Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 1 season premiere: “The Calm before the Storm”

Happy Wednesday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 1 season premiere, we are left with some shocking moments, a new mystery, and so many questions.  Are you ready for season 3?  Here we go!  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In tonight’s episode, “Chapter Thirty-Six:  Labor Day,” Archie faces his trial and is tormented by nightmares before the big day.  Meanwhile, Jughead learns that it is not easy to lead, Veronica continues to clash with her father, and Betty is not a fan of her mother’s new outlook on life.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 1 season premiere are:

5

“Have a terrific weekend!”

During Archie’s trial, we learn that there will be a short recess until after Labor Day, which gives Archie one last potential weekend of freedom.  Hiram Lodge makes it a point to wish Archie a terrific weekend, but Fred Andrews wipes that smug smile off his face literally when he punches him.  Even though this may not have been the wisest decision, Fred is not about to let Hiram say anything else to his son and he will not rest until he brings him to justice.  I have to admit that I was cheering for Fred in this moment.  Take that Hiram!

4

“Cheryl doesn’t miss.”

Oh Cheryl Blossom, how I have missed you.  Cheryl makes an entrance like no other and walks into Pop’s Diner, sporting her red leather Serpent jacket and red bikini top like a boss.  Cheryl announces that there will be an end of summer party at her house and lets us know that she spent three wonderful months with Toni.  Can we get some footage of that please?  Cheryl opens up to Toni during the pool party and talks about when Archie saved her in the river, revealing that she had lost hope and did something really stupid.  Toni proves to be a wonderful partner and is always there to support her and listen.  Toni embraces Cheryl’s hand, letting her know that she is there for her and I am happy that these two are finally getting the chance they deserve together.  Later on, Cheryl continues to steal the spotlight when she sports her bow and arrow, ready to protect her fellow Serpents.  Cheryl puts an arrow in the shoulder of a Ghoulie who gets a little bit too close to Jughead and reminds everyone, “I told you I was in the mood for some hell raising.”  After Penny threatens the Serpents, Jughead tells Cheryl to point the arrow at Penny’s head and reminds her that “Cheryl doesn’t miss.”  Seriously she’s like a super hero or something.  With everything else going on in this episode, it was great to see some moments reserved for Cheryl, but I am hoping to see her character develop even further this season.  She deserves it.

3

“You don’t have a daughter anymore.”

Tensions continue to run high in the Lodge family.  Veronica begs her father to change his mind and help Archie, but he tells her that “it’s simply beyond my control.”  Later on, Archie tries to tell Veronica that he doesn’t want her to wait for him, but she refuses to accept this and tells him, “I am not letting my dad take away the one thing that I love.”  Later on when Archie is taken away, Veronica learns that this is her punishment for betraying her father.  Hiram is cold and harsh with Veronica, but she refuses to back down and tells him, “You don’t have a daughter anymore.”  We know that Hiram will never hurt Veronica physically, but the fact that he can stoop to this level is monstrous.  Hopefully Fred, FP, and Tom Keller can come up with something before it’s too late.  Either way, my heart goes out to Veronica and I am hoping that Hermione will have a change of heart and get more involved.

2

“I didn’t kill anyone but I could have.  I have to take responsibility for that.”

During the episode, Archie is tortured by nightmares, as his guilt starts to overwhelm him.  When he is out with his friends for Labor Day weekend, he tells them that “this is the best last day of summer a guy could ask for.”  Jughead suggests that Archie make a run for it, but Archie feels guilty and responsible for so much and can’t run away from this.  When Archie learns that there may now be another trial, a deal is presented for him to confess to manslaughter and Archie immediately jumps up and accepts the deal, against the advice of his mother.  Archie doesn’t want to put his family and friends through this ordeal any longer and accepts his punishment.  Good thing Archie has some fresh ink, as he will need to look for some potential Serpent allies while in jail.  While I commend Archie for his courage here, I wish that he wouldn’t always act so quickly.  His mother knows what she is doing and this all could have been avoided, but we will have to wait and see if Fred can somehow prove that Hiram is behind everything.  No pressure Fred.

1

“The Gargoyle King.”

The season premiere gave us a lot of shocking and heartwarming moments, but a new mystery has presented itself.  During the episode, we detect Dilton, who is always off by himself and has been seeking out advice and help from Jughead.  Dilton begins rambling to Jughead about the Gargoyle King, almost warning him, but Jughead has to get to Archie’s trial.  When he returns home, he finds a drawing from Dilton that matches up with a map.  When he arrives at the marked spot, he finds several boys in front of some kind of ritual with carvings on their backs.  I have to say that I am absolutely baffled and I have no idea what will happen here, but it looks like Jughead has just discovered a new darkness lurking in Riverdale.  If that wasn’t shocking enough, we learn that Alice has been influenced by someone named Edgar.  Polly introduced Alice to him and so far it seems to be harmless enough, but it is absolutely screaming cult.  We also learn that Betty has been abusing prescription drugs and has lied about going to see a therapist, which is alarming.  At the end of the episode, Betty thinks she sees her mother and sister holding the twins above a fire and then collapses and begins convulsing on the ground.  While we can guess that she must have been hallucinating, Betty’s life is in immediate danger and I am extremely worried.  Earlier, Jughead reminded her that they are partners and I’m hoping that she will learn from her past mistakes and open up to him about her problems now.  She needs Jughead more than ever even though “The Serpent Queen is a Warrior Queen.”  Betty is strong, but her father’s actions may have taken a bigger toll on her than she is willing to admit.  Let’s hope that she will be OK because I can’t live in a world without Betty Cooper.  Stay tuned!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale in the comments section below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

I live in Long Island, NY. I am obsessed with TV, movies, reading and writing! My top TV shows are Lost, Breaking Bad, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Prison Break, Charmed, Veronica Mars, and Beverly Hills 90210. My dog, Honey, loves TV too!

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