Going Out With a Whimper: Season 7 Discussion

[AnimeMania]

S07.E11: Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Halloween II

HALLOWEEN IN RIVERDALE — Veronica (Camila Mendes) decides to host a ghost show after learning that Riverdale doesn’t celebrate Halloween the way she’s use to in LA. Betty (Lili Reinhart) makes the most out of her night out with Archie (KJ Apa) and Reggie (Charles Melton), and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) makes a major discovery in a mystery brewing in Riverdale. 

Premiere Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023    9pm    CW 

Next New Episode: June 21, 2023    

Edited June 7, 2023 by AnimeMania

[Demian]

Has there been an explanation for why The Rocky Horror Picture Show would bleed backwards in time to 1955?  Should I expect one, or no?

[The Wild Sow]

33 minutes ago, Demian said:

Has there been an explanation for why The Rocky Horror Picture Show would bleed backwards in time to 1955?  Should I expect one, or no?

Nah.....just that "it's Riverdale!"  They can put on a show 18 years before it was written; why not? 🧟‍♂️👻👽

 

And as a Rocky Horror fan, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[SourK]

Okay, there we go. I was confused about why Veronica had a business where she didn't force her customers to watch her sing and dance, but now that's been resolved.

I have mixed feelings about how Kevin and Clay have become her full-time minions. Also: Imagine if you were a high school student and you did this performance in front of everyone.

(I did enjoy the moment where she started listing fun things to do on Halloween, and number three was kiss someone against their will and blame it on the holiday. That's so on-brand for this version of the character.)

Also I enjoyed the part where Jughead ran in randomly and told people not to drink milk.

For a minute, I was like, "Maybe Ethel framed the Milkman," but I guess she was in nun prison during the last murder.

[thuganomics85]

Did Betty just find a way to make Goldilocks and the Three Bears sound sexual?  Why, yes she did!  Classic Riverdale!!

Kind of weird that they spent all of this time trying to make it look like Betty was having the hots for both Archie and Reggie, only for it to already end up with her clearing preferring Archie with ease.  Granted, I guess it is somewhat realistic for a person to be attracted to two different people but just have stronger feelings for one in particular, but it just felt like it didn't really lead to anything outside of preventing Archie and Betty from fully becoming an item, I guess.

Guess it was about that time for a classic "Riverdale Burlesque and Musical Moment" to make its way onto the screen.

Jughead losing it and screaming about not drinking the milk was great.  It sometimes feels like Cole Sprouse has been over this seasons ago, but there is always a moment or two where he just goes all out again and it never fails to entertain.

Ethel might be the killer after-all?  I mean, she was suppose to have been locked up when Jughead's mentor was killed, but maybe she had already been using the secret tunnels?

Cliffhanger ending, but safe money is on Reggie and probably Julian not being killed.

[One Imaginary Girl]

I love how there's a description of Halloween in Riverdale and we're told that teenagers aren't allowed to participate because of the fear that they'll "raise heck" or "raise Cain"--can't say "hell," but Veronica's sitting there in lingerie she wore to school.  Not criticizing!  It's so weirdly Riverdale.   

[Dobian]

On 6/7/2023 at 8:35 PM, The Wild Sow said:

Nah.....just that "it's Riverdale!"  They can put on a show 18 years before it was written; why not? 🧟‍♂️👻👽

 

And as a Rocky Horror fan, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Reminded me of American Horror Story: Freak Show, with Jessica Lange singling "Life on Mars" in 1952!

My one takeaway this season is that I never want to mess with Ethel.

[tennisgurl]

I was just thinking that we haven't had a ridiculously over the top musical number/Veronica vanity project in awhile, and now here we are! Of course Veronica would use her movie theater to write herself a big burlesque number, there is nothing that she cant turn into her own personal showcase. The big Rocky Horror number really was quite fun, even if we have to set aside the inherit squick of teenagers singing about their sexual awakenings while gyrating around half naked for fanservice and the many logistical questions it raises, like how Cheryl could be a part of it if she only told people she was coming at the last minute. She learn all her choreography and lyrics in about five minutes? Its almost like these big musical numbers don't make much in-universe sense or something.

You have to love a high school where the administrators clutch their pearls over comic books but don't say a thing about Veronica strutting around school in lingerie. Classic Riverdale. That party did look pretty fun, love a roaring 20s theme, even if a more classic Halloween party seems like it would make more sense for the vibe. 

