If the price to join The Farm is drowning, their followers should really reconsider their life choices.

Alice nearly became Riverdale's next victim on Riverdale Season 3 Episode 13. Her brush with death came at the hands of her eldest daughter, but it's The Farm that has mass-produced this dangerous line of thinking. The path to "ascension" is a big cost.

Alice should count her lucky stars that Betty saved the day. She's the only one thinking clearly.

Betty is so underappreciated for the amount of work she puts in to help her family.

Between Alice, Polly, Hal, and even Chic, Betty had been their guardian angel who saved the day on countless occasions. And yet, they turned on her and scoffed her concerns every chance they got.

If a "baptism" required a waiver excusing death, the right course of action would be to feel concerned. It would be heartless for someone to not care. (Looking at you, Polly.)

Plus, why is it always Betty who has to compromise to suit the needs of her family? Clearly, they cared more about their wants and concerns than hers. And we can't ignore that she played the bigger person yet again for her mother's wishes.

Betty didn't need to be at the dress-fitting or agree to go to the baptism, especially since she hates The Farm. There's a lot of maturity within Betty Cooper.

Let's call the baptism for what it was: Polly almost murdered Alice!

She plunged her mother under that water longer than she needed to be. Regardless of ascending or seeing the light, the ceremony kills people if left unchecked. And not a single person stepped from their spot to help Alice.

Related: Get Shudder via Prime Video Channels for Spine-Tingling & Provocative Films, TV Series, & Originals!

What made no sense about the ceremony was how do they help the person after drowning?

Do they give them CPR? Or, is the person supposed to wake up on their own? How long do they hold them under water?

Bertha was absolutely right about its dangerousness. Just think about past ceremonies; The Farm probably murdered countless people in this ceremony.

If Betty didn't show up and actually do something, Alice would be dead.

Evelyn: Your mother is on the verge of discovering something that some people spend their whole lives looking for and never find. There’s no need to be afraid or to stand in the way of that.
Betty: Umm, there is if she’s going to get hurt!
Polly: This is just like Edgar said. You’re a “detractor.” I’m not going to let you ruin this day for Mom.
Betty: Fine, but if Mom dies, her blood is on your hands, Polly.

• Permalink: If Mom dies, her blood is on your hands, Polly.

And yet, it's frustrating as a fan/viewer that Alice couldn't realize that The Farm nearly let her die. That Polly nearly murdered her. And that Betty was the one who saved her.

Along with Betty, we're pulled into this spiral caused by Alice's delusions too.

Sure, the mix of brainwashing and oxygen deprivation from drowning can cause some deliriousness, but Alice can't see the light. Alice keeps choosing others over the one person who actually helps her.

If Alice ever breaks the spell, there might be nothing left for her to come back to.

Veronica dug herself too deep into the hole with her lie about the Fizzle Rocks. Instead of taking a step back and assessing the situation, she kept adding on more deception after another.

By this point, there's no easy way to get out of this mess.

How did we end up back in a situation where Hiram is controlling Veronica again? Let alone the fact that Gladys Jones is controlling her too! Riverdale keeps repeating its history.

Related: Riverdale Season 3 Episode 12 Review: Bizzarodale

It's honorable that Veronica wanted to protect Hermione from Hiram's wrath, and that she wanted to get her family out of the drug business. But, she didn't read the room and it hurt her ... again.

Veronica should drop this "savior" complex.

She tried to help Archie, but it only led to more chaos. She did the same thing for her parents, but they hurt her just as easily. It's a bad cycle that Veronica falls into a lot.

Just like her ex, her character development has an ongoing flaw to it. Hopefully, she grows from this and changes for the better.

There's some shadiness going on between Gladys and Hiram.

After all Veronica's worrying and clandestine meetings with Gladys, her father conceded to the deal a little too easily. Hiram never gives up anything without something greater in return. And the reward wasn't that high.

My theory: he and Gladys are secretly working together and planned everything.

Gladys most likely sent Veronica on a wild goose chase to get the information. She could trust Veronica's loyalty and keep tabs on her partner.

Plus, there's no way Hiram would give up a stake in the drug business. By working with Gladys, he would get profits from the drugs, run the prison as usual, and get his daughter under his thumb. We ended up back to everything working out for Hiram.

Let's prepare ourselves for his eventual "twirling mustache" reveal.

Veronica: My father is going after the Ghoulies. He says they’re the cooks and the runners. So, if you want to win this war, you’re going to need soldiers to fight it.
Gladys: Well, it looks like the pretty bird bought herself another day. Keep up the good work, little magpie.

• Permalink: Keep up the good work, little magpie.

Similar to Veronica, Jughead was so far deep into the hole that he couldn't see sunlight anymore. In his case, it was his pride that did him in.

Toni wasn't stupid; she knew that Jughead ONLY wanted her back because people were leaving the Serpents to join her group. And from the sounds of Sweet Pea and Fangs, other people left too in droves.

Clearly, Jughead isn't a great leader.

Related: Love Hurts: 25 Obsessive Love Stories on TV

Betty would've understood if he needed to give Toni power within the Southside Serpents. Do we honestly think Betty is going to stick around Riverdale to be the Serpent Queen? No, she'll leave for university the first chance she gets.

As I discussed in the Riverdale Season 3 Episode 9 review, I think Jughead bungled this entire situation with Cheryl and Toni. If he had given them a second chance like Fangs, this wouldn't have happened.

Could we be seeing a situation where Gladys makes a play to take over the Southside Serpents?

She not only called out her son for his failings as a leader, but she fixed the mess he couldn't by winning over the foes. And with the increased numbers of the Gargoyles/Ghoulies in the mix, her base within the gang has risen.

I love the short progression we've had with Gladys so far in Riverdale Season 3.

