| “ | "Lynchian." Adjective to describe something inspired by the noted American filmmaker, David Lynch. And/or to describe something that is both incredibly macabre and incredibly mundane. Also, Riverdale's status quo, reaching new depths of perversion with the discovery of a videotape in which someone wearing a mask of me is bludgeoned to death by someone wearing a mask of my girlfriend. | ” |
— Jughead
| ||
"Chapter Seventy-Five: Lynchian" is the eighteenth episode of the fourth season of Riverdale, and the seventy-fifth episode of the series overall.[2] It premiered on April 29, 2020.
Synopsis[]
SIMPLER TIMES — Jughead and Charles follow a new lead after the contents of the latest videotape takes a sinister turn. Meanwhile, Kevin, Reggie and Fangs take their latest business venture to the next level, while Cheryl and Veronica's maple rum business faces a new threat. Finally, Archie and Betty contemplate their next steps.[3]
Plot[]
Charles, Alice, Betty, and Jughead watch the snuff film
Jughead, Betty, Alice, and Charles watch the re-enactment video in which someone wearing a Jughead mask is bludgeoned to death by someone wearing a Betty mask. Jellybean interrupts and asks what they are watching but Jughead turns her away. Jughead explains that the video was dropped off at the sheriff station in a bin with all the other voyeur tapes, however, this is the only tape not of someone’s house. While Betty refuses to get pulled into the another mystery, Charles welcomes Jughead’s assistance.
Veronica secured the college crowd
Hiram reveals to Veronica and Hermione that he’s just closed a major distribution deal. He’ll be supplying all the rum for the Grande family’s chain of casinos. Veronica can’t believe that her father is back in business with Elio’s family. He suspects she’s simply jealous that she didn’t consider it. Instead, Veronica expanding the Red Raven distribution to the college crowd.
Reggie asks to join Kevin and Fangs' scam
Reggie confronts Kevin and Fangs inside an empty classroom after discovering that they’re somehow bringing in a lot of money. He suspects that Fangs might be dealing again, however, they reveal they make tickle videos for a distributor named Terry. Kevin insists that it’s not sexual and that all participants remain fully clothed. Reggie’s interest is piqued and asks to join.
While playing his guitar, Archie reminisces over his kiss with Betty. Meanwhile, Betty takes a trip down memory lane, reading her old childhood diary from when she met Archie. Alice enters her room and jokes about the juicy memories Betty must have from the 5th grade. In just a few months, Betty will be leaving for Yale, and Alice expresses how much she’ll miss her.
The Malloys threaten Veronica and Cheryl
At the Five Seasons, Veronica and Cheryl begin distribution to the college crowd as planned. When asked if they supply anything other than alcohol, Cheryl kicks the college kids out. Jinx Malloy of the Malloy family arrives at the Maple Club with his sons Hunter, Ray, and Paul after learning that the Red Raven was cutting into his profits. The Malloys have been running a maple moonshine business for generations and the college scene is one of their most lucrative markets. He demands that they pull their product, but Veronica refuses, under the presumption that they’re employed by her father. Cheryl is visibly concerned, but Veronica assures her it was just a veiled threat from her father. Penelope Blossom stands in the doorway, uttering not even so much as a word.
Jughead spots a suspect
Jughead meets with Charles at the FBI field office. Charles informs him that drop off boxes are under 24-hour surveillance meaning they’ll have to review hours of footage to hopefully catch a glimpse of whoever made the faux snuff film. While reviewing the surveillance footage, Jughead recognizes someone and decides to investigate the lead solo.
Betty and Archie lay in the bed in the bunker
Betty and Archie lay on the bed in the bunker together. Betty asks why they’re there. Not even Archie can answer that, but admittedly, he enjoys it. As does Betty. He then proceeds to hold her hand.
Archie visits his dad’s grave to seek guidance. He presumes his father would probably tell him to "follow his heart." However, Archie isn’t certain where it’s pointed. He also doesn’t want to hurt anyone.