Jughead watching everyone drinking milk in slow motion and yelling at people to drink powdered milk was definitely the episodes highlight, every once in awhile Cole really decides to bring it again. For a second I thought that Ethel might have been framing the milk man all along, but she was still locked up during the last murder so I guess that doesn't work. But when has that ever stopped Riverdale?

What do you bet that the only survivors of the car crash will be Julian and Reggie, the only ones with names?

[Affogato]

19 hours ago, tennisgurl said:

Jughead watching everyone drinking milk in slow motion and yelling at people to drink powdered milk was definitely the episodes highlight, every once in awhile Cole really decides to bring it again. For a second I thought that Ethel might have been framing the milk man all along, but she was still locked up during the last murder so I guess that doesn't work. But when has that ever stopped Riverdale?

What do you bet that the only survivors of the car crash will be Julian and Reggie, the only ones with names?

Julian is evidence they are in an alternate universe. I say he would make a good ghost.

I'm going out on a limb here and saying that the milkman Ethel killed was an innocent, just there to collect the milk bottles for the company, in the middle of the night, on Halloween. I think that there may be places where the spaces between the worlds is thin and one of them is Mr Rayberry's apartment.

Brad hung himself, like the writer who wrote "The Milkman" ....

They said "we have met the enemy and he is us" several times. Walt Kelly popularized it later, but he was definitely working in the 50s.

[AnimeMania]

S07.E12: Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Nine: After the Fall

THE AFTERMATH — Archie (KJ Apa) and Reggie (Charles Melton) lean on each other as they prepare for their big basketball game against Stonewall Prep. Meanwhile, as they deal with ongoing issues with their parents, Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) decide to throw a slumber party with Kevin (Casey Cott) and Clay (guest star Karl Walcott).

Premiere Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023    9pm    CW 

[Demian]

Anyone else have weird sound issues with this one, or was it simply my local CW affiliate giving up on this show along with everyone else?  Said issues pretty much ruined that little gay (in both the old and new senses of the word) South Pacific moment for me.

[ruby24]

We've now hit 12 straight episodes set in the 50's.

I don't think the show is going back to the present day, I think it's ending in the 50's. They've spent too much time on the characters and relationships in this universe at this point. Reggie has never had such a big role before.

Probably Tabitha the angel will say something like all timelines are real, choose your own adventure, that's the point of the Archies, or something like that. Maybe we'll get glimpses of all kinds of universes with different pairings or whatever.

I could see that but I don't see it going back to a "real" universe that's not this one at this point.

[the-grey-lady]

1 hour ago, ruby24 said:

We've now hit 12 straight episodes set in the 50's.

I don't think the show is going back to the present day, I think it's ending in the 50's. They've spent too much time on the characters and relationships in this universe at this point. Reggie has never had such a big role before.

Probably Tabitha the angel will say something like all timelines are real, choose your own adventure, that's the point of the Archies, or something like that. Maybe we'll get glimpses of all kinds of universes with different pairings or whatever.

I could see that but I don't see it going back to a "real" universe that's not this one at this point.

If they do "go back" anywhere, it will be brief. 

Spoiler

BTS reveal they're still wearing 50s costumes while filming the finale.

 

[Quark]

This show is such a hoot.

Ethel sees someone murder her parents, is forced to join an awful hunt, kills her parents murderer and the only thing she seems to care about is writing a comic about a mailman.

Only on Riverdale.

[Affogato]

20 hours ago, Quark said:

This show is such a hoot.

Ethel sees someone murder her parents, is forced to join an awful hunt, kills her parents murderer and the only thing she seems to care about is writing a comic about a mailman.

Only on Riverdale.

Art, used to deal with trauma. I do wonder if the next murder will be done by the mailman. In a series of basic horror movies there would be a cycle of murders, all inspiring the making of a new, similar comic book, which is the impetus for a new series of murders.

Betty has many useful skills, such as car repair and picking locks, and she will clearly do well in her future life. I do think they are going through all the possible pairings, but I really liked Betty and Veronica as a couple and I hope they stick.

The team backing Reggie was fantastic, in every sense of the word.

I think this story has evolved into a version of the comics. A little commentary. Story changes a lot, pairings change a lot. Hiram still in the rum business, though.

