| “ | After Dr. Werthers' editorial, comic books were periodicals non grata in Riverdale, just as I'd become one of Pep Comics' go to writers. And speaking of Pep Comics, I noticed some of their recent output bore an uncanny resemblance to stories written by my favorite pulp writer of all time, Brad Rayberry. But where was Rayberry's credit? | ” |
— Jughead
| ||
"Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Three: Peep Show" is the sixth episode of the seventh season of Riverdale and the one hundredth and twenty third episode of the series overall. It premiered on May 3, 2023.
Synopsis[]
GETTING ARCHIE IN LINE — At her wits end over Archie's recent actions, Mary turns to Uncle Frank to get him back on track. Meanwhile, Betty asks Veronica for help understanding her sexuality. Elsewhere, Jughead takes action after he discovers plagiarism taking place at Pep Comics, and Cheryl Blossom and Toni's budding attraction catches the attention of some River Vixens.[2]
Plot[]
Jughead accuses Pep Comics of plagiarism
Just as Jughead had become one of the writers at Pep Comics, comic books in Riverdale had become periodical non grata due to Dr. Werthers' editorial. Speaking of Pep Comics, Jughead noticed that some of their recent content bore an uncanny resemblance to stories from pulp writer Brad Rayberry, which Jughead confronts Mr. Fieldstone over. He accuses Pep Comics of plagiarism, but Mr. Fieldstone objects to such a harsh term, claiming to have previously reached out to Rayberry for a rights inquiry, which went unanswered. So Mr. Fieldstone assumed he was dead.
Frank makes Archie apologize
In the couple of days he's been back, Frank has observed a few things. He's admittedly concerned about Archie given his recent behavior and mediocre performance at school. Frank tells Archie that his dad would be disappointed in him and has Archie repeat Fred's final words before leaving for war, which was for Archie to take care of his mom and be the man of the house. Archie hadn't lived up to that, but Frank has returned to ensure that he does, starting with having Archie apologize to Mary. Tomorrow, he and Frank will talk to the principal about getting his grades up.
Betty asks Veronica for advise
The following day, Betty looks out her window to see Archie in nothing more than a towel, preparing for school, where she asks Veronica what sex is like. All she's done is read about it, but Betty wants to talk to someone with firsthand experience. Veronica swears Betty to secrecy and reveals that she hasn't gone all the way with a boy. Betty assumed she had because she's so sexy, to which Veronica replies that she doesn't have to have sex to be sexy. Betty seeks to carry herself more like Veronica, who shares her tricks to feel more sensual, starting with perfume and heels, but her personal favorite is wearing lingerie, as she likes the way it makes her feel. Veronica proposes that Betty come over to the Pembrooke after school and try on some lingerie.
Cheryl returns Toni's book
Cheryl returns Toni's book, revealing that she liked the aesthetically pleasing cover of two voluptuous, feminine forms in close proximity to each other, leading Toni to invite Cheryl to the Dark Room, where they can feed each other apple butter about the cover art. Cheryl declines, claiming that she's too busy relaunching the River Vixens. She'd invite Toni, though she suspects that cheerleading is far too square an activity for a greaser girl.
With Frank behind him, Archie promises Principal Featherhead to get his grades up, which pleases Featherhead, who believes Archie has untapped potential. Furthermore, Frank's timing couldn't be better, with Featherhead asking for a moment in private.
Toni performs a routine
To Cheryl's surprise, Toni arrives unexpectedly at practice for the River Vixens. Both Cheryl and Midge are pleased to see her and are far more welcoming than Evelyn, who claims that she's not on their list and tells Toni to try again next year, but Cheryl reminds Evelyn that she's captain and tells Toni that she's right on time, assuming Toni prepared a routine, which she has and proceeds to perform, invoking arousal in Cheryl, who officially offers Toni a spot on the squad. Evelyn attempts to convince Cheryl to at least wait until they've seen everyone's routine, but Cheryl insists that Evelyn stop speaking.
