Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 11: “The Red Dahlia”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 11, I learned that “it’s not what things are, it’s what they appear to be.”  But when everyone in town is holding on to a secret, it’s hard to know who to trust.  After all, “no one’s innocent in crime town.”  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Forty-Six:  The Red Dahlia,” Riverdale embraces the noir genre, as Jughead Jones tries to uncover the secrets in town.  Meanwhile, Archie continues to spiral out of control, Veronica is determined to find out who tried to kill her father, and Hermione Lodge proves to be a femme fatale you do not want to mess with.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 11 are:

5

“A safe place as long as you know the safe word.”

I wonder if the safe word is “syrup.”  Penelope Blossom has been trying to get her brothel up and running in Riverdale for quite some time, but it looks like she is starting off with her secret sex club, “The Maple Club.”  Betty and Jughead uncover it while they are looking for information on Hiram’s mistress and get a lot more than they bargained for when they witness what is going on here behind closed doors.  While I’m not too sure on the scenery here, it’s nice to see some screen time for our couple, Bughead, as they get back to their roots and try to get to the bottom of the mystery in front of them.

4

“Well played, Miss Veronica.”

During the episode, Veronica embraces the noir genre and her fashion is on point, complete with an elegant hat, as she goes to hire Jughead Jones to find out who tried to have her father killed.  After confronting her mother, Veronica discovers her mother’s connection to the Fizzle Rocks drug fiasco and decides to have the drugs destroyed once and for all.  This may not have been the wisest decision, as Hermione is far from pleased, but Veronica reminds us that she is very capable and has been paying great attention to both her mother and father for quite some time.  At the end of the episode, Veronica no longer wants to find out the information, but is she perhaps a little bit too good at being a Lodge?  After all, manipulation seems to run in the family, but we’ll have to see what our girl Veronica does next.

3

“I’m going to face and kill one more demon.”

Archie continues to abuse alcohol and Fred is not pleased, as he reminds him that “this does not solve your problems.”  Archie receives some unexpected advice from Josie, which is actually spot on.  Josie talks to him about dealing with his demons head on, but Archie decides that he needs to finally face Hiram Lodge after all this time.  After initially going to shoot Hiram, Archie ends up saving his life and the two make a deal to stay away from one another.  But can you really ever make a trustworthy deal with the devil?  Archie listens to Josie and decides that he wants to channel his anger into boxing and start playing music again, which seems to be a step in the right direction.  Thanks Josie!

2

“You’re not so innocent, Betty.”

After talking with her father, Betty realizes that the murders around her have all been made to look like suicides by poison and that this trend definitely screams Blossom.  After some more detective work, Betty learns that Clifford Blossom was actually poisoned by the “black widow” or “Red Dahlia,” Penelope Blossom.  Cheryl and Toni have already warned Betty to back off, as Cheryl is mourning the death of her Uncle Claudius, although I’m not sure that there are that many tears here, but Betty continues to use all her resources to figure out the connection.  Penelope reveals that Claudius was responsible for the seizures, suggesting that the Fizzle Rocks run off in the river caused them.  However, Penelope Blossom is no medical doctor for sure, as we are still not able to understand why the seizures only impacted girls so far.  After Betty confronts Penelope about what she did, Penelope tries to explain that she only punishes men and that they are the “real poison.”  She also reminds Betty that she talks to Hal quite a bit and knows that she left Chic to die.  Secrets will get the best of you every time, but I’m sure our girl Betty will be able to figure out a plan.

1

“We should agree to keep each other’s secrets.”

After confronting Hermione Lodge, she appears to have nothing to hide.  Hermione is great under pressure and it seems like she may be off the hook, but Jughead Jones knows better.  Hermione may not have pulled the trigger on her husband, but she is pulling all the strings.  Jughead quickly learns that Sheriff Minetta is alive and well and having an affair with Hermione.  Only FP was the one to actually take the shot at Hiram.  Jughead tries to warn his father that Hermione plans to finish the job and frame him, but FP uses his new connection to the media to keep her quiet.  It seems like we are witnessing a strategic game of chess here, but Hermione is not about to let any loose ends remain.  She warns Jughead not to reveal her secrets or she will bring his father down too and she shoots her lover, Sheriff Minetta, proving to be the ultimate femme fatale. 

Overall, I was slightly underwhelmed by the noir themed episode.  Shows like Supernatural and Charmed have pulled this off successfully in the past, using the genre as a filler episode.  However, I am still recovering from the filler episode 9 so I was hoping for something more concrete here.  I will say that the plot did continue to move forward, but I was slightly confused with all the twists and turns and almost felt like I had to take notes just to keep up.  While I love the mystery behind Riverdale, I almost felt like it didn’t even need the noir theme or perhaps it didn’t need it to be present for the entire episode.  Either way, it looks like everyone still remains a suspect in some capacity, but we’ll have to stay tuned to see what happens next!

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!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 7: “The Man in Black”

Happy Wednesday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 7, we may know who the Man in Black is, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the Gargoyle King.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In tonight’s episode, “Chapter Forty-Two:  The Man in Black,” Archie and Jughead try to stay low in a strange town, but quickly realize that they are far from safe.  Meanwhile, Veronica shows off her gambling skills and Betty refuses to abandon her investigation, as she uncovers quite a lot of connections at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 7 are:

5

“When you’re trying to survive, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are.”

