Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 3 episode 9: “No Exit”

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 9, we were reminded that “in unity there is strength,” but is that truly enough to handle all of the evil and corruption going on in our favorite bubble gum pop town?  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Forty-Four:  No Exit,” Archie is attacked by a bear and begins to have some vivid dreams that could be quite meaningful.  Meanwhile, Veronica plays “deal or no deal” with her father, and Betty realizes that being a queen is actually hard work.  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 3 episode 9 mid-season premiere are:

5

“I’m their Griffin Queen.”

Well sure, maybe you are Betty, but are you really able to continue housing all of these girls you valiantly rescued from the Sisters of Quiet Mercy?  Betty quickly begins to realize that this is a very difficult task.  It’s one thing to swoop in for a rescue, but what comes next is always that much more challenging.  Betty looks for help from some of the more reliable parents in town and it seems like she may have a temporary solution, but it’s only a matter of time before her reign may end.  Either way, we support you, Betty!

4

“We’ll go, but we’re keeping our jackets.”

So this episode finally gave our favorite couple, Cheryl and Toni, some much needed screen time.  While Choni is told to “break it up” at school, they turn on the heat and decide to break into Hiram Lodge’s residence to leave their mark…so to speak.  The plan backfires when Jughead asks them to return the valuable egg they stole and they are asked to turn in their jackets and go.  Cheryl doesn’t go quietly; however, as she reminds Jughead that Fangs should also be punished for his actions.  While Cheryl and Toni exit begrudgingly from the Serpents, Cheryl is not about to lose her latest fashion statement and reminds Jughead that they will be keeping their jackets.  Although I’m not sure that Cheryl and Toni will stay gone for long, it makes me wonder if Jughead is truly ready to be a leader and handle all that comes with it?

3

“You are not the villain you think you are.”

Archie is still off handling his own inner demons and is brutally attacked by a bear.  While Archie calls for help, he begins hallucinating or having vivid dreams that had me wondering if I was hallucinating along with him.  While it’s clear that Archie is focusing on his enemy, Hiram Lodge, perhaps the bigger villain is his own guilt.  I have to say that I was right there with dream Fred Andrews when he told Archie to just come home already.  Although, that may be a little bit difficult for our main character right now.

2

“Has anyone ever told you, you’re a bad-ass?”

During the episode, Veronica continues to struggle to maintain power over her father, as he stirs up some more trouble.  Hiram is all about making Faustian deals, but is he able to truly tame his daughter?  Veronica ends up securing protection from the Serpents, which seems like a great solution, but it’s only a matter of time before Hiram comes up with a new plan.  Will Veronica be ready?  Perhaps, but it seems like her attention has drifted elsewhere, as Veggie fans celebrated when she and Reggie shared their first kiss.  Is Veronica truly ready to move on from Archie, however?

1

“We go to join thee.”

At the end of the episode, we are left with a lot of setup for what’s to come.  Alice sends the girls from Sisters of Quiet Mercy off to the farm and informs Betty that she only missed Edgar by “like five minutes,” but it looks like the second half of the season will finally give us some concrete answers about the farm.  Jughead also decides to send Fangs under cover, which may be more than he is able to handle, but it looks like he is up for the challenge.  The Sisters of Quiet Mercy are bailed out and leave behind the cryptic message:  “We go to join thee,” which Betty eventually figures out, as the Sisters go to join their “Gargoyle King” with their sacrifice.  Was this by choice or was someone else pulling the strings here to keep them quiet forever?  Finally, Archie is non-responsive when help arrives, which begs the question:  is Riverdale really about to kill off the main character of the show?  This is not the first time that Archie has faced a life or death situation, but something tells me that he’s going to be all right.  Overall, I was slightly disappointed with the episode, as it felt more like a filler or transition one.  It did provide us with a lot of setup for what’s to come, but I would like to see more content highlighted, especially since one of the teaser trailers suggested that Betty is going to be reunited with her father, Hal, very soon.  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!

**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!

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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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.

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” season 2 episode 17: The Wait is Over!

Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 2 episode 17 last night, we learned that new alliances have been formed, which bring together former enemies and divide other families even further than Shakespeare could have thought even possible.  While the line between blood and loyalty has blurred almost into non-existence for some, others have put aside their selfish needs to do what is right for everyone.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  In last night’s episode, “Chapter Thirty:  The Noose Tightens,” the car in Swedlow Swamp resurfaces, causing new enemies to come to town and pushing Alice to the breaking point.  Meanwhile, Betty wants a serpent tattoo, Archie continues to act first and think later, and Veronica and Toni team up to rescue Cheryl from the “Sisters of Quiet Mercy.”  My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 2 episode 17 are:

5

“No need to become the Montagues and Capulets just yet.”

