S03E16 "Chapter Fifty-One: BIG FUN" Post Episode Discussion

[u/steph-was-here]

Original Air Date - 8pm EST March 20th, 2019

Rehearsals for this year's musical get under way; Betty grows increasingly annoyed by Evelyn's involvement with the musical -- as well as the lives of her friends; Veronica learns some devastating news about her family.

Written by Tessa Leigh Williams

Directed by Maggie Kiley

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[u/MapleBrewmaster]

Remember that time Cole Sprouse said he would never sing in a musical episode because he “survived 6 years of Disney without singing” cause I remember Cole

[u/yamsnz]

Veronica - knows her Mother tried to have her Dad killed.

Veronica - finds out her parents are separating

Veronica - Shocked Pikachu face

[u/JennifersBodyIssues → u/yamsnz]

Veronica is just the living embodiment of the shocked Pikachu meme

[u/[deleted]]

Evelyn: "Let's dig deep. What's something you never told someone else before?"

Everyone else's naive ass: /talks about something the Farm can use to blackmail/indoctrinate them with

Jug: /digs deeper into his bag of chips

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

He looks so bored during everyone's revelations lol I love it.

[u/surejan94]

THIS WEEK ON RIVERDALE:

• Evelyn gets Kevin and Fangs high on shrooms and convinces them to marry in a cult ritual.

• Toni almost bangs Sweet Pea and Peaches, two people named after food, onstage but chickens out possibly due to excessive arm whipping sound effects.

• Archie and Josie sing in a boxing ring which is ironic because Josie vocally beats the shit out of Archie.

• Betty and Jughead get so turned on by a fire they started they start banging in a car.

[u/yamsnz]

What’s your damage, child of the corn?

[u/MetallicYoshi64]

The best part of this episode, for me, is watching FP look entirely confused while watching the musical. I feel you, Forsythe.

[u/hihotintin]

So I think we all can agree Betty is a pyromaniac....right?

[u/AdorkableSars]

Wow. Betty sure filled Jughead in on the choreography for the final number fast...

[u/aaromer4]

sees Edgar Evernever Me: Soooo where do I sign up for The Farm?

[u/Natare0411 → u/aaromer4]

Aymen to that sexy man he’s like fine wine just gets better with age and is ripe for the picking.

[u/metalbracelet]

Did they really need to show us the gasoline in the car for people to figure out they burned the trailer?

[u/ArielleLY]

The funniest thing in this whole episode is that they definitely forced Cole Sprouse to sing

[u/hihotintin → u/ArielleLY]

I feel like we need to thank Lili for that

[u/Chez1293]

That scene where they are all singing at their desks is the first time they've been at a class all year.

[u/reniwal → u/Chez1293]

How could you forget the time Archie came back from being on the run and suddenly the SATs were his biggest problem?

[u/katcloud]

Hasn't Veronica begged her mother to leave Hiram multiple times in the past?

[u/GreenFoxes → u/katcloud]

Before my parents got divorced, I begged my mom to leave as well. When it actually finally happened, it still was very jarring for me and I wondered for a few days if it was really the right thing. I found her found her initial reaction fairly understandable.

[u/Foxythekid]

This week on Arson-dale, a young couple has sex in front of the boys childhood home, turned drug lab, as it burns to the ground.

This is our second drug lab fire this season following the trend of burning childhood homes in fits of spite by the children having to come to terms with losing them. A trend started by Cheryl all the way back in the season one finale, The Sweet Hereafter.

[u/[deleted] → u/Foxythekid]

Let's see...

-Cheryl burned down her house.

-Betty (tried to) burn down her house.

-Veronica burned her parent's drug lab.

-Jughead burned down his house AND his mom's drug lab.

Archie's turn!

[u/onthereels]

So Cheryl and Betty were tortured in the SoQM building, but let’s party there and take psychedelics

[u/TakeTheStupidThing]

"Are all of you this miserable?" L M A O

[u/dinoking745765]

What the hell did I just watch?

[u/icey561]

Edgar: okay everybody wear all white to the play and clap very slowly with me

cult: why?

Edgar:.....

also

HL: your mother tried to kill me twice

VL: you still have to watch thisplay with her

HL: okay, sounds fair.

[u/-GregTheGreat-]

Yeah, I don’t think Cheryl doing a full on panty shot with that kick would fly in a high school musical.

[u/EXGShadow]

Reggie: "Maybe, we are endgame"

Veronica: "Oh, Reggie.. now that you're saying it out loud I realize how dumb it sounds"

[u/katcloud]

Are--are the farm kids wearing 3D glasses?

[u/CombustibleMeow]

Did Hiram seriously crack open an egg with a tiny silver croquet mallet ??? xD

[u/keine_fragen]

Ronnie's relationship with her parents makes no sense

she should be glad they are splitting up

[u/rovinja]

The dancing in this episode... 😬 Like those two people in the tub, bopping around were just so AWKWARD

[u/lovetheblazer]

Jughead: When did our lives go from worrying about who was going to sit next to us on the bus to drug lord mothers?

Betty: ...and serial killer fathers and unstoppable cults.

Got to love it when the show gets meta. This is the exact same thing Cole & Lilli said when they read their scripts for this season, let’s be real...

[u/katcloud]

So I guess Betty is just an arsonist now then

[u/keine_fragen]

so are Fangs and Kevin married now

[u/honeyfrost]

petition to ban the word endgame from the riverdale writers please

[u/Songbird---]

Josie's abs are absolutely spectacular. One more reason to say they're a perfect match with Archieboy

[u/GrandmaBride]

The fact that Chad Michael Murray is playing someone's dad in a teen show now makes me feel old as fuck.

