Rivervale Review: Chapter Ninety-Eight: Mr. Cypher (Season 6 Episode 3)
Rivervale dances with the Devil in Riverdale Season 6 Episode 3, “Chapter Ninety-Eight: Mr. Cypher,” as characters sell their souls, and the battle of Good vs. Evil begins.
Riverdale takes a page straight out of Netflix’s book by casting the blonde version of Tom Ellis — a witty and handsome British man named Lou Cypher (get it?) as its Devil.
It would be much more fun if the show managed to nab Luke Cook — who plays the Devil himself in CAOS — considering Sabrina’s own looming arrival to Rivervale.
Nevertheless, the premise itself is an interesting one, and begins to give shape to the “Rivervale” bigger picture. The show has always been about the soul of Riverdale, after all; the town’s alternate reality mirroring that fight definitely lines up.
Rivervale — opposed to Riverdale — seems much less hesitant to define who actually holds the soulful good of the town in their hands. Tabitha, Pop, Archie — selfless in both worlds — are clearly the heroes who will keep Rivervale alive.
As strange as it is — and it is all very strange — an angel sweeping into Riverdale allows pure goodness to touch an otherwise dark series. In a town so wicked, the purity of morality is a sliver of hope that is a surprisingly refreshing — and much-needed — balance the show almost never provides.
Rafael turning up feels like an echo of Tabitha’s first appearance. Besides Archie Andrews (RIP), the Tate’s truly are the most genuine aspect of Rivervale, and Pops is the perfect safe haven against whatever storm is brewing.
The show doesn’t take time to explain why the Tate’s were involved in Archie’s murder, however, and the show probably should have thought ahead by keeping them out of the sacrificial mix.
It’s unfortunate an alternate reality is the only place Riverdale can deliver a Veronica-centric episode (that doesn’t revolve around her father), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t delicious fun watching her storyline unfold in the most unhinged way possible.
If anyone can defeat the devil himself, it’s Veronica Lodge — too bad Reggie doesn’t realize that.
While Veronica’s arc in “Mr. Cypher” doesn’t revolve around Hiram, it does still revolve around men doing her dirty. She may best them in the end, but Veronica Lodge certainly deserves much better than lying, cheating partners taking advange of her over and over again.
It’s wildly out of character for the Riverdale version of Reggie — who would do anything to stick by Veronica’s side — to do anything hurtful towards the woman he’s loved since high school.
Which is why this version of the character aligns with the theory Rivervale is simply a manifestation of the character’s worst fears. Veronica wants a man she can trust — someone who won’t turn their back on her, for once in her life.
It doesn’t get much more deceitful than someone selling your soul to preserve their own.
The same can’t be said for Kevin, who finally gets a sliver of focus in this event, only for him to greedily sell his soul in return for a life in the spotlight. It’s depressing to watch him be so unbelievably unsatisfied with life, all too willing to throw everything away for smoke and mirrors.
Apparently, Kevin Keller isn’t allowed to be happy anywhere.
Betty doesn’t fare much better. The show does its best to address her past with the TBK while still existing in this weird, supernatural version of itself, but not all of it lands as poignantly as it should.
Making Betty face the worst parts of herself is undoubtedly a ploy to bring her over to the dark side, but the TBK is a story Riverdale has been teasing for over a season now. Mr. Cypher’s presence dilutes the levity her past trauma brings.
Even with the added camp, Betty attempting to “rub the darkness off her” is an effective beat of emotional gravitas, as is her violent reaction to hearing the tortured voices of her dead sister. “Mr. Cypher” proves Betty’s worst fear is her darkness overtaking everyone she cares about.
It’s taken Archie, her unborn baby, and now Glenn, too.
What side Betty will find herself on in the final battle remains to be seen, but with two episodes left, it won’t be long until we find out if Riverdale can cohesively pull it all together.
Until then, I’ll be at Pop’s if you need me.
Random Thoughts:
- I’m glad Nick St. Clair gets what’s been coming to him but I did not ever need to see that character again.
- Veronicas green dress is stunning.
- Cheryl not interacting with the devil is a missed opportunity.
- Did Jughead die? His soul is gone, but he doesn’t get taken into the fire like Reggie.
- Will Jughead and Tabitha be fighting on opposite sides in the battle for Rivervales soul?
- Alice is insufferable in this reality.
- Betty’s biggest fear
What did you think of this episode of Rivervale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Rivervale airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Kat Pettibone
Kat Pettibone is an aspiring TV writer, artist, and poet. As a Pacey Witter Fan Club lifer who never missed a TGIF, she has dreams of becoming your generations small screen Nora Ephron. She's also an avid lover of coffee, dogs and all things spooky.