Archie doesn't want to play for the Bulldogs
While having dinner with Archie and Mary, Frank reveals that Featherhead asked him to be the basketball team's head coach. He wants to bring the Bulldogs back now that the war is over, and tryouts begin tomorrow after school. Frank expects to see Archie there, though Archie doesn't intend on playing this year, claiming that he wants to focus on his studies, not to mention he's no good and out of practice. If Archie doesn't believe he's fit to play, Frank says he can contribute as a water boy.
Veronica encourages Betty to give herself a moment to get used to the lace
As Veronica sits on the bed, Betty nervously enters the room wearing black lingerie. As opposed to feeling sexy, she feels embarrassed. She wants to change back into her clothes, but Veronica encourages Betty to give herself a moment to get used to the lace and tells Betty to look at herself in the mirror and repeat the following: "I am a gorgeous, powerful, sexy Siren, at the height of my womanly powers. And may god have mercy on those boys of Riverdale High."
Jughead pays Brad Rayberry a visit
Jughead pays Brad Rayberry a visit, revealing that Pep Comics is plagiarizing his stories. He proposes Rayberry send a cease and desist letter or perhaps sue them, though Rayberry questions why a writer for Pep Comics would want to see his own employer sued. Jughead expresses how much of a fan he is and says that RayBerry deserves better, as Pep Comics has poached at least eight of his stories. He even hands Rayberry the most recent issue.
Cheryl warns Evelyn to mind her words
Evelyn visits Cheryl at Thornhill to voice her concerns about Toni, who she doesn't think is right for the squad. Cheryl presumes that Evelyn's problem with Toni stems from her being black, but in reality, it's the fact that she's a lesbian, and Evelyn wouldn't be comfortable being in the locker room with her. Cheryl comes to Toni's defense, claiming that she's not a lesbian and that she wouldn't tolerate such behavior on her squad.
Lizzo joins Toni at the Dark Room, where she reveals that she's Riverdale's first ever black cheerleader. Lizzo congratulates her, but she suspects that Toni is still on the hook for Cheryl.
Archie enters the garage to discover that Frank got rid of his car, which he promises to return to Archie once his grades are back up.
Veronica asks Betty if she's wearing her lace panties
Veronica approaches Betty at school, asking if she's wearing her lace panties, but she's not due to having gym class and not wanting people to see them and think of her as a nymphomaniac, which by Veronica's account, is just another word made up by men to gaslight women. Now that Veronica is Betty's new wing woman, they need to find Betty a man who can appreciate her for who she is. To Veronica's surprise, Betty confesses to having feelings for Archie.
Betty asks Archie out
Betty enters the lounge to ask Archie out. She asks him to the movies, as Veronica listens from the doorway. Archie would love to, but his Uncle Frank is watching his every move and would never allow it, forcing Archie to even be the Bulldogs' water boy. Maybe he'll ease up in the next couple of weeks, and they can go out then, Archie hopes. Veronica is pleased by this news, but Betty is devastated and cries in an empty classroom, suspecting that it was merely an excuse. Regardless if Archie's claims are true, Veronica proposes they go on a double date with some boys from Stonewall Prep.
Evelyn goes through Toni's locker
Evelyn sneaks into the girls locker room while it's empty and raids Toni's locker for evidence of her lesbianism. She finds Toni's book and accuses her of liking girls, despite Cheryl claiming otherwise. Toni claims to read all kinds of books and warns Evelyn to mind her business. She then asks to know what else Cheryl said about her.
Rayberry comes to agreement with Fieldstone
Just as Jughead gets the final proof of his comics before release, Mr. Rayberry arrives at Pep Comics and accuses Mr. Fieldstone of plagiarizing his work. He threatens to sue, but Al doesn't budge. Hoping to prevent the matter from escalating, Jughead proposes they put Rayberry's name on all future reprints of stories that are similar to his and pay him a fee for the rights to adapt his work. Al offers a $2 adaptation fee per story, which Rayberry accepts, but only so long as he's compensated for the stories that's already been adapted.
