Okay Riverdale!  I’m ready!  The title tonight is folk heroes.  Of course we know Archie will be one as he is indestructible (it seems) but if the palladium comes into play, will that change the story  How will Betty’s eyesight make her a folk hero much less Jughead’s mind reading ability.  Let’s not forget super-sleuth Veronica knows Percival has no history.  Reggie looks like he has just gone to the dark side.  Is Cheryl really Cheryl or is Abigail still lurking.  Better yet.  Will we get answers tonight?

Percival is now a member of the board of four after getting Alice to get rid of Skid Row and the gangs.  Kevin (probably by now) has control of baby Anthony leaving Toni devastated.  Percival’s next target will be Veronica’s casino and Reggie will probably be the catalyst.  Percival is certainly a little busy body and has his own plans for the town (like total destruction as in Rivervale).  If he goes after Pop Tate’s, we know it is the safe place for the good people of Riverdale. Another question though is who will make that cut?

Percival Makes His Move

As the show opens, we get information about folk heroes from Jughead and the information that Percival is a supernatural creature who wants to destroy Riverdale.  Duh Jughead, tell us something we didn’t know.  Jug feels we need a present-day folk hero.  While this is being spoken, Veronica has Percival in her office wanting exclusive use of the Champagne Suite for which he’ll pay in advance.  While Veronica ignores him at first when he says he sponsors the Moulin Rouge and Sydney Opera House, she agrees.  Now why would he want that room.

Alice calls on Percival to present the Riverdale new project – Pickens Park – complete with a children’s playground.  Archie reminds Percival that General Pickens wasn’t a hero but homicidal.  (Well, there goes that hero.)  Percival presents a new sign for the town to approve and will use it with the slogan “Home of Pop’s Chocolate Shop.”  He only wants Tabitha to work with him.  The other logo would promote Veronica’s casino.  When Tabitha doesn’t bow to the mind control demands, guess which sign gets approved.  So now, Percival wants the casino as it will bring in business.

Archie the Folk Hero

Jughead sees only one way to get rid of Percival’s mind control.  They need to set up Archie as a folk hero.  They’re not sure that it will work but they need to do something.  Archie calls an old friend, Danny Kelly and arranges to fight him.  He tells the town council that the community center cannot be used for town business.  It’s back to being a teen center that will teach teens self respect, boxing, physical fitness (get the drift).  Percival isn’t happy about this, but he can’t make a move.  Jughead has already arranged press who show up and take pictures of Archie surviving extreme cold, cinder blocks broken on his chest, etc.  Think the circus side show.

At the club, Percival shows up uninvited and unannounced.  He tries to control Archie’s mind, even trying to get him to draw blood.  The knife breaks and Percival tries again.  Fortunately, for Archie, he sees Fred’s picture and concentrates of that.  Percival quickly flies off (and yes, I do mean that literally).

Later, Archie’s friend (and famous boxer) Danny Kelly arrives in town (wait isn’t it K. O.?).  Oh, well!  He’s famous and plans to fight Archie.  Unfortunately, Percival gets to Danny first and knows his skills.  I’m not sure what Percival does to Danny (we don’t see), but he ends up in the hospital.  Archie is upset when he finds out from Jughead.  They are discussing what to do when Percival calls and offers to fight Archie.  If Archie wins, Percival will step down from the Council.  If Percival wins, his ancestor’s statue goes up.  ARchie agrees to the fight.

The night of the fight starts fair.  Jabs are exchanged and suddenly, Percival lands a blow.  Later Archie will tell Jughead and Betty that he felt pain.  He also shed blood.  Somehow Percival has found out about Archie’s vulnerability.  Percival has a piece of palladium in his glove.  He makes a note in his notebook after the fight and then goes to Alice’s house.  He plants the idea in Betty’s head to use the palladium to kill Archie.  Now we all know where the palladium came from – Alice gave it to Percival.  It seems Betty had it for safe keeping and Alice either searched Betty’s room (probably) or Betty told her (unlikely).  Okay, now Archie is on Percival’s hit list.

While at the Blossom’s

Britta asks about being adopted.  Cheryl promises her that she’ll always have a place at Blossom’s home.  Later, Cheryl sits reading in the room where Abigail is housed and feels her presence.  Cheryl’s temperature starts rising and reaches 103.  Nana takes care of Cheryl and  watches over doll Abigail with a caregiver for Cheryl.  The bodyguard/caregiver though breaks into flames.  Cheryl finds Betty, Betty goes to the morgue and learns that the caregiver died by spontaneous combustion.  Cheryl’s afraid that she’ll die that way but Betty promises to keep watch.

That night, Cheryl’s temperature rises and Betty quickly gets her into an ice bath that brings the temperature down.  Cheryl is afraid she will combust and Betty will call the FBI agency to get the people down who deal with that type of dolls.

So now, Cheryl has a power – pyrokinesis.  Wonder if Percival knows about this one?  It seems Cheryl has a form of pyrokinesis.  The FBI agent tells Betty there are ways to deal with it.  That night, Cheryl’s temp keeps rising to 303 degrees.  Cheryl throws Penelope’s picture into the fire and tells Cheryl to focus on that.  Cheryl does and her body heat goes away (she also faints).  We’re getting Stephen King’s “Fire Starter” now folks.  What a lovely salute.  Does Cheryl continue to use this newfound energy?  At the end of the episode, she’s sitting in the library reading and lights the candles with her a swipe of her hand.  Will she be a force for good or bad?  I’m thinking good and she calls Sabrina for help.

Dueling Casinos?

Tabitha now knows that Percival wants Pop’s gone.  The revenue is already going down, so she goes to Toni and they decide to give Babylonia some competition.  Percival, of course, knows this is coming.  Having already secured the use of the Champagne Suite, he uses all he knows on Ronnie. 

He tells Ronnie he has a proposition.  He wants to move in and become Ronnie’s lover.  Why?  Babylonia feels like home.  When Ronnie points out she has a partner, Percival sends her to the car lot where she finds a mini casino operating with slot machines from Babylonia.  Reggie says this isn’t competition because the slot machines are “on loan.”  Both are benefiting from the arrangement.  Ronnie bars Reggie from the casino and her bed.

Later, Percival tells Ronnie about the competing casino in the basement of Pop’s.  She dons her blonde wig and she and Percival arrive to a performance by Tabitha and Toni.  Of course, Ronnie is upset.  Besides, Percival has additional plans for closing Pop’s.  Pop sees someone urinating on the wall (health code violation).  Plus Fangs has been sprung for jail and is upset with what Toni ‘s pole dancing. 

The next day, Percival presents his plan.  They will firebomb Pop’s and burn it to the ground.   Meanwhile Pop doesn’t like liquor being sold in the family restaurant.  Instead, Percival spell over Ronnie is broken. She calls Toni and Tabitha for a meeting.  Later when Percival comes back to see Ronnie, she’s out from under his spell.  She wants him out and not only of her bed but the Champagne Room.  Ronnie tells him not to worry about the other casino.  She’s worked out a deal with Toni and will send slot machines there.  The White Wyrm will give Ronnie 10% of the profit.  Meanwhile, Tabitha will open a mini-Pop Tate’s in the lobby so the casino will be more family friendly.  Oh, and Reggie is back with Veronica.  All is forgiven.

So Where Are We Now?

Percival knows both Jughead and Archie’s power.  He plans to use Betty to get rid of Archie.  I told you the cult was back.  Alice is helping Percival with the plan.  I guarantee she’s under mind-control and gave him the palladium.

Cheryl has learned to control her power as she swipes her hand and lights candles in front of Abigail’s doll.  Or is Abigail back.  We’ll have to wait for that resolution. 

Tom lets Percival know that the statue is up to General Pickens.  LIghts come on around said statue. More evil has started.   

Next Week:

Tabitha finds out she has a power as a gun wielding assassin appears (either sent by Percival or is Percival).  She flashes back in time and learns she is a time traveler.  And we have “Discovery of Witches” folks.  Wonder if Percival knows about that power.

So to recap powers:  Archie is invulnerable except to palladium.    Betty sees villains/evil energy.  Jughead can read thoughts.  Cheryl can control fire.  Toni is Lady Llorna.  Veronica can see a scam.  Have I missed any?

