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Last PSA for now I swear

Okay I’m so sorry I’ve been absent for so long! I got a new laptop and had some issues logging into this blog, and I’ve also had some personal issues that meant reviewing took a lot of energy for me. But I’m back! I’m going to wait until The 100 comes out on DVD/Netflix until I can review the last two episodes as by now they’re gone from most of the sites I use.

HOWEVER I did recently get the final season of Black Sails, so you can expect a massive overall review of that show coming soon :) 

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PSA

Um, hey everyone. So I’m incredibly awkward about self promotion, but I figured that I would give this a go.

Basically - I’ve set up a Patreon. Please note this does not mean anything here is going to change - I am still going to be reviewing things as per usual. I’m only posting the link in case anyone wants to or chooses to be a patron. I’m not trying to force anyone into doing anything because my content on this blog will always be free to access. I write for leisure. It’s only an option in case you wanted to get a little more interactive.

You can find my Patreon here.

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Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 13

The episode begins with Jughead narrating what happened after Clifford Blossom hung himself - it turned out that the Blossom family business of maple syrup was a cover for their drug business, transporting heroin to Montreal. Jason threatened to expose the truth about this, hence Clifford killing him and attempting to implicate Hiram Lodge.

Sheriff Keller and Mayor McCoy want to know names of people who were dealing Clifford’s drugs. FP says that he isn’t a snitch, and that the Southside Serpents only deal in weed. The sheriff reminds him that he’s looking at 20 years in prison for the cover-up of Jason’s murder. So he names people, or goes to jail? It’s a harsh predicament.

Things around town are starting to go back to normal with the upcoming 75th Jubilee for Riverdale. Fred laments to Archie that he doesn’t know what kind of town this is anymore. Veronica and Hermione prepare for Hiram’s return home. Betty vents to Archie about everything going on, and that her family are acting normal. Even Hal has returned home. She just wants her family to be open and honest, not constantly hiding secrets and acting perfect.

Veronica tells Archie that they need to inform Betty that they’re in a relationship, although Archie is hesitant. He and Betty are called into the principal’s office, where Mayor McCoy wants them to have large roles in the upcoming Jubilee. The mayor wants Archie to perform with Josie and the Pussycats, and Betty to give a speech. They ask about Jughead, but the mayor doesn’t think having him on the stage is a good idea.

At lunch, Jughead tells them that the mayor wants his dad to give names. Betty is annoyed that the Serpents have been villainised by the town, while Clifford Blossom hasn’t even been mentioned. She wants to write and publish an article about the issue. Veronica tells Betty that she and Archie are an item, but far from being upset, Betty is happy for them as she’s with Jughead now.

At Thornhill, Penelope claims that their family is cursed and wonders what’s to become of them now. I’m still curious as to how much she knew about Clifford - she clearly knew about the business, but was she aware why Clifford killed Jason, or even that he had?

Fred heads into his office and demands to know where the Serpents who were working for him have gone. Hermione says she had to let them go as she can’t let Hiram’s project be associated with criminals. Fred says it’s not just her choice, and Hermione says and Hiram want to buy out Fred’s company. He says if she puts it in writing, he’ll consider it. He doesn’t sound happy though.

Archie approaches Josie with his song about his friend, but she blows him off, saying the Jubilee isn’t just about his friends. I really love how she’s always coolly blowing him off with some real truth. I wish we’d gotten to see more of her this season.

Alice refuses to publish Betty’s article, concerned that her safety will be at risk. She and Hal say the Serpents are a good target for people’s anger, and they don’t want Betty to become a target.

At River Vixens training, Cheryl hands over leadership - and her iconic HBIC shirt - over to Veronica. She’s confused, but offers Cheryl support regardless. At Betty’s, she tells her that she loved her article and Betty reveals she posted it on the Blue and Gold website. Polly walks in and says she missing school, and Betty convinces her to come back despite Alice not wanting her to.

When Jughead and Archie get home, Fred is talking to a social services worker about Jughead’s case. The woman says she’s found a foster home for Jughead, and when Archie asks why he can’t just stay with them, Fred admits that he offered, but with his cash flow issue it isn’t a viable solution. As Jughead will also be in a different district, it also means he won’t be attending Riverdale High anymore and will have to transfer schools.

Archie goes to update FP on the situation, but he refuses to betray any of the Serpents. He says the Serpents look out for each other, and they’ll do the same for Jughead. FP convinces Archie that he and Betty need to take care of him, especially when he tries to pull away.

At lunch, Veronica sits with Jughead when Cheryl comes up to apologise for the way she treated Jughead. She also hands him her spider brooch and says it’ll fetch a good price if he wants to sell it. Veronica is worried and asks what’s going on, but Kevin interrupts to say something has happened to Betty’s locker. The words ‘go to hell Serpent slut’ are on her locker, painted there in pig’s blood. Was this one of the other students? Where did they get the blood?

Hermione grills Veronica about her and Archie’s relationship, clearly interested to see if they’re close. She admits that she made Fred an offer that he's still considering. Veronica makes a sarcastic quip about sexually manipulating Archie into doing her bidding, to which Hermione responds it isn't a problem as long as she's in control. Veronica is disgusted.

Jughead vents to Betty, not wanting her to be in danger because of him. At home, Polly has told Alice what happened at the school. Betty says she’s sick of secrets and lies, and would rather be honest than hide behind the image of perfection. Betty asks her mum what FP was referring to the night he came over for dinner, when he said Hal and Alice were fighting, but Alice tells her it’s none of her business.

Later, Alice comes to Betty’s room to tell her the truth. In high school, on the night of the homecoming, she and Hal were arguing because she’d found out that she was pregnant. They disagreed on how to deal with the situation. Alice went to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy and when her son was born, they arranged for an adoption. She tells Betty it’s her biggest regret, and the two of them embrace. I assumed that they were arguing over a pregnancy, but I also thought Hal made her get an abortion. I’m interested to see if this brother will feature in the second season.

At school, Betty is telling Archie and Veronica that she has a secret older brother, who’d be in his mid twenties by now. She gets a call from Jughead, where he’s started at Southside High. The trio decide to go to the school to speak to Jughead and convince him to come back with them. When they’re outside the school after getting Jughead, Veronica gets a text from Cheryl that says she’s going to be with Jason. Alarmed, the group sets off for Sweetwater River in search of her. The fact that she was giving away her belongings to other people makes total sense now.

By now, the river has frozen over and Cheryl is out in the middle of it, trying to break the ice. She’s wearing the same white dress she had on the day she and Jason rowed across the river. They call out to her, pleading for her to come to the shore, but the ice breaks beneath her and she slips under. The group run across the river and Archie beats his fists bloody until he breaks the ice to retrieve her.

They bring Cheryl to the Lodges’ apartment, where Hermione is not impressed to see her there. Veronica says they had to help her after she got into an accident. There’s obvious tension between the two Lodge women, with Veronica referring to her mum as ‘Lady Macbeth’ and saying she got a ride to the Jubilee with Archie. I don’t know if leaving Cheryl alone, after she just tried to commit suicide, is a great idea but alright.

Backstage at the Jubilee, Veronica asks Archie if he has feelings for Betty. He says he doesn’t, he just saw how perfect she and Jughead were together and wants that with Veronica. They kiss, but are interrupted by Josie, who says that them saving Cheryl has led her to reconsider them performing Archie’s song. I really love that Josie has such a strong bond with Cheryl, and I really wish they’d explore this more in the next season.

After Archie’s performance, Betty gives her speech, where she speaks her mind and says they need to face the facts in Riverdale. Hermione asks Fred if he’s considered her offer, and he refuses to sell out to them. She’s shocked and doesn’t think it’s in his best interest, but he brushes her off.

Penelope arrives home looking for Cheryl, who’s standing with a chandelier in her hand. Penelope smells gasoline, and Cheryl claims it’s the only way that they can start over. She tosses the torch on the ground, and she and a hysterical Penelope stand outside Thornhill and watch it burn.

Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead celebrate with milkshakes at Pop’s. Afterwards, both respective partners head back for some raunchy times, however Betty and Jughead are interrupted by the arrival of a group of Southside Serpents. They tell him they take care of their own, as his dad hasn’t ratted any of them out, and hand him a gang jacket. Betty watches from the doorway as he puts it on.

The next morning, Archie meets his dad at Pop’s for breakfast. As he heads into the bathroom, he hears a commotion. There’s a guy in a balaclava apparently holding the place up, however he very deliberately turns his gun on Fred. Archie runs over to his dad and a gunshot goes off - Fred’s been shot. This attack was a deliberate one, and my money is on either Hiram or Hermione Lodge sending the thug after Fred when he refused their offer. I guess we’ll find out next season!

4 out of 5 stars

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The 100 - Season 4, Episode 11

Again, I’m going to preface this review by saying that this was not an episode I joined and therefore, please do not expect this review to be an overly positive one. With that in mind, here we go:

The episode picks up where the last one left off. Clarke and Bellamy are arguing over her decision to close the bunker. He’s disgusted that she did this when they don’t know the outcome of the Conclave. He says she did what she felt she had to do, like always. There’s truth in what he’s saying - Clarke is always defending her actions and saying they’re to protect her people, and lately it hasn’t always justified the choices she’s made. Of course Jaha is defending Clarke too, because these are the sort of harsh decisions he had to make. She’s very much becoming the sort of leader she despised.

Abby wants to contact Marcus and Bellamy wants to speak to Octavia. She tells him that she’s alive and won the Conclave, and that she promised to share the bunker with everyone. At the moment, the Grounders are busy selecting 100 people each for the bunker, but once they realise what Skaikru has done, they’ll be furious. Bellamy becomes aggressive when Jaha refuses to open the bunker, and he’s stunned and imprisoned.

At Becca’s lab, Raven is still designing the suit she’ll need to spacewalk, encouraged by Becca - a figment of her imagination, of course. She hears a man’s voice whispering to her, but can’t find the source. Raven is trying to figure out how to protect herself from solar radiation, but the stress is getting too much for her. She starts seizing for the third time that day. During her seizure she’s approached by a man who takes her hand. It’s Sinclair.

Back at the Ark, those who chose to stay behind are drinking copious amounts of jobi tea and partying. Monty is wearing a radiation suit as levels are critical, and attempts to convince the others to come with him to the bunker. Riley stops breathing and they realise that he’s overdosed on the jobi tea. Jasper insists that they’d rather die this way, on their own terms, than from the radiation. When Monty leaves, Jasper and the others plan to commit suicide that night by overdosing on jobi tea.

Although Abby is troubled, Jaha convinces Clarke that they are doing the right thing. He insists that they need to put someone on Bellamy’s door who isn’t his friend and would prefer to survive than be popular. This leads Clarke to bring Murphy to guard Bellamy’s door. They enter to see that Bellamy’s wrists and hands are bloody from his attempts to free himself from his cuffs and escape. He tries to convince Murphy to let him out, but Murphy won’t listen.