Ethel denies making any videos
Jughead questions Ethel about the videotapes she dropped off at the sheriff station. He informs her that one of them was a snuff film of someone dressed as Betty murdering someone dressed up as him with a rock. Ethel insists that she had no knowledge of this. She’s just trying to keep her head down and make it out of Riverdale in one piece.
Archie proposes to Betty
While in the student lounge, Betty continues to read through her childhood diary, which details the day that Archie proposed to her after walking her home from school. She told him to ask her again when they’re both 18 and in high school. Kevin joins her just as she is suddenly called into the principal’s office. She and Kevin share the same sentiment of hate towards Holden Honey.
Principal Honey hands Betty a photo of himself for the yearbook. He recalls that she volunteered to be editor and chief. However, that was before she was attacked by the Black Hood at Junior prom and hunted by the Gargoyle King.
Jughead returns to the field office. He no longer suspects that their suspect is a voyeur, but more likely a filmmaker. They start their investigation at the Bijou theater.
Terry pays Fangs, Kevin, and Reggie
Terry compensates Fangs, Kevin, and Reggie after filming another tickling video. He assures them that there’s a lot of money to be made in the business. Afterward, at Pop’s, Reggie suggests that they go into business on their own. If they act as their own distributor, they don’t have to cut Terry in on the profit. Reggie agrees to gather the necessary equipment so long as Kevin cuts Terry off.
Charles and Jughead question David
Jughead and Charles arrive at the Blue Velvet Video store. They ask the clerk, David, to take a look at his records and if he’s heard anything in relation to the videotapes circulating around town. While looking through their records, Charles comes across Ethel’s name. She rented Friday the 13th 16 times. David explains that Ethel is one of his regulars.
Charles is suspicious of Ethel
Jughead and Charles return to the field office. Charles' suspicion of Ethel is growing. She has a predilection for horror films, she dropped a videotape at the station, and even Jughead himself admitted that she was obsessed with him. As far as Charles is concerned, Ethel is a prime suspect. However, with over 100 tapes recovered, Jughead doubts she has the equipment for that type of operation.
Penelope and Cheryl reveal that the Malloys raided the Maple Club
Veronica is awakened from her sleep by Cheryl, who demands that she meet her at the Maple Club. Veronica arrives to find the Maple Club in complete chaos. They were raided by the Malloys. Penelope was sleeping in her secret room behind the office and heard the door being kicked in. Veronica assures them that she’ll deal with it, certain that this is her father’s doing.
Veronica accuses Hiram of sending the Malloys
Veronica returns home and confronts her father under the suspicion that he sent the Malloys to trash the Maple Club. Hiram tells Veronica that the Malloys are dangerous and that he would never do business with them. He questions if Jinx’s boys threatened her and offers to settle whatever dispute they may have, but Veronica wants to handle it on her own. Furthermore, if the Malloys are as dangerous as Hiram says, she worries that he may not be strong enough to go against them.
Betty agrees to meet Archie at the bunker
While Archie rehearses a new song in the music room, Betty reads the next entry in her diary. Archie asked her to come over and listen to his dad’s records, during which time, they laid on the floor and held hands. Archie joins Betty in the Blue and Gold office as he suddenly wishes to help her with the yearbook. However, Betty knows why he’s actually there, because he can’t stop thinking about her. Betty admits that the feeling is mutual and agrees to meet him tomorrow night at the bunker.
Jughead asks Ms. Bell about Ethel
Jughead asks Ms. Bell about the AV club and how easy it may be for someone to get access to the equipment. Ms. Bells explains that only AV Club members are allowed to use the equipment. When Jughead asks about Ethel, Ms. Bell reveals that she’s the president and that he’s not the first person to ask her about Ethel today. The first was a "handsome FBI agent," she describes. He supposedly left with Ethel.
Kevin meets with Terry at Pop’s and backs out of their arrangement, claiming that he’s concerned that his father may find out. Furthermore, graduation and college is approaching.
Reggie and Toni pull names
Reggie approaches the Bulldogs and offers them a chance to get in on the tickle videos. However, they only agree to participate if Reggie encourages their female classmates to join. And so, Reggie approaches Toni with an opportunity to join in on their profitable tickling videos. Initially reluctant, Toni makes a counter proposal; the Vixens get to tickle the Bulldogs exclusively, and that way the girls will be in charge. Later, Reggie, Toni, Fangs, and Kevin arrange a tickle party at the Five Seasons with the Bulldogs and Vixens. They pull names from a helmet to determine which Vixens will tickle the Bulldogs.
Hiram is beaten by Hunter
Hiram attacks Hunter Malloy outside a bar. When Hunter calls Veronica a "tramp", Hiram pulls out a gun and points it at the back of Hunter’s head. He pleads with Hiram to spare him and in exchange promises to never bother Veronica again. Hiram shows mercy and returns to his car, where he is attacked from behind by Hunter and savagely beaten.
Jughead confronts Charles about his investigation into Ethel. Still uncertain that Ethel is their suspect, Charles hands Jughead a tape he recovered from Ethel’s house.
Veronica cleans Hiram up
Veronica returns home to find Hiram bloody and beaten. She cleans him up and gives him ice for his bruises. Hiram explains that he was weak. He had Hunter Malloy in his sights. He could’ve taken him out, but he showed mercy, which Hiram instantly regretted. As Veronica cleans his wounds, she promises him that she’ll always be there for him.
Cheryl gives Betty advice
The next entry in Betty’s diary details how much she hates Cheryl after she kissed Archie at school. She said it was because they both had red hair. Cheryl arrives at the Blue and Gold and drops off her yearbook photos. She wishes to pay tribute to Jason as well. Cheryl then grabs Betty’s diary and realizes that she was right all along about Betty and Archie supposedly pretending to date while Jughead was dead. Betty insists that was only pretend and that she hasn’t pursued anything with Archie. Although, a part of her has been in love with Archie for 10 years. Cheryl believes that Betty is merely in love with the idea of Archie. The idea of the perfect romance, but that was only fantasy. What is real is that in their town of horror, she and Jughead found each other. While everyone strays, Cheryl warns Betty against taking it too far.
Kevin is approached by Terry and two of his guys at Pop’s. He’s recently come to learn that Kevin lied to him about getting out of the tickle business. They grab Kevin’s fingers and bend them backwards as Terry demands 40% of Kevin’s income.
Jughead confronts Ethel
Jughead confronts Ethel with the tape that Charles found in her home; the sex tape of him and Betty that was originally filmed by Bret at Stonewall Prep. He questions where she got the tape from. Ethel reveals that there’s a secret place in the back of the Blue Velvet video store called the "Scarlet Suite." There, you can find tapes of all kinds, including sex tapes and snuff films. Ethel explains that the video was called Ponytail Playmate and that she had no idea it was of him and Betty. She only kept it to make sure no one else would find it.
Reggie plans to take care of Terry
Kevin tells Reggie about his visit from Terry and how they’ll either have to shut their operation down or give him 40% of their income. Reggie refuses to do either and plans to handle Terry. All Kevin has to do is set up a meeting at the Five Seasons.
Jughead arrives with Charles and the FBI with a warrant to search the Blue Velvet’s Scarlet Suite. Jughead discovers a snuff film of Clifford Blossom killing Jason.
Kevin, Reggie, and Fangs meet with Terry
As planned, Reggie, Fangs, and Kevin meet up with Terry at the Five Seasons. They bring nearly a dozen Bulldogs as backup. Reggie tells Terry that they have no intentions of paying him anything. And should they attack Kevin again, he and the Bulldogs will retaliate.
Cheryl got into the maple business to have fun and explore other paths, and while it was fun at first, she no longer wishes to pursue it. She asks Veronica to buy her out and gives her a hug. She reasons that some families have rum in their veins and others have maple syrup, and some blood types aren't compatible.
Fangs, Toni, Reggie, and Kevin are called into Honey's office
Mr. Honey calls Fangs, Toni, Reggie, and Kevin into his office after getting a call alerting him of a clandestine online tickling ring being operated by the four of them. Reggie suspects Terry sold them out. Kevin admits they produced the videos and because it’s only tickling, they didn’t break any laws. Reggie adds that they were also clothed. This is admittedly true, however, as Mr. Honey points out, some of them were wearing Bulldog jerseys and Vixen practice uniforms, putting them in violation of at least a dozen copyright laws as well as under his direct jurisdiction. Honey orders their site to be taken down before it tarnishes the reputation of the school.
Betty tells Archie that they can't continue whatever it is they're doing
Archie meets Betty at the bunker and plays a song for her. She asks him to stop, reminding Archie that she loves Jughead and he loves Veronica. Betty believes that these feelings have only manifested because in a few weeks everything will change. They’ll be graduating and off to college, and perhaps they fear that. As neither wish to hurt Jughead nor Veronica, Betty tells Archie that whatever this was, is over.
Archie's ready for the naval academy
Archie plays the guitar from his room. Mary asks if Veronica’s heard it yet and says she’ll love it. Archie then tells her that he’s ready to finally attend the naval academy. Mary agrees to call Brooke and tell her the good news.
Alice arrives to find Betty burning her diaries in the fireplace. As Betty goes to burn the final book, Alice advises her to save it as they’re her precious childhood memories.
Fangs got accepted into Pittsburgh University
Kevin and Fangs grab a booth at Pop’s. Fangs reveals that he got accepted into the University of Pittsburgh, which is close to Carnegie Mellon University, where Kevin will be attending. Kevin wonders what it would be like for them to date somewhere that’s not in Riverdale. Fangs proposes that they find out. He then wonders if it was indeed Terry who called Mr. Honey and informed him about the tickle operation. Kevin questions who else it could’ve been.
David, the clerk at the Blue Velvet video store, informs Honey that the Scarlet Suite is closed after the FBI raided him, and his contraband has been confiscated.
Hiram shoots Jinx
Veronica goes into business with her father after previously refusing his help numerous times. This’ll allow her to buy Cheryl out. Veronica reveals that the reason she didn’t want to get into business with him in the past is because of his immoral ways but after he spared Hunter Malloy, Veronica saw a new side of her father. However, unbeknownst to Veronica, after recovering, Hiram approached Jinx Malloy outside a bar and shot him dead.
Snuff film of Jason Blossom's murder
Jughead tells Betty about the sex tape that he recovered from Ethel. He then gets a call from Cheryl, who got sent another tape and wants Jughead to come over. Despite previously swearing off mysteries, Betty decides to join Jughead. The two of them arrive at Thistlehouse, where Cheryl and Toni explain that they found the tape on their doorstep when they got home. Instead of video footage of their home, it’s another re-enactment, faux snuff film, but this time of Clifford killing Jason.
Cast[]
Starring[]
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Guest Starring[]
Co-Starring[]
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Soundtrack[]
- Riverdale Cast feat. KJ Apa - Carry the Torch
- Bobby Page & The Riff Raffs - The Girl Next Door
- Scene: Flashback to young Archie and Betty holding hands as they listen to his dad's records.
Trivia[]
- The title of the episode refers to surrealist filmmaker and director David Lynch.
- His masterpiece, Twin Peaks, influenced Riverdale and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa said that "all roads on Riverdale lead back to Twin Peaks".[4]
- Mädchen Amick, who plays Alice Smith, got her first break role-playing Shelly Johnson in the series.
- Betty reading her childhood diaries is a nod to Laura Palmer's diary.
- Blue Velvet Video store is a reference to Blue Velvet, a 1986 film by David Lynch.
- The Scarlet Suite is a reference to the Red Room, an extra-dimensional place connected to the Black Lodge from Twin Peaks.
- David, the video store manager, takes his name from David Lynch.
- Cheryl references DC's Swamp Thing.
Gallery[]
Promotional Images[]
Screencaps[]
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ Ratings for Wednesday 29th April 2020 - Network Prelims, Finals and Cable Numbers Posted - SpoilerTV
- ↑ Recently Added Episode Titles - Various Shows - 16th February 2020 inc Manifest, Riverdale, Legacies, Westworld and more - SpoilerTV
- ↑ Riverdale Spoilers: “Chapter Seventy-Five: Lynchian” - KSiteTV
- ↑ The Best Part of Riverdale Is All of the Twin Peaks Imagery - Vulture