Riverdale!  You are crafty devils! First you gave us Mr. Crypto in Rivervale.  Some characters saw through him immediately.  The rest got informed by Veronica.  Now, we’re safely back in Riverdale and left all the nonsense of Rivervale behind (although have we?).  This mysterious man, Percival Pickens, is now our target of evil and as I’ve said since he stepped on the screen – the devil.

Don’t get me wrong.  As an English major, I’ve read “The Tempest” and “Doctor Faustus.”  I’ve discussed the devil in Church and religion classes but to see the sneaky way you brought him into the show is amazing.  I am not an avid fan of horror – it gives me nightmares.  When I do watch or read the horror stories, they have to meet the following criteria:

• have characters I pull for to win.
• have characters that are so richly drawn I hate.
• and have a compelling story.

Enough said on that and this present story line on Riverdale meets all three.  Let’s forget the super trio.  I know their powers have a part to play and just get to the nitty gritty.  Percival Pickens is the devil incarnate.  Just like in Rivervale, he’s there for a purpose and I’m betting it is to destroy Pop Tates’.  If you remember in Rivervale, Crypto wanted Pop Tates’ under his control as it would be the only safe haven for the good people of Rivervale.  As I see in the synopsis for Easter Sunday (April 17), dear old Percival wants to control Pop’s for his own purpose.  Also, I hope you caught the line from Archie:  “Percival wants to destroy Riverdale.” Really, I think it is only Archie.   Percival can mind control the other brain dead citizens but it doesn’t appear to work on the Riverdale core characters.

Now, here’s what convinces me that we are dealing with the devil.  It’s a tried and true formula used by Shakespeare, Marlowe in the past but none other than Stephen King today (which I will point out at the end).  Let’s look at the important ones.

Percival arrived in town.  Now, Riverdale has never played up the Pickens connection like they do in the comic digests.  He arrives quietly and aims for the home of the “heart” of Riverdale, the Andrews’ home.  Percival doesn’t say why he wants the bombed-out structure that needs rebuilding.  He doesn’t make the offer directly to the owner, Archie.  Percival presents his offer to Mary.  Mary is older and Percival is sure his charm will win what he wants except Archie comes in and stops the plan.  Percival is foiled on that attempt.

When Percival makes his next move, we have no clue to one of his powers.  Percival can influence the mind and make people do what he wants.  It takes Jughead’s power to realize this!  So what does Percival do.  He hits on using Alice.  Let’s face it.  Alice isn’t the brightest resident of Riverdale.  She’s already belonged to a cult.  (Don’t point out it was to help the FBI because I don’t buy it.  She could have stopped the harvesting of organs long before the FBI arrived.)  Percival knew she was an easy mark and went for it.  We didn’t know what he said that was so convincing but whatever it was worked.  Alice immediately wanted to clear out the homeless.  Why would the devil want this, you ask?  It makes Percival look good to the town because he is helping (although shipping them off to another town makes it worst for that town).  Of course, it must be an easy mark number two and fellow cultist, Kevin Kline, who gets sucked into the scenario.  With Kevin laid up in the hospital from an injury on “Skid Row,” Sheriff Tom Kline will promise anything because of his son’s injury.  I also blame it on the fact that the calming influence of Fred Andrews is no longer in town.

Now, lets move on to Percival’s mental suggestion to Alice and Tom to clean up the gangs.  Now, it took me a little time to figure this one out.  Percival knows that the Serpents protect their own (don’t know about the Ghoulies because they like destruction).  If Toni and Fangs saw Percival as a threat, Percival’s gig could be up.  The Serpents would side with the townies and help prevent whatever he has planned.  Thus, he must hit at (and use) any angle to get rid of them.  With Toni on the board, it will take more than a simple mind control trick. 

Remember!  Somehow Toni, Tabitha and even Fangs seem immune.  So, knowing the bad blood (and a little help from Cheryl who wants Fangs gone), Percival plants the suggestion of a drive-by at Pop’s and shots the place up.  This gives Percival the chance to suggest that they should be destroyed and Alice and Tom jump on it.  Stealing the baby (again possibly planted by Percival in Ghoulies’ heads) was the catalyst that caused the gangs to be destroyed or arrested.  (And we also now know that Percival will cause people to commit suicide since that’s how all but Trula of the Ghoulies died. It wasn’t Kline and company!)

For now, the last example I bring is that Veronica set the underworld on finding information on Percival.  You would think that someone like Percival might suspect that would happen but surprise, he missed something.  When the “bodyguard” and his friends went looking, they found no evidence of a Percival Pickens ever existing.  There is no back story for him, no place of birth, etc.  Jughead’s learning of Percival’s ability to transmit suggestions happened at the same time Jug was beginning to use his powers.  And Percival knew of Jug’s power because he sensed it.  Jughead can’t use his mind reading telepathy against him (or so it appears). 

Now let’s get to the good stuff.  Remember my reference to Stephen King.  It has been nagging me for three weeks about where did Percival come from until Sunday night.  I mentioned in my recap the King television mini-series, “Storm of the Century (written by King for television in 1999).”  I didn’t mean to watch it but got roped in and remember it to this day.  In that King story, a mysterious man, Linoge, appears suddenly in the island town off Maine’s coast during a blizzard.  The town is cut-off from the mainland, without help, phones or supplies.  The mystery man keeps saying: “Give me what I want and I’ll leave.”  In the meantime, the storm rages and people start dying by suicide.  The man plants the idea in people’s minds to kill themselves.  He also knows their sins.  All he wants is a young child he can raise to be like himself.  Once he gets said child, he will leave.   Long story short – the town draws lots, it falls to the good guy (sheriff) to lose his son, the man takes the son and leaves town.  Years later, the hero sees his teen son in another city.  His son has become like the old man he is with complete with a fanged tongue.

Now, I’m not saying Toni’s son, Anthony, is the one that Percival wants, and Lady Llorna will be back.  Frankly, for some reason, Percival wants Archie dead.  I’m not saying he doesn’t want to destroy the town.  Remember the season’s promo had all but Pop Tates’ on fire.  And if Cheryl is back to being Cheryl (not Abigail), I’m not saying Percival will win.  What I’m saying is that the comparison is there.  Add to it, Randall Flagg of “The Stand” and you have a foe beyond belief.

I offer kudos to Riverdale for doing this and offer my congratulations.  This is what I had expected from the show – characters — I care about, that I can laugh at, that I can pull for to win.  Percival will try his best to destroy the town.  In the end, will Percival win or did the trio get their superpowers to destroy Percival?  We’ll have to wait and see.

Riverdale – what have we become?  We have Archie (can’t be hurt), Betty (vision problems) and Jughead (telepathy) against the one and only Percival.  Now, all we know about Percival (so far) is that he is a creep and can manipulate people’s thoughts. All that may change tonight as his new victim is apparently Toni.  When you mess with Toni, you mess with Cheryl (who’s a witch)!  Are the forces of good and evil being defined?  Will Percival continue to brainwash?  Can his mind control work against Veronica, Reggie, Toni and Cheryl?  Never mind Kevin!  We know that one and he’s in the category of brain dead with Alice.

Now this brings me to an interesting plot point.  Remember that ever since Percival was introduced, I have called him Satan.  In the episode, Mr. Cypher, who was the one who seemed to be under “Satan’s” control the most?  That’s right – Kevin Kline.  I have to wonder if they’re setting this character up to leave (for New York) or die?  And while I’m comparing new to the Rivervale series, I hope you all saw that Sabrina will be returning to the show and this time in Riverdale.  I honestly can’t wait to see what they do with this.

Percival and the Town

Tonight opens with Archie coming home to find Percival there talking to Frank.  Now Percival got Frank in his corner.  Percival is doing a census and to meet his neighbors.  Percival wants to interview Archie who isn’t having it.  When Archie asks Percival to leave, Frank is upset because Percival has some wonderful ideas.  Mark another convert in Frank.  (And I thought the organ donor cult leader was bad!)

At the Council meeting, Percival is talking about the census and moves to rid the town of the gang problem.  Toni tells the council that a ceasefire is being discussed.  Tabita reminds Percival (the evil one) that Toni is one the Council and that the next item on the agenda needs to be addressed.  Fangs and Toni are talking about Percival’s ambush when brain dead Kevin arrives with the baby.   He doesn’t want the baby in a “gang culture.”

