| “ | This is the story of two teenage boys living under the same roof. They go to the same school. They think about the same things, mostly cars and girls. But very different passions drive them. On a normal typical morning, the first thing these two boys do is go for a run through the still-asleep town. For Reggie, a run is a warm-up, before he turns to his true love, basketball. For Archie, it's a different kind of warm-up, before putting pencil to paper. Mind you, today isn't a normal, typical morning. It's the day after Halloween, when a car full of Bulldogs drove off a bridge and into Sweetwater River. Team captain Julian Blossom had been behind the wheel. All the Bulldogs most likely would have drowned if not for Reggie, who pulled them from the water one by one. But Julian Blossom was unconscious, hovering between life and death. Even as Frank Andrews was doing his best to calm down an enraged Clifford Blossom. | ” |
— Jughead
| ||
"Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Nine: After the Fall" is the twelfth episode of the seventh season of Riverdale and the hundredth and twenty-ninth episode of the series overall. It premiered June 21, 2023.
Synopsis[]
THE AFTERMATH — Archie and Reggie lean on each other as they prepare for their big basketball game against Stonewall Prep. Meanwhile, as they deal with ongoing issues with their parents, Betty and Veronica decide to throw a slumber party with Kevin and Clay.[2]
Plot[]
On a typical day, Archie and Reggie would go on an early morning run together. For Reggie, the run would lean into basketball practice, whilst for Archie, on the other hand, would write. However, this is no typical morning, as it's the day after Julian drove his car off a bridge. The Bulldogs most likely would've drowned if not for Reggie pulling them from the water one by one. Unfortunately, Julian remains in an unconscious state while at Riverdale General Hospital. Clifford is enraged and blames Reggie for the crash, now wanting Reggie off the team, despite Frank explaining that Julian was behind the wheel.
Sheriff Keller arrives at Brad Rayberry's apartment to find Jughead and Ethel standing over the Milkman's body. He claims that all of their questions have finally been answered and that it isn't necessary for Ethel to come down to the station for questioning, because as far as he's concerned, this is an open and shut case, but Jughead argues otherwise and asks for the identity of the Milkman, which Sheriff Keller is admittedly unsure of. In the meantime, while he investigates, they need to find Ethel a home, anywhere other than the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, both she and Jughead insist.
After talking it over, Mary and Alice both agree that it would be best if Ethel stays with the Coopers. Ethel is reluctant given that Alice sent her to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy last time, but Alice claims it was more so Hal's idea and invites Ethel back to the house.
That night, Archie and Reggie lay in bed, Archie tells Reggie that he's a hero for saving the Bulldogs, but Reggie insists that he's no hero. When he realized he was the only one who'd gotten free from the car, he knew he had to dive back down and get everyone out, because if any of them died, he'd be blamed for it and locked away for the rest of his life.
The following morning, Betty comes downstairs for school, inviting Ethel to join her for the walk, but Alice insists on driving Ethel instead, leaving Betty to walk alone.
Upon her arrival at school, Betty shares her troubles at home with Veronica — how her mother is treating her as an unwanted guest, which makes Betty want to run away. Veronica would invite her to stay at the Pembrooke, but she herself is homeless and has been living out of the Babylonium after being kicked out by her parents, leading Betty to wonder if Veronica has tried breaking back in, which she hasn't.
Mrs. Thornton reads a beautifully written anonymous poem to the class, which Kevin initially assumes is Clay's writing but it is in fact Archie's.
Frank informs the Bulldogs that they've decided to name a new captain while Julian recovers, and that captain is Archie. The team then proceeds to take a knee in Julian's honor.
Principal Featherhead and Dr. Werthers welcomes Ethel back to Riverdale High, during which point, they refer to the Milkman as a drifter, which they claim was Sheriff Keller's findings. Werthers adds that the drifter's mind was poisoned by Pep Comics, and thus he was inspired to go on a murderous rampage, much like the original comic book. He must've begun killing to satisfy his bloodlust, but Jughead and Ethel aren't convinced, as drifters tend to move on rather than target a family, such as the case with the Muggs. Werthers dismisses their claims and is hopeful they both now see the real danger comic books pose to society.
While he is honored to be named captain, Archie argues in favor of Reggie, given that he's the team's strongest player. While that may be so, Clifford wanted Archie as the captain, so Frank urges Archie to drop the matter. He then gifts Archie his dad's captain patch to wear for his first game as captain.
Betty comes downstairs with a suitcase and reveals that she's moving in with Veronica at the Pembrooke, but Alice appears unfazed and continues reading the newspaper as Betty walks out the house.
