'Riverdale' Season 5: Veronica and Archie's relationship takes a hit but why can't Cheryl and Toni be together?

Things go bad during prom, again, as expected the auteur strikes!
PUBLISHED JAN 21, 2021
Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz and Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom  in 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1 'Climax' (The CW)
Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz and Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom in 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1 'Climax' (The CW)

Spoilers for 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1

The CW series is finally back with the most anticipated season since its premiere. We're weren't ready for the Season 5 premiere 'Chapter Seventy-Seven: Climax'

First off, yes, the auteur investigation is still on, thanks to Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). Turns out the cabin they found the auteur's film in, was the one that Jughead fantasized about in his story "Killing Mr Honey' - it's all good though because Charles Smith (Wyatt Nash) is on the case. Now, to the important bits - who is the auteur and why is he/she torturing the gang with disturbing films and why can't Toni Topaz (Vanessa Morgan) date a Blossom? Ah, yes the famous 'Riverdale' twists.

Still from 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1 'Climax' (The CW)

A Black Hood Film Was The Ticket In

There were movie ticket stubs that were found in the cabin with the letters B and V written on them. Here's the bummer - it's the Blue Velvet Video store again. Jughead and Betty decide to chase their lead with David, the "crypt keeper." After a quick threatening sesh with Bret Weston Wallis (Sean Depner), they found out that David hosts underground red band screenings and there was only one way to attend that - making a fake snuff film of their own. Betty and Jughead get on that with Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch) agreeing to help, as long as she gets to cover her "signature red mane" with a wig. The brut in the film is as expected, Reggie Mantle (Charles Melton).

Cole Sprouse as Jughead Jones and Lili Reinhart as Betty Cooper in 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1 'Climax' (The CW)

While their hard work doesn't pay off since David finds their snuff film fake, Betty had a disturbing backup. A video of her father Hal Cooper (Lochlyn Munro) aka the serial killer, The Black Hood when he was a little boy. In a heartbeat, they were set to have the film play at a "rave" David was planning and got themselves invited as well. When they get there, they find the place where their films - the ones that were being sent to them - were playing. There though, all Jughead found was a fight while trying to find the director of the film. Since they also found Jughead's little sister, Jellybean Jones (Trinity Likins) at the raid, they find out that she had heard about the rave through her friend Lauren's older brother - who, get this, is one some email of rave "email list." The rest unfolds at prom - read on.

Why can't #Choni be a couple?

Vanessa Morgan as Toni Topaz and Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl Blossom in 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1 'Climax' (The CW)

As for the #Choni devastation... When Cheryl asks Toni if they can have dinner with their families, she finds out that Toni's family doesn't know about her. When Toni goes to tell her nana about Cheryl, she finds out that Cheryl had already paid her nana a visit. Apparently, the Blossoms had taken everything away from Toni's people. Nana's final word remained, "I will not allow you to date a Blossom."

Cheryl, even though apologetic that she went to see Toni's nana, was really hoping her girlfriend would still be with her at prom looking "equally undeniable." Toni's nana on the other hand begs Toni to not "dishonor" the family and take a Blossom to prom. Toni chooses Cheryl, but, just for prom night, Cheryl is absolutely devastated - as are we. She tells her nana that the night made her realize that she and Toni were not going to be end game - once again a victim of the Blossom family curse.

#Varchie Falls

Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge and KJ Apa as Archie Andrews in 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1 'Climax' (The CW)

Meanwhile, the "where we left off" bit at the start of the premiere episode brought us the whole relationship drama - Betty and Archie Andrews (KJ Apa) kissed in the previous season, but Jughead and Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes) had no idea - until now. During Prom, Veronica tells Archie that it is her decision to defer college for a year to work side by side with him should he take up Hiram's offer to become deputy mayor. Archie not wanting to hold Veronica back from being her ambitious self, decides to spill the beans. He tells her that the song she had found in his room and sang at her Speakeasy was in fact for Betty. He also tells her that he and Betty kiss during Hedwig (in the previous season).

Their plan? After graduation, they go their separate ways. Where are the tissues? That's sad obviously, but what's worse for Archie, is that Hiram knows his new possible deputy mayor broke his little girl's heart. Who else is scared for Archie's life?

Season's First Dead Body

But, things go bad during prom, again, as expected the auteur strikes! This time the video shows people wearing the same character masks of Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Archie as they stab another person tied to a chair wearing a nametag around his neck. The person is none other than David, the "crypt keeper." This time though, this incidence wasn't a re-enactment, because it hadn't happened with any of the Archie gang. Here's the thing Betty asks the right questions - "did they just kill that guy from Blue Velvet Video?" Yes, "they" might have. Back at the store, Betty and Jughead find the set of that snuff film, but none of the actors. David is missing, and Betty is wondering if he's actually dead. Back at home, Archie gets another film - it's the reenactment of when Archie was held at gunpoint at Pops by The Black Hood. 

KJ Apa as Archie Andrews in 'Riverdale' Season 5 Episode 1 'Climax' (The CW)

In the midst we also found out that Hiram Lodge is getting better, Archie loses to KO Kelly (yes, Veronica's BFF Katy Keene's boyfriend) and doesn't get into the naval academy, Mr Weatherbee is back after some screaming nights, and the prom queens are Cheryl and Toni - "Riverdale High's first openly gay royal couple."

So, we're obviously waiting on the next episode titled 'The Preppy Murders' and with that title, we know for sure Bret's drama is back. Hurray for the Stonies return! 

'Riverdale' airs on Wednesdays at 8 pm EST on The CW.

 




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