Spoiler-Free Review of “Cruel Summer” Season 2 on Freeform: The Dangerous Secrets Return

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“You coming here has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me…”

Cruel Summer season two premiered on Freeform on June 5th 2023 (episodes also stream on Hulu) with the first two episodes. The series is set to air ten weekly episodes. It stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, and KaDee Strickland. Each episode runs for approximately 46-48 minutes.

The events we witness take place over one year from 1999-2000, involving a new set of characters and a new murder mystery to untangle.

Here is the trailer:

Cruel Summer is back and presents us with another mystery told from two perspectives across different timelines, but does it pack the same punch as the first season? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Likable characters for the most part…

I’m not sure that anyone can outshine Jeanette and Kate from season one, but so far I like the characters of Megan and Isabella and I think the actresses are doing a good job with their portrayals. The friendship is a lot different this time around and so are the circumstances, which will make things feel fresh and new…even though it’s an already familiar premise.

I’m not a huge fan of the character of Luke, but I didn’t really like that actor on Locke & Key either so maybe that’s why. The other supporting characters aren’t really adding too much to the series yet. We need another Mallory to really shake things up…

I’m hopeful that we’ll get there.

The soundtrack is on point!

Similar to season one, season two is doing a solid job of bringing us back in time with some fantastic music. From Sugar Ray to Lit to The Spice Girls! The show is channeling this time well and I’m looking forward to the rest of the soundtrack in the remaining episodes. Some movie references would be nice too!

The Cons:

The mystery needs more edge.

Cruel Summer season one was so addicting and I had so many working theories throughout my watch, which made it a lot of fun. While we have lots of drama and scandal in season two, the mystery just feels kind of lukewarm. We need a lot more to live up to season one.

The time jumps are trippy once again and maybe even more so this time around. They also feel a little rushed since this series takes place over one year rather than three summers.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Cruel Summer season two has some potential and is doing just enough to lure me back for more, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the mystery in season one.

Either way, it should make a fun summer watch to indulge in!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Cruel Summer (season two) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Chosen” on Netflix: Teen Sci-Fi Series with Angst

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“What’s out there?”

Chosen premiered on January 27th 2022 on Netflix with six episodes available to stream now. The Danish sci-fi series stars Malaika Mosendane, Andrea Heick Gadeberg, Andreas Dittmer and Anders Heinrichsen. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes.

A young girl discovers a secret truth behind the meteor that hit her small town years ago, bringing her into a mystery surrounding its origin and her own destiny.

Here is the trailer:

Chosen feels very much like a teenage style Fringe as it attempts to balance out a sci-fi mystery with teen drama. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Strong main character.

I really liked the character of Emma and I thought that the actress did a great job with her portrayal. Whenever I watch a series centered around some kind of female “chosen one,” I want her to really stand out and I thought that Emma managed to do that in this series.

All of the other characters had layers as well which made it easier for me to connect to them all. We got a likable Scooby gang to give this show a Nancy Drew feel at times and I think that it worked for the most part.

Intriguing mystery at its core.

I really liked the mystery behind the show and I think that each episode did enough at the end to bring you back for more. There were a lot of secrets and reveals and I think that the show still has a lot of unanswered questions to address if it gets a season two.

The Cons:

Too much teen drama at times.

I appreciate that this series wanted to channel a Stranger Things vibe in a lot of ways, but it could have benefited from some more humor. The teen drama felt overwhelming at times and I tuned out at certain points because of this.

There were also some pacing issues in the beginning of the series.

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Perfect for fans of teen fantasy/sci-fi series. There is enough content here to keep viewers entertained. I have a lot of questions after watching the first season, but I think this show is a unique gem that a lot of fans will truly enjoy!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**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!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Fallout” on HBO Max: Low Key and Honest Coming-of-Age Story

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“I feel like I’m fine…”

The Fallout released on HBO Max on January 27th 2022. The teen coming-of-age drama stars Jenna Ortega, Maddie Ziegler, Julie Bowen, Niles Fitch and Shailene Woodley. The film runs for an hour and thirty-five minutes.

After a devastating and traumatic event, Vada begins to reevaluate her life and her relationships. She bonds with new friends and attempts to find a way to cope with her grief one day at a time.

