Riverdale Review: Chapter Eighty-Nine: Reservoir Dogs (Season 5 Episode 13)

The characters in Riverdale Season 5 Episode 14, “Chapter Eighty-Nine: Reservoir Dogs,” may not all be having a good time, but the events of this wicked little town are nothing short of captivating. 

Mixing and matching uncommon dynamics is a trick Riverdale finally discovered once Season 5 premiered, and it has yet to fail the show once.

Giving characters new on-screen sparring partners helps break the show from its same tired mold, invigorates the actors, and improves performances and story quality alike.

While Jughead’s absence is clearly felt, it does give “Reservoir Dogs” time to breathe, and some of the secondary — and commonly neglected — characters a bigger spotlight.

It’s refreshing to see Kevin finally dealing with a deep and personal emotional conflict — one that doesn’t simply limit itself to romance.

The loss of Fangs in Kevin’s life is a deep cut of regret (he claims it’s the worst thing he’s ever done, but did he forget about trying to harvest Betty’s organs?), and it forces Kevin to face the unfulfilling path his life has taken.

It’s a level of complexity we haven’t seen from Kevin, and his desire to reconnect with his creative aspirations fleshes his character out in a way the show hasn’t bothered with until now.

It also pairs him with a surprisingly grounded and empathetic Cheryl, who’s dealing with her own personal losses. “Reservoir Dogs” allows the two space to work through those issues together, and they’re able to connect on a meaningful level. 

It would, however, be nice if they could stop joining cults.

In the theme of new (and old) pairings, Reggie and Ronnie reunite for a dream team-up — something viewers have been waiting for since their latent Season 3 antics and short-lived romance.

A sexy, maniacal, and delicious duo, their partnership gives Reggie a hopeful path of redemption post-Hiram, and both characters look happier and more inspired than they have since high school. 

Watching Veronica take the reins as the She-Wolf Off Wall Street is a particular treat, as her incredible business savvy is put into action.  She’s able to finally pull one over on a weakening Hiram, and even finds time to help Betty and Tabitha with their Coyote Ugly escapades.

The musical performances in Riverdale are often egregious, but “Nothin But A Good Time” fits right into the narrative. It’s a genuinely smart way to move Betty’s plan forward, and brings (almost) all the main characters together, working towards a common goal.

Riverdale doesn’t deliver nearly enough of those moments — friends showing up for one another when it matters — and the crossing of plotlines always heightens the series, if just for a moment. 

Betty’s scheming also helps deepen her growing friendship with Tabitha — a character Riverdale clearly intends to fully flesh out beyond a potential love interest for Jughead.

The show weaves her seamlessly into other aspects of Riverdale’s antics, and the mutual dedication she and Betty have for helping one another resonates as a genuine connection between two women. 

Both are supportive of one another’s endeavors — even when it includes taking drugs or hiding bodies — and it fills a gaping B and V-shaped hole left from the show’s refusal to allow its two leading women an active friendship. 

While most of the other characters are teaming up, Archie is busy facing his own demons. It’s genuinely unfortunate we don’t get to see him participate in Misson: Nab Skeevy Truckers with the rest of the gang, but it’s an easy trade-off for allowing him to deal with his PTSD. 

Archie’s trauma stems far beyond his experiences in war. Channeling that pain directly into his time with the Army, however, gives purpose to both Eric and Uncle Frank’s presence, while shedding a light on the horrors soldiers face post time served. 

KJ Apa is certainly up to the acting challenge this storyline requires, and seems eager to delve into meatier material for Archie; material that doesn’t involve pushing against Hiram.

It does, however, give a reason for his desperate attempts to save the town. 

It’s a through-line for Archie’s story that gives the character both focus and motive, connecting a variety of dots previously left muddled in a tireless and Lodge-shaped mess that never bothered to explain why Archie cared so much, beyond his affections for Veronica. 

While Archie’s journey towards healing alongside his army comrades feels appropriate and well-fitting, one can’t help but speculate over the parallels to Betty’s own all-consuming PTSD, and wonder why the show isn’t doing more to overlap their similar storylines. 

For people who claim to be fundamentally different, the two seem to share more in common than they realize. Both blame themselves for the loss of a loved one, and both are channeling that pain into saving their hometown. 

In the episode’s final poignant moments, Archie wakes from another nightmare as a soft yellow beam of light streams into his window — a window that has connected him to Betty from the very beginning, and the same window Betty looks out after waking from her own traumatic dream. 

The subtext — not to mention the soft golden color scheme that has appeared in most of the Betty and Archie scenes this season — screams these two are better for each other than the story is currently willing to admit.

They might just be the light in the dark the other so desperately needs. Riverdale would do right to explore that more deeply. 

But first, therapy. Finally, THERAPY!

Random Thoughts: 

• The Blossoms have a monopoly on the comedic beats of this show. 
• The creepy cult song gives me chills, but Casey Cott’s voice is forever angelic. 
• MOOSE AND FANGS?!
• I will always welcome more dogs. A show can never have enough dogs. 
• Toni may be absent, but at least Riverdale keeps her alive in mentions. 
• Where can I buy those outfits the ladies wear during their performance? 

 

 

 

 

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

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