 

[thuganomics85]

Well, at least one thing is consistent: Mary Andrews is one of the few adult characters that doesn't completely suck.  Good for her for being like the only parent on Riverdale who is like "You know, one doesn't just abandon their child at the first sign of conflict, guys!"  Of course, it is clear Alice is only putting on a happy, motherly face and clearly wants nothing to do with Betty (and maybe trying to make Ethel her new daughter?), but it was fun watching her get dressed down.

I appreciate Barclay Hope taking the Mark Consuelos approach of playing Mayor Clifford less as a politician and more as a mobster instead.  The adult actors in particular might get the thinest of paper thin roles here, but bless them for usually going all out with the camp.  Veteran work right there!

So, now they might be going Betty/Veronica?  Maybe?  I don't know, anymore.  It's like the writers are just pairing off various couples and will finally make a decision when it gets closer to finale time.

I wonder if Julian's change of attitude will be permanent or not.

Fieldstone might be a lot but he's probably behind Mary at being the best adult character here.  Keller has just become useless now and Frank seems to flip around depending if the writing needs him to be good or bad.

Fun seeing Bret and the rest of the Stonewall prep goons.  Can't believe I'm almost missing that particular season/storyline.  Evil prep schools are a classic staple! 

Wouldn't be surprised if Murderous Mailman is on the card.  And, if so, I might have to start wondering if Werthers and Featherhead are on to something...

[SourK]

23 hours ago, Quark said:

This show is such a hoot.

Ethel sees someone murder her parents, is forced to join an awful hunt, kills her parents murderer and the only thing she seems to care about is writing a comic about a mailman.

Only on Riverdale.

I really like the actor who plays Ethel and I think she did a good job of selling it, but I had a chuckle at the scene where she gives a big speech about how other people keep trying to define her experience, and she just wants to tell her own story, herself.

Because, it's like, what's the experience you want to share, Ethel?

"I drew a comic where the milkman killed my parents, and then it came true and a milkman killed my parents, and everyone thought I killed my parents, and then I killed the milkman."

Okay.

2 hours ago, Affogato said:

I do think they are going through all the possible pairings, but I really liked Betty and Veronica as a couple and I hope they stick.

I do, too! I'm surprised how much I'm rooting for them.

[Daltrey]

If I were a parent, I would be concerned about the quality of education provided by Stonewall Prep, considering the 40 year old sitting behind the wheel of the teams carpool vehicle. 🤣

This show continues to be the most consistently funny comedy in all of current television😏. I'm really going to miss it when it's gone.

Madelaine may be the best actor in the entire show. She can chew scenery like some of Hollywood's best but she also has great versatility and depth. She really sold the scene at Julian's bedside, both her despair and subsequent joy when he woke up. Completely believable, imo.

Best thing about the episode, which I'm just now realizing? No Toni Topaz! 🤣

Edited June 26, 2023 by Daltrey
Corrected an uncharacteristically atrocious spelling error

[Dobian]

Vetty?
Beronica?

Rarchie?

Edited June 25, 2023 by Dobian

[Bill1978]

On 6/25/2023 at 3:24 PM, Dobian said:

Rarchie?

Considering they are determined to get every possible combination locking lips this season, I keep expecting these two to connect lips before the season ends. Ever since the jealousy over the car reared it's head the HoYay has been off the chart for Reggie and Archie.

[tennisgurl]

Not at all surprised that Betty and Veronica seem like they might be getting together, we're running low on characters to pair with each other! Sitting in front of a fire, talking about kissing girls, I would be shocked if they aren't making out by the next episode. 

I think I must be going numb because I wasn't even surprised that a whole random choreographed musical broke out at the Veronica/Betty/Kevin/Clay sleepover. What did give me a double take was seeing Kevin holding a pillow, I had some sort of tickle porn flashback PTSD moment. 

The whole team standing by Reggie was a nice moment, I'm surprised that Reggie and Archie have been put together so much, I like it. 

Of course after her parents being slaughtered, set up for murder, sent to live with abusive nuns, and killing a serial killing milkman, her biggest concern is writing a comic book. Jugheads plot really does seem to be taking place in another show, but maybe now that his narration is talking about the wrath of god and such, everything is going to be tied together. 

Will Julian actually become less of a shitbag now? Maybe Brett and the Stonewall Prep guys will be taking over the smug rich asshole role, glad to see that those guys never change.

