Riverdale Season 1 Episode 13 Review: The Sweet Hereafter
Justin Carreiro
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Burn, Blossom, burn!
I never doubted Cheryl knew how to bring down the house.
The Riverdale Season 1 finale was a battle of fire and ice for our favorite characters on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 13. Just because the murder investigation was over, it didn't mean the drama died.
"Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter" delivered with a thrilling finish. We got A LOT of answers to the burning questions we've had all season.
Kudos to the writers for wrapping up the Jason Blossom motive right at the beginning. Having them explain the Blossom drug business, Clifford's web of death and Jason's kidnapping tied up all loose ends. It would've been terrible to see this dragged out even further when we had most of the facts already.
It closed the book on the Riverdale Season 1 mystery and started prepping for the next season.
Veronica: Cheryl, I'm so sorry I'm late.
Cheryl: All you missed was my abdication. The Vixens are in the gym awaiting you, their new Directorix. And I wanted to give you this.
[Gives Her A Shirt]
Veronica: Your "HBIC" shirt?
Cheryl: These last few days have put things in perspective.
Veronica: I understand, but if you personally need anything..
Cheryl: I'm fine...#MyTearsForBlossomMen.
[She leaves]
Cheryl had all the warning signs of someone who needed help. I felt so worried for her. My gut was telling me she was plotting a suicide.
Maybe it's because I recently watched 13 Reasons Why, but having only Veronica notice something was wrong and then acting up only until she texted her frustrated me. However, it felt very true to real life. People have a tendency to not notice pain or do anything until something bad does happen.
I'm glad Archie and friends saved her in time from the ice.
Cheryl is one of my favorite characters, and Madelaine Petsch does an amazing job bringing the sass to life. Though, I think her burning down Thorn Hill could hurt her next season. (Could she be in an asylum?!)
"#ArchieSmash" needs to be a thing. Like right now!
Someone, please create a GIF or a meme about this. Archie brought out his inner Hulk to break through that ice to get to Cheryl. It might be one of my favorite scenes from the entire first season.
Strangely enough, I'm glad the special effects team didn't shy away from showing blood. Breaking through thick ice isn't an easy thing to do and it takes a lot of pain. This pain added to the intensity of the scene and suited it well.
Can't Jughead ever get some peace? He was finally happy for a bit.
Of course, the social worker would arrive to rip him away from the Andrews. Even though Fred had a DUI from years prior, I'm surprised Jughead wasn't allowed to stay. It caused more disturbance for him to be moved than to stay.
I'm glad in the end that Jughead and FP buried the hatchet, in a way. FP is looking at some serious jail time and we might not see him for a while. It's nice that Jughead (and us as viewers) got some resolution to their father-son relationship.
Veronica: Betty, now that it's just us girls, and at the risk of us failing the Bechdel test, are you legitimately cool with Archie and me? Swear on the September issue?
Betty: And on my copy of "Forever" by Judy Blume.
[They laugh]
Who thinks that Archie is crushing on Betty? I'm leaning towards this theory.
Sure, he "claims" that he's happy for them and wants a similar relationship like Betty/Jughead but with Veronica. However, we all know Archie. His dating life is a hot mess. (Scratch that: HE'S A HOT MESS.)
It's clear that he wants his best friend. Archie is like a kid with a toy. He only wants her now because things are working out with Jughead.
And where did this sudden attraction come from?! It came out of nowhere. He was fully into Veronica on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 12.
We finally learned the truth about Alice and Hal in high school: They have a son!
Granted, I had a feeling this twist had something to do with a pregnancy. I wasn't sure if Alice had the baby, but it was clear that was a baby involved.
Let's be real, this mysterious Cooper baby is coming to town in Riverdale Season 2. The writers are teasing this surprise reveal. This new Cooper could be bad news.
Alice: The night of the homecoming when your father and I were crowned king and queen, the fight that FP saw, I had just told your father I was pregnant. And we disagreed on how best to handle...things. And we had a really big fight, and the next day I went away.
Betty: To the Sisters of Quiet Mercy?
Alice: Yeah, and five months later your brother was born. The Sisters arranged for a quiet adoption.
Betty: God, Mom, I'm so sorry.
Alice: It's the biggest regret of my life.
Betty: I'm so sorry.
[Crying]
Betty: It's okay, Mom.
[They hug and sob]
Is everyone else upset with Hermione too? I can't even with this character. She is the most inconsistent.
As I mentioned in the review for Riverdale Season 1 Episode 12, Hermione's priorities keep changing. She used to be a warm character and mother, but now she's morphing into this power hungry opportunist. I can't believe how cold she was to Fred. He was the only person there for her when people turned against her.
Maybe this is Hermione's true colors? She could be just as evil as Hiram. He is coming back, after all.
Poor Josie (and Ashleigh Murray). She's been barely utilized throughout the season. And Riverdale Season 1 Episode 13 fell into the same trap: Josie is only used for music.
With exception to her half-centric episode on Riverdale Season 1 Episode 6, Josie's character development has fallen flat. We only know about her ambition to be a performer and her overbearing parents. Beyond that, she pops around to play music.
Hopefully, for Riverdale Season 2, the writers fix this issue and give Josie a dedicated storyline. The same can be said with Kevin too. Both of these characters only pop up for added friend support or plot points.
I loved Betty's speech. She's always the constant moral center of Riverdale.
Sure, it was a little cheesy with the whole slow clap and silent nods from the audience members. However, it was something that needed to be said to bring the town together.
Though, whoever trashed her locker with the doll noose and blood needs to be arrested. I have a feeling this tone will lead into Riverdale Season 2 with the town fighting against each other.
Betty: Wow, it looks great in here.
Jughead: I cleaned it up, after Sheriff Keller thrashed it. In case my dad...
Betty: Until he gets out, I'm not giving up on him, Jug.
Jughead: I know, and that is why I love you, Betty. I love you, Betty Cooper.
Betty: Jughead Jones...I love you.
[They kiss]
It was bound to happen that these couples were going to hook up eventually. Strange coincidence that it was going to be the same night. I didn't exactly buy this plot timing.
Betty and Jughead failing in their act (they were interrupted by the Serpents) basically sums up their relationship. Something always gets in the way of them having a true, happy moment together. The Riverdale writers LOVE to toy with our emotions, especially with all the chat about "soul mates".
I'm crossing my fingers Jughead doesn't become a Southside Serpent. He's seen what happened to his dad and I would hate if he turned out the same way.
Oh my God! That last scene in Riverdale Season 1 Episode 13 left my jaw on the floor.
There was definitely going to be a cliffhanger at the end. Everything was looking too bright and happy for Archie after his night with Veronica; it was a dead giveaway that a tragedy was coming. Poor Fred.
Do you think Fred is going to die?! I need Riverdale Season 2 right now.
What did you think of "Chapter Thirteen: The Sweet Hereafter"? Will Fred survive the gunshot? Will Cheryl get the help she needs? Is the Serpent jacket the beginning of the end for Jughead and Betty?
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.