After a drive-by shooting at Pop Tate’s, Alice calls an emergency meeting at the Council (without Archie, Jughead or Betty knowing) and forgets to invite Toni.  Why?  Because Toni is the reason for the meeting.  Percival wants her expelled.   Tabita has clued Toni in and she shows up.  We don’t get to see the vote but she’s out by an unanimous vote.  Wait!  How can that happen.  Did she vote herself out.

Later at Toni and Fang’s apartment, they discuss turning the Serpents/Ghoulies into a group like the Black Panthers but Fangs don’t think it would work.  Unfortunately, a raid is carried out on a warrant of  weapons.  Guess what!  They find them and the baby is given to Kevin.  Later, the baby is back with Toni but stolen from the crib by the Ghoulies.  With Betty leading the FBI, they try to find the baby.  Twyla calls Toni.  The only way that Toni can get the baby back is if the Serpents and Ghoulies battle to the death.  Unfortunately, someone (Percival of course) has told the law.  Kevin slips up in talking to a deputy at Pop’s and spills the beans about a turkey shot.  Tabita gets details and calls Toni but it’s too late.  Sheriff Kline and Percival (with guns) arrive.  Percival looks like he wants to shot Toni.  (Wait for it!  He’s vicious and has no conscience.)

At the jail, Toni learns from Percival that her bail has been posted by Tabita.  They raided the Ghoulies hideout and found the baby.  Only one Ghoulie survived – Twyla.  (Oh, boy what this could cause if she joined forces with the gang.)  The baby is with Kevin.

When Toni is reunited with baby Anthony, Kevin tells her that he’s applying for custody of the baby.  He’s not safe with Toni.  She asks him not to but he’s under Percival’s spell and listening nearby.  Oh, Percival.  There’s one more who won’t by under your control.  (Now how are they going to tie this to Lady Llorna?)

Cheryl (or Abigail) and Her Murderous Plot

We see Cheryl tonight visiting graves but I’m honestly not sure which one it is.  From actions and clothes, I’d say Abigail is back but won’t say anything else yet.  When Britta suggests going home, Cheryl lets drop that she’s going to free Toni to be with her by setting something up to get rid of Fangs.  (The drive-by mentioned above at Pop Tates’.  I thought that was Cheryl and not Twyla!  As we learn, this takes Fangs out and sets something bigger in motion which Cheryl didn’t count on.)  She’snot forgetting the others though and has a special plan for them.

After an impromtu visit from the super three about the Percival census, Cheryl arrives with a basket of treats at the high school.  She has scones for Archie, Jughead and Betty.  After delivering to Archie and Jug, she goes to Betty who with her special vision sees evil.  Betty knows what is up and asks Cheryl if she’s trying to poison her.  Betty goes and both Archie and Jughead have eaten their scone.  She has them meet her in the bathroom and has them drink water and salt.  They throw up the poison.

At the Blossom’s, Cheryl is upset that they survived the deadly scones.  She does visit Toni the next day to talk about her problems.  Cheryl brings a gift, a bouquet of roses, and Toni pricks her finger.  Cheryl wipes the blood on a handkerchief.  Now what does she plan to do with that?  (A spell of course but when.)  But Toni spills the beans that Twyla and the Ghoulies want Archie dead.  That night, Cheryl ambushes Archie and tries to set him on fire (remember Cheryl is clueless about his power).

Archie survives (of course) and calls Betty.  She and Jughead go to meet Archie at his house.  Later, Jughead drops by the Blossom’s and Britta answers the door.  Britta is scared and tells Jughead that Cheryl can’t come to the door.  He quietly tells her that he can read her thoughts and tell him that way.  Britta lets it fly – everything that is going on.  Jughead reports in and Betty goes crying to Cheryl (her cousin remember) that Archie is dead.  Twyla torched him.  When Cheryl turns away, Betty chloroforms her.  Cheryl awakens to find herself tied to the stake.  It was Abigail all episode long.   Britta, Nana (holding a doll), Betty, Jughead, and Archie are standing at the bottom of the pile of wood.  They are going to get rid of Abigail and let Cheryl return.  Archie lights the embers, and the group starts chanting.  Abigail screams and suddenly, the doll in Nana’s arms start to twitch.  Abigail is in the doll.  Later, at the house, Nana, Britta and Cheryl put the doll in a glass cabinet and light candles.  Cheryl lights an extra one that must burn at all times. So, the question is:  Who is in the doll:  Cheryl or Abigail?  Will this be why Sabrina comes?

The Super Trio

Since the Cheryl debacle is tied to the threesome, let’s deal with them, shall we.  The three compare notes and Betty asks:  What does Percival want with Riverdale. Duh, Betty!  Control.  Jughead wants to beat him up but Archie says that wouldn’t work since he has Alice, Frank and Mr. Kline (Tom) under his control.  They decide to see what he is asking the town, so they talk to their friends.  Cheryl was too busy to meet.  They learn from Ronnie that while she hasn’t talked to him recently with the census, she did learn from her contacts that he didn’t exist before arriving in Riverdale.  Archie wonders how he can control so many minds.  Well, Archie, Percival buries thoughts in their brain that they don’t know he has planted?  In the end, they’re left with questions when Betty gets a call from the morgue (see notes at the end).

Ronnie and Reggie

Reggie enters Ron’s office and wants her to allow his dad to gamble.  We learn later that Mr. Mantle only has one or two years to live as he needs a transplant but probably won’t be able to get one.  Reggie is trying to make his father’s last days happy.

Let’s just say that Mr. Mantle has rotten luck.  Ronnie kindly asks him to step away from the tables, but Mr. Mantle wants to play more and asks for $5,000 loan.  She wouldn’t allow that.  Mr. Mantle leaves and meets up with the ‘three wise guys’ (not to be confused with the Christmas story) to do some private gambling.  He starts losing and loses the car lot.  Reggie is upset when he finds out and Mr. Mantle wants Reggie to get some money from Ronnie to pay off the threesome.  Oh, and Reggie won’t admit to anyone that his father has a problem.

Reggie meets with the men and they won’t sale.  They plan to expand their business.  Reggie offers them a cover using the car lot for their nefarious business.  Reggie says they need to keep the car lot looking legit and offers to work for them.  Later he tells Ronnie that his dad won’t be back to the casino.  At the car lot, Reggie watches his father happily play poker.  And the next victim will be Reggie and Ronnie (Percival won’t allow the casino to stay open).

And the Problems Continue  . . .

. . . As Alice and the town elect Percival Pickens to the Council unanimously.  (This is turning into a Stephen King novel like “Storm of the Century”).

. . . Betty finds out in her FBI capacity that there is something funny about the Ghoulies death.  They weren’t killed by the deputies but turned their guns on themselves (and only Twyla escaped remember).  Will Twyla join forces with the gang.  Percival wanted Toni and her gang dead by the same method but Toni spoilt his wish.

… Archie realizes that Percival wants to destroy the town.  Hmm!  Remember in Rivervale where Satan want the town for his purposes and the only safe place was Pop Tate’s??

Next week:

A boxing match occurs (between Archie and Percival, I think).   I’m not sure about the rest but I think it for the life of Riverdale.

Tonight, isn’t April Fool’s Day on Riverdale.  We’ve been through some strange things this season (and is Hiram really dead or giving Mark Consuelos a break?).  We have a meet the Devil in Rivervale but I ask the following question:  Is Percival Pickens the new devil for this reincarnation of Riverdale.  While I really don’t think we’ll find out tonight, he has all the makings of being the Devil.  And why make Riverdale the worst town  (what would his ancestor say? 

The Newspaper’s Lead – The Town Is Bad

As we open the show, Jughead is washing dishes while Tabita reads the paper.   (By the way, his hearing comes and goes.  Does that mean Betty’s and Archie’s powers come and go.)  She is worried about his article which he published anonymously to protect them.  The title of the piece was “Riverdale:  The Worst Town in America.”  Jughead (anonymous) doesn’t hide the truth about all the dirt in Riverdale’s history.  Of course, Percival liked it.  Archie, of course recognizes the style and goes off on Riverdale.  Alice and Frank are calling a meeting and tells Jughead to be there.