[AnimeMania]

S07.E13: Chapter One Hundred and Thirty: The Crucible

HIRAM LODGE (MARK CONSUELOS) ARRIVES IN RIVERDALE / MÄDCHEN AMICK DIRECTS — Panic ensues after Archie (KJ Apa) and the gang learn that Mrs. Thornton (guest star Frances Flanagan) is accused of being a communist. Cheryl’s (Madelaine Petsch) father Clifford (guest star Barclay Hope) forces her to out gay students at Riverdale High or risk losing power over the Vixens. Meanwhile, Hiram’s (guest star Mark Consuelos) surprise arrival to town is quickly met with suspicion by Veronica (Camila Mendes), and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) devises a plan to get around a boycott of comic books.

Premiere Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023    9pm    CW 

[Demian]

Veronica's bangs are quite simply evil.  Camila Mendes must have multiple forehead-skin issues from that wretched wig.  Like, "Remove! Your vigs!"-level issues.

Edited June 29, 2023 by Demian

[Affogato]

Well, Fred speaks out on the part of the patriarchy. Poetry is not manly. Will Fred approve of the statutory rape? Did he and the others, in fact, set it up?

Oh, I don't know. I'm enjoying the candy coating comic book approach to the serious issues and I like that no one is trying to make things make long term sense. I wonder what Tabitha is doing? She was traveling around with her parents for some reason, right, and now she is probably back doing it?

[SourK]

Well, for the first time, I have something in common with Archie. I also can't read a room and get way too sweaty about public speaking assignments.

Veronica, in her penthouse apartment, saying that she learned what it means to lose everything. Veronica, asking to own the penthouse. I know she also somehow owns a business, but I feel like the property taxes and maintenance fees would be terrible. And would she also pay for Smithers?

Admittedly, I didn't care or listen, but I thought they established that it wasn't illegal to sell comics -- it was just that the moms were boycotting news stands that did. So, why was there a police raid on Jughead and Ethel?

[Affogato]

11 hours ago, SourK said:

Well, for the first time, I have something in common with Archie. I also can't read a room and get way too sweaty about public speaking assignments.

Veronica, in her penthouse apartment, saying that she learned what it means to lose everything. Veronica, asking to own the penthouse. I know she also somehow owns a business, but I feel like the property taxes and maintenance fees would be terrible. And would she also pay for Smithers?

Admittedly, I didn't care or listen, but I thought they established that it wasn't illegal to sell comics -- it was just that the moms were boycotting news stands that did. So, why was there a police raid on Jughead and Ethel?

I think it was a PTA raid? 

[thuganomics85]

Oh, yeah!  I should have known that it wouldn't be long before the show starts tackling communism and the "Red Scare" considering they've already hit all of the other hot button issues in this time period.  You never let me down, show!

Fun seeing both Hiram and Hermione again in person because even when the Lodge family drama goes completely off the rails, both Mark Consuelos and Marisol Nichols deliver (the former in particular knows exactly what type of show he's on and acts accordingly.)  I guess it's nice that Veronica was able to get some kind of reassurances from Hiram in order to lie for him, but it still feels like there is a lot of factors and loopholes she didn't account for.  Plus, she didn't even get anything in writing/signed before handing him her statement...

Oh, boy!  They really brought back Grundy?  I hope her mentioning her husband might be a sign that they aren't going to go back down that path with her and Archie, but it seemed like they were sharing looks again, so, yeah, I'm preparing for the worst.

The stuff with Jughead, Ethel, and the comics is somehow both ridiculously outlandish, but also topical given what is happening in real life now.

There would have been actual suspense in previous seasons if Cheryl had to decide between the Vixens and Toni/Kevin/Clay, but this version of Cheryl would definitely not sell out her girlfriend and friends like that, so I'm glad the show didn't try that here.

Frank is back to being a dick again, by acting all freaked out over Archie being into poetry.  Archie can't win, can he?  If he's into poetry and other "unmanly" things, he might not be man enough.  But when he and Betty get a bit steamy with one another, suddenly he has the devil in him, in Frank's eyes or some shit.  Pick a lane, man!

Archie as John Proctor from The Crucible was no Daniel Day-Lewis obviously, but still pretty good.  Probably some of K.J. Apa's best acting work.

[Simba122504]

I guess this season is ship musical chairs. At this point, if Ethel and Jughead don't kiss, it's because she's not thin. Grundy is back?  Pass the bleach for the eyes, please. Bad enough I thought Veronica and the FBI agent were going to make out. Jughead still isn't hanging out with Archie and has his arc still doesn't involve other main characters.  And there's no narrative like period. TBTB making fun of their own terrible writing is still terrible. 

