Riverdale season 2, episode 18 recap: Who survived the deadly musical episode?
By Reed Gaudens
Riverdale puts the small town politics on hold for a production of Carrie: The Musical, which leaves one dead with the return of [SPOILER].
Following a sophomore season of ups and downs, with critics and fans questioning Riverdale’s ability to expand its storytelling to 22 episodes, the series redeems itself with a stellar and reinvigorating musical episode. If only for a moment, all talk of the for-profit prison have ceased, along with the mind-numbing mayoral election, in favor of campy song and dance. We have a smash, friends.
Lest you wonder why our entire main cast ended up involved with the production of Carrie: The Musical, much stranger things have happened on Riverdale than light contrivance. However, the musical hour acts as more than a stopgap ahead of the season finale. Tensions both boil over and simmer down with the mirroring narratives, culminating in the reappearance of an old, dangerous friend. Let’s dig into the five most shocking developments from the latest jaw-dropping episode of Riverdale. (Warning: It’s about to get real spoilery in here.)
1. Music makes the people come together.
Madonna said it best, and she meant it. Although the production of Carrie weathers its fair share of storms between various cast members, they sing what they can’t say. (Glee, anyone?) Betty’s got beef with Veronica and calls her out for being typecast as the rich mean girl. Josie can’t forgive Cheryl for receiving a pig’s heart. Alice pleads for Betty to stay. Through the gift of song, each of these small fires reduce to but a flicker. Support the arts, people.
2. Archie realizes he’s been messy.
FINALLY. Our lovable mess sees the light. Thanks to Kevin giving him the part as Tommy Ross, whom he characterizes as the heroic good guy, Archie realizes that he hasn’t been staying true to the person his friends perceive him to be. By aligning with Hiram and accepting a car as a gift, which Hiram takes pleasure in rubbing in Fred’s face, Archie turned his back on what he believes in. So, he handed back the car keys and bought a jalopy from the junkyard to fix up with his pop. Put away the smelling salts, he’s back! #RIPDarkCircle
3. What’s up with Ethel?
If we’re to pick up what Riverdale appears to be putting down, one Ethel Muggs finds herself in the precarious position of a suspect. Kevin receives ominous letters in his locker from “Black Hood,” with magazine cutout letters threatening him to recast the part of Carrie. As the chief documentarian for the musical, Jughead can’t help but stick his nose in the investigation. When he enters Ethel’s empty dressing room for her final interview, he spots cut up magazines in her trash can. She claims it’s for her vision board and shoves him out. Is it for her murder vision board?
4. Cheryl channels Carrie.
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes (paraphrasing her words), Cheryl accepts the lead role of Carrie to prove herself. For some reason, the world wants to keep Cheryl down. The gist of Kevin’s letters make it clear that someone wants her part enough to issue death threats, or Black Hood doesn’t actually want to target Cheryl. Either way, her mother forces her out of the musical, but that won’t stop her from going full Carrie. She dumps a bucket of blood on herself (off camera) and issues her own threats to her mother. One emancipation coming right up!
5. Black Hood’s back!
Surprise! The letters from Black Hood were from the real Black Hood. That’s right, they didn’t catch the killer all those months ago. How do we know he’s back for blood? When it’s curtain up for Midge’s big debut as Carrie, she’s pinned against the set with a message… in blood. Those who “escaped” him last time won’t this go around. And to think the town thought they could make it through an innocent musical without trauma. Here’s something to munch on: Chic makes an eleventh hour appearance backstage to greet Betty. Just saying…
Next: Riverdale season 2, episode 17 recap: Conversion therapy can’t hold Cheryl down
Odds & Ends:
- Wait a second. Are Alice and Hal really about to reconcile? Does Betty think this is the solution to her mother’s problems? Hard pass.
- If Black Hood didn’t want to harm Cheryl during the musical, why are we to believe his new threat to go after those who evaded his first wave of terror?
- Now that Archie has effectively switched sides, are Hiram’s days numbered? It’s a bold prediction, but he won’t make it to Season 3 alive. (Right?!)
- Who else wants to see the final product of Jughead’s documentary? High School Musical could never.
- Black Hood count: Oh, he (or she!) was all over the place.
What did you think of the musical episode? Let us know in the comments!
Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.