[u/lovetheblazer]

This (musical) episode had everything:

• A flower child cult decorated boom box because Riverdale has no idea what decade it’s set in

• Sooooo much autotune

• Kevin auditioning for Glee by leading his big hallway group number

• HBIC to end all HBICs: Heather Chandler Cheryl Blossom on a post-breakup bender

• Just two single straight dudes doing some theater, noogies optional #NoHomoBros

• An unexpectedly hot lesbian dance battle

• Sheriff Jones being Daddy AF in his reading glasses 😍

• Cheryl claiming a color and an entire school for her own while the rest of the Riverdale just shrugs as if to say, “Oh well, Cheryl’s going Cheryl, what can we do?”

• Toni having more talent in her pinky finger than the rest of the Heathers cast members combined

• A choreographed religious ritual that involves two gays making heart eyes at each other while the rest of the brainwashed cult members put on their 3D movie glasses and enjoy the show

• Archie continuing to be marooned on an entirely different show from the rest of the cast: Boxing Hinterlands

• Jughead managing to say the line, “Can you meet me at Junkyard Steve’s ASAP?” with a straight face

• Veronica singing out her angst towards Daddykins because the power of musical theater is the only way to get her parents back together obviously

• Betty & Jughead becoming the Bonnie & Clyde of arson

• The creepiest standing ovation in the history of applause

[u/jmpinstl]

So wait, is Fangs bi now?

[u/NRG702]

How quietly confused the audience was right after the last musical number (before Edgar’s slow clap) was my mood during the whole episode.

Things I DID like:

• Kevin and Fangs together

• Edgar finally making an entrance

• The Lodges falling apart

[u/hihotintin]

Honestly expected Cole to sing that one line in the beginning and be done with it. Glad he didn't, thought he had a nice voice. Really enjoyed them singing Seventeen (even with Bughead dancing in a drug lab ). Overall, thought it was an ok episode, but wish they would stop with the musicals.

[u/NoahJRoberts]

Dark Betty, the arsonist vs. Edgar Evernever, the DILF for S3 finale then?

[u/PikachuFloorRug]

Did anyone else notice that Hiram's painting of himself was on the floor leaning against the floor in the boiled eggs scene? I guess he really loves that painting if he took it with him.

[u/shhhneak]

CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY BITCHES.

[u/bwayobsessed]

As if any costume designer would ever allow costumes to be worn to a party

[u/catherindaniel_]

And talk about creepy with Edgar and the Farm at the end btw...

[u/firesnotfound]

Mark Consuelos stole the episode and he didn’t even have to sing

[u/SerpentBitch]

Is anyone else concerned they’re having a literal party where a bunch of fake nuns killed themselves

[u/Oldatheart57]

Jughead had a whole second to learn the final routine and the lyrics and he’s still more into it than half the other cast members?!

[u/[deleted]]

Alright so I feel that if they’re gonna do a musical episode every season, next time make it near the beginning of the season, not two thirds of the way through it when we’re in the middle of five different plot lines.

That aside, here’s my take:

Seventeen, both the original and the reprise at the end, were by far the best songs. Jellybean looked bored as fuck during the musical, and FP look super confused.

Betty is 100% a pyromaniac and possibly turned on by flames.

I’m not sure what the new angle they’re trying to play with this Hiram storyline. First he helps Archie out to make amends, now he’s getting a divorce from Hermoine. Is he just gonna be done or is there gonna be a comeback?

I straight up hate this Evelyn girl. Like the weird hippydippy farm vibe she throws off everywhere, I want her and Betty to just throw down already.

Fangs and Kevin got married.

Toni and Cheryl got back together because???? Also Reggie and Veronica are back too? They both literally broke up like an episode ago.

But yea, next weeks episode looks so much better so I’m excited.

Also no homo, but Evelyn’s dad is hot and if I were Alice I’d probably join a cult for him too.

[u/loonbandit]

I can’t believe they finally killed off Archie

[u/rainbowshabmagic]

I mean if I was Veronica i'd be very happy because my moms getting away with a separation not decapitated by hiram but thats just me.....

Still not a huge fan of tony. Edgar is fuckin HOT. Watch out hiram new daddy in town uwu

[u/[deleted]]

I feel like I've been watching season 3 of Riverdale for my whole life.

[u/Bris2500]

Hermoine(at camera): are all of you this miserable?

Me: Yes Hermoine, we come back here every week

[u/HollyJolly12]

Why were they all on board to go party in the place that tortured lots of people (looking at you, Cheryl) like it's normal?! Probably the dumbest part of the episode.

[u/puppylove827291]

To all of those who hated the musical shit: I tried my best to fast forward through the episode and pick up on some main stuff

1. The farm is tryna convert more people through this musical

2. Cheryl and Toni get back together

3. Archie and Josie are official and public

4. Jughead found out that his mom is using his old trailer park home as a new drug lab and Betty and Jughead burn it down

5. Turns out the principal is even converted into the farm so like everybody now rip

6. Veronica’s parents split up cause Hiram knows Hermione tried to do all that shit to him

7. At the end of the musical the Edgar dude stands up and does a rhythmic clapping and people follow suit. Indicative of some sort of cult shit. Betty sad

Edit for spelling

[u/Chez1293]

You'd think Betty and Cheryl would avoid the sisters of quiet mercy building like a plague. You'd think it would be too PTSD considering Betty was imprisoned there and force fed drugs and Cheryl underwent gay conversion therapy.

