The Coopers and Jones’ have a secret that comes back to haunt them

In The CW’s Riverdale 2×17, the shady man’s car is found in the lake. Alice (Mädchen Amick), FP (Skeet Ulrich), Betty (Lili Reinhart), and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) attempt to lay low and not draw suspicions while the investigation is taking place. But what is normal in Riverdale? Betty and Jughead stealthily ask Kevin (Casey Cott) questions regarding the car under a cover story of environmental concerns. Chic (Hart Denton) takes a bold move and puts the Cooper family at risk. Will it finally be the last straw for Chic? Nevertheless, life goes on and the running for student council of Riverdale High is in full swing. Betty and Jughead run against Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Archie (KJ Apa), and Josie (Ashleigh Murray) and Reggie (Charles Melton).

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Tensions run high between the Andrews and Lodge families. Archie sides with Hiram (Mark Consuelos), which puts him at odds with his parents Fred (Luke Perry) and Mary (Molly Ringwald) and his father’s campaign for mayor of Riverdale. Hiram’s business plan is challenged by several family members and he scrambles to ensure his family’s safety. Toni (Vanessa Morgan) worries that she hasn’t heard from Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) since going to “boarding school.” Toni recruits Josie and Veronica to help find Cheryl, but Penelope (Nathalie Boltt) throws them off track by revealing Cheryl’s misguided stalker tendencies towards Josie. Toni gets a tip from Nana Blossom (Barbara Wallace) and she continues to search for Cheryl with the help of Veronica. They uncover an off the books conversion therapy right in Riverdale!

Here to discuss Chic putting the Coopers at risk, Toni taking charge to locate Cheryl, and who has our vote for Riverdale High president, is our roundtable:

Rachelle (@hombriarachelle) – Fangirl, one direction, and kali

Candace (@jaxthevampire) – Writer for TV After Dark and Nerdeek. Professional nerd, flannel enthusiast, and a member of the South Side Serpents.

Łukasz (@CiesielL) – Student, geek, popculture enthusiast, #BugheadIsEndgame

Kelsey (@MsKelsey_H) – Writer, editor, and lipstick connoisseur.

Heather (@xoheatherkw) –  Senior microbiologist, writer for TV After Dark, dog mom, and fangirl extraordinaire.

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1. We got our first look at the different views of Riverdale High’s candidates for student body president; Team Varchie, Team Bughead, and Team Rosie. Who has your vote and why?

Rachelle (@hombriarachelle): Team Bughead, of course! I think they do have a good relationship and what are they fighting for is so worthy.

Candace (@jaxthevampire): TEAM BUGHEAD. Always Team Bughead. For everything. And not just because I love this ship, but because Betty and Jughead never have motives behind what they do. They only ever search for the truth and protect their town. They are in it for the good fight. Jughead’s decisions for the last two episodes have been so inspiring. Young people are always the ones that lead revolutions and change the future. And the future is coming for Riverdale in the shape of Jughead and Betty. Soon, their voices will become many voices and the Lodge family is going to be against a rebellion that they won’t know how to handle.

Łukasz (@CiesielL): Bughead, because 1. I’m always #TeamBughead and 2. They are the only ones that actually care about school and it’s students.

Kelsey (@MsKelsey_H): Team Bughead all the way! Varchie is a power couple no doubt, but Lodge Industries is a house of cards that’s just waiting to come tumbling down. Archie’s divided loyalty has been a big conflict for him this season and whatever he chooses will really test his relationship with Veronica. However, I have faith in my favorite jock and I think he’ll pick Riverdale.

Heather (@xoheatherkw): Team Bughead! I think they have the best interest in mind for all the students, and not just using the campaign as an ulterior motive. Plus, they can do anything once they set their minds to it.

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2. It seems that Cheryl and Toni are officially together. What was your reaction to Toni leading the charge to locate Cheryl, and their blossoming relationship?

Rachelle: I don’t know what the English term is for this but I’m kilig for them- kilig is a term used when you experience so much love, even when it is for other people.

Candace: I wasn’t surprised when Toni was the one leading the charge. She knew something was wrong. Toni and Cheryl have a special connection, and there was no way she was going to let her disappearance stand. This is the reason I love Toni. She’s one of the only characters on the show that knows who she is and is completely unapologetic about it. Most of all the other young characters in this series are still questioning themselves. Betty is still discovering her dark side. Jughead was at war with himself to find where he belonged. Veronica is constantly questioning where she stands with her family. And Archie is constantly trying to find someone else to please. I can go on… then there’s Toni. From the South Side. A Serpent. Photographer. She’s different, and not only does she know it, she’s content with it. She knows where she comes from, and where she’s going. It’s a constant that this series and many of its characters need.

