| “ | Things were dire. My friend Ethel's parents had been brutally murdered the night of the sock hop. And suddenly, Ethel and I were the prime suspects. | ” |
— Jughead
| ||
"Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-One: Love & Marriage" is the fourth episode of the seventh season of Riverdale and the one hundredth and twenty-first episode of the series overall. It premiered on April 19, 2023.
Synopsis[]
CUPID'S CHECK LIST — After enlisting Archie's help, Cheryl's plan to fool her family spirals out of control. Jughead turns to Veronica for help after finding himself in some trouble, and Betty gives Kevin an ultimatum. [2]
Plot[]
Jughead and Ethel are the prime suspects
Jughead and Ethel are now the prime suspects in the murder of Ethel's parents. Sheriff Keller asks about her meat grinder drawing, which she claims was merely a joke, but Dr. Werthers questions why Jughead hid the drawings under his bed. Before they can even respond, Principal Featherhead accuses Ethel of drawing inspiration about a milkman killer from the Pit of Perverse comic. Ethel insists that she saw a milkman leaving her house that night, but Jughead advises her against talking any further without a lawyer. Sheriff Keller hopes they'll be more talkative at the station and leads Jughead and Ethel out of the school, at which point, Jughead tells Veronica that he's being railroaded.
Cheryl needs Archie's help
Archie is confronted by Julian for taking advantage of Cheryl and going all the way with her, but Archie claims they didn't have sex. When Julian says that Cheryl told him otherwise, Archie pulls Cheryl into an empty classroom and asks why she lied about them going all the way. She can't explain why she lied, but by saying that they did, it's helping her with a problem at home. And by corroborating her story, Archie would be protecting her from her family. She then pleads with Archie not to ask her anything else, as she can't divulge any further without exposing herself.
Betty tells Toni about her breakup
Kevin returns Betty's sex book. From it, he gathered what Betty wants from their relationship, but Kevin wants to wait until marriage. However, Betty's not okay with him making all the decisions in their relationship and breaks up with him. She then heads to the Blue and Gold, where she tells Toni that she and Kevin broke up. They were talking about having a more physical relationship; Betty gave him an ultimatum, but when Kevin said he wanted to wait until marriage, she broke up with him. Toni tells Betty not to be ashamed of her desires and believes more girls should follow her lead by asking what they want from their supposed boyfriends. As for what she does from here, Toni proposes they go to the Dark Room and grab some coffee.
Jughead asks Veronica for help
Veronica stops by the Sheriff Station to check on Jughead and Ethel, who are locked behind bars. They can be held legally for 24 hours. Veronica recalls that Jughead was at the dance the night of the murder. All they have to do is prove the time when the murder happened. That would at least clear Jughead, who could then find a way to exonerate Ethel. Putting on her Nora Charles hat, Veronica says that the coroner would've performed an autopsy on the Muggs and goes to find out exactly who that is. On her way out, Jughead tells Veronica that The Thin Man is one of his favorite films, in response to her Nora Charles reference
Archie returns home, where he's confronted by his mother after Penelope stopped by and informed Mary that Archie and Cheryl had sex. She tells him to go upstairs and change into his suit because they're going to the Blossoms' for dinner to figure out a path through this mess that he and Cheryl made.
Dinner at Thornhill
Archie and Mary arrive at Thornhill, where they have dinner with the Blossoms. Mary asks Clifford, who is also the mayor, about his trip to Washington, which he claims was productive, but he was heartbroken to come back to their town torn asunder by two murders and their young people in crisis. Clifford asks Archie what he thinks about the Russia problem, to which Archie nervously agrees with Clifford that the Russians are indeed a problem. Pleased by his answer, he says that Archie is smart and that he reminds him of Fred, who was a decent, hardworking red-blooded American. After dinner, Clifford would like to adjourn to his study with Mary to discuss their next move.
Cheryl is sorry that she never got to meet Archie's dad, who he misses dearly and says was his best friend. They used to go to the movie almost every weekend and see Western films, as those are their favorite. Afterward, they'd go to Pop's for burgers and joke about riding out west to California, where they'd live on a ranch. Archie thinks about that a lot, hye admits, before kissing Cheryl.
Toni takes Betty to the Dark Room, where she spots Kevin slow dancing with Clay. Upset, Betty flees the café.
