Riverdale Review: Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Venomous (Season 6 Episode 14)
Riverdale Season 6 Episode 14, “Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Venomous,” proves that sometimes you need to take a detour to keep things fun and interesting.
In an episode full of information and supernatural rhetoric, you would think the mystery would move forward. However, “Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Venomous” mostly keeps the main conflict with Percival stalled to deal with some of the developments within the main group as they build their resistance.
With a specific focus on Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Archie, and Cheryl, Riverdale leans into their dynamics more, playing on the supernatural genre with fascinating, introspective camera work by the director.
Although it is time to bring back the rest of the ensemble, it’s important for the story to allow these superpower arcs to manifest correctly.
Instead of burning through story at lightning speed, Riverdale takes a much more detailed approach to Veronica’s superpowers, which makes the journey worth it. Plus, Camila Mendes plays the vulnerable side of Veronica so well that her superpowers are easily the most compelling of the group.
This level of attention also allows the characters to communicate, which was a rarity in previous seasons.
It’s lovely watching the Core 4 support one another through their supernatural developments, especially since it is all so new to them. After heartbreak and drama, it’s very adult of them to leave the past in the past.
There is a special bond that forms when you have lived through what these characters have, and it feels like Riverdale Season 6 acknowledges that.
It’s this specific level of support that calls things into question though.
As Jughead helps Betty uncover her repressed memories, he relives some of their pivotal past moments, which feels purposeful. At first, it appears as though Jughead needs some practice head diving, but by the end of “Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Venomous,” Jughead is flooded with memories of kisses past.
The specific choice to call back to Jughead reassuring Betty that she’s not evil while she’s still struggling to come to terms with her darkness feels intentional. Jughead’s support helped Betty through dark times in earlier seasons, so is it possible that this “surface” memory will help ground her in the future?
Additionally, the timing of Tabitha’s text feels purposeful. It plants a small seed of potential doubt for the future of that relationship, especially if Jughead is flooded with memories and feelings that he can’t control.
To pile onto this potential love triangle brewing, Veronica’s powers make her kisses deadly… but Archie is invulnerable. So by process of elimination, he is the only man she can kiss.
If Riverdale is reigniting the flames between Bughead and Varchie, I sincerely hope it’s done without disrespect to Tabitha. Jughead is a loyal character, so if there is a chance he still feels something for Betty, it shouldn’t be handled carelessly.
However, Riverdale loves to drop a hint and then never follow up on it, so while this episode ended in a fun place for fans of the old couples, it can all be forgotten in two weeks time.
My current prediction is that if this is happening, it won’t happen until at least the end of Season 6.
Outside of the potential romantic entanglements, the key to most of these supernatural developments is Cheryl, thus reminding us why she is the perfect character to center the genre shift on.
“Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Venomous” lets Cheryl master her witchcraft as she supports Archie and Veronica with their troubles. Although her advanced supernatural knowledge seemingly comes out of nowhere, it’s perfectly predictable that Cheryl would know how to make Archie indestructible.
The Blossoms have always been witchy, so of course she is the knowledgeable one. What else was she doing when she didn’t leave her house for seven years?
And to enhance her ability to navigate any supernatural dilemma with eventual success, Cheryl has a book for everything! Seriously, Riverdale‘s dedication to literary references is wonderfully hilarious. Never change, babe!
Plus, Madelaine Petsch nails the ridiculous dialogue with a sincerity that reminds us why we watch Riverdale — we never truly know what to expect. On top of this, she plays supportive Cheryl so well. It’s a joy to watch her connect with the others more, especially after she set off on her warpath last season.
Overall, “Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Venomous” doesn’t advance the primary conflict much, but it allows for a deeper, more detailed exploration of the main characters’ dilemmas. For a show that moves at a breakneck pace, it’s beneficial to slow down and focus on the characters for a change.
Furthermore, it opens to the door to relationships past, making for a potentially shocking pivot in relationships as we reach the final stretch of Season 6.
Stray Thoughts
- There is nothing more confusing to me than the idea of multiple universes, but that is clearly coming soon.
- I refuse to comment on the Black Hood because I am tired of watching Betty suffer. Let her be free of her family — including Alice.
- Palladium soup sounds disgusting, but it’s also hilarious.
- Dr. Curdle is always a scene stealer.
- That sex scene is choreographed so bizarrely.
- Heather and Cheryl will make a fun witchy power couple.
- Yes, I love an unnecessary musical number. I am who I am!
What did you think of this episode of Riverdale? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Riverdale airs Sundays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Julia Paino
Julia is a TV and pop culture enthusiast who gets too emotionally invested in her favorite characters. She loves making people laugh and is always down for a Taylor Swift sing-along. She is firmly on Team Stefan and has been since 2009. Follow her on Twitter @juliampaino!
4 comments
Varchie and Bughead back? Finally! Great review. Stop with this Betty and Archie stuff. As a mother it’s hard to explain to my teen why they insist on a couple on screen no one likes.
That scene was painful! The writers and actors made up for it with the Varchie kiss and Bughead flashbacks. Please tease for next weeks, love your takes.
“That sex scene is choreographed so bizarrely” you’re right! It was worse than palladium soup. The Veronica and Archie kiss gave me chills with how well KJ and Camila work and give their all to that ship!
I love reading your takes. I hope they bring back Mary to see her son being saved again and brought back to life by Veronica. Her main character energy has been missed. Interested in takes on how badly Archie will be chasing after V post that kiss!
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