Best and worst moments of Riverdale season 2: Spoilers ahead

Riverdale season 2 took us on an emotional rollercoaster.

As season two of Riverdale comes to an end, and new mysteries come alive, the time for reflection is here. Everything happens for a reason, they say. Ups and downs, heroes and villains, good moments and bad shaped this season. Now that it’s over and we’re looking towards the third season, here are the best and worst things about the second season.

Let’s start with the worst…

Varchie: boyfriend with benefits

The relationship between Veronica and Archie is arguably one of the worst parts of all of season two.

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Veronica lying to him was a small thing in comparison to others. In the first episode of the season, Archie had just been holding his father’s cold, close-to-death body, blood all over his hands and clothes. He watched his father get shot before his eyes, coming face to face with The Black Hood.

Archie had even been sitting next to his father’s possible deathbed, all day, when Betty urged that Veronica be a good girlfriend by taking Archie home to shower, change his clothes, and just get out of the depressing environment.

Veronica does so, and right after Archie snaps at her, understandably, then goes to take a shower and have some time alone. Veronica has the oh-so-bright idea to join him in the shower, even though his arm is broken, he’s traumatized and scared, and he made it clear that he doesn’t want her there.

This scene is just one example of how Veronica and Archie’s relationship is purely standing because of sex. Not to mention the fact that she just said ‘I love you’ to him so he wouldn’t leave her. Don’t get me started.

The Ghoulies

The Ghoulies is a group of misfits, opposite to the Serpents, that were honestly, inessential and confusing to the main plot.

Many viewers forgot that The Ghoulies even existed when they returned, proving irrelevant until they nearly beat the life out of Jughead.

All they did was stir trouble, very briefly but still. A conflict could have been created easily without them. Even Penny Peabody was much more relevant and interesting to the storyline.

“Brave New World”: The finale

Since last season’s jaw-dropping finale, fans have been waiting to see what shocking plot twists that this season’s finale would hold.

To say it was disappointing would put it lightly. The episode ends with Hiram at the assembly eyeing Archie, and the camera keeps going to Josie. Many may have thought, oh my god, someone’s gonna die. And that someone was most plausibly, Josie or Archie, most realistically being Josie because Archie is the show’s main character.

After last season, Fred being shot, not knowing what was going to happen, and even Cheryl burning down Thornhill, this “plot twist” was weak.

Not only did most viewers not even remember the guy who Archie supposedly killed without a Google search, but it was also a step down from last season’s crazy plot twists.

Although there were many controversial moments of this season that many didn’t like, there were also some things that made this season addictive, interesting, and unable to stop watching.

The real Black Hood reveal

When it was revealed that the janitor was The Black Hood, many were skeptical, but even more were very disappointed. The foreshadowing was clearly there, and many fans knew that this couldn’t be the end. The reveal was slowly but surely an intense and captivating part of the season, if not the most.

The scene with Hal, Betty, and Alice in the living room especially, where Hal was showing old home videos of him as a child, felt like a real horror movie being unraveled. The parallels between Betty’s speech and the words that his mother said were chilling. Take a look at the scene for the first or another time, just watching it will give you goosebumps.

Cheryl’s detachment from her mother

Beginning with one of the most amazing scenes of the season, after Cheryl burned down Thornhill, her mother was put in a full body cast and on oxygen after going back into the fire for a painting.

In the hospital, Cheryl says, “You were cruel to me, mother. It was abuse, plain and simple. So henceforth, if you breathe, it is because I give you air. If you drink, it is because I poured your cup myself. And if you move, it is quietly, and with my blessing. Things are going to be different now, Mommy. Better. You’ll see.”

As the season goes on, and Penelope fully heals, it’s clear she obviously took this to heart when she begins to plot against her with her late husband’s brother, Claudius.

At the end of the season, more specifically in the finale, Cheryl makes the final move to withdrawal from her “hideous mother, ” as she puts it in episode 16 of the season. She appoints her Nana as her official guardian, and sets off to make sure her mother and uncle Claudius are as far as possible from her in the future.

Fred Andrews: Hero of Riverdale

Normally, a character, and a side character especially, wouldn’t be singled out as one of the best parts of a show. But Fred Andrews is the exception. Even after being shot (twice!), losing everything to Hiram and Hermione Lodge (even his own son), and having basically all odds against him, he still proved to be the most unproblematic and caring character in Riverdale.

When rumor had it that someone on the South Side shot Fred for the second time, and they had no place to go, what did Fred do? He didn’t ignore the problem or even thought that they deserved it. He did more than any normal person would have done. He let them into his home, fed them, took care of them, and even made them feel like they were safe.

Fred Andrews may not have done anything drastic, like create the Red/Dark Circle, or confront The Black Hood head on, but he’s definitely a hero in our hearts.

What did you think about this season of Riverdale? Did you love Archie and Veronica together? Did you like The Ghoulies? Did you love the finale? Hate it? Did you think Fred is too perfect to be true? Comment below!