This week’s episode of Riverdale included some monumental moments. Long-standing fan theories about Chic (Hart Denton) not being Betty (Lili Reinhart)’s full brother were confirmed. The Blossoms are still out of their minds, and some serious real-world issues may be addressed through their arc in the next episode. But most of the drama, as it has during most of the second half of the season, connects to the Lodges.
And the Lodges are the worst.
Hermione (Marisol Nichols) has suddenly become a politically-savvy mayoral candidate, almost cunning enough to pass for an Underwood in House of Cards. She easily pushes Lodge Industries’ agenda as one that provides jobs and safety to the town and also supports education instead of one that profits from locking people up in a prison built on the bones of a high school. She’s also roped Veronica (Camila Mendes) into helping her — probably not a stellar parenting move.
But Veronica definitely isn’t without fault. She’s the worst in her own teenage sense. She lies to her close friends and insists her boyfriend plays along with it so they don’t find out how involved and informed she really is in her parents’ questionable doings. She went for her own power grab by running for president of Riverdale High and tried to bribe her way into the hearts of voters. Unsurprisingly, the charade is coming back to bite her. (The milkshake to the face was a nice touch.) Her tearful plea to her mother for a little understanding about the woes of high school was over-the-top and unconvincing. No sympathy here.
But the worst of the worst goes to Hiram (Mark Consuelos). His condescending and controlling nature, accented with a dash of sexism, is gross and trite. The Godfather complex isn’t a good look, especially when he's surrounded by tacky furniture and the roaring fire that’s so characteristic of the fictional homes of the wealthy. His toxic masculinity even goes so far as to use his daughter’s boyfriend as a pawn in his illegal and unethical games. What kind of guy gets high school boys to do their bidding for them?
The Lodges represent just how far wealth can take people and how easily the wealthy can abuse the power their money gives them. It makes for an important and contemporary theme that adds depth to the show, but how it's handled throughout the rest of the season will determine the quality of how that theme is examined. A redemption arc for the Lodges wouldn’t be satisfying, aside from Veronica, who may be just young enough for a change of heart.
A satisfying end for the Lodges would be a takedown at the hands of the Serpents. Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and his band of angsty dudes in leather jackets symbolize the disenfranchised people who suffer for the sake of the money grabs of the privileged. A victory for the Southsiders would mean justice for the powerless, and would make for an enjoyable conclusion.
Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.
