"Chapter One-Hundred and Twenty-Four: Dirty Dancing" is the seventh episode of the seventh season of Riverdale and the one hundredth and twenty-fourth episode of the series overall. It premiered on May 10, 2023.
Synopsis[]
AMERICAN GRANDSTAND — Fearing that Betty is going down the wrong path, Alice forces her to join the after-school dance show, "American Grandstand." Meanwhile, Kevin is forced by Tom to join the Riverdale High basketball team, and Veronica finds herself cut off by her parents.[2]
Plot[]
Alice begins making calls
In the aftermath of Archie and Betty's cross window peep show, Alice makes several calls, starting with Hermione given that Veronica provided Betty with the black laced lingerie. She then rings Penelope and asks her what to do, mother to mother. However, Penelope doesn't offer much help and shares this discovery from Cheryl.
Archie and Uncle Frank discuss what happened last night
The following morning, Archie and Uncle Frank discuss the prior night's events, with Archie fearing his mother will never talk to him again. Frank replies that Archie's feeling are perfectly natural despite the raunchy nature, and he'd be more worried if Archie wasn't interested in girls. For now, Frank instructs Archie to focus on school and basketball, and to stay away from Betty.
Alice scolds Betty
Alice scolds Betty for being naked in front of Archie, but Betty insists she did nothing wrong. She and Archie were just having fun, not to mention they were in separate houses. As punishment, Betty will be dancing for her father's show, Riverdale Grandstand, from 3pm-6pm every day after school. Additionally, she is warned against ever speaking to Archie again.
While tanning at the Pembrooke, Veronica gets a telegram from her parents. Smithers reads the letter, revealing that her allowance has been revoked and that she'll be working at the Babylonium moving forward for her role in Archie and Betty's sexual escapades.
Kevin enters his room after getting out of the shower to find his dad sitting on his bed with Kevin's body building magazine. Given Kevin's recent actions, from breaking up with Betty, to hanging out with Clay Walker, Tom is beginning to fear what this could mean.
Jughead is given an ultimatum
Jughead is called into the principal's office, where Featherhead and Dr. Werthers confront him about the violent and sexual nature of his comic book. Dr. Werthers refers to it as "reprehensible dreck," but Jughead is proud of his work. However, they accuse Jughead of being involved in the creation and distribution of pornography, which is an expellable offense. While it may be a comic book, Werthers claims it's polluting their youth. And so, they present Jughead with an ultimatum: either he sign the agreement to no longer write horror and crime books, and he'll remain a student, or he will be expelled if he continues.
Betty enters her first class of the day to awkward silence and whispers among her classmates, clearly directed about her. She quietly takes her seat as Archie enters the class to applause from Julian and others, who celebrate his rumored sexual conquest.
Veronica asks Betty how far she went with Archie
After hearing conflicting reports, Veronica asks Betty how far she went with Archie, but they only looked at each other, Betty reveals. As punishment, Betty now has to be a part of her father's dance show, which Cheryl insists is an honor, informing Veronica that she's the dance captain in part due to the fact that her parents are RIVW's biggest sponsors. Betty asks Veronica to join her, but she's starting her new job at the Babylonium. Cheryl then hands Betty a list of rules for participants.
Kevin is forced to join the Bulldogs at his father's behest. Frank introduces him to the rest of the team, though Julian isn't thrilled, referring to Kevin as a "cream puff Bulldog."
Veronica outside the Babylonium
Veronica arrives at the Babylonium for her first day. She is greeted by the manager, Mr. Lemly. , Veronica, along with, Clay, will assist him in running the theater.
Betty arrives at the studio for Riverdale Grandstand, where she is confronted by Cheryl for her reluctance to dance, which is bad for ratings. So she advises Betty to dance with Dilton, who hasn't had a steady partner since Ethel got sent away to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.
Frank tells Archie that Tom is worried about Kevin
Archie asks Uncle Frank what he and Sheriff Keller were talking about earlier. Frank reveals that Tom wants Kevin to get into sports, as he's in need of more regular male role models. When asked if something is wrong with Kevin, Frank explains that boys sometimes get confused about how they're supposed to act, but not to worry, Frank promised Tom to straighten Kevin out.
Archie approaches Kevin at school and asks for Kevin to join him during lunch to practice in the gym.
Rayberry invites Jughead to lunch
Jughead is surprised by the unexpected arrival of Mr. Rayberry, who stops by Pep Comics to turn his check in for cash, as he doesn't trust banks. Jughead apologizes for taking Rayberry's novels. After Jughead reveals that he dropped out of school because his principal threatened to expel him for writing horror comics, Rayberry asks Jughead what time is his lunch break, to which he replies any time.
