‘Riverdale’ Theory: I Don’t Think Hal Cooper Is the New Black Hood & Here’s Why

Last night’s episode of Riverdale forced viewers into thinking that Hal Cooper (Lochlyn Munro) has returned as the Black Hood. However, I’m starting to believe the character is not the person under the ski mask, and here’s why.

Chapter Fifty-Five of The CW series, titled “Prom Night,” picks up right where we left off, with Betty (Lili Reinhart) discovering that her dad, Hal, was killed in a bus accident while being transferred to Hiram’s (Mark Consuelos) new prison. When the charred remains are taken to the medical examiner, he performs an autopsy and concludes that one of the hands belonged to Hal, who is now assumed dead.

Although Betty is convinced that the Black Hood (aka her dad) somehow escaped the wreck, her focus switches to the Gargoyle King, who gets lured to Riverdale High’s prom. When Betty receives a note, requesting she meet him alone in the hallway, she comes face to face with the Gargoyle King. Right when she’s about to shoot him, the Black Hood appears out of nowhere, knocking her to the ground before chasing her down the hallway.

Betty automatically assumes it’s her dad. (Not only did he already confess to being the Black Hood back in season two, but he’s also now missing a hand.)

“Dad, why are you doing this?” she pleads.

I’m well aware that all this evidence points to the fact that Hal escaped the fiery car wreck. However, I’m not convinced that it’s so simple.

First of all, the writers are feeding us with clues that support Betty’s theory about her dad’s return. And every time they lead us in one direction, we’re always brought back to reality with a surprise twist—like when FP (Skeet Ulrich) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) captured the Gargoyle King only to discover it was an imposter.

And second, I never fully believed Hal’s Black Hood confession. I’m not saying that he wasn’t involved—what I am saying is that I’ve never considered the possibility that Hal wasn’t acting alone…until now.

Did Hal take the blame for the real Black Hood, who’s now out for revenge? Guess we’ll have to wait until Riverdale returns to The CW on Wednesday, May 8, at 8 p.m.