Riverdale Review: Chapter Eighty-Four: Lock And Key (Season 5 Episode 8)

Oh, the drama!

If the last episode was all about story, Riverdale Season 5 Episode 8, Chapter Eighty-Four, “Lock and Key,” is all about character — trading any semblance of plot for more intimate moments of romance, friendship, and a whole lot of angst.

“Lock And Key,” in many ways, is a dream episode for anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned teen soap opera. There are no aliens, Monopoly money, or — and most enjoyably — Hiram Lodge to be found. It’s just a bunch of characters sitting around, talking about their feelings.

It’s what every viewer craves from Riverdale, and so rarely what they actually get. On a show always putting outlandish storylines before actual character dynamics, there isn’t a whole lot of time to develop relationships.

This episode delivers that in droves.

Unfortunately, the desire to have characters deal with their emotions also tends to stimulate buyer’s remorse. In an age where “shipping” couples is one of the most popular reasons to watch a teen drama, some viewers are bound to come out on the losing end. 

Suffice to say, “Lock and Key” is still a refreshing hour of Riverdale — as long as you don’t mind getting your heart ripped out of your chest.

That heartbreak begins with Kevin and Fangs, a couple who have been together for two seasons now but have gotten little development.

While the reveal of raising a baby with Toni isn’t exactly surprising, and the overload of expository rundown regarding their eight-year relationship is daunting, there is a twist in discovering they’re non-monogamous.

It may be past due, but Riverdale is delivering on its promise to provide a more predominant narrative for Kevin and Fangs. It’s something that Casey Cott and Drew Ray Tanner are quick to take advantage of, giving excellent performances in their more grounded moments. 

The complicated “Three’s A Crowd” storyline promises to deliver a compelling story for the rest of the season, and certainly could be used as a catalyst for Toni to disappear briefly — allowing Vanessa Morgan to take an extended absence for real-life maternity leave.

Toni has her choice of reasons to hit the road in “Lock And Key.” The dichotomy between her and Cheryl grows more strained as Cheryl — clearly stuck at 17 — is unable to mature past her high school “glory” days. Those eerie, possessive behaviors no longer fly like they did in Riverdale’s pilot, and leave her in danger of turning unlikable. 

There’s still a clear path for a “Choni” reconciliation, but Cheryl needs is to get out of Thornhill, and into the adult world. 

Ensconced in that adult-world is Jughead Jones, who continues to have the best arc of the season.

It’s not the aliens that are intriguing — that’s merely schematics. It’s the complexity of Jughead that makes him an interesting character to watch. 

Riverdale tends to use the supernatural as a red herring, but it’s not one to actually cross over into otherworldly narratives. The likelihood of alien abduction seems slim, which means Jughead’s visions of “Mothmen” are representative of something else entirely.

As the son of an alcoholic father, addiction is a very real threat for Jughead. He’s a man fighting against his own personal demons. That type of grounded character struggle nestled within a preposterous alien premise, toes the line between reality and fantastical in a perfectly seamless way.

It may be Riverdale’s best-executed story yet. 

While Tabitha helps Jughead face his own harsh realities, Betty and Archie are forced to face their own truths.

It’s a bit of a bait and switch. Betty begins the episode practically glowing as she reveals her late-night jaunts with Archie to Kevin, and the story seems to be heading towards the two taking the next step into romance as Betty calls Archie her “light in a dark window.”

Sounds romantic to me!

The episode then shifts directions starkly as it follows a conflicted Archie, who has Veronica in his head, Betty in his bed, but no idea where his heart lies. Newcomer Eric Jackson finally finds his purpose, playing sounding board for Archie’s conscience in Jughead’s absence.

The culmination of confusion ending with a decision they’re better as friends does make sense, at least on paper. Archie has feelings for Veronica to work through, and Betty has to focus on finding Polly.

That decision also gives Reinhart and Apa material to deliver one of the most beautiful, raw moments the show has done. As Archie wipes away Betty’s tears, it results in a flash of pure intimacy between two deeply bonded individuals. 

The road to that conclusion is what feels imbalanced. Archie’s increasingly closed-off behavior feels strangely out of character, and his approach is cold more than confused.

Closing the door indefinitely also feels premature — especially in service to circling back towards a romantic road Riverdale has been down so many times before.

Exploring “Barchie” post-time jump allows Riverdale to pay tribute to the classic Betty/Archie/Veronica of Archie Comics, and the show would benefit from playing with that trope a little longer.  

But Riverdale seems to know what it wants: Archie with Veronica. Unfortunately, the inclusion of Hiram leaves the romance feeling like a recycled narrative.

The show has a fresher exes approach with Jughead and Betty, whose scenes are made of small moments and uncomfortable, shifty glances that play as adorable and awkward. Those moments work as crumbs that could manifest in a tantalizing slow-burn of two characters re-entering each other’s orbit. 

So yes, “Lock and Key” rips your heart out, but at least it has fun doing so. It leaves you devastated yet somehow thankful for the pain you’ve endured, and that is the type of twisted success Riverdale prides itself on.

Random Thoughts:

• The queer baiting of Reggie is unappreciated; a sexually fluid Reggie would land much more effectively.
• Tabitha and Jughead are great counterparts with excellent chemistry, but I would like her to speak to another character.
• Cole Sprouse’s acting chops are in full effect this season. 
• The cinematography of Riverdale continues to shock and awe, and Barchie’s candle-lit night together is beautifully shot. 
• Veronica and Archie both working on the renovation and wearing flannel is cute.
• Madchen Amick has an outstanding performance this episode. 
• BYE CHAD!!!

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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