*Please note there are issues of trauma depicted in this film and the viewer advisory at the beginning of the film should be noted.*

Here is the trailer:

The Fallout manages to create an authentic approach to teen trauma as it delivers with its talented cast and emotional content. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Award-worthy performances…

I’m already a huge fan of Jenna Ortega and she is the main reason why I decided to watch this movie. This isn’t the type of film I would normally watch, but I was immediately drawn in by her believable and genuine performance. The other performances were really solid as well.

This subject matter is really delicate and one could easily over-do it, but Jenna Ortega managed to portray her character in such a real and compelling way. It almost felt like you were her friend in real life. It was that believable.

In a lot of ways, the film reminded me of a more emotional Booksmart. It had that same kind of vibe with its simplicity and it worked in the film’s favor.

Depicts real aspects of trauma, recovery, and identity without hitting you over the head.

I’ve seen a lot of coming-of-age films and while some of them have moved me, this one was on another level and the main reason behind that was because of how low-key it was. It addressed a lot of issues that the new generation is dealing with on a daily basis and yet it never seemed like it was preaching at anyone or making assumptions. It was just an honest and emotional story.

Bold ending.

There will be no spoilers in this review, but the ending of this film really struck a chord with me. This film could have easily ended in one particular way, but instead it went down a different route which was extremely powerful. I think the writer and director absolutely took a big chance with this, but it paid off and really added to the authenticity of the film.

The Cons:

I don’t have any…

This film was as close to perfection as it gets. Every aspect just worked and it truly touched me.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 100 percent!!!!

Beautiful, genuine, and emotional.

This film really explored the aspects of trauma and recovery in such a powerful way without ever overdoing it. The performances were exceptional and I think this may have just become one of my favorite films of all time!

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Face your fear…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Dive Club” on Netflix: A Splash of Solid Mystery Drowned out by Teen Drama

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“We’re ready to hunt for treasure…”

Dive Club released on Netflix on September 3rd 2021. The Australian teen series originally premiered back in May 2021 but season one is now available to stream. The show stars Miah Madden, Sana’a Shaik, Mercy Cornwall, Aubri Ibrag, and Georgia-May Davis. There are twelve episodes in total and each one runs for approximately 25-28 minutes.

A group of teenage divers pass the time by hunting down underwater treasure, but when a storm hits the small seaside town of Cape Mercy, one of them goes missing as the others desperately attempt to find out what happened to her.

Here is the trailer:

Dive Club has an interesting premise surrounding a mystery at sea that will give you some Pirates of the Caribbean feels, but does the teen drama get in the way of pure greatness? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Fun premise.

I really like shows and films that involve scuba diving for buried treasure even if they can be cheesy sometimes. The show features some beautiful views and I thought that the core mystery was a good one. It takes a little while to unfold, but the second half of the series is much stronger than the first and the cliffhanger ending leaves a lot open for the potential for season two.

G rating makes it watchable for the whole family.

The show in a lot of ways reminded me of a mash-up between The Babysitter’s Club, Fool’s Gold, and Nancy Drew. The characters are likable for the most part and I’m always a fan of kids or teens solving mysteries on their own.

The Cons:

Too much teen drama.

I was initially excited that this series was rated G because I thought we would skip all of the teenage soapy drama, but there was so much of it! There is usually a good balance of this in shows like Riverdale and Nancy Drew, but I thought that the drama completely took over the show.

We also got a lot of singing, dancing, and montages that really didn’t add to the plot at all. I understand that we are focusing on a younger generation but I’m not sure it is going to translate well with anyone…

This was frustrating because it took away from the solid mystery at the center of this show. We did get back on track toward the end of the series, but I think that since we had shorter episodes, this fluff should have been cut out completely.

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

The treasure hunting mystery was actually a lot of fun and I enjoyed these moments, but the teen drama really dominated the show, which was disappointing. I wouldn’t move this to the top of your watch-list, but if you are looking for short episodes that are family friendly, you can put this show on in the background.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Review of “Riverdale” Season 5, Episode 11 on the CW: A New Team-Up

**Please note spoilers are ahead if you are not caught up with the series.**

“What the hell just happened?”

A good question for sure as new episodes of Riverdale finally return. It’s been a while since we last checked in on our favorite little town and a lot has happened. After the brilliant idea to flash forward into the future, our favorite characters may be older, but they haven’t really changed…

Even though this episode is right in the middle of season 5, it does serve as a mid-season premiere in a lot of ways, but does it do enough to keep us coming back for more?

