A letter threatens the production of Carrie: The Musical

In The CW’s Riverdale 2×18, Kevin (Casey Cott) starts production of Carrie: The Musical when he receives a letter allegedly from the Black Hood! Kevin confides in their videographer for the musical, Jughead (Cole Sprouse), but they brush off the threat because the Black Hood was captured and killed months ago. The threats persist and demand the role of Carrie be recast. Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch) doesn’t back down from the threat, but Penelope (Nathalie Boltt) overrules her and revokes her permission for Cheryl to participate in the play. The play is down their lead role, so Kevin promotes Midge (Emilija Baranac) to the role of Carrie.

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While the production of Carrie has a few mysterious incidents, a number of friendships and relationships are repaired. Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Veronica (Camila Mendes) mend their relationship after Archie (KJ Apa) points out that Veronica is dealing with a lot of family drama. Cheryl and Josie (Ashleigh Murray) also mend their relationship after Cheryl apologizes for her stalker-like behavior. Alice (Mädchen Amick) plays the role of Carrie’s mother and allows her to spend more time with her daughter. But not all relationships are smooth sailing this episode. Hiram (Mark Consuelos) gets in between Archie and Fred (Luke Perry), which causes Archie to finally choose his side. Alice and FP (Skeet Ulrich) are on thin ice after FP blows off Alice in Pop’s. Hal (Lochlyn Munro) pleads with Alice for another chance at their marriage. Both Hal and FP show up to the opening night of the play, but it’s unclear as to who Alice will choose.

Here to discuss our favorite moments from Carrie: The Musical, Cheryl’s performance to show Penelope who really calls the shots in the Blossom family, and that shocking ending is our Riverdale roundtable:

Linda (@linda_toven) – Student, coffee addict, binge watcher and workout super fan!

Yari (@msluvchocolate) – Fangirl before it was cool. My favorite quote is “Live long and prosper… Peace and long life.”

Maggie (@jugsangel) – Wannabe Veronica Lodge with a passion for fictional character analysis

Bre (@NancyRiverDrew) — Almost graduate, journo, Team Bughead, likes to say she’s a Betty, but she’s probably more of an Ethel

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

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1. This episode was all about Carrie: The Musical. What was your favorite scene or moment from the musical and why?

Linda (@linda_toven): First of all, I loved the whole episode. I especially loved the scene in which Archie bought an old car to fix it up with his dad. And I loved how Betty reconciled with Veronica. And it was cute that Cheryl and Josie got along with each other again. All of these reconciliations were good to see. But I also liked the scene where Cheryl was covered in blood and fought back against her mom.

Yari (@msluvchocolate): My favorite scene was Mrs. Cooper walking to be a part of the play. She just walks in like “Yeah I’m here, so what?”

Maggie (@jugsangel): I had quite a few favorite moments. I really liked “The World According to Chris” performance and I thought Camila did an amazing job with that. It’s such a Veronica song, so it fits perfectly. I also liked how Jughead was going around filming everyone. It was quite funny and allowed us to see his goofy and awkward side a little bit more, so I enjoyed that too.

Bre (@NancyRiverDrew): That’s tough, but I really did love the rekindling of friendships between Josie and Cheryl and then Betty and Veronica. They were touching moments that were great reminders of why I love these characters and this show. But “The World According to Chris” is also a bop!

Candace (@jaxthevampire): To be honest, I don’t think I was too impressed with the songs from the musical they were performing. I liked the other songs the best. The rehearsal scenes were really good, and I particularly LOVED the scene were Betty just went savage on Veronica. In my opinion, Veronica has been deserving of that for a while.

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2. Quite a few friendships and relationships have repaired this episode. Which one did you enjoy the most?

Linda: I enjoyed the repaired relationship between Betty and Veronica the most.

Yari: Chuck and everyone else. I know it seems weird that I’m picking him but I never thought Chuck was a bad guy. What he did was stupid but not enough to write him off completely.

Maggie: I really loved the moment Cheryl apologized to Josie. It felt like a really honest moment between the two of them and I think we finally got a resolution to that storyline which was really nice. I want to see more of them together. I also really enjoyed seeing Jughead and Archie act like friends again even though we didn’t see a reconciliation, they’ve always been my favorite friendship so getting it back was great.