It’s all out in the open now that Fred Andrews is running for mayor against Hermione Lodge and it’s about time someone took a stand to protect the town of Riverdale.  When the Andrews family comes face to face with the Lodge family, you can cut the tension with way more than a knife.  Veronica and Archie immediately detect that this is only going to get worse and Veronica tries to make light of it with some Shakespeare humor.  However, we all know that Romeo and Juliet was a tragedy and that the young lovers are the ones who get caught up in the cross fire.  Can the same be said for team Varchie?

4

Nothing stays hidden for long.

Alice is shocked to learn that the car belonging to the man Chic killed, Dwayne, has re-surfaced in Swedlow Swamp.  Alice sits down with FP, Jughead, and Betty to come up with a plan and FP reminds them of the importance of laying low and acting normal in the meantime.  However, Betty even admits that “normal is investigating when the world says they shouldn’t.”  Our favorite detective team, Bughead enlists the help of Kevin to get more information and is shocked to learn that the stolen car has been claimed by the owner.  Chic involves himself further than he should and contacts Darla who is the ex-girlfriend of Dwayne.  As if right on cue, Darla shows up at the Cooper house and tries to blackmail them for $10,000.  Alice is more than happy to give her the money and wipe her hands clean of this whole mess, but the drama isn’t over just yet.

3

“Who are you Archie?”

An excellent question from his mother and Archie should really take some time and look in the mirror to figure it out.  Archie continues to make the wrong decisions and is losing his temper more and more.  Archie even threatens some of Mr. Lodge’s criminal business associates without blinking an eye, which even has Mr. Lodge reminding him that he shouldn’t pick a fight he can’t finish.  After the Lodge family discovers that “Agent Adams” has double crossed them, they are not sure what the long term plan is.  The Lodge family is currently in danger, but Archie will stop at nothing to protect him.  Rather than show up to support his father announcing his intent to run for Mayor, Archie sets the “Dark Circle” loose on their enemies, which leads to him getting a thank you car from Mr. Lodge.  Archie is creating an even bigger divide between him and his family without realizing it, which has us wondering, is all of this really worth losing your soul over?  A Faustian deal comes to mind, especially when we can easily imagine Mr. Lodge as the devil, signing contracts in blood.  Will Archie be able to come back from this?  Will his family be able to forgive him?

2

Alice makes the right decision.

When Betty goes to retrieve the $10,000 from the bank, the man who was Chic’s “manager” shows up as well and it’s clear that the Cooper family is in a lot of trouble again because of Chic.  Luckily, the Serpent gang shows up as back-up to help them.  Darla and the manager leave for now with the cash, but it’s still very dangerous that they know more than they should.  After all, secrets never stay buried for long in Riverdale.  Alice is beyond grateful and makes an announcement to the Serpents that she is done attacking the South Side.  She makes the difficult decision to ask her son, Chic to leave since he has put her family in danger twice now and then shows up later on FP’s doorstep.  Are Alice and FP back together?  Will Chic really stay away?

1

Toni rescues Cheryl.

Fans were more than disappointed after the interrupted first kiss between Choni, but fear not, love is still blooming in the air.  Toni enlists the help of Veronica and Josie to help find Cheryl, as she knows that there is no way that she is being held in a boarding school, especially since her social media account has been dead silent.  The girls go and confront Mrs. Blossom who is armed and ready.  She tells them that Cheryl is mentally ill and even shows Josie the picture that Cheryl sketched not too long ago of the two of them, revealing that Cheryl was the one who was threatening and stalking her.  Josie is out, but Veronica and Toni are not about to completely abandon their friend.  Nana Rose makes the right call and tries to help Toni find Cheryl but is rudely interrupted by Uncle Claudius.  They then learn from Kevin that the “Sisters of Quiet Mercy” practice gay conversion therapy and that there is a secret tunnel that can lead them to Cheryl.  Toni and Veronica put on their fantastic spy-like outfits which have just the right amount of flair and break in.  Cheryl is stunned when she sees Toni and the two share a swoon-worthy kiss in front of the film screen.  The cheers for Choni should be deafening as this kiss was well worth the wait.  Veronica and Toni successfully rescue Cheryl who is surprisingly not broken from this ordeal.  Rather, she says that “revenge is a dish best served cold,” and informs Kevin that she is ready to take on the lead of the school play, which is none other than Carrie White from Stephen King’s classic.  While I’m sure that Cheryl can pull off anything, including being covered in pig’s blood, her family better watch out for sure since Cheryl is no stranger to making things in her way burn to the ground.  Stay tuned!  New episodes return on April 18th!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl