Riverdale “Chapter Forty-Seven: Bizarrodale” is the best episode of Season 3 so far. I’m getting that out of the way before I pass you the pertinent information about the episode, which is that the “Core Four” — Archie (KJ Apa), Veronica (Camila Mendes), Betty (Lili Reinhart) and Jughead (Cole Sprouse) — mostly take a back seat this week to the show’s supporting characters. Those would be Cheryl (Madelaine Petsch), Toni (Vanessa Morgan), Kevin (Casey Cott), Reggie (Charles Melton) and Josie (Ashleigh Murray), a.k.a. the “Fierce Five.” Hence the “bizarro,” upside down nature of the episode.

But frankly, if this is what a mixed-up episode of Riverdale looks like sign me up for 22 more of these, because the hour, directed by Harry Jierjian and written beautifully by Britta Lundin, is the most emotionally grounded, character-driven episode of the show this season. There are wonderfully crafted arcs that make the requisite Riverdale shock moments mean something. Instead of the pedal to the metal pace of the past season or so, we spend time with these “secondary” characters, answer questions that have been plaguing fans for years, and when the danger ramps up, it truly feels dangerous.

Nothing against the Core Four, who are also wonderful, but the only really bad part of this week’s episode is the implication that these sorts of emotionally grounded adventures have been happening in the background while we’ve been following Riverdale‘s usual cramming of an entire season’s worth of plot twists into 42-minutes in the foreground. Both have their worth… But man, keep these types of stories coming, there are only so many stick monsters a TV viewer can take.

Anyway, you’ll get to see more for yourself when the episode airs tonight on The CW. But for now, let’s get to the teases:

1 Going To The Chapel Before we get to the kids, don’t worry, the adults get plenty of screentime this week too, courtesy of the impending nuptials of Tom Keller (Martin Cummins) and Sierra McCoy (Robin Givens). Not only do we get to spend a lot of time with the former high school sweethearts, who are ridiculously cute together, but their wedding spurs on the main crux of the plot. Not to keep spewing praise on this episode, but rarely does any episode of broadcast TV bring everything together in a neat bow — you often have your A-plot, your B-plot, and a few others in between. Lundin structures the episode so that all the disparate elements tie together nicely in a wholly unexpected way, and that’s all thanks to Tom and Sierra. As for the other parents? They do pop up here and there, but mainly you’ll get to see them all together as a threat from “The Midnight Club” era rears its ugly head once again. With happiness in short supply in the town of Riverdale, will Tom and Sierra live to see their wedding day?

2 Let's Get Bizarro In Here Interestingly, the “Bizarro” in the title doesn’t refer to what you think; at least not exactly. Yes, the regular focus of the show is turned upside down, but as explained in Jughead’s opening narration (even in a special episode, we’re all just living inside Teen Kerouac’s novel), it’s the town itself that seems weird, from candy drugs to bear attacks. So instead, this focuses on the normal goings-on in Riverdale (mostly) while everyone else is fighting Gargoyle Gangs and witnessing murders. This is our first indication at how self-aware this episode will be, too… From little questions fans have asked for weeks, to plot points that were seemingly ditched, to snarky tweets sent online, Lundin’s script synthesizes all of this and puffs it all out in winky asides and actual plot points. I won’t ruin any of the jokes, but this episode ably skewers any criticism you might have of the show, simply by fluidly incorporating those criticisms into character dialogue and action.

3 Life With Archie After weeks spent on the run, beaten to death and filled with a murderous rage, it’s tough to remember why we all liked Archie in the first place. Though he takes a backseat this episode, supporting Josie in the same way she supported him last week, we finally get to see KJ Apa smile! And be heartfelt and earnest! It’s been a long road to getting here, but this is refreshingly like a Season 1 version of our second favorite ginger, complete with singing and a positive outlook on life. And happily, without — for once — messing everything up.

