Riverdale Roundtable: Chapter Thirty: The Noose Tightens (Season 2 Episode 17)

Shippers can find plenty to love about Riverdale Season 2 Episode 17, “Chapter Thirty: The Noose Tightens.”

Cheryl and Veronica launch a rescue mission to free Cheryl from Sisters of Quiet Mercy, leading to an incredible moment for Choni shippers. Falice shippers get a big moment of their own, when handling the cover up of drug dealer Dwayne’s murder leads to a close moment between Jughead’s dad and Betty’s mom.

Elsewhere in town, Archie’s attempts to prove his use to Hiram and the Lodges gets him closer to Veronica but drives even more of a wedge between him and his parents — especially when Fred officially announces his run for mayor against Hermione.

Tell-Tale TV writers Lacy Baugher, Mary Misasi, and Alamin Yohannes discuss the episode below.

• Lacy Baugher (@LacyMB)
• Mary Misasi (@dorothynyc89)
• Alamin Yohannes (@AlaminYohannes)

1. Cheryl’s imprisonment ends up being very short-lived. What did you think of Toni’s rescue mission?

Alamin: I still can’t get behind how quickly Cheryl went from coming out to Toni to conversion therapy, but if I focus on this being a great Toni story, then I can quiet that part of my brain for a little. Toni’s fantastic, but when her friendship with Jughead became a Bughead complication, I wanted better for her.

She’s sort of been sidelined, so I am very happy about her rescue mission. She went out there and truly saved the day, which is the type of LGBTQ representation (especially for a bisexual woman of color) that we need on TV. They really delivered for Toni on this episode.

Lacy: I’ve been sort of outspoken about my love for Cheryl and still can’t really get behind this either.

Cheryl and her coming-out story deserves better than a one-episode stint in an American Horror Story: Asylum knock-off. I’m still real mad about all of this, largely because the story seems more interested in hitting plot beats (Cheryl torture, revelation she stalked Josie, Toni’s rescue, triumphant smooch!) rather than actually exploring any of them or how they truly impact Cheryl’s character.

I’m happy that Cheryl and Toni found one another, and I’m certainly rooting for these two crazy kids to make it work, but I’m gonna resent the way they got together for a good long time.

Mary: I loved that Cheryl was rescued by Toni because Toni realized that something was up. It was great character development for Toni and an interesting look at Cheryl. I am glad to see Toni getting a story that is pretty much focused on her. I mean, sure she is saving Cheryl, but she is doing it because she cares for Cheryl.

I just really appreciate the attention to detail Riverdale has with their LGBTQ focus. There is nothing stereotypical or cliched about it. Toni and Cheryl are their own individuals who have come together in mutual interest in each other. I am hoping that this is just the beginning for their expansion of both the girls’ characters.

2. Betty wins when Chic moves out of the Cooper house. Were you surprised that it finally happened?

Alamin: I’m more excited than surprised. This pushes Chic out of the Cooper household and could get him more into the mix of the show. Maybe through Kevin or someone unexpected?

But I want to see Chic around other people if Riverdale is planning to keep him around. I’m sure that Chic is more than creepy, and they should really explore that. He may not be a Blossom, but he’s Alice’s son and Alice is a great character. And he’s probably gonna end up being FP’s son.

Lacy: I do not know what they are doing with Chic, and his character is all over the place. He’s creepy; he’s crying; he’s manipulative; he’s a deer in the headlights; he has a plan (maybe?); he’s completely lost.

I legit was convinced for half the episode that he had to be in on the scam with the blackmailers, because I couldn’t accept that anyone would behave as stupidly as he did without it being on purpose!

On the whole, I agree with Alamin. The best part of this particular twist is that it’s hopefully going to force the character to interact with people who aren’t Betty or Alice. Maybe that’ll make him more tolerable?

Mary: I agree with both Lacy and Alamin in that this is a great move that I am excited for. Maybe now Chic will be more than just an annoying nuisance.

However, I am wont to question his easy acceptance of their rejection. It seems to go against whatever his plot is with the Coopers currently. Or maybe it doesn’t? Maybe this is all playing into his real plan/motivations. I don’t really know, but whatever the answer is, I hope we get it soon. I’m tired of him.