Bre: Fred and Archie’s repaired relationship! Fred deserved better than how Archie was treating him, so it was good to see his son finally make the right decision, stand up to Hiram, and show his dad that he respected him.

Candace: I’m still waiting for what happens between Jughead and Archie. They didn’t really repair their friendship yet, and to be honest, Archie needs to stop being a lap dog to the Lodges and realize he is losing Jughead over some stupid crap. BUT I did love how he is the one that took the steps to fix everything between him and his dad. The scene where Archie uncovers the old car just brought me to tears. Luke Perry continues to be one of the best parts of this show.

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3. Archie aligned himself with Hiram for the better part of this season, and he made a shocking change when Hiram caused tension between him and his father. What were your thoughts on Archie giving back the car to work on one with Fred instead?

Linda: I think it was the best thing Archie could do. His relationship with his father was always so special to me. It felt wrong that Archie did anything to please Hiram.

Yari: I wonder how long did Hiram think that he would have Archie under his thumb? I’m glad he gave the car back. Archie didn’t realize it or understand what that car meant. I think he got through when Hiram pulled that stunt with Fred.

Maggie: I finally felt like I didn’t wanna smack Archie in the head. He’s been a little bit annoying this season for not choosing to stick by his family and doing the right thing, but I think he gets it now. I liked the development he had there. I liked that he listened to Fred and understood how much getting a car together meant to him so kudos to Archie for that one.

Bre: Finally, Archie! It’s about time! He’s just been making bad decisions all season, and he finally did something right. Plus, the jalopy is a great nod to Archie’s car in the comics.

Candace: I absolutely loved this scene. Luke Perry playing that scene to where he is just barely holding in his emotions– just thinking about it makes me tear up again. But, this is Riverdale so I’m hoping that this isn’t a temporary thing. I really wanted to go savage on Hiram when he was baiting Fred. What I really need from Archie is for him to drop Hiram completely, even if that means sacrificing Veronica.

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4. We got a glimpse of Alice and FP restarting their relationship, only for it to fizzle out after the disagreement at Pop’s. Then Hal and Alice spoke about giving their marriage another shot. Who do you think Alice will choose?

Linda: I hope she will choose FP. I ship Falice very much. But I think she will try to work on her marriage with Hal first.

Yari: I’m conflicted. On one hand, I want them together but I also want Hal and Alice together as well. I’m not sure why FP treated Alice the way he did at Pop’s. But unfortunately, he did. Did he expect that Alice would wait around for him?

Maggie: I think even though Alice forgave Hal, she’ll never be in love with him. While I don’t think she loves FP just yet, there’s a big possibility she will. He’s the one she knows she can count on when things get really tough. So no matter what he does, Hal will never be able to compete with that.

Bre: I think she’ll choose FP, but I’m sure the introduction of Jughead’s mom will complicate that next season. Just a reminder that Alice and FP are both still technically married to other people.

Candace: I don’t think Alice and FP are over. We saw him show up at the play to see her after their conflict at Pop’s. But then, of course, he left after Alice is stupidly trying to make it work with Hal. Here’s how I see it going: Hal is gonna be an asshole again after Alice is ready to embrace the Southside and everything is going to fall apart again. That’s when FP comes back in and isn’t an idiot this time.

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5. Cheryl put on a convincing performance at her house to intimidate her mother. Do you think Penelope and Claudius will back down now?

Linda: I think Penelope and Claudius will finally back down. But there is more to come from the two of them. They are not done with Cheryl and Nana Rose, and maybe with the whole town.

Yari: Not sure if Claudius would, maybe Penelope. I’m afraid of what Cheryl is capable of.

Maggie: They might but I don’t think it’ll stick, they’ll probably find some way back into Cheryl’s life to finish their plan and try to get rid of her and Nana Rose.

Bre: No. Cheryl gets her extreme behavior from her family. She might be able to kick them from Thistle House, but they are not going away.

Candace: I mean, I’d be terrified of Cheryl. She’s very unpredictable and well, kind of crazy. She will go for insane theatrics to get what she wants and I have no doubts that she will drive them off eventually.