Veronica delivers the death certificate of Ethel's parents
Veronica delivers the death certificate of Ethel's parents to Sheriff Keller, exonerating Jughead, who was at the dance during the murders. After being released, Jughead and Veronica head to Pops, where Jughead reveals to Veronica that Ethel finally told him where she was when her parents got killed. She was hooking up with Julian Blossom. Ethel was waiting at the bus stop to go to the dance when Julian offered her a ride. Instead, he took her to lover lanes, where he tried to put the moves on her. She welcomed it at first, but then slapped him when he became too handy. As she left the vehicle, Julian warned her against saying anything to anyone. If she did, he'd tell everyone that she's a nymphomaniac and make her the laughingstock of the town. After that, Ethel went home, where she found her parents' bodies. Jughead proposes they confront Julian tomorrow at school and pray he does the honorable thing.
Betty tells her mother that Kevin is gay
Betty returns home to learn that Kevin's mom informed her mom that she and Kevin broke up. Alice claims that Kevin is devastated, but Betty insists that Kevin is fine and that she saw him at the coffee house with another boy, revealing to her mother that Kevin is gay. Alice claims it is merely a phase that will fade and that eventually, Kevin will be ready to marry her and start a family, but Betty isn't convinced. Betty and Kevin have been building a relationship for two years, and if he's going through some sort of sexual identity crisis, Alice believes Betty owes it to him to help him through it.
Jughead returns to his train car, which has been left in complete disarray from the police search. Just as concerning, Hot Dog is missing, though Jughead suspects he was most likely taken during the search.
Archie and Mary discuss his future
Archie and Mary return home, where Mary expresses how relieved she is to be out of Thornhill. She accuses Clifford of being a hypocrite and war profiteer. He sold maple syrup to the army at a premium during the Korean War. She's always kept the Blossoms at a distance, but now, thanks to Archie, they'll be linked for the rest of their lives. After having a spoken with Clifford and Penelope, they've decided that it's best for Archie and Cheryl to get married, but first they must both take a compatibility test and also determine if they're psychologically ready for marriage. Mary doesn't want this, but given the circumstances, she doesn't believe they have any other choice, telling Archie to think about Cheryl's honor and reputation.
The next day at school, Midge tells Fangs that she's late and possibly pregnant. Fangs assures her they'll figure it out and tells Midge that he loves her.
Jughead punches Julian
Jughead and Veronica confront Julian and attempt to convince him into doing the right thing and offering Ethel an alibi, but Julian refuses, as he's a Blossom, and it would be unseemly for him to be seen with someone like Ethel. When asked why do it in the first place, he says "cheap thrills." This angers Jughead, who, in a fit of rage, punches Julian and accuses him of taking advantage of people and thinking he's better just because he's rich. Standing over Julian, Jughead demands that he tell Sheriff Keller the truth, which he does, resulting in Ethel's release, though an adult has to sign her out, with the Coopers already on the way.
Archie and Cheryl's compatibility test
Archie and Cheryl undergo their compatibility test, conducted by Dr. Werthers, who asks about their family history, if they're close friends, and if they understand the concept of marriage. Dr. Werthers warns them that marriage is not to be taken lightly. While it goes against their nature, he advises Archie to remain faithful and tells Cheryl that the best way to ensure this is by providing kind words, a sympathetic ear, and home cooked meals. Dr. Werthers then calls Penelope and reveals that Archie and Cheryl are indeed compatible. Mary is surprised given that Archie and Cheryl are so different, to which Penelope retorts that they both have glorious red hair.
Fangs reveals to Toni that Midge might be pregnant, though they're not entirely sure. Needing to confirm the pregnancy, Toni devises a plan to gather in the biology lab at midnight, where she will gather supplies to conduct her own pregnancy test.
Betty approaches Kevin about Clay
Betty reveals to Kevin that she saw him dancing with Clay in the Dark Room. He attempts to deflect, but Betty isn't convinced and asks how long he and Clay have been together. Kevin says that last night was the first time. After Betty broke up with him, Kevin was in the gym crying when Clay found him and comforted him. Kevin apologizes to Betty for wasting her time. While she doesn't understand all of it, Betty assures Kevin their relationship wasn't a waste of time.
