'Riverdale': Yes, That Was a 'Zodiac' Homage at the End of 'Nighthawks'

(Spoilers ahead for the October 18 episode of “Riverdale,” “Nighthawks”)

So at the end of this week’s “Riverdale,” the man with the hood showed up again to do some more murder. That’s not surprising on any level, obviously, since that guy is at the center of the plot of the show in season 2. First he shot Fred Andrews in the season 1 finale, then he returned in the season 2 premiere to kill Ms. Grundy with a cello bow.

So while not surprising that this guy is at it again, the method is a bit surprising, because it’s a pretty obvious homage to the 2007 David Fincher serial killer movie “Zodiac.”

Two unsuspecting teens in a parked car doing some Jingle Jangle and about to hook up get blasted in the face by a man with a gun, with the cinematography doing a pretty close approximation of a similar scene from “Zodiac.” You can watch that scene below.

Also Read: 'Riverdale' May Just Be the Best Show on TV (Commentary)

It’s obviously not an identical scene — it happens much more quickly on “Riverdale,” and the killer goes to the opposite side of the car as the Zodiac Killer did in the movie. But it feels nearly impossible for that scene to have been constructed without “Zodiac” in mind.

I wouldn’t think the homage should be taken literally. Which is to say I don’t think the Zodiac Killer is a character on “Riverdale.” But it is an apt reference to make in a different way: this event essentially marks whoever this guy is as a serial killer. Is every episode this season gonna end like this? I’d be down for it, and apparently so would this murderer dude.

This murder does leave us with one big question, though. What’s the connection between these kids and the other people he’s gone after (Ms. Grundy and Fred Andrews)? The Jingle Jangle may be the key, if the killer is connected to some sort of greater criminal enterprise. Or maybe there’s a connection to Ms. Grundy, since they’re students who probably knew her.

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Whatever it is, we’re gonna have to wait to find out for sure. But that’s OK, because we’ve got plenty of other things to worry about with “Riverdale,” like what Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos) is going to do with Pop’s and what kind of nefarious Serpents business is Jughead (Cole Sprause) going to get roped into.

How do 'Riverdale' Characters Compare to Their Comic Book Versions? (Photos)

We're breaking down how close to the original comic book characters are to Archie and the gang of The CW's "Riverdale."
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Archie Andrews

"America's typical teenager" is just as much a heartthrob in the comics as he is on The CW's "Riverdale." He's constantly keeping Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge in a love triangle, but he does mean well. His loyalty and willingness to help his friends portrayed in the comics is definitely stressed in the show, especially when he's guilty for things he has no control over, like stopping his dad's attacker.
Archie Comics/The CW
Betty Cooper

In the comics, Archie shows more love interest in Betty than he has so far in "Riverdale." In the show, she's still the classic-girl-next-door, but she has a dark side and turns her love of writing into a burgeoning journalism career.
Archie Comics/The CW
Jughead Jones

The crown cap is the same, but there are also several differences in Jughead's character. In the comics, Jug is always eating and is much lazier than he is on "Riverdale." His analytical nature and wit do carry over, though. And while Jughead does seem wary of dating at first, he falls head over heels for Betty in the show.
Archie Comics/The CW
Veronica Lodge

Yep, Ronnie is still the rich girl in "Riverdale," though her father's jail time have her family's wealth teetering in the first season. Now that Hiram Lodge is in town, maybe her mom won't be as weary for those shopping sprees. Her big heart--and the Archie-Betty love triangle--do carry over.
Archie Comics/The CW
Josie McCoy

Josie is just as motivated and obsessed with her band, "Josie and the Pussycats," in the comics as she is in "Riverdale." But in the show, she's much more laser-focused than the goofy, Archie-like character portrayed in the comics.
Archie Comics/The CW
Ethel Muggs

At least so far in the show, Ethel is not portrayed as boy-crazy as she is in the comics, where she is obsessed with Jughead. Will we see more of Ethel in Season 2?
Archie Comics/The CW
Kevin Keller

In the comics, Kevin is the new kid (a role given to Veronica in the show), and his dad is in the military, not the sheriff. And while Kevin is Veronica's "best gay" in "Riverdale," she actually had a crush on him before realizing his sexuality in the comics.
Archie Comics/The CW
Reggie Mantle

Reggie was recast for Season 2 of "Riverdale," and will be playing a much bigger role than he did last season. In the comics, he's Archie's biggest rival and is infamous for his pranks. He's also constantly trying to steal Veronica away from Arch--and the two did go on one date last season, so who knows?
Archie Comics/The CW
Valerie Smith

This Pussycat is pretty similar to her "Riverdale" counterpart. Though her relationship with Archie was pretty short lived in Season 1, it's also in the comics. She's determined and level-headed, and not as boy-crazy as some of the other gals at Riverdale High.
Archie Comics/The CW
Chuck Clayton

Chuck is Coach Clayton's son in both "Riverdale" and the comics, though he has a more sinister side in the show, as he's part of a group of football players who tally up their girl "conquests." In the comics, he's obsessed with becoming a cartoonist and dedicated to his girlfriend Nancy.
Archie Comics/The CW
Cheryl Blossom

Cheryl is Riverdale High's resident mean girl in both the show and the comics. Only the Lodges can rival the Blossom family's wealth, which is pretty much maintained in "Riverdale." She also has her eye on Archie, which was a plot point in the second half of Season 1.
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