Łukasz: I’ve been shipping them since creators announced that they will be casting Toni Topaz. They are my favorite couple, right next to Bughead.

Kelsey: YES!! I thought it was weird that the drawing of Josie (which was a big dramatic moment) came back just to scare Josie out of rescuing Cheryl. But Choni is endgame and I hope they find a way to bring down Penelope once and for all.

Heather: I’m so glad Toni took charge in discovering Cheryl’s location and rescuing her from that awful conversion therapy. I think they complement each other well, and I can’t wait to see more Choni!

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3. It truly was a team effort to locate Cheryl and rescue her from the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. Now that she’s back, she’s out for revenge against her mother and Uncle Claudius. What do you think she could be planning?

Rachelle: I think that Cheryl is planning to announce to the public what her mom and uncle did to her.

Candace: Cheryl can be a loose cannon. I’m not sure if she is going to aim her revenge directly or just take it out on everyone. She’s very unpredictable, and I’m hoping that Toni or someone helps her control it and aim it in the right direction. But I’m also curious what side Cheryl is going to land on in the student body election. Because whoever she doesn’t vote for… may end up on the wrong side of her revenge.

Łukasz: She should watch her back, that’s for sure. Claudius and Penelope have been planning something for a long time now, so Cheryl needs to keep up. I believe that she’ll get her revenge eventually though. I can’t wait for it to happen!

Kelsey: I think a really big clue is the fact that Cheryl will be playing Carrie in the school musical. In the movie, Carrie uses her power to burn her house with her mother inside it. However, Cheryl has already burned down the manor and when Penelope was recovering from her injuries was the last time Cheryl had any power over her. I bet it’ll be more of a metaphorical burning – maybe exposing Penelope’s sex work?

Heather: I don’t know what she’s planning, but they better watch their backs. I don’t think Cheryl will let them get the upper hand on her again, she’ll be much more careful to observe what they’re planning. Maybe she’ll find a way to scare off Uncle Claudius. I also hope she gets Nana Blossom to help too! Nana Blossom can definitely hold her own if the push down the stairs didn’t take her out, and we know she wants to help Cheryl by giving the clue to Toni about the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.

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4. Mary was shocked by Archie’s behavior disregarding his father and to an extent Betty and Jughead. What is your reaction to Archie continually going deeper into Hiram’s world and further away from his family and friends?

Rachelle: I think Archie is very wrong on teaming up with the Lodges. I think that he should stay away from the Lodges, or he will be in danger because of that.

Candace: Archie is in over his head. I was cheering on Mary as she ripped him to shreds. Archie is attracted to power, and Hiram has filled his head with so much crap that I’m not sure if he’s going to find a way out of it. He likes being important to someone and at this point, I think he’s more in a relationship with Hiram than with Veronica. I mean, let’s be real… what are a group of masked high school students going to do against two mobsters…? *insert eye roll emoji*

Łukasz: Archie is now the biggest idiot on the show. His actions are so cringy! I really dislike him right now. I’m 100% Team Mary on this one. Archie should get his shit together.

Kelsey: It’s pretty dumb. Archie only started working for the Lodges’ because he wanted to look out for his family and for most of the season he understood that the Lodges’ endgame would be different than his. Then, seemingly without warning, Archie is suddenly signing blood-oaths willy-nilly and believing them? I get it’s to ramp up the drama, but without a turning point for Archie, it’s just cheap writing.

Heather: I have to agree with Mary that Archie is pretty unrecognizable. I think it’s a mistake to align himself with the Lodges, especially if the business isn’t quite legal yet. I could see Archie taking the fall if something goes wrong. By pulling away from his family and friends, Archie wouldn’t have anyone to turn to.

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5. Betty and Alice are finally on the same page regarding Chic because he put them at risk. Do you think this is the last we’ll see of Chic?

Rachelle: I don’t think so, Chic is too mysterious.

Candace: It’s. About. Damn. Time. Alice. I don’t really blame her too much because all she’s ever wanted from the very beginning was to have a normal family. She’s spent her whole life running from her past and who she really is. But finally, not only did she see that Chic was dangerous, she finally is at peace with who she is and who she’s always been. Not just from the Southside, but a Serpent. But this is definitely not the last we will see from Chic. He will be back.

