Ethel Muggs

"They put me in a wooden box as I desperately opposed. But all my screaming was for naught. My mouth had been sewn closed. Curled up in bed was just a girl. Needing Daddy's arms to hold her."

- Ethel's poem

Ethel Muggs is a recurring character on The CW's Riverdale. She is portrayed by Shannon Purser.

Ethel is a student at Riverdale High School who teams up with Betty and Veronica for a revenge plot against Chuck Clayton.

Early Life
One day at school last year, she and Chuck Clayton had a brief discussion in the library, Ethel assisted him with a math problem, and that was all. However, Chuck began to spread a rumor that he and Ethel engaged in sexual acts. Following that, someone wrote "sloppy seconds" on Ethel's locker.

Throughout Riverdale

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Season 1
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Tragic Origin Story
Ethel joined forces with Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge after learning that Betty was looking around school for female students who were also slut-shamed by Chuck Clayton and his posse. Ethel then volunteered to go on record with her story, she told them that after a short conversation with Chuck in the school's library, he went on to ruin her reputation by spreading rumors of him and her together. Betty sympathized with her, feeling bad that Ethel had to go through such an experience. But that's wasn't all, they also keep score of each conquest, which earns them a point, they keep all this hidden within a secret playbook, according to Ethel. And due to lack of evidence, Mr. Weatherbee's hands are tied, meaning that he would be of little help.

Upon learning from Trev Brown, the potential location of the playbook, Ethel, Betty, Veronica, Cheryl and Kevin Keller broke into the school after hours to recover it. In the book, Ethel was discouraged to learn that she is labeled as "big girl (7.5)". With the proof provided by the playbook, the ladies manage to take down Chuck and his goon squad.

Family Troubles
Several classmates were disturbed by Ethel's reading of an extremely dark poem, specifically Kevin and Veronica, which resulted in Veronica taking a personal interest. While Veronica was moved by Ethel's poem, she could also tell it was coming from some place dark, which led her to ask if Ethel was alright. Ethel admitted that everything was not okay within the Muggs household as her parents had been constantly fighting, but they would not tell her why. She felt as if something really bad was happening, and there was nothing she could do to stop it, like watching a slow-motion car crash. In an effort to cheer her up, Ethel was invited to lunch and pampering with Veronica and Kevin at the Pembrooke.

As promised, Ethel had lunch with Veronica, Kevin, Betty, and Hermione, however, due to all the stress she had been undergoing at home, Ethel wasn't feeling hungry. Her living situation hadn't gotten any better, as her parents were still fighting, and after some bad luck with their savings, they were going to have to sell the house. At that moment, Veronica realized that she and Ethel had more in common than she originally thought because the Lodges had also lost everything several months prior, but Veronica reminded Ethel that she still had her family and friends. Unbeknownst to either Ethel or Veronica at the time, Hiram Lodge, Veronica's father, was responsible for the Muggs' recent misfortune. So upon learning that Ethel's last name was Muggs, which the third "G" had been removed from when her grandfather came over, Hermione became fairly concerned.

The next day, Ethel was invited back over to the Pembrooke by Veronica, who gifted her with expensive clothing and jewelry, yet she didn't feel comfortable accepting them, Ethel only wanted to be friends. Just as life seemed to be getting better for Ethel, her father attempted to end his life after swallowing an entire bottle of pills. At the hospital, Ethel and her mother were greeted by Veronica and Betty, who came to extend their prayers to the family. After introducing Veronica to her mother, Mrs. Muggs discovered that her last name was Lodge, making her the daughter of Hiram Lodge, the man who was at fault for destroying the lives of the Muggs. Veronica then went on to apologize for her father's actions, which she could do something, but Ethel's mom wanted actions, not words.

The next day at school, as Ethel prepared for class, she was approached by Veronica, who was sorry for everything her family had done. Ethel explained to Veronica that she was not responsible for her father's actions, not to mention Veronica had been there for Ethel during her time of need multiple times. She then offered Veronica the desk next to her if she wanted it.

Jughead's Birthday Party
During lunch, Ethel was approached by Chuck, who was fresh off his suspension. Surprisingly, he came over to apologize, it would appear that his suspension offered him some time to reflect on his wrongdoings. Before long, Betty came over to the table and demanded that Chuck leave her alone, slamming her hand on the table in a fit of rage, but Ethel assured Betty that everything was fine.