Monty is trying to convince Harper to leave with him and come to the bunker. He admits that he loves her, but Harper says she doesn’t return his feelings and it’s not enough to make her want to live. She tells him to go to the bunker while he still has the chance. As she walks away, she starts crying, clearly more conflicted than she’s letting on.

Indra and Octavia are discussing what they can do about their situation. Octavia insists that Bellamy will find a way, but Indra isn’t so convinced. Echo steps out of the shadows, revealing that she was listening to their conversation. She says she intends to tell everyone, but Octavia reminds her that she was caught cheating by Roan and was banished. Octavia says Azgeda can still have a place in the bunker if Echo helps them. She admits waiting for Bellamy is a good plan, knowing how much he cares about Octavia.

At the lab, Sinclair is trying to convince Raven to see what they can do about fixing her mind. He insists that there might be a way they can purge the code and give Raven’s brain time to repair. He thinks if they can “reboot” Raven, stopping her heart for 15 minutes for enough time for all brain activity to stop, she might be able to heal. Becca advises against it, but Raven chooses to listen to Sinclair.

Abby goes to patch Bellamy’s wounds up, but he reveals he did it so she’d have to come and see him. She agrees to help him and they knock Murphy out so that they can escape. Abby says that the airlock control is in the main office and they’ll need to get past Jaha.

Clarke gets into bed with Niylah, insisting that she’s doing this because she wants the human race to survive. It’s something she’s been saying for so long now that she’s beginning to sound like a broken record. Yet she did choose Skaikru over humanity by putting them in the bunker before they knew the outcome of the Conclave.

Abby enters Jaha���s office and tells him she doesn’t approve of what they’re doing. He insists it’s no different to when she turned in her husband, Jake. She says that they aren’t on the Ark anymore. Abby drugs Jaha and Bellamy heads in. She says they need two people to open the airlock, one from the main office and one manually at the airlock.

Clarke goes looking for Murphy and finds him unconscious with Bellamy nowhere to be found. She then runs for the airlock, knowing what’s about to happen. She confronts Bellamy, pointing a gun at him and threatening to kill him if he endangers them by opening the airlock door. Bellamy challenges her, but of course Clarke can’t bring herself to shoot him, and Bellamy opens the airlock.

At this point, it’s beginning to feel like the show is running out of ideas on how to stretch out the season. We all knew that Clarke wasn’t going to shoot Bellamy. We all knew that she couldn’t. So throwing in that tension between them simply seemed like unnecessary drama. I feel that there’s been a bit of that these past few episodes - throwing in drawn-out complications when the solutions that come from things are quite simple.

The other clans arrive just in time for Octavia to announce the bunker belongs to all of them - except Echo. Echo is confused, but Octavia says that her people are allowed in the bunker, not her. Although clearly angry, Echo walks away.

Raven is in ice-cold water and there is a timer to shock her heart after 15 minutes. If it doesn’t work there’s a defibrilator to shock her again if it doesn’t work. Sinclair says once she wakes up, he’ll be gone, but Raven insists that he’s always with her. Raven goes underwater and drifts into unconsciousness.

Monty goes and finds Jasper, who’s standing by one of the windows. Jasper admits that he’s overdosed on jobi tea already, and wants Monty to tell him that he loves him because he may not get another chance. Despite Monty’s efforts and pleas, Jasper dies in his arms as Monty cries and tells Jasper that he loves him.

Jasper’s death didn’t really impact me at all. In fact, I was more moved by Monty’s grief over it. Jasper’s character development has been stagnant since the end of Season 2, and although I hoped that he’d improve, it’s become clear that he wasn’t going to change. If his character had been killed off in Season 3 it might have had more of an impact, but Jasper’s suicide unfortunately didn’t rouse any real emotion in me.

Monty goes to find Harper, who is already suited up and ready to go to the bunker in Polis. She’s decided she does love him enough to survive after all. The others are all dead, having overdosed on the jobi tea like Jasper. Monty and Harper head for the bunker.

Raven wakes up and is forced to shock herself again with the defibrilator. I’m glad that there was a solution to Raven’s predicament at least. She’s suffered enough over these past few seasons.

In the bunker, the Grounders are beginning to head inside, having chosen from their clans. The only ones who are yet to make the decision is Skaikru, who will need to choose 100 of their people to remain in the bunker. I’m really hoping that next episode doesn’t drag out this choice and make it the focal point of the episode, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did.

3 out of 5 stars

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Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 12

The episode begins where the last one left off - with Veronica, Archie and Betty in Pop’s. Veronica and Archie convince Betty that FP was framed for Jason’s murder, and are concerned that none of them can get in touch with Jughead. Archie suggests that they tell their parents about their discovery, and the others are startled when they realise that Alice knew the kids were breaking into FP’s trailer. None of the parents are impressed, saying they can’t go to the cops because they broke into the trailer.

Jughead calls his mum, hoping that he can come and see her. However despite the fact that we don’t hear the other end of the phone call, the reaction isn’t positive - for whatever reason, she isn’t willing to have Jughead stay there. He changes to a different bus but it doesn’t leave until 6am, and the bus stop is closing for the night.

Hermione is rushing around looking for their passports, concerned what FP might say now that he’s been arrested. Veronica is shocked that she thinks Hiram might have been involved. She meets Archie and Betty at Pop’s, where they find Jughead. They then admit that they didn’t find a gun during their search, startling Jughead who looks like he might have hope for his dad after all.

Sheriff Keller interrogates FP about what happened to Jason, and FP begins to tell the story. Jason approached him, wanting a getaway car for his pregnant girlfriend and himself, in exchange for him running some drugs for FP. However when he realised that Jason was Clifford Blossom’s son, he abducted him on July 4th and held him for ransom in the White Worm. He says Jason got loose and tried to escape, and FP shot him and put him in the freezer. He then returned the body to Sweetwater River, where they’d already searched. He also admits to breaking into the Sheriff’s house and stealing the files, and torching Jason’s getaway car. The kids arrive at the station to try and tell the Sheriff that FP is being framed, but the Sheriff informs them that FP has already confessed to everything.

At the Blossom household, Penelope and Clifford tell Polly that Jason’s killer has been found. Clifford says he went to the station and saw FP, and Penelope says that their family will now have peace. Polly doesn’t appear too convinced or assured by this. I don’t blame her, it’s far too neat a conclusion - head of the local drug dealers murdering Jason? It’s more like who framed him.

Jughead arrives at school during lunch, despite having informed the others that he wouldn’t be attending. He approaches Cheryl and apologises, but she lashes out at him until Principal Weatherbee breaks things up. Betty goes to the bathroom to talk to Cheryl, who admits that she doesn’t feel any closure about discovering the truth about Jason’s death.

Jughead says that he was interrogated again by Weatherbee, and admits to Betty that he’s done trying to defend his dad. When Archie arrives home, Fred says Weatherbee is concerned for Jughead’s safety after the incident with Cheryl and that he should finish the semester from home. Archie says that’s unfair and that they need to help Jughead, but Fred says that trouble follows the Joneses and Archie might be better off in Chicago. Jughead, who was listening from the hallway, says he’ll sleep in the garage. I’m really feeling for this poor kid.

Betty hears someone in the house in the middle of the night, and Alice is downstairs investigating with a gun. However it’s just Hal, who admits to breaking into the Sheriff’s office and stealing the evidence. Alice says that isn’t possible since FP confessed to it, but Hal wants to destroy all of the evidence he’d collected. He says that grandpa Cooper was actually a Blossom, whose family severed ties and changed their name to Cooper. So they’re related to the Blossoms! Hal says that’s why he didn’t want Polly and Jason dating. Alice says that they need to get Polly out of the Blossom house.

The Coopers arrive in the middle of the night, confusing the Blossoms. Alice admits that they know the Blossoms and Coopers are related, and believes it gives them a motive. However neither Clifford nor Penelope appear concerned by the fact that Jason and Polly are related. They leave with Polly, who appears disgusted about the fact that she’s Jason’s third cousin. The Blossoms are pretty Targaryen about this whole incest thing, ick.

Archie and Jughead meet with Mary at Pop’s, where she pretended to be FP’s attorney. However he stuck to his guns with his confession despite her persistence. She says that Joaquin is the one person FP called from prison. This kid is definitely a lot more involved than he first seemed.

Jughead goes to visit FP. He says he felt something was up but he should have known him better, and that FP only showed an interest in his manuscript to make sure Jughead didn’t suspect him. FP warns him never to come back and says he’s only sorry that he got caught for his crime. Upset, Jughead leaves the station. However he calls Betty, believing that his dad is hiding something.

They go to confront Joaquin about what he knows in regards to FP. Joaquin admits that he thinks FP killed Jason. He was asked to do a clean-up job at the basement of the White Worm, where he found Jason’s body and disposed of any evidence. Veronica wants to know if FP was working for Hiram, but Joaquin says he only overheard a conversation between FP and Mustang, another Serpent and the only other person who knew about Jason’s death at the time. The conversation mentioned a rich guy, who they suspect could be Hiram.

Archie, Kevin, Joaquin and Veronica go to the motel where Mustang is hiding, but find him dead from a drug overdose in the bathtub. They call the Sheriff and tell him what they’ve found. They also find a suitcase with the initials “H.L.”, and Veronica says that she believes it means Hiram was doing business with the Serpents. Once they’re home, Hermione breaks down in tears and is comforted by Veronica. Joaquin leaves town, but not before telling Kevin there’s something else.

Jughead says that when he met his dad, it was obvious that he didn’t kill Jason, and he doesn’t know why FP is confessing to a crime he never committed. At the Blossom household, Cheryl questions Penelope about why Jason and Clifford were arguing. Penelope says that Jason couldn’t stomach the family business. Cheryl pushes, wondering about the business and whether her parents could have been involved in his death. Penelope drags Cheryl out to the barn, pointing at the barrels of maple syrup and claiming that’s the only dirty secret. Okay then.

Kevin calls Betty about something important. He says there was some kind of contingency plan. They find Jason’s jacket, but don’t understand what’s so important about it. Betty makes Archie put the jacket on, and pats down the pockets. In the lining she finds a USB. They sit down and watch the video on the USB, which apparently depicts Jason’s murder. We only see their shocked and tearful expressions and hear the gunshot. Betty calls someone and tells them they have to get out of the house.

Cheryl is on the other side of the phone, apparently very calm while she’s told of what has happened. She heads downstairs and tells Clifford that he’s done a bad thing and everyone knows about it. So he’s Jason’s killer? He’s one of the people I suspected from the start, but dismissed as too obvious. Penelope’s confusion indicates she wasn’t aware of this, but is that really the truth, or was she in on it too?