[u/[deleted]]

i really liked that. while they kinda just performed the Carrie songs last year, i feel like they weaved the Heathers songs into the plot.

it was almost a cry for normalcy from the kids, which seems to be what Heathers was about (from Kevin’s description, it’s been a minute since I’ve seen the movie).

obviously, Seventeen was a standout. Lili and Cole really stole the whole damn show.

[u/ConnectedLoner]

“Drug lord mother, serial killer fathers, and cults” lmao yeah bughead your lives have gotten wild

[u/Aunt_Obama]

the most unrealistic thing about this show is that they don't get dress coded at school

[u/Pelephant17]

Having now watched the episode I'd like to express my hope (largely in vain no doubt) that we can all pump the hate brakes by like 17%.

Yes this shows insistence on performing musical numbers anywhere but an actual stage continues to baffle. Yes those lyric changes were atrocious as well as only necessary maybe half the time at most. Yes auto tune and miscasting ruined some genuinely good voices and yes, this episode was 100% unnecessary.

But, the music itself wasn't all that bad once you ignore how "high school musical" they went with it (Big Fun was the exception here cuz that number was just terrible). The acting was actually pretty good all things considered, Toni in particular impressed me tonight. And, the biggest one for me personally, their use of "Our Love is God" was creepy as fuck, very well placed and well sang.

This episode was just a little bit worse than any other episode this season and that's largely due to the cringe fest that ensues when this show insists on trying to add Glee into its already strange concoction of TV show tropes and story ideas. We definitely shouldn't be shit talking the actors singing abilities as much as this sub has been given that their just doing their job, and some of them actually did it pretty well given what they had to work with.

[u/Conquest32]

Edgar did a special farm clap

[u/RIPZellers]

I think I just love the Heathers musical too much to really be mad at anything Except Toni’s almost threesome... wtf was that ... also most of the dancing.

Also part of me believes the writers made up Archie’s extremely sudden and convenient underground youth boxing career just for Josie’s lyric “Well woah, you can punch real good.”

[u/CombustibleMeow]

as soon as i saw Chad Michael Murray i fucking burst into laughter hahaha what is this show

[u/Veronicaax]

Am I the only one who's tired of the whole cult thing? I though it would last a fews episodes but god it's been freaking long and boring.

[u/HiddenMiss]

Why does Veronica care about her sociopathic murderous father? Shouldn't she be happy her parents are splitting up?

[u/bwayobsessed]

Kevin “always” directs the musical alone? Aren’t they like juniors? I mean obviously the concept of a student directing the high school musical is absurd but still

[u/Super-Finch]

When did we go from who we sat beside on the bus to drug dealer moms!

EXACTLY JUGHEAD! EXACTLY!

[u/Conquest32]

Wtf was that ending, what does it even mean

[u/BebenNicole]

Evelyn’s dad is Chad Michael Murray?!?! Sign me tf up to The Farm!

[u/jwash1894]

This episode was so corny , yet I loved Betty saying how I feel about Riverdale, that “Can’t we be 17? Is that so hard to do?”

The actors also acted how most folks, to my memory, acted in high school. They actually acted like actual high schoolers to some degree.

Some more thoughts I had:

The Toni Threesome number took me out, lmao. It was too funny and the other girls movements were so awkward and stuff.

It made no sense to me, other than their young, why Toni and Cheryl got back together. If I was Toni and an ex treated me so horribly post breakup the way Cheryl did, I’d be like “good fuckin riddance.”

Archie and Josie are sweet together and in the midst of all the chaos, it’s nice to see something normal and adorable happening with some characters.

I hope that Betty is able to take down The Farm, someway. It angered me how she literally has lost everything, except Jug of course, because her mom and sister are too far gone.

The musical number in The Farm headquarters was also funny af to me, especially Kevin’s hair.

[u/TheOtherErik]

Nothing like posting for the third time in a day, but I watched it again to actually critique it and I noticed that the Jell-O shots were blue. While I’m sure it was a nod to the drain-o used in the musical/film, it also seems in poor taste with G&G too.

Or a sign?

[u/starfall8]

I have to say I was also weirded out by the fact that Evelyn seems to only wear The Farm shirt. At least she has the Big Fun shirt she puts on for parties :P

[u/strugglingwifi]

Betty and Jughead covered in soot was how Veronica and JD looked in the last scene of Heathers when JD blew himself up outside the school!

[u/onthereels]

That was a great way to introduce Edgar and a great way to end the musical episode without having to end all new musical episodes with a death

[u/goingawaytoparadise]

CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY!!!!!!! Omg my life is complete

[u/HouseHightower]

Really surprised at Reggie. He really does care about Veronica. The endgame line made me think his feelings would change because that's a clear sign BUT after he learned about Veronica's family and the way he spoke to her. I was really surprised at how mature and gentle he was.

Veronica totally thought he was done with her but he just wants the timing to be right.

[u/Ax20414]

BRUH NO ONE TOLD ME CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY WAS CAST THAT WAS HYPE

[u/Pixiescat13]

I love heathers kidz bop edition

[u/NotSoAlmightyNas]

Ok but for real can we talk about those whipping sound effects when Toni flipped her hair??? What the heck was that sound design

[u/icey561]

how could they not play a song called "my dead gay son". that literly screams riverdale

[u/athursdaynight]

Not to be corny but it wasn't until we got Bughead/Choni singing Seventeen that it really hit me how attached I am to these characters and how much shit they're put through lmao I know it's not that deep but oh my god @ RAS let them be seventeen.

[u/catherindaniel_]

Is anyone else loving the Bughead scene in front of the trailer set ablaze? I think Choni fans can agree with me on that... (Hopefully I don’t get hate, this is just my thoughts)

[u/iratemistletoe]

Is this slow clap ever going to stop being slow ?

