Rivervale Review: Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Witching Hour(s) (Season 6 Episode 4)
It’s the season of the witch in Riverdale Season 6 Episode 4, “Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Witching Hour(s),” as identities are revealed and curses are broken, thanks to the help of a familiar face.
Upon watching “The Witching Hour(s),” one thing is unwaveringly clear — Riverdale only hurts itself over the wasted potential of certain characters, and the actors who portray them.
Not only is the episode one of the series strongest from a storytelling perspective, it’s an opportunity for Madelaine Petsch to showcase her mastery of the craft.
“The Witching Hour(s)” has Petsch stepping into the shoes of a more grounded, complex character. While Cheryl Blossom has always been entertaining, she’s never been layered — or, at the very least, the show has showed no interest in delving into what could make her more dynamic.
There has always been a myriad of substance in Cheryl’s life waiting to formulate into an unbelievably intriguing narrative arc, but Riverdale has consistently refused to push farther than a surface level dabbling of any of it.
In one episode, we learn more about the motives, desires, and conflicts surrounding Abagail Blossom’s life than we ever have of Cheryl — a character Riverdale has been too consumed with writing as campy as possible, to actually focus on in a realistic sense.
The supernatural elements of Abagail give her the whimsical edge Riverdale always looks for, but the story gives her space to develop as someone living a very human existence. Her love for Thomasina and Bitsy is as tragic as it is romantic, creating an immediate sense of investment into Abagail’s ultimate fate.
Putting as much emotional gravitas as she can into Poppy and Abagail, Petsch understands the show may be talking about witches and curses, but there’s a very real allegory here about the reality of homophobia and bigotry towards queer people throughout history, as well as a patriarchal hold over women’s rights.
Petsch takes that responsibility seriously, giving what is undoubtably her best performance in each and every role. While the fate of Abagail (and Poppy, and Cheryl, for that matter) may wrap up in “Chapter Ninety-Nine,” the episode still works as a backdoor pilot for a spin-off centering around the Blossom women ancestry.
It’s just that good.
The camera work is also some of the best Riverdale has ever done, with impressingly smooth transitions throughout. Same goes for the story structure, which flawlessly weaves back and forth between the women’s paralleled journeys, and the three various timelines.
Proof it’s possible to jump to different time periods without adding heavy-toned filters for the audience.
The episode gives other actors a chance to play different characters completely, too; not ancestors of their Rivervale (or Dale) lineage, but new people all together. Sprouse and Reinhart take to this challenge best, chomping at the bit to stretch their acting muscles with something — and someone — fresh and new.
If “The Witching Hour(s)” isn’t entertaining enough, the show delivers the cherry on top with the return of Sabrina Spellman. Seeing Shipka back in her resident headband is wildly enjoyable, and she’s on screen for far too little time, showing up in the episodes final minutes.
That doesn’t make it any less delightful to see what a Spellman looks like in this wicked little town, and the small morsel of a crossover generates a desire for plenty more witchy mischief, once the show returns to it’s home of Riverdale.
With all the winks and nods — plus a subtle hint she may be staying for a milkshake or two — it’s possible Sabrina makes another appearance before Riverdale Season 6 comes to an end. Seeing how she easily assimilates in “Chapter Ninety-Nine,” Shipka would be nothing short of an excellent addition to the cast.
The show would probably have to explain how, exactly, she came back to life, but that sounds like quite the adventurous story.
I’m ready if you are, Riverdale.
Random Thoughts:
- It wasn’t Choni, but Thomasina and Abagail make me yearn for Cheryl and Toni to reunite.
- This still supports the theory Rivervale is everyone’s darkest fear or emotion.
- Cheryl Blossom doesn’t even exist in RiverVale — not really. Wrap your head around that.
- Jughead continues to prove he is an excellent narrator. Is that because he created RiverVale, somehow?
- Casey Cott gets more screen time as a completely different character than he ever has as Kevin.
- I still feel KJ Apa’s absence. Do you?
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.