Archie wants to know Cheryl better
Archie and Cheryl discuss their upcoming marriage over milkshakes at Pop's. He questions if she really wants to go through with this. He welcomes the opportunity to get to know her better, and maybe even learn more about himself in the process. Cheryl recalls hearing that Archie wrote Veronica a love prom and asks if he can write her one as well.
Jughead and Veronica celebrate Ethel's release over milkshakes. After dinner, Veronica asks Jughead to walk her home, but he was planning on staying at the diner tonight after Sheriff Keller trashed his train car. And so, Veronica proposes that Jughead stay with her at the Pembrooke.
Toni confirms that Midge is pregnant
As planned, Toni, Fangs, and Midge meet in the biology lab at midnight. Toni is going to inject some of Midge's pee into the frog, which will cause a chemical reaction in the frog to lay eggs overnight if she's pregnant. The following morning, they confirm that Midge is indeed pregnant when the frog lays eggs. Fangs loves Midge, and so Toni instructs Fangs to clean himself up and ask her parents for Midge's hand in marriage, but to keep the fact that she's pregnant a secret for the time being. Fangs reluctantly agrees but fears they will simply turn him away.
As a show of gratitude, Jughead makes breakfast for him and Veronica. She wants to walk to school together, but he's skipping to pick up Hot Dog from the pound and clean up his train car. Veronica volunteers to join him and even help clean up his home.
Archie confides in Betty
Archie reveals to Betty that he and Cheryl didn't have sex, but they are getting married in an attempt to protect Cheryl. If he can save her from something, it might help him figure out his purpose in life. Betty asks Archie if he loves Cheryl, which he doesn't, but he believes he can grow to love her, as love starts when you're 17 and peaks when you're 21, but Betty doesn't think it's a wise idea, reminding him that marriage is forever. Cheryl then approaches and tells Archie that her father would like to speak with them after school.
Archie and Cheryl learns of Clifford's plans
As agreed, Archie and Cheryl sit down with Clifford, who announces his plans for their future. He will set Archie up with a part time job at the maple factory. They will finish high school together, but Clifford sees college as a waste of time. After graduation, Archie will enter into the Blossom management training program, while Chery will help her mother run the estate. Cheryl didn't have plans of staying at Thornhill, but Clifford refuses to entertain the idea of them living anywhere else, especially not at the Andrews house.
Toni gives Fangs a pep talk
Fangs cleaned himself up to meet with Midge's parents, who forbade him from ever seeing Midge again. Toni feared as much, given that Midge is rich and white, and that Fangs is a greaser wannabe rockstar. Toni advises Fangs to stay away from Midge as instructed. They still have time before she begins to show, approximately four months, and in that time, they have to turn Fangs into a wealthy rock star so that Midge’s parents will have no choice but to give their blessing when Fangs reproposes. Toni compares him and Midge to Romeo and Juliet, and says they're destined to be together.
Jughead returns to his train car to find that Veronica has given his place a full makeover. Despite the new decor, she invites him to stay at the Pembrooke another night, but Jughead politely declines, claiming that he and Hot Dog are creatures of habit.
Alice confronts Betty
Betty is confronted by her mother, who has found her sex book. Betty explains she was trying to make some sense of her life since everything her mother tells her is backwards and nonsensical. Alice claims that a girl of her age shouldn't be reading such filth. Betty retorts it's not filth, it's the truth. When asked where she got it from, Ethel confesses that it's hers, not that it matters to Betty, who takes the book and heads into her room.
Toni overhears Archie and Cheryl's plans
Archie is in his room, looking at an old California postcard. Meanwhile, at Thornhill, Cheryl looks at a postcard of Niagara Falls. Archie then meets with Cheryl, and reveals that he can't go through with marrying her. She understands and says that it's her cross to bear, realizing that she demanded to much of Archie, who then proposes they elope out west, where they can find themselves and be whoever they want to be. Cheryl is reluctant, but ultimately relents. Unbeknownst to the two of them, Toni has overheard their conversation.
Betty has read about gay men in her sex book and says that Kevin is brave. She then proceeds to return his pin, but he reveals that it's her mother's pin. She gave it to him and advised him on how to deal with Betty.