The following night, Ethel attended Jughead's 16th Birthday Party, but before the party could even start, she found herself wondering if she could make it to the bathroom before Jughead and Betty returned from the double-feature at the Bijou, to which Kevin suggested that she holds it. Ethel peeked out the window to discover that Betty and Jughead were nearing the house, so she advised everyone to hide, and as Jughead entered, everyone jumped out. Then came the birthday cake, Ethel, Archie, Veronica, Kevin, and Joaquin surrounded Jughead as he blew out the candles.

Not long after the blowing out of the candles, the party was crashed by Chuck, Cheryl and the rest of the school, all looking to party. Later in the night, she offered Jughead a slice a cake as he passed through the kitchen, telling him that not eating his own cake on his birthday was bad luck. Unfortunately for Jughead, the entire night was bad luck. He denied Ethel's offer, and said he would see her at school. }}
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Season 2

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The Quest of Princess Etheline
Ethel is approached in the student lounge by Betty and Jughead. The confront her over the twig doll she left in Ben's hospital room. Ethel questions where he got it from, but when Jughead asks what she was doing in Ben's hospital room, Ethel tries to leave. However, Betty pleads with her to cooperated as they're only trying to figure out what happened to Ben, Dilton and the missing scout. Jughed wonders if the twig doll is the Gargoyle King, but it's not. According to Ethel, it's the opposite. She made that talisman to protect Ben. When Betty asks how Ethel and Ben knew each other, Ethel replies that he's her boyfriend. They just started dating that summer and spend most of their time in Dilton's secret bunker in the woods. Given this, Jughead and Betty present Ethel with a ultimatum; either she show them where the bunker is located or they go to Sheriff Minetta with this information. Ethel caves, telling them that they'll meet up at Fox Footbridge after dark.

Ethel is confronted yet again by Betty and Jughead after she blew them off and withheld the location of the missing adventure scout. Even more concerning, she and Ben aren't really dating, but Ethel insists that they are in love. Betty attempts to explain that they were simply role playing, but to Ethel, it was real. Betty and Jughead are trying to help her but she first has to stop lying to them. When Ethel maintains that she's not lying, Jughead threatens to take her to the Sheriff Station, where she can repeat her truth on record to Sheriff Minetta. Ethel explains that if any of them talk to the adults, the Gargoyle King will get angry. Dilton tried to talk to Jughead and look what happened. Before Ethel can continue, she begins to have a seizure mid-sentence. Jughead yells out to Weatherbee before calling an ambulance. All the while, Evelyn watches from the doorway as this unfolds.

Ethel is approached by Betty and Jughead as she sits i the classroom alone. This is the first time they’ve spoken since the incident in the student lounge and so she informs them that she’s been given medication to prevent the seizures. She’s been having them multiple times a day. Jughead apologizes if he or Betty did anything to trigger her seizures as they were only trying to help, like they were trying to help Ben when he threw himself out of a window, Ethel remarks. Betty asks if Ethel had any visions when she collapsed. Unfortunately, Ethel can’t recall. Betty then inquires about her friendship with Evelyn Evernever, to which Ethel replies that Evelyn’s been helping her get better so that she can titrate down her meds. Betty questions whose idea this was, Evelyn’s or her dad’s. Before Ethel can respond, Betty asks if Ethel has ever met Edgar Evernever. She doesn’t answer the question directly but instead suggests that Betty look into Evelyn’s peer support group if she’s so curious. Principal Weatherbee gave her permission to start a student chapter of the Farm at Riverdale High.

Jughead then tells Ethel that before Ben killed himself, he mentioned reuniting with Dilton in the Kingdom, leading him to his question, if Gryphons & Gargoyles has a rule book or player’s manual. Ethel admits that one does exist though they refer to it as the scripture. However, she isn’t allowed to reveal to Jughead whether or not she owns a copy as he is not worthy of the King’s scripture. Jughead replies that he wants to be worthy and that he would like for Ethel to show him how. Ethel agrees to show Jughead, but him alone as Betty will never be worthy. They arrange a meeting for tomorrow night in Dilton’s bunker.

