Did Riverdale Really Just Break Up Betty and Jughead—and Archie and Veronica?
This post contains spoilers for Riverdale Season 2, Episode 8: “House of the Devil.”[hhmc] Did any o..
This post contains spoilers for Riverdale Season 2, Episode 8: “House of the Devil.”
Did any of that really just happen?
Riverdale set the bar pretty high for kooky drama in its first season, but this week’s installment was definitely Season 2’s most bonkers yet. To recap, we just saw: a sex montage starring Archie and Veronica (more on that later); Cheryl trying to give Josie a back massage in the girls’ locker room, only to be interrupted by the janitor, who turns out to be the sole survivor of the murder case mentioned last week; F.P. Jones getting out of prison; Archie and Veronica singing a cover of “Mad World”; and Betty stripping down to a bustier and panties and pole dancing in front of a room filled with ogling adult men, including her boyfriend’s father. And, then, the kicker: Archie and Veronica broke up because Veronica couldn’t say “I love you,” and Jughead broke up with Betty because he’s afraid that he can’t protect her from the trouble that will always follow him as a Serpent—especially as she pushes to become a part of that world.
The CW series’s ratings spiked during its second season, thanks to new fans who discovered Season 1 on Netflix over the summer. But over time, its gains have dwindled. That’s to be expected for any buzzy young soap, and the show’s Season 2 viewership has also remained steadily above the numbers posted for Season 1. But as the season’s central Black Hood mystery begins to wear thin, the time has come for the drama to shake up its formula a bit—something this episode seems to portend. Without contest, this was the season’s most eventful installment to date—and, more importantly, each twist was not just mind boggling in the moment, but also carries tantalizing possibilities for a re-invigorated back half.
We’ll get to all of the possibilities in a minute, but first, let’s focus for a moment on these breakups. As with most teen dramas, relationship dynamics are one of Riverdale’s core drivers, and breakups can be some of the swiftest catalysts for big change. Will these stick?
Perhaps—or maybe only one will. First, we have Betty and her beloved Juggie: Betty did the striptease in the first place because it’s apparently a requirement for women who want to hang around with the Serpents. (As Toni Topaz puts it to Betty, “misogyny dies hard.”) But after Penny Peabody’s threat to hurt Betty, Jughead has decided that Betty will be safer if they break up—and he intends to make their split permanent this time. My verdict? Riverdale’s writers were quick to reunite Betty and Jug last time they separated, but their road back to each other could take much longer this time. Perhaps it’ll even take long enough for Jughead to actually explore things with Toni, who cut things off with him earlier this season by telling Jughead, “You’re not over Betty, and I’m not interested in being anybody’s rebound.” Or maybe Toni is destined to find love with Cheryl Blossom. Either way, given the chemistry between Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse, it’s hard to imagine that the show will keep these two lovebirds apart forever—so don’t despair too much, Bughead fans. Patience is a virtue.
As for Veronica and Archie: after the couple’s coitus montage at the beginning of the episode, Archie told Veronica those three big words. She was unable to say them back, perhaps because she’s never really heard her parents say “I love you” to each other—a revelation she seemed disturbed by, for understandable reasons. Although Veronica admitted in the end that she just couldn’t give him what he wanted, she also has a history of defying her parents. Perhaps declaring her love for him is just one more way for Veronica to break away from their legacy—even as she pushes to become a more active partner in the family business. Still, their reunion probably won’t come before that mutual through-the-window stare we saw between Betty and Archie turns into something bigger. Could it be that everything they’ve been through has helped Archie see what Betty wished he’d seen in her a season ago? It’s starting to look very possible—and, if Veronica ever found out, that might put a dent in an already occasionally bumpy friendship.
As for F.P., it appears he’s staying in the Serpents after all—a clear breach of his parole that could easily come back to bite him. Jughead will obviously try and find a way to help his father, but he’s already gotten his family in pretty deep trouble with Penny. Will he end up making matters worse? So far, he’s proven he’s got a knack for that, so I’ll put my guess down as “yes.”
But perhaps the most fascinating moment of the episode was that aborted-massage scene between Cheryl and her favorite Pussycat. Cheryl’s fixation on Josie is growing increasingly odd; she was drawing a picture of them together last week after it was made clear she had framed Chuck Clayton as Josie’s stalker. Either Cheryl has a crush on Josie and is too dysfunctional to know how to simply say it—which might explain the attempted lavender-oil massage—or she was trying to, perhaps, exact revenge on men for all of the terrible things that have happened to her of late.
Either way, both story lines have something in common: creepy janitor Mr. Svenson, who’s actually Joseph Conway, the sole survivor of the Riverdale Reaper murders mentioned last week. While Veronica seems convinced that he could be the Black Hood, Joseph tells her that he already found justice for the murder of his family. Plus, Archie can vouch for him: “I’ve looked into the Black Hood’s eyes,” he tells Veronica. “We were wrong. It’s not him.” If the mysterious killer isn’t Joseph, though, who is it? And will the big reveal bring a satisfying end to the mystery that’s animated Riverdale Season 2? Guess we’ll find out next week.
Get Vanity Fair’s HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:Gift Guide: 12 Ways to Dress Like Your Favorite TV Character
Cookie Lyon, Empire
The head matriarch on the hit Fox series isn’t just a killer in the music industry—she’s a killer in the fashion world as well. The silk printed Gucci two-piece she wore in Season 4 is for those who are feeling equally bold in the sartorial department.Photo: Courtesy of Gucci.