Alice brings the USB to the Sheriff and the Mayor, where the video is shown - Clifford heads into the room where Jason is being held. He takes the engagement ring and then shoots Jason in the head. FP confessed because Clifford threatened to kill Jughead if he didn’t admit to it. Although he didn’t commit murder, FP is still going to jail for committing crimes.

Veronica heads home to a relieved Hermione, apologising for thinking Hiram could have killed Jason. Hermione tells Veronica that her dad has been released from prison. I wonder if this is just coincidental, or if it means something more. Mary leaves Riverdale, making Archie promise to visit her in Chicago during the summer.

The police go to arrest Clifford and head into the barn to find that he’s allegedly hung himself, surrounded by spilled barrels - but instead of maple syrup, there are packs of drugs. Did Clifford hang himself, or were Penelope and Cheryl responsible for his death? What do the drugs have to do with what’s going on?Now the real question isn’t who killed Jason, but why Jason was killed.

4 out of 5 stars

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The 100 - Season 4, Episode 10

I am going to preface this review by saying that I didn’t enjoy this episode, or think it was well-written. If you’re looking for a positive review, this isn’t it. Whilst I generally enjoy the show, this episode wasn’t great to me and I just wanted to forewarn anyone who doesn’t hold that same opinion.

The warriors fighting in the Conclave are waiting, including Octavia. She’s approached by Bellamy, firmly telling him that this is her choice. Although of course we all knew that Octavia had come to fight for Skaikru in the Conclave, to me this feels like it wasn’t explained enough. Octavia left Arkadia because she didn’t feel she had a place there. Nothing between the end of last episode or the start of this one has been set up to explain why Octavia now feels the desire to fight for Skaikru. Is it simply to fight, because that’s all she believes in and knows? I really can’t think of any other explanation.

Out in the courtyard, Gaia is calling the champions up to hand them the sigils of their clan. Whilst this is happening, there are a few surprises - Ilian comes up to fight for his clan, startling Octavia, and then Luna arrives. This is something else I don’t understand. Luna has always been a pacifist, not wanting to become the Commander or kill others. But suddenly she arrives and wants to win purely to spite the other clans? Maybe she’s become bitter, but this seems very against her previous characterisation.

The warriors are preparing for battle, and Octavia is approached by Indra. It’s obvious that Indra is emotional about the prospect of losing Octavia, who has been like a daughter to her. She gives her a weapon and gives her tip for the upcoming fight. The two embrace.

Jaha isn’t impressed with everything going on, and Clarke believes that Luna is a threat to their success. Jaha doesn’t believe the Grounders will let Skaikru have the bunker if they win. Clarke encourages Bellamy to join Kane in farewelling Octavia, as it may be the last opportunity he gets to see her. She then goes to speak to Roan and wants to try and form an alliance to defeat Luna, but after her actions with the Ascension, Roan isn’t interested. I can’t say that I can really blame him.

Bellamy and Kane talk to Octavia, telling her the weaknesses of some of the other warriors. Bellamy says she doesn’t need to kill all of the other warriors, just the last one, and that she can hide until then. The champions are called out, and Bellamy embraces his sister.

The Conclave begins, and Octavia does her best to lay low. She’s pursued by the Trikru warrior, however she manages to hide and he and another warrior are killed by Roan. Watching this, Gaia is clearly shaken at the knowledge that Trikru is out of the running so quickly. She goes inside and announces the two champions who have fallen, before going over to embrace Indra.

Octavia is approached by Luna, who attacks her. Luna says she doesn’t believe that people are worth saving anymore. Octavia manages to escape her, but while she’s working on bandaging her wound, she’s approached by Ilian. He says he’s not there to attack her but wants to propose an alliance, saying some of the other warriors are doing the same. Octavia flatly refuses and says if she sees him again, she’ll kill him. I really wish that she wasn’t so stubborn, but I also know she doesn’t want to have to kill Ilian.

Bellamy witnesses a warrior being killed by an archer, and notes that none of them had bows to begin with. He walks inside and notes that Echo is gone, indicating he believes she’s responsible. Kane says that he can’t go out there or else they’ll be executed for breaking the rules. He suggests that Bellamy wait until nightfall to go looking for Echo.

Octavia is discovered by a group of warriors who’ve teamed up, but before they can kill her, Ilian intervenes, saving her life. As she scolds him afterwards, he’s shot through the neck with an arrow by Echo. Although Echo attempts to shoot at Octavia, she manages to get them out of the line of fire. Octavia is forced to put Ilian out of his misery. I have to say out of the deaths, his is the least surprising. I hoped Octavia and Ilian weren’t going to be a permanent thing, especially considering their differences.

At night, Bellamy sneaks in and surprises Echo, narrowly avoiding Luna and another warrior she kills. He almost strangles Echo before he’s tossed aside by Roan. Echo explains she was trying to save their people by taking out opponents, but Roan is disgusted and says he won’t sacrifice honour for power like his mother did. He banishes Echo from Azgeda and says if he wins, she will have no place in the bunker. He tells her to leave and she does, clearly shaken. I’m glad about this, although I can’t say I’m surprised, Roan is a better ruler than Nia was. Roan says before Octavia dies, he’ll tell Octavia was lucky to have Bellamy. Bellamy says that he’s the lucky one, and leaves the battlefield.

Gaia announces that there are only four champions left - Luna, Roan, Octavia and one other. Kane apologises to Indra about Trikru being out of the running, but she says if Octavia wins, they’ll see what she decides. On his way back, Bellamy is dragged off by an unknown assailant.

Roan approaches Octavia and, although angry about her deception in regards to the Flame, wants an alliance so that they can take down Luna. Octavia is unsure, but Roan assures her that their people aren’t so different. They agree to an alliance and head off in search of Luna. They find her fighting the other remaining warrior and arrive to see Luna kill her.

Octavia and Roan fight Luna together, and right as Roan is about to kill her, black rain starts pouring down. Of course, what perfect timing. Octavia runs for cover but Roan stays. With Luna being a nightblood she has the advantage, and she proceeds to slash at Roan a few times before drowning him. Although Roan goes still, he also pulled this trick with Clarke last season, so it is possible he’s still alive.

However either way, I don’t like this as a plot point. If Roan is really dead, it’s an anti-climactic and pointless death for a character we’ve grown to care about. However if he survives it just seems unnecessary and like added drama for no real reason. Especially since we had Octavia’s “death” earlier in the season, so will they throw in another fake?

Luna then goes after Octavia, saying that despite her inhibitions about violence, she will fight for her own survival. She searches for Octavia, but then Octavia stabs her from behind. I had the suspicion that Octavia had to win the Conclave and although I still think it’s unrealistic, I’m glad they had her take Luna by surprise - there’s no chance she would have beaten Luna in a fight.

Gaia is announcing more of the deaths, and Echo seems devastated when Roan is among them. Octavia enters victorious but instead of claiming the bunker, she says that they should all share it. However, when they go to the bunker, they realise that it’s been sealed from the inside - the rest of Skaikru have made the choice to take it while everyone else was occupied. This is yet another instance of Skaikru wanting to be accepted by the Grounders, but dismissing their culture when it doesn’t benefit them.

Bellamy wakes up and is shocked to realise what has happened. Jaha says that it was Clarke’s idea. Clarke said to Roan earlier that she wanted humanity to survive, not just her people, and that was what made her different from him. But Clarke’s actions prove that she’s just the same - she was concerned about her own people. For all her talk, she’s no better than anyone else. Considering that was one of the few times we saw Clarke this episode, I think we could really have benefitted from seeing exactly how this decision came about, the conversation between Jaha and Clarke. While I wasn’t impressed with this episode, I’m hoping next one is better.

2.5 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 11

Riverdale High is preparing for the homecoming dance. Archie’s mum, Mary, admits she wanted Archie to come to Chicago with her because she felt it’d be better for him. She’s also pleased to hear about his singing and songwriting, and is eager to hear him perform.

Veronica is shocked to hear that Hiram should only be in jail for a few more months. She’s disgusted and reminds her mum of the crimes he’s committed. She brings up Jason’s murder, but Hermione shuts her down and says they have no proof Hiram was involved in it.

Jughead goes home and is surprised but pleased to see FP is clean shaven and appears to be brushing up his act. He’s read Jughead’s manuscript and asks him some questions regarding Jason’s murder. FP thinks that Jughead should let it go.

Archie wants to talk to Veronica in regards to their hookup the other night. She brushes him off and wants to forget that it happened, even though Archie is insistent that they at least perform a duet at the homecoming. It’s ironic that just last episode, Archie was desperate to get back with Valerie and now it’s Veronica he has his eye on.

Alice brings in Veronica and Betty to chat to them in regards to Jason’s murder. Veronica admits Hiram may be responsible, thinking he might have hired FP to kill Jason. Betty doesn’t believe it, and refuses to talk to Jughead or FP and ask questions. Veronica later approaches Alice and says that she isn’t as close to the Jones family as Betty.

Polly is exploring the Blossom mansion when she sees Clifford Blossom, whose hair is actually silver, and a series of red wigs in his room. At school, Cheryl approaches and says she plans to bring Polly to the homecoming dance. Archie talks to Betty about performing at the dance, with Veronica chiming in and saying they could do an upbeat duet. In private, she tells Archie her suspicions in regards to FP. Although initially he says FP has cleaned up his act, he appears a bit uncertain.

Polly calls Betty and tells her she’s exploring, which concerns Betty. Penelope brings Polly her “daily milkshake”, something which makes me a bit suspicious about what’s actually in that milkshake. She tells Polly she knows that Polly has been snopping about the place, and reminds her that the east wing is out of bounds, apparently because Clifford values his privacy. Yeah, of course that’s the reason why.

Jughead goes to ask Betty about the upcoming dinner with her mum and his dad, which she’s a little shocked at. She confronts Alice and says she knows that her mum wants to interrogate them. Alice plays innocent and says she doubts that the topic of Jason’s murder would even come up at dinner, but Betty remains suspicious. I wouldn’t trust Alice either.

Archie learns that his parents are coming to the homecoming dance, along with Hermione. Jughead is happy that FP seems to have gotten better, however FP’s interest in Jughead’s novel makes Archie suspicious, and he goes to see Veronica. They talk and agree to help Alice, but say Jughead and Betty can’t find out what they’re up to. I can definitely see this is going to come back to bite them.

Polly suggests they borrow some of Penelope’s jewellery for the night. She and Cheryl explore the room, and Cheryl finds the engagement ring that Jason proposed to Polly with. Polly gets upset and demands to know how they have the ring, but Cheryl says her babies don’t guarantee her safety. I actually don’t think this is Cheryl threatening Polly, but her warning her what her parents are capable of.

