Riverdale Season 1 Episode 9 Review: La Grande Illusion
Justin Carreiro
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Is this a match made in dysfunctional heaven? There's some potential here.
Even if the reasons were less than true, Cheryl and Archie did get a bit cozy on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 9.
The two redheaded hotties make a cute couple. I'd ship it. (Yes, you can judge me for this later...)
The Blossoms may be a devious family, and "Chapter Nine: La Grande Illusion" highlighted this even further. They know how to manipulate people to get what they want. However, I always thought Cheryl was just misunderstood.
She's being judged and used by not only her family but the people around her. The Blossom family board were ready to tear her down. It's no wonder she's a bit eccentric.
Archie: Cheryl, you okay?
Cheryl: What did my dad say to you? That I'm a trainwreck? Jason was the golden boy, but me...people hate me, Archie. At school, that's fine, whatever, but this is my family.
Archie: Forget them, Cheryl. Forget what they think. I think you're awesome.
Cheryl: Oh Archie. Sometimes I think you may be the only decent person left in Riverdale. The only person who doesn't want something from me or doesn't want me to apologize for who I am...or what I want.
[She kisses Archie]
Does Cheryl really like Archie in that way? At first, it looked like an innocent flirtation. She is crushing hard on him.
The two have played coy with each other in the past. She made some innocent flirtations with him on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 3. But now he has a girlfriend, Valerie, and that should stop it there.
Cheryl needs support and Archie has always been kind to her. She clearly likes him and wants to show it. I don't just mean the kiss and the guitar, which looked like a cool gift. I think they'd be a cute couple if he wasn't merely using her.
He should be careful. The red sharpie moment with the family photo gave me the creeps. There's no telling what revenge she'd love to enact.
Was Archie ever a good boyfriend? The boy-next-door we knew isn't so innocent anymore.
Sure, at first he wanted to help his dad's business by talking with Clifford Blossom, but he equally wanted to keep his spot at the summer music program too. Archie was using people, especially Cheryl, to get what he wanted. The worst is that he tried to justify everything; that's so wrong.
It's great to see him come to his senses...after kissing Cheryl. However, I agree with Valerie; he didn't pay any attention to her and barely saw her. He's lucky that she didn't argue with him; he deserved to be yelled at.
Archie: Val! Wait...you were right about being bought and taking shortcuts. After last night, I'm done with the Blossoms.
Valerie: Archie, I'm done with you. Ever since we've started dating, you've ignored me. You've ditched me.
Archie: Val, please! Let me make it up to you.
Valerie: Sorry, Archie, but unlike you, I won't be bought.
[Puts in earbuds and runs off]
Is anyone else on the "Nana Blossom is psychic" team? I'm on it. She's really creepy.
Ever since Riverdale Season 1 Episode 5, she's been the one popping up and foreshadowing plot details. She revealed Polly's secret engagement and now that she's having twins. She's either hiding significant information about everything...or she could be psychic.
My theory is that she'll reveal details about the Jason Blossom murder. She knows more than she's letting on.
Polly has a little Nancy Drew in her. I'm impressed that she's gone undercover to get information. I wonder what she'll find...
The Blossoms are clearly hiding something and the best place may well be within the mansion. She's being smart and cautious about her investigation. Though, she's been there a while and hasn't found anything yet while within half a day, Archie overheard Clifford's framing of Hiram.
She may need to consider a new job if she doesn't find anything soon.
Betty: Mom...Archie, he talked to Polly. She's okay, Mom. She didn't choose the Blossoms over us, she's actually there to spy on them.
[Sniffles and drinks]
Alice: You know, when I went after this story, I thought in the back of my mind, "What if..what if this is finally the time she doesn't come back?"
Betty: She will, Mom! Right now, she's our woman on the inside. We're going to write this story.
Jughead: Come write with us at the Blue and Gold.
Alice: The school newspaper?!
Jughead: Yea, it's what we are, but I'm pretty sure our annual operating budget is bigger than the Register's.
Alice Cooper has shattered my heart. (Look at what you've done, Riverdale. It's broken all over the floor!)
Madchen Amick is ruling every scene she's in. She's effortlessly portraying a heartbroken mother longing to be reunited with her daughter.
Watching her cry over Polly brings out all the emotions.
She deserves so much better than Mr. Cooper. He finds a new way to prove that he's one of the worst, especially after firing her and refusing the story. The rock through the glass door was the perfect bit of revenge.
Speaking of parents, I'm glad to see Hermione finally come clean to Veronica about Hiram. It's been a long time coming for her to share any details.
The same goes for Fred. Even though the pair are now broken up, he did need to know the truth. His life and business were in danger if she didn't mention anything to him.
Kudos to Veronica for taking a stand against the Lodge name and reaching out to Ethel.
She felt guilty about the situation and wanted to help someone who was wronged by her father. This is why I like the character of Veronica, she's honorable.
I like that the writers gave us a budding new friendship between these two characters.
They're so different, but they understand each other in a way. They seem like they could become good friends...or at least to what it equates to in high school.
Does anyone else agree that Ethel has had it rough?
Things were really chaotic for her before Veronica came to town. After clearing her name in the Chuck playbook scandal on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 3, she got to enjoy some peace. And I hope that she gets to enjoy it again and that her father gets a swift recovery.
While the clothes and accessories were a nice touch, it doesn't make up for what Veronica's dad did to Ethel's family.
Still, it's great to see Ethel accept Veronica's apology. This takes real growth for someone to do and Ethel seems like a mature person. It's out of their hands what happened in the past.
Don't get me wrong, I still find Ethel suspicious. My gut is telling me that she's hiding something. I'll have to wait and see to determine if the hunch is correct.
Veronica: Ethel, I meant what I said. I'm sorry, Ethel. For everything my family did to yours.
Ethel: It's not your fault what your dad did, and you were there for me when no one else was. More than once.
[Motions to seat next to her]
Ethel: Seats not taken if you want it.
[Veronica sits and Jughead's voiceover begins]
Jughead: It seems that for Veronica, the sins of the father will remain simply that.
Do you think Hiram orchestrated Jason's murder? I don't think so. It seems too easy.
Betty, Jughead and Archie's theory does have some merit to it. He has a reason to go after the Blossoms, after all.
However, I think there are other more pressing suspects around who could've done it. My main theory still is that Mrs. Blossom did it.
Hiram will eventually be freed from prison and the Blossoms better be careful. He doesn't seem like the type of person who ignores when someone goes after him. Clifford and Penelope struck first, but Hiram could be the one to finish it all.
What did you think of "Chapter Nine: La Grande Illusion"? Will Archie and Valerie get back together? Will Polly discover any dirt on the Blossoms? What revenge does Cheryl have up her sleeves?
If you missed the latest episode of Riverdale, you can watch Riverdale online via TV Fanatic. Come back here and let us know what you think.
Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.