Edited July 1, 2023 by Simba122504

[ruby24]

There’s something really weird and noticeable about Jughead not interacting with any other main character on the show this season. Has he had any scenes with Archie even?

[Affogato]

21 hours ago, ruby24 said:

There’s something really weird and noticeable about Jughead not interacting with any other main character on the show this season. Has he had any scenes with Archie even?

I still think it is because Jughead is writing this and has a different perspective and the character is always a bit of an outsider character.

I seem to remember there was more at the beginning, but Reggie has kind of taken Jughead's place with Archie and Betty.

Edited July 2, 2023 by Affogato

[Chicago Redshirt]

On 6/29/2023 at 8:08 PM, SourK said:

Admittedly, I didn't care or listen, but I thought they established that it wasn't illegal to sell comics -- it was just that the moms were boycotting news stands that did. So, why was there a police raid on Jughead and Ethel?

It's not technically illegal for a newsstand or whatnot to sell comics at face value. They're licensed businesses that pay taxes etc. At the same time it could easily be illegal for Jughead and Ethel to sell comics at a major markup  (instead of a dime, a quarter) out of Pop's without the proper licensing or giving Uncle Sam or whatever the equivalent for New York/the town of Riverdale the proper cut.

And of course, it is not like they are strictly going by what's legal or not in the show. 

[Bill1978]

I confess that I am a sucker when a show goes meta and does it well. From the ending of the Lodge's TV show at the conclusion of Season 7 to the line of the night of Cheryl telling Hiram that they enjoyed the first season, but it's been downhill ever since was brilliant.

For some reason this episode really highlighted how disjointed Jughead's plot is from everything else. It really is getting noticeable how little he interacts with the main cast this season. Except for a number of very small references, you would almost think everybody else has no idea about The Milkman or the issue with the comic books.

With the return of Mrs Grundy (which explains why the 'communist' teacher wasn't given the name in this timeline), I have developed a crazy idea how this show may end. It makes no sense at all, but I feel like they are setting things up that the show is going to end in a way that feeds into the very first episode so that the story is in a constant loop.  As I said makes no sense, cause it requires Jason Blossom to exist and for Moose to exist (any info on if he appears this season?) and Clay not to, but when has that every stopped the writers?

Anyway, bring on the annual musical episode. Are they using original songs or going the jukebox musical option? Or is there an Archie Musical I am not aware of?

[Affogato]

9 hours ago, Bill1978 said:

I confess that I am a sucker when a show goes meta and does it well. From the ending of the Lodge's TV show at the conclusion of Season 7 to the line of the night of Cheryl telling Hiram that they enjoyed the first season, but it's been downhill ever since was brilliant.

For some reason this episode really highlighted how disjointed Jughead's plot is from everything else. It really is getting noticeable how little he interacts with the main cast this season. Except for a number of very small references, you would almost think everybody else has no idea about The Milkman or the issue with the comic books.

With the return of Mrs Grundy (which explains why the 'communist' teacher wasn't given the name in this timeline), I have developed a crazy idea how this show may end. It makes no sense at all, but I feel like they are setting things up that the show is going to end in a way that feeds into the very first episode so that the story is in a constant loop.  As I said makes no sense, cause it requires Jason Blossom to exist and for Moose to exist (any info on if he appears this season?) and Clay not to, but when has that every stopped the writers?

Anyway, bring on the annual musical episode. Are they using original songs or going the jukebox musical option? Or is there an Archie Musical I am not aware of?

It is too bad because Cole Sprouse is a lot more interesting than most of them. Betty is spinning her wheels and we've seen Archie and Veronica do the same riffs over and over again, which I understand is like in the comics.

I'm just going to go with it and say that we can learn that Clay was chunky as a boy and his nickname was 'Moose' and that Jason is the fish in the stargate pond.

I'm enjoying this season more than I remember liking the first season, but I also liked some of the middle season episodes more than many people liked them. I loved the b movie stuff they did, some seasons.

[Bill1978]

11 hours ago, Affogato said:

I'm enjoying this season more than I remember liking the first season,

For me, the first season will never be topped. But I am enjoying this season. The fact that I am still watching (and paying attention to) every episode this late into the season, proves that. Usually, I've quit after about 4 episodes into the season, and speed watch or read the plot outlines on Wikipedia to stay up to date.