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6. If you were in Riverdale High, which part of Carrie: The Musical would you have auditioned for?

Linda: I think I would have auditioned for the leading role of Carrie. I don’t know why, but I just liked the scenes with Cheryl as Carrie.

Yari: None. I would be a stagehand. There is no way I would want to be on stage with any of them because of the threats to the production. The moment that sandbag fell, I would have given my part to someone else.

Maggie: I would definitely have auditioned for Chris. She might not be a “good girl” but from what I saw in the episode she was the most interesting to me. She had some fire to her that I really enjoyed seeing.

Bre: None, because I’m not a great singer and I’m not much of a fan of Carrie’s plot. But the songs and characters worked so perfectly for Riverdale, and I loved hearing the cast sing more and watching KJ’s dance moves!

Candace: I would be Jughead. I’m not a singer or an actress. I’m the writer.

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7. The Riverdale High students didn’t take the threat of the Black Hood seriously, but it sure seems like he or she is back now from the very last scene! Why do you think this Black Hood decided to announce their presence on opening night?

Linda: It was the perfect place to tell the whole town that he is back. Also, he has a personal preference for this kind of performance. And he had admitted to Betty that he was present at the town meeting at the end of season one. So he is very interested in things which include the whole town.

Yari: First of all, I knew that this whole Black Hood thing wasn’t over. I was surprised that he/she went after Midge though. The focus was all about Cheryl this episode. Why Midge? What were her sins that the Black Hood thought that the town needed to be cleansed of?

Maggie: The Black Hood probably knew he’d have a full audience to see what happens when people don’t take his threats seriously. I can only imagine one of his goals is to cause everyone to feel paranoid and scared. And there’s no better way to do just that than to show everyone a dead girl stuck to a wall with scissors and knives right? He probably thought it was a good way to get his point across.

Bre: It looked like the whole town was there! What better way to make a reappearance than in front of a crowd like that? And based on everyone’s terrified responses, he clearly made his point.

Candace: I don’t think it’s the real Black Hood. I think it’s a copycat. I find it hard to believe that the Black Hood would really care about a high school musical and who plays the lead. But then again, this is Riverdale. Anything can happen.

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Final Verdict: The threat of the Black Hood isn’t over!

The Riverdale High students didn’t take the threatening letters seriously, that is, until the opening night when Midge was found murdered! It’s clear that the Black Hood, or a copycat, is back and seeking revenge on the residents of Riverdale. Cheryl is distraught over Penelope’s decision to prevent her from participating in the play. Toni (Vanessa Morgan) encourages Cheryl to stand up to her mother because she’s not done playing the role of Carrie. Cheryl puts on her own performance when she threatens to burn down Thistle Hill if Penelope didn’t grant her emancipation and ownership of the house. Archie stands up to Hiram and finally sides with his father regarding the car he was gifted. Some relationships mend, while others fizzle out. Even Chuck (Jordan Calloway) redeems himself by being nothing short of a gentleman.

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Kevin questioned age-inappropriate casting by his decision to cast Alice as Carrie’s mother in the musical. The comment must have been intentional since the actors playing high school students in Riverdale are all adults. The reconciliations this episode seemed a little rushed because some of those issues warrant a lengthy discussion. Cheryl’s behavior by stalking and threatening Josie earlier this season wouldn’t be easy to forgive. But the characters seem to forgive and move on this episode. Riverdale brought back the villain from earlier this season, the Black Hood. We have so many questions regarding this reappearance. Why did the Black Hood lay low for so long? And is this a new player, or did the Black Hood work with a partner earlier this season? One thing’s for sure, the Black Hood is causing havoc for the sinners in Riverdale.

Riverdale mourns the loss of Midge in the next episode. The threat of the Black Hood has only just begun, as he or she threatens to come after those that escaped judgment before. Cheryl warns the Sheriff that his days are numbered, either because his affair will be exposed or because the Black Hood might come after him. The Coopers seemingly disagree over Chic and the danger he brought to their house. And did you see that emotional scene between Alice and FP? We won’t have to wait long for answers because Riverdale returns in just one week.

Riverdale returns Wednesday, April 25 at 8/7c on The CW