As planned, Ethel and Jughead meet up in Dilton’s bunker. She welcomes him to his first game, his entry point to the realm of Gryphons & Gargoyles. The magical kingdom of Eldervair. First things first, Jughead must pick his character. He’s given the choices of the Radiant Knight, Arcane Invoker and Hellcaster. Jughead chooses Hellcaster, which was also Ben’s avatar. Ethel was supposed to ascend with him but he betrayed her and finished the game with Dilton instead. Jughead then picks a quest card and they proceed with the game.

Ethel and Jughead continue their game of Gryphons & Gargoyles. Jughead crosses the old footbridge to find two doors. One is made of shimmering gold and the other is just maple wood. Jughead chooses door number two, which proves to be a wise choice. He enters a secret chamber and is now standing in the middle of a circle composed of gryphon bones. Two chalices sit before him. Ethel then unveils two real chalices. In order to prove his worthiness, he must drink from one of the Sacred Goblets, which Jughead is adamantly against as one of the chalices contains poison or as the game refers to it, gargoyle blood. Jughead must flip a coin to determine which cup he drinks from. He reluctantly agrees, but only if Ethel hands over the scripture afterwards. Jughead flips the coin and is forced to drink from the gryphon marked chalice. He guzzles it down and is seemingly fine, with nothing more than blue coloring on his lips to show for his life threatening decision. Before handing over the rule book, Ethel tells Jughead that he must kiss her first according to the scripture. The Hellcaster kisses the princess or he doesn’t get the treasure, it decrees. Jughead kisses Ethel and takes the book. While Jughead’s reading the rule book, Ethel chugs the chalice filled with poison. Jughead attempts to stop her but she has already consumed it.

Ethel is taken to Riverdale General Hospital by Jughead. When she wakes, Jughead reveals that she’ll be fine as she was given the antidote in time. Ethel finds herself locked to the bed. It’s protocol for anyone on suicide watch. When her parents arrive, Jughead wants Ethel to tell them everything about the game, but Ethel refuses. She won’t tell them and neither will Jughead because if he does, she’ll lie and say he mixed the fresh-aid. Jughead tells her that the game is over, but Ethel retorts that it’s only just beginning. Jughead has proven himself much to Ethel’s pleasure. She told the Gargoyle King that Jughead was worthy enough to spread his gospel. Jughead states that the King won’t hurt anyone else and that he’ll see to it that the scripture doesn’t end up in anyone else’s hands. Ethel grabs Jughead’s hand and thanks him for helping her to finish the game.

Much later, Ethel speaks to the Gargoyle King. She did as he asked by spreading his gospel. Soon, everyone will join them. Ethel then bows down before the Gargoyle King.

Physical Appearance
Ethel is a lovely young lady with pale skin, light ginger hair and brown eyes. She's a little on the heavier side, being labeled by the Riverdale Bulldogs as "big girl", but this does not take away from her beauty. Ethel has more of an unusual wardrobe, much different from that of anyone else in Riverdale. In most cases, she'll wear a blouse, paired with a thin sweater and a long skirt.

Personality
Ethel is a shy and quiet girl, the type to avoid problems and controversy. She keeps to herself and is heavily focused on school work. Beneath all that is a depressed and lonely young lady. The troubles that her family is currently facing certainly do not help. Despite her generally positive attitude, Ethel isn't afraid to get even. She is known to be quite underhanded and rude under the right circumstances, such as when she dumped a milkshake on Veronica, and later teamed up with Josie to ruin Veronica's chance of being school president.

Relationships

 * Ethel and Veronica

Trivia

 * Ethel is of Dutch descent on her father's side. Their family name was originally spelled "Mugggs" but lost the third "G" when Ethel's grandfather, Manfred Mugggs, immigrated to the United States.
 * Outside of The CW's Riverdale, Muggs is not a traditional "Dutch" surname, as the word, either spelled Muggs or Mugggs, has no meaning within the Netherlands. Mugg(s), however, is of English origin, originating from Somerset, England.
 * In the Archie Comics, Ethel is infatuated with Jughead to different degrees depending on the story.

Gallery

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Season 1 Screencaps

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Season 2 Screencaps

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