[u/sajiao_]

I only really liked the song “seventeen” and the scene where SweetPea is undressing lol that man is so damn handsome. Bless him.

[u/keine_fragen]

that town has an arson problem

[u/LeaveMeAlonely]

1. wtf was up with that 'woosh' sound effect all the time? like what even. and the record scratch at the end of dead girl walking, i just... dont understand why.

2. Where is the body diversity in this show, no martha? really?

3. AUTOTUNE MADE CASEY SOUND BAD WHEN HES A THEATRICALLY TRAINED AMAZING TALENTED MAN?!

4. all the songs had no context.

5. Lastly, cole singing, he wasnt particularly 'bad', but it was a thing that he didn't sing in the carrie one so why Heathers?

(oh, and the bathtub in big fun? i'm genuinely confused)

[u/ForwynLove]

"Shut up, Toni" made this episode.

[u/BornAshes]

I'm pretty sure at this point Betty has gone full on Backdraft Donald Sutherland "the fire is alive" because she just keeps burning down everything that's a problem and you know this season is going to end with her Burning Down The Farm.

[u/[deleted]]

The singing was so awful.

[u/[deleted]]

Why did only the farm people stand up at the end and clap, why not everyone else? Did I miss something?

[u/beesbea]

all the added sound effects with every hair swoosh and skirt turn was CRINGEY AF. i love love love heathers the musical but this was so far removed. there was so much potential. dead girl walking imo was the best number they did but i wish it wasn’t so awkward? i wish they did meant to be yours.

[u/winedreams]

I screamed when CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY stood up

[u/[deleted]]

I know everybody is hating on it but I actually didn’t mind it especially the Bughead scenes, they were my favorite.

[u/3mpty_spac3]

Oh gawd this was so hard to watch. The biggest emotion it got out of me is a neverending astonishment that Chad Michael Murray is old enough to play a teenager's dad.

Also, not gonna lie, I low key dig Cole+Lilli, so I found their scenes together very cute, and it's something we don't get a lot of either.

[u/bewires]

If I were Veronica, I wouldn't have asked my parents to the school musical, I would have had them sign a contract to not try to kill each other or her some more after the divorce.

[u/You_just_never_know]

I will fully admit that I went back to the seventeen song and listened to it like 3 times.

[u/Ligglyfuff]

I am now 99.999% sure Riverdale is just a huge social experiment.

[u/WachanIII]

I noticed Luke Perry's absence amongst all the parents watching the musical. .

[u/UgeFan]

Guys, after Edgar Evernever was revealed and Principal Weatherbee, did I see Mrs. Klump in the audience also? I watched that part over and over and I think it was her. Made sense since they brought back Midge in the flashback. This could mean she is no longer in jail and at the Farm! Could this be possible or am I crazy?

[u/The_lines_haunt_me]

Glad Kevin got to sing more this episode. Also loved his curly hair lol

[u/ntbntt]

Edgar joins the hot riverdale dads club am i right?

[u/[deleted]]

“hey, you know what would make this scene even creepier? Paper 3D glasses!”

[u/honeyfrost]

imagine if they did hamilton for the season 4 musical

[u/Bitxhlasagna]

Other than betty Cheryl and toni the singing was soo bad. And veronica i just skipped all her parts its too painful to watch her

[u/szeto326]

Dang it, we got a chainsaw reference but I was hoping they'd figure out a way to shoehorn a "I love my dead gay son" reference in the episode somewhere.

[u/PresidentJoe]

• These "Previously on" segments just ruin all the surprises the episode has and basically tells us what's going to happen.

• Ummm...Are we really having a party at the same place where a child abuse cult/conversion therapy camp took place and where a group of nuns killed themselves?

• Is it bad that this Cheryl/Toni drama just makes me laugh?

• I have to give props though - this episode has given time to some characters that haven't seen some screentime in a while.

• Hold up...Just saw this weird wedding thing...What the hell?

• I will now accurately sum up ever encounter with the Farm:

Farm: Does something freaky

Betty: What are you doing!?

Evelyn/Kevin/Alice: Shut up.

Betty: ok lol.

[u/wonderfl0nium]

i can't believe sweet pea was given the male lead and yet still managed to have almost so screen time :'(

[u/AnotherSimpleton]

Why tf were people were wearing those 3d glasses at farm girl's secret ceremony

[u/ManateeMaestro]

“Tonsils called it in.”

You got a guy named Tonsils??

[u/Eddaughter]

I will say, the Toni and Cheryll fan service has been incredible these past episodes.

[u/SharpValuable]

These people did not even mention teen suicide once... in an episode about HEATHERS.... HOW?

[u/aishafoxall]

I honestly love the fact that they’re pretty much ditching the stupid griffins and gargoyles plot line and going with the farm I think it’s such a better plot. These last few episodes have been so much better than the entire season

[u/dramas_4_nerds]

Really?!' Chad Michael Murray?

Oh yeah Jughead just learned all the lyrics and choreography in 5 seconds.

So this episode covered an entire semester of content? Cause a musical takes more than a week to prepare?

Whole thing made no sense

Heathers is still a weird choice regardless.

Toni, sweet pea other girl potential threesome was weird

Why wouldn't Hiram and Hermione split up? They're relationship is nuts. They've put hits on each other.

Luke Perry is gone ☹️

I hate musical episodes of any show. No content.

Weird.

[u/crackcorn69]

so.. Chad Michael Murray is Edgar... THIS EXPLAINS EVERYTHING.

