Riverdale Round Table: Archie's Superhero Aspirations

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Jughead won a game of Murder!, Archie dressed in a mask and hoodie to threaten Dodger, and Veronica discovered she had a half-sister on Riverdale Season 4 Episode 5.

Below, TV Fanatics Paul Dailly, Meaghan Frey, Becca Newton, and Jasmine Peterson debate Hiram's mayoral aspirations, Charles' claims of having the serial killer gene, and Jughead's competition to be the next Baxter Brothers writer.

Hiram was cleared of all charges and will campaign to be the mayor of Riverdale. Do you think he and Hermosa will win the election?

Paul: Yes! They're a force to be reckoned with, and they proved that very quickly on Riverdale Season 4 Episode 5. Hermosa is scary, and Veronica should be afraid.

Meaghan: For sure. Hiram Lodge gets whatever he wants. The only thing that is going to take down Hiram is death.

Becca: Sadly, yes. As unexciting as a Mayor Hiram storyline sounds, why bother mentioning his candidacy unless he’s going to win?

Jasmine: No doubt! Is it even Riverdale if jailbirds don't get into authoritative positions?

I don't know, Meaghan. Not only death can hold down Hiram. Hiram & Hermosa are about to wreak havoc!

Hermione's Trial - Riverdale Season 4 Episode 5

Archie donned a hoodie and mask to fight criminals in the neighborhood. Share your thoughts on his new vigilante alter ego.

Paul: Meh. Next. I'm so tired of Archie thinking he's in the Arrowverse.

Meaghan: That was the most eye-rolling cringe-worthy thing ever. Archie Andrews is not a badass no matter how much he pretends to be.

Becca: Archie’s costume gave me Black Hood vibes. I’m curious if anyone will point out the similarities between Vigilante Archie and The Black Hood.

Jasmine: I don't know, Paul. I can see him in the next Arrowverse crossover. LOL!

He tries so hard. I'm kind of enjoying this, but for all the wrong reasons, I'm sure. Unless he's willing to kill someone, he's just not badass enough to be convincing. Dark Betty in her black bobbed wig is more intimidating.

Making A Case - Riverdale Season 4 Episode 5

Betty's search through her memories and diaries revealed that Hal pushed her into killing her cat, Caramel. Is her descent into becoming Dark Betty inevitable or is she strong enough to resist?

Paul: I don't think she's strong enough to resist it. There's so much we don't know about her past that it's all starting to come together in a way I didn't expect.

Meaghan: I think if she wasn't constantly confronted with it then she would be fine.

However, if you continuously have people like Hal Cooper telling you that you have darkness in you or a creepy half-brother who is tailoring a whole class to point out your serial killer side, it is kind of hard to ignore it.

Becca: Betty becoming Dark Betty is not inevitable. Her issues are due to external factors (aka. Hal and Alice), not some sort of inner darkness as she fears. No doubt she will once again prove to be Riverdale’s most resilient character.

Jasmine: I agree with Meaghan. It's constantly brought up or bleeding into all aspects of her life. She's in too many positions where giving into that part of herself would be easy. She hasn't been resisting it if you think about it, she just hasn't fully committed to it ... yet.

Charles claimed to also have the serial killer gene like Betty. Do you think he's telling the truth?

Paul: Nope. Charles is a strange one. He's obsessed with the family, and it shows.

Meaghan: That would be an extremely random coincidence given that Betty got it from Hal, not Alice. After the whole Chic situation, I'm surprised they aren't getting a DNA test on this guy.

Kevin: So, we’re not bailing on your hot brother’s FBI class? I thought based on what happened to Caramel…
Betty: That was before I got privileged information that made me realized we don’t actually know anything about Charles. Forget “Is Charles is gay or straight?” I’m interested in: “Is if he’s a serial killer or not?”

Becca: I’m not sure. Whether he was lying or telling the truth can work with almost any direction they take Charles.

Jasmine: That's what I said, Meaghan! She got it from Hal, so why is Charles acting like it's a sibling bond?

I think he's lying. He is disturbingly obsessed with this family and worming his way into it, but only Betty's half. I think he likes the idea of grooming his own crime-fighting serial killer in the making.

Hermosa - Riverdale Season 4 Episode 5

The Literary Salon is competing to be the next ghostwriter for the Baxter Brothers book series. Who do you think will win the competition? (As a refresher: the contestants are Brett, Joan, Donna, Johnathan, and Jughead.)

Paul: Jughead, of course. We haven't listened to his heightened narrations about the once sleepy town of Riverdale for nothing. He will ace it.

Meaghan: Jughead. His potential serial killer girlfriend will be extremely useful in planning a perfect murder.

Donna: Enjoying yourself, Jones?
Jughead: So, this is what one percenters do for fun? Play Murder. Oh, by the way…
[Jughead winks]
Donna: Wicked, Jones.
Jughead: I should…
Donna: Yea, go on then. Let me die in peace.
[Donna faints dramatically]

Becca: Given how she’s already proven to be capable of beating everyone else, I think Donna is going to take the win, but events will ultimately make the writing competition moot.

Speaking of Donna, is it weird to like her despite the fact she drugged Jughead, is likely the person who leaked Moose’s past, and who knows what else she’s involved with? The dynamic she and Jughead have developed, especially during the reception scene, has been fun to watch.

Jasmine: Jughead. He'll even write his own "murder."

Witness - Tall - Riverdale Season 4 Episode 5

FP revealed that Forsythe Pendleton the First was the one who gave Jughead all the Baxter Brothers books as a child. Was it a sweet gesture or could it be a reminder to what happened to him at Stonewall Prep?

Paul: This development seemed a little random. FP should have told his son the truth from the get-go, so it's a little bit too on the nose for me to take seriously.

Meaghan: It was pretty obvious once Jughead brought up the books to FP that it had something to do with OG Forsythe given FPs reaction. I couldn't make myself care about it though.

Becca: As much as I want to think it was a sweet gesture since Jughead derived comfort and strength from it, it’s hard to say until we find out if Forsythe the First regretted and changed his ways.

Since the message likely does have something to do with Stonewall, I’m theorizing Forsythe the First either arranged Jughead’s admission or knew the school would target his grandson.

Jasmine: It was very obvious, and I don't know how to feel about it until I know it plays a bigger role somehow.

Missed the latest episode of Riverdale? You can watch Riverdale online via TV Fanatic. Come back here and join the discussion.

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Riverdale Season 4 Episode 5 Quotes

Donna: Enjoying yourself, Jones?
Jughead: So, this is what one percenters do for fun? Play Murder. Oh, by the way…
[Jughead winks]
Donna: Wicked, Jones.
Jughead: I should…
Donna: Yea, go on then. Let me die in peace.
[Donna faints dramatically]

Kevin: So, we’re not bailing on your hot brother’s FBI class? I thought based on what happened to Caramel…
Betty: That was before I got privileged information that made me realized we don’t actually know anything about Charles. Forget “Is Charles is gay or straight?” I’m interested in: “Is if he’s a serial killer or not?”