Riverdale Review: Chapter Ninety-One: The Return Of The Pussycats (Season 5 Episode 15)

Riverdale atones for its mistakes in Riverdale Season 5 Episode 15, “Chapter Ninety-One: The Returns Of The Pussycats,” with a fun-filled musical celebration in appreciation of its women of color.

They haven’t been around since Season 3, but Josie and The Pussycats make a stop into town just in time for Toni’s big return, curating what feels like a back door pilot/potential spin-off for the girls more than an actual episode of Riverdale.

And we’re living for it.

Opting for narration by Melody (now a YA author) and giving more backstory to the Pussycats in the first few minutes than they ever got as regulars, it’s clear from the cold open “The Return of The Pussycats” really is going to be what the show promises. 

Luckily all three women — Murray, Law, and Bromfield — are willing to return, and Riverdale uses the opportunity wisely, addressing head-on how poorly the show has treated not only its Black female characters, but the actors who play them. 

It does so mostly through meta-laced conversation sometimes played for laughs, but the subtext is heavy, and the intention always lands.

“The Return Of The Pussycats” has no shortages of outrageous musical performances. For a show that technically shouldn’t have people randomly breaking into song against a mysterious backing track playing off in the distance, Riverdale sure does it a lot, but the numbers are all so good, none of the realism matters.

Not even for a second.

Robin Givens, who returns both as Josie’s mom and director of the episode, does a phenomenal job getting to the heart of the matter. 

A mirage of flashbacks, exceptional lighting, and poignant framing choices all help to exude some truly emotional moments, with Murray’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” being one of the episode’s biggest standouts.

By the time Melody and Val finally join Josie on screen again for the first time, the execution is so stunningly beautiful, it’s impossible not to yearn for these three to get back on stage together, and quickly. 

The episode is dedicated to giving new complexities to Josie’s character, specifically, showing a side of her even Katy Keene never quite captured.

Her tough outer exterior juxtaposes with the broken pieces left behind from her father’s death and the trauma she carries from her time in Riverdale. By simply letting the camera linger long enough on Ashleigh Murray during the grander, more poignant moments, the depth of who Josie McCoy seamlessly multiplies.  

The show is sure to address The Pussycat’s long-standing inner conflicts, which is surprising for a show that isn’t big on continuity. It’s nice to see the series remembering its own story points, and watch the girls put their unfinished business to bed.

Melody and Val aren’t simply Josie’s side girls anymore, either. Both get added depth — certainly, more than Riverdale has ever cared to give them before. 

it’s not exactly hard to do, but it’s satisfying to watch. With both women getting their own solo performances, as well as plenty of exposition about their lives since Riverdale, Melody and Val finally feel like fully fleshed-out individuals. 

With Law and Bromfield’s contagious energy and natural talent, it’s impossible not to love what you see. 

Alexandra Cabot makes an appearance, and Riverdale works her into the narrative fairly flawlessly with an investment at Pops (and a wildly fun rendition of “Little Shop Of Horrors”), reminding the audience of Tabitha’s original reason for showing up in Riverdale — franchising Pop’s. 

It’s unbelievable how exceptional Riverdale suddenly gets at story pacing, but the episode never feels bloated, and it’s the first chance Tabitha has for a storyline that doesn’t involve Betty or Jughead. Seeing her in her element as a businesswoman (in a fantastic lavender suit) is a reminder of what a powerhouse Tabitha Tate really is. 

Tabitha’s plotline does raise questions on why the series waited so long to move forward with her story arc. If it was simply waiting for the “big episode that honors Riverdale’s Black characters,” the show still has some issues in need of fixing.  

The Pussycats may only be around for one episode, but Tabitha and Toni are still main characters. Riverdale has yet to introduce Toni’s family, and Tabitha is still mostly relegated to storylines revolving around white character’s various conflicts.

If Riverdale really wants to do better, it needs to prove this isn’t just a single episode honoring previously sidelined characters — it’s a core change in the way of storytelling, and it does that through centering Toni and Tabitha in the narrative.

“The Return Of The Pussycats” is truly an exceptional episode of Riverdale, finally giving its Black female characters a chance to show what they can do. It pays off in droves of entertainment, with unbelievable performances and incredible talent in every direction. 

If Riverdale is smart, it’ll keep building on this course correction, giving way for more meaningful storylines that resonate with the BIPOC community. 

If it’s really smart, it’ll give us that Josie and The Pussycats spin-off, too.

Random Thoughts: 

• “I’ll be your anything” is one of the most romantic things anyone in Riverdale has ever said. 
• The ‘fits this episode are on another level. Absolutely gorgeous. 
• My Archosie heart grows three sizes when Archie sees Josie for the first time. 
• Cheryl’s immediate willingness to help deliver Toni’s baby is heartwrenching.
• CHONI FOREVER.
• I am obsessed with Josie calling Hiram a “little bitch” as he stands next to a 7-foot man looking, quite little. 
• Visually seeing the main characters sidelined (and not simply off-screen) is such a small, but intentional decision by Givens.
• THE JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS THEME SONG!

 

 

 

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

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