Hmm!  Riverdale just how does a “stag” party “bend toward justice.”  While stag parties for guys is not about anything but women and sex (according to the show and Julian), the guys have already faced this once this season.  No mention of a ladies stag party (which is called a bachelorette party).  So, the real question is how do the Riverdale girls play into the mix?  And why in the world is Trula back.  Oh well, here goes nothing.

At Riverdale High, a small group of Betty, Clay and Archie have been with Mrs. Grundy reading “Howl.”  Apparently, Clay is into counter-culture and Betty sees is as interesting but Archie is confused.  They all ask if they can continue reading and she agrees (why couldn’t it be Kerouac—I like him better than Ginsberg!).

The Blossom clan is up to mischief.  Julian has a “stag” movie and plans to have the basketball team view it in the Blossoms’ barn.  Meanwhile, Cheryl and Toni are viewing a “lesbian” magazine when they get a better one.  Both Julian and Cheryl are anxious to watch and experiment but different lifestyles.  Julian plans to show the film but Veronica learns about it and allows them to use the Babylonium only if she can see it with Betty.  Unfortunately, Betty recognizes the star – her sister, Polly.  Veronica shuts the movie down.  Meanwhile, Cheryl and Toni are taking photographs together in sexually specific detail.  Cheryl plans to paint  a portrait in oil while Toni plans to sale the pictures (after high school) to a magazine.

And Jughead?  Well, Pep is empty when he stops by.  The guidance counselor and a “sister” from Quiet Mercy wants them to follow a set of rules – shall we just say an ultimatum.  Stand by for plotting but who will Jughead use?  How can this ‘bend toward justice’?

Archie and Reggie

Archie and Reggie, of course, go to the screening that Betty interrupts.  Julian offers them a projector and the film but it’s not the one Archie and Reggie expected.  It’s a ‘wrestling’ movie like the ones Clay and Kevin watch.  Archie later tells Reggie about the “beat” poets who have a very open lifestyle.  (I really didn’t think “bending toward justice” would go this far.  The “Beat” influence became a part of the 1960s where finding yourself became a theme.  Both have trouble sleeping as they can’t get over what they’ve seen. 

Archie and Reggie get to Julian and actually get their money and a new film.  The new film has a threesome in it.  When it starts, the film breaks and burns.  Archie has an idea (oh great, this can’t be good) that might be what they need.  They go to see Trula and she wants to know which one will go inside or do they want to go in together.  Both enter the room and afterward they feel differently.  Reggie, after the experience, says anything is possible.  Archie looks love struck but has seen life differently.  Archie says he loves Reggie as they watch the sun rise.  (If ‘bend toward justice’ means moving to experimentation, I think more progress has been made.  To me, this is preparing the two to make a difference in the future.)

Betty and Veronica

Betty gets a visit from Polly who is now a famous burlesque dancer.  It’s Veronica, of course, who has heard of her and Betty takes her to meet Veronica, her biggest fan.  When Polly left Riverdale, she went to New York and made the movie (for money of course).  saw Gypsy Rose Lee perform and loved it.  She worked and made a name in the burlesque business, even traveling to Europe.  Veronica loves Polly Amorous and suggests a girl’s only night at the theater.  Polly has a new routine and agrees.  Polly is getting married to a stockbroker and wants Betty to be her maid of honor.  (Okay, this openness in the 1950s is ‘bending toward justice’ because Gypsy Rose was considered art but “adult art”.  Acceptance was a step forward in a time when people looked for something that went against norms.) 

When Polly performs, she does the Gypsy Rose classy strip to “Everything is Coming Up Roses.”  If you are familiar with the movie/play Chicago, we get Betty imagining performing the same routine in the same style.  Polly gives Betty a glimpse of a possible future.  Alice is looking at photos of Polly in her dance costumes.  After the show, Polly tells Betty to follow her dream wherever it takes her and don’t worry what Alice thinks.   To Polly, Alice’s attitude is on Alice not Polly.  Okay, this is definitely “bending toward justice” because in the late 1950s, questions about rightness and wrongness lead people to follow their truth and help those that needed it. 

When Betty sees her mother next, Betty calls her cold and accuses her of sabotaging her family.  Alice tells her to go.  When Betty says she will take off her clothes like Polly if she wants to, Alice slaps her face.  Betty tells Alice she’s not surprised but wondered how long it would take Alice to slap Betty. 

Toni and Cheryl

Toni and Cheryl are exploring their sexuality.  Their sexy shots turns out better than expected.  Cheryl takes one to paint.  After high school, Toni will submit them for publication.  Little does Cheryl know that the time for the photographs to come out will be sooner than she thinks.  When she get home from Polly’s show, she finds the portrait she was painting destroyed by Penelope who makes threats.  Cheryl meets Toni at Pop’s and asks how soon can the photos appear.  Cheryl is ready to come out in the open and declare war on her father (remember I call him Clyde), Penelope and Julian.  This is definitely opening a ‘bending toward justice’ theme.  Cheryl is moving their relationship into the open and doesn’t care who she takes down by doing so.  Again the parents and Julian are closed minded and trying to force Cheryl to their will

Jughead and Veronica (?)

Who would have thought that Jughead would turn to Veronica with the comic book issue.  He tells her about the “compliance” list and how it is just of out 1984 complete with “Big Brother” watching (please, no reference to that reality show).  The compliance says no horror, terror, sex.  The word depravity has not been defined. Veronica tells him that he and his editor meet with the guidance creep and the others.  This was only an offer.

Well, in the guidance counselor’s eyes, it is an order.  He, along with the school principal, “Clyde,” and a sister from the disorder of mercy see their rules as set in stone.  The editor points out that is is very vague and breaks the first amendment as it is censorship.  Jughead and the editor suggest a rating system that would classify the comics and its contents.  The guidance counselor will not have this as it is corrupting youth.  When Jughead points out that Shakespeare did the same thing, Clyde seems to offer a threat against banning those books.  The other comics have agreed.  Either Pep agrees or will never appear on the newsstands again.  When Jughead tells Veronica, she tells him not to give up and they have an interlude.  This again reflects down to the future.  In 1969, a system was introduced for movies and was followed by rating television and music.  Even video games today carry a rating.  These ratings reflect what Jughead was suggesting – violence, sex, graphic depictions.)

Conclusion

Throughout this tale, “Howl” was an unconscious theme.  I didn’t even know it existed until I took a 1960s literature (grad level) course in college.   The beat generation started changing the world.  Clay had also seen the change, Betty gets it more from Polly/Alice interaction.  Archie had the hard time and said he’d never make it as a poet because he was too square.  Reggie and Archie’s experience and watching the sunrise changed Archie’s view.  His eyes are open that there are all types of experiences that will be found out in the world.  His bending toward justice will lead to being a voice but how. 

Once again, the teens show the knowledge of what it will take to “bend toward justice.”  The adults don’t have a clue.  The close mindedness of Alice, “Clyde,” Penelope, and others are true to the period.  It may be why the 1960s were a time of unrest and change.  Personally, I wish that the changes had stuck because so many seem to be changing once again.

Next week: Josie McCoy shows up to do a show at Ronnie’s.  Will the “downers” allow it?