In the beginning of the episode, we catch up with Archie and Jughead, who are still looking for a safe place away from Hiram Lodge.  They come across a farm in the ghost-like town of Athens and are taken in by Laurie Lake and her sister.  While Archie tries to make himself useful at the farm, Jughead heads into town and detects symbols from the “Griffins and Gargoyles” game on some of the buildings.  When he asks about it, he learns that the drug, “fizzle rocks,” is here and that there is a man in black who calls the shots.  The town is oddly quiet and Jughead even comments that it is a little bit too “American Gothic” for him, but we learn that all of the men are working at the prison.  Jughead warns Archie not to get distracted, but Archie and Laurie do share a kiss.  Archie stops it from going any further; however, as he explains that he has a girl waiting for him back home.  Laurie seems harmless enough…until she hits Archie over the head with a frying pan and ties him up.  See Archie, just another reason why you should head on home to Veronica.

4

“Who’s the Man in Black?”

We quickly learn that the “Man in Black” is Hiram Lodge and that the men in town are working for him, distributing fizzle rocks.  Hiram is more than disappointed when Archie gets away with Jughead, but what was Hiram really going to do here?  Archie desperately wanted to stay and fight Hiram and “end this nightmare once and for all,” but Jughead talks some sense into him, recognizing that they are under prepared and no match for Hiram Lodge right now.  We know that Hiram is capable of murder, but would he really eliminate Archie forever?  It looks like Jughead and Archie will continue their brotherly adventure together, as they will be reunited with Jughead’s mother and sister in next week’s mid-season finale.   

3

“Veronica Lodge is not about to go quietly into the night.”

Veronica makes the decision to leave home, even though both her mother and father try to stop her.  Veronica sleeps at La Bonne Nuit and decides to spend her time figuring out how to make some real money.  She enlists the help of Elio and decides to have a casino night, which seems like a great idea, but Hiram recognizes the potential danger here.  Veronica even takes out a second mortgage on Pop’s Diner, which is extremely risky.  During the casino night, Elio is having an unrealistic streak of luck and hasn’t lost yet, which would leave Veronica in the red.  Veronica refuses to “go quietly into the night” and challenges Elio to a high stakes game of Black Jack, where the winner gets the deed to Pop’s Diner and La Bonne Nuit.  I have to say that I was extremely nervous here, but Veronica ends up winning, as she sends Elio packing.  We later find out that Veronica “scammed the scammer,” as Reggie so eloquently put it, but does this mean that Hiram has won back her affection?  Hiram did warn Veronica and got her in touch with a dealer she could trust, but we know that he has an ulterior motive here.  Later on, Pop warns Veronica and tells her, “Don’t be like your father.”  He explains that Sheriff Minetta was found murdered and that the body was decapitated and his hands were sawed off.  You really do not want to get on Hiram Lodge’s bad side.

2

“Make them think that you’re sane.”

During the episode, we also get to catch up with poor Betty, who is still at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.  Betty’s narration is beyond hilarious, as she desperately tries to stay sane so that she can continue on with her investigation.  Fizzle rocks pop up here as well and the patients are receiving the drug as their reward or “candy,” as Sister Woodhouse said in a beyond creepy tone.  Betty observes a lot at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy and notices that both Claudius Blossom and Hiram Lodge show up, but what is the connection?  We know that Hiram Lodge is the one who initially brought the fizzle rocks drugs to the Midnight Club so many years ago, so what is his end game here and how does Claudius fit in?  It seems like Betty is actually obtaining quite the inside scoop until she meets her new roommate…Ethel.  To quote Betty, “Fun!”  Ethel is beyond obnoxious, as she tries to even tell Betty that her and Jughead will be a ship.  Betty hilariously says, “Ethelhead…in your dreams” and I have to agree.  Ethel is not the only threat that Betty has to deal with, however.

1

“The king awaits you.”

In a frightening moment, Betty is taken to The Gargoyle King’s chambers against her will after she discovers that the “X” door has been boarded up with bricks.  Betty is forced to take the fizzle rocks drug and is brought before the king, which is absolutely terrifying.  We do not get to see who or what Betty sees, but we do witness her behavior later on, as she now seems completely different.  It’s almost like she is a shell of her former self, as she gives mechanical answers about the pictures that Sister Woodhouse holds up.  Betty even recites, “My king, my savior.  Guide me through the night.  Bless me with your darkness.  Gift me with your flight.”  Has Betty been completely brainwashed?  Are the drugs to blame?  What did she really see in the Gargoyle King’s chambers?  Also, where are Cheryl and Toni?  They deserve some much needed screen time.  Stay tuned for the mid-season finale next week!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Riverdale in the comments section below.  Happy viewing!

**I would love it if you would take a moment to check out my Whizbuzz Book page via the link below for everything you need to know about my new book, The Search for Alice, including my author bio page and links to my website and social media sites!  Thank you!

My Whizbuzz Book Page

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

[twitter-follow screen_name=’TV_Fanatic_Girl’]

If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

Want to read more?  You can click the link directly below for a free preview.  Thanks for your support!

Free Instant Preview of The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice is available here!

The Search for Alice Cover