At dinner, Alice starts to interrogate FP about his work and Hiram’s business regarding the drive-in land, irritating Betty. The doorbell rings and Betty shows Hal in, only making things more tense than they already were. Tensions only rise when FP tells a story about his own homecoming, where Hal and Alice were fighting about something that sounded like “life or death”. Could this be when Hal made Alice have an abortion?

Archie and Veronica explore FP’s trailer. She’s desperate to find something that might incriminate her dad and FP, insisting she wants to know either way. Archie says the fact that they didn’t find anything is good news. She gets a message from Alice and says they need to leave before FP gets home.

Penelope explains to Polly that Jason threw the ring at them when he cut off ties to his family. Cheryl finds Polly passed out, and Penelope admits she put some relaxant in the drink to make her sleep until morning. Clifford admits he should have been grooming Cheryl instead of Jason. When Penelope asks where the engagement ring is, and Cheryl says that she flushed it to prevent it from becoming an issue if anyone asks about it.

At the homecoming, FP tells Jughead he’s planning on getting their whole family back together, but he wants to move somewhere that isn’t Riverdale. He thinks it’s not a great place for them. Betty sees Archie and Veronica talking to Alice and wants to know what’s going on, but they say they need to go and perform and will talk to her afterwards. Cheryl leaves the dance in the middle of the performance, visibly upset. I wonder what exactly made her feel that way.

At FP’s trailer, the police turn up with a warrant to search the premises. He lets them, but is shocked when they discover a gun - the same gun that was used to shoot Jason Blossom.

Betty confronts Archie and Veronica, finding out that they searched FP’s trailer. Jughead walks out and is told about what’s going on. He’s hurt and shocked, believing that Betty knew and that was why her family arranged the dinner. The parents come out and the kids are told that FP was arrested for the murder of Jason Blossom. Devastated, Jughead runs out of the dance and heads to his dad’s trailer. I really do feel for him this episode. He feels betrayed by his friends, and now also by his dad.

Betty confronts Alice, asking if she tipped the sheriff off. Alice denies it, and Betty goes to look for Jughead. Hermione tells Veronica that if Hiram was responsible for Jason’s murder, he’ll be dead to the family. Mary pleads with Archie to come to Chicago with her, feeling that Riverdale isn’t a safe place for him to live.

Cheryl sees her mum crying over finding out FP killed Jason. She opens her hand and it’s revealed she lied to her parents - she still has the engagement ring. Betty heads to Pop’s to look for Jughead, where Veronica and Archie approach her. They say that someone put the gun there after they left, and that FP is being framed for Jason’s murder.

3.5 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

The 100 - Season 4, Episode 9

At Becca’s lab, Murphy, Emori and Raven are staying at the lab until the others get back. Murphy and Emori are packing up when Raven hears the rocket. The others don’t and think she’s about to seize, but she insists she’s fine. She heads into the rocket and see Becca there who implies Raven could live there instead of in the bunker, but then blood drips from Raven’s nose and she starts seizing.

Ilian and Octavia are farming at his village. She’s clearly frustrated with this simple way of living. They’re approached by a local called Ankara, who says war is brewing in Polis and their best warriors are being sent there. Ilian refuses to accompany them, insisting that he’s staying.

Back at Arkadia, Jaha is rallying everyone to prepare for their venture to the bunker in Polis. I love the banter between Bellamy and Monty where Monty teases him about being hungover. However Jasper and some of the others aren’t too convinced about this, not wanting to listen to authority and go to the bunker.

Clarke, Roan and the others arrive at Polis. In private, Abby tells Clarke that their alliance with Azgeda is off - they have a new alliance with Trikru, as Trikru helped find the bunker and refuse to share it with Azgeda. Clarke is worried that Roan is going to be killed, but as she warns him of the ambush with the arrival of Trikru warriors, Echo and other Ice Nation warriors take them all prisoner.

In Polis, Echo tells Roan about the situation - she became suspicious when Trikru warriors withdrew from the tower to go to the temple, which made no sense to her. She then put Azgeda warriors around the temple, so it’s now held by them. Clarke is brought to Roan and insists she only knew about the betrayal at the last minute. He reluctantly agrees to a meeting with Indra, but says instead of Kane, he’ll bring Clarke to the negotiations.

Monty goes to find Harper, who hasn’t packed and wants to stay behind at Arkadia. She’s tired of fighting when bad things are always happening. Monty chastises her and says he believes she’s being a coward. She isn’t the only one refusing to come along - there’s a group of people, including several members of the original 100, who are staying at Arkadia. Jaha says them coming to the bunker isn’t optional.

At the lab, Raven is still talking with Becca, who encourages her to use the rocket and go out spacewalking, as she doesn’t have a lot of time left. Emori watches her apparently talking to herself, after she and Murphy have just had sex. She’s concerned that the others haven’t come back, but Murphy says that they could just stay in the lighthouse bunker.

Roan and Clarke enter the bunker and meet with Indra and the other war chiefs. Roan says he’s willing to negotiate, but Indra doesn’t want to hear it. The conversation doesn’t go well, with the parties deciding that they will fight. Clarke says Lexa would have wanted them to live in peace, but Indra reminds her that there isn’t a Commander to make that decision. When the others leave, Clarke shuts herself in with Gaia and says she knows Gaia has the Flame. Clarke reveals that she is now a nightblood and tells Gaia to put the Flame in her and make her Commander. I’m really not a fan of this. Clarke only wants this so that they will listen to her and make peace, she has little understanding of Grounder culture and only wants it to suit her own people.

The group who are staying are partying hard at Arkadia. Jaha wants to blow open the door and forcibly remove them. Bellamy wants to talk to them, but from the other side of the door, Jasper insists that this is their choice. Bellamy understands that they have a right to make up their own mind about whether they want to live or die. Monty is shocked and thinks they should try and save them, even if it’s not what they want.

Octavia is confronted by Ankara and two other warriors, who she fights and kills. Ilian approaches and is shocked, but she insists that it’s who she is. I have a difficult time believing that as skilled as Octavia is, she’s better than many warriors who have trained their entire lives. I’m also still not loving this romance between she and Ilian, it feels forced.

The horn for the Ascension of the new Commander sounds, making everyone head into the tower. Gaia prepares for the ceremony and Clarke walks in, ready to become the next Commander. However Roan steps forward and calls her out - this is Grounder culture, not hers, and she can’t just step in and decide she can rule them all. Whilst I’m really happy we avoided this unnecessary and potentially culturally awkward “white saviour” plotline, I’m displeased that Clarke didn’t see reason herself and had to be told it was wrong by Roan. Instead, they agree to have a Conclave where one champion from each clan will fight to the death - and the winner’s clan gets the bunker.

Bellamy says goodbye to his friends, hugging them and saying “may we meet again”. Jasper says that they won’t, but Bellamy then says “whatever the hell you want”, which Jasper accepts. Monty then arrives and says he’s staying with his friends. I thought this was such an emotional scene, and I’m so glad that Monty stuck with Jasper in the end, whatever that may mean.

At the lab, Emori and Murphy are also leaving, but Raven refuses to go with them. She tells Murphy that she plans to go out spacewalking, as she can’t cope with the thought of losing her mind, knowing she is never going to get better. She says to tell the others that she floated herself. It really is an episode for goodbyes, and I’m really hoping not all of them are permanent.

Bellamy and Clarke are lamenting the fact that they don’t have any warriors from their clan to fight for them, as they aren’t as good as the others. Of course conveniently, Octavia then arrives. I’m really hoping that next episode doesn’t portray Octavia as a better fighter than everyone else, because her winning really doesn’t make sense to me, especially if she’s up against the best fighters from each clan.

3.5 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 10

Fred Andrews interrupts Jughead and Archie’s gaming session to tell the boys he’ll be going away for the weekend. He apologises for missing Jughead’s birthday, but Jughead says he barely acknowledges his own birthday. Fred talks privately with Archie about the fact that he and Archie’s mum are going to finalise their divorce. Archie insists that he tries to fix their relationship, but Fred insists that it can’t be mended. I think Archie’s young age very much shows in this scene, in the fact that he thinks it’ll be easy for his parents to just mend things between them.

Veronica is introduced to her dad’s attorney. She says she’s still refusing to testify on her dad’s behalf, despite the attorney insisting it’ll be problematic. At school, her problems only increase when Archie and Betty inform her that Archie overheard the Blossoms discussing the fact that they were behind Hiram’s arrest.

After, Archie tells Betty it’s Jughead’s birthday tomorrow and he traditionally does a double feature at the Bijou, but as Betty is his girlfriend she should take him this year. Betty calls FP and asks him to accompany them to dinner and a movie, but FP insists that Jughead doesn’t like surprises or his birthday, and it’d be better if he didn’t come. Over lunch, she suggests that they have a small party for Jughead, which eventually the others agree to. When Betty sees Chuck talking to Ethel she confronts him, but Ethel insists things are okay.

Betty goes to talk to FP in private and insists he come to Jughead’s surprise party at Archie’s place. After, Alice says to Betty that the principal has agreed for her to work for the Blue & Gold. She asks for advice about trust, and Alice says that Hal used her secrets against her. I’m glad that Alice isn’t strictly against parties and boys, she seems to have relaxed in regards to Betty’s social life which is great.

Veronica tells Hermione that Clifford Blossom was responsible for sending Hiram to jail. She says she’s done some digging and that Hiram was getting payments from the Blossoms, and that Lodge Industries have been receiving these payments for 75 years. Hermione says they can’t disclose that in case it implicates Hiram in Jason’s murder. At River Vixens practise, Veronica challenges Cheryl over who’s going to be front and centre at their routine. After the two perform, everyone chooses Veronica, to Cheryl’s anger. Cheryl meets Chuck at Pop’s and offers him the chance to get back at Betty and Veronica.

Veronica meets with her dad’s attorney, where he hands her a letter from her dad that subtly threatens Hermione if she doesn’t testify in his favour. She arrives at the surprise party for Jughead and admits she’s in a bad mood. She and Archie talk about their parents in the kitchen, both of them emotional about their family situations.

Jughead and Betty arrive, but Jughead doesn’t seem thrilled about the idea of the party, which upsets Betty. The doorbell rings and he asks who else they invited, but the show utilises the high school cliche of the door opening with lots of teenagers and kegs, led by Cheryl and Chuck, who are there to crash the party - not that Archie really seems to mind. He goes to talk to Jughead, who’s hiding out in the garage. Archie is stressed that Valerie has arrived, however before they can argue, FP shows up to give him a present.

Betty confronts Chuck in the kitchen, asking him to leave. He says she and Veronica ruined his chances of getting accepted by a good school when she got him and his friends kicked off the football team. She says she’s sorry there were real consequences - which is a little ironic considering Betty herself went overboard, and there were no consequences for that. He says that night he saw dark Betty, and she slaps him.

