Please remember that I’m attempting to keep these previews as insightful as possible, but as spoiler free as possible as well, which leaves me with not a lot to work with.
Riverdale typically does well by viewers by blending its throwback style with a more modern setting, but this episode really leans heavy into classic noir visuals that just feel cheap. The show asks you to really buy into the belief that the adults of this town just go spilling their guts to teenagers who happen to be on their tails. While feeling like a dull retread of ideas already explored, this episode should be commended for how much new information the writers decided to grace us with.
You wanna know who shot Hiram? Prepare to find out. It’s not as exciting as I’d want it to be, but it’s a logical reveal. There's a lot that's really exciting about what we do see in regards to the Hiram plot for once. Archie and Hiram’s rivalry reaches its apex and Fred isn’t as blind to Archie’s condition as it appears. There’s pretty minimal Archie this week, though he does share some screen time with Josie, which was refreshing. Veronica does her best damsel seeking the help of the gumshoe impression and there’s a lot of convoluted reveals about fizzle rocks and quarantines. Just go with it.
Somebody is having an affair and it's not who you think given the previous released casting news. There's a shocking return from the dead that actually ties into some of the bigger plot of the episode and speaking of ties expect there to be some loose ends tied up in a pretty straightforward fashion toward the end of the episode. Let’s just say this, Betty and Jughead are chips off the old black, and Hiram isn’t the only mastermind in town.
Betty is still running around trying to figure out…. honestly, I've lost track. but she is at the center of the whole Red Dahlia mystery this and I really wasn't too enthused with the whole story there, but it did give her a chance interact with Cheryl, who is doing her typical scene chewing. This really felt like an episode of exposition and wheel spinning as the show sputters towards some semblance of a final arc. Hopefully, it gets there soon.
Here are some thoughts I had while watching:
Oh, is that Kelly Ripa? I thought she’d do more. Also why does she look like she’s had work done?
Why did Fangs use a voice disguser?
Will Cheryl get another proper storyline?
Archie’s got a gun. Know you better run…
WHY DO THE ADULTS ON THIS SHOW CAVE TO THESE CHILDREN?! One slip up and it’s time to spill all the master plan deets to them. I don’t get it.