Anna Ziev, The Mindy Project
Anna might be a little awkward, but the girl has style, as seen on the show’s penultimate episode episode—and now, that style can be yours, courtesy of Karen Millen). Perfect for the Christmas party you’ve got coming up in a state where it doesn’t actually show.Photo: Courtesy of Karen Millen.
Rainbow Johnson, Black-ish
When you have a colorful name, it’s good to dress the part, too. Rainbow Johnson, played by the equally stylish Tracee Ellis Ross, is an anesthesiologist in scrubs by day, and a funky dresser by night, as evidenced by the gorgeous multicolored Marni sweater she wears in Season 4, Episode 4.Photo: Courtesy of Marni.
Lorraine Finster, Will & Grace
We recommend against wearing this dress to a funeral, as Minnie Driver’s Lorraine Finster did to Rosario’s. But we can think of plenty of other uses for this shiny getup, yours from Neiman Marcus.Photo: Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
Karen Walker, Will & Grace
Plop your hair in an updo, grab a martini, and put on this two-piece look to channel your inner Karen Walker. The ribbed Theory sweater and cropped plaid pants are perfect for luxe lounging this winter.Photo: Courtesy of Theory.
Rachel Zane, Suits
Rachel (played by potential future royal Meghan Markle) has pretty much mastered the look of the off-duty legal expert in the juicy USA drama. Make like her and pick up this cozy cashmere cardigan by Gabriela Hearst and feel your holiday stress melt away.Photo: Courtesy of Black Frame.
Portia Scott-Griffith, Great News
If your dream as a middle-schooler was to dress like Nicole Richie, you’re in luck: her Great News character Portia’s delightful furry vest is on sale! Snag it for $636 at STYLEBOP.Photo: Courtesy of Zadig & Voltaire.PreviousNext
Cookie Lyon, Empire
The head matriarch on the hit Fox series isn’t just a killer in the music industry—she’s a killer in the fashion world as well. The silk printed Gucci two-piece she wore in Season 4 is for those who are feeling equally bold in the sartorial department.Courtesy of Gucci.
Anna Ziev, The Mindy Project
Anna might be a little awkward, but the girl has style, as seen on the show’s penultimate episode episode—and now, that style can be yours, courtesy of Karen Millen). Perfect for the Christmas party you’ve got coming up in a state where it doesn’t actually show.Courtesy of Karen Millen.
Rainbow Johnson, Black-ish
When you have a colorful name, it’s good to dress the part, too. Rainbow Johnson, played by the equally stylish Tracee Ellis Ross, is an anesthesiologist in scrubs by day, and a funky dresser by night, as evidenced by the gorgeous multicolored Marni sweater she wears in Season 4, Episode 4.Courtesy of Marni.
Lorraine Finster, Will & Grace
We recommend against wearing this dress to a funeral, as Minnie Driver’s Lorraine Finster did to Rosario’s. But we can think of plenty of other uses for this shiny getup, yours from Neiman Marcus.Courtesy of Neiman Marcus.
Laurel Castillo, How to Get Away with Murder
When you’re constantly dancing with danger, you have to dress the part. Hence Laurel’s perfect black 3.1 Phillip Lim bomber jacket, which has chic but subtle details.Courtesy of Philip Lim.
Olivia Pope, Scandal
Every once in a while, Olivia Pope (played flawlessly by Kerry Washington, of course) breaks away from her monochromatic wardrobe to give us a touch of color. This elegant paisley Erdem dress is a classy number to throw on while you’re busy solving the world’s problems.Courtesy of Erdem.
Madeline Mackenzie, Big Little Lies
If you’re trying to channel your inner Reese Witherspoon, this is the gown for you. It’s in (somewhat) short supply, so hurry up and snag one before they’re all gone.Courtesy of Roland Mouret.
Cheryl Blossom, Riverdale
Cheryl might have worn these poolside) on the CW drama, but we think these would go great with a winter coat as well. Cop for $390 from Neiman Marcus.Courtesy of Miu Miu.
Gail Klosterman, Last Man on Earth
If you dug Gail’s extravagant jumpsuit in this week’s episode of the Fox comedy, be bold and try to rock that look yourself. Nothing says “too cool for this holiday gala” like a skirted jumpsuit. Yours for $725 from Halston).Courtesy of Halston Heritage.
Karen Walker, Will & Grace
Plop your hair in an updo, grab a martini, and put on this two-piece look to channel your inner Karen Walker. The ribbed Theory sweater and cropped plaid pants are perfect for luxe lounging this winter.Courtesy of Theory.
Rachel Zane, Suits
Rachel (played by potential future royal Meghan Markle) has pretty much mastered the look of the off-duty legal expert in the juicy USA drama. Make like her and pick up this cozy cashmere cardigan by Gabriela Hearst and feel your holiday stress melt away.Courtesy of Black Frame.
Portia Scott-Griffith, Great News
If your dream as a middle-schooler was to dress like Nicole Richie, you’re in luck: her Great News character Portia’s delightful furry vest is on sale! Snag it for $636 at STYLEBOP.Courtesy of Zadig & Voltaire.
Laura BradleyLaura Bradley is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com. She was formerly an editorial assistant at Slate and lives in Brooklyn.