3. What do you think of Archie’s actions in support of Hiram?

Alamin: Archie Andrews is the hottest mess in the town of Riverdale. Truly, I have no idea what all this is actually about.

When it was about impressing Hiram or protecting his dad, I was somewhat on board, but now Archie’s lost me. This show really does not know what to do with him, because his arc has gotten very dumb in my opinion. I’m just happy that everyone else is getting more involved and has far more interesting storylines.

Lacy: Basically everything that Alamin said, I agree with, so I’m gonna second all of that and also rant about a tangential issue.

How is Hiram Lodge this successful and rich and also THIS DUMB?? What kind of respectable underworld boss would be so willing to completely rely on a random teen to help run his business? To make potentially life-altering (or life-threatening) decisions for him?

Archie made a shirtless teen gang again, and this is being positioned as a SMART decision. I just… who is telling themselves this storyline is compelling, because they are very wrong.

This is, of course, all on top of how I don’t understand why Veronica’s parents are just totally chill about her not only being involved in their probably very illegal business, but dating the teen they basically just made their main mob enforcer. I wouldn’t care so much if this story was only ruining Archie — he was never a fave of mine anyway — but it’s ruining Veronica too.

Mary: OK, up to this point I have been sort of supporting Archie’s decisions, because I thought maybe he was doing it for a more positive reason. However, now I am just confused and over it.

Archie claims that he loves and respects his father so much, but then when his father needs him the most he chooses to do a shakedown for Hiram instead? Also, I agree with Lacy’s rant. HOW IS HIRAM SO SUCCESSFUL YET SO STUPID???

Doesn’t he know that hedging everything on the unpredictable emotions of a teenager is a bad idea? I just don’t get it. These Lodge parents are strange as it is. They are somewhat weird about what they approve of their daughter doing. Most of the time, it is things that your average parent wouldn’t approve of. I just don’t understand.

4. Alice shows up at FP’s doorstep looking like she’s extremely ready to give into their ever-present sexual tension. React!

Alamin: I just want to know about their past already! I’m not too concerned or interested in their sexual tension personally, but if this is how we learn more about their past, then I’m for it.

Doing these roundtables, it’s clear I’m a fan of Alice Cooper, so I definitely want to learn about her past and life on the Southside. Also, I feel like FP is a bit dull and having more interaction with Alice could liven him up in a way Riverdale hasn’t yet. We get a lot of great father-son moments, but not much else.

Lacy: There’s been so much teasing about Alice’s past that I’m very ready for the show to just get to it already. I’m also a person who doesn’t care much either way about Alice/FP as a ship, but I definitely want them both to have more to do, so I’m into the idea that might finally happen if only for that reason.

Mary: I just want confirmation about my suspicions about their past. That is all I really care about. This will they/won’t they holds very little interest for me beyond wanting FP to be happy.

I like the whole Jones family, so if Alice is what floats FP’s boat, then so be it. But, can Riverdale just reveal their past already. I’m a patient person, but this is getting annoying.

5. What was your favorite quote, scene, or moment?

Alamin: I don’t know that it was my favorite, but definitely the most memorable: When Archie calls his new vigilante group “The Dark Circle,” I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. At this point, he’s really just making a fool of himself.

Lacy: This is the most shallow comment possibly ever, but Veronica’s decision to wear a skintight catsuit (why??) to go rescue her friend from a possibly torturous insane asylum had me laughing out loud. Toni’s outfit wasn’t much better/more appropriate for the moment, but at least she had a jacket on.

Mary: Personally, I loved when FP gave Alice advice about Betty. It isn’t often that we get to see FP impart solid advice to someone. So for him to tell her to fix things with her daughter before it’s too late was really sweet.

I forget his exact phrasing, but something like “Take it from the guy whose son would rather be homeless than live with him.” I don’t know. Something about that made me smile. FP deserves to catch a break or two.

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What did you think of this episode of Riverdale? Respond to our roundtable questions with your own answers in the comments below! You can also catch up with our review of Riverdale Season 2 Episode 17, “Chapter Thirty: The Noose Tightens” right here.

Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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