'Riverdale' Season 2, Episode 3 'The Watcher in the Woods' Recap: Channeling the Zodiac and David Fincher's Seven [SPOILERS]

No one died from last week’s cliffhanger! But Riverdale still has a mysterious killer stalking their peppy town. Archie is still frustrated by the lack of progress made in catching his father’s shooter. His paranoia catches up to him to take matters into his own hands. Meanwhile, the Lodge Family still has a few issues to address with Veronica a little too eager to see a new side of her father. Then there’s Jughead who is trying to survive Southside High without being involved with the Serpents. And Kevin learns the reason why the woods are always the setting for horror movies.
The town soon realizes their darkest chapter may be far from over with an unexpected turn of events.

Riverdale’s Red Circle Against Blackhood

Our Angel of Death has a name and he is making sure everyone in Riverdale knows who he is. The Coopers receive a mysterious package containing a letter allegedly from the man who shot Fred Andrews. In the letter, he admits to his crimes and explains why he shot Fred and killed Ms. Grundy. Taking notes from The Zodiac, his letter boasts of his actions as a form of personal justice, at the same time condemning the town of Riverdale for pushing him to do what he believes he has to do. He calls Riverdale a town of sinners and hypocrites who need to know the consequences of their actions.

He called Ms. Grundy a child predator of Greendale and shot Midge and Moose for their hormonal lust. Calling himself the Blackhood, he vows he would not stop until Riverdale’s population is clear of sinners—somewhat similar to David Fincher’s “Seven,” where a man kills people based on the seven deadly sins. But the difference here is Blackhood has no quota and it’s Archie Andrews coming after him rather than the police.
Frustrated by the Sheriff’s lack of action, Archie gathers his football buddies and Dilton to form a watch group. He calls it the Red Circle, who will watch over Riverdale until Blackhood is captured. Despite the effort to make the city safe, Sheriff Keller tries to call off their watch group but Archie has the support of both Hiram Lodge and their school Principal. With the approval of some of the adults, Archie and his Red Circle send an eerie message to Blackhood. He shot a video message with his football buddies who were shirtless and donning red masks, telling the Blackhood he is outnumbered.

Family Ensures Survival And Danger

It’s hard to be the new kid unless you have a gang willing to help out. But Jughead Jones is not going to resort to hanging out with the Serpents to ensure his safety. He tries his best to survive Southside High his own way but his peer mentor Toni Topaz sings a different tune. She warns him if he is found alone, some of the gangs will get a whiff of him and jump him. He cannot deny his father’s Serpent reputation will help him survive. After being jumped by a gang, Jughead has no choice but to use the Serpents as a cloak of safety. Even if he doesn’t identify with the gang, it’s FP’s Serpent links that ensure he won’t be killed in the hallway. He takes a seat next to Toni in the cafeteria with the Serpents the next day. Jughead’s not a serpent but the gang takes family loyalty to a different degree.

Then there’s Veronica high on the fumes of her father’s attention. Desperate enough to create an impression with her friends and Archie, Hiram still keeps her at arm’s length. After Hiram invites Archie to his private study, Veronica realizes her father is still the same. Veronica then tells Hiram she wants to take on a “more active role” in the family business. Time will tell if Veronica truly wants to be in the Lodge family business because we all know how shady Hiram and Hermione are.

Riverdale Was Never A Safe Peppy Town

Meanwhile, there’s Kevin Keller whose attempting to have a little fun while a killer is on the loose. As he was taking a night jog, Kevin bumps into a hook-up. In the middle of a steamy makeout session in the woods, Kevin hears a gunshot and Midge screaming. There, he was able to reach the couple in time before Moose lost any more blood from the gunshot wound.
As he was retelling the incident to his friends, Betty is concerned why Kevin was in the woods in the first place. Everyone knows the woods is the perfect setting for a murder and a horror movie. No one is an exception to the rule. Concerned for her friend, Betty tries to stir Kevin into a safer route of dating. But Kevin later points out how he doesn’t have the same choices as Betty when it comes to his love life.

After Cheryl snitches on Kevin to Betty, she ends up telling Sheriff Keller about Kevin’s late night activities. This causes a rift in their friendship, but all for Kevin’s safety. Who knows who the next target could be? There’s Polly, who’s not risking her safety at all and chooses to run away in fear she might be the next target. She’s afraid that Blackhood might kill her for being an unwed teenaged mother. She, along with the town of Riverdale, can sense how there’s a darkness looming over the town and escape seems to be the only solution left.
“Riverdale” continues next Wednesday with “The Town That Dreaded Sundown,” at 8/7c on The CW.