Let’s find out…

The Pros:

More Cheryl!

The Queen of Riverdale hasn’t really been in the spotlight lately so I appreciated that this episode devoted some well deserved screen time to her…along with Penelope Blossom. I don’t really buy Penelope’s new act and I’m also wondering how she convinced people to actually join her new ministry with promises of a realm filled with maple syrup?

As silly as it is, it gave our scene stealer a chance to shine although I think that the writers should come up with a better angle/story-line for our girl Cheryl. She deserves it and so do we!

Tabitha and Betty make a great team!

I don’t know about you, but I always love the episodes where Betty teams up with another girl to kick some ass. Betty is Final Girl material to her core and so much more, but sometimes she needs someone else (Veronica or Cheryl) to back her up to add in a new dynamic.

Well, we have a new duo to talk about and that’s Tabitha and Betty. I actually really like Tabitha and she has been a welcomed addition to the series. After working with Jughead’s ex to figure out what happened to him combined with a crazy drug trip, it looks like Tabitha and Betty will be working together to find out what happened to the missing girls, which is the strongest story-line this season.

I can’t wait to see what they do next!

The Cons:

Too much going on in one episode…

Riverdale is known for jamming multiple story-lines in at once, but this episode felt really chaotic and all over the place. We had the convicts on the loose, Hiram taken hostage, Veronica and Archie contemplating their relationship, a drug trip, and Jughead roaming around Sketch Alley. Sure, that sounds like a good place to visit…

Once we got to the random singing, I really couldn’t take it. I love the musical entries when they make sense, but this just seemed over-the-top and I expect a lot more from one of my favorite series…

So am I in or out?

I’m 50/50 on this one…

Season 5 has made some bold decisions and while I love some story-lines, others need to go. I really want to get back to the mystery surrounding Polly and the trucker, but it looks like we are going to have a Hiram origin story next week…

Overall, the episode felt all over the place but I’m confident that we can get back on track with the remaining episodes. It looks like we just have to get through some filler ones first.

Plus, I’m dying to find out what happens to Jughead now that he got on that truck…

I hope you enjoyed the review 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

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My new supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Fear Street Part 1: 1994” on Netflix: 90’s Slasher Nostalgia

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“It began as a prank and ended in murder…”

Fear Street Part 1: 1994 is a supernatural slasher film that premiered on July 2nd 2021 on Netflix. It is the first entry to the trilogy which will take place over the next three weeks. The film stars Olivia Welch, Kiana Madeira, Benjamin Flores Jr. and Maya Hawke. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Inspired by the R.L. Stine book series, the first film follows a group of teens in the town of Shadyside as they face off against a supernatural presence that threatens to wreak havoc on their town.

Here is the trailer:

Fear Street Part 1: 1994 turns back time and reels us in with some iconic 90’s slasher nostalgia along with a killer soundtrack, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Don’t f*** with the original.

The opening of this film was really strong. It helped having Stranger Things fan favorite, Maya Hawke lighting up the screen in a B.Dalton bookstore, which brought back so many memories. This film definitely channeled Scream and even gave me some Blair Witch vibes as well, but it did it in a clever way. It didn’t feel like a cheesy rip-off. It felt like a tribute to some iconic 90’s horror and I hope this also helps introduce a younger audience to some of these great films.

It still pains me to hear things like “oh I didn’t know the Scream show was based on a movie.” (This really happened by the way).

90’s dream.

Remember when people used to actually call one another? I thought this time jump back to the 90’s was a lot of fun. Similar to shows like Little Fire Everywhere and Cruel Summer, Fear Street is jumping on the bandwagon and they delivered in a lot of ways.

I thought the soundtrack was amazing and the throwbacks were a lot of fun, but I thought the fashion could have used some work. Other than the opening scene, I didn’t see any real iconic pieces of 90’s fashion thrown into the mix.

In a lot of ways, this time jumping theme for Fear Street is kind of reminding me of American Horror Story: 1984 and in a good way. Both of these entries understood the time period and the movies they were channeling, but they also did a good job of creating something on their own.

I’m interested to see how they will approach the next era in the second film. Bring it on!

The Cons:

Where’s the chemistry?

This film earned a R rating and stepped away from Goosebumps. I’m all for a group of kids or teens facing off against an unspeakable horror, but I need to actually care about the characters. Fear Street needed to take a lesson from Stranger Things and even the new IT film. The chemistry and humor between the characters was lacking here.

