TV Recap: Riverdale - Chapter Three "Body Double"
A year ago, had you told me that The CW's Riverdale would be one of the best dramas on television, I would've called you a fool. Well, it turns out I would've been the fool because that's exactly what Riverdale has become. A hit in the ratings as well as with viewers, this is one of those teen dramas that comes along once in a blue moon. Chapter Three titled "Body Double" follows the trend of the series by being even better than last week's installment.
This week - in addition to the ongoing murder mystery, Riverdale deals with a real world problem that is all to prevalent in today's high schools. Harassment, specifically the act of 'slut shaming' is a wretched practice that's hurt far too many individuals recently. For Riverdale to tackle it in the way it does is a bold move for the young show. Early in the episode, Veronica goes on a date with the captain of the football team, and then things go south. After a nasty Instagram post goes viral, Veronica goes on a warpath.
Meanwhile, Archie is still trying to make that music career happen, only to be derailed by a harsh punishment from his father. Papa Andrews (Luke Perry) is having none of Archie's shenanigans, and so he grounds Archie. The issue here is that Archie has arranged to attend the nightly practices of Josie & the Pussycats; resident Riverdale rock stars. Luckily he's able to co-write a song with the Pussycats, which leads to even more friction between Archie and his father.
Back at school, Veronica, in a supreme act of vengeance plots her revenge on the bully by gathering together all of the girls that have been shamed by the football team in recent years. This gives the show the opportunity to stay true to the comic books by having Betty run the school newspaper, giving Jughead a gig as lead reporter in the process. Chapter Three also introduces Ethyl, one of the harassment victims, played by actress Shannon Purser, who fans of Netflix's monster hit Stranger Things will know as Barb. Yes! Barb is alive and well and she currently resides in Riverdale. What a time to be alive.
Along with Betty & Veronica's revenge, Jughead makes some headway in the murder investigation that has gripped the town. Just by asking the right questions, he's able to uncover more than the police have been able to do thus far. Things are beginning to come to a head with regard to the murder case and there's some huge revelations on the horizon. Revelations that will be rather uncomfortable for every resident of Riverdale.
