'Riverdale' Season 2 Episode 2 'Nighthawks' Recap: Saving Pops, Daddy Issues, And A Few More Deaths [SPOILERS]

“Riverdale” is continuing the traditions of cliffhangers and a mysterious killer on the loose. Archie Andrews’ father is finally in recovery but it’s Archie who is suffering most from the shooting. Meanwhile, Jughead is trying to save his father from incarceration and Veronica thinks her father should be facing similar charges. “Riverdale’s” second episode of season 2 titled “Nighthawks” has a lot of family drama and another death to offer. But on the lighter side of things, Betty leads a movement to save Pops from closing.

‘Riverdale’ And Its Daddy Drama

Hiram Lodge is finally in Riverdale but his daughter isn’t all too happy about it. After finding out all the sketchy things her father has done, Veronica no longer trusts her father. She is walking on eggshells in her own home and trying her best to steer clear. But Hiram is trying his best to reconnect with his daughter in any way he can, even offering to make a generous donation to save Pop’s Diner. Veronica is not having any of it.
Nearing the end of the episode Veronica was able to give her father one last chance. Because it looks like Hiram is trying to be a good father again. If both he and Hermione promise to be transparent about their ordeals. But these two can’t keep promises that don’t benefit them whatsoever. After buying Pop’s and replacing their doorman Smithers, Veronica has every right not to trust her father.
Jughead, on the other hand, has his own dad to worry about. Despite being cleared of the murder charges FP is still facing other charges. He was still considered an accomplice in the Jason Blossom murder along with drug distribution.  To help his father, Jughead enlists what the serpents call a “Snake Charmer.” A lawyer on the south side of town who takes Serpent’s favors rather than cash.  She advised Jughead to get Cheryl Blossom to forgive FP on the stand and he won’t serve any jail time. However, Jughead asking a Snake Charmer for legal advice comes with repercussions, so the Joneses are not out of the big house yet.

Betty Cooper, The Misguided Saviour

The blonde beauty is the only one in town with a heart and soul. Betty goes out of her way to help out the people she loves. She carries a torch for justice. To lift the burden from Jughead, Betty sets out on a mission to save the heart of Riverdale. Pop’s Diner is a staple in both the TV series and the comic books. We see our beloved characters drinking milkshakes and eating burgers in the booths of Pops. It’s hard to imagine the Archie universe without Pop’s Diner.
Betty tries to enlist the Mayor, the River Vixens, and her mother to help out. But all with no luck until it came time for FP’s court day. When Jughead told her all his father needed was the Blossom’s forgiveness to get out of jail they visit Cheryl. When Cheryl refuses to help the man who helped cover up her father’s murder, Betty took matters into her own hands. Dark Betty doesn’t fully emerge but it’s quite a tease to another side of her.

She blackmails Cheryl into forgiving FP on the stand. Remember the thumb drive containing the footage of Cheryl’s father killing Jason? Well, Betty and Jughead made a copy just in case they might need it—and thank God they did. Not only did Betty get Cheryl to loosen the charges against FP but also got the River Vixens to help out at Pops. But Betty’s good deed opened doors to crime as her mother, Alice, pointed out—Hiram Lodge buying Pop’s Diner for God knows what, secret drug deals, and more murder.

Archie Targets The Angel Of Death

Ms. Grundy is dead! This worries the sleep-deprived Archie believing whoever is out there is targetting everyone he cares about. He’s been spending most of his nights guarding the door in case the shooter comes back for them. Trying to piece everything together, Archie is slowly breaking down. As viewers know the person who shot Fred Andrews and Ms. Grundy is the same person. But we cannot say the same for Riverdale police enforcement. After finding out the murder of Ms. Grundy, Archie tells Sheriff Keller information on who might have done it.

Last season, we find out Ms. Grundy has been using a fake name to hide from her abusive ex-husband. Putting pieces together Archie believes it’s her ex-husband behind both crimes. But Sheriff Keller already questioned the ex-husband off-screen and had a solid alibi. Unconvinced, Archie is still a paranoid mess who can’t find solace in sleep.
Out of options and realizing he cannot bring a bat to a gun fight. Archie asks Dilton Doiley for a gun to protect himself. As Archie sleeps, he knows he can put a gun on the Angel of Death’s head. The killer is still out and takes a few other lives with him which takes Grundy’s ex-husband out of the suspect list.
On make-out point, Midge and Moose were shot by the same man. But who knows if he took both of them out. Though it leaves fans questioning, who is this Angel of Death and why is he targetting the people of Riverdale?
“Riverdale” continues next Wednesday with “The Watcher In The Woods,” 8/7c on The CW.