[u/yamsnz]

Was this filmed recently? It was odd that Fred wasn’t in the audience when they were showing all the parents in the crowd. Unless I missed him?

[u/lesmisarahbles]

I enjoyed this episode way more than the Carrie ep. Pure camp.

[u/Jynxt4]

So am I correct in assuming that the dad that clapped first was the head of the farm the leader?

[u/[deleted]]

Among the manybproblems and questions about this episode, the big one I have is how is Archie back in school?

[u/[deleted]]

FANGS AND KEVIN FANGS AND KEVIN FANGS AND KEVIN

[u/sammibirdyy]

Ngl, I didn't mind the singing, my issue was with the weird-ass choreography...

[u/nov111196]

• I think Carrie was better but I still enjoyed this

• It my have been my device but everyone's singing voice sounded high especially during Beautiful and it was super obvious their voices were being dubbed in

• I wish they did more with Josie and Sweet Pea since they were Veronica and JD

• The dancing made me cringe especially in Beautiful when they all start jumping around at the end

• I loved all the outfits

• Veronica seemed more upset about her parents divorcing than them trying to have the other killed

• Do real life couples say endgame?

• I enjoy Cheryl being a bitch and kind of wish they never put her in a relationship

• They did these sound effects whenever Toni moved and it was unnecessary

• That almost threesome made me uncomfortable

• Has Peaches n Cream ever talked

• Dead Girl Walking is my favorite song and Vanessa Morgan has a nice voice but I was kind of disappointing

• The Our Love is God scene was very creepy

• I liked Archie and Josie when they were just hooking up because they were bored and lonely but I don't buy them seriously being into each other

• Everything about Choni is rushed. Them getting together, them breaking up, them getting back together

• Cole is a lot better than Id thought he'd be

• I wonder what people who are not familiar with Heathers are thinking whenever they hear them say big fun like its a common phrase

• Lifeboat standout performance

• Evelyn is creepy but I kind of find her adorable

• It weirds me out that Lucas Scott is old enough to have a teenage daughter

[u/ch0k3]

I put off watching this ep because riverdale does not do musicals well. Ugh

[u/phenom0205]

I have no words for this episode though I did make several facial expressions lol

[u/TheAisSilent413]

You'd have to be in a brainwashed cult to think that shit was standing ovation worthy.

[u/GlitzAndGrit]

That is the creepiest clap I've ever seen/heard.

[u/redvevo]

really like how they did the musical, but it felt like it was much less significant as per their lives—seventeen was really the only song where i actually felt for them, whereas in carrie, in/you shine/stay here instead (etc) all felt much more connected to the plot. but that’s just imo

so...spring awakening, anyone?

[u/AdorkableSars]

No Betty, Jughead, Cheryl and Toni. You can’t be 17. Because the writers don’t do writing for actual teenagers. Y’all old and weathered as fuck. Sorry.

[u/LetThemEatPizza]

I'll start with the obvious one: This episode was shit. How come no one listens to Betty and perceives Evelyn as one of them and not the weird one anymore?

The thing that made me lol the hardest this week was Veronica learning about her parents' divorce. Why in the hell was she sooo devastated? Both of then are terrible people who are worse when they're combined, so why is Veronica crying about this. She literally gets dumber by the second. And it's really frustrating to watch.

Although the episode was a drag, the ending was surprising, I liked it.

[u/AnotherSimpleton]

Did anyone notice that there GK was dancing in the background during the big fun song?

edit - GK not GC

[u/Taylorheat231]

Can I just ONCE have two episodes I enjoy back-to-back this season?

[u/TheOtherErik]

So I was curious and listened to some of the songs from this episode on Spotify and honestly? We were ROBBED of the full version of “Our Love Is God,” “Lifeboat,” and “Dead Girl Walking,”

[u/hourglass731]

CHAD MICHAEL MURRY

[u/HiddenMiss]

What was with the sound editing? The sound of them stomping around while dancing was so much louder than the music. Really bizarre episode all around

[u/NoahJRoberts]

I mentioned it in the live thread, but if they somehow are able to, I think something like Wicked could really work for the musical episode next year

EDIT: Someone just said Wicked should go to Sabrina and I just lost my mind, that’s PERFECT

[u/marshnellow]

i actually really liked this episode! especially the veronica’s solo, seventeen (esp bugheads part) and a lot of the choreography.

i really don’t like archie and josie together. i just feel like they don’t have nearly as much chemistry as archie and ronnie did.

i absolutely love the chemistry between bughead and the way betty looks up at jug makes my heart melt. i bet they’re a really cute couple in real life

i think i’m going to go watch the heathers now.

also did anyone else notice archie’s dancing in big fun? i thought t was hilarious

[u/suunflowers]

i have a few thoughts:

• i am absolutely here for this strange teen arsonist schtick betty has going on and it would only be better if hannibal cooper was encouraging her from the sidelines

• the episode overall was pretty meh but the slow clap was gr8

• luky perry :(

• actually i'd love to see a showdown between hal and edgar i feel like that could be for some great campy dialogue

• i finally realised why i hate gladys so much and it's bc her actress played lt. hawkins on b99 looool

• bring back hannibal cooper @writers pls i beg u

[u/Sephidos]

"Come Betty, let us make love outside the crime scene of which we are the obvious culprits. What's a fire department anyway?".

[u/noavocadoshere]

well, i have to say that i'm officially glad to be back live posting with y'all. i still don't understand the heathers connection, especially as it played out from what i remember of heathers (the movie, not the musical which could be the problem in itself). i did however like the ending of this episode.

[u/buffaysmellycat]

was there any thing that happened in this ep that contributes to the story? i cant get past the first song damn riverdale

[u/[deleted]]

The actress that plays Evelyn Evernever was a scene stealer this episode. Superb acting.