At the meeting, the town is the top topic of discussion is Sketch (Skid) Alley.  Alice sees it as a major problem along with Ronnie’s casino. She suggests turning the casino into a family friendly place complete with arcade for the kiddies.  Alice doesn’t agree as she sees the Lodge family as being one of the major problems in the town.  Archie makes the suggestion of small homes.  It would cost about $25,000 for each home in material but labor would be free. (So I combined some meetings.  There were too many throughout the show.) Archie also wonders why why the author didn’t give any suggestions and guess who claims to have written the article?  That’s right – Mr. Good-Guy Percival.  Percival thinks that the first objective should be to bus the Sketch Alley crowd out of town.  Archie says Riverdale has always taken care of his own.  Jughead sees this as a battle for Riverdale’s soul (I think in more ways than one.)  Good new folks!  Jughead is back as narrator.  More on his hearing later.

Jughead is upset about closing Sketch Alley.  The people there has helped him when Jug needed it most.  He and Archie discuss building small homes for the people to get them off the street.  Archie agrees that the idea is good and they start making plans.  Archie turns to Toni and Tabita for financial support.  They both agree and Archie’s first two buildings will be Pop Tate’s and White Wrym. 

Archie, Jughead and a crew of workers show up at Sketch Alley to tell the people what is going on.  Jughead talks to his friend and all (residents and crew get to work).  As the houses are built, Jughead friend (Doc, I believe) attacks Kevin.  Kevin goes to the hospital and Percival uses this as a reason to close down operations but two buildings have already been finished and installed at Pop Tate’s. 

Later, as Archie talks to Toni and Tabita, Alice is on the news complaining about the attack (Percival has gotten to her folks).  Archie is ready to stop but Toni and Tabita tell him to bring the houses on and display them at Pop’s.  After they are set up, one gets graffiti paint and Tabita calls Archie.  He’s got his powers back as he slams his fist into his truck with no injury.

The next day, Archie goes to take the houses down.  He finds Jughead, Tabita, Toni and Fred painting the building.   Jughead has something to tell Archie about Percival (check the Percival section for this) when who should appear (as if by magic) but Percival.  He’s been to Sketch Alley and paid all of them to leave town.  The gang (minus Percival) go to the empty alley.

At the last town meeting of the night, the people are happy that Percival solved one problem.  They cheer and Percival gives Tom Keller credit and tells everyone that law is back with Tom and Kevin working the streets.  Of the City Board, only Alice seems happy.  Jughead looks at Archie and says they must talk later.  After the meeting, Ronnie tries to talk to Alice about her plan.  Alice has really been brainwashed as she tells Ronnie that Ronnie’s Lodge name is a problem to the town.  If she takes a backseat, they will let the casino stay.  Otherwise, Alice and the town (read Percival) will get it closed down and not give it any support.

Abigail or Is It Cheryl?

Britta talks to Nana about seeing Cheryl in the mirror.  Nana tells Britta that Cheryl is in some sort of outer limits jail (Phantom Zone per Superman?).  Nana tells her they must get word to Cheryl but it can only be done while Cheryl is in a deep sleep and Britta, also asleep, can enter her dreams.  If Britta can warn Cheryl before she awakens, there is a chance.  One danger exist.  Abigail can’t awaken first. 

Britta gives Abigail some drugged tea and also drinks a glass (setting an alarm clock first).  In the dreamscape (sleep universe) Britta sees Cheryl with her mother and Jason talking about their birthday party as children.  Britta awakens and tries again.  The second dream is of the birthday party where Cheryl is being punished while Jason is celebrated.  She’ll get no birthday gifts and Britta calls Penelope (looking like the 1950s incarnation of Abigail) out to which she’s told to leave.  The third dream finds Penelope making Cheryl and Jason clean the floor with toothbrushes.  Is Penelope this evil?  She’s a cross between Mommy Dearest (Joan Crawford) and Mrs. Hannigan (Annie). 

With this evidence, Britta returns to Nana for advice.  Britta needs to use a new technique to get the message to Cheryl.  Nana offers encouragement and Britta decides to take a note to the dreamscape.  She falls asleep and finds Cheryl this time with white hair.  Her mother has cut it.  Penelope finds Britta and throw her out but Britta has dropped the note.  As Penelope confronts Britta who calls her fiction, Cheryl reads the note.  With Britta gone, Penelope turns to Cheryl who is the one we know.  Cheryl wins the battle and returns the next day to herself.  She wakes Britta and tells her they must banish Penelope from Cheryl’s dreams forever to get rid of Abigail and they a seance must be held.

The Casino

Ronnie and Reggie talk and Ronnie wants to make the casino legit and rehab her family name.  Reggie says it will be expensive but agrees to the scheme.  All seems to be going well until Reggie reports to Ronnie that there is a dead customer in a private room.  Ronnie calls in the bodyguard to help and asks him to find out about Percival.  The body is taken to New Jersey for disposal and he starts tracking Percival.

Reggie has new information.  While the man had lost a bundle, he was winning that night.  He was up by $25,000 and then Percival arrives and whispers in his ear.  The bodyguard comes in and he has taken care of the body and done some research  on Percival.  There is no paper trail.  The man never existed until he arrived in Riverdale.  (See, I told you he was Satan.)   Ronnie asks him to help reestablish the casino and help it start making money.  They’re going to need it for the battle that is going to brew over its existence.  Hiram isn’t forgotten as his picture will inspire them with the Lodge name.

Percival and His Talent

Percival seems to have a talent for changing people’s mind.  He talks to Alice and gets her on his side echoing his every thought.  He talks to Archie but surprisingly  makes no headway (either Archie is very stupid of his power comes into play).  He talks to Kevin and Tom Keller and gets them on his side. 

Jughead is questioning what happened with Doc.  He goes to the prison and visits.  The last thing his friend remembers is meeting an English gentleman (Percival) and getting the idea to hit Kevin in the head.  Jughead decides to visit Percival on the pretense of doing a story.  Suddenly, Jughead’s hearing gets distorted.  He’s hearing what Percival says but also a hidden message that Percival is relaying trying to convince Jughead otherwise.  Suddenly Percival speaks to Jughead by using telepath powers.  He tells Jughead to get out of his head.  So, now we know that Jughead has a superpower after all.  Jughead later tells Archie they need to talk, and the gang needs to meet.

The Powers and What We Know

Betty returns home to Archie’s and is bothered by the light.  It triggers migraines and is a side effect of her power. 

Archie’s is back but impacted by palladium.

Jughead can sense hidden conversations that others do not hear.

Ronnie knows he didn’t exist before coming to Riverdale.

Percival can communicate by telepathy.  Can he only cause weak minds to hear.  And why does he have a crime board like Betty uses and seems to have put a target on Archie.  Could he be the Trash Can Killer in addition to Satan.

Next week:  Jughead and others want to hurt Percival.  Cheryl is now in the mix.  Percival seems to be the one behind all the evil and has plans for all the gang in addition to Cheryl. 

Riverdale what am I supposed to believe about you?  First we visit your alternate universe with the great Chocolate Shoppe in the sky.  We return to Riverdale and find the nuances of Rivervale seeping into the characters in their normal world.  Oh, and let’s not forget!  Now it looks like Veronica has inherited much of her mobster’s dad power as she ordered a hit on dear old dad which happened.  Her sister, Hermrosa has a hit out of Veronica.  Just what I don’t want?  More mob!  Archie and Betty with now have superpowers, and Jughead is deaf.  Oh, and don’t forget!  Cheryl is now Abigail who wants revenge on Archie, Betty, and Jug’s forefathers. What else do you have in store for us?  Will deaths come in threes.

Tonight, I’m just going to tell the story as it happens (with later combinations).  We need to see interactions this week. 

