Riverdale Reunites Archie and Veronica—But What’s Next After That Bonkers Finale?
This post contains spoilers for the Riverdale Season 2 midseason finale.[hhmc] Riverdale bid its fan..
This post contains spoilers for the Riverdale Season 2 midseason finale.
Riverdale bid its fans farewell until the new year Wednesday night with a zany, action-packed midseason finale: Archie and Veronica reunited after just one episode apart; Jughead chased Penny Peabody and her drug game out of town (for now); and Betty and Archie solved the mystery of the Black Hood—just in time to almost get murdered themselves. Oh, and before Veronica took Archie back, he and Betty kissed—just one of many happenings this week that I’m guessing will come back to bite when the series returns next year.
Before we look toward the future, it’s worth hitting pause to ask one crucial question. We finally know now who the Black Hood is—but was that reveal really worth all the buildup?
Riverdale fans have spent half a season wondering who lurks below the killer’s mask. In a two-part reveal, we learned that all along, it was . . . the janitor, Mr. Svenson. He’s been lurking in the shadows for quite some time, though we only learned his name two weeks ago, when he startled Josie as she attempted to divine the identity of her own stalker. (Still no word on that, by the way—unless it’s all been the fault of Cheryl, who apparently likes to draw pictures of her and Josie together.) After so many weeks of wondering, the reveal feels a little rushed—especially given Svenson’s abrupt introduction.
In short, his story goes like this: he was the sole survivor of an old murder case, in which the entire Conway family was killed. He pointed out his family’s killer; a mob subsequently buried that man alive. The only problem? Svenson had fingered the wrong guy. So his solution, as far as I can tell, was to attack sinners throughout the town—before finishing with himself. Thankfully, Sheriff Keller gunned Svenson down before that could happen.
All told, this story line will likely do little to affect the show’s characters and their relationships in the long-term—as opposed to the damage that could have been reaped if a more significant character had turned out to be the killer. Still, it appears this ghoulish ordeal has changed one character for good: Betty Cooper.
The first half of the CW drama’s second season has offered occasional traces of the Dark Betty we first met in Season 1—minus the black wig. But so far, Riverdale’s resident ponytail lover has yet to full-on break bad again. That might be set to change, though: at the end of Wednesday’s finale, we saw Betty save the black hood she had been mailed before staring menacingly into the flames of her fireplace. Did the serial killer get into her head with all his talk of justice? Archie and Veronica might be back together, but Jughead seems to have remained steadfast in his commitment to leaving Betty behind—so she’ll need a new hobby in the season’s back half. Also, she might want to tell Veronica about that kiss with Archie before her friend inevitably finds out some other way.
Going into the second half of Riverdale’s Season 2, we got a few more clues in the finale about what might happen next—not the least of which was that creepy moment right after Veronica took Archie back, when a stalker started taking photos of them from behind a bush. Viewers were looking through the photographer’s perspective during the reveal, so we don’t know anything about that stalker’s identity yet—but we’re guessing whoever they are, they’ll make themselves known when the show returns. Perhaps it’s a stooge of Penny Peabody’s; Jughead might think he’s chased her out of town, but I’m guessing she’ll be back to fight another day for her turf in Riverdale.
And then there’s the Lodge family business, which Veronica is finally poised to join in earnest. Like Jughead, who has thrown himself headfirst into That Southside Serpent Life, Veronica has vowed to work in lockstep with her parents and Lodge Industries—as long as she doesn’t have to do anything illegal. Here’s hoping she isn’t in over her head—but knowing this show, it’s almost certain she is.
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.
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