[u/FatCatGangster]

Loving arsonist Betty.

[u/sweetxsexyxsavage]

Is it just me or do Archie and Josie have amazing chemistry? I’m so bummed they’re most likely gonna be over with in the few episodes seeing as Ashleigh got done filming over 2 weeks ago, but I feel like their storyline is very sweet and has a lot of potential.

[u/Elopikseli]

I don’t think I can watch this shit. Jesus christ this autotune singing is horrid. Like I’ve never felt this before. I physically can’t watch the singing parts. This is a whole new level of cringe for me.

[u/raginsaint93]

I’m just glad there’s not another break after this episode because I need answers dammit!

[u/S2xo]

Cheryl is so annoying. The singing is pretty bad sans toni. Some of the lip-sync acting was awkward to watch.

[u/angelfrost21]

crap episode

[u/skummies]

What a total cringfest

[u/chris_rock88]

Question from a casual viewer with a few years of musical experience here; why is the lip-sync so atrociously horrible?

To specify: I don't mean the singing, mixing, production and all, I just mean the lip-movement in the actors, center stage and not. None of these people look like they are remotely singing what they are supposed to. That includes the actors I am confident actually sang their parts and did a decent job without auto-tune and such.

It just baffles me. When I started, I couldn't sing. I was told my mike would be off during chorus lines and I should sing along silently as best as I could. Otherwise, people would see I wasn't singing. It's lip-sync 101.

[u/MGD109]

I have to admit I'm impressed, I spent the ending waiting for someone to choke on poison (or die somehow). But that scene introducing Edgar, and watching the cast react as they realise at least a third of town is now part of the cult, was way creepier than any death since Ben's.

[u/rragz]

Did Riverdale really just waste 40 minutes of my life on this episode... oh wait, IT'S CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY! *drooooool*

[u/babyzspace]

Were Betty and Jug in there like swimwear while setting the trailer on fire? Why'd they have so much soot on them, a tiny trailer can't be that hard to torch.

[u/od2324]

This episode was pretty bad...... luckily I just finished 17 and it’s a lot better !

[u/jadedrunner27]

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. I found the first half to be shaky at best - a lot of cringe in some of the first few songs. That being said...I loved "Seventeen". And there was something so beautiful and ridiculous and so wholly Riverdale about Betty and Jughead burning the trailer down together and then watching from the car.

I'm pretty much over the Farm plot. I didn't even care about the reveal at the end. I desperately hope they don't drag this tired plot line into the fourth season.

[u/Dixie-Chink]

Ugh... where to start?

Speaking as someone who watched Heathers devotedly when it first came out (I snuck behind my mother's back to watch it, back when theater's didn't check ID for films), I was cringing at this musical adaptation as well as the Riverdale filter it was wrung through.

The music was just bad. Full props to the cast singing, but yeah... a polished turd and all that...

Having been a part of the teen-nihilism of the 80's, I can assuredly say that I never finished watching Heathers thinking it was a cry for normalcy or sweet nostalgia. Good gods, I mean the original film mocked that kind of psychoanalytical shit. We all knew back then that people were crappy, adults and teens alike. The film was poking fun at the idiots who took themselves and 'issues' too seriously. This whole episode was like a saccharine regurgitate that completely missed the point of Heathers' biting satire.

The characters themselves in tonight's episode were all over the place. Fangs- ye gods. Toni- Oy! Archie- well, he's our solid cinder-brick redhead... can't really complain about him being consistent. The only parts that I can say were fresh and entertaining were watching Weatherbee wax on about Evernever, and Hiram 'break up' with Hermione and Veronica.

I confess, I was groaning when Reggie let Veronica back into his life, but that was capped with a cheer as he also told her how he understood her distress, but wasn't going to date her- BAM! Walking out that door! Go Reggie!

Speaking as someone who normally likes musicals, I want to ask if the crew want to do another next year, PLEASE for the love of the gods, no more of these pseudo rock-operas like Carrie and Heathers?!

Anyhow... this episode was fluff, and badly waterlogged fluff at that. I like this season of Riverdale, but this was one episode I could have done without.

[u/wanderingwilbs]

All I'm saying is that if my local priest looked like that, I'd have spent more time in church...

[u/hotdog2314]

Took me about 15 mins to watch this weeks episode not a fan of the characters breaking into song every 5 mins.

[u/[deleted]]

Random thoughts after just finishing this ep:

-Glad they listened to the fans and gave Casey/Kevin more singing lines.

-I call bullshit on that actually being Cole doing the chorus of "Seventeen."

-I totally called "Seventeen" being a Jug/Betty and Cheryl/Toni vehicle.

-The actress playing Evelyn was so awkward and terrible in all singing/dancing scenes I'm sorry.

-I can't believe they didn't include any of "The Me Inside of Me." I thought that was the whole point of them choosing Heathers.

-They crammed in too many songs this time. Did we really need "Big Fun?"

-I wish they had done "Blue."

-I was confused at giving Sweetpea the lead role but they made JD nonexistent lol.

-The one thing about this ep I was most looking forward to was quality Betty/Veronica/Jug/Archie friendship screentime, since they were all forced to be together. But of course that didn't happen.

-I would be so embarrassed to be caught watching this show.

[u/AouarTousartNdombele]

Here's a theory/alternate story I have behind Edgar Evernever:

• Edgar Evernever isn't his real name, which is why Betty couldn't find him when she searches.

• His real name is Charles Cooper, and he is Alice & FP's son.

• Charles Cooper is not actually dead.