To begin with Jughead is back as narrator tonight.  He’s talking but he can’t seem to write anything.  He’s is use to hearing music and the typewriter keyboard as the writes.  Archie is literally rebuilding the home place and Betty’s getting use to her position and superpower.  Betty does send Archie to “talk” (write) to Jughead and figure out what’s going on.  Now don’t laugh.  I know many think Archie’s dumb but he did almost finish high school.  Ronnie has confessed the hit to Reggie (who actually is upset about this) and announces that the memorial service will be held in Riverdale.  Meanwhile, Cheryl/Abigail’s new style has Britta worried (I guess so – that collar is much too dramatic for even Cheryl) and Nana admits that Cheryl as we know her exist no more due to Abigail’s transfer into her body.  Nana wants the town back in the Blossom control and they must attend the Council of Four meeting.  Okay – how do we address Cheryl now that she is Abigail.  Shall we call her Cheragail?   I’ll just call her Cheryl for now.

So how did Hiram die?  Apparently, he was found in a shallow grave in New Jersey with his hands tied, four bullets in his head and his body burned.  Ron’s grandmother and a mystery man arrives.  Her grandmother wants Ron to deliver the eulogy.  At the Chocolate Shop, we learn that Kevin is staying in town to help with the baby and takes his dad up on the deputy job that had been offered.  (Question:  Will he be like Barney Fife of Andy Griffith fame and not be allowed to carry a bullet except in his pocket?)  Meanwhile, Betty is back working when she gets a call that Glenn has gone “missing in action”.  (And the new mystery is set.  Oh, the possibilities that all this presents.  I can see Kevin accidentally shooting his father’s tires out as he chases the Trash Bag Killer.)

Let’s not forget Jughead and Tabita.  They are writing notes about his hearing loss.  He can get implants in six months.  Meanwhile at FBI Riverdale, Betty has a headache and gets a present.  It turns out to be from the Trash Can Killer and contains a body part (from Glenn).  And we have the Trash Bag Killer looking so much like the Black Hood Killer.  He’s also obsessed with Betty?  Could Hal be back?

Ten minutes in and two potential deaths?  Is that a new record for this show?  Or do we count Hiram’s death as last week when the hit’s success was announced?

Council Four Meeting looks interesting as Cheryl and Nana watch from the balcony.  Archie gets his dumpsters approved.  Ronnie tells all that Hiram is dead and a memorial service will be held.  And lo and behold, Percival introduces himself and Cheryl realizes that they are related somehow.  Percival announces that he wants to make the town of Riverdale a success.  Toni is late arriving, but Cheryl immediately recognizes her a Thomasina.  So, who is missing?  Jughead!  He didn’t come because he doesn’t want anyone to pity him.  Oh, and Archie finally realizes he has forgotten Ron.  They talk about Hiram.  Isn’t that nice of him?  He remembers his ex-lover from just a few weeks ago.  Both of them moved on quickly, didn’t they?

Betty object is to catch the Trash Can Killer and Alice will help.  Meanwhile Jughead shows that he has taken up Archie’s screw-up ways by riding his motorcycle which gets him a lecture (read dirty looks) from Tabita. 

As the workers start repairs at Archie’s, one worker finds the mystery substance, palladium.  Archie offers it to the worker who tells Archie to keep it.  Alice provides a meal and Archie forgets himself and drinks extremely hot coffee.  He covers it but Uncle Frank notices.  Meanwhile, Cheryl finds a way to see Toni and offers to adopt Britta.  While Cheryl wants a meeting that night, Toni is at the White Wrym and can’t meet.  Later at the bar, Cheryl has a flashback to Abigail’s old life when Fangs enters to talk to Toni about the baby.  Vision time which sends Cheryl into a downward spiral made worse when Nana tells her to forget the “Serpent scum” and concentrate on getting Riverdale back.  Cheryl doesn’t take that kindly and Nana finds herself locked up downstairs with a death threat hanging over her head.  Cheryl wants revenge on the town, but she wants Toni more.  Fangs has to be dealt with and Toni must come back to Abigail.

And poor old Ron has a new problem.  Her mom, Hermione, has arrived complete with a camera crew to film a story around Hiram’s death and funeral for her show, The Real Housewives of New York.  I guess that is still her show, but she must have become the star.   Veronica agrees to the filming and later hosts a dinner party for Hermione and Kevin (because of his love of New York).  Will Kevin start his own show?  I think they could call it “The Weird Adventures of Riverdale.”  Back to the story.  Hermione tells Ronnie she has no tears to shed for Hiram now.  Ronnie clears the room and confesses to mom.  They may have just had their first mother/daughter talk as Hermione tells Ronnie that she knew Hiram would die.  It was only a matter of time.  She’s not upset at what happened (you know Ron’s hit) and it was all part of Hiram and Ron’s father/daughter relationship.  Hiram wanted Ron’s attention leaving Hermione out.  They decide to work on their relationship with Ron promising to be a good daughter.  They also film the scene for Hermione’s show (without the mention of a hit, of course).

Archie accident and his power seems to be weakening.  Betty mentions her migraine.  Seems the two powers are tied together, and it is muted by the palladium (think kryptonite folks).  Later, at the house, Archie goes upstairs and gets a surprise.  Someone has tampered with the floor, and he falls through the ceiling and is hurt due to palladium on the floor.  He is dragged from the room due to the losing his power from the palladium.  Okay, it’s his kryptonite—we get it!  I don’t think he’s Superman.  CW has a show on that already. 

Betty is napping on the couch when she gets a visit from the Trash Bag Killer.  He smooths her face calling her “sweet Betty” and she wakes.  He got in with Glenn’s card and wants her to drop Archie or he will be next (can we say fixation?).  Betty does get a call from someone who has seen the wanted poster and told to come down to scum street.  Betty finds a man with a trash bag mask who tells her to look in the trash can where Glenn’s arm is.  At the house, Archie wakes to find himself tied up.  The Trash Bag Killer is going to enjoy hurting him so Betty will be his.  As he prepares a power drill to use on Archie, Alice comes in returning Bingo, the dog.  The dog comes upstairs, surprises Trash Bag so he falls out the window but by the time Betty gets there he’s gone.  The FBI has found a dismembered Glenn (so another murder).

Jughead has a meeting with a counsellor named Daniel.  Daniel leaves Jug in a room to write for five hours but Jughead has nothing to show him at the end of the time.  Daniel then gives him a comic book.  Jughead reads it and finally gets his voice (writing) back.  He creates a graphic novel and Daniel is proud.  Tabita is happy too as now Jughead can feel purpose in his life.

As the funeral attendees gather, Hiram’s killer arrives to see Ron.  She tells him he has his blood money but he is there for a new purpose – more money for her death.  As he starts toward her to strangle her, her grandmother’s bodyguard comes in and shots him in the back.  Hermrosa had hired the killer and grandmother had heard and made other arrangements.  At Hiram’s funeral, the only old friend of Ron’s who is there is Reggie.  During the eulogy, Ron says she won’t be sentimental.  She admits her dad has done many horrible things but also some good things (like covering Fred’s funeral).  She apologizes for the horrible things he has done.  While she forgives, she can’t forget but she will always love her daddykins.  As Hermione leaves, Ron agrees to Thanksgiving with her.  Reggie is waiting but they are interrupted by the bodyguard as they start to kiss (they’re together again, how sweet?)  She’s given Hiram’s personal effects which include the rum business and a tape recording of his hopes and love for her (and we get a salute to Hiram).  Does this mean that Hiram is really dead In soap terms, we didn’t see the body?

So, where does that leave us?  Archie knows what can cause his skills (and Betty’s also) to disappear and must be careful.  Betty says she must leave town so the Trash Bag Killer will leave also.  With the way this man has lives, I wonder if it is Hal come back to live (again).  Cheryl sees (was that really herself) knocking on a window and breaks it.  Wait, Nana said Cheryl was no more – only nothingness.  And Jughead – well suddenly, he begins to hear again.  Does his hearing have a power tied to the palladium that everyone wants?

Next week

We get Percival and his story starting.  And did I hear right.  A battle for the town’s soul?  I told you last week that Percival had ties to the devil, didn’t I?  And I don’t have spoilers just an English degree.  That also leaves me with this question:  should we appear for another visit from Sabrina.  As far as I can tell, she’s the only one who can bring Cheryl back.  And the palladium?  Why Archie?

Rivervale is apparently no more.  We are back to Riverdale.  It is at the point we left off at of the season finale.  The bomb is ticking under Archie’s bed as he and Betty get ready to get intimate.  The only difference is that Betty gets a call from Rivervale about the bomb.  Oh no!  Time and space is changing which any science fiction show lover knows causes a rift in the outcomes of both dimensions.  What have they done? Will the Riverdale universe be altered?  Will Rivervale be no more?  Did Dilton escape the chaos he helped cause?  Let’s get comfortable because here we go again.