Toni warns Cheryl
Toni warns Cheryl against running off with Archie to get away from her family. Toni insists it won't work. She knows because at one point, she was Cheryl. Toni asks if she loves Archie, to which Cheryl replies that Archie is a great person with the best heart. And he's nothing like her family. But Toni tells Cheryl that eventually she's going to have to look in the mirror and accept who she really is.
Alice claims to be protecting Betty
Betty asks her mother about Ethel, who Alice sent away to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy, which Betty has heard rumors of experiments at, though Alice insists the rumors aren't true. Betty then confronts her mother for telling Kevin to pin her and settle her urges. Betty wonders what she's so afraid of, to which Alice explains that she's protecting Betty from dangers she doesn't even know are coming her way, including the sex book, which she burned.
Cheryl tells Archie to find his girl
Archie waits for Cheryl at the bus station. Unfortunately, when Cheryl finally arrives, she tells Archie that she can't go out west with him. While this has been the most beautiful pipe dream, and he's the best guy a girl could ask for, that's all it's ever been — a pipe dream. She can't go out to California with him, as she has to face her family. Cheryl is certain that some day, Archie will find his dream girl, but that girl isn't Cheryl. Perhaps it's Betty, Cheryl suggests, along with telling Archie to write her a poem instead.
Cheryl heads down to the Dark Room, where she tells Toni that she's decided not to leave with Archie. Cheryl doesn't know where she goes from here, with Toni Giving her a book titled The Cost of Pepper to read in hopes something will resonate within Cheryl.
Uncle Frank's arrival
Archie takes Cheryl's advice and writes a poem for Betty. He then heads downstairs to deliver the poem but he is called into the kitchen by his mother, where his Uncle Frank awaits after having been called in by Mary to knock some sense into Archie.
Jughead heads over to the Pembrooke, where he informs Veronica that Ethel is staying at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy. Jughead feels as though he failed Ethel, but Veronica insists that he saved her. She then grabs Jughead's hand and they kiss.
Cast[]
Starring[] |
Guest Starring[]
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Soundtrack[]
- Al Hazan - The Inbetween Years
- The Morrie Morrison Orchestra - I'll Not Forget You
- The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody
- Scene: Betty sees Kevin and Clay slow dance. [At the end of the episode] Toni loans Cheryl a book; Archie writes Betty a poem; Jughead and Veronica kiss.
- Little Leo - What's It All About
- Scene: Jughead and Veronica at Pop's. A flashback shows Ethel's alibi is Julian Blossom.
- Nolan Strong & The Diablos - A Teardrop From Heaven
- Scene: At Pop's, Archie and Cheryl talk about marriage.
- Chuck Higgins - Hey Dig
- Scene: At Pop's, Jughead and Veronica celebrate getting Ethel released from jail.
- Hank Jones, Dean Kay - I'm Walking Down The Path Of Broken Dreams
- Scene: Clifford Blossom lays out a sad future for Archie and Cheryl.
- Connie Conway - Who Do You Suppose
- Scene: In their respective homes, Archie and Cheryl contemplate elopement.
- Frank Sinatra - Young At Heart
- Scene: Archie waits for Cheryl at the bus stop.
- Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 9 in D, 1st Movement: Andante Comodo
- Scene: Cheryl arrives and ends her arrangement with Archie.
Trivia[]
- Toni gives Cheryl The Cost of Pepper by B. Harper, a play on The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith.
- Toni attended Highsmith College after graduating in Season 5.
- Clifford Blossom is said to be close friend with Senator Joseph McCarthy, and he talks to Archie about the implications of the Cold War.
- Mrs. Cooper tells Betty that rumors about human experiments at the Sisters of Quiet Mercy have been debunked. Ethel is sent there like she was in Season 3.
- Alice mentions her friend from social services, Janet Weiss.
- Mary calls Uncle Frank to straighten Archie up like she did in Season 5.
- Jughead and Veronica continue to bond over cinematic and literary references.
- Veronica identifies with amateur detective Nora Charles, as she had a feeling Jughead likes The Thin Man.
- Sleeping at The Pembrooke made Jughead feeling like Little Orphan Annie, making Veronica Daddy Warbucks.
- Jughead says his train car looks like the Orient Express from Agatha Christie's novel after Veronica's home makeover.
Gallery[]
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