Riverdale Season 3, Episode 12 recap: Catching up with Kevin, Josie, and Cheryl

Riverdale goes full Bizarrodale as Kevin, Josie, and Cheryl take over the spotlight for a thrilling change of pace punctuated by the reveal of a new Gargoyle King.

You wouldn’t be wrong to claim that every episode of Riverdale could be called “Bizarrodale.” Hey, if the Gargoyle King mask fits. But this week’s episode turns the series upside down as the supporting characters become the main characters and vice versa. It’s the chaotic good we never knew we needed and now always need. No hard feelings, Bughead.

While Veronica and Reggie work overtime to repay their debts to someone very surprising, Kevin struggles with Moose still being in the closet and Josie turns to Archie for support with her musical aspirations. And never fear, Cheryl and her bow reappear to take down the newest so-called Gargoyle King. Who’s behind the mask this time?

Let’s dig into the five most shocking moments from the latest jaw-dropping episode of Riverdale. (Warning: It’s about to get real spoilery in here.)

1. Josie and Archie make sweet music.

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Before we get to the Jarchie (Jorchie?) of it all, we’re going to bury the lede for a second. When Sierra and Tom announce their impending courthouse wedding, Josie and Kevin demand a reception. Josie asks Sweet Pea to be her date to the wedding, but in preparation for her Juilliard audition, she break things off with him.

Archie assists Josie through her audition anxiety and sits with her when she learns she didn’t get a callback. Later, they play a song together and kiss, which was all but a given after last week’s not-so-subtle hints. This could be a fun little side-ship, but Katy Keene might have something to say about it.

2. Kevin can’t catch a break.

Finally, Kevin gets his own episode-long storyline. (Now if only his stories would last for more than one episode, but let’s not get greedy.) He asks Moose to be his date to his dad’s wedding, but Moose hasn’t come out.

While chatting with Cheryl, who kindly but bluntly advises him to move on, he mentions that he cares about Moose and wants to be with him. Cheryl’s blind item in the morning announcements basically outs Moose, and Kevin follows up with an ultimatum. The next day, Moose seemingly found the courage to talk to his father, and the couple plan to spend their first night together in the bunker. Well, that’s where things take a turn…

3. Cheryl steals the show, naturally.

Whenever Riverdale decides to gift us with a whole Cheryl story, it’s the most necessary reminder that Madelaine Petsch is so unbelievably good in this role, and those adjectives aren’t nearly strong enough. The way she spits out that dialogue without missing a beat… It’s incredible.

Anyway, after getting in her first fight with Toni over getting kicked out of the Serpents, outing Moose, and focusing on her college interview, Cheryl atones for her mistakes. She apologizes to Moose, starts a girl gang called the Pretty Poisons, and scores Toni an interview at Highsmith College. Not to mention, she shows her vengeful, homophobic mother who’s boss.

4. The Midnight Club mobilizes another Gargoyle King. (No, really.)

Before Sierra and Tom can tie the knot, they receive a haunting note from the Gargoyle King. But wait… Wasn’t the Gargoyle King already unmasked? Yes, he sure was.

We’re working with a new copycat king this time, and he demands the Midnight Club reunite to complete ascension night. Considering the Gargoyle King’s threats to their children, the parents take the letter seriously, but they soon realize that they have been set up to leave their children unattended.

Let’s not even discuss literally all of the kids (except Archie and Josie) were having sex when their parents frantically called them. Nonetheless, the Gargoyle Gang breaks into the secret underground bunker (somehow) and drags Kevin and Moose to the Gargoyle King’s altar in the woods. Heeding Penelope’s warning to have her bow on hand, Cheryl arrives, with law enforcement in tow, in time to shoot the king (rogue icon).

It’s Moose’s father, who had been brainwashed by the Sisters and merely wanted to scare Moose. Go rot with Hal.

5. Gladys and Jellybean are up to no good.

Hermione forces Veronica and Reggie to repay the debt she owes to the drug kingpin. See, when you arrange for the shooting of your husband to profit off of his drug business, karma comes back to bite, Hermione. Fortunately, Reggie comes up with a brilliant plan (*rolls eyes*) to rob his father’s dealership.

He’s right about one thing: His abusive dad has it coming. After robbing the joint, Reggie suffers a gunshot graze to the arm and a blue dye explosion to the face. Gladys Jones (!!!) isn’t thrilled about the dyed money during the drop off, but she cuts Ronnie and Reggie a deal. Also, she and Jellybean are back for “a while,” but their intentions are anything but pure.

Odds & Ends:

• Honestly, there’s no father in Riverdale that can be trusted besides Fred Andrews, and now I’m even wondering about him. This town has some real daddy issues.
• But it’s interesting that the latest Gargoyle King reveal is deeply rooted in internalized and externalized homophobia. Cheryl also battles homophobia from a parent, and while it can seem troubling and dark (if not a plot device), there’s some strong commentary in there.
• So, we’ve unmasked two Gargoyle Kings who weren’t the Gargoyle King. According to history, it’s somebody’s dad. Could it be Evelyn Evernever’s dad?
• Gladys Jones will be the one to finally take down Hiram Lodge. Just watch.

What did you think of the latest episode? Let us know in the comments!

Riverdale returns Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 8/7c on The CW.