Who Is the Black Hood on 'Riverdale' Now?
This post contains spoilers on the Riverdale episode, “Chapter Thirty-One: A Night to Remember.”
After much anticipation, the Riverdale musical episode has come and gone. While Cheryl deserved better (ie. the lead role of Carrie), it’s a good thing she wasn’t on stage for the musical after all. Midge, who took over Carrie duties after Cheryl’s mom pulled her from the production, is dead. And if we are to believe the note her killer left behind, the Black Hood did it.
The Black Hood’s return was of course expected. In March, showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa announced at Paleyfest that writers had been narrowing the Black Hood’s identity from “three likely suspects” over the course of season two. So yes, this means Svenson the janitor kind of died for nothing and that the real Black Hood will kill again. Unless his note about “all those who escaped before me will die” means something else? Below, in no particular order, a list of suspects for your consideration. (Trying to picture every suspect in a black ski mask helps.)
1. Fangs
As assistant director to Kevin for the Carrie musical, Fangs had more screen time and more lines this week. Just before Midge’s bloody reveal, Kevin and Jughead find Fangs with Midge behind a closed door. “I was giving Midge some last-minute notes,” he tells the guys.
It’s not the first time a Serpent has been linked to the Black Hood (remember Tall Boy?) but could a high schooler pull off all the murders? Hard to say.
2. Chic
Chic’s been a suspect before, but after a handful of super creepy moments (dead body, threats to Jughead, his quiet stares at Betty and in general), he’s starting to look more and more like the masked man who shot Fred (and Mrs. Grundy, etc). On the musical episode, Chic doesn’t appear until the end when he finds Betty in the dressing room (after somehow bypassing school security). “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he tells dear sis, before saying, “Break a leg." Perhaps the most convincing element that ties Chic to the Black Hood is in the episode’s final seconds: when everyone freaks out about Midge’s death and runs for the doors, he remains seated and calm. Absolutely terrifying.
3. Uncle Claudius
Claudius, twin brother of Cheryl’s dad Clifford, made his Riverdale debut a few episodes ago and has been plotting to get rid of both Nana Rose and Cheryl. He’s been failing miserably at both of those things, but does this represent his other abilities? Say, those mirroring his shady brother who was evil enough to kills his own son (Jason)? Claudius’ age, height, and possible revenge on the town for his brother’s death put him at the top of the list of suspects. Go ahead, study these eyes and tell me that’s not the Black Hood.
4. Hal
A suspect from the first round of the Black Hood murders, Hal has been a problematic character all season long. No really: he never warmed up to Chic, he snooped around Chic’s computer and exposed his web camming life, he moved out of the Cooper house after giving Alice an ultimatum between him and Chic, and he hooked up with Penelope at Thistle House (on more than one occasion). Other than paying Penelope for her courtesan services and writing for the town paper, what’s Hal really been up to in his spare time? Wearing a mask and washing the sins off other towns? Hmm?? And why is he suddenly asking Alice if he can live with her again? To cover up his latest killing?
5. Hiram
While Hiram looks nothing like the Black Hood, he remains one of the most powerful figures in Riverdale. Could this iteration of the Black Hood be someone hired by Lodge money? And could he be related to Papa Poutine? (Probably not, I just needed an excuse to bring the name up. Rest in peace, PP.)
6. Chuck
This is a problematic suspect for several reasons including the fact that Chuck is not a much older Caucasian man with green eyes. But why is he suddenly a good guy again? Why did Veronica tell him all has been forgiven? (“Your behavior has been nothing short of a proper Victorian gentleman. Your pariah ship is officially over.”) Are we to believe that Chuck’s gross playbook from season one never happened? While this doesn’t explain why he would kill so many people in town, hear me out: there’s still more to Chuck than meets the eye (and the voice, because damn, buddy can sing).
7. Ethel
This one’s too easy, but who knows what Ethel is really up to these days? Like Fangs, she’s been a background character for most of season two but the musical gave her plenty of lines (and even a brief singing part). She has a good reason to be angry with Midge, who replaced Cheryl for the role of Carrie, a role Ethel’s been dying (sorry) to play. While it doesn’t explain the other murders, perhaps Ethel is merely mimicking the actions of the Black Hood and really was cutting letters out from magazines to make all those scary warning letters and not her vision board.
8. You haven't really met this person. Yet.
This could either make Riverdale a really, really good show again or lose some viewers come season three. If the show is aiming to capture the suspense and thrill of its better episodes (s/o to the season one finale, “The Sweet Hereafter”), the Black Hood’s real identity should come as a shock to everyone. One way to reach this shock is to have it be someone who’s never had a real conversation with anyone in Riverdale (the Black Hood’s creepy phone calls with Betty don’t count). This could be anyone from Mrs. Grundy’s ex-husband to another long lost Blossom relative. There are four episodes of Riverdale left this season. Bring. It.
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