Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching the CW’s Riverdale season 3 episode 22 season finale, Jughead reminded us of a quote from Arthur Conan Doyle: “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains…however improbable, must be the truth.” But what if the truth is even more frightening than the impossible? Please note MAJOR spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet. In last night’s episode, “Chapter Fifty-Seven: Survive the Night,” Jughead, Betty, Archie, and Veronica come face to face with the real Gargoyle King, as they are put through a series of dangerous quests that threaten each of their lives. Meanwhile, Cheryl tries to get other members of the Farm to listen to reason and we learn a secret about Alice that could change everything. My top 5 moments from the Riverdale season 3 episode 22 season finale are:
5
“The true king was you…”
In the beginning of the episode, we cut right to the chase, as Jughead, Betty, Archie, and Veronica end up at some kind of creepy Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. We learn that Penelope “bought” Betty from Edgar after she learned about his harvesting organs scheme from Toni, but is Betty in even more danger now? As everyone exchanges confused looks, we meet two more guests and Penelope reminds them that there are “no masks at the dinner table.” Hal is the Black Hood and is very much alive and Chic is the Gargoyle King. Chic now has red hair and has been pretending to be Jason under Penelope’s twisted orders, but this was a very satisfying reveal. We learn that the true Gargoyle King is Penelope Blossom.
I originally suspected that the King was a Queen, but I put my money on the wrong Riverdale mother, but I was very pleased with this reveal. After all, the Red Dahlia can be extremely dangerous. Penelope reveals that Jughead and the others are featured players because they are all children of the original Midnight Club members and she’s looking to put their parents through the same trauma that she went through with Jason. We also learn that Sister Woodhouse was behind the deaths at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, as all of the puzzle pieces begin to fit into place. And so the final quest begins…
4
“I don’t think I ever stopped loving you.”
Even though this episode is jam-packed with constant action and twists and turns, we do take a quick moment for Varchie to have a heart-to-heart talk. Now that their lives are in great danger, Archie tells Veroncia how he really feels about her and she says, “My heart ached for you,” revealing that nothing happened that night between her and Reggie. Varchie fans rejoice! And now back to the action…
3
“What kind of sick monster are you?”
Meanwhile, Cheryl tries to convince Fangs and Kevin that they are in great danger, but the organs that Betty discovered have been conveniently moved. Cheryl walks into a room and begins screaming, as she confronts Edgar and asks him, “What kind of sick monster are you?”
We later learn that Edgar was the one responsible for the grave digging, as he decided to reunite Jason Blossom’s corpse with his sister. Talk about twisted! Cheryl gets a lucky break when she works with an “angel in disguise,” as Alice finally comes to her senses and helps Cheryl escape with the remaining twin, recognizing that Betty needs help. It’s about time, Alice! Cheryl recruits the Serpents and Poisons and shows up to help protect her friends with her trusty bow and arrow. Go Cheryl!
2
“I’d start running if I were you…”
The most intriguing part of the episode for me was the actual final quest, as Penelope does not hold back. Jughead, Betty, Archie, and Veronica are left in the nature preserve and stumble upon a series of tests that are life threatening. We get a grizzly fight for Archie, a dangerous game of spin the bottle for Veronica, a battle of kings for Jughead, and a one bullet scenario for our girl, Betty. The trials had me on the edge of my seat, as our favorite characters desperately try to prevail while protecting one another. Penelope is amused and somewhat impressed by their performances, but she is not above taking matters into her own hands.
When Betty is presented with the “one bullet” task, she has to shoot her father before he shoots her and her friends. Betty shoots him, but Penelope appears and tells him that he was always a terrible serial killer, shooting Hal in the head right in front of his daughter. The threat is over for now, as Cheryl and the others step in to save the day and Betty and Veronica get the antidote to the poison from the chalices. Penelope and Chic are gone for now, but we know that things are never truly boring in Riverdale, as we are about to find out.
1
“To the future…”
Even though we get plenty of reveals during the season finale, the mystery is far from over. When Betty and the others return to the Farm, we discover that “the worthy ascended,” but they left Kevin behind. Alice and Polly are gone, but this isn’t even the most shocking part. An FBI agent comes to see Betty and we learn that Alice was actually an FBI informant, working with…her son, Charles. Charles is very much alive, but will he be able to find his mother now with Bughead’s help?
Meanwhile, Cheryl begins to bond with her brother, Jason. Yes, you heard me right. She welcomes Jason’s corpse back into her home, which is very disturbing. Hermione is arrested for the attempted murder of Hiram and Hiram reminds us, “You don’t even know what’s coming,” which couldn’t be more accurate. What else does he have planned from behind bars? I’m anxious to find out.
The most interesting twist happens at the very end of the season finale when Jughead, Betty, Archie, and Veronica make a pact to keep their lives drama free. However, we flash forward to spring break of their senior year and we see Archie, Betty, and Veronica standing over a fire, covered in blood. They burn Jughead’s hat and say that they will never speak of this. Talk about a major cliffhanger! Stay tuned for season 4 Riverdale fans! I can’t wait!
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!
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