Chapter 077: Climax 
Next Episode airs Wednesday, 8pm eastern 

by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport 

“What happens next Mr. De Palma?”

I first took a trip to Riverdale in November of 2020 and, since then, decided to stick around for a while.

I cruised through four seasons of Riverdale in a mere two months and caught up just in time for the premiere of season five that aired January 20. To my good fortune, this meant I only had about a forty-eight hour hiatus from Archie and the gang. Not gonna lie… I missed them dearly. Yet, Lady Luck was on my side once more as I was able to fill the void by catching up on the YA novel serialization of Riverdale. Friends have been concerned that I have grown a bit obsessed and wellll they are not wrong (as I sit here typing this in my Jughead beanie™). Even with 2020 behind us, life <waves hands around> still ain’t looking so hot, and Riverdale provides me with some much needed escapism.

Between VARCHIE (Veronica + Archie) in danger of imploding, the mysterious case of the cryptic VHS tapes and the gang’s Prom, chapter seventy-seven did not disappoint. What I have come to admire most about this show is the cinematic look and feel. Each episode, including chapter seventy-seven, has nods to some of my favorite flicks (lots of Lynch!) that bring my cinephile heart to a flutter. It did not take me long to deem this show essentially a watered down Twin Peaks and I say that in the most endearing way. 

Much like what has been seen in previous seasons, the writers stay committed (for better or worse) to previous angles and storylines. I am happy to report that season five seems to be bringing yet another Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Juggie (Cole Sprouse) mystery, and from the look of it, this seems like it will be one of their biggest cases yet. As a total film nerd, nothing excites me more than to have an entire season’s plot line centering around weird VHS tapes that show up on doorsteps. The last tape seen in season four was of a horrific reenactment of Principal Honey being stabbed by people donning caricature masks of Archie (K.J. Apa) and the gang. It was rather chilling. The thrills continue in season five, as it seems each VHS tape continues to get more bizarre. 

As much as I have enjoyed this elusive auteur’s films, nothing pleased me more than for season five to find Jughead and Betty entering the movie making racket. As a way to infiltrate the underground VHS tape ring, they decide to make a snuff film of their own, with none other than Cheryl “Bombshell” Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) starring. It is quite ridiculous, yet extremely fun. I am hopeful for more Juggie and Betty flicks.

However, it was not all sunshine and rainbows as I believe I may have witnessed the end of VARCHIE. I never attended prom myself but, in witnessing enough proms in flicks and shows, I honestly don’t think I missed anything. The prom for Veronica and Archie will be memorable for all the wrong reasons and my only hope is that they had some jingle jangle when they got home to help calm their nerves. As for Betty and Jughead, not even a prom can stop them from sleuthing which is something I love so damn much about this duo.

Chapter seventy-seven does a magnificent job of setting the scene for what I think is going to be a quite enjoyable season. So many questions - will Cheryl end up with her love Toni Topaz? Will Archie and Veronica (Camila Mendes) really call it quits? Will this be the mystery that finally stumps Bughead? And OMG! It seems Hiram Lodge’s “Toon” persona seems to have been activated and is seeking revenge! I can’t wait to tune in this Wednesday with a milkshake to see how the story continues to unfold. Until then, toodles Riverdale pals!