There were a lot of scenes where we witnessed some melodrama that didn’t really translate well. I won’t call it Riverdale-esque because I actually like Riverdale, but it felt empty and uninspiring.

I loved Olivia Welch in Panic and all of the actors put forth a valiant effort, but I needed more. There were some moments sprinkled in, but I think any major character layers were glossed over and as much as I appreciated the LGBTQ relationship at the core, we needed more development to truly care about these characters.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!

The film had a really strong opening and ending. It did enough at the end of the movie to reel me in for more and I’m anxious to see the other two parts connect with everything. Overall, this was an entertaining watch and I think as long as you manage your expectations and power through the unnecessary teen melodrama, you will enjoy the watch. Besides, you can always just tune them out and focus on the amazing soundtrack!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Fear Street Part 1: 1994 in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

A HALLOWEEN THEY’LL NEVER FORGET…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Cruel Summer” on Freeform: Mean Girls with Bite

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Who do you believe?”

Cruel Summer premiered on Freeform on April 20th 2021. The series is set to air ten weekly episodes. It stars Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Harley Quinn Smith, Michael Landes, and Froy Gutierrez. Each episode runs for approximately 50 minutes.

The events we witness take place over three summers in the 1990’s as a teen goes missing and another girl mysteriously takes her place.

Here is the trailer:

Cruel Summer adapts a typical teen thriller formula into something different by presenting us with three timelines that jump back and forth. It’s something bold and unique, but does it get in the way of this already entertaining plot? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Freeform

Mean Girls meets Single White Female.

Sure, it’s been done before, but this is a formula for success. I really loved this vibe and I was drawn into the plot and mystery completely. I can’t predict what is going on and I am actually really excited to see what happens next.

I also really like that I’m not sure who to root for just yet. The opening two episodes present us with different perspectives and of course things are not as they seem.

The performances are actually pretty on point and I thought that Kevin Smith’s daughter, Harley Quinn Smith was really great and I’m excited to see her in this role.

Images courtesy of Freeform

90’s nostalgia.

Much like Little Fires Everywhere, this show is also bringing us some 90’s nostalgia with the fashion and music soundtrack. I’m not sure it was truly necessary for this show, but it’s an added bonus and I am enjoying the throwback so far.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Freeform

Trippy time jumps.

While I appreciate that this show is trying to do something different, the trippy time jumps become really confusing and distracting. I actually think that the show is really good without these flashes every few minutes and while the actresses do a great job of reminding us which Jeanette and Kate we are dealing with, my head started to hurt after a while.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Freeform

I’m in!

Even with the trippy time jumps, this show is really addicting. I think that it might quickly become one of my favorite shows and I am really excited to see the mystery unfold over the next several weeks.

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

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 9: “Destroyer”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 9, I learned that “either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.”

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In episode, “Chapter Eighty-Five: Destroyer,” Betty gets some disturbing news that causes her darkness to re-emerge. Meanwhile, Archie and Veronica try to promote some school spirit while Kev has a breaking point.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 9 are:

“So why don’t you all show some school spirit?”

The Bulldogs are not great, but Archie sees the potential in each and every one of them. Veronica tries to spark some incentive and get the town motivated by flashing some cash and her connections, but Archie truly cares about his players and wants to make a difference.

It looks like he has done enough to make Hiram mad, which even prompts Reggie to switch sides, but can Reggie really be trusted?

Hiram somehow knows how to do everything and brings his team to victory, but Archie’s team shows a spark of life, proving that the town of Riverdale is not dead just yet.

“I think I’m ashamed of myself.”

Meanwhile, Kevin has a breakthrough after getting beat up in a steam room. He confides in his dad, who is always there to support him, and starts to break down why he goes cruising in the woods.

I think Kev has finally realized the root cause of his issues, but hopefully he will realize that he deserves to be loved. I’d love to see him and Fangs live happily ever after!

“I’ll even come out of retirement.”

And we’re so glad you did, Cheryl. Cheryl puts on a show-stopping number with the Vixens to really show some school spirit and it’s about time. Our Queen Bee is back and it looks like she is ready to bring her team straight to victory. Go Cheryl Bombshell!

We don’t get any further mention of Minerva, but I’m sure we’ll see that in the later episodes. Although, I really want Choni to mend things.