Inside, FP wants to talk to Joaquin in private, making Veronica suspicious when she sees them together. Joaquin says Veronica admitted that the Blossoms were involved in getting her dad arrested, and that he’ll get more information from Kevin. The two are watched by Alice, who is spying from next door with some binoculars.

In the garage, Betty and Jughead are arguing. He reminds her that his dad has a drinking problem, while she insisted it was meant to be a quiet get-together, not a huge party. He gets angry with her, saying she hosted a party for her own benefit, and that they’re very different people and maybe she doesn’t understand him. He insists she’ll get sick of him and Betty heads out, clearly upset.

Archie runs into Valerie and insists that they talk. She says she doesn’t want to chat, and when he persists, she throws her drink on him and walks off. Getting pretty drunk, Archie heads upstairs and calls his dad.

Cheryl insists that they’re going to play a game where they’re going to reveal some secrets. This is basically a chance for everyone’s dirty laundry to come to light and isn’t exactly the greatest writing the show has ever had. It means everyone finds out that Veronica’s dad purchased the drive-in land, Cheryl being accused of twincest, Archie’s affair with Grundy coming to light, and Chuck starting on Betty before he’s punched by Jughead. The two get into a brawl, before FP breaks it up and kicks Chuck and the other kids out. He tells Jughead to go inside to see Betty, as she’s clearly upset after what happened. FP is confronted by Alice, where it’s revealed that she was once a Southside Serpent. He also says she’s still hot, which is kind of amusing.

At Pop’s, Jughead apologises for the way he behaved toward Betty at the party. She admits she was wrong to have the party, and thinks something is wrong with her. She also says she does crazy things sometimes which is why she didn’t want to tell Jughead about what happened with Chuck. The two snuggle up in a booth. I’m happy they’ve resolved their issues, even if it was through the questionable writing that was the secrets and sins game.

Back at Archie’s, he and Veronica are chatting on the lounge. He admits he called his dad and asked him not to sign the divorce papers. He and Veronica end up hooking up. A little ironic considering he was desperate to get back together with Valerie earlier on in the night. She wakes up in Archie’s bed the next morning and gets caught by Jughead, who also chats to Archie about the night before.

Alice comes into Betty’s room and gives her some aspirin for her headache. Again, a lot more understanding than she used to be, when previously she’d have told her off or tried to prevent her from attending the party. Alice also expresses her suspicions of Joaquin and Kevin dating, especially when Joaquin is chatting in private with FP.

Veronica tells Betty that she testified on her dad’s behalf. She’s worried that her dad might have hired FP to go after Jason as revenge on the Blossoms. She also wants to help with the investigation of Jason’s murder. Veronica gets home to a new set of pearls and a thank you note from Hiram. Fred arrives home with a surprise - Archie’s mum.

3.5 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 9

The Blossom family are having a crisis to do with their maple business - with Jason dead, the board want to know who’s going to inherit the company. Alice Cooper, realising that the board is in town, wants to know what’s going on with the Blossom family.

Veronica is talking to her mum about her dad’s upcoming trial. Hermione tells Veronica that she will probably need to lie a little at the trial. She also urges her mum to tell Fred Andrews that they are the buyers of the land, or else someone else is going to.

Cheryl Blossom approaches Archie to be her guest for the maple tapping ceremony. Archie refuses, stating that he has a girlfriend, and Cheryl leaves upset. Apparently the reason she wanted him to join was because he defended her when no one else did. I find this a little bit bizarre, it’s the first time in a while that she’s actually shown an interest in Archie.

After Ethel Muggs reads out an intense poem she wrote for their class, Veronica approaches her to check that things are okay with her. She asks Ethel to come over for a pampering, and that Kevin will be there. Kevin asks what made Veronica so concerned, and she admits that back in New York, she bullied a girl badly enough to make her leave school. She’s vowed to be a better person

Penelope Blossom approaches Archie about attending the maple tapping ceremony with Cheryl. She says she’ll put in a good word for him with great uncle Harris, who sits on the board of a music school that does a summer program that Archie could be in. He tells his friends about this, but Veronica and Jughead are concerned that the Blossoms have ulterior motives. Betty asks if Archie will talk to Polly while he’s there.

At the Lodge’s apartment, Ethel tells them that her parents are fighting and her dad has had some bad luck with their money. After hearing Ethel’s last name, Hermione tells Veronica in private that the Muggs family have lost everything after investing with Hiram. Veronica is disgusted and says she won’t testify for her dad.

Cheryl successfully taps the tree at the ceremony. Afterwards, Archie and Cheryl overhear two members of the board talking badly about Cheryl. Archie defends her and says that Cheryl loved Jason. Clifford Blossom asks Archie to attend a board dinner at the Belmont Lodge later in the week. Although he initially refuses, Cheryl encourages him to come.

Hermione approaches Fred and tells him the truth - the Lodge Industries is the buyer of the land. He is understandably angry, knowing how dodgy their business is, despite Hermione’s insistence that she wants to turn the business legitimate. She also admits that Hiram was the one who sent the thugs, not Clifford Blossom.

Archie goes to talk to the Coopers afterwards. Although Alice thinks Polly won’t come back, but Betty thinks there’s something more. He also admits that the board is concerned with the fact that the Blossoms don’t seem to be doing so well. Although Betty doesn’t want her to run with the story, Alice says Polly has made her choice. At school, Betty confronts Cheryl about Polly. She says that Polly is expecting twins, but agrees to tell Polly that Alice misses her.

Cheryl arrives at the Andrews household to talk to Archie. She makes a hilarious comment about Fred looking DILF-y when he answers the door, some of her remarks are honestly great. After Cheryl gives him a guitar, Fred warns Archie that he should give it back. He says the Blossoms are using him, but Archie seems pretty starry-eyed at the prospect of following his music dreams.

Alice and Betty go to talk to Hal about the possible story on the Blossoms. However, Hal refuses to publish anything about that, and has locked Alice out of the system. She is furious and hurls a brick through the window.

As he’s been fitted for a suit for the upcoming dinner, Archie decides to talk to Clifford. He asks if instead of helping him out with his music dreams, Clifford might help Fred instead. Clifford says that he’s impressed with Archie’s character and that the music academy is already interested in him, but that at the dinner he’ll talk to Archie about how he can help Fred.

Betty is having a breakdown about her family falling apart, but Jughead says that she is strong and that she is keeping the family together.

Valerie confronts Archie, saying that Cheryl is planning on stealing him away from her. Although Archie tries to tell her otherwise, Valerie insists he is being bought by the Blossoms and should instead try and earn his place in the music industry.

Veronica showers Ethel with gifts, but Ethel says she just wants to be friends. At school, Kevin tells them that Ethel’s dad attempted to commit suicide. This upsets Veronica and she heads into the bathroom, ripping off the pearls her dad gave her and bursting into tears. She’s comforted by Betty. I really love the fact that they have such a strong and supportive friendship.

At the board dinner, Clifford approaches Archie and insinuates that he wants him by Cheryl’s side permanently, to create an image for the sceptical board. Polly asks to dance with Archie and reveals the real reason for her being at Thornhill - she believes the Blossoms were involved in Jason’s murder, but if Betty keeps trying to contact her, it won’t be believable. Cheryl and Clifford argue and Cheryl storms out, with Archie following her.

At the hospital, Veronica arrives to give Ethel and Mrs Muggs flowers. She admits she’s Hiram’s daughter, and Mrs Muggs criticises her, telling her that it’s her dad’s fault Mr Muggs is in this condition. Veronica leaves in tears with Betty by her side. Veronica returns home and tells Hermione that she’s done lying for Hiram.

Outside, Cheryl admits to Archie she feels like everyone hates her. Archie says he thinks that she’s awesome. She’s happy with him and then proceeds to kiss him, but Archie pulls away and walks off. He accidentally overhears a conversation between Penelope and Clifford where it’s revealed they’re the reason Hiram got sent to jail. Cheryl confronts him and says he’s no better than anyone else, the only reason he came being because he wants favours from her family.

Jughead and Betty go and see Alice, telling her that Archie informed them Polly is spying on the Blossoms. They offer her a place writing for the school newspaper. I’m glad that Alice is becoming a more sympathetic and relatable character.

Hermione says she wants to sell to Clifford to avoid tension, but Fred says that he’ll stick with the project. He wants 20% as he’s sick of being used by wealthy families in Riverdale. He also says that his romantic relationship with Hermione is over.

Veronica approaches Ethel again and apologises for what the Lodges have done to her family. Ethel says that Veronica has been there for her, and Hiram’s actions aren’t her fault. It’s good that Ethel can recognise that Veronica isn’t a reflection of Hiram.

Archie goes to talk to Valerie, but she breaks up with him. He tells Jughead and Betty that the Blossoms sent Hiram to prison, which Jughead says gives Hiram a motive to have murdered Jason. His name is added to the murder board.

At Thornhill, an upset Cheryl scribbles out Polly and Archie’s faces on the picture taken at the maple tapping ceremony. I wonder what this is alluding to, but I’m guessing that we’re soon to find out.

4 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

PSA

I’m so sorry my Riverdale reviews are late, I just got back from holiday recently and I’ve been busy with the Easter weekend. I’ll have both reviews up tonight or tomorrow!

[maddiereviews]

Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 8

Sheriff Keller is talking to Polly about Jason’s disappearance. They discuss his drug deal for the Southside Serpents, a one-time thing where he was meant to make a delivery, hence the drugs being in his car. Polly gets upset and Hermione asks him to give Polly some space. I’m wondering how accurate Polly’s story is - not that she’s a liar, but whether Jason was really planning on running away with her. Could one of the Southside Serpents have killed him?

Archie and Jughead are gaming at Archie’s place when Fred walks into the room. They chat about the fact that Fred is about to start commencing construction work on the land where the drive-in is. Jughead says as long as something amazing is built in its place. I’m glad that Jughead has accepted this is happening and doesn’t seem too upset by it anymore.

In the student lounge, some of them are discussing the fact that the Coopers want Polly but not the baby, and the Blossoms want the baby but not Polly. Veronica has an idea - that she and her mum will host a baby shower to make Polly feel like people care about her. Alice storms in and says she needs to speak to Veronica and Betty immediately. She is annoyed at the fact that Polly is staying with the Lodges, and Betty stands up to her mum and says that if she wants to be supportive, she’ll come to the baby shower they’re hosting.

The head of the construction team says that he can’t continue the job, as the Blossoms have offered them two years worth of work. Fred starts to make some calls attempting to hire another crew, but can’t find anyone. When Archie heads in, he admits the business isn’t doing so well.

Over dinner, Hermione, Veronica, Betty and Polly discuss the upcoming baby shower. Polly wants to invite the Blossoms as well, as they are the baby’s family. However Hermione doesn’t know if this is a good idea considering the enmity between the two families. Veronica attempts to convince her otherwise.

