| “ | Dear Monica Posh... Dear Sandy Sapphire... Dear Coral Peasebottom... Dear Bitsy Block... Dear Carrie Carryon... Dear Edith Cupps... First, let me begin by saying you are not alone in this world. And though it may not feel like it today, there is hope for a better tomorrow. In fact, we girls are that hope. | ” |
— Betty
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"Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Two: Miss Teen Riverdale" is the fifteenth episode of the seventh season of Riverdale and the one hundredth and thirty-second episode of the series overall. It premiered on July 19, 2023.
Synopsis[]
AND THE WINNER IS... — It's time for the town's annual Miss Teen Riverdale pageant and Betty, Veronica, Cheryl and Toni each have their own reasons for entering. However, when Alice doesn't allow Ethel to enter the pageant, the girls band together to make sure she has a fighting chance.[1]
Plot[]
The young ladies of Riverdale spending their time writing to Betty's anonymous forum, seeking advice, including Veronica, who is sick of a world that doesn't take her seriously as a young businesswoman. Toni also writes to Betty, noting that she loves herself for being black, bold, and beautiful, but it's tough living in a world that doesn't celebrate those things. As for Cheryl, she's tired of living a lie in an intolerant world that won't let her love who she wants to love. Midge, on the other hand, fears her secret will get out, and the world will stigmatize her for being a woman of loose morals. Unlike her classmates, Evelyn isn't seeking advice, rather accosting Betty for pretending as if she has all the answers. Lastly, Betty gets a letter from Ethel, who hates that the world is constantly reminding her that she's not beautiful.
Betty comes downstairs to learn that the time has come for the annual Miss Riverdale Teen Queen pageant. Ethel has agreed to being Alice's assistant and has begun working on a sign-up sheet. Betty isn't interested, even as her mother mentions that for the first time, they will be live broadcasting on national television. She mentions that among the prizes is a scholarship to whichever college the winner is accepted to, in hopes of convincing Betty to join, but she's reluctant.
Betty arrives at school, where she learns that Veronica, Cheryl, Toni, and Midge are all running for the pageant. Betty claims that it objectifies girls, subjecting them to wear swimsuits and heels, but Cheryl retorts by asking about Betty's peep show with Archie, which she explains was simply between the two of them. As for her flashing her panties on live television, that was also her decision on her terms. Veronica agrees that it can be seen as objectifying women, but she prefers to look at it through another lens. She loves being beautiful, but not for the approval of male judges, rather the empowerment of it. Still, Betty argues that beauty pageants pit girls against each other, to which Veronica replies that there are ways around it by making a pact that no matter who wins, they all win. And no cat fighting or backbiting, Toni adds. She feels similarly about pageants as Betty, but this is the first year the pageant is integrated. And even though she doesn't stand a chance of winning, she's going to make sure she shows the country that at least one black woman is competing for the crown. And if she does win, she's going to call out the pageant for the fact that all its contestants must be of good health and the white race. Cheryl reveals that her parents sponsor the event, so it would raise a few eyebrows if she didn't compete. But if she does win the title this year, she will use her platform differently, by advocating for the more disenfranchised teams of the town.
Fangs questions if Midge should be competing in the pageant due to her pregnancy, but this might be the last time she gets to do anything like this — dress up and be a 16-year-old girl. And so, Fangs agrees that she should do it.
Now that they're alone in the locker room, Veronica has a question to ask. If her mother wasn't hosting the pageant, Veronica asks if Betty would be competing, as it would be her ticket to freedom, which Betty admits is the case before finally relenting and jointing the pageant.
Betty returns home, where she and her mother discuss the pageant. Alice accuses Betty of having a nefarious plan by winning the crown and pulling the entire temple down around her and making a feminist statement. Betty explains that she simply wants the scholarship money, however, Alice isn't convinced, as Betty is smart enough to get an academic scholarship. She would prefer for Betty to be honest and admit that she would actually like to be Miss Riverdale Teen Queen for the joy and satisfaction of it. Alice was Miss Riverdale back in her day. The night she was crowned, was the greatest of her life. She thought she could do and be anything. She even had plans of being a stewardess and traveling the world, though plans changed and instead, she settled down with Hal, and had kids, giving up her dream. Nevertheless, Alice is excited and can't wait to rehearse with Betty and the other girls.
Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, Toni, Midge, and Evelyn gathering in the music room with Alice and Ethel for rehearsal. She teaches them perfect posture and the makings of a Miss Riverdale Teen Queen, who must be well-rounded as they will serve as the ambassadress of Riverdale for the year. Meanwhile, in the corner, Ethel dreams of winning the pageant and wishing that her parents were alive to see it, which Alice reveals that they are, by pointing to them in the crowd. Another wish of Ethel's is to have her work hanging in a museum, and lastly for Jughead to be her boyfriend. All three wishes come true as Ethel finds herself back in reality and Alice asking her if she booked an appointment at Mary's dress shop.
After rehearsal, the girls head down to Mary's shop, Perky In Peach, where she recalls competing in the pageant all throughout high school, though she always lost to Alice. Mary always thought that being miss Riverdale Teen Queen would be a steppingstone to doing something important with her life, like being the First Lady, but Alice argues that there's nothing more important than being a wife and mother. Maybe for their generation, but Mary argues that these girls can do or be whatever they want. Veronica wonders if they'll ever have a female president, but Evelyn would never vote for women. Toni then questions if they'll ever have a black president. Alice encourages them to manage their expectations, to which Mary agrees. As Ethel fixes Betty's dress, she begins to cry. Betty takes notice and inquires why. Ethel claims that nothing is wrong and that Betty and all the other girls are so beautiful. Meanwhile, Mary takes a look at Midge's dress and says that she will let it out just a bit, which doesn't go unnoticed by Alice, who proposes that she and Midge have a private chat later.
Betty asks Ethel about her tears at Mrs. Andrews' shop. Truthfully, Ethel wishes she could be competing with them, but she can't, as the Teen Queen is supposed to embody the best of the town and be Riverdale's ideal girl, and that's not Ethel, as she's the girl whose parents were murdered and likes to draw creepy pictures. However, Betty encourages her to at least sign up, as she's beautiful and has every right to compete with them. Still, Ethel regrets every mentioning it and tells Betty to drop it.
Alice and Midge meet at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, where she asks Midge how far along into her pregnancy she is, having recognized her pregnancy glow.
The following day, Alice informs the girls that Midge will no longer be competing in the pageant. And more over, she will no longer be a student at Riverdale High; Midge will continue her studies at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. Alice assures them this is in Midge's best interest. And when they see her again in six or seven months, she will be right as rain. Also, she reminds them to treat their bodies as temples, free of any kind of defilement.
Betty, Veronica, Cheryl, Toni, Ethel, and Evelyn reconvene in the lounge, where they discuss Midge's pregnancy. Toni insists that Midge has nothing to be ashamed of, but Evelyn argues otherwise, as she allowed a dirty greaser to paw at her, leading Betty to question exactly how active Midge and Fangs were sexually. Toni explains that they love each other and if not for Midge's classist and racist parents, they'd be together right now. Betty is now wondering if they were using protection, which they were, but one time it slipped, which is why Veronica argues that someone should invent a monthly pill for girls to take that will protect them from "happy accidents." Cheryl refuses to allow this to be the end of Midge's life, as she's a Vixen, but Evelyn argues that neither Cheryl nor Midge are Vixens anymore. After Cheryl and Toni leave to inform Fangs, Betty begins thinking about how quickly life can change and how one night can change everything..
Betty approaches Ethel about joining the pageant, given that Midge is no longer eligible. Ethel is reluctant to sign up, given that Betty's mom will still need an assistant, but Betty already has that covered.
After learning from Cheryl and Toni that Midge was taken to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, Fangs becomes enraged and plans to break her out, but they advise him otherwise. Midge's family likely still don't know that Fangs is the father, and it would be in everyone's best interest to keep it that way. Midge's best bet is for Fangs to stick to the plan of becoming a successful musician and proving to Midge's parents that he's worthy of her. In the meantime, Cheryl's parents have made donations to the Sisters, and she offers to work on setting up a phone call at the very least.
Alice arrives in the music room to find Betty preparing Ethel to replace Midge in the pageant. After Betty reveals that Dilton will be her new assistant, Alice calls her into the hallway, where she explains that Ethel doesn't represent the ideals of Miss Riverdale Teen Queen, as she has an unsavory history. Alice claims that she's trying to protect the office of Miss Riverdale Teen Queen as well as Ethel, who will all but certainly face scrutiny. Betty argues that Ethel deserves it above everyone else, but Alice retorts that the pageant is not a charity, it is a competition. And since Betty made this mess, she has to tell Ethel to withdraw.
