Riverdale Review: Chapter Eighty-One: The Homecoming (Season 5 Episode 5)

When Riverdale says it’s doing a reboot, it means business.

Riverdale Season 5 Episode 5, “Chapter Eight-One: The Homecoming,” may be the end of the town called Riverdale, but it’s a brand new start for the series itself.

Much in the same vein as “Purgatorio,” “Homecoming” continues to retool Riverdale in ways that feel strikingly similar to when the show first premiered.

With a main plotline surprisingly grounded in reality, and a soundtrack eliciting feelings of small-town 1960s nostalgia, Riverdale’s tone now reads like its pilot once did; before Gargoyle Kings and Tickle Rings entered the picture.

Riverdale is figuring out a way to become everything it always should have been, combined with all the things it’s managed to do right. The plot is still prevalent and fast-moving, but it also now serves a purpose; bringing its characters together in organic ways that garner equal screen time for all.

Long gone are the days where one or two characters overwhelm the narrative; with the town itself at stake, everyone must come together to save their beloved town or horrors — and no one is more equipped to lead that charge than Archie Andrews and Toni Topaz.

So far, Riverdale has kept its promise in making Toni a larger part of the narrative. She’s not just part of the story, she is the story, and the town’s best hope for survival. 

But she can’t do it alone, and witnessing characters we’ve known for so long come together for a common goal, is the beating heart that’s been missing in Riverdale for quite some time.

The past isn’t all lost; there are quiet moments between old loves. Those conversations mainly provide expository information about time spent off-screen, but it’s crafted in the loveliest — if not heartbreaking — of ways.

It’s certainly something fans of those past relationships will undoubtedly appreciate, while leaving the door open to future reconciliations.

But it’s the new character mashups that make things exciting. Toni, Alice, Kevin, and Archie teaming up, for instance, feels like an excerpt from the best kind of fan fiction.

Riverdale has somehow managed to find its perfect balance; threatening our beloved characters with impending doom while simultaneously slowing down long enough to nurture dynamics with long-ignored potential.

Everything about this new Riverdale runs seamlessly. With plot points fitting together like perfect puzzle pieces, story points feel organic in nature.

Seeing the Coopers as a family — in ways that don’t include killing a man or living with a serial killer — is a refreshing change of pace. It’s also a necessary expansion for Betty, who is determined to be a better sister, daughter, and friend; not simply a girl who solves mysteries.

Pop’s world also shifts with newcomer Tabitha Tate (Erinn Westbrook). A great addition to the cast, Tabitha is a strong, smart, and business savvy woman — someone who will both fit in perfectly with the rest of Riverdale’s fiery female squad, and be quite the entertaining counterpart for Jughead.

Cheryl investing in Riverdale’s education keeps Choni alive (and Cheryl relevant), while Polly involving herself with the Ghoulies, allows Betty and Archie to come closer together.

Even Hiram — a character whose expiration date feels long past due — serves a better purpose. Rebooting him as a true villain puts him right where he should be; without redemption, and the antagonist to all our favorite characters — not just Archie and Veronica. 

Beyond the inventive writing, is how impressive the actors are at creating their new personas. Considering how quickly they had to jump seven years ahead in their characters’ bodies, they are doing an impeccable job at bringing their adult versions to life.

No one may be doing it better than Cole Sprouse, whose character of Jughead has most strikingly changed. Playing him completely defeated, Sprouse delivers a Jughead who is a shell of his former self; almost unrecognizable from the Jughead of “Graduation,” just a few episodes prior. 

However destitute, Sprouse still craftily flashes moments of seasons past Jughead throughout “The Homecoming,” reminding audiences no matter the mess, he’s always a character worth rooting for.

Maybe Riverdale is the inspiration he needs. 

The newfound complexity of the character feels like an opportunity Sprouse is eager to bite into, and his performance has never been better.

Then, there’s Betty and Archie.

You didn’t think I was going to skip talking about them, did you?

The best part of Riverdale deciding to put Betty and Archie together now — seven years post-high school — is how clear the road is to explore feelings that have long since existed between them.

And boy, do they explore. 

It’s 30 seconds of explosive chemistry — and 10 years worth of sexual tension being released — culminating into one, fantastically sexy shower scene. With all the bad timing, secret kisses, and general teen angst, it serves as not just a moment of catharsis for the characters, but for the audience that’s waited so long to see it happen. 

The scene that follows, however, may serve as more of a — release if you will — than the actual sex itself. 

It’s a moment between friends that highlights the deep bond between these characters, despite all the rest. It’s also a meta-commentary; one where Riverdale reminds the audience it’s been seven years for these characters.

They are adults now, and people have moved on. No one is getting betrayed here; it’s okay to explore this now.

How it all turns out remains to be seen, but friends with benefits is an entertaining approach for these long-time besties navigating new territory. 

Of course, sex as “just friends” doesn’t always stay that way in the land of TV, which means complications — and possible feelings — are bound to arise. Feelings for old loves, feelings for each other — who can tell? But it’s going to be one wild ride watching it all unfold. 

For now, at least, it looks like Betty and Archie are going to enjoy exploring each other’s bodies, and we get to enjoy watching them do it. More than that, we get to actually see them be friends.

Watching them drink a beer together, Betty helping Archie clean up his house in her old overalls, texting to check up on each other — even Betty being the first one to jump in and help Archie with Riverdale High — THAT is the friendship those two characters have, and it’s been neglected for too long.

Betty and Archie, finally on the same side of the window. It’s about time, don’t you think?

Random Thoughts:

• Veronica (and Mendes) is at her strongest, and here’s hoping she finally takes down Daddykins.
• Kevin and Betty maintaining their friendship is heartwarming.
• Cheryl is so empty without Toni; it is gut-wrenching to witness. 
• Tabitha saying “Jughead Jones? I’d remember a weird-ass name like that,” is how I know I love her.
• There’s something so fitting about Pop’s being the one last safe place in Riverdale. 
• I have to believe there’s a motive behind Reggie’s life decisions. Come back from the dark side, Reginald! 
• What happened to Betty that’s causing all these nightmares? Yikes!
• Every teen drama needs a character who becomes an author and writes a scathing tell-all about their hometown. 
• Jarchie living together is surprising and sweet, but assuredly going to be messy. Bye-bye, bunker.

What did you think of this episode of Riverdale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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