Fred Andrews confronts Clifford Blossom about the fact that he’s bought out his crew. Clifford admits to being frustrated by the fact that the land was sold to a mysterious buyer, and Fred realises he plans to halt the construction to financially bleed out the buyer. I feel sorry for Fred, it sucks that the Blossoms being rich means that they can do practically whatever they want. However, Archie and some of his friends arrive to act as a temporary construction crew.

Alice meets Hermione at Pop’s diner. Alice doesn’t believe that Polly is ready for a baby. Hermione insists she comes to the baby shower, because if she doesn’t, she may not have a chance to reconcile with Polly.

After the boys finish construction for the day, some guys come around and start trashing the construction gear. When Moose tries to stop him, he gets beaten up. The others run out to see what’s going on, but the guys drive off. Moose says that they said they’ll keep coming back as long as construction keeps up. When Sheriff Keller arrives, Archie says he thinks it may be the Southside Serpents.

As they’re preparing for the baby shower, Polly tells Betty that she wants Betty to be the godmother. Archie arrives at the diner to see the others and attempts to get Jughead’s help investigating the Southside Serpents. Betty admits that Jason was dealing drugs for the Serpents, shocking Jughead. He refuses to accompany Archie to sus out the Serpents.

Moose, Kevin, Archie and Joaquin arrive at the bar where the Serpents have been known to hang out. Archie attempts to confront one man, but is almost beaten up before FP intervenes. He ushers the boys out and stops Archie to talk to him. He thinks FP’s motives are personal, but FP denies responsibility. Fred arrives and tells Archie to get in the car. FP says after everything Fred’s done for Jughead, why would he jeopardise his work? He says he’ll ask around. Fred turns back to the car to realise Archie has gone.

At the baby shower, Alice arrives, to Polly and Betty’s surprise. Cheryl and the other Blossom women arrive, with Penelope approaching Polly and apologising for the way she acted. Alice is unimpressed with her presence. Rose Blossom predicts that Polly is having twins, a boy and a girl. Archie arrives to confront Jughead about his dad being a Southside Serpent, but Veronica tells them to stop. She’s right - the baby shower is about Polly, and Archie shouldn’t be bringing in outside issues.

Penelope says the offer for Polly to stay with the Blossoms is still open, causing tension between Alice and Penelope. Polly tells them it’s enough, and that Jason is dead because of the feud between their families. After the baby shower, Alice talks to Polly and Polly says that Hal made an appointment with a doctor for her to have an abortion without asking her. Alice appears shocked by this news.

Betty asks Jughead why he didn’t tell her about his dad being a Southside Serpent. He says he was ashamed, but Betty says that they need to be honest with each other if they’re going to be together. She says they should talk to FP because he might know something about Jason’s death. They go to see him, and FP says he didn’t kill Jason.

At home, Alice confronts Hal about his actions. Apparently this is what Hal also did to Alice with her first pregnancy. He says Alice wasn’t ready and Polly isn’t either. Hal refuses to let Polly come home to live with them, because he doesn’t want a grandchild with Blossom blood. Alice says to get out before she does something they both regret, because he knows what she’s capable of. Hal asks what people would think and Alice says she doesn’t care. I wonder what they mean by this? Jason’s death seems too obvious, so is there something else?

FP is talking to Joaquin, packing away Jason’s jacket in a duffle bag and giving it to him to stash. It becomes obvious that Joaquin is pretending to be with Kevin to get inside information on the sheriff. Joaquin seems a bit uncertain, saying Kevin actually likes him, but FP laughs at him.

The next day at the construction site, FP and some of his guys offer to help out Fred with the project. He talks privately to Hermione, and says the guys who wrecked the things were from Montreal, making Hermione believe it must have been Hiram. 

The Cooper girls talk about Alice kicking Hal out. However, Polly goes to stay with the Blossoms instead. Betty returns home in tears, telling Alice she tried to persuade Polly to come home but it didn’t work.

4 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

The 100 - Season 4, Episode 8

At Becca’s lab, everyone is hesitating in regards to the morality of testing the Grounder man. Realising that they have no choice, they begin the experiment, exposing him to radiation now that he’s processing nightblood on his own. Unfortunately, the experiment isn’t successful and the Grounder dies.

Back at Arkadia, Jaha is having a proper burial for those who died during the black rain. He hears Nylah using a Grounder phrase that means “from the ashes we will rise” to apparently bless the dead. Niylah says only the Flamekeeper knows where the phrase originates from. Jaha approaches Kane and says they need to talk to Gaia in case she has any information that might lead to the bunker of the Second Dawn.

Bellamy follows Jasper out into the woods when he leaves Arkadia, as Jasper refuses to take a chem-tent. Bellamy is reluctant to accompany him, but feels he has no choice as he doesn’t want Jasper to die out there if there’s more black rain.

Harper goes to see Monty, who is going to accompany Kane and Jaha. She is clearly drunk and upset about the fact that the world is going to end in 10 days.

Jackson tells Abby that an additive used to prevent clotting is the problem and if they take that out the nightblood should be successful. They try and decide who they can use next, but then realise Emori was lying about who the Grounder was, and decide that she is going to be the next one they use the radiation machine on.

Jasper tries to convince Bellamy that they should be making the most of their last days, not making frantic attempts to survive. He starts collecting hallucinogenic plants to bring back for a party. He also says they can do “whatever the hell we want”, a throwback to what Bellamy said back in Season 1.

Luna refuses to let them take more bone marrow from her, not wanting to be responsible for more death. She attempts to leave but she’s still injured, and after a fight with Roan, she is knocked unconscious. Raven is disgusted by this as they started withdrawing bone marrow anyway and states “welcome to Mount Weather”, a throwback to Season 2. I’m loving that there are parallels to previous seasons here.

Jaha, Kane and Monty arrive in Polis, where they receive a less than warm welcome from Indra and Trikru. He insists that he had nothing to do with Azgeda’s attacks despite their alliance, and he needs to speak to her daughter, who could possibly help them save everyone. They go to see Gaia, and Jaha shows her the 11th seal. She says it adorns the crypt of the first Commander, a place surrounded by Azgeda.

Roan talks to Clarke and assures her that they’re doing the right thing, that they need to make sacrifices. He says even though it seems wrong at the moment, in the future people will thank her for the things she’s done. I do like their friendship, and I agree with Clarke - Roan is a reasonable king doing what he believes is best for his people.

In Polis, the group head towards the crypt but are confronted by Azgeda. The Azgeda warriors decide to let them pass if they set down their weapons, but Indra picks up a gun and opens fire, killing the Azgeda warriors. It’s obvious that there’s still a lot of animosity between the two clans. Monty points out that because they were killed by guns, Roan will assume that the Sky People are responsible. They try and unlock what they believe is the crypt with Jaha’s seal, but it doesn’t seem to be working.

There’s a party back at Arkadia, where Niylah brews the jobi nuts that Bellamy and Jasper collected. He insists that with the end of the world coming, Bellamy should let loose. A blonde girl approaches Bellamy and begins flirting with him, and he takes some of the jobi nut tea. I’m glad that Bellamy is relaxing a bit, it’s good to see him smile.

Murphy and Emori are trying to undo their bonds when the others approach and sedate Emori. Murphy pleads with Clarke not to do this, but she insists that they have to. Abby can’t bring herself to inject Emori so Clarke says she’s do it, but instead injects herself with nightblood. However Abby destroys the machine to prevent Clarke from being tested. Whilst I understand Abby’s reasons in a way, her rash actions also mean they now don’t know if the solution will work or not.

Monty has a brainwave and suggests “from the ashes we will rise” is an instruction. Jaha throws the 11th seal into the fire and it melts, revealing the 12th seal. They manage to use it to unlock the crypt, revealing a huge underground bunker beneath.

4 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

The 100 - Season 4, Episode 7

Octavia is headed away from Arkadia when she realises Ilian is following her. However it starts pouring down with black rain, and she urges him to get onto the back of her horse. They manage to find shelter in a cave, however Octavia assures Ilian she wants nothing to do with him and only wants to wait out the black rain.

Back at the remains of the Ark, everyone starts rushing inside when the black rain falls. A man grabs the back of Harper’s jacket and she freaks out and pushes him away. He falls to the ground, however Bellamy and Kane cover themselves and help him inside. I love the fact that Bellamy and Kane are so quick to act as a team.

Clarke heads into Becca’s lab, but Abby tells her to wash and get some rest up at the house. Abby also tells her that if they inject themselves with Luna’s bone marrow, they should be able to become nightbloods. The only way to test that theory is to expose someone to radiation in a radiation chamber, which is something Abby doesn’t want to do. The bone marrow sounds dangerously like they’re becoming just like the people in Mount Weather, who they condemned and killed. Their conversation is overheard by Emori.

Kane is contacted over the radio by one of their men and his son, who have been caught out in the rain and need urgent assistance. Bellamy heads out after the man and his son, however the protective covering does little to shelter him from the black rain. He gets into the rover and heads off towards them.

I loved the part where Clarke is sampling Murphy’s cooking and actually agrees he’s good at it. This brief glimpse into what a domestic life for these people would be like is very interesting. Once Clarke goes to clean up and get some rest, Emori freaks out and wants to leave, believing that Abby is going to choose her as the radiation experiment because she’s an outsider.

While Clarke is trying to sleep, she hears rattling around. Murphy startles her and they find broken glass, realising that someone has broken in. In the kitchen, Emori is attacked by a Grounder. She then accuses him of hurting her and her brother and beats him, wanting to kill him. However Clarke believes they can use him as the radiation experiment.

The rover gets stuck in the mud, and although Bellamy wants to leave the rover to get it free, Kane says if he does, the black rain will kill him as well. Bellamy is forced to make a difficult decision, and leave the man and his son, who was one of the original 100, as he can’t get to them. This is clearly extremely upsetting to Bellamy.

Octavia tries to walk out into the black rain, but is stopped by Ilian. Although I sort of understand Octavia’s mindset, her attitude is a bit confusing - one moment she’s sniping at Ilian, then struggling against him as he drags her away from the black rain. I get that she wants to “feel something”, but the fact that she went from fighting Ilian to having sex with him is a bit too bizarre for me.

When the rain clears, Bellamy attempts to get through to the man and his son, but there is no reply. Kane tries to reassure him over the radio that it isn’t his fault, but Bellamy laments that he couldn’t save anyone, not these people and not Octavia. Kane says his mother would be proud of him, but Bellamy reminds Kane that he floated his mother.

As the Grounder is being injected with nightblood, Emori confesses to Murphy that she has no idea who he is - she framed him so that it wouldn’t be her who would be experimented on.