Betty meets with Veronica, Cheryl, and Toni in The Dark Room to discuss how her mother doesn't want Ethel competing in the pageant, as she doesn't represent the ideal Riverdale Teen Queen. Betty can't help but imagine the doors it would open for Ethel. The girls agree to help Betty by linking arms and demanding that Ethel get a chance to complete, or else they'll all withdraw. However, rather than confronting her mom, they decide to go to her dad, who may be more inclined to listen to reasons or threats
Betty and Veronica approach Betty's dad about a few competition parameters, with the first being Ethel's ability to compete in the pageant. However, Hal's already gotten an earful from Alice. There's a lot riding on the pageant, and how they present themselves to the world is of the utmost importance. Miss Riverdale Teen Queen will be live and be huge for the news station, not to mention they've already sold their commercial spots, meaning that they're on the hook and can't cash the checks unless the pageant goes off without a hitch. So, they might find themselves in a precarious position if all the girls decide to drop out, which they are willing to do if Ethel isn't allowed to compete. And so, Hal relents to their parameters, including the cutting of the swimsuit portion.
When Hal returns home to deliver Alice the bad news that he has no choice but to allow Ethel to compete, Alice accosts him for undermining her. What if Ethel wins and someone decides to look into her past. That would put them at risk as well. However, Hal argues that it doesn't matter if Ethel competes, as she'll never win.
Just over in the next room, Ethel can't help but wonder if Betty's parents are fighting about her, but Betty claims they're just a bit nervous about the pageant being live this year. She then asks if Ethel has decided on a song for the talent competition, which she has.
Archie, Jughead, Reggie, Fangs, Clay, Julian, and Dilton watch the pageant from Pop's.
The Riverdale Miss Teen Queen pageant begins, with Principal Featherhead, Dr. Werthers, and Clifford Blossom are the judges. Hal welcomes Kevin to the stage to serenade them during the evening gown event. Cheryl comes out first, closely followed by Betty, and then Evelyn and Ethel. Following them is Veronica and lastly Toni.
To end the talent portion of the competition, Ethel sings an original song that leaves not only the crowd, but the viewers at home, utterly surprised as they applaud Ethel for her amazing performance.
As the competition comes to an end, the judges must now decide who will be the new Teen Queen. Alice joins Hal on stage to announce the verdict. To everyone's surprise, Ethel is named the winner of Riverdale's Miss Teen Queen 1955 pageant. The judges appear upset, as does Hal, but Alice tells him to smile, as the world is watching. Ethel receives her tiara and bouquet of flowers on stage as she celebrates.
Fangs arrives at Pop's for a call from Midge, who remains at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. Everything happened so fast, and she can't believe that Mrs. Cooper made her parents send her away, though the plan remains the same. Fangs just needs her to stay strong in the meantime, because once she's out, they're going to be a family and get married.
Betty joins her mother at the dining room table, where Alice reveals that it was actually Betty who won the pageant. Betty's confused. So Alice explains that maybe she truly believes the pageant could change lives, even a life as broken and hopeless as Ethel's. Or maybe she simply didn't want Betty to win, but she'll never know for sure. Even with all of Betty's do-gooding and grandstanding, Ethel would've lost and her life is better now because of Alice, who wants Betty to remember this regardless of what happens next. Alice can say whatever she wants, but Betty says that she did a decent thing, likely because deep down, she's a kind and caring person. She then tells her mother that she loves her, before leaving, which brings tears to Alice's eyes.
Betty writes back to her anonymous followers through her forum. She tells them that they're not along in the world, and though it may not feel like it today, there is hope for a better tomorrow.
Cast[]
Starring[]
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Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
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Trivia[]
- The girls write to The Teenage Mystique under noms de plume: Veronica as Monica Posh, Toni as Sandy Sapphire, Cheryl as Coral Peasebottom, Midge as Bitsy Block, Evelyn as Carrie Carryon, and Ethel as Edith Cupps.
- Mrs. Andrews's shop, Perky In Peach is a play on Pretty in Pink, a 1986 American teen romantic comedy-drama film starring Molly Ringwald.
- Miss Riverdale Teen Queen is the second pageantry in the Archieverse. Miss Washington Heights Pageant was shown in "Chapter Six: Mama Said" of Katy Keene.
- In Ethel's imagination, Alice states that Ethel's art will be on display at the Guggenheim as one of her prizes. While the season takes place in 1955, the Guggenheim Museum of Art did not open until 1959.
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