Riverdale’s Return: What to Expect

Riverdale returns on Wednesday, and there are a few things I expect to see in the second half of season two. After you read what I expect (and even hope for), let me know what you expect/hope to see in the second half of season 2.

I was already excited for the return of Riverdale, but the CW’s previews have got me speculating on what’s to come.

Southside High

The big news from Principle Weatherby is that Southside High is being consolidated into Riverdale High, and it looks like it’s not going to be a smooth transition. Lines are being drawn and conflict is inevitable. Jughead is going to have to reconcile some parts of his life that he’s mostly been able to compartmentalize and keep separate because the Southside High serpents will be together with his Riverdale High friends now. I’m very excited to see more of Toni Topaz, and I can’t wait to what happens when her down-to-earth nature meets the high drama of Riverdale High.

The Coopers

The son Hal and Alice Cooper gave up for adoption is due to make an appearance, and we saw the first glimpse of Chic in the previews that the CW released. Alice wants to see her son, but Hal is noticeably missing from all previews of Riverdale’s return. I’ll admit that I hope that this is because we finally discover that Hal is the real Black Hood (seriously, it just makes sense). Executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has said that the Black Hood is done “as we’ve been playing it,” but I think that even though that story line is over, there may be more left for Betty to learn about the Hood.

Love and Conflict

Aguirre-Sacasa has also said that we’ll see the Betty-Archie-Veronica love triangle ramp up in the second half of season 2. There is definitely going to be conflict between Hiram and Archie, with Hiram trying to push Archie out of his daughter’s life. However, let’s not forget that Archie and Betty kissed earlier in season 2, and I’m pretty sure Cheryl saw that kiss. That’s bound to cause some drama because we all know Cheryl’s not just going to let that slide. Plus, if Betty and Jughead get back together (please, please, please), there’s no way Betty won’t feel compelled to tell Jughead.

A New Mystery

According to Aguirre-Sacasa, there’s also a new mystery on the horizon. My money is that it’s related to the Lodges. The show has danced around what they’re up to in Riverdale for too long. Plus, Archie definitely seems to be talking to some kind of federal agent-type in the preview, so perhaps we’ll finally get the dirt on Hiram and Hermione Lodge. We know that Archie and Hiram come into conflict, and Veronica seems to be coming in on Archie’s side, but will that change if he complies with an investigation into her father or if she finds out about Archie and Betty’s kiss?

Of course, Betty has got to have some kind of mystery to solve or else she wouldn’t be Betty. Will it be something related to her brother? The Lodges? The Serpents and the Southside? Maybe all those things combined?

What I Hope to See

Speaking of Betty, can we please have Bughead get back together? Betty’s happy Jughead’s back at Riverdale, so I have high hopes. There’s just too much of a connection there. A lot of this might depend on the fallout for Jughead’s actions with the Snake Charmer and FP’s determination to take care of things and get Jughead out. I’d also really like to know what the history is between FP and Alice Cooper. She seemed way too nostalgic about her youth during FP’s (not really a) retirement party.

Finally, I really hope that Cheryl finds herself in a better place. She’s been dealing with the repercussions of sexual assault, as well as living with her awful mother. Nick St. Clair seems to be making an appearance, so I hope she gets some justice there. I really hope she finds a healthier way to channel her affections because her attraction to Josie showed us that Cheryl is not really in a good place when it comes to her feelings.

Tell me what you expect or hope to see in the comments below.

Riverdale returns Wednesday, January 17 at 8/7c on the CW.