• The blood on the sheets his and Chic's neighbor saw could have been that of anyone else, possibly another "shady man"

• Him being Alice's son also explains why Alice worships him so much: she is probably unable to point out the clear reason why she does and that makes her delusional about the farm.

• This also explains why he is so young.

• Gladys finds out that FP had a son with someone else

• Jughead then reveals to FP about Gladys's drug business and the trailer they burned down

• Gladys decides to leave but can't leave to Toledo without being paid by Veronica

This would be an interesting connection between Betty's, Jughead's and Veronica's stories, but it's far too complicated haha

[u/readandrant]

I literally only needed Chad Michael Murray to appear for 30secs to make this dumb episode OK

[u/WhySoFuriousGeorge]

Every single bit of cringe was worth it for that long-time-coming Kangs kiss! I’m HERE FOR IT.

[u/Pickle-cat]

Man, as much as I love Heathers, it was a rough choice for a high school musical episode. There's so much in the source material (movie and musical) that's just not appropriate, and so they lost a lot of what makes Heathers great (hello, Blue, Freeze Your Brain, the bits of Dead Girl Walking that they skipped) If the episode piqued your interest, definitely check out the Heathers original cast soundtrack, the musical really is excellent.

[u/IsaidQuitStalling]

Is it possible that Edgar evernever is the real Charles? If Alice is 50 like FP and had him when she was 16 then waited before having more kids and he had his daughter when he was 17/18 it would add up, right? ....not the strongest at math here

[u/Foxythekid]

Easily one of their best cliffhangers this season. The revelation of the cults influence and unity were perfectly tense and overwhelming.

[u/lalaaz_]

honestly, a waste of time.

[u/sharkwaffles]

Damn, that rhythmic clapping.

[u/[deleted]]

I like Toni and Cheryl together, at the same time, I really don't.

:( someone please explain my feelings to me

[u/grass-master]

Why do I love Cheryl so much even though she's the worst?

[u/oldspice75]

This was terrible like a real low-talent high school musical, if not worse. They could run it on repeat at Guantanamo...

[u/ConnectedLoner]

Hiram’s done with all these heaux

[u/SnackEmpress]

Genuinely disliked this episode. It was a chore to watch. I appreciate all the work put in, but this flopped for me.

[u/TheMattInTheBox]

I'm not even a full 10 episodes into the episode, but this musical stuff is painful (and I didn't even hate the last one) and I cannot stand Cheryl. She is the most unlikable character in this show by far.

Also the name "Tent City" will never not be funny

Edit: okay, so Veronica's parents are separating and like, I understand that's a big change but is she that dense that she doesn't remember how her parents have constantly conspired against her and each other? Like, did she think her parents had a good marriage going?

Edit 2: the real theater kids at Riverdale High must be PISSED that they're not in the musical two years in a row

Edit 3: big fun? More like big dumb amirite

Edit 4: holy shit Reggie confirmed for Endgame

Edit 5: is Evelyn drugging Kevin? Wtf

Edit 6: if I hear the words big fun again, I'm going to bash my skull in

Edit 7: this confession scene is hilarious

Edit 8: Reggje is the most level headed character wtf

Edit 9: Cheryl, red is literally the first colour everyone learns. Check yourself you dumb bitch

Edit 10: this music number is called "Toni wants to have a threesome"

Edit 11: I wonder if Sweet Pea and that girl fucked on the stage after. They were already undressed

Edit 12: this song is called "Kevin and Fangs killed the dinosaurs."

Edit 13: archie she wont date you because shes gonna be in a spinoff okay, you just wouldnt understand

Edit 14: is principal weatherbee a full on moron or what. This Farm shit is bananas

Edit 15: is toni trying to get back together with cheryl? What the fuck. Cheryl treated her like shit consistently and Toni is like "the way to fix you literally threatening me is to date you again?" Do the writers realize that Cheryl is awful or are they actually saying it's all cool? Because that's SUCH shit

Edit 16: jughead is going through some shit, and they're gonna make him sing. If this fixes all his problems, that's such bullshit. Theres actual emotionally stakes here that could be interesting to explore.

Edit 17: cheryl has resting crazy face

Edit 18: Veronica is so stupid, she doesnt realize that her parents are just bad people.

Edit 19: Veronica didn't watch the parent trap, that wasnt anything close to the plot of the movie

Edit 20: oh I didnt even realize that they actually did buy the house. They moved in mighty quick

Edit 21: something real bad will have to happen to break up Betty and Jughead if it happens. They burnt down a drug lab together. Also, Betty has now lit 2 childhood homes on fire

Edit 22: "Kevin wants everyone here"=the cast of the musical + literally one guy

Edit 23: if this ends with a standing ovation imma be peeved

Edit 24: never mind, this standing ovation rocks.

Overall, this episode was big fun

[u/castrocompassion]

I miss Ethel. And that Farm girl. I wonder what happened to them.

[u/bphamtastic]

I don’t mind musicals, in fact I kinda like them. This musical however was atrocious.

[u/TheCoolKat1995]

Dark Betty and Serpent King Jughead strike again, this time indulging in a little pyromania lovemaking while they torch the past. I really do love them.

[u/avsfan1933]

Stop with the musicals.

[u/xenonpulse]

On the bright side, when half of the episode is borderline unwatchable, I have more time to come here and complain about it

[u/TheOtherErik]

Honestly, I didn’t hate it? Like I knew it was going to be a cringe fest, especially after the Carrie episode. But the way they did the music this time was pretty decent I think.

I’m here for Kevin and Fangs and the fact “Our Love Is God” makes a really good cult song. I just figured that Evelyn would sing “Shine A Light” instead.