There is a stron chance, that if i ever decide to rewatch this series it will just be S1 and S7 and the musical episodes (cause I'm a sucker for musicals - even if they make no sense in a show's context). Or and the farewell to Fred episode.

[AnimeMania]

S07.E14: Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-One: Archie: The Musical!

RIVERDALE HIGH PRESENTS “ARCHIE THE MUSICAL” — After Principal Featherhead (guest star William MacDonald) agrees to let Kevin (Casey Cott) present him with an original musical written by him and Clay (guest star Karl Walcott), Kevin learns the group might not be as into it as he had hoped. Elsewhere, musical rehearsals prompt Archie (KJ Apa) to question what he wants in life, while Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) confront what’s going on between them.

Premiere Date: Wednesday, July 5, 2023    9pm    CW 

All Original Songs

Next New Episode: July 19, 2023    

[StewieGriffin]

These musical episodes seem so pointless.  I dunno where they are going with any of this hopefully they get this back in the present time for the finale would be so weird if they end it in this 50's thing.

[the-grey-lady]

5 minutes ago, StewieGriffin said:

These musical episodes seem so pointless.  I dunno where they are going with any of this hopefully they get this back in the present time for the finale would be so weird if they end it in this 50's thing.

Spoiler

They aren't leaving the 50s. A cast member already spoiled that.

 

[Bill1978]

I'm gonna preface this by saying I am a sucker for musicals. And a sucker for when a TV show decides to have musical episode. At one stage, I would only tune into the musical episode of a Riverdale season. As at least the songs woke me up, even if the link between the song and the current plot was nonexistent.

And I have to say, this was probably my favourite Musical Episode of a TV Show since Buffy's Once More With Feeling. Using the framing device of Kevin & Clay writing a school musical made the singing make sense, allowed for cheesy choreography, using original songs helped support the narrative better, and having Kevin & Clay be the authors allowed the some of the more clunky, on the nose lyrics be acceptable since 16-year-olds wrote them.

What I wasn't expecting was to get caught up emotionally with that final song, I don't know why but it got a tad misty in my loungeroom as everyone came in to support Kevin.

Speaking of Kevin, did I forget that the Kellers were having troubles in their marriage? Or was this the first time learning about it. And in the original timeline is Mrs Keller dead? I can't rememnber.

Anyways, it was really nice for Kevin to get a meaningful plot for a change, can't remember the last time he got one to be honest. I found it funny the amount of kisses that occurred this episode between Kevin and Clay as it was only today that I described to a friend that Kevin this season is the straightest gay on TV since Will Truman.

Spoiler

4 hours ago, the-grey-lady said:

They aren't leaving the 50s. A cast member already spoiled that.

This may just be the most ridiculous decision ever made by the writers.

[ybrik]

With that spoiler if true, I am really wondering where the writers are trying to go with this season. I have been enjoying it for the most part but it feels like it is meandering. I am not sure where they are trying to go with the season. 

The perfect example of this is Betty and Veronica. What are they trying to do with them this season? Are they actually going to have them hook up or is this just teasing and will go back to Archie and Betty soon? Last night’s episode definitely made it seem like they may become more than just friends but I expect that to change. 

[the-grey-lady]

3 hours ago, Bill1978 said:

 

  Reveal spoiler

 

 

 

 

This may just be the most ridiculous decision ever made by the writers.

100% agree. And there are a lot to choose from.

1 minute ago, ybrik said:

With that spoiler if true, I am really wondering where the writers are trying to go with this season.

Sorry, forgot to include the article with the spoiler.

I don't think the writers are trying to go anywhere. Just having (their idea of) fun.

Edited July 6, 2023 by the-grey-lady

[Quark]

I thought this musical episode was a hoot!

I believe this is also the first time we have met Kevin's Mum, which is interesting.

[SourK]

If this ends with Betty and Veronica together and Archie going off by himself to be a poet, that's better than most outcomes I imagined.

The only song I really liked was the one where Archie and Jason took off their shirts for no reason and had a weird singing contest in the shower -- and then Archie was just abruptly like, "No, this feels stupid." I thought that was very funny.

[rmontro]

Not really buying the Betty/Veronica hookup, just because they're some of the only two who haven't paired off yet.  

