Riverdale Season 4: Does Jughead’s absent grandfather connect to his disappearance?

Riverdale offhandedly mentioned Jughead’s MIA grandfather. Could he have something to do with Jughead’s disappearance during spring break?

If you’ve watched a trailer for Riverdale Season 4, then this isn’t a spoiler: By spring break of senior year, Jughead has gone missing. His friends and family search the woods with flashlights, screaming his name into the night with no answer. The latest episode flashed forward to Jughead’s imminent disappearance after making two suspicious moves for our wise narrator.

For starters, Jughead has transferred from Riverdale High to the prestigious Stonewall Prep, where he trades mind-numbing classroom apathy for engaging workshops discussing Moby-Dick with like-minded literature buffs. But in true Riverdale fashion, Jughead’s entrance to his new school and his sketchy new teacher Mr. Chipping (guest star Sam Witwer) aren’t without their dodgy nuances, leaving us to cross our fingers for Jughead’s fate.

In connection to Jughead’s transfer to Stonewall Prep, FP drops a little nugget of family history on not only Jughead but the viewers. Jughead’s grandfather, Forsythe the First, attended the elite school before dropping out. Ultimately, FP’s father left his family without a trace and hasn’t been heard from again. Why would Riverdale mention Forsythe for a mere throwaway backstory?

Naturally, Jughead seems interested that he’s technically a legacy at Stonewall, but with his natural-born nose for news, he appeared to have perked up at the investigative possibilities attached to this familial unknown. It’s not unlike Riverdale to comb the family trees for intriguing new characters. After all, Veronica’s sister we’ve never heard of will soon arrive in town.

It’s also not unlike the series’ characters to pursue a relationship with these long-lost relatives. Just look at Betty with first Chic (we know how that went) and now Charles, which is a situation pending its own supposed doom. Upon hearing FP bring up, on a rare and coincidental occasion, his absent grandfather and near-alumni of his new school, wouldn’t Jug seek out his namesake?

As we get to know Jughead’s new surroundings, its connection into his disappearance — if any — will come closer into view. But right now, we have to run on the assumption that Mr. Chipping, Stonewall Prep, and probably that obnoxious weasel Brett all have something to do with Jug going missing. What’s more, Forsythe the First could also materialize and cause trouble for the Jones family.

One thing’s for sure, Riverdale would not have mentioned Jughead’s grandfather if he wouldn’t end up an important piece of the puzzle. Say what you will about the series, but it always makes good at dropping hints and connecting the dots, in some form or another. Still, FP’s casual allusion to that father that abandoned him could have nothing to do with Jughead’s burning beanie. On the other hand, it could also have everything to do with Season 4’s Jughead-centric mystery.

What do you think will happen with Jughead, his new school, and his missing-in-action grandfather? Leave your thoughts and predictions in the comments!

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