Now that we’ve said a proper goodbye to town stalwart Fred Andrews, it’s time to focus on where the rest of the season is headed. Already 3 episodes in and we’re convinced that Cheryl is not quite there.
Not at all.
Jughead’s finally been acknowledged as the stellar, scholarly student he is, but this new school comes with a new set of rules. Namely, a zero tolerance approach to violence which will be a major challenge for the former South Side Serpents leader.
Plus, the new school tool is just too preppy to be credible as a major rival. Passively aggressively stirring the pot Vis-à-vis Jughead’s family background is low-hanging fruit.
Calling a character whose name alludes to the author of American Psycho Bret Easton Ellis hasn’t been lost on us either. We can already sense a showdown between the two, and we’re not convinced that the zero tolerance violence applies in this instance..
Betty has been working undercover with long lost brother Charles to infiltrate the farm and make contact with her Mum, Alice who up until now has been AWOL.
She’s also been really passive aggressive towards old bestie Kevin, after he dragged her by the heels last season for a lobotomy at the Farm. He may still be brainwashed too, although it could be a ruse so he can reunite with former flame Fangs.
Veronica continues to do all things Le Bon Nuit, renouncing her Lodge surname yet still within the clutches of daddy Hiram who is free to leave his jail from time to time while still incarcerated. We get that he owns the joint, but turning up to antagonize her daughter verbally? Could it not have waited?
She continues to support Archie emotionally and financially, and the latter is becoming something of a sugar mummy storyline. Archie wants to honestly work for $40 000 to upgrade his hole-in-the-wall style gym to a community facility to keep youth off the streets, and Veronica straight up offers to pay for it. Archie’s still determined to find the money elsewhere.
Cue this car wash scene which makes a measly $400.
Archie then proceeds to become a night vigilante demanding the local gang stop their minor drug trade, and pockets the cash which ‘Mad Dog’ Munroe deems ‘dirty money.’
Veronica basically goes back to her original plan and finances the gym to stop her boyfriend getting in the same world as her.
Speaking of out of this world, Edgar Evernever has the most underwhelming exit from the show. True to cult form, Edgar wanted to lead his disciples on a bus off the edge of a cliff, but Riverdale saved the best for last. He ascends to the top of a building in a rocket.
Yep, dressed in an Evil Kineaval suit, we’ve officially suspended our disbelief as an audience for that long.
Nevermind that we were willing to buy in Betty diffusing a bomb with 2 seconds left on the countdown. Nevermind that Reggie has had a black eye a few times a few seasons ago and his friends have only just been made away.
This is peak Riverdale, which begs the question of whether it’s getting better or worse.
We’ll stay on at least for the Halloween episode (trailer below).
Not again, Cheryl. Photo: The CW.
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