Just a reminder:  When the season ended, Riverdale has seen the end (apparently) of Hiram Lodge’s manipulations and dirty dealings.  As he drives out of town, he leaves a present for the one he sees as his nemesis, Archie Andrew.  Archie has also broken up with Veronica Lodge who apparently is moving on to Reggie.  Jughead is with Tabitha but that’s not where he is when action starts – he’s writing in Archie’s garage.  Cheryl has cursed Betty, Archie and Jughead.  Did I miss anything?  I ‘m sure I have but the real question is:  how does that phone call change things.

The Aftermath of the Season Finale

At Betty’s her mother wants a recap of what was happening.  Jughead was in the garage and Archie and Betty escaped.  All will be staying at Betty’s but Archie and Uncle Frank visit the house (which wasn’t destroyed (why was that?) while Alice takes Betty to the hospital.  Archie hears Vegas and starts to dig him out.  Betty has to stay overnight in the hospital for her ribs but she tells Archie that he shielded her and that saved her life.  Meanwhile, Jughead has told Pop and Tabitha only to discover he has been affected by the explosion.  Noises seem louder but then all hearing goes.  Okay, granted he was nearby but wouldn’t they have wanted to check him out also due to the nearness of the blast.  Oh, that’s right.  Archie, Betty and Jughead have super powers (more on Betty’s and Archie’s later).  Frank and Archie find Vegas who survived but with four broken legs.

Of course, everyone has to learn the story.  Toni, Fangs, and Kevin meet.  Kevin wants New York and Fangs and Toni are dating (but still bisexual).  Kevin’s dad calls with the news and he calls Veronica (who is with Reggie) while a student (Britta, I think) brings news to Cheryl.  Nana and Cheryl looks surprised but Cheryl looks at Nana and says it was the curse.  Nana’s not sure (of course it will play a role).  Great recap by the way writers.  Cheryl, by the way, blames Nana for everything that has happened. 

In the Aftermath, Rivervale Arrives

From here on, each get their own story told.  So spoilers folks (and I am sorry. 

Cheryl

First, Cheryl tries to reverse the curse and has voodoo dolls to assist with this.  Britta asks Cheryl if she believes in magic and curses and Cheryl seems to do so now (and we have the first hint of Rivervale).  When the candles blow out, she’s sure it was Nana but Nana denies that she did.  Cheryl sets a trap and finds out it is Britta doing it.  Somehow, during the comet’s visit (which happened in both cities), Abigail’s spirit entered Britta instead of Cheryl.  After Cheryl tells Nana and asks if they need to do an exorcism, Nana tells her no.  The only way to turn Britta normal is a transference of the spirit to Cheryl. 

Nana and Cheryl perform the spell and Abigail moves to Cheryl.  I honestly don’t think the spirit of Abigail will be as forgiving as in Rivervale.  Cheryl goes through a transformation becoming more positive and more self-assured.  I still suspect a visit from Sabrina will happen.

Betty

Remember the power I mentioned that Betty saw at the hospital.  Well, it seems the auras are red/orange and appear with anger and murder.  Betty’s new power will enable her to know who to question and capture.  (Oh, I’m getting a strange feeling that I’ve seen this before folks.  More on this at the end of this piece.)

The FBI has made catching Hiram a priority.  Betty takes control of an FBI meeting which sets her old boyfriend off.  Betty tells Glenn that she is with Archie.  She also sets an agent to looking into deaths at other hospitals.  There are similarities and she catches the killer with Archie’s help.  Glenn though is still a problem.  He comes to the office, drunk, and the red/orange aura appears.  He starts to grab her and she stops him.  That doesn’t stop Glenn from bragging to the “guys at the bar” but the other female agents tell Betty.  She gets the men transferred out of the office in Riverdale and Glenn is under investigation for improper actions toward Betty.  She shoos him out of the office.  (SPOILER ALERT:  Later at the diner, Glenn leaves.  When he gets in his car, it appears to be Pop who pops up from the back seat and starts to choke him over what he did to Betty.  Is Pop the trashcan killer or has the black masked killer returned. 

Veronica and Hiram

While this doesn’t really have any apparent Rivervale connection, I do think we need to attribute it to Rivervale.  Veronica has promised Betty information and called her sister for it.  On getting the information, she does pass it on to Betty but keeps a copy for herself.  Ronnie tells Reggie she plans to take out a contract on her father and secretly does so.  Ronnie does have second thoughts though after learning of Reggie dad’s heart attack.  When she tries to stop it, she finds that the contract has been fulfilled.  She does lie to Reggie when he returns home telling her that his dad is okay yet her dad’s death is done.  Hemarosa calls and asks why Ron put the contract out on daddy dearest.  Sis has now marked Ronnie with a contract for blood and she’s not the target. 

Archie’s Newfound Power

At the gym, Archie is doing weights.  When he gets on the scale, he finds he has gained weight but it doesn’t appear on his frame.  Meanwhile, Mary has arrived and realizes that Archie could have died.  When Archie gives a quick explanation, Mary tells him that his father, Fred, protected him.  Later as they clean, Percival Pickens arrives and wants to buy Archie’s home.  Now the house has holes in it and missing roofs and he offers to pay a substantial sum.   (I’m very suspicious about this.  Is Percival the Satan we saw in Rivervale?)  Archie turns him down but he gives Mary his card.  (I’m not sure but it looks like Archie  pays a visit to Percival and I’m not sure why.)

Toni and Fangs

Toni and Fangs meet with the members of the Ghoulies to find out what their part in the bombing of Archie’s house was.  It seems Carla is more than happy to spill that they do work of Hiram who gave them two jobs:  destroy Riverdale and kill Archie Andrews.  Toni does tell Archie so he can watch his back but Archie has other plans.  He asks where they are located and goes for a visit.  He, of course, is attacked and fights back.  When he arrives home, he’s covered in blood which worries Betty.  Archie then has to reveal his power over death to Betty (which is why he can stop the hospital killer).  This leads to echoes to Toni’s story about lost children.  She gets a call from, this I’m not sure about because it surprised me, Trula Twyst (in the comics Jughead’s foe).  She is with the Ghoulies and informs Fangs and Toni about what has happened.  She swears vengeance and threatens their baby.

Jughead’s Hearing

Tabitha has figured out that Jughead has a hearing problem.  She goes to the doctor’s with him where they learned that his hearing in both ears has been severely damaged.  Good news though is that he is writing.  (Wonder if his writing goes through to Rivervale?)

Final views

Archie has sent his mom home to Chicago after getting the mortgage put in his name.  Betty and Archie talk about the changes that have happened to them.  He wants her to leave but she doesn’t think he will hurt her.  He then agrees to let her stay as long as she doesn’t mind being with an unemployed man with a mortgage (wonder how long that will last).  As they talk, Archie gets a call from the vet.  Bingo (I thought it was Vegas) has recovered with no signs left of broken legs.  Say what?

Next episode:

Hiram’s body found.

Trash can killer or the black masked killer is back.

Funeral service.

Why does the black masked killer come to see Archie.

Okay anyone else having problems with the following:  the house is still standing; no one died; Bingo is well; and Jughead has hearing problems?  Either the time/space continuum has been affected, the dimensions have shifted and merged, or I’m seeing a rebirth of the show “Heroes” which I loved.  I never would have thought of Archie as the “cheerleader” character, but he is the cheerleader of Riverdale. 

So my question is:  where does all this lead?  Does Archie live on (as he hinted in Rivervale) forever.  Does Betty get a talent that allows her to catch serial killers.  What is Jughead’s power since he’s lost his hearing.  Will Toni relive her Rivervale story?  And more importantly of all, will Cheryl be a good or bad witch that calls Sabrina to Riverdale.   Let’s sit back and watch!  This will be an interesting second part of the season.

Since early in the week of January 16th, there have been lists of celebrities for “Celebrity Big Brother.” While I have read them (yes, I admit I looked), I have a hard time thinking that they are real. I’m going to give you the list why below.

