Riverdale Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Body Double
Justin Carreiro
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Now that is how you get revenge!
Never mess with the girls of Riverdale. Veronica, Cheryl and Betty dished out some major karma on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 3. It's great seeing them team up this early on.
Most cases in a teen drama like this, the lines are clearly drawn from the beginning. You have the popular clique against the wannabes, the jocks vs. the nerds, and other similar high school tropes. It can feel redundant.
I liked seeing mean girl Cheryl work with Veronica and Betty to solve the playbook rumor. They clearly aren't friends, but they like each other enough to have frenemy status. The same goes for having Ethel join in too. There doesn't seem to be any harsh divides that would limit scenes.
This playbook mystery worked well with this group. And having Kevin join in gave us one of my favorite one-liners so far this season.
Cheryl: Color me impressed. A B&E with B&V. What would your Holy Roller mother say about this, Betty?
Betty: What are you doing here. Cheryl?
Kevin: And where did you get those thigh-high boots?! They're amazing.
Speaking of the mystery, we need to talk about Veronica. Was anyone else impressed by her this episode? I was.
She did not back down and let Chuck ruin her name. This is the strong and confident character that is more than her comic book counterpart. Camila Mendes did a good job taking the lead this episode; this was her focus.
My only concern was some of her dialogue. These characters are supposed to be 15/16 years olds and yet some of the things she's saying makes her seem way older. Though, this is an issue with most of the cast.
I like the witty comebacks and vocabulary, but it doesn't feel natural. They're teen characters talking like post-grads who look like university students. It's a strange mix.
Veronica: What the hell is a "Sticky Maple"?
Kevin: It's kinda what it sounds like. It's a Riverdale thing.
Veronica: No, Kevin, it's a slut-shaming thing. And I'm neither a slut nor am I going to be shamed by someone named, excuse me, Chuck Clayton! Does he really think he can get away with this? Does he not know who I am?! I will cut the brakes on his supped-up phallic symbol.
Do you think there's more to this book than meets the eye? This can't just be a one episode mystery. Jughead even teased about it.
The fact that Jason is involved in this game makes it more interesting to the overall story. It adds another layer and opens up new questions, especially with those questions of his week-long disappearance.
Could someone he slept with have caused his murder?
Ethel is creepy. (There, I said it!)
Shannon Purser, who guest starred as the character from Archie Comics, only had a few scenes. However, it was enough to notice that something was strange about her. (Pun intended.)
She appeared at weird moments, she had knowledge about the game, and she came out as the hero in the end. Something must be coming back later on that will involve her in the story. I don't trust her.
The same goes for Chuck Clayton. You don't mess with Betty and Veronica! Their friendship is endgame.
Betty acted really strange this episode. She channeled her sister and went after Chuck for revenge. This must all be retribution for Polly...
With someone as tightly wound and sheltered as Betty, this chance to let loose and get payback probably brought out her dark side. The writers going in this direction was an interesting choice for the character. It showed that on the inside, Betty isn't as perfect as she lets on.
I don't want anything bad to happen to her. (See above for end game.) Hopefully the character does talk with someone to let out her grief.
Though, it CANNOT be her mother!
Mrs. Cooper is not one to be trusted. Everything she's said and done to Betty is the complete opposite of normal motherly love.
Betty: You should be writing about the real story. What happened to Jason? Who was holding him captive? Why was he frozen? And who shot that gun on July 4?
Mrs. Cooper: Yes, well if you're so keen on reporting, then why don't you come work with your father and me? The Register could really use a Lois Lane type like you.
Who else loved seeing Cheryl's mother slap Mrs. Cooper? This moment was long overdue. A villain got her just desserts.
It's one thing to be strict and a heartless person, but Mrs. Cooper crossed the line. She went to the morgue and wrote about Jason's death! Cheryl's parents are grieving. They didn't need to see that.
I can't help but love-to-hate her. After she called Veronica a slut, karma cannot get her fast enough. I hope it's a scene with Mrs. Lodge – they have great chemistry together.
Mrs. Cooper: Hermoine Lodge. Park Ave Princess to cater waiter.
Mrs. Lodge: Alice Cooper. No longer lactose intolerant, I see.
Mrs. Cooper: How's Veronica? Oh, you don't even know, do you? The things they're saying about your daughter at school?
Mrs. Lodge: What things?
Mrs. Cooper: Slut-shaming. It's what they call it when sluts get shamed.
Did anyone else notice the sparks between Mr. Andrews and Ms. Grundy? That's weird, right?!
These two cannot start dating. That would be too much for this storyline that already needs to end. Let's cross our fingers this spark flames out...
Don't get me wrong, I'm excited Mr. Andrews is finally supporting Archie's interest in music. He should be encouraging and chatting with his teacher. But it should only be as a parent-teacher relationship.
Mr. Andrews: I need you to tell me the truth about something. I know my son has passion for music, but does he have talent? See, I want to be supportive but as a parent, it's really hard to watch your kid chase a dream they may never catch when real opportunities are passing them by.
Ms. Grundy: Mr. Andrews, Archie...he has talent. Unquestionably. I'm not gonna lie to you, he is coming to it late and he's got a lot of catching up to do. And there's an entire world of competition out there.
Mr. Andrews: Will he be able to make a living at it?
Ms. Grundy: It'd be a shame if he didn't at least try.
Josie and the Pussycats got more screen time this episode. And I could not be happier!
This wasn't simply a musical cameo or a short clip. This was actual dialogue and interaction between the characters. They felt a part of the show and we learned more about them, like Valerie's brother and Josie's close friendship with Cheryl.
Even Josie let down her guard with Archie and accepted his music. Could there be a potential romance brewing? She could be the one to break up Ms. Grundy's spell!
Jughead is a great detective. As we learned on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 2, he has a great eye for figuring things out. Maybe even this murder mystery? (If he's not a suspect, of course.)
His investigation into Dilton Doily might be the undoing of Archie's little affair. He already knew that Archie and Ms. Grundy were at the lake on July 4, but Betty didn't. She now knows Ms. Grundy was there too.
Archie's secret doesn't look so secret anymore...
What did you think of "Chapter Three: Body Double"? Should we worry about Betty's transformation? Is Ethel hiding something? Will someone investigate Ms. Grundy being at the lake too?
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.
