slightly silly: riverdale, episode 16: the watcher in the woods

i think this murderer storyline has given archie more purpose than his music or football ever has. and in giving archie some real motivation, protecting his father, his friends is all he is thinking about, it makes the character accessible in a way he hasn't been before. archie is suddenly more than his washboard abs.

so his vigilante group, the red circle, is going to make for an interesting plot point this season. especially given that he's getting pushback from sheriff keller. and why is the principal giving him cover? what happens when the quest for justice condemns the wrong person? when emotions are all that is feeding the madness? things that start with the best of intentions often get off course. and with papa lodge poking at things behind the scenes, who knows where this will all end up.

things at the lodge home are super tense and weird. hermione keeps offering veronica veiled warnings. hiram threatens hermione, accusing of interfering with their daughter. and veronica keeps pushing for a way into her father's attention. but i don't know if catching hiram's attention is all that it is cut out to be. in fact, it seems to me, that the best thing to have happen when you are in hiram lodge's presence is to go unnoticed.

the man doesn't miss much. and it's freaking terrifying. he's all smooth charm and sharp knives in the back.

meanwhile it's like jughead is learning to fit in with the gangs at his new school. for all his assurances to betty that he is okay, he's not. but the biggest problem is that he is keeping the truth about his circumstances from her. clearly he's protecting her, but at some point the trouble is going to blow up and they are both in danger.

speaking of danger, kevin keeps trolling the woods for hook-ups. but this is not safe behavior. when betty fills in kevin's dad on what is going on, this doesn't go over well. surprisingly, the sheriff is concerned and open-minded about what is going on with kevin. but kevin is less appreciative of betty's meddling. leaving the besties on the outs.

cheryl is still playing a peripheral role, but as things get crazier in riverdale, i can only imagine that she'll have her part to play. especially given that the murderer on the loose is out passing judgment on sinners. the blossoms seem like a good target to me, but i can't imagine the show would go that far.