The Archie musical was a hoot.  I still haven't figured out if the Cole Porter song was really written by him, or just being passed off as his.  Jason made a good Archie, and Clay made a good Jughead.

[Dobian]

I'm honestly tired of the Glee/High School Musical episodes by this point.  Riverdale has already done a bunch of them.  Yay, Cole Porter wrote a Taylor Swift song.  I think he's spinning in his grave.  And next week it looks like we have another self-contained episode.  With only five more episodes after that, are the writers at some point going to get back to the main story arcs?  I see two of them - the whole Blossom-Principal-Werther conspiracy, and the meteor they have to stop from hitting future Riverdale or whatever.  Why isn't Tabitha doing her angel thing?  That whole plot has disappeared.  Maybe it's all been just one big McGuffin.  I do like how they are bringing all the "kids" together and uniting them for the first time ever.  Looks like they're aiming for a happy comic book ending.

Edited July 7, 2023 by Dobian

[memememe76]

I thought this was clearly the best musical of the series. And Apa is really great this season. I totally get the kinda aimless quality of the season but I find virtually every character likeable. Seasons 1 and 7 will be my favourite. I just cannot fathom the concept of wanting the show to be like seasons 2-6.

[thuganomics85]

Ah, musical time!  Definitely started out as a hoot (Archie and Julian singing opposite of one another, complete with stripping off their shirts mid-run and then continuing in the showers was Grade-A Riverdale cheese right there), but I'll be honest: the final song actually landed with me emotionally.  It was a nice moment for Kevin and seeing all of the support he had from his friends and it was just great seeing the entire cast there (hell, even Cole Sprouse was actually in the same frame as the others!  Miracles can happen!)  I guess I'm just an easy mark, but to be fair, I've pretty much been graded this show on a curve for the past several years.

Really looks like they might be testing the waters for Betty/Veronica, while Archie decides to do his own thing and focus more on his poetry.  Definitely rushed, but I'd find that a little more interesting than typical Archie/Betty/Veronica triangle drama.  I did love Archie's revelation there and him promising them that he will try not to kiss anyone else.  Gold star to K.J. Apa for that line delivery and similar credit to Lil Reinhart and Camila Mendes' reaction to that.  At least the cast ain't slumming it here.

I actually did think Nicholas Barasch/Julian had one of the better singing voices here.  I wonder if he has experience with that?\

[Daltrey]

Well...it didn't have near the laughs I've come to expect from my beloved Riverdiculous but I thought the songs were some of the best the show has produced. They actually got me thinking I wouldn't mind a soundtrack album of sorts to hide amongst my vinyl collection...in the guilty pleasures section!😆 

[tennisgurl]

Oh yes, of course we need our very own 1950's musical episode! This show has basically turned into a random musical ages ago, with mixed results, but I actually thought that this was pretty fun. I preferred more of the retro 50s bops but all of the songs were pretty solid and the cast did a good job with them. Julian actually does have a pretty good voice, surprisingly, and managed to go through a few scenes without being a total dick. His near death experience has really done him good. We even got Jughead and Archie in a room together! Amazing!

If we end with Betty and Veronica together while Archie becomes a poet, I would be pretty happy with that. 

The meta jokes with common complaints about the show were funny, but they make me wonder why the show wont work on fixing those issues instead of just acknowledging that they exist.

I really do like this 50s season, the characters are just so much more likable, but I keep wondering how that magic meteor is doing as it heads towards modern Riverdale. We gonna deal with that at some point?

[Bill1978]

6 hours ago, tennisgurl said:

I really do like this 50s season, the characters are just so much more likable, but I keep wondering how that magic meteor is doing as it heads towards modern Riverdale. We gonna deal with that at some point?

Honestly, I feel like the writers are gonna pull a Lost and we learn that the comet hit Riverdale and Season 7 has been them living in the afterlife. And therefore, they can claim all the characters who didn't return this season survived the impact. It would also explain why all the characters who died previously are present in Season 7. And it turns out that the reason why Tabitha appears and disappears is because she is slipping in and out of a coma.

Of course, it's more likely the writers will never address the comet or the time travel.

[ruby24]

Yeah, I'm actually wondering if we're just gonna drop the comet/time travel completely.

What I can see them doing is a quick glance across other Archies "universes" or whatever to show different endings with different pairings, etc. 

But they're obviously ending in this particular 1950's world, given how much time we've now spent in it.