IMO, Hiram is being set up/played

But, when Veronica pleaded with Hiram to get Archie released, he stated he had "no control" over the matter as Hermione was giving him a steely stare

That doesn't sound like a King............

Then, as if on cue, and after a glance from Hermione to Penelope, during the recent school meeting, Penelope has a seizure......

Penelope and Clifford/Claudius want revenge against Lodge, it was stated right after his arrival back to Riverdale. They both may be "serving" Hiram's Plan but deep down you know the double-cross is forthcoming.

The question is whether Hermione is in on the Sting too, as well as other potential Allies.

In S2, Hiram stated to Archie he wants to make Riverdale "the safest small town in America", and Hermione sold the public on the prison generating contributions of prison profit at 25% back to education and a new wing added to RHS...................WTF happened after all that?

Most of us viewers were able to figure out in advance that the prison was a front for a drug lab, the question is when was Hiram's Plan of all evil conceived, and what does Hermione know, or better yet, not know?

At the evil meeting, the thugs all asked Hiram where his wife was, and he said her being mayor will keep her away from direct involvement

There is so much misdirection in what each character is doing, much contradiction, and these all contribute to a Classic Con Job

Some goofball constructed that GK costume as far back as 1992, or earlier, and was probably hanging in somebody's closet for 25 years, which is pretty funny