Riverdale – Mid Season Roundtable Recap
We just finished the mid season finale of The CW’s hit series Riverdale. So far this season has been jam packed with angst, sexual tension, hints of romance and fear. With that being said, it’s time once again to enter into a round table discussion as to what we think so far and what we expect to happen after the mid season break.
Since our last discussion, do you think the Black Hood has really been exposed or do you think more is to come ?
Miranda: Here’s the thing, I just don’t think Mr. Svenson is the Black Hood. Yes, I know that he was found with hood on head and all but there are just too many holes in his story. My gut is still leaning towards Mr. Cooper being the real culprit. There’s just something cold and calculating about him. But maybe Mr. Cooper is more the Riverdale Reaper doing most of the dirty deeds. Gah, so confusing!!
C: If I didn’t know the Black Hood was a dude, after Cheryl’s recent shenanigans I’d be looking at her. Part of me still thinks it could be the mystery Cooper brother but I’m now looking long and hard at creepy janitor man.
Mo: I think that there is more to come with the hood.
TJ: I think there’s more to come. That wasn’t the real Black Hood but a phoney pretending to be him. More will come to Riverdale.
I know I for one was shocked with Jughead’s decision to become what he always hated, a Serpent. Do you think that it was the right decision for him or was it an off the cuff decision that is going to lead him down the wrong path?
Miranda: I think he’s being led down a dark and dangerous path. If he doesn’t watch what he’s doing, he may end up in the same place his father was, or worse.
C: I think becoming a Serpent has given Juggie more of an idea of who he really is actually. I think he’s still working it out, but it’s given him more.
Mo: I think it was the right decision. Jughead needed to take control of the situation and the serpents that was his way!
TJ: His thinking usually lands him in hot water but sometimes that thinking does help him with problems. I don’t think it will lead to the wrong path.
What do you think about the relationship between Alice Cooper and FP Jones? Is it just sexual tension or do you think that it goes deeper? Do you think the showrunners are going to branch out into this relationship when the season starts back up?
Miranda: There is so much sexual tension between them. I can almost feel it! I hope the show runners decide to give them a story line. Especially after Mr. Cooper is arrested for being the Black Hood ;). I just think it would make a good background story for both of their characters.
C: Waaah I think it goes deeper, I think back in her Serpent days they were a thing and I’m not gonna lie, I ship it HARD. She’s got a wild streak a mile wide and I think it needs to be let out to play with FP!
Mo: I think that FP and Alice had something more that we know so far! I can see it in the looks they give each other!
TJ: That would be interesting route to take. Alice Cooper’s husband is bland and she has Serpent history with FP I see as both sexual and goes deeper. cause of that history I hope they do explore it.
In Episode 8, House of the Devil, the ending scene left a lot to the imagination. With the demise of Archie/Veronica and Jughead pushing Betty away, will the romance between Archie/Betty heat back up?
Miranda: I love Jughead and Betty together, but I think the boy and girl next door crush will always be there.
C: I’m so torn on this, I love Bughead, but I don’t think Varchie are right for each other. She’s too materialistic and big city for that small town boy. As much as I like Bughead, I think the boy and girl next door have some fiery moments to come!
Mo: I think the romance will be back between them, once they all calm down.
TJ: The break ups happen all the time in Archie comics. I would love to see Archie go to the Betty romance then Veronica. They have been childhood friends and Betty really likes Archie, now is her chance to do it.
Speaking of Archie/Betty/Veronica, were you shocked to see the lovefest going on? First the kiss in the car between Archie and Betty, then Veronica attacking Archie at his house.
Miranda: I was not expecting the kiss in the car. I think that Betty got caught up in working with Archie to find the Black Hood that it was more an in the moment type of thing. As for Veronica lip-tacking Archie, she’s doesn’t want to give up a good thing, so she had to prove her worth to him. I think when push comes to shove Archie will finally open his eyes about her one day.
C: I think the kiss in the car between Betty and Archie was a spur of the moment thing but I can see it causing problems down the line. As for Varchie… that girl has some serious issues with inappropriate timing. I get the whole “let’s live in the moment cos there’s a serial killer on the loose and we might die at any moment” thing but girl, choose your moments!
Mo: Betty kissing Archie was just in the moment. Veronica needs to think about her timing because with all they are facing surely that’s not all that’s on her mind at the moment.
TJ: The love triangle is what makes Riverdale and the comics. I like where its finally headed.
I know in the last roundtable discussion we had, we were all pretty shocked to see that Alice Cooper had been a Serpent. Do you think that reveal was more shocking than the contentious strip tease Betty performed?
Miranda: I knew it was coming from the previews, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so graphic. I think part of the reason it is creating havoc is because of Betty’s age. I know Lili Reinhart is of age, but is it acceptable for a 16 yr old to be stripping? I don’t know which one was more shocking though: Betty wanting to be a Serpent or her mother actually being one.
C: Honestly no. I think that strip tease was badly handled. Betty is 16, that was the least sexy song in the history of anything ever and if Alice was a Serpent then she *must* have done that dance in her day… so the second she realised what was going on she should have had Betty off that stage. Alice having been a Serpent makes sense. I don’t think even Dark Betty could have made that strip tease work.
Mo: Alice being a Serpent was a big shock but Betty’s striptease… that was just wrong and totally inappropriate!
TJ: The strip tease was way more shocking cause it caught a lot of people off guard as opposed to Alice as a Serpent. That was already hinted at in past episodes.
What are your thoughts on Jughead’s dealings with Penny, which has ultimately led to his lying to his father about his involvements.
Miranda: Like I said earlier, he is going down a really dark path. Now that he’s practically “skinned her alive” by removing her Serpent tattoo with his pocketknife, I don’t know if he can turn back to his former self. And with free tattoo removal, will Penny be back or stay gone? If she comes back what will that mean for Jug?
C: Penny is the ultimate snake. Not a Serpent, just a snake. I think she is bad news for all involved, especially Juggie. I’m worried how this is going to affect him down the road as his final act to get rid of her was pretty drastic.
Mo: I think Jughead was doing what he needed to for his dad. But he has gotten in over his head.
TJ: They way he dealt with Penny, that was the best way cause she was a snake. He lied to protect his dad and show he wasn’t doing that anymore.
Last question for this discussion: FP Jones. Is he playing it up to the Serpents to get them off Jughead’s back or do you think he’s going back to them for good even though he told Jughead he wanted nothing to do with them?
Miranda: This has me confused I guess. I didn’t think FP was one to walk away but I also don’t think he’s one to lie to his son. I don’t think he’s happy with the things his son has been doing but I don’t necessarily think he’s going to stop him. So, I’m going to leave my thoughts in my head on this one for now.
C: I really don’t know either. The two things that define FP are being a Serpent and his love (however poorly that might be demonstrated) for his family. I think he’d really go back to the Serpents to save Jug, but I don’t think Juggie will let him go it alone.
Mo: FP I think was playing to start with, but being a Serpent is in his blood and he feels right doing it.
TJ: FP wants to be king of Serpents. He is going to back them cause they are considered his “family”. He told Jughead that so he doesn’t follow down in the same path he was taking.
Let us know your thoughts to any of the topics we discussed. If you have any questions you want to hear our answers to or maybe want to join in on the next roundtable, just give us a shout and we will be more than happy to add you you!
Join us in the new year (January 17th) when Riverdale returns!