Betty uses a bobbypin to break into the Pembrooke and asks how quiet do they have to be in the apartment so as to not alert Smithers. Veronica explains that they only have to be cautious of noise when going up and down the back staircase. She told Kevin and Clay this as well when she invited them over.
Cheryl confronts her father after learning that he intends to continue the basketball season without Julian. Clifford replies that Julian has always been a dunce, and therefore he is going to leave Julian to lay in the bed he made. Cheryl is enraged and accuses her father of forsaking Julian. Clifford was a Bulldog and would admittedly do anything to go back to those glory days. He realized that a winning team could unite a town and lead to them following him. Cheryl refuses to cheer while Julian hovers between life and death, but Clifford insists that she will, or else she'll suffer a fate worse than Julian's, Clifford threatens as he grabs Cheryl by her shoulders.
Betty, Veronica, Kevin, and Clay sing and dance throughout the Pembrooke. Afterward, they get drunk off rum and discuss their dating life. Kevin asks how Betty's Halloween went with Archie and Reggie. She admits to kissing Archie, but then she saw the Milkman and they fled, though she keeps that bit of detail to herself. Clay thought that perhaps she and Reggie would've made a connection. Speaking of Archie and Reggie, Veronica asks whose packing the most heat. Kevin replies that both Archie and Reggie have a lot to be proud of. But Dilton Doiley is the real story in the boys' locker room, Kevin and Clay reveal.
Cheryl reluctantly speaks at the Pep Rally before the big game with Stonewall Prep. She invites Archie up to the podium and introduces him as the team's new captain. He asks if she's okay, to which she replies that she's simply ding what was demanded of her. She then asks Archie to say a few words. Afterward, Mrs. Thornton applauds Archie for his writing capabilities and encourages him to further pursue it. Archie claims that he's not a writer. While putting pen to paper may not seem as exciting as being captain of a sports team, she insists that it can be and hopes Archie will put as much enthusiasm into writing as he does basketball.
Mr. Fieldstone welcomes Ethel back to Pep Comics, impressed with her resilience after having faced crazy nuns and a psychotic killer dressed as a Milkman. He tells Jughead and Ethel to pitch their next story, but when Ethel says she wants to write a sequel to the Milkman story, he shuts it down, even as Jughead points out that it's one of their best-selling issues ever. Fieldstone explains that there's too much heat on them after the editorial Werthers wrote on them. They have to be circumspect for the time being.
Betty and Veronica go shopping at Mary's shop and asks that she box up a couple of dresses and send them to the Pembrooke. To Mary's surprise, Betty is also staying at the Pembrooke.
Bret and the Stonewall Stallions steal the Bulldogs' mascot Peppy and accost Reggie for being a choker, claiming he did so at Stonewall, angering Archie, who threatens to hurt Bret, but Reggie tells him to save it for the game. He briefly makes mention of Julian, sending his condolences, before ridiculing Reggie even further
The Bulldogs go over their game plan for their upcoming match against the Stallions, with Reggie as their teacher, given he previously played alongside them. Afterward, while washing the dishes, Archie confides in Reggie that he'd be better captain, as he's their best player. Not to mention it's Reggie's dream, but Reggie doesn't have a dream, only a plan, which consists of going pro. Clearly, Reggie has his future planned out, but Archie can't say the same. He plays basketball because it makes him feel closer to his dad, though it's not his passion. When asked what his passion is, Archie is reluctant to reveal.
Jughead and Ethel return to his train car, where Ethel continues to draw the Milkman despite Mr. Fieldstone telling them to drop it. Since everything started, no one but Jughead believed her, with many people calling her delusional, to the point where she started to doubt her own sanity. But now the Milkman is dead, and everyone is still trying to tell her what happened and how it happened. She's tired of people telling her what she went through and what she experienced. Ethel wants to tell her story, or at least a version of it, even if it's just in a comic book. Jughead sympathizes and discusses ways to help Ethel.
