Riverdale 1.13 Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter

Riverdale 1.13 Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter
I have a ridiculous theory about the ending scene, but I am way too excited! I'm going to start with Cheryl's endless problems before moving forward into all the thoughts I have going on.

It was true when I mentioned the possibility of Cheryl's dad running an illegal drug operation (I don't know why you'd traffic it to Montreal of all places?). It looks like the true nature of the maple syrup business came to surface once the story uncovered the camera footage of Jason's death. I feel there was a lot of anger going on within the family, but it all makes sense how the dad complimented Cheryl as a true Blossom at heart, unlike Jason. She was the one who could handle the business through all of this, even when things get rocky because of what the family business entails.

Now she's all miserable and broken because her brother's death was at her father's hand. The mom isn't showing any signs of mercy or remorse. I still think there was more that she knew (probably just about the business front) but I think the initial shock of Jason's death was something she remained in the dark about.

Cheryl's suicide attempt was less than ideal. Once Archie did all the work, the other three watched aside (when you all have cellphones, call for help). I couldn't understand the other three standing as spectators.

I saw the secret Cooper older brother coming along! I know in the comics, Betty Cooper is supposed to have a brother anyway. I feel like adding him in as a long lost brother would be appropriate. I don't have any theories of where he is or if we've already met him. I just think it's fun to add in a new character this way.

I wonder if Betty will stand with Jughead if he accepts "his place" with the South Side Serpents. Betty looked like she didn't approve if he goes, but I think he's actually smarter than he looks. He was able to handle himself in the public school. I feel he's also able to do the same with the Serpents. Arguably, he could be the next leader if there was an actual hierarchy to these situations.

I see Veronica standing by Archie in all of this. She's had her rebellion against her father (and from time to time her mother) so it's only fitting she'd stick with Archie while all parents sort their business problems out. Above all, she'd support Archie with what I'm about to mention below on the final scene.

I don't know what Fred Andrews wanted to say to Archie at Pop's Diner so early in the morning, but an early morning robbery was excessive. There's NO money in an early morning till (even for a 24 hour diner), especially if there aren't any customers around. There were no witnesses except for Pop and the waitress in the corner. I don't think I saw money getting taken from the register either. There was also no reason to shoot once you got the money, just a simple scare tactic. It appears the shooting was intended all along.

Part of me feels Hiram Lodge sent some low-life hoodlum to kill Mr. Andrews so he can get the land. Too easy of a theory? I don't see a point in shooting the high school quarterback. A hired thug early in the morning isn't the style of a South Side Serpent either. F.P. left off on great terms with Fred, so none of his guys would need a reason to do something like that if they're looking out for Jughead's well being at the moment.

Excellent finale, looking forward to the new season!

Riverdale 1.12 Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder

Riverdale 1.12 Chapter Twelve: Anatomy of a Murder
Last night's episode was very exciting! We finally know who killed Jason but before I get to the conclusion, I want to talk about everyone else concerning the murder.

It was obvious F.P. didn't do it, even before his farfetched storytelling being in with Jason's plans. It was when he admitted to taking the research files in Sheriff Keller's office that sealed the deal. That's when I knew it was all an act and he was set up to protect Jughead. Who else has that kind of power and pull upon a gang leader? Jughead is the only person F.P. will fight for, so I think that reading the manuscript helped him stretch out the story during interrogation.

I'm sad to see Mary Andrews go back to Chicago. I wasn't sure if that's allowed so soon in a murder investigation, especially since she posed as an attorney to F.P. to get information. It's good enough Joaquin wanted to help do the right thing, but he too had skipped town shortly after. The overdose scene for South Side Serpent's right-hand man Mustang came too heavy. Did he get tipped off that his involvement with the murder meant he was backed into a corner? It didn't explain much with the small leather bag of money with the personalized H.L. monogram. Does this mean we get to see Mark Consuelos soon? Hiram Lodge could present a nice closer to the season.

Archie and his friends get really naive in all of this. The intentions are in the right place but they don't think carefully (another reason why I thought we were looking at an adult murderer). I feel the situation got complicated really fast once the Coopers uncovered more of their family truth.

The background of the Cooper family tree was not what I expected at all. The level of incestuous implication was a shock and changed the dynamic of the storyline. It's so intricately hidden that how could anybody guess this kind of outcome? I really didn't see any of it coming, but it's a great twist.

So the great-grandfather Blossom and great-grandfather Cooper were brothers. Adopting the Cooper last name covered up the Blossom bloodline. Cutting out the family meant a broken link to the Blossom fortune and every bit of politics involved. Most importantly, Polly is carrying Lannister twins. Penelope Blossom is a freak for saying the twins she's carrying are, "truly Blossom blood." I just don't understand how they had the ability to hide this for so many years. It's similar to how nobody knew F.P. was a gang leader or that Jughead was homeless for so long. Is everybody ignorant to their neighbour's struggles? Another turn-a-blind-eye situation.

It's good to learn about the killer before the finale, because at least we can have a better conclusion. When I saw Clifford Blossom hanging in the barn, I didn't think justice was served. It's not supposed to be an eye-for-an-eye. Nobody knows the why factor except for a few contraband drugs taped in maple syrup. Was this supposed to be the result of the Blossom fortune? Were they tied in with drugs all along or were these confiscated overtime? I wonder if the wife has something to do with it or if they both knew he was going to kill himself in the barn. Cheryl gave a fair warning though as if there was a window of a head start for the dad to explain. I like the theory that the family business may have been underground drug dealing masked with a maple syrup front.

It's all funny business and it's going to take a long time before anyone can seek out the truth.