Jughead asks Rayberry to read one of his stories
Jughead and Rayberry head to Pops, where they discuss their business plan. He proposes that Jughead writes his adaptations moving forward and asks if his father approves of his literary aspirations, because Rayberry's didn't. Unfortunately, Jughead's dad lives in Toledo, after a robbery in town which had him as the prime suspect and thus led to FP fleeing Riverdale on his bike. Rayberry encourages Jughead to write about that and asks what else he writes about. Jughead writes short stories as well, hopeful that Rayberry would agree to read one, which he does, after a bit of joking at Jughead's expense.
Archie spends his night mopping the gym floor. He begins dribbling a ball and contemplates shooting, but ultimately decides against it.
Jughead has returned to his train car, where he stares at a photo of his dad while typing his latest story.
The next morning, Frank reveals to Archie that he got him a job pumping gas at Pops. Being man of the house means taking on multiple responsibilities.
Jughead celebrates his comic release
Jughead's comic, Homeroom of Horrors has officially been released, for which he is commended by Ben and Dilton, who proposes they celebrate at Pop's, but after school, Jughead's going over to Mr. Rayberry's house to share his latest story.
Toni confronts Cheryl for telling Evelyn that she doesn't like girls. Cheryl doesn't get to speak for her or define her, as Toni isn't ashamed of who she is or who she likes. Toni is done wasting her time with Cheryl and hopes that she gets to wherever she's going. However, as Toni attempts to leave, Cheryl confesses that she's attracted to girls too, specifically Toni. "Finally," Toni replies.
Jughead stops by Mr. Rayberry's home as planned. He agrees to give Jughead's story a read, but he's not going to pull any punches in his review. While Rayberry prepares Tea in the kitchen, Jughead uncovers his Jupiter Journals manuscript and puts it in his bag.
Toni and Cheryl in the Dark Room
Toni brings Cheryl to the Dark Room, where she reveals that Kevin and Clay are also gay, but not many people know. When Cheryl was ten, her mother and sister had a falling out. Her Aunt Carol moved to Greenwich Village to be a writer. Cheryl's mother called her awful things, such as a sapphic, sexual deviant. This was around the same time Cheryl realized she was like her aunt and liked girls as well. Toni knew she liked girls as much as she liked boys for as long as she can remember. Her parents caught her necking with her neighbor, Glenda, when she was 13 years old, and then they kicked her out of the house, at which point, Toni moved in with her grandma, who is more approving of her sexual orientation. Cheryl always believed that if she didn't want her family to disown her, then she would have to spend her life playing a part, which is what her relationship with Archie was about. And now, she's ready for something else, as Toni caresses her thigh.
Julian pulls up to Pop's, where he asks Archie to fill up his car and put some air in the tires, while referring to him as a grease monkey.
As planned, Betty and Veronica go on their double date with boys from Stonewall Prep. Willie asks her about her parents' TV show and if Betty likes to dance. Veronica covers for Betty and then asks the boys what they like to do. They're on many teams and are a part of several extracurricular activities.
Pop tells Archie about Fred
Back outside, Pop Tate joins Archie just as Julian pulls out of the parking lot. He brings Archie a thermos filled with coffee and discuss Frank relaunching the basketball team. Pop used to watch Fred play when he was in school and described him as the best rebounder the school had ever seen. Archie and Fred used to play a lot of growing up, right until he left for the war, for which Pop is proud of Fred, who he remembers as a true hero.
Jughead stays up all night, well into the morning, reading Rayberry's manuscript. He couldn't believe Rayberry was allowing for it to sit unpublished in a cardboard box.
Veronica wants to peep on Archie
Veronica asks Betty happened when Willie walked her home last night, but Betty insists nothing happened and that she felt nothing, likely due to the fact that her heart is set on Archie. Veronica has an idea to get Betty closer to Archie by encouraging Betty to call him after their parents have fallen asleep and have long intimate conversations. Unfortunately, Archie doesn't have a phone in his bedroom, with Betty also revealing that she can look into Archie's bedroom window from hers, meaning she's glimpsed him unclothed, leading Veronica to want to get a look for herself.
Archie fights Julian
Julian continues to refer to Archie as a grease monkey and claims to have noticed a smudge on his windshield when he got home last night. Archie tells him to come back tonight, and he'll take another crack at it. Julian takes him up on the offer, but in the meantime, he asks Archie to get him a soda from the cafeteria, reminding him that he's the water boy. Julian would do it himself, but he's saving his energy for when he beats Fred's record this weekend against Centerville. Out of frustration, Archie pushes Julian and a fight ensues.