Archie asks Kevin what sparked his interest in basketball. In truth, it was his father's idea, as he would prefer if Kevin was a regular guy, as opposed to being interested in things like poetry, drama, music and movie stars. While Archie may like those things too, he and Kevin are far from the same.
Jughead and Rayberry discuss his novel
Jughead and Rayberry convene at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe, where he once again apologizes for stealing and reading his novel. Admittedly, Rayberry may have overreacted, though Jughead understands why, referring to the novel as a masterpiece. Rayberry wants Jughead to go back to school, though he doesn't want to choose between writing a comic book and getting an education. Rayberry agrees and asks Jughead to tell him everything he knows about Werthers.
Julian challenges Kevin
As the team showers in the locker room, Julian salutes one of the Bulldogs for finally going all the way with Jenny Stevens. Between that and Archie's peep show with Betty, Julian jokes they might want to rename the team "the Horndogs." Now, Julian wonders whose next to lose their virginity, suspecting that Fangs has already done so with Midge, but Fangs doesn't entertain Julian's claims and tells him to mind his business. Julian then turns his attention to Kevin, but Archie comes to his defense and calls Julian a virgin, which he insists isn't true. Julian claims to have lost his virginity during his 16th birthday when his dad took him to see Twyla Twyst, who works in a hotel behind the school. One hour with her, and he'll never be the same. Julian then challenges Kevin to see Twyla, a challenge that Kevin accepts.
Veronica and Clay discuss their future plans
Clay reveals to Veronica that he wants to study filmmaking. He wants to inspire people the same way his hero inspired him, that being black director Oscar Micheaux. As for Veronica, she's always loved being near cameras, which leads Clay to propose that maybe her destiny is to run a studio one day, and then she'll hire Clay to direct his first movie. Veronica then learns that the Babylonium is dying now that TV has taken a giant bite out of their business, not to mention the new drive-in making things worse. However, Veronica argues that there's no other experience that can compete to coming to the Babylonium and that people need to be reminded of that through a televised commercial.
Betty slaps Troy
After the Blossoms conclude their commercial, Riverdale Grandstand resumes, and the kids begin dancing, at which point, Betty is approached by a young boy named Troy, who is without a partner and asks Betty to dance. He takes Betty on to the dance floor, where he asks if it's true that she likes to be watched and pressures her into coming down to the river with him. He then grabs her butt, and as a result, Betty slaps Troy, forcing Alice to intervene, though it is Betty who is scolded.
Alice punishes Betty
Betty attempts to explain that Troy got fresh with her, but Alice claims that if he did, it was only because Betty created a fast reputation. Betty would rather be let off of Grandstand. However, Alice declares that she will remain on the show. And to make matters worse, Alice will instruct all the boys not to dance with Betty.
Jughead stops by Rayberry's apartment and explains that he doesn't want to give up writing. And so, Rayberry tells Jughead that he needs to create a pseudonym to write under and inform Werthers that he's shifting his focus to more children friendly animal comic books.
Kevin is frantic about his date with Twyla Twyst. Archie encourages Kevin to let nature take its course. When asked about his first time, Archie reveals he's still a virgin, which angers Kevin, as he's the only one being pressured into seeing Twyla to prove his manhood.
Jughead returns to Riverdale High
Jughead returns to Riverdale High with Rayberry as backup. Before agreeing to sign the agreement that Jughead will no longer write horror comics, Rayberry announces their stipulations. Jughead claims that he will continue to write comics, but they will be more wholesome moving forward, such as Super Duck. Rayberry declares that Featherhead and Werthers actions were unconstitutional and should they continue to harass Jughead, he will escalate this matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. That said, Featherhead concedes and agrees to allow Jughead back in school.
Kevin and Twyla dance
As planned, Kevin meets with Twyla in a motel room. She grabs him for a dance and says for him to follow her lead. Meanwhile, Betty arrives at Pop's, where she crosses paths with Archie, who reveals Kevin's current predicament at the motel.
Archie arrives at the motel, barging into the room, exclaiming for Kevin not to go through with it. He finds Kevin sitting on the bed crying. Twyla reveals that nothing happened. They were dancing, and then he started crying, saying he couldn't do it. Twyla then turns her attentions to Archie, but he declines and leaves with Kevin.
Archie agrees to lie for Kevin
Archie reveals that Betty blew a gasket after he ran into her at Pop's and told her what was happening. She told Archie to save Kevin before he did something that would scar him for life. Kevin fears that when the team finds out, that he'll never hear the end of it, but Archie agrees to back Kevin up and lie to the team about Kevin going all the way with Twyla.
Veronica stars in the Babylonium's first ever commercial
Veronica stars in the Babylonium's first ever commercial. Mr. Lemly is impressed, however, he's been negotiating the sale of the Babylonium for the last few months. And an official offer from her parents finally came through, much to Veronica's surprise. Unfortunately, they intend to turn the theater into a parking lot.
