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Riverdale Recap: “Chapter Sixteen: The Watcher In The Woods”

By Kelly Shanaphy

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Riverdale is at its best when it embraces the absurd events happening throughout town.

“The Watcher In The Woods,” hits every level of crazy that made viewers fall head over heels for this comic book adaptation.  With a killer officially on the loose as well as Jingle Jangle sweeping the town, Riverdale has officially become a town full of darkness rather than “pep” as the welcome sign claims.

Teased as a big Kevin-centric episode, “The Watcher In The Woods definitely pays off on a storyline for everyone’s drama-loving best friend. After his relationship with Joaquin crashed and burned, he’s now cruising in the woods for a little action in the middle of the night. While this is a horrible decision, he does happen to be in the middle of a tryst when he hears the gunshots from last week’s cliffhanger. He stumbles upon a blood-soaked Midge, who is screaming for help as her boyfriend lays injured in the car. Turns out Moose used his body to shield his girlfriend meaning he took the brunt of the bullets. It’s terrific that the show decided to keep these two around considering how important they are to the Archie Comics mythology, and it’s nice to see Moose act like his on-page persona who would do anything to protect Midge.

While Betty confronts her best friend about what he was doing in the middle of the woods at night, Kevin still chooses to keep going back. The teaser for Chapter Sixteen made it seem like she could be judging him for his hookup choices but “The Watcher In The Woods,” makes it clear that it’s about his safety.  As she points out, there’s a killer on the loose who just shot their friends inside the forest, therefore, she wants Kevin to exercise some caution. Of course, she chooses to ignore her again but it does lead to a moving moment with a bedridden Moose. The two bond over their lack of options in a small town and it leads to Moose inviting him to come back to visit him in the hospital again. Betty isn’t so understanding, and she marches over to his house to tell his father what has been going on. It’s tough to sell out a friend’s trust but neither of them is totally in the wrong. Kevin has a point that his high school experience will never be the same as his best friend, therefore, cruising really is his only option, but Betty can’t allow her friend’s romantic desires get in the way of his safety.

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In the soapiest story of the night, Hiram Lodge officially gets introduced to the core four. He’s just as intimidating as last week, and every scene he’s in seems like there’s a greater plan at work. Nevertheless, Hiram is intent on winning his daughter back even if it means playing nice with Archie while threatening Hermione. Honestly, Hermione’s complete 180 from the doting mother she was last season is a bit jarring but her rivalry with Veronica is deliciously fun drama. While Ronnie is waging war against her mother, Archie is slowly getting egged on by her father to continue his vigilante escapades. What is Hiram’s endgame with this storyline? Thus far, the motive remains unclear but the town’s redheaded hero seems to have taken a shine to his new mentor.

After Moose confirms that the Black Hood had green eyes, Archie decides to strike back. Fred shoots down the idea of getting a gun, without realizing his son has gotten one, so Archie forms a neighborhood watch. Named after some of his superhero comics, The Red Circle becomes a school club full of the toughest football guys. Reggie is more than happy to be the devil on Archie’s shoulder as he eggs on his buddy more and more. However, Archie’s new club does seem to be doing more good than expected when they save Ethel from the guy late at night. But it begs the question, what has Ethel done to make her a target? Turns out that the Black Hood is hunting down “sinners,” which he proudly brags about in a letter to Alice Cooper. She is happy to bait the killer with a brutal article as well as publishing his letter at the behest of the Sheriff and the mayor. It looks like everyone is playing a dangerous game on the North Side and it’s only a matter of time before more people start getting hurt.

Things aren’t looking up for Jughead on the South Side either in “The Watcher In The Woods”. At his first day of school, he meets his peer mentor, Toni Topaz, who immediately establishes herself as a “female Jughead”. She doesn’t push him to join the Serpents but makes it pretty clear that if he continues on the lone wolf path then the rival gang, “The Ghoulies,” will go after him. Juggie ignores the warning and instead focuses on getting the school newspaper back on track with Toni as its photographer. However, on his way out the rival gang does get the jump on him which leaves him with a bruised ego and body. He lies to Betty claiming it was a motorcycle accident and officially takes his first big step into the Serpents. Looks like Bughead is going to be facing a lot more trouble than a potential love triangle.

Next: Riverdale Recap: “Chapter Fifteen: Nighthawks”

With Polly fleeing town, “The Watcher In The Woods,” makes it clear that any character is at risk of being a target. If she has lost faith that the fearless Alice can protect her, then no one is safe. From next week’s promo, it appears to confirm that The Black Hood was inspired by Betty’s speech last season and has become a vigilante. That could spell doom for the blonde detective if she chooses to stand against a man who has become so invested in the idea of her. Hit the comments below with your theories on the Black Hood’s motivations!

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