Riverdale Review: Chapter One Hundred and Seven: The Fog (Season 6 Episode 12)

Bad weather means taking a break from fighting evil on Riverdale Season 6 Episode 12, “Chapter One Hundred and Seven: The Fog.” 

Riverdale has historically been about driving plot over character, and it has rarely done the infamous bottle episode — certainly not in the traditional way of slowing things down to make space for characters to simply, well, talk to each other.

That all changes with “The Fog.” Aptly titled, a literal fog sweeps into Riverdale (why or how, we don’t know, and we probably never will), literally forcing characters to stop what their doing and just…exist, for a while. 

After a slew of episodes with virtually no romantic elements, it’s a fun change of pace, watching couples sit around and deal with their feelings.

After six long seasons of virtually never having that, it’s especially entertaining. 

For Betty and Archie, “The Fog” means getting closer than ever. The two navigate a possible pregnancy, but that isn’t even the most interesting part of their story. A baby feels a little too much too soon, but it does serve as a jumping-off point for Betty opening up about her past experiences and fears.

Betty Cooper finally being honest with someone about the TBK, is an extremely significant moment for her as a character. Not just in discussing what happened, but how she felt about it, and the trauma it’s created for her on an emotional level. 

It’s especially poignant for that person to be Archie. Their previous roadblocks revolved around fear she’d suck him into darkness. Archie only feeling closer to Betty following the conversation is a beautiful moment for the growth of Betty Cooper, and for their relationship. 

It’s also a satisfying moment for the audience. Riverdale is finally providing answers to a story it has teased for two seasons now.

The scene is thoughtful, romantic, and shot beautifully, lending gravitas to the moment. The two have faced adversity in between trying to define what they actually mean to each other, and “The Fog” solidifies they are nothing short of “all in.”

Jughead and Tabitha also find their own way to closeness in “Chapter One Hundred and Seven,” but through a slightly different lens.

The pair haven’t done much bickering in the world of Riverdale, but fighting was what allowed them to connect on a deeper level in RiverVale. 

The two mirror that in “The Fog,” and Tabitha allows herself to get real with Jughead. The niceties of new love are sweet to witness, but the two have a habit of skirting around the truth.

Jughead reading Tabitha’s thoughts forces the duo to admit they haven’t been communicating. 

Sometimes, it’s OK to fight — especially if that results in an honest conversation. 

It’s heartbreaking to see Tabitha reveal she’s tried to save Jughead’s life over a thousand times and for Jughead to process his own mortality. It’s an impossible conversation for anyone to have but the two somehow manage to more gracefully than anyone could expect. 

While certain couples grow together, Reggie and Veronica wave the white flag on their relationship. 

Riverdale has an opportunity to allow Veronica and Reggie a chance to do it better than their parents once did. They certainly have the chemistry, and could potentially be an epic love story, one where both characters get everything they’ve ever wanted. 

“The Fog” even showcases a softer side to the pair — full of games, laughter, and playful teasing. It’s all the ingredients needed for a compelling romance, but Riverdale continues to hold Ronnie back. 

Veronica pining over a relationship that lives concretely in the past is disappointing. She is continuously haunted by two men who have moved on without her, one way or another.

She deserves better, and Veronica has always been Reggies number one choice. Why the show won’t let that be enough for her, remains a mystery. Perhaps Veronica is destined to live a life outside of Riverdale, leaving everything — and everyone in it — behind.

The same disappointment could be said for Cheryl. “The Fog” bogs her storyline down with the same person she’s been trapped with since the beginning.

If bringing Cheryl’s horrible and homophobic disdain of a mother back to Riverdale leads to the introduction of the infamous Heather — and potentially facilitates reconciliation with Toni — then it might be worth the trouble, but Penelope’s return has to create lasting change.

Riverdale has been doing an excellent job of making room for new stories to bloom. Fingers crossed it stays that way. 

Random Thoughts: 

• Jughead calling Tabitha “Tabs” will never get old.
• I love when there is heavy Jughead narration that threads the episode together instead of simply introducing it. 
• Jughead is destined to die, but there are multiple Jugheads in RiverVale. Is that the key?
• I cannot wait to meet Heather. 
• I hope Moose sticks around. He makes Kevin better. 
• Bringing the supernatural into Riverdale has made this show so much more interesting. I said what I said. 

 

 

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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