Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
We’re only eight episodes into Season 3 of The CW’s Riverdale, but it’s already time for the midseason finale*. And as usual, things are getting a little nuts on this week’s episode, “Chapter Forty-Three: Outbreak.” Multiple plot-lines come to a head, characters find their lives in danger, and the town of Riverdale may never be the same. Par for the course, really.
(*Before you panic, midseason is just a term used to mean the middle of the TV season… There are still 14 episodes to go when the show returns on January 16.)
Leading into the episode, Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Archie (KJ Apa) were on the run from Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos), headed to Toledo to hide out with Jughead’s mother Gladys (Gina Gershon) and sister Jellybean (Trinity Likins). Meanwhile, Betty (Lili Reinhart) was dealing with some issues of her own, as her mother Alice (Mädchen Amick) committed her to evil nunnery Sisters of the Quiet Mercy. Once there, she clashed with Ethel (Shannon Purser), who had been brainwashed by the villainous and mysterious Gargoyle King, and Ms. Cooper found herself brainwashed as well, courtesy of some drug-tainted candy called Fizzle Rocks. And Veronica (Camila Mendes) had her own issues, as she was on the outs with her evil parents Hiram and Hermione (Marisol Nichols), and broken up with Archie.
Actually, considering what everyone else is going through, maybe she’s doing okay?
With all that in mind, let’s head into some teases for tonight’s episode… There are huge surprises ahead we don’t want to spoil; but see what you can glean from these clues.
Seizure Of Assets
All season long, the citizens of Riverdale have been falling victim to mysterious seizures. First Betty, then Ethel, then Josie (Asheligh Murray, who sits this episode out)… And now most of the Vixens, the Riverdale cheer team falls victim to the ailment. If you’re looking for answers to what’s causing the seizures (is it Pop’s milkshakes? The maple syrup?) you won’t get them this episode. But Toni Topaz’s (Vanessa Morgan) seizure in particular sends Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) on the warpath. And you don’t want to get in between a Blossom and the person they love.
Choni Aloni
Speaking of which, while Cheryl and Toni (a.k.a. Choni) aren’t the focus of the episode, there are some great moments for the fan favorite couple that will leave ‘shippers screaming. There’s an emotional moment courtesy of the seizure scene mentioned above; a quick, nervous snuggle you can glimpse above; and a big scene that… Well, that’s all we’ll say about that.
Veronica Blossoms
The anger Veronica has been feeling all season finally boils over this episode, as she and Cheryl team up to take on the Lodges. After the Vixens fall, Cheronica rises. Add in some helpful intel from Reggie Mantle (Charles Melton) and a few soldier boy recruits, and Veronica is ready to break Hiram’s plans wide open. But first, she’s going to have to avoid what looks like a lockdown on the outbreak of seizures. Can she escape capture and bring Hiram to justice without losing herself in the process?
Jelly Bellies
Jellybean — now going by JB — makes her long awaited debut… And Likins’ performance was worth the wait. She’s a delightful addition to the cast as Jughead’s younger sister. Her relationship with Jughead is heartfelt and complicated, just like real siblings. Her relationship with Archie is also… Interesting. And at a key moment, she gets arguably the most badass line in the episode. You’re gonna love her.
Gladys To Meet You
Jughead’s Mom Gladys left for Toledo well before Riverdale kicked off its run, so both she and Jellybean have taken on a mythic quality with fans. And when news dropped that Gina Gershon was taking on the role, speculation ran high that she’d be a rogue element, bringing conflict to the romance between her estranged husband FP (Skeet Ulrich) and Alice. The answer to that is… Maybe!
But for now, Gladys is not what you might expect. Or at least, not what I expected. And given how all of the other parents on Riverdale are somehow embroiled in the ongoing Gargoyle King conspiracy, she may turn out to be just the force for good the town needs.
Betty Vs. The Forces Of Darkness
Given we left Betty hepped up on Fizzle Rocks, praising the virtues of The Gargoyle King at the end of the last episode, you’d think she might be out of the game this week. Then you, sir, have underestimated Betty Cooper. Get ready for Betty to fight back against the darkness, and learn some shocking secrets that will raise as many questions as they answer. Plus, you’re in for one of the most iconic Betty moments of all time.
Now That's A Sticky Maple!
Mainly I wanted to share one of the most disturbing GIFs I’ve ever created. But any sympathy you may have felt for Penelope Blossom (Nathalie Boltt) after the big reveals of this season’s “The Midnight Club”? Throw them right out the window this episode, as she’s back in full-on villain mode… Though the sticky situation she ends up in might offer at least a little payback.
Muggs For The Camera
Ethel Muggs has emerged as a bit of a villain this season — or at least an acolyte of The Gargoyle King, so very untrustworthy. And if you look at the scene above, it certainly looks like she’s about to get her comeuppance. Well… Sort of: Ethel makes a shocking turn in this episode that may have you rooting for her redemption. That collage she made is still creepy, though.
Things Get Biblical
Confronted by Veronica, Hiram tells her that things are about to get “downright biblical.” This is… Not hyperbole. I’m not going to spoil anything, but the place we’re left at the end of the midseason finale is the biggest thing the show has ever done. Characters lives have seemingly been changed forever, and there’s no clear way how the residents of Riverdale will get out of the mess they’re in. Good luck waiting out the month until the show returns… Perhaps you can pick up a Harlan Ellison novella in the meantime?