1. Contestants aren’t allowed to reveal that they are doing the show. During the regular season, people can’t tell that they made the final cut. If they reveal (or family reveal) that they are on the show, they are not allowed to appear. I believe they call this the possibility of pre-gaming. With celebrities, the same could be true but it is more complicated than that. Each celebrity can have fans that go overboard. They attack CBS asking for special privileges for their favories.
2. In “Celebrity Big Brother,” the question often arises: “Why are they doing this show?” Of course, I’ve asked that question with “Masked Singer” also but there is no set in stone reason. Some may do it to jump start their career. Others may do it for exposure. Then others do it because they are bored (and I can understand that with COVID). Ad that brings me to the real laugh I have had this morning. Several people are saying Clay Aiken (“American Idol”) is doing the show. Just this week in a minute, 30 second statement that played on YouTube and other channels, he announced his run for public office. Granted, only North Carolinians may have seen this announcement but I ask you. If you were running for public office would you do “Celebrity Big Brother?” If he wanted to, I don’t think the party would approve.
3. Now for the big reason I question these lists. Leak! Even if you have friends on the lot or in production, they can’t tell you a thing about the show. If they do, they risk losing their job. If they do, they could hurt the celebrities (or people) they want on. How do I know this? I worked at a college and saw many students. One who stopped by my office before leaving for the summer had gotten an internship at “Big Brother” and knew some of the details. I knew about the no disclosure rule and he said: The reason I told you where my internship is is because I knew you knew the rules. It was strongly said: “Don’t tell them where you will be? Don’t tell!” So, the one person I trust on Twitter hasn’t delivered information. Ad the student who was supposed to be working the back stage? CBS found out he was good on animations/graphic design and switched his assignment when he reached California.

I hope, for viewers sake, that the cast for Celebrity Big Brother is a good one. I hope some people did have correct names. The one thing I do know if that we really will not have an idea until CBS does their reveal.

Are daytime dramas (referred to as soap operas) a thing of the past?  Are they relevant today?  To be honest, I haven’t watched a daytime drama for any length of time since 2001 or 2002.  Saying that, I need to give you a little background.

y mom watched soaps.  My grandmother watched soaps.  The difference was my mom and grandmother didn’t want the “children” anywhere near them.  My first remembrance of daytime drama came when Nancy Carr of “Edge of Night” saved her daughter’s life and died.  I had accidentally found the two of them crying over it.”  As I grew up (and had a boring television science class), our class discovered a relatively new daytime drama (yeah, we cheated) and started watching when the teacher went to the lounge.  “All My Children” was something we could identify with.  Philip Brent, the poor boy, was going to war.  We all cried (even the boys) as he said goodbye.  We got caught (of course) and it was back to boring science.  Same scenario happened when Phillip returned only it was a state church youth meeting.  They thought we needed a rest period (during “All My Children”).  Let’s just say, the rest period got voted down the first night and the television in the lounges became very popular.

I honestly left soaps when I got into the working force.  I didn’t have time or energy to spend on them.  When we got a VCR, we recorded One Life to Live (it was filming in my home state) and General Hospital.  Little did I know that I would change jobs to a university and a former professor (now best friend) and I would start a study of social issues and soap operas.  The first paper, for a Women’s Studies conference, dealt with consequences of rape using One Life to Live and General Hospital.  We didn’t stop there.  I had friends who watched or knew people at various other soaps who helped us compile a listing of all the rapes on all daytime.  Let’s just say, I never knew that Days of Our Lives fans could be so vicious until during that presentation.  The sheer number on Days caused a riot with the fans in denial.  I stayed in soap research presenting at National and Regional Popular Culture Conferences until ABC soaps decided to go mob and return stories to the 1960s.  Since then, I’ve watched discussions from the sidelines as I saw the soaps declined.

So what do I mean.  Let’s look at the rise and fall of soaps at ten year increments from 1962 to the present.  I’m not going to list the show’s name unless they air now and only shares are listed.  In 1962, twelve soap operas aired on CBS, ABC, and NBC.  The ratings went from 12.0 to 3.4.  Interesting enough,, no soaps from then remain.  “General Hospital” debuted in 1963.  So, let’s jump ten years.  In 1972, there were 16 soap operas airing on the three major networks with “The Young and the Restless” having the lowest rating of 5.0.  A large number of shows still had respectable ratings with “General Hospital” having a 9.7.  Ten years pass and 1982 saw the numbers of shows and viewers drop.  Now only 14 shows air on the networks with General Hospital (9.8) having the best ratings.  Ten more years to 1992 saw soaps decline to only 11 network shows with “The Young and Restless” at the top (8.4).  Another ten years to 2002 and we have only 9 shows with “The Young and the Restless” on top (4.7).  Another ten years to 2012 and “oh no!”  We’re down to four shows (the ones airing now) and viewership down again to 3.6.  In 2022, we only have four remaing and the viewership is still out on the shows.

So why the decrease.  During the 1990s Popular Culture meetings, this trend was discussed.  While many women were entering the work force, the findings were that students (18-21) had stopped watching.  This took a chunk of fans away.  Only ABC was admitting situations in the world with cancer, AIDS, and crime.  And with the advent of cable, there were many other options developing.

To me, the real reason is more simple than that.  I watched the shows (with commercials and certain characters fast forwarded) on ABC.  Up until the 2000s, that network daytime dramas (“All My Children,” “One LIfe to Live,” and “General Hospital”) were more reflective of what I was seeing in the world.  It spoke to issues that affected real people in the real world.  Yes, I know that there is a group of people who do watch soaps today for the affairs, romance, and intrigue.  But to me baby swapping, husband stealing, and scheming to take over the same businesses could be seen in prime time.  And, in prime time, implications were shown.

In the 2000’s, the daytime dramas started to disappear from the screens.  The explanation was that viewership was down (which it was) and that local channels wanted the time back to do their own programming.  I think that, with my generation, the loyal viewers (who watched Philip Brent march to war while his mom protested) were tired of the same old, same old.  And this thought continued in the younger generation at the college where I worked.  The younger generation didn’t have time for viewing daytime drama.  Too many older fans had grown tired of waiting six months for something to happens.  In fact one student told me that if they wanted the soap drama, they’d go watch “The Real World” or “The Real Housewives of (insert city of choice  here)” on cable.

As I left viewing the shows, I stated my view to “Soap Opera Digest” in an 2001/2002 article.  I was tired of how women were portrayed.  I was tired of women having to turn to the men to ask their opinion on business dealings or money issues.  I was tired of love affairs and baby swapping.  I wanted a mystery (which no longer was done).  And most of all, I didn’t want to see stories repeated as they did with the  “devil came to Salem” (which they repeated this year).

While networks hint of a “Port Charles” spin off and other new daytime dramas, I’m banking on Mark Counselos (“Riverdale”) and Kelly Ripa to shake things up.  They’re working on a project called “Pine Valley” with Agnes Nixon (who created the original show, “All My Children”).  Mark played Hiram Lodge on “Riverdale” and saw what the younger generation wants.  If there is a hope for the “soap opera” of old, it will have to be changing stories and a current view. 

Well, Riverdale has made a milestone tonight.  Not many shows these days reach 100 episodes.  Riverdale has done it amid a season of death.  Now the stills from production are showing the ones we have lost in Rivervale (Archie, Toni, Reggie) back.  We’ve also been told from the spoilers on Twitter that we will see a tribute to the original comic characters and a salute to what the show has done before.  And, as it is called “The Jughead Paradox” it makes me wonder if Jug will wear the crown?

Let’s face it!  Rivervale is/was a very strange paradox of Riverdale.  When the show returns in March, we’re supposed to be back in Riverdale but how will the Rivervale plots echoed down to the original series.  But, for tonight, I ask:  Will Jughead do his Rod Sterling impression again?  Will the devil release Reggie long enough to have an appearance in the paradox?  What about Jason Blossom?  Will Archie and Toni only appear in the comic salute?  The comic salute seems to be slanted toward the late 1950s/early 1960s (per stills) so it will be interesting to see if any of the other comics (“Archie:  The Married Life” and “Afterlife”) comes into play.