Jughead is inspired by Rayberry's take-down of Featherhead and Werthers. So much so that he's hoping Rayberry would agree to be his mentor, to which he does. Rayberry then reveals that he's decided to re-read his novel.
Tom knows the truth
Kevin returns home to find his dad waiting for him. Tom knows he went to see Twyla, but only because it was him who instructed Julian to suggest her to Kevin. He figured if the idea came from a classmate, he might be more inclined to do it. From her, he learned that Kevin cried and that he had to be rescued by Archie. Tom is disappointed and leaves without saying another word.
The next day, Frank reveals to Archie that Kevin will no longer be on the basketball team. He sympathizes with Tom, realizing how difficult it must be to have a son who is "bent."
Veronica offers to buy the Babylonium
After mulling over their previous conversation, Veronica would like to buy the Babylonium, trading in an original Edward Hopper painting. Veronica truly believes the Babylonium is special, and working at the theater has rekindled something in her. She hopes to show the Babylonium the same love and respect Lemly and Clay have all these years.
Betty assures Archie that he did his best to help Kevin
Archie confides in Betty that he may have made things worse with Kevin, but Betty insists that he did the best he could. They're joined by Cheryl, who invites them to this afternoon's taping of Riverdale Grandstand due to it being their 50th episode. Archie and Betty can't believe how screwed up the world is. As long as they show up on Grandstand smiling like trained seals, everything is peachy keen. All the grown-ups ever do is control every second of their lives, and Archie fears there's nothing they can do about it, but Betty isn't so sure.
Betty flashes her underwear
Betty goes on to attend the 50th episode of Grandstand, where she performs the twirl and intentionally exposes her red underwear on live TV, much to Alice and Hal's dismay. They immediately cut to commercial, at which point, Alice scolds Betty for her actions. Alice accuses Betty of being out of control, however, her actions were quite calculated, as she has forced her mother's hand into suspending Betty from Riverdale Grandstand indefinitely.
Veronica sends a message to her parents
In her hand, Veronica holds the transfer of ownership deed to the Babylonium. She calls for Smithers and instructs him to send a telegram to her parents and inform them how she's now the owner of the Babylonium, which she will never turn into a parking lot.
Archie approaches Kevin and Clay and asks what they're doing for lunch. Rather than answering, Kevin explains that he quit the basketball team, which Archie is already aware of. He was hoping to break bread with them and discuss music, theater, and movie stars.
Betty is questioned by Dr. Werthers
Betty's arrival at school is met by stares from the student body, though she doesn't appear bothered, that is until she's confronted by Dr. Werthers, who reveals that Betty's mother is concerned about her and her erratic behavior, though Betty doesn't see what's so concerning about a teenage girl having a mind of her own. Werthers accuses her of being tortured, questioning what he will do with Betty.
While Jughead types late into the night, Rayberry gets an unexpected visit from The Milkman.
Cast[]
Starring[] |
Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
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Soundtrack[]
- LaVern Baker - Tweedle Dee
- The Paris Strings Orchestra - Wonderin' And Dreamin'
- Scene: Veronica visits the Babylonium for the first time.
- The Creel Sisters - I Do Whatta Do
- Jimmy Madden - Boogie Boo
- Scatman Crothers - When Oh When
- Scene: Clay and Veronica talk at work.
- Smokey Joe Baugh - Listen to Me Baby
- Scene: Betty dances with a guy that assaults her and she slaps him at American Grandstand.
- The Harptones - My Memories of You
- Scene: Jughead visits Rayberry, who gives him advice.
- Luvon Rivers - Lets Make Love Today
- Bill Simpson - Jelly Roll Man
- Scene: Archie and Betty talk at Pop's.
- Al Hazan - Road Runner
- Scene: Jughead asks Rayberry to be his mentor.
- Perry Como - Ko Ko Mo (I LoveYou So)
- Scene: American Grandstand.
- Billy "The Kid" Emerson - Red Hot
- Scene: Betty's Marilyn stunt at American Grandstand.
- Brother Woodman & The Chanters - Hot Mama
- Scene: Betty walks confidently at school.
- Eileen Burton - My Man
- Scene: Rayberry gets a visit from The Milkman.
Trivia[]
- The title of the episode shares its name with 1987 film directed by Emile Ardolino.
- Jughead's school papers are filled as "Jughead Jones" instead of his legal name, Forsythe Pendleton Jones.
- Matty Finochio played ice cream truck driver and killer Jimmy Platt in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
- Brad Rayberry threatens Principal Featherhead and Dr. Werthers with a Jones v. Board of Education case. Findings of Dr. Wertham, on which Werthers is based on were cited in the the Brown v. Board of Education.
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
Screencaps[]
Videos[]