“Sometimes a story is just a story.”

Sure, but sometimes a story can be the key to some other phenomenon and Jughead is clearly obsessed with discovering the truth behind these alien Moth Man claims. Jughead reads a story from one of his students named Lerman which seems to point directly to a possible encounter with the Moth Man.

Jughead goes a little too far to get the truth and Lerman’s parents are very upset along with the principal. Later on, we get a Bughead team-up (loved this) to uncover the truth and learn that there may be a connection between Lerman and the missing girls since he lives by the Lonely Highway, but Lerman takes off and leaves town with his parents before they can really get any concrete answers.

“I’ll be damned if I let it happen to anyone else.”

Poor, Betty. She gets a phone call from her FBI friend/boyfriend Glen who tells her that the blood found was a match for Polly’s. It’s not 100 percent certain, but it’s fairly likely that Polly is gone.

Betty goes to Cheryl for advice because she wonders if knowing the truth is actually better in this situation and goes against her better judgment and lies to her mother.

Betty’s rage/darkness re-emerges later on as she begins striking her own form of justice into the creepy truckers on the highway. Betty kicks them all out of their trucks and tells them to leave.

Things go too far when she drags the man they spoke to before into the woods and almost shoots him, but Jughead calls her in the nick of time.

As much as I love seeing Betty kick some ass, when did she become Buffy the Vampire Slayer overnight? You would think that one of these guys might be able to overpower her, but they somehow just take it?

Anyway, Betty returns home later and finds her mother in tears. Glen is there and says he is taking over the investigation. Alice is very upset that Betty kept this news from her, but this really made me start to wonder about Glen’s involvement.

I don’t think he can be trusted at all and while he may not be our killer, there’s something certainly off about him.

Meanwhile, I really enjoyed seeing the sleuth team-up again between Bughead and while I don’t think they should jump back into a romantic relationship like over-eager Varchie, their friendship is a strong one and I think they can both help each other through this.

I also am still convinced that Polly is actually alive and maybe she wasn’t taken by the trucker killer, but by whoever this “Moth Man” mystery man or woman is. I’m still piecing together a few theories, but I don’t want to commit to her being dead just yet.

Stay tuned, Riverdale fans!

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!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 5: “The Homecoming”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 5, I learned that coming home may seem difficult at first, but the more things change…the more they stay the same.

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In episode, “Chapter Eighty-One: The Homecoming,” our core four adjust to life back in Riverdale. Meanwhile, Hiram attempts to destroy Riverdale for good, Veronica’s husband is proving to be a nuisance, and the potential truck killer returns.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 5 are:

“It’s good to see you…”

In the beginning of the episode, we get a somewhat awkward reunion between Betty and Jughead. They both agree that it is good to see one another, but it’s clear that they haven’t really talked much in years. I think that the reunion went well, but I didn’t really see any sparks flying between these two anymore…

Is the love triangle over? We’ll have to wait and see…

“When do we kick their asses?”

Archie is determined to get the Ghoulies out of his house and even goes to Reggie for help. Only Reggie seems more interested in testing out his latest hair gel product and he is loyal to Hiram Lodge now…but why? Does Hiram have something over him?

Images courtesy of The CW

It’s clear that someone warned the Ghoulies and they got all of the drugs out of the house, but Betty is not about to sit by and let this happen…especially when she finds out that Polly is hanging around with them.

Yep, Polly is back and Betty discovers that she is lying about her waitress job, but where is she getting all of that cash?

Images courtesy of The CW

Betty and the others form a raid and find what they are looking for and I loved seeing the team-up between Betty and Archie here…talk about sparks…

“Would you do it for me?”

Meanwhile, the school administrators are concerned because Hiram Lodge is trying to dissolve the town. That means that funding would be cut and it would basically be “the death of Riverdale.”

Toni is determined to stop him and they come up with a plan to make the school private, which would allow them to hire their own teachers.

Toni goes to Cheryl and even though she initially doesn’t want to get involved, she ends up putting up the money to help Toni.

I still believe in Choni and I hope that Cheryl can see that she can still do good in this town…

“What just happened?”

What just happened is, we got the hot and steamy Barchie scene we have been waiting for…wow!

Images courtesy of The CW

Afterwards, Betty and Archie seem just as confused and say that they are friends, but I think this is the start of a beautiful romance.

