Riverdale Season 3: 4 Ups & 6 Downs From 'Fear The Reaper'

1. Lack Of Real Stakes

While many of The CW's shows struggle with highlighting the gravity of certain situations, none are more problematic in that department than Riverdale. Unfortunately for it, that was on full display once again in 'Fear The Reaper'.

Much like Betty's wasted bombshell, Toni's sudden allegiance to The Farm didn't carry the gravity that it should have because it simply wasn't shocking, it was infuriating. We've been here before when Cheryl defected, so saving Toni's defection for the episode's conclusion as though it was some kind of shocking moment just highlighted the fact that the writers are running out of real stakes to throw into the fray.

It's almost like they think "yeah let's shock everyone by having another beloved character join The Farm" is a worthy motivation for Toni's behaviour - it isn't. It might have been had we actually saw her get to such a place but, as her supposed journey took place off-screen, it was just senseless all around.

Similarly, Betty turned to Penelope for help freeing the twins from The Farm's control and, for a moment, it was a brilliant idea. Then, within seconds, Polly apparently agreed to let her twisted auntie have one of her own children, provided she could keep the other. "What? How on earth could she do such a thing?" you ask? Well, it's quite simple really - it all took place off-screen too.

How are we supposed to buy any of the situations or the supposed stakes involved in them when the characters make radical off-the-wall decisions with no motivation (or screen-time to support them)? The characters may be like "sure, yeah whatever" but the writers needn't expect the viewers to be.

-

Did you enjoy this week's episode of Riverdale? Tell us in the comment section below.