This episode was very much about survival - and especially how far people are willing to go to survive. I think this is probably my favourite so far this season, although I’m really just wanting a solution to the problem of the radiation.

4 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

The 100 - Season 4, Episode 6

In the wake of Arkadia’s destruction, Jasper is telling Jaha to lighten up and just accept the fact that there’s nothing they can do about the radiation now. Jaha is still clutching the symbol of the doomsday cult, meaning he probably still thinks there’s a bunker somewhere they can take shelter in. Meanwhile, many angry Sky People set upon Ilian, kicking and punching him. Kane intervenes and threatens to shoot the next person who touches Ilian.

In Becca’s lab, Raven is running simulations for the rocket. She is getting increasingly frustrated as each simulation fails. Murphy is there to provide sarcastic commentary of course. Raven is clearly not feeling too great, but she keeps running the simulation anyway, determined to find an answer. While I admire her strength, she also needs a break or she’s bound to crash and burn.

Back in Arkadia - well at least, the part of it that’s left - Clarke has gone back to sleeping with Niylah. It seems like it’s a form of comfort for her, and Niylah admits she doesn’t seek anything more than what they’re doing. Clarke wants Niylah to stay so that she will be one of the first to receive the treatment when it’s available. It’s clear she cares for her, maybe not in the traditional romantic sense, but they’re comfortable with each other.

In a meeting with Roan, Monty is telling them about the damage to the ship. Clarke and Bellamy decide to focus on the nightblood solution. Roan says it isn’t that easy - he sent Echo and his army back to Polis to keep peace, but more than half deserted on the way with the secret of the radiation out in the open. The deserters have also been burning Trikru villages on their way home, making the woods they have to drive through a dangerous place to be. Kane wants to come along, but Clarke convinces him that he has to stay while things in Arkadia are so tense.

Bellamy visits Octavia, who seems hostile towards him again. I don’t understand why she’s suddenly decided she hates Bellamy again. I get she’s upset about Arkadia’s destruction and the decision to spare Ilian, but why take this out on Bellamy? I hope they manage to reconcile eventually.

Raven is pissed off with Murphy’s constant taunts and emerges from the rocket, insulting him and hitting at him. Luna hears the commotion and comes out to help, soothing Raven until she calms down, teaching her a Trigedaslang phrase she’s probably used before herself: “I give myself to the miracle of the sea.” Murphy says Luna can watch Raven now, he’s done.

Bellamy, Clarke and Roan - along with a handful of his men - plan to take the Rover and also a truck to deliver the barrels of hydrazine. Driving through Trikru territory, they come across some injured Grounders. While Clarke tries to help, a child sees the Azgeda men hiding in the back of the truck. They manage to drive off, with the angry Trikru in pursuit.

When they come to a crossing they realise some of the ice has melted, meaning they’ll have to look upstream for a shallow place to cross. Roan and Bellamy head upstream in the Rover to find a crossing, while Clarke and the others guard the truck and the hydrazine. I feel like something’s going to go wrong in Bellamy’s absence because let’s face it, when have things ever gone right for them?

Murphy is attempting to repeat the phrase Luna taught Raven - he’s actually saying “I creep on myself for the miracle of a horny mistake”. Luna walks in and Murphy admits that he’s the one responsible for her limp. Luna points out that Murphy hates himself more than Raven hates him. Murphy says she’ll survive either way, and that it might be nice to be the last person on Earth. Considering how well he went locked in the lighthouse bunker previously, I don’t even think he believes that.

Niylah is helping Octavia do some exercises in the infirmary. She realises that Ilian has been left without guards and goes to speak to the others about this. When she goes to look for the others, she realises one of the men is riling the others up, wanting to kill Ilian. She speaks with Monty and Jasper, and Monty in turn addresses Jaha about this, saying people would listen to him. He admits that Murphy killed Wells (which in truth, it was Charlotte), and that his son would be ashamed of him.

Raven is trying to think of a solution but she is on the verge of panicking. Murphy and Luna help her realise that she could crash land the rocket in the water and swim away. She switches it to manual when the computer won’t let her try it on auto-pilot, and realises that the cargo and she and Abby would both survive a crash into the water.

Bellamy and Roan head back to the truck when they realise that Clarke isn’t responding over the radio. They return to find the truck gone and one of Roan’s men dead, wrapped in a body bag. Although they initially believe Trikru has stolen the truck, when their Rover is attacked by them, Roan realises it was his own men who stole the truck.

Kane and the guard enter the infirmary to protect Ilian from the angry attackers, however Octavia lets the people in. Miller’s dad stuns Kane with a shock baton. Octavia says the kill is hers, leading to the people dragging Ilian outside. To be quite honest, I’m not really a fan of Octavia’s character at the moment. I feel like there hasn’t been much progression with her for a little while.

Roan and Bellamy see the truck and head towards it. Roan jumps onto it, fighting and killing the man on the back, while Bellamy stops the Rover in front of the truck and shoots the man in the front holding a knife to Clarke’s neck. She manages to stop the truck in time to prevent it hitting the Rover. I wasn’t too enthused about this plot point either - they’re already encountering so many roadblocks on their journey to save themselves from radiation, and throwing in the Azgeda warriors betraying Roan just seemed like a way to add in something to do for part of the episode.

When Octavia and the mob go to kill Ilian, Kane and Jaha raise the alarm to pretend that black rain is coming. Kane talks Octavia out of killing Ilian, reminding her that she’s no better than Pike if she does it, because he killed Lincoln in an identical way. Octavia breaks down in tears, dropping the gun and heading out of Arkadia despite still being injured. Jaha cuts Ilian’s bonds and tells him to run.

On the drive, Clarke assures Roan he is a good King despite the fact he feels his people are turning on him and abandoning him. Arriving at the beach, Roan realises that they have a problem - one of the barrels was pierced by a Trikru arrow, leading to the hydrazine having leaked. Instead of the ten barrels they needed, they now only have nine.

In Becca’s lab, Raven is informed of this, and realises that without the final barrel of hydrazine, they won’t be able to launch the rocket because they needed all the fuel they could get. The stress of this causes Raven to start seizing, foaming at the mouth. Luna holds her while Murphy runs for Abby. Of course, just when a solution looks viable, it has to end badly.

3.5 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 7

Jughead has a dream about having dinner with the Cooper and Blossom families, where everyone is dressed like it’s the 70s and there is cheerful music playing. Archie walks over to Jughead and asks why he stabbed him in the back. Seems like a pretty creepy dream to me.

Jughead wakes up in his new sleeping spot - a forgotten closet under the stairs at Riverdale High. When he’s brushing his teeth in the boys’ bathrooms, Archie startles him and asks what he’s doing at school so early. Jughead tries to crack jokes, but ultimately shows Archie where he’s sleeping and tells him about his situation. Jughead’s mum left with his 10-year-old sister, Jellybean. Archie is concerned and tries to convince Jughead to come and stay with him. I’m glad they had this talk, it was definitely going to happen at some point, but I’m happy Archie was so sympathetic toward Jughead.

Hermione is unimpressed to learn that Veronica has been doing some online shopping. She’s still annoyed at Hermione for forging her signature. Hermione tells her daughter they can’t live beyond their means, but Veronica reminds her she has a job now.

In the student lounge, they’re all discussing Polly’s escape. Betty is concerned about her sister, especially as she’s worried people will think Polly killed Jason. Jughead puts an arm around her, which doesn’t escape Archie’s notice. Overhearing the conversation at the vending machine, Cheryl’s minion Ginger texts Cheryl about it. 

Afterwards, Archie asks Jughead about him and Betty, and he confirms they’re kind of a thing. Archie convinces Jughead to talk to his dad FP, saying that Fred is going to give FP another chance to work for him if he wants it. Veronica also asks Betty about the situation with her and Jughead. It’s refreshing to see some general high school gossip going on, and how bashful both Betty and Jughead are about their romantic situation.

At the police station, Sheriff Keller is speaking to Penelope Blossom when they’re approached by Cheryl. She says she has information related to Jason’s case, but wants her mother’s permission to rejoin the River Vixens. Penelope gives it, and Cheryl tells them that Polly Cooper escaped from wherever she’d been the same night Jason’s car had been burned. She says that she believes Polly is the murderer.

Kevin approaches the girls at school and shows them that Cheryl has been tweeting about Polly. Of course she has, Cheryl seems to be the hashtag queen. 

Jughead heads back home to see his dad at Sunnyside trailer park, telling him that Fred is willing to give him another chance to work for him. FP says that Fred called him and he said no. Jughead says he needs to get himself together so that they can bring their family back together. I’m hoping FP can be less selfish, for the sake of his kids at least.

Betty has organised a search party for Polly, including the Coopers and other friends from school. Veronica chats to Kevin about the situation with her mum, and she says she plans to go clubbing with him, Josie McCoy and Reggie Mantle. However the Coopers are approached by the Blossom family, who accuse Polly of being the killer.

The Coopers arrange a press conference, where they announce to the media that Polly is pregnant with Jason’s child. Later, Jughead walks Betty home and they discuss whether Polly has run away before. She seems to realise something and kisses him, before heading up into the attic to look for her sister - apparently this is Polly’s secret hiding place. Polly’s there, and she asks for Betty’s help. She says she doesn’t want to give the baby up for adoption, which is what their parents want.

FP meets with Fred at Andrews Construction. He accepts Fred’s offer of employment, saying he doesn’t want his son to look at him like he’s trash anymore. Hermione arrives and is a bit hesitant about FP, but he insists he’s not there to intimidate her. It seems like everyone in this town went to high school together. So all of their parents are the exact same age? Weird.

Betty talks to her parents about Polly coming home. They say of course she’s welcome back, but when Betty asks where the baby will sleep, they say Polly agreed to put the baby up for adoption. They say considering how young Polly is, it’s the only option. Sounds just like the Cooper parents, wanting to control every aspects of their daughters’ lives.

At school, Betty talks to Veronica about Polly, when they’re interrupted by Cheryl. They go to talk in private, and Betty makes it very clear she doesn’t trust Cheryl. She insists she wants the baby to be safe and to help Polly, but Betty isn’t buying it. Cheryl says she only wants to help her niece or nephew. I’m really hoping that she’s genuine in this, it’s always nice when we see a more human side to Cheryl.

After a successful day of work, FP, Fred and their sons head out to Pop’s for dinner. FP and Fred are reminiscing about their high school memories. Archie says Jughead writes for the school newspaper with Betty, leading FP to ask who Betty is. Jughead changes the subject, but Pop approaches with the bill. Things are tense between FP and Fred for a few moments when FP insists on covering the bill, saying Fred owes him this chance.