Tonight not subplots.  It is complicated enough as it is.  We have Rod “Jughead” narrating but there is a dead body found.  Jughead tells us that Archie is back from the dead.  Betty has a nightmare about the town sacrificing Archie.  Fangs had a dream about Toni drowning and coming back as a ghost and tells her so.  Veronica has Reggie back.  Nana is back, out of bed (which worries Cheryl), and had a frightful dream.  Jughead wakes up not with Tabitha but in Archie’s garage with black feet.  What gives, he thinks.   Later at school, Jughead is upset by all that he sees (espeically Archie and Reggie.  And we have “Don’t You Forget About Me.”  It’s a cross between high school, comic and Rivervale.  This is proven true when Jughead in the bathroom sees Ben and talks to him about his jumping to his death.  Ben said no that was their Pembroke teacher (flashback here).  This is a cross between Riverdale, Rivervale and the comics (I’m betting). 

Later, in the staff room, Jughead is still in stock and finds out that Archie and Betty will marry on Saturday.  Archie wants Jughead as the best man.  As they talk, Betty gets a call from the morgue doctor (Dr. Strange) that there is a new body and it is Jughead.  She says “It can’t be.  I’m takling to him.”  Jughead goes to the morgue and it is his body on the slab.  Slab Jughead had been strangled and found on the highway. When the lights flicker and the clock face breaks, the doctor says  it’s a paradox.  Live Jughead gets the other one’s backpack and returns to the apartment to find Riverdale comics. 

Okay, for newcomers (and those unfamiliar with any of the comics) hold on.  It may get really bumpy from here on.  We’re in for a wild roller coaster ride featuring people we haven’t seen (or at least not alive) for a long time.  Since I’m watching live as I write, I may miss something, and I’ll try to condense it down (wish I got screeners!).  In fact, by the end of the episode, I’m thinking that they’re inviting us into the new Twilight Zone and we’re all going to be crazy (and I hope they release this as a book or comic although I won’t find it in my town).

Jughead starts reading the comics and comes up with the doppelganger effect.  What this means is that there may be duplicates running around (and Doctor Who fans know that this can’t happen and only spells trouble).  Ben is dead in Riverdale but alive now.  Jughead  explains what is happening to Tabitha who has seen the comics and begins to think he is losing his mind but later he finds the “Welcome” sign with Riverdale (written in reverse) on one side and Rivervale on the other.

Jughead talks to Archie and tells him about Riverdale and how all that has happened there is darker in Rivervale.  Jughead suspects that Hiram’s blowing up Archie’s house while he and Betty were making love  (which was Archie’s dream) caused the town of Rivervale to happen.  When talking to Ronnie, he finds out that Hiram died and she can’t believe that Hiram was a Darth Vader (many “Star Wars” references) in Riverdale.  Reggie notices that his appearance is different in the two comics (just wait for it).  Next up is Cheryl who can’t believe that in Riverdale that Kevin and Moose found Jason dead.  Then, surprise we have Jason come in and Cheryl says she and Jay-Jay have a doubles date.  Okay, Jason is more like the comic version here.  And Cheryl is acting almost like the high school Cheryl (in the comics). 

As Jughead searches the yearbook and finds the tribute to Jason, Ronnie has problems of her own.  First, she can’t believe what the comics say about Hiram but then a second Reggie shows up at the door (has anyone else got a headache yet).  Jughead meanwhile investigates parallel worlds.  When he goes to the library for a book, he finds out that Dilton borrowed it and never returned it.  Jughead mentions Dilton is dead but no.  He’s told he’s teaching Physics and when Jughead finds him, Ethel is with him.  Shocker!

As Jughead explains the theory, Dilton agrees that there are two universes that exist – Riverdale and Rivervale and they should be mirror images but they have become fractured.  Dilton is studying them.  To him, the dead Jughead was an abnormality.   Wait for it.  More is coming but I can’t tell it here. 

Meanwhile Ronnie is having trouble with two Reggies who do not look anything alike.  And they argue about everything.  Ronnie says that there can’t be two of them running around town and one must stay at the apartment.  They all do make it to the bachelorette party where one Reggie is a stripper and the Reggie who sold his soul to the devil gambles at Archie’s party.  Archie and Jughead talk and we get a flashback to a past dream episode about Archie’s wedding with Fred there.  (Hmm!  Do I smell a rat?0  After the party, back at Ron’s apartment, she suggests a threesome but this freaks both Reggie’s out.

The next day, in the high school teacher’s lounge, Cheryl appears.  Jason has been kidnapped by the Black Hood.  By thinking about Riverdale, Jughead tells Archie about what happened in that universe.  Archie, Jughead and Sheriff Keller go to where Jason is being held.  They break in and try to rouse Jason when the Black Hood appears threatening to kill all but Keller shoots him.  When the mask comes off, it’s Gilbert Blossom behind the mask (and not Betty’s dad).

Ronnie is upset with the Reggies when neither are dressed for the rehearsal dinner.  She goes alone to the Pop Tates’ where Alice and Hal are hosting the dinner.  Toni suddenly appears and tells them that Cheryl is dead.  Going to the morgue, they find her body and Jughead realizes who is behind it.  Jughead rushes to the high school where Dilton is preparing to leave.  The universes are imploding and he’s the one who cojoined the universes for research.  Jughead tries to make him see it has to stop but Dilton doesn’t care.  All is in the name of science.  Little does Dilton realize that Ethel isn’t buying into this plan.  She poisons him and he dies.  Ethel helps Jughead with figuring out what caused the split (bomb blowing up Archie and Betty).  They have to recreate the events, but Jughead doesn’t want to hurt Betty and Archie.  Jughead decides he must save Ethel who helped him realize the truth.

Jughead goes and talks to Ronnie.  He knows that he must blow up the house and somehow he decides he and Ronnie must be the two making out at the time.  Ronnie is okay with that and mentions Bughead (nice fan-verse reference).  Jughead goes to set the scene and Archie arrives.  He tells Jughead that he knows everything.  Ronnie had told him before he killed her.  In fact, Archie has killed everyone (but Dilton).  Archie doesn’t want the worlds stabilized because he hopes Fred will return.  He’s left Betty at the altar and came to the house to stop Jug.  Archie explains that no one stays dead in Rivervale.  All people come back to life in this universe.  Archie then explains that he was at ground zero when the Riverdale saga began (the start of the comics back in the 1930s/1940s) and will there when it is destroyed.  He has seen everything in all universes.  The Rivervale one is a distortion not a copy or mistakes.  It must survive so Fred will come back. (You know, this is actually a great tribute to Luke Perry.)  As they start to fight, Betty arrives and kills Archie.  She says “no one leaves a Cooper girl at the altar.”

Time is running out and Jughead tells Betty what has to happen.  They go to Archie room with the bomb to recreate the incident as closely as they can.  As they start to make love, Archie revives and comes upstairs to stop it.  When the bomb doesn’t go off, the other Jughead comes in the door.  Rod Jughead explains that when he died, he wen to the “great Pop’s Chocolate Shop” in the sky where they live as their comic characters.  To solve the dilemma, there has to be a new power source.  The power source is imagination.  Since there can’t be two Jugheads, the Rivervale one must go into hiding and write the stories.  Betty is upset because this isn’t fair.  In the end, they agree that Jughead must start writing.  The “Rod” Jughead can’t do it because he’s the narrator.   Jughead goes to the bomb shelter (with Ethel who he will save by her coming to the shelter with him.  In Rivervale, the bomb doesn’t go boom and Betty and Jughead are back in normal clothes.  Going downstairs, all is back to normal with the others preparing to eat.  And the universe starts settling. 

In our Riverdale, Betty gets a call saying they need to leave the house.  They make it out (evidently) and Jughead is writing in the garage where he feels the explosion.  Jughead has a ringing in his ears which means that the universes are back to normal.

So what does 2022 hold for the Riverdale faithful.  Well, things are back to normal.  Archie, Toni, and Reggie seem back to normal.  Cheryl mentions the curse and things start to happen.  We will have to wait for what is to come and how Rivervale may impact the characters we know in Riverdale.  Will there be another death.  Executives say yes.  Will Jughead still appear as Rod Sterling?  Will Ethel return?  I doubt it as she died in Riverdale.  Hey, I’d like for her to return but I don’t see how.  Will the curse play out?  It’s going to be a long three months, isn’t it?