Riverdale was back in fashion for episode 2. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Betty (Lili Reinhart) were back in action, investigating the new local mystery of the ritualistic discovery Jughead made in the final moments of the premiere. Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa) was back to his All-American antics, trying to rally his fellow inmates to get along rather than becoming the animals the system believes them to be. And Hiram Lodge (Mark Consuelos), whose appearance was brief yet impactful, was back to his old tricks, conspiring ambushes and backstabbing.
There was more focus on character development in light of the new season and new mysteries. While last episode strived to give every character a moment of screen time, this week the focus was more on our central quartet, interlacing other characters throughout their scenes.
Not everything is as it seems from the inside
The beginning of the episode saw Archie Andrews being processed, ready to serve out his sentence he had plead guilty to the week before – juxtaposed to Jughead’s introductory narrative about the first day of school. With Veronica (Camila Mendes) determined to have everything waiting for Archie when they prove his innocence, nervous but determined, Archie embraces the big house.
His false sense of security is immediately threatened as his new cellmate Mad Dog (Eli Goree) tells him to hold tightly to his shoes and the Serpents turn him away for lack of proof of his loyalty. Joaquin (Rob Raco), a Serpent sent to prison during the riots last season, knows Archie all too well, and that the fresh tattoo on his arm speaks only that Jughead and FP (Skeet Ulrich) wanted to protect him, not a sign of devotion to the gang. Joaquin seems to be the head of the Serpents inside, which should present an interesting dynamic if he should get out and meet up with Jughead. For now, Archie’s refusal to shiv a rival gang member ensures no one has his back later on.
Archie is not one to become an animal, as Mad Dog has advised him, and instead decides to rally the inmates to participate in a football game. Archie’s success in organizing the event makes him a target not only with the guards, but with Hiram Lodge as well. Lodge is not about to see his vengeance complete with Archie Andrews simply incarcerated. He is determined to cut Archie off from the outside world, making him vulnerable to the dangers inside the big house. But neither is Veronica. With her father’s tenacity, yet good-willed nature, she too finds the means to get around her father’s vindictive schemes.
The Gargoyle King
This is currently the most interesting story line this season. I feel as though there is a connection between the Gargoyle King and the “Farm” Betty’s mother and sister are apart of, but I am honestly not sure. The final moments of this episode continue to give the inkling that the two might not be connected. Either way, Betty and Jughead have a new mystery to solve together.
Investigating the reasoning behind the death of Dilton (Major Curda), they find the game he and Ben (Moses Thiessen) had been playing reaches further beyond what anyone could imagine. Searching for a lost Scout from Dilton’s troop, Betty and Jug stumble on a bloodied beast in the woods – The Gargoyle King. Undeterred from their search, they find new avenues to find answers to the questions that continue to pile up. Yet, with the arrival of new classmate, Evelyn EverNever (Edgar’s, the leader of the “farm”, daughter), played by Zoe De Grand Maison, and the revelation that Ethel (Shannon Purser) is not only a part of Dilton and Ben’s game, but is experiencing new health issues similar to Betty’s, it seems one does not need to play the game to find themselves in danger. It is interesting to note, Shannon Purser who plays Ethel also portrayed Barbara in Stranger Things – this girl just can’t get away from supernatural beings that want to do her harm!
As this was a huge aspect of the episode, I don’t want to spoil too much. Though I must say, I am excited at the prospects this Gargoyle King storyline presents to our characters and to the series. Especially with the reveal that maybe parents do always know more than their children (which we talk about in a moment), the change in dynamics and driven goals between characters may be in for a shocking alteration. Danger seems to lurk around the corner this season, and not in the form of Hiram Lodge.
Speak Nevermore
In the final moments of “Fortune and Men’s Eyes”, Riverdale continued its tradition of dropping a huge plot twist in the closing moments. This is one of the biggest reasons Riverdale succeeds, beyond its characters and story, any episode can be redeemed in the final moments, guaranteeing you will tune in the following week. While this episode did not need saving, the final moments proved to be mind shattering.
In the office of Mayor Lodge (Marisol Nichols), it is finally revealed to all who have gathered about the death of Dilton and the circumstances of his death. As she speaks, a horrific understanding spreads across everyone’s faces. Something they swore to never speak of again is back, with eyes set on their children. Is it the Gargoyle King? Is it Edgar? What unspeakable things did they DO or witness when they were children, that could haunt them so deeply – and together.
This was one of many IT references I noticed throughout the episode. The parents reminiscing on an unspeakable event from their childhood that they either partook in or witnessed was very much like the second half of IT, the children now grown having to finish what they started as children. Yet, this was not the only reference. The new Coroner, who has taken over for Dr. Curdle (did anyone else know he was dead, cuz Betty and Jug, as well as myself, definitely didn’t), looks eerily like Bill Skarsgård, who plays Pennywise in the recent reboot. The most obvious nod of the night, though, was delivered by Ben in his final moments. Before letting himself fall out of the window, he declared to Betty and Jug, “You’ll all Fall too”, drawing an immediate reference to “You’ll Float too” which is commonly uttered by the demented clown. I am not sure if IT has anything to do with this season, but the heavy weighted references do lend themselves more importance than just a nod to a classic.
Conclusion
I do feel as though Veronica isn’t getting the screen time she desires, but that looks to changing in the following weeks as she works to open her speakeasy at Pop’s Diner – and not without challenges. It will be nice to see her digging her claws into a task, rather than being a sick lovestruck puppy, struggling with the bars that separate her and Archie. It will also be interesting to see how the “farm” comes into play this season, and whether it includes the Gargoyle King or not. So many pieces quickly being laid out this season and it’s only episode two!
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