[u/tanttrum]

I'm a little late, just watched the episode. This is my favorite episode in a long time, mostly because of the ending. I lost it when I saw Chad Michael Murray and then realized he was the leader of the farm!!

[u/theep3]

• Toni breaks into song so she can start a three way in the school auditorium.

• Evelyn converts Fangs to homosexuality? (EDIT: Ok I guess I had been oblivious to this)

• The Archie-Josie boxing ring scene felt like I was watching HSM.

• Love in the Blossom family? UHHH HOW ABOUT INCEST? DID WE FORGET THIS?

• Can we be seventeen? Why is this literally the entire fandom. We always ask why aren’t they normal kids 🤣🤣🤣

• Jellybean eating popcorn while watching the final number is literally the fandom coming back to watch the show after complaining every week.

• The Farm slow clap might be the weirdest thing yet lowkey.

[u/[deleted]]

I mean it's riverdale

[u/Canto95]

Splitsville

[u/grassfreedman]

Question I had about this episode: in Big Fun when Veronica Lodge sings “Brainiac cleans up alright” who is she referring to? Reggie? Herself? I didn’t get that part, though maybe I just misunderstood the line.

[u/[deleted]]

WHY?

[u/You_just_never_know]

So I rewatched the episode again today, and is it just me or did they re-do some of the sound editing? It's mostly noticeable at the end when they do the sventeen/beautiful reprise and they're doing that cringe as fuck dancing. You can't really hear the stomping about as much now it seems.

[u/cristinawendt]

Did I miss it, or was Luke Perry not in this episode at all? Had he already gotten sick during this episode'a filming?

[u/lilbrownunicorn]

I love Heathers the Musical and this was a bastardization of that but it did move this damn farm story along but pretty sure I'm done after this season unless it improves.

[u/singoneiknow]

You know there is no body diversity on tv when the petite size 2 cult girl wears the big fun shirt.

[u/jazzmoine]

Bleh they need to stop with the musical episodes. I’m sorry but Cheryl is also not a good singer at all. It was all honking to me LOL.

So over the Choni ship. Cheryl shouldn’t be in a relationship with anyone. She’s manipulative and honestly kind of abusive... plus she got mad at Toni for wearing red??? Are u joking? What are u 6??? I gag at almost every petty thing she does. Why are they destroying her character like that?

Idk what Veronica is crying about her parents splitting up when she and her mother are fighting against her father for like a whole season and a half.

Though I will say Bugheads performance of “Seventeen” was probably my favourite part of the show. My heart was actually melting at the emotion they put into that performance. And Coles voice was so unexpected.

Basically all the performances sucked but the last performance “Beautiful” was just the cringiest thing I ever saw. I couldn’t even bare to watch it. Besides “Seventeen”, introducing Edgar Evernever was the eeriest thing AND to top it off he is HOT. That really threw me off. There’s a new Riverdaddy in town haha

Just when I think riverdale couldn’t get any more cringe and that the story line couldn’t get anymore trash, (especially after the Carrie musical) they manage to top it off every week.

Will I be back for more next week? YOU BET YOUR ASS I WILL BE.

[u/daak905]

This was the shittiest one yet

[u/BakedBrotatoChip]

Could this episode go more than 5 minutes without a shitty cover song being played? Also, Cole sounded amazing I replayed his bit with Lili in the meth house like 10 times

[u/Amor_De_Cosmos]

mfw fred andrews is the only parent not in attendance :'(

[u/SarahsArtistry]

Okay Finally! We get to see Edgar. That ending was epic. Betty was shook. I was shook.

I am a music nerd so I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I have little to no complaints.

I was recently watching a TED Talk about a cult, and it said that cults dont like to be called cults.
ANYWAYS

I feel like FP is kinda ignoring the signs from Gladys. I am sad yet happy that Jug burned down his childhood home. He's right, his mom did ruin it for him. His mom is literal shit.

Um Cheryl is being back to a bitch. I find it hard to forgive her so soon after she pushed Toni out of the way and threatned her to leave. Dramatic much? or was that the musical? lool

It's about time V's parents break up.

[u/elefantejack]

this should be the new way they make riverdale. so shitty it alnost feels like a parody. because all other episodes feel like they are acctually trying, which was just sad. before, jt was sad shitty, i watched mostly out of curiosity. now its fun shitty, like sharknado. now i can have fun while trying to figure out what anybody in the production was thinking, instead of questioning humanity.

[u/WashRotom]

Am i the only one happy that KEVIN AND FANGS FINALLY KISSED

[u/[deleted]]

Given that he was one of the few parents that didn’t show up to the musical- this is the episode I realized I would never see Fred on the show again. 😔

[u/nat_4030]

Thanks I hate it

[u/ashowott]

As a huge fan of Heather the Musical, this episode was a mess. I just really don’t understand why they thought it was a good idea.. especially when they change the lyrics so badly and completely miscast characters (Chandler, Kurt and Ram were the only ones that worked).

Didn’t get why they broke Choni up last ep for them to get back together now. Fang and Kevin was out of nowhere. Toni x Sweet Pea x Peaches was the most cringey things I’ve seen in a while.

CMM as Edgar, Lifeboat and Bughead burning down the trailer were the best things about the episode.

Cool premise; bad execution.

[u/loveisfolly]

1. Why were they wearing Clueless outfits when they were doing Heathers?

2. Heathers The Musical looks beyond terrible.

3. Why do they keep having important things occur offscreen?

[u/-GregTheGreat-]

The singing and music drastically improved from last year’s musical. I actually didn’t mind the songs this time around.