Łukasz: Definitely NOT! I mean it would be too easy. Also, Cole Sprouse said, during PaleyFest, that his favorite Bughead scene from season 2 is yet to come, and it involves Chic, so there’s that.

Kelsey: I doubt it. That murder is definitely going to come back to bite one of them, but it’d be nice if Chic took responsibility for his actions and turned himself in to save his family.

Heather: Absolutely not. I’m sure Chic will cause trouble in some way for the Coopers, whether it’s intentional or not.

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6. Alice rethought her stance on the Southside community and is now aligning herself with them. What did you think of her change of heart?

Rachelle: I think that she finally saw what Betty’s trying to say and finally realized that.

Candace: I’m hyped. We got to see a glimpse of Serpent Alice earlier this season, but not like this. I can’t wait to see the Alice we know, mixed with a Serpent Alice. She’s already savage. But now finally at peace with who she really is, I hope she doesn’t hold back anymore. I have a feeling she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Łukasz: I’m happy she changed her mind on Southside by accepting her past. Can’t wait for more Serpent Alice.

Kelsey: I think having the Serpents come to her daughter’s rescue really meant a lot to her. Alice may be a lot of things, but she really does love her children. I think she finally sees the Serpent kids as people who need protection and now they’ve got a firebrand on their side in Alice.

Heather: I’m so glad she had a change of heart. Alice finally embraced that part of her that she had been ignoring for so long. And considering the Southside is up against Hiram and Lodge Industries, the Southside could use all the help they can get!

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7. Now that Alice is no longer fighting her past, she was seen visiting FP in his home at the end of the episode. What do you think is next for Falice?

Rachelle: I think that they will be together at the end of season two.

Candace: FALICE. I’M HERE FOR IT. I’m excited to see them explore more of this story. Ever since finding out that she was a Serpent and has a past with FP, I’ve been ready for more. And of course, we have the extra treat of them disposing of a dead body to worry about as well. I’m ready for Alice and Betty making regular visits to the Wyrm. I’m ready for darker make-up, leather jackets, and tattoos. There’s no way that Alice can be against Betty getting a tattoo now, and I am DESPERATELY hoping this leads to Betty becoming a Serpent. She is certainly tough enough. Just think of it… a family of Serpents. I’m absolutely ready for this storyline.

Łukasz: I think that there’s going to be some romance between them. I hope it won’t be too weird with Bughead around because for me Betty and Jug always come first. But for now, I’m really rooting for Falice.

Kelsey: Look, would it be weird for them to hook up while their kids are dating? Yes. Would I do the same thing if I were in Alice’s position? Yes.

Heather: Now that Alice is finally embracing her past, I can’t wait to see what happens between her and FP. I hope they continue working on communicating with each other and maybe go on a date in the next few episodes. I’d also really love to see what went on in their past with the few mentions of high school that have been mentioned this season.

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Final Verdict: Riverdale brings up the past with the shady man’s car

Betty calls for backup in the Southside Serpents, which help scare off their blackmailers. Alice and Betty are finally on a united front regarding Chic. He put the family at risk too many times, and Alice insists that he leave their house. But is this the last we’ll see of him? Archie and Hiram come up with a temporary solution to their problem of Hiram’s business being challenged. Much to his parents’ chagrin, Archie bails on supporting Fred in his mayoral campaign because he’s busy with Hiram. Toni and Veronica storm the Sisters of Quiet Mercy to rescue Cheryl, and Cheryl devises a plan to get back at her mother and uncle. If Cheryl Bombshell has taught us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t get on her bad side — so they better watch their backs.

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Riverdale solved the mystery of Cheryl’s disappearance and some repercussions of the death of the shady man in the Cooper household. But there are still a few storylines to be explored that have been placed on the backburner. Is the threat of the Black Hood really over? How can Josie and Cheryl move forward as friends, now that Josie found out about Cheryl’s borderline stalker behavior? And what is Cheryl planning for revenge against Penelope and Claudius (Barclay Hope)? And whatever happened to Archie’s music career?

Riverdale is on a three-week hiatus and the next episode is their first musical episode. Cheryl insists on playing lead for Carrie The Musical in Kevin’s production. Familiar faces such as Veronica, Archie, and Betty are also in the musical. Unfortunately, we have to wait three weeks until Riverdale returns.

Riverdale returns Wednesday, April 18th at 8/7c on The CW