Her confidence and determination came right out of the gate when Jughead visited her. But, it's the ambition and manipulative side that's making waves. Plus, she's witty as hell too!

Gladys is doing everything right to be an integral part of the plot. I wouldn't be surprised if her and Jellybean's goal is more of a web than a linear direction.

Now that Cheryl and Toni have defined the leadership terms of the Pretty Poisons, we'll have to wait and see if Cheryl actually honors that agreement.

Sure, she loves her girlfriend, but Cheryl also loves power too. The cold look in her eye outside of the Chock'lit Shoppe gave me chills! Cheryl basked in the powertrip.

The tension over the gang could be the first troubling sign for "Choni."

Toni would love to return to the Southside Serpents for sentimental reasons, but she loves leading the Pretty Poisons too. She's not going to give it up. And if Cheryl uses the gang for her own personal use again, the same argument could happen.

It would be a shame to see the couple disintegrate because of workplace drama. Choni is one of the strongest couples on Riverdale.

"Chapter Forty-Eight: Requiem of a Welterweight" captured the essence of "Toxic Archie" in a nutshell. Almost all of his bad qualities came out for display this time around.

There was no one to blame but himself for the trouble that happened.

Firstly, he had no proper boxing training whatsoever. His illegal matches in juvie were unsanctioned and fueled by the need for survival. Here, the other fighters received years of training, and some of them took months before stepping into a ring.

Did Archie really think a few days/weeks of training with Tom Keller would put him on the same level as the others?

His eagerness almost got him killed! Archie should've listened to the trained professional. If he wanted to take boxing seriously, he needed to act seriously.

Secondly, him making a deal with Elio to throw the match might be in the Top 10 stupidest decisions that Archie has ever made.

He just escaped his mob relationship with Hiram. Archie went to jail and nearly got murdered because of it. Why would he throw himself back into that shady world?!

Plus, if people found out Archie agreed to throw a fight for money, his boxing career would be over before it ever again. Sporting organizations take that stuff seriously.

Archie justifying his involvement in the bribe only made it worse. He didn't need to rush his career because he wanted to hit someone; good things come with patience.

Any common sense he built up from his vision quest extinguished at that moment.

Josie: Well, you are sweeter than a strawberry milkshake, Arch, but I’ve got a meeting with our college advisor. Maybe we can meet up after school?
Archie: Actually, I’m training with Mr. Keller then.
Josie: Oh. Are there any college scholarships for boxing out there?
Archie: No, but stepping between those ropes, Josie, it gets me and keeps me in a good headspace. Helps me focus. Forget about everything else outside of the ring.
[A second of silence]
Archie: Well, almost everything else.
Josie: Yeah, well, just don’t go messing up that pretty face, Andrews. It’s growing on me.

• Permalink: Yeah, well, just don’t go messing up that pretty face, Andrews. It’s growing on me.

Lastly, where was the buildup in Archie and Josie's romance?

I didn't see much. The two barely had any screentime together from their first kiss to their climactic hookup.

Related: Riverdale Round Table: Are You Shipping Josie and Archie?

Riverdale presented a storyline about the pair being too busy for each other and on different paths. But, they at least supported one another and flirted a bit. Overall, the tone felt very friendly and civil.

If the characters are acting like they have better things to do, why should we put stock in the storyline? It would be a shame if they end in the next episode without ever having a chance to grow as a couple. They need more scenes together.

Archie keeps jumping into these romantic storylines without the work. And Josie deserves so much better.

Last Thoughts From Sweetwater River:

• Nothing irritates me more than bad continuity in a scene. Just look at Archie's hair after he's done practicing with Tom Keller! The hair is clearly stylized out of the blue.
   
• After everything that happened to Betty because of The Farm, why would Kevin ever agree to join them? He doesn't need a boyfriend that bad.
   
• When Betty ran through the streets to get to the baptism, all I could think was: "Does she not drive?" and "Has Betty never heard of Uber?"
   
• The names of former Riverdale characters that were lost to the Gargoyle King was a nice touch to see in the lair. A keen eye and rewatch will be needed to see who was scratched out.

Sweet Pea: Look, girls, we don’t want any trouble from your little sorority.
Cheryl: Don’t call us “girls,” and don’t belittle us.
Fangs: Or what? You’re going to challenge us to a pillow fight?
[Awkward silence]
Sweet Pea: Seriously Cheryl, what is this?
Cheryl: We’re the Pretty Poisons, Pea Brain. And we’re here to deliver a message to you and your leader that we are not to be dismissed or trifled with.
[Cheryl starts walking away and the Pretty Poisons move forward]
Cheryl: Ladies, introduce yourselves...
Fangs: Hey, take it easy.
Sweet Pea: We don’t want any trouble.
[The Pretty Poisons beat up Fangs and Sweet Pea]

• Permalink: Don’t call us “girls,” and don’t belittle us.

• Fangs and Sweet Pea need to get over their misogynist attitude! All of the members are ex-members of other gangs; their dismissal will be their downfall.
   
• Let's not ignore the creepy interim leader of the Gargoyles. There's still a Gargoyle King around and the big reveal will probably happen in the Riverdale Season 3 finale.
   
• Are FP and Alice no longer a thing? It seemed strange that FP wasn't around for Alice's baptism prep or that Gladys slept at FP's house.

Now, over to you, Riverdale fans!

What did you think of "Chapter Forty-Eight: Requiem for a Welterweight"?

Will Betty be forced to live at The Farm? Could the trouble over the Pretty Poisons be a warning sign for Choni's future? Are Gladys and Hiram secretly working together?

If you missed the latest episode of Riverdale, you can watch Riverdale online via TV Fanatic. Come back here and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Justin Carreiro was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.