Hermione sees Veronica all dressed up and says she better not be going clubbing. She insists she is, unless Hermione admits to what she did. She says she kissed Fred Andrews, but Veronica says she means her mum forging her signature. When Hermione refuses to tell Hiram, Veronica leaves to go clubbing with her friends. She goes out to Roving Eye and has a blast with Reggie, Josie and Kevin, only to be told her card has been cancelled. Apparently this is Hermione’s way of caving - Veronica hands over some cash instead, pleased.

FP, Jughead and Archie are jamming in the garage, when Archie asks what exactly FP meant by Fred owing him. FP says they were partners, but when he started doing risky jobs and he landed in hot water, Fred bailed him out but made him sign a form saying the bail money was him signing over his share in the company.  Archie says he had no idea about the issues between Fred and FP. Jughead escorts FP, who is pretty drunk, home.

Betty is meeting with the Blossom family, who have changed their tune a lot since finding out that Polly is pregnant. They say they don’t only want to offer financial support, but also emotional support. Penelope asks Betty where Polly is staying at the moment.

Archie confronts his dad about FP’s story, but Fred insists that isn’t the truth. He says FP was stealing money and dealing on the side. He says he did what was best for his own family, because there was only so much he could do to help FP. One of the things I like about Riverdale is that there are two sides to every story, and sometimes you don’t know which is the truth. Were Jason and Polly lovebirds, or was he not the golden boy he seems? Is FP telling the truth, or is he exaggerating?

Hermione and Veronica sit down to talk about their issues. Hermione admits that she is seeing Fred, but she doesn’t know exactly where their relationship is leading yet. Veronica says whatever happens with Fred can’t happen under their roof, and that she wants Hermione to admit to Hiram that she forged Veronica’s signature. Hermione agrees, as long as the online shopping and clubbing stops.

Jughead walks into the school newspaper office to see the principal and Sheriff Keller waiting for him. The sheriff says he’ll need to come down to the station. What, they suspect Jughead because he’s got a murder board up and is trying to solve the mystery? Apparently it’s not just that - Jughead has a history of being bullied by the football team, and he also wanted to start a fire when he was in elementary school. Jughead says he wants a lawyer.

Betty, Archie and Fred arrive at the station. Fred claims that Jughead was doing some work for his company on the day of Jason Blossom’s murder. FP arrives at the station to see Jughead has been released. FP is mad that he was arrested, but Jughead insists he shouldn’t make things worse. FP says he needs some time to clean up his act, but promises that’s what he’ll be doing. Jughead goes to stay with Archie and Fred.

Fred forges some documents to say that Jughead was working for him when Jason Blossom was killed. He says that Jughead doesn’t deserve what’s happening with him.

Veronica, Archie, Polly and Betty arrive at Pop’s, where they’re greeted by Cheryl. She says she doesn’t think her parents want to help, and that they need to find someplace safe for Polly to stay. Veronica and Hermione agree to let Polly stay with them for as long as she needs. I’m really hoping things improve for Polly soon.

FP is drinking heavily in his trailer, despite his promise to Jughead to clean up his act. Apparently it’s not that easy to break a cycle like that. However, we see Jason Blossom’s jacket - that was in the trunk of the car that was burned - in FP’s trailer. So FP burned the car - does that mean he could be another suspect in Jason’s murder too?

Riverdale’s taking a two week break so you can expect another review from me after that!

4 out of 5 stars

[maddiereviews]

Riverdale - Season 1, Episode 6

Betty informs her mum she’s invited Jughead over for breakfast. Alice appears contemptuous of him, mocking his name, but the reason for his visit becomes clear - while Alice shows Jughead the bathroom, Betty rummages around in Alice’s handbag and takes photos of a notebook she finds in there. Sneaky, but it’s a tactic that works.

Archie goes to audition for the school variety show, but gets stage fright and runs off. Outside, he talks to Valerie, who assures him that stage fright is completely normal, and he doesn’t experience that with football because music is a much more intimate and personal thing. He asks Valerie to sing with him, but she says that she can’t because she’s with the Pussycats.

Betty and Jughead are researching where Polly might have been sent, and find the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, a home for troubled youths. She and Jughead are discussing it at lunch, and Archie asks what’s going on. They dismiss him and say he needs to practise for the variety show, but when he says that he’s not performing in it, Veronica says she’s willing to do it with him as she can sing. This was a bit of a surprise to me too, but okay, we’ll roll with it.

Josie and the Pussycats are practising for the show, but Josie is very high-strung. She gets annoyed at both Valerie and Melody, and when Valerie rolls her eyes, Josie asks if she has something to say. Valerie says she doesn’t have to put up with Josie’s diva antics when she’s working with Archie, and as things get tense between her and Josie, she quits the band. Things have been tense with the Pussycats for a while now, so this doesn’t really surprise me.

Hermione is doing Fred’s bookwork at Andrews Construction. She tells him that he only has enough to cover three more weeks of payroll, but he refuses to let any of his guys go after something that happened before - I’m assuming this is in reference to Jughead’s dad. He says he’s hoping to talk to the mayor in the hope she can convince the private buyer of the drive-in land to let his construction company do the work on it. Hermione offers to have a dinner at her place. Veronica is bringing her mum flowers for her first day, but she sees Hermione and Fred kissing in the window. Fred later tells Archie that he and Hermione are seeing each other.

Mayor McCoy is talking to Josie about the upcoming variety show, where she tells her mum that Valerie quit the band. The mayor insists people can be easily replaced, but that the song had better be good because Josie’s dad is flying into town for the show. Mayor McCoy insists Valerie’s replacement should be a woman of colour, but that she shouldn’t be more skinny and beautiful than Josie. So this is why Josie is under so much stress - her mum is worried she’ll disappoint her dad.

Veronica confronts her mum about Fred, and asks if she plans to leave Hiram when he’s out of jail. Hermione says she doesn’t know what will happen, but that it just happened.

Archie and Valerie are practising in the student lounge when Veronica walks in, a bit confused about what’s happening. Archie says that Valerie quit the band, so he’ll be singing with her. Veronica is upset by this, and informs Archie that his dad and her mum are together, which he already knew. Veronica then goes to see Josie and tells her she wants to be in the Pussycats. I don’t blame her in this situation - Archie is being quite selfish. Instead of considering how much Valerie has sacrificed, he sees it as great she’s quit so she can sing with him. He doesn’t even consider Veronica’s feelings in replacing her with Valerie.

Betty and Jughead arrive at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy to see Polly. Although Betty is granted entry, Jughead has to wait because he isn’t a relative. She finds Polly in the gardens, where the two embrace, and it’s apparent that Polly is pregnant with Jason’s child. Apparently, they were planning on running away together, but Alice and Hal caught wind of this plan and sent Polly away. Although she doesn’t seem crazy, Polly is a bit fanatical, and I have to wonder how accurate her story is. Polly also didn’t know Jason was dead, and Betty is forced to tell her. One of the orderlies approaches Betty as Polly gets distressed, and tells her to come with her.

Josie has a go at Veronica for texting during their rehearsal, and she breaks down, saying even though Josie obviously has issues with her dad, at least they can be in the same room. Josie sees she’s upset and says she’s sorry about her dad. Archie and Valerie are also rehearsing, but Valerie is stressed and reminds Archie that she is taking a big risk. It’s obvious that she misses being with the Pussycats.

Alice arrives at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, telling Betty she gets notified when Polly receives a visitor. As she’s walking out with Betty and Jughead, Polly confronts Alice about the fact that she wasn’t told about Jason’s death. Betty hugs her sister, promising to get her out, before the orderlies drag Polly away. I feel sorry for the Cooper girls, they’re both having a rough time because of their dictatorial parents.

The Lodges, the Andrews and the McCoys are all at dinner together, where they meet Josie’s dad, Miles. He’s disappointed when he finds out Valerie quit the band, saying she gave them much-needed integrity. As tensions rise around the table, Hermione suggests that Fred get started on his presentation for the mayor.

As she’s confronted by her parents about visiting Polly, Betty accuses Hal of stealing the sheriff’s evidence about the Jason Blossom case. She asks if he killed Jason. Alice starts laughing and says Hal doesn’t have the stomach for that, and that she wishes she or Hal had killed Jason. She accuses Betty of sounding crazy, and Hal says that Polly was depressed and delusional. The only person who really seems crazy here is Alice. But it does beg the question - why did Hal steal the evidence? Is there something their family is hiding?

After Fred’s presentation, Miles seems unimpressed. Mayor McCoy throws some shade at him by saying Fred is a working man who lives in the real world, and says she’d like to award him the contract, but the buyer is already in the process of going with someone else. It would take two shareholder signatures for the contract to go to Andrews Construction instead.

Veronica and Josie are eating dinner at Pop’s and discussing their families. Veronica tells Josie about her mum and Archie’s dad, and that she just wants their family to be whole again when Hiram is released from prison. Josie suggests there might be another side to the story and that she should talk to her mum. Hermione wants Veronica, who is a shareholder, to sign to award the contract to Fred. Veronica is angry and refuses to, but Hermione forges her signature.

Archie tells Valerie she should rejoin the Pussycats as that’s where her passion really lies. He says he’ll be fine singing on his own.

Jughead climbs in through Betty’s window, and she begins to wonder if she’s crazy. Jughead kisses her, and Betty remembers the car Polly was talking about. She says if they can find the car, they can confirm Polly’s story. I have to say I don’t really ship Betty and Jughead. I like them as a detective duo, but not as a romantic pairing.

Valerie goes to rejoin the Pussycats, and she and Josie mend their friendship. Josie says she’s already got Veronica on tonight, but she guesses there’s room for another Pussycat. They perform their routine, however Miles gets up and leaves in the middle of the performance, upsetting Josie. I really am not a fan of Josie’s dad. While she’s a bit of a diva, she’s an amazing singer and he doesn’t respect her talent at all.

Jughead and Betty find the car, but are shocked to find that there are drugs stashed in the back of it. Realising the car is a crime scene, they take photos of it before deciding to show the evidence to Sheriff Keller. However, someone is watching the pair of them from the bushes. I wonder who it is? One of Betty’s parents? One of the Blossoms?

Archie heads on stage to perform his own song, and Veronica tells him that he should focus on someone who makes him feel safe. He doesn’t get stage fright this time, and he’s applauded by the audience when the song is over. Afterwards, he and Valerie kiss. Veronica approaches Hermione and Fred where Hermione tells her that Fred was awarded the contract. Veronica is upset at realising what her mum has done. I don’t blame her - Hermione seems nice on the surface, but she’s a very sneaky person.

Betty and Jughead tell the Sheriff where the car is, but when he heads out there, he finds that someone has set it alight. Could this be Hal again? He seems to have a habit of jeopardising any attempt to find out who Jason’s killer might be. Betty and Jughead go to break Polly out, only to realise her window has been shattered - Polly’s escaped by herself.

3.5 out of 5 stars