Riverdale Review: Chapter One Hundred and One: Unbelievable (Season 6 Episode 6)

After a long detour into an alternate universe, Riverdale returns with its own multiverse of madness in Riverdale Season 6 Episode 6, “Chapter One Hundred and One: Unbelievable.”

While Riverdale has toyed with shades of the otherworldly, the show has been careful not to cross into supernatural territory. Considering Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina — Riverdale’s sister show — exists in the same universe, the idea of witchcraft and fantasy was always technically a possibility.

On the heels of the RiverVale five-episode special event, the show is finally taking that leap. 

It’s certainly a new look for the show; witchcraft is one thing, but actual superpowers are a whole new facet of paranormal. Characters are immediately forced into an extreme of weird, but that’s the thing about Riverdale — it never takes itself too seriously, and prides itself on reinvention.

The good news is the actors affected by the supernatural leap — mainly Reinhart and Apa — know how to sell their new character traits effectively.

Reinhart understands exactly when to play into the sillier aspects of her situation by keeping it light and fun, saving her layered acting for the more dramatic, occasionally more grounded elements.

Apa approaches Archie’s new powers from a slightly more serious state, but it feels right for the character. As someone who has always been hot-headed and quick to jump the gun, Archie would be the one who springs into action, like a vigilante Hulk.

As for Cheryl’s storyline — or should we say Abigail’s — the idea of witchcraft and curses feels more fitting for a dark town like Riverdale. That’s partially credited to Sabrina’s presence in Greendale, but it’s more believable a town with so much history would have a complicated and shaded ancestry.

Something that helps “Chapter One Hundred and One” feel far less like jumping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is Jughead’s explosion aftermath.

Juxtaposed against Archie and Betty’s story, Jughead’s struggle with hearing loss is equally grounded as it is heartbreaking. Sprouse and Westbrook deliver standout performances, and the two can be credited with creating what looks to be one of Riverdale’s most moving storylines. 

The same can be said for Veronica, who still can’t seem to break away from being tied to Hiram, even post mortem.

At least this particular story challenges Veronica emotionally, gifting her more complexities. Mendes is able to showcase multiple layers of Veronica at once, and her breakdown is one of the more realistic crying scenes the show has seen.

With the characters dealing with such a wide array of conflicts, Riverdale sometimes feels like one show split in two, but it’s never overwhelming (even if it is, at times, ridiculous).

If Archie and Betty must exist in such a contrasting world, at least they’re facing it together. After years of teasing the romantic pairing — and even delivering a dark, twisted version of it in the AU of Rivervale — Barchie has finally gotten together.

It only took the world falling apart to get them there. 

Betty and Archie as a couple are so satisfying because they understand each other on an instinctual level. There is trust between them,  imperative for surviving their new circumstances. The type of unwavering faith both characters have in one another will undoubtedly help them navigate forward, and deepen an already long-term bond.

There is also an interesting synergy in the powers the two hold. Betty is the only person Archie can’t hurt, due to her ability to sense threats (a strange power indeed, but certainly one all women could make useful). Purposeful or not, that blend makes them an unstoppable duo against the dark forces that linger around the town.

Barchie, Jabitha, and Veggie are all new relationships that work across the board. Fresh dynamics bring out new traits in old characters, helping them grow organically.

They may not last forever, but the couples deliver most of the softer scenes, as the show zeroes in on more intimate moments between all three blossoming romances.

Toni and Fangs are the only true outlier of the bunch, playing more like a plot device than an actual romance.

A temporary deviation from “Kangs” and “Choni” would be more acceptable if the show itself didn’t seem to be clearly uncomfortable with its own decision. The conversation between Toni, Fangs, and Kevin is incredibly stilted, as if Riverdale is making a PSA ensuring its audience queer representation has not been erased. 

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community — including Kevin himself — understand “bisexual” characters would be open to dating any gender. A straight presenting relationship doesn’t “strip someone of their proverbial queer card,” and it’s peculiar to insert such a strange dialogue between openly queer characters.

Sexual identity isn’t the issue. Lack of chemistry (and Choni) is.

More often than not, “Unbelievable” hints that Riverdale is veering off into increasingly weird — yet undeniably captivating — territory. If nothing else, this season promises to deliver some of the cast’s best performances, taking us on a ride we won’t forget.

Jump the shark, you say? Count me in. If anyone can do it, Riverdale can. 

Random Thoughts: 

• The TBK must be part of the FBI if they know about Glen and Betty.
• Do we believe Hiram is REALLY dead? He’s like a cockroach, that man. 
• Rivervale seems to be loosely mirroring the events of this season. 
• I worry about Reggie and Veronica being on different pages. I am rooting for them. 
• I can NOT believe Veronica and Betty had a scene together and did not discuss Archie!
• Kevin not moving to NYC because of Anthony better mean a happy ending.

 

 

 

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

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