While painting each other's nails, Betty and Veronica bond over memories with their parents. Veronica's mom used to paint her nails before bedtime. Betty recalls how her mom stopped tucking her in after she got her gift from Mother Nature, saying that she was now a woman and didn't need to be coddled. And now it's as if Betty's left home, and her mother doesn't even care, essentially making both her and Veronica 16-year-old orphans. Betty confesses to Veronica that sometimes she's wonders if she's adopted due to feeling so different from everyone else. She goes on to tell Veronica about Polly, who left Riverdale as soon as she turned 18, leaving Betty with no one to talk to. If she were adopted, Veronica tells Betty that her family is the luckiest people in the world because she is aces, as well as beautiful. In the spirit of divulging their dark secrets, Veronica's always feared that she was a mistake, the result of an unplanned pregnancy, and that her parents never stopped resenting her for it. Betty and Veronica make a pact to never grow up to be anything like their parents. That said, Betty remarks that Kevin and Clay are truly a happy couple, which Veronica envies, as it must be easier for two boys to date rather than a boy and girl, which leads Betty to recall reading in Dr. Kingsley's book that 81% of girl's experiment with girls before they turn 18. Veronica isn't surprised, revealing that she's kissed a girl before. While Betty hasn't, she's thought about it, specifically kissing Veronica, at which point, they're about to kiss until Mary interrupts with Smithers and tells the girls to tell her everything.
Cheryl has returned to the hospital to watch over Julian. While they don't always get along, she says that she loves him and misses everything about him. She pleads with him to come back to her, at which point, he awakens and tells Cheryl to stop crying and embarrassing the both of them.
Mary is in disbelief when she learns that Alice disowned Betty and that Veronica was evicted by her parents. Mary assures them she will fix everything.
Cheryl returns to Thornhill and overhears her father talking to Principal Featherhead about their plans to replace Reggie with a new player from Boston named KO Kelly. Once Mantle gets Stonewall out the way, Clifford intends to swap him out for a normal, red-blooded American.
Mary accosts Alice for abandoning Betty, reminding her that as mothers, they're on the planet to nurture their children. Mary said the same thing to Hermione about how they need to do everything in their power to right the wrongs and regain their moral footing, which consists of Veronica officially being allowed back in the Pembrooke and Alice telling Betty that she's her daughter again, along with Ethel.
Cheryl reveals to Archie that her father is planning on cutting Reggie from the team after they play Stonewall and bring in a new player named KO Kelly, who Reggie suspects is a few shades lighter than him. Rather than giving up, Reggie wants to finish what he was brought to Riverdale for, which is to take the Bulldogs to the championship, and he wants to do it as captain, which Archie and the rest of the team also wants for Reggie.
Rather than the Milkman, Jughead and Ethel have come up with a new story centering around a homicidal mailman. While Fieldstone loves it, Werthers won't be pleased with this story and if they publish it, there will be a storm. As far as Jughead is concerned, they have two options: they either bury their head in the sand and pray the storm passes them, or they run headlong into the thunder and thumb their noses at it. Mr. Fieldstone relents and agrees to publish the story.
Led by Archie, the Bulldogs pay Clifford a visit at Thornhill after learning of his plans to replace Reggie. Not only is Archie turning over his captainship, he threatens to quit the team if Clifford doesn't oblige, as does Fangs and the rest of the team. Clifford doesn't take kindly to threats, but he has no choice but to agree to their terms.
Veronica calls Betty to say goodnight and to say that she misses her. She tells Betty that she loves her, which Betty says back. Veronica then asks if Betty's attending the game against Stonewall and makes plans to sit together.
The night of the game has finally arrived. Before they head out, Reggie thanks the team for supporting him during his time of need. No one's ever done that for him before. Also, his parents made the trip out from Duck Creek to watch his first game as captain, and so, the Bulldogs put on a great game for Reggie's parents and the entire town of Riverdale, ultimately defeating the Stonewall Stallions.
After the game, Archie gifts Reggie his dad's captain patch. Reggie is initially reluctant to accept the gift, but ultimately takes it and promises not only to honor Archie's father but to return the patch at the end of the season. He then asks if Archie sticking around on the team, which he is, at least for the time being, to watch Reggie's back. What about writing poems, Reggie asks. Archie replies that the world is ready for the version of him that's a beatnik poet.
Cast[]
Starring[] |
Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[] |
Soundtrack[]
- The Jaynetts - See Saw
- Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, Casey Cott & Karl Walcott - I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair [cover]
- Scene: Betty, Veronica, Clay, and Kevin sing South Pacific at The Pembrooke.
- Buzz Clifford - Pididdle
- Scene: Betty and Veronica shop at Mary Andrews's store.
- Len Gehl - Take Some Love
- Scene: The Bulldogs stand up to Clifford Blossom.
Trivia[]
- Clifford Blossom wants to replace Reggie Mantle with KO Kelly, a boxer from Boston.
- Betty confesses to Veronica to have fantasised about kissing her, and they almost share a kiss.
- Betty mentions Kingsley's scale, a play on the Kinsey scale on human sexual orientation. Kingsley is the name given in the show to the author of the guide on sexuality Betty read in "Chapter One Hundred and Twenty: Sex Education".
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
Screencaps[]
Videos[]
