Not everyone has a ton of time to binge-watch when a particular mid-season trailer catches their eye to a show they’ve not indulged in. Riverdale comes back from their mid-season break with some pretty spicy stuff, so my Jughead-obsessed teenager and I thought we’d give you five pivotal episodes to get you ready in less time!
Now, before we get into the real meat of Riverdale, I want to make sure you’re aware of its content. This is not the simplistic and cartoony Archie you may remember from his days in the adorable comics and digests. This take on Archie is far more gritty and dramatic than some may be comfortable with. Make sure, if watching with your kids, you’re aware it’s got some intense non PG-13 stuff going on. If you or your watchin’ buddies are sensitive to violence, this show may not be for you. However, if you’re interested in seeing a different vision of Riverdale’s sweethearts — this show is for you.
Also: No worries, I kept the majority of the spoiling down — but do make sure you check out these trailers to the episodes I linked and then head on over to Netflix to catch up on season one ASAP!
Chapter 1: The River’s Edge
This is your introduction to where this new and brooding version of Archie all began. Our red-haired hero is a typical high-schooler, on the football team with a cool dad and a swell dog named Vegas and a best friend who is the epitome of the girl-next-door. With a hamburger loving, film-obsessed best friend named Jughead, Archie has what seems like a normal small town life. Things happened over the summer, however, and those events are what changed Riverdale for good and perhaps boosted these kids into burgeoning adults.
Chapter 3: Body Double
The full-scale hunt for whomever killed Jason Blossom is on. With that said, the town and obviously the teens of Riverdale are shook by the rumors and possibilities that the murderer is among their ranks. With Archie feeling responsible despite not actually witnessing the crime, he takes that youthful naivete to Sheriff Keller and they end up uncovering far more that Archie has been hiding. This is a pretty pivotal episode that shows that, even with the adults in Riverdale embroiled in their own drama, the parents still rally for their children when in need. Remember, these are kids afterall.
Chapter 11: To Riverdale and Back Again
The teens and the rest of the town are getting closer and closer to finding out who killed Jason Blossom, but within that are the many layers of lies that have been uncovered as well. Our local diner crasher, Jughead, is dealing with some intense familial drama that could possibly end up with him taking on a life that isn’t really meant for a teenager. With the town looking to Jughead’s father as a possible suspect, his Dad informs him that they should probably move away from Riverdale and go somewhere quieter and, you know, with less teen murdering. The whole case starts to pull together even tighter and it looks like every theory people once had is now crumbling away to the dark and seedy truth beneath.
Chapter Fourteen: A Kiss Before Dying
With the case wrapped up and the Blossom Family still no better off than before, a mysterious figure invades in on Pop’s Diner and makes a murderous attempt on Archie’s Dad. Thankfully, the masked individual doesn’t hit the mark but it starts an even scarier scenario that someone is seeking out people in town purposely. This throws the teens of Riverdale High into a tailspin with Archie right in the middle as he becomes furiously devoted to protecting his Father and everyone around him that he loves. Who is this masked person and what do they want here in Riverdale?
Chapter Seventeen: The Town that Dreaded Sundown
Archie has done lost his sweet little freckled mind. Completely spun-out of control on caffeine, a drug called ‘Jingle Jangle‘ and absolutely zero sleep, he devises a plan and sorts out an ill-fated group called ‘The Red Circle‘ to deal with this mysterious man who is now going by ‘The Black Hood‘. Murders are happening more frequently and the town is terrified which is doing Archie and his friends no good when they’re asked to stay safe and under parental watch. Mistakes are made and the most cringe-tastic student film is made so that Archie can recruit a band of misfit football players to thug-out with him against an unknown murderer. Honestly, it’s a terrible idea that only leads to more chaos with a local gang that would like to see him stay away from their turf. Meanwhile, that darling blonde-haired girl next door? Yeah, Betty’s been hiding a lot and it’s possible that the Black Hood has been reaching out to her personally. Uh-ohhh.
Now, keep in mind, these are just a few of many episodes — but if you’re in a hurry and want to catch up, it should help you get a feel for Riverdale fast! Make sure you’re prepared because Riverdale is back this week on The CW and the rest of season two is only going to get more insane in this little ‘quiet’ town.
