Warning: This review contains spoilers. If you haven’t watched the finale or don’t want to know anything that happened in this episode, go watch the finale and then come back.

I think we can all agree that the last three episodes (including this one) of Riverdale have been crazily good. Really, this whole first season of Riverdale has been a surprise. I don’t think any of us expected it to be this good and well done. This entire season it kept us intrigued at every moment and although middle point of the season was alright, the show stepped on the gear with full force and ended strong.

The episode picks up right where we left off with the police taking Clifford Blossom’s body along with all the heroin they found in the blossom barn. Turns out the reason Clifford killed Jason was indeed because Jason discovered this whole shady business that was happening right under his nose. After threatening to expose his dad’s true business the obvious happens i.e Jason is shot by his own father.

Also did anyone find it funny that the very last moment in the previous episode was Clifford hanging himself? It was quite the cliffhanger am I right? (okay I’ll stop now)

After that we get some scenes of how everyone is dealing with the situation with Cheryl feeling the worst. She is obviously broken from the inside that her own “daddy” killed her brother. I honestly felt sorry for her. Something that I never did before because let’s be honest she was a real bitch throughout this season. But hey, you can even feel sorry for snooty rich kids I guess?

By far the most powerful scene in this episode was when Cheryl tries drowning herself as she just feels the world would be better without her. But Archie and gang try saving the day as they rush to Sweetwater River and rescue her. Cheryl gets stuck underneath the ice and starts hallucinating and sees a zombie version of her dead brother. Archie punches the ice and he really goes at it. I mean his hand is getting really bloody. It was almost hard to watch it happen and I genuinely thought Cheryl would freeze to death and thankfully she didn’t. (never thought I’d ever say that)

It was interesting to see Jughead being sent off to Serpent High and live with a foster family as Mr. Andrews doesn’t have the required income to let him live in his house with his dad stuck in jail. Obviously Betty wasn’t happy about that but it raises another question. Will Jughead become a Southside Serpent? Because the moment Veronica, Betty, and Archie walk in the cafeteria everyone is laughing and Jughead is actually having a good time something that never happened in his previous high school. It was a brief moment but it was evident. Not only that but also when the Serpents offer Jughead his dad’s jacket and promises to protect him he smiles and wears the jacket! So I’m really curious to see how things turn out in the next season.

Another reveal which we kind of predicted was Alice Cooper getting pregnant when she was in High School but rather than getting an abortion like we thought, she did as Alice and Hal had that huge fight she gave up the child for adoption. I must say Alice Cooper has had some great character development in this season. She went from a piece of shit mom to a mom who isn’t half bad. Her telling Betty the truth was really heartfelt and emotional and it was a nice bonding scene as well.

The one thing that really ticked me off (and this really comes down to who you want a character to be with) was Archie starting to have feelings for Betty. Seriously boy you haven’t even started dating the brunette chick you told last week you had feelings for and now all of the sudden you like Betty? I mean at least date Veronica! But no he sadly does have feelings for Betty. And I don’t think I’m in the minority when I say this but I really want Jughead to be with Betty. Although that wish might not come true due to the possibility of him becoming a serpent.

Overall we are left off with a show much darker than it started (in a good way and that needs to be so unlike another certain show *coughs* The Flash!). Betty did a good job addressing the discrimination and the darkness that has completely taken over Riverdale and how they must stand up together in these tough moments. It was touching to hear what she had to say as well as pissing off the mayor. It’s always a nice feeling when you piss off the people you don’t like.

There was even more stuff that happened like Hermione being an evil witch by having her own daughter sexually manipulate her boyfriend into convincing his father to sell the company that I’d love to delve into but for reasons i.e I’m not in the mood to bore the shit out of you guys I’ll stop it right here.

As for the ending of the finale I don’t think I need to explain why I screamed “NO” at my laptop screen? Fred Andrews got shot by a robber and most probably died? Or not? And that’s what this finale did well. It has raised so many questions and mysteries that will be solved in the future episodes to come.

Where do we go from here? (i.e what is the main plot for season 2?) What happens to Fred Andrews? Is Jughead going to become a Serpent? Where is Ms. Grundy? Will Betty and Archie become a thing? Will we get to see Jughead eat more hamburgers? Okay that last one really isn’t a question but you get what I mean.

Verdict- 9/10

What did you guys think of the finale? Are you excited for Season 2? Comment below and let me know.