Riverdale Round Table: The Talented Ms. Grundy
Justin Carreiro
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Betty and Veronica brought out their inner Nancy Drew to uncover Ms. Grundy's secrets, Kevin began a new secret romance, and we got a closer look into Jughead's home life on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 4.
Below, TV Fanatics Mandy Treccia, Paul Dailly, and Justin Carreiro debate Betty's actions during the Ms. Grundy investigation, the reasoning behind Mrs. Lodge's involvement in the drive-in deal, and Mrs. Cooper's motivation to destroy Archie.
Do you believe Ms. Grundy's story of why she changed her identity?
Mandy: Nope. I thought it was a possibility right up until the point she seemed to start the scheme over again after she packed. Plus, there's still her connection to Jason. I have a feeling she'll be back.
Paul: I think she was full of crap. She has a thing for teenagers and will say anything to mask that. That look she gave the teenagers as she left town confirmed that.
Justin: Everything she's said and done is a lie to manipulate Archie. I want Betty and Veronica to search her real name and see if the real story pops up. This could all be a ploy.
Hermoine Lodge knew about (and helped) the deal for closing the drive-in. Is she evil like her husband or just caught in a bad situation?
Mandy: I don't think she's evil. I think she's making the best of things. Shady, deceitful, yes, but not evil. She's also my favorite of the parents. I'm excited to see where this story goes.
Paul: I really don't think she's evil. She's in a bad situation and will go to any lengths to ensure she and Veronica manage to go back to their old lives.
Justin: I think she's just as culpable. While she's in a bad situation to get money to keep the lifestyle, I think she always knew about (and was fine with) what was being done to get rich. Justifying bad decisions that isn't for the greater good is evil.
Betty stole Ms. Grundy's gun. Worst decision ever?
Mandy: YES! I was shouting at the TV when she touched it with her bare hands. I could not believe it when it was in her drawer! She should be smarter than that.
Paul: That was so dumb. She could have implicated herself in Jason's murder. Clearly, these kids need to watch other teen dramas and quit watching HBO.
Justin: Why steal the evidence?! The gun was in Ms. Grundy's car and would implicate her; Betty shouldn't have taken it. Also, if this gun turned out to be the one that killed Jason, her stealing it could've contaminated evidence.
Kevin and Joaquin's romance: Short fling or potential for more?
Mandy: Definite potential for more. The good boy and the bad boy. It's a classic trope for a reason. Plus, great chemistry.
Paul: Potential for more. It will be an interesting plot in giving us more insight into what they Southside Serprents are really up to. I'm intrigued. There was a lot of chemistry, but I can't wait to see the sheriff's reaction to his son with a troublemaker.
Justin: There's definitely potential. Kevin and Joaquin do have chemistry and they will enjoy each other's company. However, I don't see them as endgame. This could just be a first season romance.
Why do you think Mrs. Cooper was so dead set on showing Archie's affair to Betty?
Mandy: Even though she's super over-the-top, and more than a little mean, I do think she's trying to protect Betty. She already lost one daughter. And it's easier to blame an outsider than to look within. I think in her mind, if she can make Archie the bad guy, Betty will never get hurt.
Paul: She was trying to protect Betty and feels like Archie slipping out at night is super sketch. She was killing two birds with one stone.
Justin: I think Mrs. Cooper looks at Archie as if he's the "Jason" in Betty's life, similar to what Jason was to Polly. She may have liked him in the past, but she thinks he will be just as destructive. Her determination is more based out of fear than hatred.
What did you think of Jughead's home life/family twist?
Mandy: My heart broke for him. I wondered why he was so adamant about the drive-in when he first brought it up. Until now, he's been sort of detached from the town's issues. I loved the twist. I want to see more of his family relationships.
Paul: Poor Jughead. It was upsetting to find out he was actually staying at the drive-in. I want to find out more about his strained relationship with "Billy Loomis" (aka his father).
Justin: I'm starting to understand why Jughead is so tortured and masks everything with sarcasm. There must be a reason why all of this has happened. I can't wait for the show to reveal the truth of why he's not living at home.
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Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
