Riverdale Season 3, Episode 16 recap: What’s your damage, Edgar Evernever?

Riverdale’s latest musical episode goes off without a murder, but The Farm’s most powerful figure has finally arrived to steal the show.

Leave it to Riverdale to pull the rug out from under its characters and audience with a surprise appearance during the Heathers: The Musical finale. By now, you’ve heard that Chad Michael Murray will play The Farm’s elusive leader Edgar Evernever, and he makes his debut with an unnerving round of applause. But before Edgar sends shockwaves through town, relationship troubles and revenge schemes fuel the “big fun” of an excellent musical episode.

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

1. Hiram and Hermione are splitting up.

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Shocker! But who didn’t see divorce on the horizon for Hiram and Hermione Lodge? Their marriage hasn’t been much of a marriage since, well, ever.

It’s a bigger shock to Veronica, though, who seems desperate to keep her family together. One week she hates Hiram, the next she’s crying over her parents separating. What’s the truth, Ronnie? Even though the truth about everything (drug trade, Hermione’s murder plots, et al.) is out, let’s not put it past Hiram and/or Hermione to use this supposed divorce as a plot to mess with Veronica.

2. Archie and Josie make it official.

Apparently, Archie and Josie were keeping their fling on the DL because it’s news to Sweet Pea, Veronica, and the whole gang when Evelyn’s game of group therapy unearths their relationship. Josie wants to avoid getting serious since their connection was built on mutual loneliness, but Archie’s pretty convincing. One song and dance at the boxing ring later, and Jarchie officially sets sail as an exclusive, public pairing.

3. Cheryl dance battles it out with Toni.

Given that Choni’s break-up was the entire basis for Heathers: The Musical, Cheryl uses each musical number as an opportunity to prove something to Toni. Their first dance battle involves dueling choreography (which might exist in the actual Heathers musical), but the gloves come off when Toni later steps out in Cheryl’s signature red attire.

It’s an all-out war that almost leads to Toni having a threesome with Sweet Pea and Peaches but coming to her senses and reconciling with Cheryl. As predicted last week, their break-up was a plot device to drive Heathers: The Musical.

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4. Bughead commits arson for a noble cause.

When they weren’t singing sweet melodies to each other (yes, Jug got in on the musical fun this time around), Betty and Jughead were investigating his mother. He sends his Serpents out to collect information, but he takes matters into his own hands after a Fizzle-head attacks FP.

Gladys cares for him, knowing that she’s the reason behind his attack. Having learned that Gladys turned their old home into a drug lag, he and Betty burn it down. Jughead: 1, Gladys: 0.

5. Welcome, Edgar Evernever!

As incredible as the musical numbers were and as insanely talented as this cast might be, one single person stole the show at the very final second. Once the kids wrap their final number, Edgar Evernever (guest star Chad Michael Murray) stands from the crowd and initiates the weirdest clap you’ll ever hear.

Before long, a large group of Farmies stands and follows suit with Edgar’s bizarre clap. It’s a draw on who’s most confused: The cast of Heathers or us, the viewers.

Odds & Ends:

• Finally, Edgar Evernever is here, and things will surely heat up! Let’s not focus on the math of Chad Michael Murray, who’s seemingly ageless, being the father of a teenager. He’s an exciting addition as a charming cult leader ready to give Betty a run for her money.
• Speaking of Betty and The Farm, she suspects co-director Evelyn to use the musical as a means to pull new members into The Farm. Unfortunately, her suspicions ring true as Evelyn initiates Fangs and Principal Weatherbee shows signs of brainwashing.
• Veronica, who are you kidding? You’re not thrilled that Archie and Josie are dating, no matter what you tell Reggie. Oh, and Reggie? You and Veronica are not endgame, pal.
• “Are all of you this miserable?” Hermione summarizes the ethos of every teen drama series ever, especially Riverdale. Yes, they are all miserable and overcome with trauma.

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

Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.