Mary arrives at the school
Mary arrives at Riverdale High after learning that Archie got into a fight. She is met by Frank, whose heard what happened and offers to talk to Featherhead, but Mary insists she will handle it given that she's Archie's parent.
Cheryl has decided on assignments for the season, assigning Toni at the top of the Vixens pyramid. Evelyn objects, as she's typically the flyer. However, Cheryl isn't concerned. In fact, if Evelyn is feeling frosted by Cheryl's choices, she's welcome to quit, but Evelyn reluctantly decides to stay.
Mary and Archie have a heart-to-heart
Mary wants to know what's been going on with Archie, particularly his disinterest in basketball, despite him and Fred playing every day. Archie reveals that basketball was always something he did with his dad, but now, whenever he walks into a gym and picks up a ball, he thinks about dad and suddenly there's an anvil on his heart. And if he played, all he'd be thinking about is his dad. Not to mention that he might not be good enough and tarnish his father's memory. Mary knows that Frank suggested that Fred wouldn't be proud of Archie, but Mary insists that's not true. Archie doesn't have to play if he doesn't want to, but nothing would make her or his father happier than seeing Archie playing for the same team as him. Additionally, Mary is going to tell Frank to ease up on Archie.
Jughead reveals that he read Mr. Rayberry's novel and says he should get it published. However, Rayberry accuses Jughead of being a thief and kicks him out of his house.
In the locker room alone, Toni shows her appreciation for Cheryl taking down Evelyn by giving her a kiss.
Betty and Veronica stake out Archie's window. They watch as Archie enters his room and undresses. They panic and duck when he looks their way.
Archie confronts Betty
The following day, Betty and Veronica catch up after last night's shenanigans. Neither of them got much sleep, wondering if Archie saw them. If he did see them, Veronica suspects he'd be just as embarrassed as them and wouldn't mention it. However, Archie approaches them and asks for a moment alone with Betty. Archie reveals that he saw them looking at him last night. He admits that he likes it. His uncle keeps him busy during the day, but every night, he ends up in his room, as does Betty. Archie suggests they look at each other from their bedrooms every night. Betty plans for tonight at midnight. She promises to be wearing something special.
Archie enters the gym and reveals that he's come to play, much to Julian's dismay. He doubts Archie is any good, but is lost for words when Archie makes a three pointer effortlessly. Archie tells Frank that he's doing this for himself, his mom, and his dad, which Frank respects.
Mrs. Thornton reports to Dr. Werthers that she confiscated a comic from Dilton today. More alarmingly, this particular article was written by Jughead.
Betty strips for Archie
As the clock strikes 12, Betty prepares for her cross-window rendezvous with Archie. She approaches the window, as does he, and the two of them proceed to undress for the other. To Archie's surprise, Betty's wearing black lace lingerie. Unfortunately, their exchange is interrupted simultaneously by Betty's father Hal, and Archie's Uncle Frank.
Cast[]
Starring[] |
Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
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Soundtrack[]
- The Hearts - I Feel So Good (Remix)
- Ella Fitzgerald - Too Darn Hot (RAC Mix)
- Luke Jones and his Orchestra - Boogieology
- Scene: Veronica hosts Betty at The Pembrooke to try on lingerie.
- Manuel Armenta Orchestra - Fatso
- Scene: Basketball practice.
- Al Hazan - Juanita
- Scene: Jughead and his hero, Brad Rayberry, talk about writing at Pop's.
- Johnny Cash - Lead Me Father
- Scene: Archie washes the floor after basketball practice.
- Al Hazan - Hey Speed Queen
- Scene: Julian badgers Archie as he works the gas station. Betty and Veronica are on a double date with Stonewall Prep boys.
- The Clickettes - Lover's Prayer
- Scene: Toni kisses Cheryl.
- Les Paul & Mary Ford - Smoke Rings
- Scene: Archie and Betty slowly disrobe for each other at their respective bedroom windows.
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
Screencaps[]
Videos[]