4 Moovin On Up Despite hooking up last season (and hooking up a lot more before that), Moose (Cody Kearsley) and Kevin have been (sometimes literally) in the closet, with the former scared about what his RROTC Dad would do if he found out he was part of the LGBT community. That all comes to a head this episode, and though — frankly — I haven’t been the staunchest Koose ‘shipper, Kearsley and Cott’s performances completely sold me on the couple this episode. In fact, a large chunk of this episode is all about LGBTQ+ rights, in a very explicit way (and not just with Kevin and Moose). There are discussions of what it means to Riverdale High, how coming out should be treated, and how acceptance of sexuality has changed dramatically over the years. It’s the most this show has tackled LGBTQ+ issues since Cheryl’s coming out storyline in Season 2, and it’s handled in a deft, responsible, and extremely emotionally charged way that will almost assuredly bring you to tears.

5 It's Choni Time Speaking of Cheryl Blossom and her girlfriend, Toni Topaz… This is their episode. After weeks spent on the sidelines or supporting others stories, they are front and center in the hour, and Madelaine Petsch and Vanessa Morgan crush every scene they’re given. They get to show their full range as actresses — from a heartbreaking scene set in the Riverdale High bathroom, to romantic scenes in their bedroom, to an unexpected storyline that brings out the deep, often neglected golden heart that resides in Cheryl, this episode is everything a Choni shipper could have dreamed of. But more than that, it’s just good writing. Characters are more than shocking moments and pop culture quips, as much fun as those are. Lundin works in moments that don’t feel out of place on a show like Riverdale, while fleshing out Cheryl and Toni into three-dimensional characters. Though this isn’t the end of the season by any means, this feels like a culmination of everything both characters have been through so far, picking up pieces that were littered through previous episodes and making sure each moment brings to bear the full impact of each other’s words. So even if you aren’t a fan of the pairing (and why wouldn’t you be???), hopefully you are a fan of character development and acting, because that’s well on display in their storyline. And if you are a fan? Backstory, emotion, kisses, confrontations, and resolutions… Everything you all have tweeted and Tumblr asked and Insta messaged me hundreds of times, begging to know if it was ever coming: this is your episode, too.

6 Josie... Finally As mentioned above, a good chunk of Josie’s story has to do with Archie (in a supporting capacity). But that’s only half of it, as she’s presented with the chance of a lifetime, only to find a lot of the choices she’s made have left her utterly alone. It’s a neat (and extremely sad) commentary on the state of Josie on Riverdale, a character who started with her band The Pussycats, only to drive them away along with most of her screentime. Again, Lundin makes this metatext work for her by playing into the sense of despair Josie is feeling. Murray gives an agonizing performance this episode, as well as a great preview as to why she’ll be such an asset to the upcoming Katy Keene spinoff.

7 Mrs. Jones And Me She’s baaaaack. Gina Gershon returns as Jughead’s absent mother Gladys Jones, and her entrance — and what follows — are killer. Expect to see a lot more of her and her daughter Jellybean (Trinity Likins) going forward. Based on this episode? Nobody is prepared for what Gladys is bringing with her.

8 BedBughead Don’t worry, Betty and Jughead do briefly show up in the episode, though they’re relegated to the running time usually reserved for the back-burner characters. Jughead gets a little more to do than Betty (no pun intended), though both are far from the focus of the hour, like they usually are. And that’s okay! It’s fun to see them pop up, and they’ll have plenty of focus going forward. Thanks for ceding the stage, Bughead.

9 Bad Boys For Life After last week’s Bad Boys 2 inspired caper left Reggie and Veronica in debt to Hermione Lodge (Marisol Nichols) when they burned Hiram Lodge’s (Mark Consuelos) entire drug stash, you’d think the new couple would have learned their lesson. Nope! Instead, we get another ill-advised plan from the duo that leads to further trouble. Along the way, though, we find out a little more about Reggie’s home situation, and things heat up for Veggie. But don’t worry, they’ve got this one in the bag.