hart Denton). Then there’s Archie, who (KJ Apa) gets approached by the FBI.

Riverdale High vs. The Southside High

The Lodges shut down Southside High. The students got assigned to different school districts, and Jughead isn’t happy that he’s going back to Riverdale High. Veronica (Camila Mendes) is on the front line making sure no riot will ensue while her family’s plan pushes through. But she did not take into account Jughead’s stubborn attitude, especially when the Principal and other Northside students pin the Southside as evil low-lives.
After Reggie (Charles Melton) framed the Southside for defaming the school logo with a serpent, the Principal mandated that all Southside students would not be caught wearing anything gang related. To make matters worse, Veronica made sure the Southside feel like they belong they are then told to wear Riverdale High style polos and khakis.
Jughead refused the first rule because he didn’t want to shed off his Serpent skin. It was enough for his school to shut down, but Jughead forced to assimilate lest he gets suspended seems a little bit too much. FP (Skeet Ulrich) tells Jughead that the transfer is excellent for him. Sometimes snakes hibernate during winter, and all that Jughead needs to do is lay low for a while. Jughead takes this advice to heart, and says to the Principal that he’s starting a new gaming club called “Serpents and Swords.” To other students, it sounds like a Dungeons and Dragons. But in reality, it’s a place where snakes can be snakes.

The Coopers Reunited

Polly finally gave birth! However, she also joined a farm cult and couldn’t contact her family about her children. The news saddened Betty, who mostly thought about how devastated her mother would be. Alice (Mädchen Amick) was so excited about Polly’s twins and was even preparing the nursery when she comes home. To soften the blow of Polly’s baby news, Betty gets in contact with a social worker who helped her track her long-lost brother. But her parents didn’t take it as well as she hoped. Her father refused to see the son they’ve given up, and Alice agreed. Then moments later, Alice admitted it was all an act and in fact wants to see her son.

Their first meeting with Chic wasn’t a pleasant one. He resented the family that left him to grow up in the system while they lived in a suburban home. Unfortunately for Chic, it’s hard to shake down Betty Cooper. She dropped by Chic’s place to convince him for another chance but found Chic being beaten to a pulp. Instead of rushing him to a hospital, Betty took Chic home and her frantic parents went in to bandage Chic’s wounds. In the end, Alice and Hal tucked him into bed. It almost looks like the Coopers might be whole again. Then we see Chic sneak into Betty’s room and menacingly watch her sleep. Is Chic’s resentment almost murderous?

Archie the snitch

All Archie wants is to go on dates with his girlfriend and go back to writing music, but then, the FBI rolls in. FBI Agent Arthur Adams (John Behlmann) asks Archie about Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos) because he believes Hiram is conducting criminal activities in Riverdale. He recruits Archie to help him take down Lodge Industries once and for all. Archie is dating Veronica, and his father is working for them so Archie would make a great spy for the FBI. At first, Archie refuses the offer but when Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) told him about the time Nick St. Claire assaulted Veronica, he changed his mind. Agent Adams also mentioned how the St. Claire accident didn’t seem like one. Archie agreed to help if Agent Adams promised to make sure nothing would happen to his father.

On his first mission to get intel, Archie needed to find proof that Hiram orchestrated the St. Claire accident. He uses Cheryl to help him find a reason to visit Nick. If you may recall, the St. Claires gave Cheryl “hush” money about the assault, and Cheryl’s mother burned concerning her daughter. Now that the Blossoms are tight with money, Archie visits Nick to get double the money for Cheryl. Archie tried his best to probe Nick about the accident, but his emotions got the better of him when Nick aimed a few insults at Veronica. The next day, Veronica found out about the impromptu St. Claire visit. Luckily Cheryl covered for Archie.

Is The Black Hood gone?

During a little cuddling time with his girlfriend, Archie asked Veronica if she told anyone else about the Nick assault. She lied and said that it was only Kevin. He saw right through her and informed Agent Adams right away, prompting another deal—Archie will continue to dig for Intel if both his father and Veronica will be protected. Then before the episode ended, Archie admitted to the FBI agent he feels like they didn’t catch the real Black Hood. Does that mean the treacherous man is still out there and just laying low? Will there be another death in town?
It looks like the town isn’t done with the terror from Black  Hood just yet.
“Riverdale” continues next Wednesday, January 24th, with “The Wrestler” at 8/7c on The CW.