Jughead has been out of the picture for years and Veronica is married, but things might get a bit complicated if Jughead actually decides to move in with Archie…

Betty and Archie have grown up a lot and they finally get a chance to explore the feelings between them, but I have a feeling that the drama will never leave them alone completely…

“Bulldogs forever.”

After getting the funding, Hiram does still dissolve the town, but we learn that life continues anyway. Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead will be staying in town as temporary teachers and perhaps they can really bring this town back to life.

Meanwhile, Pop retires and we get a heartfelt speech about his influence over the town.

Images courtesy of The CW

The mystery isn’t over just yet; however, as we now see Polly running from the mysterious trucker that followed Lynette Fields at the end of episode 4.

So, who is this trucker?

Is Polly alive or dead?

In the meantime, check out my feature for Mystery & Suspense Magazine on why the Riverdale time jump is exactly what we need here!

I’m invested and I can’t wait to find out more. Stay tuned, Riverdale fans!

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!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**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!

Ranking the top 5 moments from “Riverdale” Season 5 Episode 4: “Purgatory”

Happy Thursday TV fans! After watching The CW’s Riverdale season 5 episode 4, seven years may have gone by, but did everything truly change in the town of Riverdale?

Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.

In episode, “Chapter Eighty: Purgatory,” we jump seven years in the future as Archie returns home to learn that the Riverdale he knew and loved is not the same anymore. Meanwhile, we catch up with the rest of the characters and learn more about their new lives as a new mystery brings them back to town.

My top 5 moments from Riverdale season 5 episode 4 are:

“Women can have it all now.”

Great point, V, but I’m not sure if I’m really buying the fact that you used to be the “She Wolf of Wall Street.” Either way, it’s quite catchy and Veronica feels like she has been losing her edge with her new husband, Chadwick.

Married life may not be right for her, but a helicopter accident had her changing her tune slightly.

Even though Veronica’s life has changed and she appears to be settling down in a lot of ways, Archie’s phone call brings her right back to Riverdale.

“One hit wonder…”

It should come as no surprise that Jughead became a writer since it was his dream, but I didn’t expect him to become a drunk and a “one hit wonder.” Jughead is also on the run from debt collectors and meets a female stranger who seems more interested in having Jughead read her novel rather than being with him, which shows that his connections are few and far between now.

Images courtesy of The CW

Will there be any leftover sparks now that he has been reunited with Betty? We’ll have to wait and see…

“The Blossom curse runs deep.”

Toni is the first person Archie speaks to when he returns home to Riverdale. We know that Archie was in a war and is now being asked to revive the R.O.T.C. program in Riverdale and Toni is very…pregnant.

Images courtesy of The CW

But apparently the identity of the father is a secret…

I have a feeling she is a surrogate for Kev and Fangs, but we’ll see about that.

Meanwhile, Toni talks about what happened to Cheryl and it looks like Cheryl has truly become the weird loner of Thornhill. She spends her time painting and even when Toni tells her they could be together, she seems like she has accepted her fate to be alone.

I’m missing the fire from our Queen and I hope it returns soon. We need you Cheryl!

“How are the nightmares?”

Out of all of the flash forwards, Betty’s story is the most interesting. Betty joined the FBI and was held captive by the Trash Bag Killer or “TBK.”

She says she is over it, but it’s clear that she is still carrying around a lot of emotional damage from it. TBK escaped so is it possible that he made his way back to Riverdale?

Images courtesy of The CW

We know that our girl is no stranger to hunting down serial killers, but I have to say that I really miss the ponytail!

Betty has a new boyfriend as well, but what will happen now that she has been reunited with both Archie and Jughead?

Hmm…

Together again.

At the end of the episode, our characters are reunited and are determined to save Riverdale, which has become a lawless town. There is a new mystery surrounding someone named Lynette Fields that has captured their attention, but I have a feeling that a lot more secrets are about to be unraveled. Oh and of course Hiram Lodge is still causing trouble, but Reggie is his right hand man? Honestly Reggie, I expected more from you!

After watching the episode, I liked the vibe of the show. It almost seemed kind of like the sequel to “IT” when everyone returns home, but as long as they leave some of the ridiculous flash forwards behind (seriously Veronica’s future leaves something to be desired), we should be in good shape!

Oh and let’s get those Ghoulies out of Archie’s house…

Stay tuned Riverdale fans!

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!

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

**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!

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